Does Sugar rule you?

I am all about eating healthy and encouraging others to do the same but I do love a slice of birthday cake, a small bowl of ice cream or a hunk of chocolate on occasion.  Sometimes I have it as a treat, sometimes I have it because I am really craving it, sometimes I just have it because it is there and I know I will enjoy it.
Trick one to avoiding treats I love... Don't have them readily available to pick up and eat- set yourself up for success!  Trick two ... have a treat every so often, just don't have one every day!  Its about moderation, self control and will power... we all have some, give your self a little credit... now USE IT!

My kids LOVE sugar.  They manage quite well when they don't get sweets but when given a choice between fruit or cupcake they will usually choose a cupcake... but they do both love my homemade, low sugar zucchini bread!

Where isn't there sugar?  Look in most of the foods you eat and check out all of the added sugar, especially in the low fat products!  How many people drink coffee without sugar or a flavored creamer (which is sweetened)?  Sugar is addictive.  Sugar gives you a quick burst of energy, but can often lead to a "sugar hangover" as the energy is short lived!  Sugar is known to feed cancer cells, trigger weight gain and promote premature aging (Mercola).  Artificial sweeteners are no better!

Most mornings I set my children up for a successful day with oatmeal, raisins and yogurt with a small slice of homemade zucchini bread.  Their bellies are full, their brains are fed, their bodies are nourished.  As I dropped them off at school last week I saw boxes of donuts waiting to be carried into a neighboring classroom to celebrate a teacher's birthday.  How sweet, her gift was 25 sugared up little first graders... YIKES!  Our school allows birthdays to be celebrated and it usually involves a lot of sweets.  Do your schools still allow this?  The bigger the treat does not mean the more you love your child or the more money you have... but that seems to be where we are at right now!  I am thinking dipped, frozen bananas or fruit kabobs with a marshmallow or two thrown in might be suitable this year!

My goals?

• To help my kids understand the value of healthy eating... it is not about being skinny, it is about being healthy... not just now but long term! 
• To help my friends and family understand the value of healthy eating for the same reasons.
• To share this forward to help "End the Trend" of obesity.

Tiny changes, baby steps, healthier options... we all can get there, it is just going to take time!
I would love to help you make changes, just give me a shout and we will see what we can do.  I would love some help as I am only one person and there are a lot of people who need help!  Learn a little more about the Beachbody Challenges in the video below! and find me a www.GetFitWithNicola.com