In the Company of Friends

We spent the Fourth of July weekend vacationing with dear friends and family, playing in the sun, catching up, laughing and enjoying each others' company. We also spent it pigging out and drinking adult beverages. Oops. Sure, our friends are on the same diet page that we are, and we talked about our low cost low carb lives, sharing recipes, products, experiences. Ultimately, though, we knew from the get-go that the new diet would have to start on Tuesday, after everyone went home and life went back to normal. The food, the festivities, and the friends were just too good to pass up.

I say "new" diet, but it really isn't. It's simply a re-commitment to adhere to the low cost low carb lifestyle that has been so good to us. Well, mostly to Pete. It would work for me, if I were anywhere near as dedicated as he is. The simple fact is that he applied himself, and I didn't. I've never had any of the health problems he had, so I had no motivation to diet. I do now! After 4 days in a bikini, painfully aware of my exposed "Buddha Belly" while hearing one person after another compliment my husband on his flat abs, I'm motivated. I don't want to be "The Old Lady"!

Of course, it helps to know my friend is applying herself to a low carb life too. She has knee injuries, so exercise is a challenge for her. I have an autoimmune condition, so I have dietary restrictions. Neither issue is insurmountable. We'll adapt, improvise, and overcome. Maybe that's the next evolution of low cost low carb for us. For my husband, it was iron will that made his diet such a success. Frankly, few people have that kind of will power. I'm more flexible and forgiving of myself and my life (ok, weaker), and I'll have have to accommodate my dietary limitations and picky tastes. This may be the second time going low cost low carb for our family, but it won't be a repeat. Top all this off with the ever-declining economy, and the low cost part of the diet becomes even more important than ever before.

July 2nd was the half-way point in the year. Instead of making New Year's Resolutions to look good for swimsuit season, I'm making Independence Day Resolutions to look great for the holidays. My first step is to share this with you. My second is to write down everything that I eat- more on that later. It won't be pretty, but it's a start. Care to join me?

Need Motivation? How's this...?

How's this for motivation to get your weight under control? Check out this map from the Center for Disease Control. It shows the fattening of America state by state from 1985 to 2007. Maybe all those aerobics in the 80s really did help. Maybe partying like it was 1999 didn't. Only you know what you were or weren't doing during those years, but WE, America as a country, are in trouble now. In one state, 44% of the children are obese. Not "baby" fat, not cute and chubby, obese. If that doesn't change, this kids can look forward to a life of health problems, medical bills, and missed opportunities. This warning isn't just for the kids, either. The statistics on adult obesity are even worse.

This weekend we celebrate America. Many of us remember 1976, and still find it hard to believe such an amazing country could be barely over 200 years old. We didn't go from being a colony to being the U.S.A. without some serious motivation, determination, and hard work. It's in us, no matter when your family first arrived. My husband and I are each only 2nd generation Americans, but that drive to succeed came with our ancestors who chose to make their way here from the Old Country. You have that drive too. Instead of waiting until New Year's Day, let's grab our bootstraps and decide to take on America's weight problem right now, as we celebrate America's greatness.

Got plans for the 4th of July? Great! Make them active plans. Swim, boat, fish, hike, sightsee, or play - do whatever you like! Write down how much time you and your family spend outdoors every day for a week. The average American spends less than 5% of his life outside. Let's fix that! Just an hour a day and a few extra hours on the weekend can double that, and time in the fresh air is usually active time.
Got plans to cookout for the 4th of July? Fantastic! No where else on Earth is cooking out or BBQ as universally practiced and loved as here in America. Be sure to balance the burgers with lots of healthy, low carb sides. Check out the great recipes (and personal triumphs) in one of my favorite blogs, Swallowed By a Fat Girl, for inspiration. Of course, feel free to serve some of the recipes you've seen here, too!
Got plans to party for the 4th of July? Remember, alcohol is sugar as far as low carb diets are concerned, so drink in moderation (for a number of good reasons) and keep munching healthy snacks with your cool refreshing beverages. Don't forget to drink plenty of pure, old-fashioned water, too, especially while your outside playing in the sun.

Happy 4th of July, Everyone! Happy Birthday, America!