I woke up this morning wanting to stay in bed, then get on the couch and eat junk all day. Now mind you it was only 6am and these were the thoughts going through my head that early in the morning. Well that fantasy was crushed when reality set in and I had to go and teach a spin class at 7am and then see 2 clients before noon, write a blog and do an interview for prevention magazine. This is how my day usually begins and I love it. So, as I was driving to the spin class I began to think about how I might have really entertained these thoughts in the past and may have actually eaten junk to begin my day. I changed my thinking, to think about my personal RULES TO LIVE and EAT BY and I wanted to share them with you. 1. I never entertain negative thoughts. It is so important to change that way of thinking as it affects all parts of our lives. 2. I am a true believer in ‘you are what you eat’.  Refined sugar is like a drug; the more you eat it the more you want it. You will have no energy and it just turns to fat and does the body no good at all. 3. I make sure I exercise at least 4-5 times a week faithfully, even when I do not want to do it. The benefits of exercise go way beyond helping women to lose weight, as the health benefits will help you to live a longer life, alleviating many medical problems that might have occurred. 4. I eat at least 2-3 fresh fruits a day, year round. As the seasons change so do the kinds of fruits that are available and that gives me a bigger variety. 5. I realize that I need to really work on my portion control. Although I do not eat a lot of junk, I tend to eat bigger portions and can take in too many calories if not careful. 6. Fast food is almost a no-no with me. Every once in a while I might drive through for a quick craving but that is rare as I know that fast food is loaded with salt, sugar and fats. 7. Eating out is really the time to be aware of what I am eating. I will split an appetizer with friends and have a meal but will never have dessert. If I split a dessert, then I will bypass the appetizer. Do not think you need both. 8. Going to the movies I will bring some oranges and grapefruits that I cut up or buy a small popcorn. That is it. I am there to see a movie, not to have a food fest. 9. I rarely buy sugar junk foods when food shopping. If I really want something I will buy a small package and enjoy it. If I buy anything in a large size, who will eat it? Me. I never mentally beat myself up for not being perfect in any area of my life, especially when it comes to food and eating. I work on it and make it better, as that is a more POSITIVE way for us to handle it. None of us are perfect, and to make changes in your life you have to be able to breathe and realize you will slip- up, but that will only make you come back stronger. Debra

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