Diet Dilemmas

Not long ago I was at a party savoring the last bite of a sumptuous pumpkin flan when I heard “Get a camera. Kathy Smith’s eating dessert.”

If I’m at a restaurant with someone who hasn’t eaten with me before, invariably he or she will wait to see what I’m ordering or will comment “I just don’t know what to get...with you here.”

While I’m personally not bothered by the attention, I am terribly disturbed by the attitude it reflects, because that attitude can be destructive to our bodies and our spirits.

Make Kathy’s Timesaver Cardio Fat Burner DVD
part of your balanced lifestyle.

Women especially have developed warped ideas about food. Over the years they’ve heard the mantra repeated that in order to be beautiful and thin they have to eat certain foods—cottage cheese, celery or tuna—and forego all others. They believe that there’s such a thing as “good” food or “bad” food.

In fact, no food is inherently good or bad. Virtually all foods have their proper place in your diet. Take French fries for example; which I know are on almost everyone’s taboo list. Truth is, an order of fries with some broiled fish and fresh vegetables may be just the addition your body needs to get from lunch to dinner without snacking.

Why? The fat in the potatoes takes longer to digest than protein or carbohydrates, leaving you feeling fuller longer.

While such thinking runs contrary to today’s conventional wisdom. I’m against diets that are based on the false concept of “good” foods and “bad” foods. What I’m in favor of is balance in living—an overall healthy diet and regular exercise. In that context, an occasional slice of cheesecake or a scoop of mint chip is perfectly all right.

Balance is the opposite of deprivation. Deprivation entails strict adherence to a prescribed set of do’s and don’ts—do eat this, don’t eat that. It’s doomed to fail sooner or later. You can still have fun, eat special foods, entertain family and friends and stay healthy.

Most importantly, stay active and maintain healthy habits throughout the year—with some flexibility of course. Knowing that you eat well and exercise frequently allows you the latitude to indulge.

That’s the essence of balance.  My Timesaver Cardio Fat Burner DVD is a perfect workout companion with two 20 minute routines designed to burn more calories and fire up your metabolism. Done alone or back to back, these well-rounded workouts are perfect for even the busiest schedules and leave you feeling GREAT! 

If I’ve learned one thing in my 25+ years as a fitness consultant, it’s that no good can come
of feeling “I'm bad.”