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The No Diet Challenge: Step 1


If you read my May column, in the News-Herald County Kids Magazine (page 12), you know about the "No Diet Challenge" we're doing for Spring.

Here's a summary. In the column I remind you that I came from an A-1 dysfunctional childhood (which some of you already know) but one where eating habits weren't immune. I mean it makes sense right? What super dysfunctional family gets eating habits 100% correct, but not much else? Exactly. So, my horrible food habits were just part of the equation.

In the column, I explain how much of the food I ate was junk (mostly sugar). Fast forward to when I became pregnant. Well, obviously I really didn't have much clue what to eat, so I had to read that book -you know the one- "What to Expect When You're Expecting". Thank goodness for that book-I followed it to a 'T', and a healthy 8 lb baby later, I thought, 'I got this'!

But then, crash! Nope. Seems I didn't have it. Because soon I realized I was doing a terrible job of feeding my toddler. Ooooops! But, it wasn't too late to turn it around, and I did.

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE… (for anything)

So join me for the No Diet Challenge! Because as I write often about things that help me parent my kids better- discipline, routines, emotional intelligence and communication, I never really discuss food- But I should, because it helps them behave better, learn more, and makes my job easy 
(yes, you read that right, EASY).

READY?
Take Step #1 of the "No Diet Challenge" 
and do nothing.


You heard right…
Don't do a thing….

I Repeat: DO NOTHING!

I hate diets... and I would never suggest anyone ever try one, ever…

So don't stop eating out, don't Google health foods or exercise routines, and please, please, please, whatever you do, don't look up any new diet fads (they're called fads for a reason). Just relax-and commit yourself to participating in the challenge, and if do you feel motivated to do something, just grab a pen/paper, pocket calendar, or your preferred source of portable technology and start keeping track of the following:

1. How you feel every day for the next 7 days….

-If you can manage it, write down your mood or feeling-
at morning, lunchtime and dinner. 

-While you're at it, and if you can tell, also jot down what the kids' moods, behaviors, and attitudes are like.

That's it.

Next week we will do Step 2



Photo credit: Fork With Measuring Tape Stock Photo
By Grant Cochrane via Freedigitalphotos.net

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