South Beach, Atkins, Weight Watchers, NutriSystem…P90X, Curves, 24 Hour Fitness, The Firm… Dexatrim, SlimQuick, Slim Fast, Herbalife! Are you kidding me? Really?
For most people (including me, for the most part) this stuff might as well be a different language. Honestly, who really knows what works and what is just some guy making it rich off other’s desperation? Am I supposed to count carbs, calories, or minutes of cardio?
The problem is, with all the technology, scientific advancements and research, it has actually made it harder to know the truth and put it into practice. What are we really supposed to be doing to live a healthy lifestyle? I am not talking stick-thin, anorexic Calista Flockhart lifestyle. I am talking functional living that is manageable on a daily basis without making you feel like you are going to go crazy or shoot someone because you are so cranky. Here’s the deal, and I know you don’t want to hear this, but the truth is… a healthy lifestyle is different for every person. Saying that this one thing, or this one way of doing things is right for everyone is like saying every square peg fits in a circular hole. No two people have identical lives, therefore no two people are going to live their healthiest life the same way. And by the way, that is perfectly OK!
I’ll tell you what else is perfectly OK… to eat yummy food. I’ll tell you WHAT ELSE is OK… skipping a day of workout. I will tell you the one principle that is universal for everyone. MODERATION! Scarfing down gallons of ice cream every day isn’t good, but neither is starving yourself and only eating 5 green grapes a day just so you can fit into those size -2 jeans.
I am not a nutritionist. I am not a dietitian. I am not even a personal trainer or one of those really cute, never aging teeny-boppers that teach aerobics at the gym. (How the freak do those girls get that much energy? I couldn’t steal that much energy!) I will tell you what I am… I am a girl who has struggled with my weight my entire life and am pretty much a walking almanac of dieting and weight loss tricks. All that experience and knowledge has gotten me nowhere, except confused and 15 years older.
Bottom line, I can’t tell you what to do, nor would I want to. What I will do is share my experience and knowledge of what works and doesn’t work for me. in hopes of helping you carve your own path to healthy lifestyle success. I am always open to suggestions, comments and constructive criticism. Please feel free to leave comments, words of encouragement for all readers and possibly even questions you want me to research or expound upon.
In health and happiness (and a little bit of humor),
Ashley Hull “AJ”
