Your health is in your hands. Whether you feel like it or not, you are in control of the decisions you make every day. We have choices to make, so make the choice to eat healthy!
It sounds harsh, and it is easier said than done. And maybe it sounds BOR-RING, but what you eat makes a difference in the quality of your life and quite possibly, the length of time you have left to spend on this earth.
My decisions are probably based on my controlling nature, that I don’t want outside influences to take over. But I realize most people aren’t like me. If food takes control of you, you need to take a step back from it and think about what food is and what it is not.
Food is nourishment. Put to good use, it is energy and health. Food should not equal happiness. Many people argue the point that it does make them happy, but when it comes down to it, food is not really what makes you happy. Happiness should not be temporary. If it is temporary, then the feeling that comes after happiness is usually guilt and or sadness. Remember, long-term success is measured not on a scale, but truly in the quality of your life. If you are healthy, that quality of life will improve because you will be happy, not temporarily happy.
Think about the choices you make each day. Do you choose to eat breakfast on the run versus skipping the meal? Do you choose to eat at home or from home instead of getting a meal out. Or, is your choice about making a healthy decision when out to eat? Do you choose to drink water instead of sugary or caffeinated drinks? How about the choice to walk to the office next door instead of calling or emailing. You can choose to eat vegetables as a snack instead of potato chips.
All of these little decisions added together can make a very big difference over the course of time.
It seems as though making one “bad” decision isn’t really all that destructive. But determining that you are in control of your decisions and that it was truly just one “bad” decision is important. It is when we lose control that healthy lifestyles can drift away quickly.
If you eat after dinner, here is one choice to make tonight. Make the decision to have a great evening snack: Fix some homemade microwave popcorn.
- ¼ cup un-popped popcorn kernels
- 1 tsp canola oil
- 1 TBSP grated parmesan cheese
Combine kernels and oil in a paper lunch sack. Fold over the edge 3 or 4 times (don’t tape or staple).
Pop in microwave as you would microwave popcorn, usually 3 minutes or so, until popping subsides. Remove and parmesan or other seasonings (avoiding salt of course). Enjoy 3 cups for less than 150 filling calories.
