We're drowning in added sugar.  I mean sweeteners not the sugar naturally found in food before it is processed.  Added sugar is not only found on dining tables and deserts, it is frequently found in sauces like Ketchup and it is guzzled in soda.  Even alcohol has sugar adding to the daily diet.  In fact, the average American eats over 120 pounds of refined sweeteners per year.  On a daily basis, we are eating 20 teaspoons a day, twice the USDA's recommendation.

Even if you're not trying to lose weight, you should be pay attention to the amount of sugar in your diet.  Sugar can suppress your immune system making you more 

susceptible to infection and disease. Too much sugar can lead to hypoglycemia, diabetes, heart disease, and chronic tiredness.

I named this past Monday, Sugar Reduction Monday.  I'm going to have to continue to cut down on the sugar intake. I'm hoping you'll join me.  I'll be supplying you with some additional information about sugar and strategies to reduce your intake.  Get ready - next Monday will be another sugar reduction day and the beginning of a sugar reduction week.

Makani Themba-Nixon, Executive Director, The Praxis Project is one of a panel of women discussing the social determinants of health. I completely understood her when she said, “What is it about racism that makes you want to eat?”  We are fighting stress.  We don't talk much about the impact of stress in how we remain healthy and we certainly don't talk about the stress that the racism we are facing impacts us on an almost daily basis.  Despite the fact that many in the post-Obama America want to claim that racism is gone, we know that it is not true and we need to deal with it.

Class, income, geography and access to exercise are all factors impacting the health.  Disproportionally, people of color are negatively impacted.  Gina Eleane Wood, Deputy Director, Health Policy Institute, Joint Center for Economic and Political Studies notes that “poor people live shortly lives and are more ill.”

Genesis 1:29 Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.

God gave us all the options we need to nourish ourselves; our job is to decide which choices are are the best for us each day.  The American Dietetic Association has determined that during March we should "focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits." 

Who knew? This isn't a new initiative.  This has been a month-long observance since 1980.  It started as "National Nutrition Week" in 1973.  Sort of the same transition that Black History Month made only much faster.  Carter G. Woodson started Black History Week in 1926 and it became a month-long celebration in 1976.  (I had to inject a little Black History month fact.  I'm still celebrating.)

If you're like me and just finding out about National Nutrition Month, I'm sure we have more to learn.  I'll be checking out the site and I recommend you do too.  Isn't this little girl cute?  She's from their site.  Click on her and be directed there.

Have you ever worked out hard over a period of time and improved your diet and the scale just doesn't show it?  I have.  I completely understood how Miggy felt tonight on The Biggest Loser when she "only" lost 4 pounds.  Actually, I typically lose less than even when it feels like I must have done more.

Do you remember the last pre-Olympics Biggest Loser when Melissa got kicked off?  She had one week of 1 pound loss followed by a week of a 1 pound gain.  I get that Jillian thought she was gaming.  I thought she was playing the game weeks earlier, but I know the low pound thing can happen.  I'm going through it now even adjusted for the amount of weight I'm trying to lose, it feels like too little. 

I  started a weight-loss challenge with a gym friend.  He weighs about 200 pounds more than I do which means I'm expecting huge weight loss from him.  I just wasn't expecting to gain weight my first two weeks on this challenge. The first week I gained 1.2 pounds and .8 pounds the second.  I was a little disturbed because I figured that I could have eaten the ice cream that I passed up and had the same exact results.  Since I know that this happens, I adjusted my diet and exercise plan more and just kept going.

Really, I shouldn't have let myself get to the point where my clothes barely fit. But, it happened and I need to get it under control.  Because this has happened before, I know I need to simply stay focused, work harder and continue to eat better.  After the first month, my friend has lost in the higher double digits and it seems like I'm playing at losing weight.  While I won't claim to have been perfect, I was doing a good job with the eating and a great job on exercising.  I've even done a ton of two-a-day.  Really, I have gone to the gym twice in one day and worked out hard both times.

The Biggest Loser never really explores why someone might not be losing.  You could simply have some other changes in your body that counter the weight you might be losing.  Without TMI, let me just mention that the monthly change in the hormone level of a woman can impact her weight on the scale.  I suggest using a tape measure to help track changes.  I know my clothes are much more comfortable.  I'm still working hard and seeing little results.  The little results will add up all the way to my goal.

I was sitting at my desk and it just seemed that my back got tightened up to the point of pain.  Fortunately for me, I had a mid-day massage scheduled.  (I know -- having a massage in the middle of a work day is so wonderful, even if it is only 15 minutes.) My 15 minutes of heaven where such a help today.  My massage therapists recommends that I regularly take a little stretch break, push myself away from the desk and push my elbows toward each other behind my back.  It felt pretty good when I tried it.  I recommend it for you too.

Psalm 78:25 Men ate the bread of angels; he sent them all the food they could eat.

Have you ever seen Just Cook This: With Sam The Cooking Guy?  Well, he's on FitTV on Monday nights.  There are two episodes back to back.  I dvr it and watch it later.  When I work up early this morning, I knocked out both shows...because I had seen them both before.  Really, I just recently started watching this show and I'm already seeing shows I've already seen.  Does this happen to you?  Usually it is very annoying, however, it is good to get the recipes again. 

It does seem that all of these shows are old.  The date on the ones I watched this morning was 2007.  It's not that their dated.  It does mean that the number of shows FitTV has is very limited and I'm likely to see these same episodes yet again.  Sam the cooking guy does have his own website if you're looking for more.
For those of you who know me, you're probably thinking it is odd that I'm watching a cooking show.  I don't even claim to like cooking. I just have to do it and I think Sam give a ton of good healthy ideas.  His first show yesterday was about fast food that you make for yourself. This was the perfect show for me and can help solve my biggest cooking problem.  My issue is when I start cooking, I typically want to eat at that precise moment.  Sam made a 5 minute tortilla soup that I think I can make from memory.  He also made a pizza that is a healthier and faster version than what you can order.  The third selection of the show was a sandwich wrap and it was the least inspiring to me.  2 out of 3 is a great success and I think I may actually cook these selections or variations of them.  Any other cooking show I watch is simply entertainment.  I'm planning on spending more time in the kitchen. I will be cooking with gas!

Matthew 5:44-45   44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

I was on my morning prayer call with Girlfriends Pray and there was a good amount of discussion on forgiveness.  We know and the word tells us that we need to forgive because God first forgave us.  Sometimes we harbor on to the feeling, the hurt for so long, we don't even really remember what it feels like to live with in a state when all is forgiven.  Just think for a moment what that pain, hurt and anger is doing to us.  It is robbing us, every day, each moment.  Our minds are occupied not with Praise for Him, but pain and destruction.  Our hearts are heavy and burdened and all of this impacts our bodies.  Our bodies, our temples to do God's work, then do not operate as they should and our health is compromised as is our communion with the Lord.  We certainly don't want hamper our fellowship with God, but often we do.  This happens even when don't forgive ourselves.

Claiming forgiveness and actually getting to forgiveness can take some time.  The need to forgive often comes for a real and genuine hurt.  Forgiveness doesn't deny that this happened.  It is a chose that helps you to move to a higher point and will help the individual realize the immediate and everlasting benefits of forgiveness.  Let us start today on a path to forgiveness.  First, let us forgive ourselves.  Remind yourself that nothing can separate us from the love of God.  This is a powerful love that causes me to Praise the Lord to live in his grace. 

For a practical guide on forgiveness, check out what the Mayo Clinic has to say on the topic.  In addition, as you go through your day remember how you have been forgiven before.  If you can find no example in the world, know that God has forgiven you and me.  Praise the Lord for your forgiveness and continue is prayer for its increase.

Luke 2:10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

We have been so blessed everyday and especially because the Lord came to earth for us.  We have power to do as Jesus has done. ( John 14:12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.)  This is truly good news.  You would think that because we have the ultimate Good News of Jesus coming and giving up his life for our live everlasting that we would be fearless and powerful everyday.

I don't think this is always the case.  Even if we only talk about our quest for Divine Health, we are not as bold as we should be.  Being fearless and bold doesn't mean that we won't have difficult work to do.  Transforming ourselves into better vessels of God will take some work.  We shouldn't think that everything will come easily even though everywhere we look we are promised quick and fast.  Even if we get some good results early on, maintaining requires some effort.

I'm working on increasing my effort in all areas without fear.  What good news.

1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

The holiday time is all about love.  The love of God who sent his only son for us to be our hope and redeemer through the ultimate sacrifice.  We do have the promise of everlasting life as well as abundant life while we are in our bodies.  This is something we should celebrate during the holiday season and all year. 

The problem we have is during our season of Christmas celebration is that we frequently enjoy in excess.  We consume more frequently.  It is typically not just an issue of calories.  We tend to eat and drink more of what is not healthy and we even cut back on our exercise.  Parties even get in the way of taking care of ourselves.  The unfortunate part is that we give ourselves the excuse that it is Christmas time and we should be acting this way.

What are we thinking?  Why would God who provides us with the living hope want us to completely stop taking care of ourselves?  God couldn't want that for us.  We are putting our overall well being at risk for some superficial moments.  Let me be clear, the celebration is not superficial.  The excess is.  I cannot even suggest that getting through this period and maintaining our current weight is easy.  We have to develop more tools to stop the madness. 

We've heard some simple things before, but what are we really doing?  I know I've eaten more ice cream, chocolate and other junk than I should.  I need to be prepared for the next time I have the opportunity to overindulge.  I shouldn't go to anything hungry.  I should give myself a limit and I need to stick to it. I need to commit exercise to my schedule and not give myself an excuse to stick to my plan.

John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

I watched The Biggest Loser finale on Tuesday night sitting in the same spot on my couch where I watched all season.  It's been about three months of watching.  I've loved this season and to see the triumph of the participants was exciting.  Some clearly have more steps to take in their weight-loss journey, while a couple should probably gain a couple of pounds to fill out the shallows in their faces.  The largest challenge, however, will be figuring out how to maintain a healthy weight in their everyday environment. 

It was really exciting to see winner Danny Cahill and his 239 pound loss.  He seems well on his way to creating a life to maintain his new weight.  He has inspired his family.  His wife, once 217 pounds, has lost 60 pounds.  They have plans to keep each other accountable.  And I believe accountability is key. 

As I sat watching, I realized that in seven months Danny lost more than a person and I'm only working on the same 25 pounds.  This season was only air for 3 months and I've been dedicated and committed to following it the entire time. Has my dedication, commitment and accountability to myself been the same.  I'd have to say no.  While I have made some progress, I need to make more and I'll be using this season of celebration, thanksgiving and change to get me on my way.  I'm hoping to inspire others along my journey as well. 

I'm listening to voice of the Lord and and committed to follow.  It is easy to let other things get in the way.  I'm going to need daily focus to make sure that I stay on track.  My cold, which is just about gone, was the latest set back.  I know this set back will not keep me back.