It’s crazy to think that fall and October are fast approaching us. Summer is truly one of my favorite seasons but this year I am really looking to the fall and winter. Crazy, I know, but I’m excited to change things up in all aspects of my life. One area that I really want and need to get serious is with my food.

Food addiction is a real thing! I look back to how my eating habits of now have been shaped and it makes me really think how media, society,college, circle of friends and the government played a role. How?

During most of my childhood I took lunch to school.  I remember those days where I wouldn’t even eat what I brought and would find myself buying a chocolate chip cookie or french fries. Thinking back on those lunches, what I brought wasn’t really the best either. Then off to college.  I remember the cafeteria food in abundance- cereals, stir fries, wraps, burgers- all the food that wasn’t naturally a part of my life at home. Once I turned 21 and bar life became a norm, I can see clearly how all that fried food and alcohol shaped my adult life. Going out with friends and thinking what that comfort of food does to the psyche.

This past August I went 30 days with no alcohol.  Something that I had done before but didn’t really appreciate the benefits. I was just happy that the 30 days had passed and I could drink again. This time, I wasn’t that excited during that whole month to get back to drinking.  I kept thinking “this is something I can definitely do without.”  Now,  if I just change the way I eat I will finally see the results I’ve been wanting. Easier said than done but having a clearer head made seeing that more of a reality waking up sober.  Watching the movie “Fed Up” over the summer helped me come to the realization of how my diet has been shaped throughout my life…and I’m FED UP.

Being a personal trainer I understand the importance of exercise but what we EAT is much more important in our longevity in life and overall health. A couple of years ago, I started finding other means when it came to how I got my meat and vegetables. For the majority of my adult life I thought getting certain name brand foods was of better quality than the butcher or local farmers market. I’m glad that I changed my ways in that thinking. So, as fall is quickly approaching I’m determined in changing my eating habits completely and maintaining my cutback in alcohol. My goal is to go no processed food, sugar and less grains until the end of the year. Just think the average American gains 1-10 lbs during the holiday months. I don’t know about you but I’m not trying to gain any weight during this holiday season. Time to get the head start now. Who else is joining me?

Summer bodies are made during the fall/winter months!!

 “We gotta change the way we produce and consume food.” Former President Bill Clinton from the documentary “Fed Up”