Hey Everyone,

I know, I know, I know. I've said over and over in my blogs not to watch your weight, but to concentrate on things you can really control. Well, I just put that in the title to get your attention. What I actually want to talk about today it the "G"-word. That's right G-U-I-L-T, GUIILT.

I was on-line this morning and came across an article by Lorie Parch entitled "The Secrets of Thin People."(Link posted here: http://health.yahoo.net/articl
es/weight-loss/photos/secr
ets-thin-people#0

One of her "secrets" was "thin people enjoy their food." Under that secret she goes on to explain, thin people enjoy their food more than overweight people because they eat without self-reproach. In other words thin people eat without a side-helping of guilt. Thin people eat without caring what other people think about them and what's on their plate.

I thought to myself (as a light bulb went on over my head) how true is that! How many times have you sat down to the table at work and noticed other people looking to see what you are eating? How many times have you been at a family gathering and noticed other people looking to see how much you have on your plate? What was the expression on their face? How did that "look" make you feel?

Guilt, shame, self-loathing, are all stressers that release hormones called nuero-chemicals into the bloodstream. According to an article published in Psychology Today, these hormones alter normal blood chemistry and block receptors in the brain that both trigger appetite and suppress it. Researchers are trying to figure out how these complex chemicals affect the brain and interact with blood sugar levels and insulin levels in the body. If you want to read the article for yourself here is the link. http://www.psychologytoday.com
/articles/200802/consuming
-passions I've read it three times and I only understand about half of it.

In any respect, it is plain to see, if we remove our guilt from our plates, we may eat less and make better choices about the foods we eat. I believe it goes back to developing good eating habits.

1. Choosing the right foods. Eat food with bulk (fruits and vegetables)
2. Measuring portions/using portion control
3. Drinking plenty of water before and while we eat

So, go ahead and eat without that extra helping of GUILT. But eat SMART and stay with the program.

Until next time, Have a Guilt-free day and JUICE to you!

Jonny Mac