The HOW and WHY

Every day I'm struck by the complexity of people's lives. Whether real or perceived, it seems that each day brings major challenges which deflect from our ability to focus on heath, making proper food choices, and getting regular consistent exercise.

Many people are working two jobs and have issues not only with work related demands (both volume of work, and the stress of coping with colleagues); but home issues also. We have children that must be fed and driven to swimming or hockey practice, along with aging parents who put more demands on our time and emotions.

If I was capable of putting everyone in a bubble, with no stress, prepared meals and time for regular exercise, the success rate of weight loss and maintenance would be a piece of cake (no real excuses for the pun). However the reality is that amongst all of our various demands, somehow we must find ways to stay on track with eating; and importantly, making time to exercise.

It is very hard to really get inside people's lives and understand what will work and what won't. As hard as it might be for everyone, I feel the most important thing to do is to plan on front loading the day with enough good food that you aren't ravenous at the end of the day. This helps to prevent the mindless eating we all seem to do either just after work or from supper to bedtime.

Ideally we would all have a good breakfast, a snack mid morning if hungry, a good lunch, and most importantly, a late afternoon snack. That might decrease our excessive intake at supper and beyond. Ideally supper would be almost equal in size to our breakfast and lunch.

At the end of the workday we are mentally fatigued; I know it feels physical, but we have done very little during the day to exhaust our muscles. Our brain hormones, well, that's another story. Mental fatigue is the fatigue you feel and that will not only lead to mindless and over eating, it allows you to make an excuse not to exercise and we spend our evenings in front of the T.V. or computer. A walk, bike or swim will give you energy to do more in the evenings.

Each of us needs to be aware of why we want to lose weight and how we are going to accomplish it. Without thinking about our goals daily, our busy crazy schedule will take over and proper food choices will fail. Remind yourself every morning and every evening why you want to lose weight. When those reasons become clear, then the how becomes easier.

Each of our days brings challenges. Your health, however, is much more important than any challenges facing you. Make good choices; prepare a good breakfast, and do everything in your power to front load the day so that you aren't hungry when you walk into the house after work. Go for a walk; it will refresh you

You can do it. I know you can. Just keep on trying, and never ever give up

Dr. Doug