[Muffie's Mom]

This is one of my favorite subjects to talk about...Health and Fitness! I receive alot of emails from all over. Everyone wants to know how I stay in great shape. What do I do, how do I eat, etc.

It's not easy for alot of people. It takes discipline.

I have grown accustomed to eating healthy. If you have never even tried or rarely eat low fat, fat free foods, it's incredibly difficult to change your eating habits, even more so, enjoy what you are eating when you don't eat that way or have never eaten healthy. It's something that just grows on you over a period of time.

Too much of a good thing, isn't necessarily a good thing and just because you load up on low fat and fat free foods, doesn't mean you will maintain or lose weight either. Not only do calories and fat count, but so do carbs and sugars which convert into fat as well.

Yes, I am a total healthnut! I love working out regularly and eating healthy. Think about how much more energy you would have if you changed your diet? LOTS!! I know alot of people who don't want to hear me say this, but educate yourself on what is healthy and what isn't. Read the Nutrition Labels on the back of products when you grocery shop. Look up the Nutrition Facts on websites before you go out to eat. Believe it or not, there are a lot more stuff out there you can eat at a fast food joint or restaurant that is lower in fat, calories and carbs.

You'd be surprised. I strongly encourage you to do this. By educating yourself, you make better choices. Believe me not everything that is healthy taste like Brussel Sprouts. I wish we all could eat whatever we wanted and never had to worry about our health and body, but unfortunately that isn't the case.

Hey, we all get a craving once in a while to splurge and we deserve to. You can't completely cut off your favorite foods forever!

EXERCISE REGULARLY! This is very crucial to staying Healthy and in Shape. There are so many different types of workouts, find one that suits you and one that you will stick to and enjoy. Try to find at least 2 or 3 different routines, so you can swop during the week and you won't get bored, TRUST ME.

**PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN FIRST BEFORE STARTING A WORKOUT PROGRAM**

WATCH your carb, sugar, calorie and fat intake! Carb and sugars are most important, since they are extras in meals and convert to fat easily if the energy isn't burned somehow during the day.

Carb and sugars are crucial, so don't cut them out completely. Make sure you eat balanced and NEVER starve yourself. You lose energy and muscle mass, something crucial especially if you workout regularly and most important if you lift weights.

You need to replace what you burn after a workout with a sufficient amount of carbs and sugars as well. This will assist in helping you develop muscle tone and in staying firm.

EATING TOO MUCH! Something we need to be careful of. Most of us like to eat until we are full or even to the point of misery. Remember, your stomach is a muscle and it can stretch.

It takes 20 minutes for your brain to register whether you are full or not. That is why you need to listen to it. Eat slower, eat until you are comfortable and satisfied.

SPLURGE! If you must, but be careful. Even if you do eat something high in fat and totally unhealthy, it's ok to do so every now and then. Having a slice of your favorite cake, or a couple of pieces of pizza, but not the whole pie, know what I mean?

Don't feel guilty, we all deserve to have the goodies once in a while. If you're like me and stubborn, but have a sweet tooth or a junk food craving, this is what I opt for: Instead of Cheetos, have a small bag of Baked Chips. If you want candy, I usually opt for the Peppermint Patty instead of the Peanut Butter Cups. Remember there are always alternate foods that are alot better for you instead.

FRUITS AND PROTEIN BARS

Be careful, remember I said before that too much of a good thing isn't necessarily all that good for you . Fruit is very good for you, and yes, it does contain natural sugars, but don't forget that sugar converts into fat.

Don't overlook the carbs or calories either. A handful of grapes is about 90 calories. You would think you could eat as much of it as possible and never gain a pound, not the case. Yes, fruit is good for you, that is why I throw some in my protein shake after a workout. Fruit fills you up because it is high in water content, one reason why I don't eat very much of it. I don't wanna' go around feeling like a Hippo all day long.

Some Protein Bars are high in sugars and carbs as well. In some Protein Bars, there are actually more carbs and sugars than protein which defeats the purpose of the bar altogether.

ORGANIC

Yes I do believe that anything organic is the best or at least better for you instead of the processed foods found in grocery stores. Now you can buy organic products in most grocery stores. Yes, organic is definitely more expensive, but if you can afford it, get it. T his doesn't mean that everything in your fridge needs to be of organic nature, neither does it mean, that if you don't eat organic foods that you aren't a healthy person either. Organic foods are not chemically processed, therefore, alot better to put into your body. However, if you step outside, breathe in pollution, you are not exactly better off either.

My point is, why increase the chances of a shorter life span when you can maintain a much healthier lifestyle and not receive a double whammy, just by making better choices in the way you eat?