A couple nights ago, Kev and I were watching the news and they were talking about the latest obesity trends for the United States, which was sobering to say the least. They said that Utah had the 5th lowest obesity rate, but that our state was still climbing at an alarming rate.
For Utah, the obesity rate for adults was 24.1% in 2013, but in 2004 it was 19.6% and in 1990 it was only 9%. Frightening! Here’s the map that was shared on the news,
Ya know, when I was growing up (in the 80’s and 90’s) I really didn’t know or see too many overweight people. Nowadays, it seems like MOST people are overweight, including teenagers and kids. In fact, it seems like fit and healthy people are a rarity these days.
I think the majority of the obesity problem stems from the foods our society considers to be part of a “normal diet.” It seems like fast food, take-out and processed foods have become the “staple” of many people’s diets. Families don’t seem to take the time to make home-cooked, “real” meals anymore.
I also think people are SO busy these days. Kids are in 8 million different after-school activities and parents are involved in so many extra things. Soooo, fast, easy, convenient foods help people/families free up some time and accomplish more things!
And, let’s be honest, fast foods, take-out, processed foods and junk food taste pretty darn good! However, these highly processed foods, full of “who knows what” ingredients will jack with our hormones and metabolism. They actually mess with the blood sugar, make people more tired, MORE hungry, and make people CRAVE more!
It’s no wonder we have an obesity problem.
However, lest I be a hypocrite, I must mention that I really love crappy food too! I have a SERIOUS love of cookies, french fries and donuts. I feed my children less than stellar food choices at times and the kids LOVE to get pizza on Friday nights. I also have a couple of picky eaters that I battle all the time!
With all that being said, that news segment really motivated me! It made me want to “buck the trend,” work hard, take control of my health and get my butt in gear.
I know life’s a little insane right now with a new baby in the house and I’m tired, sleep deprived, can’t exercise and basically stay at home all the time, but I know I can still do a lot of things to improve my health!
Lately, I’ve been justifying WAY too many food indulgences and have been going to bed later than I should. AND, because I’m so darn tired all the time, I CRAVE crappy food A LOT.
Soooo, yesterday I decided that I’m going to eat as well as I can until the end of the month! I’m going to load up on fruits and veggies and stay away from processed, sugary, fried, fake food. I’m not going to count calories; I’m just going to listen to my body and eat when I’m hungry! I’m also going to try to go to bed around 10-ish. It’s so hard to go to bed early because I have teenagers, homework and baby stuff going on, but I will do my best!
Oh and I plan to continue my healthy efforts after the end of the month too, but I like to plan shorter-term goals with an end date in mind. It helps to keep me motivated. 🙂 I’m also planning on eating a lot of the same foods in an effort to simplify things.
Soooo, I’ve been having my beloved warm lemon/lime water first thing in the morning. It’s such a great way to start the day and is so soothing. Love it.
I had this for breakfast yesterday…
1 egg, a bunch of egg whites with peppers, onion, turkey, olives, tomatoes, avocado and cheese. YUM! I also had some fresh fruit on the side.
This breakfast tasted so good, fresh and real to me! In fact, I’m planning on having eggs for breakfast every morning if I can. I’m sure I’ll get sick of them, but I love that they’re a lean, complete protein and that I can mix them with a bunch of veggies!
I had this for breakfast today…
Pretty much the same thing except with different fruit.
Oh, and to simplify things, I cut up a bunch of “egg fixin’s” and put them in containers in the fridge. It definitely makes the process so much simpler!
I haven’t really had a “real” lunch; I’ve just been having lots of snacks throughout the day. I had some protein pancakes yesterday (don’t mind the munched pancake; it got stuck in the toaster. Hee hee)…
I topped them with a little peanut butter, blueberries and a drizzle of sugar-free syrup. Oh, and BTW, I’m not going to use sugar-free syrup anymore. 🙁 Once this bottle is gone, that is it. I really don’t consume artificial sweeteners too often, but I want to cut them out as much as I can.
I had this as a snack today…
A Black Cherry Skotidakis Greek yogurt with a peach. Super yum. I bought a case of that yogurt at Costco recently and I LOVE it! I’m usually a Chobani or Fage yogurt girl, but this may be my new fav.
I’ve also been snacking on things like string cheese, bananas with peanut butter, nuts and fruit leather. I also cut up a bunch of lettuce and hard boiled some eggs to give me some more options…
I know in order to be successful at staying with a healthy diet, I have to be prepared. It’s vital that I fill my kitchen full of healthy, easy and convenient options. Otherwise, it’s just too tempting to give in/give up.
I made this for dinner last night…
I made zucchini noodles, veggies and grilled chicken and topped it all with marinara sauce and Parmesan cheese. I also had some apple slices on the side.
I also had the leftovers for dinner tonight. YUM! I made homemade pizza for the kids tonight, FYI.
That pretty much sums it up. I know it’s only been two days, but I already feel better. I love feeling disciplined too.
Oh, and I have my 3 weeks Postpartum picture to share (brace yourselves)….
I’m still feeling very, very poofy and I haven’t lost any more weight (I’m down about 18-19 pounds.) In fact, my face feels chubbier than when I was 9 months pregnant!
I must say that I am a very hormonal lady and my weight/bloatedness is very sensitive to hormones. I always poof up the minute I find out I’m pregnant, gain weight during the PMS time and poof WAY up when I’m nursing. In fact, I usually cling onto 5-10 pounds of weight until I wean my babies.
So weird. I’m hoping a healthy diet and soon-to-be exercise regimen will help to regulate things a bit. I’m really hoping to de-poof sometime in the near future.
Anyway, that’s all for now folks. I need to hit the hay! Have a great night.
Don’t be too hard on yourself! You have plenty of time to get back in shape! I’m so relieved you are getting rid of the sugar-free syrup! That was my first thought….it’s just corn syrup and has no nutrients where as real maple syrup is a whole food and actually has some nutrients in it. It tastes so much better too, so you don’t need much!!! I hear you on the obesity epidemic. I must say I find it very disturbing to see how many kids are overweight and everytime I go grocery shoping, the garbage that people fill their carts with makes me want to cry. It’s all boxed fake “food”!!! No wonder kids and people are sick all the time. We must eat veggies and fruits daily…food is our medicine! Treats on occasion, but daily it’s so easy to snack on healthy fruit and veggies.
It just bothers me because so many of these kids don’t even have a choice because the parents are buying the crap! Ugh!!
Anyways, sorry for the rant, lol! You look gorgeous!
I know, I expect a lot out of myself, but I’m trying to be patient! I know how long it takes to lose baby weight. Oy. My sugar-free syrup is pretty much the only artificial sweetener I “eat,” and I’ve known I should nix it for a long time. I’m always amazed by the crap I see in grocery carts too. Frightening! I know most people don’t even care and it is just so sad. 🙁
Great inspiration for the day. My husband and I do weight watchers. I know how to lose weight, I just need the added motivation and regular check in. Even after I reached my goal weight, I’ll slip and BAM, five pounds added just like that.
This week I’ve had a conference and with it the yummy conference food, and desert with every meal. I haven’t been drinking enough water and way too many adult beverages at social hour, and I haven’t run since Sunday. I’m a mess! Time to get back to a regimen and be disciplined.
The kids know how critical a healthy diet, plenty of sleep and exercise is, but I also have a picky eater. I swear he’s missing out on some of the yummiest veggies and fruit of the season and he doesn’t care. He just eats his mealy apple I tell him was picked last year. I do worry about the obesity epidemic as well, and feel like I am constantly preaching.
Anyway, like I said, inspiring read. Good luck and do go easy on yourself. You look fabulous!
Thanks so much! I know all about gaining 5 pounds seemingly overnight! It’s so tough. I love, love, love healthy living, but it’s so hard to stay committed in the world we live in. I feel the same way about my picky eaters too….they don’t know what they’re missing!
I’m not surprised to see Georgia in the red on your map, obesity here is pretty bad. I took Ali to her three year old check up last week and was in shock at the questions the doctors asked me.
‘How many soda’s does she drink a day?’
What?? She’s never had one. She’s three!
‘How many times a week does she eat fast food?’
What??? None! (Except they count pizza as a fast food even if it’s homemade so I had to give them that one. Friday is pizza night).
‘How many meals have fruits and vegetables as part of them?’
Umm…all of them…
I couldn’t believe these were questions that pediatricians have to ask parents! It’s terrible! This is common sense, how bad is it that they’re asking how many soda’s my three year old drinks PER DAY! Blech!!
My brother and his family live in Georgia (Suwanee) and I know everyone enjoys the good ol’ Southern cooking down there! I cannot believe all of those questions from your doc. WOW. I guess it’s good they’re asking those questions (because of the obesity problem), but it’s so sad they have to ask those things!
Mel – Your preparation and progress inspire me on a consistent basis. Keep up the good work. I love reading your updates! Kim
Aww, thanks so much Kim! I so appreciate your sweet comments. I obviously have my own issues with health and fitness, but I just keep pluggin’ along!
I am shocked at the obesity map. I keep hearing that our nation is becoming more and more obese, and I definitely notice more overweight people, but still… There is not one single state in our nation that has less than a 20% obesity rate? And that’s the BEST? Holy crap!
I agree with the comment from The Vegan 8 about being happy that you’re letting the sugar-free syrup go. I don’t mind my kids (or myself) eating sugar nearly as much as chemicals.
Jessica’s comment blew me away too. (You’re a good mom, Jessica!) When did parents start giving their babies soda? Now it’s assumed, and the doctor only asks, “How many?” Unbelievable. And sad.
I know Deborah, those numbers absolutely floored me! I know there are so many poor food choices out there (sugar free syrup included!) It’s tough to eat perfectly when we are surrounded by so much crap. 🙁
Wow. I just discovered this blog and I am SOOO happy I did!!! Your blog looks like it covers everything I love, keep it up!!
Thanks so much! I’m excited to check out your blog as well. 😉
Melanie,
You’re doing great!!! You have more motivation than me for healthy eating and I didn’t just have a baby!!
Thanks so much Kari. You’re always such a sweetie!
I’ve noticed that there are lots more overweight/out of shape people here, too. I think that technology has a lot to do with it – it’s easy to plunk ourselves in a chair and have everything we need handy!!!
I think you’re right Kim. I know the internet and technology can suck me right in and I can kill entirely too much time when I could be doing more productive things. Our world these days is awesome in so many ways, yet frightening.
That obesity graphic is just too much for me, it’s depressing! 🙁
AND YOU MY DEAR LOOK SMOKING! You’re clearly looking into a trick mirror or something because you look phenomenal!
I KNOW! That chart just about floored me. Thanks so much for your kind words. I still have a long ways to go, but I’ll keep on pluggin’ along!
Oh no, the obesity chart. Not good, North America, not good. It’s the problem same here. I’m noticing more and more people who are teetering on obesity.
You’re looking so amazing, Melanie. Your healthy eats looks dee-lish!
It is so frightening, especially when you look at the numbers and percentages of obesity. I’m worried where our world is headed! Thanks, as always, for your support and sweet comments!
What are you talking about? You look great to me! You certainly are eating the right (and beautiful looking) food!
Ahh, thanks so much! I’ll keep pluggin’ along….
I feel like SC has a huge problem with obesity – tons of people eating unhealthy and never working out. Lots of my students are already very obese and so young. It is sad.
I’m always so sad when I see how many overweight kids and teenagers their are. It’s frightening. 🙁
I think it’s sad to watch… And know how ACTIVE of a role families need to take in this change. I don’t want to fall into the statistics either (not the bad ones anyway!!) the stats are disheartening. Junk food is addictive. But healthy eating is too!! My body is soooo much happier when I avoid excess sugar and fats!! I feel more spunky. And I LOVE reading your ideas for healthy eating-keeps lots of people motivated, including myself! So, thanks for the insight to food and effort. It certainly isnt easy and I appreciate your honesty!! (And I love the occasional treat recipes too-realism is refreshing!)
I love how you said junk food is addicting, but healthy eating is too! Well said. I know for me it all comes down to mind set and commitment. Unfortunately, it’s always so much easier to just eat whatever the heck I want. I’m always so much happier and feel so much better when I’m disciplined though!
Those numbers are startling! It’s so frustrating that something so easily avoided/fixed is such an epidemic in our society. I really really really want there to be more health initiatives to help people lose weight. I think you touched on a lot of great points as to why we are so overweight.
You look great mama!!!!
I am so worried about where our country is headed, health-wise. It’s frightening! I really hope some things will change to help people have better food choices.
From visiting several southern states it is so easy to gain weight. Southern soul food and southern barbecue is just amazing, Now when I visit the south I would eat southern soul food and barbecue just two times a week, but not almost every day.
I hear ya about the good southern BBQ! My brother lives in Georgia and they have wonderful food down there!