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Success! We all want it! We want to feel we are successful in something, and finding success is like climbing a ladder. It takes one step at a time to make progress, and there are always more steps to climb. However, not all of us are on the same step on this ladder, and in most cases, it doesn?t matter where we are on the ladder. We have not all started on step number one at the same time, and each step is different for different people, hence, we are all on different levels which is what makes us all unique and special. What matters most is that we are climbing, progressing, and moving forward - not back.

Many feel climbing the ladder of successful weight management can be very challenging. It is not easy in this day and age when there are so many available foods at our fingertips, and because we are generally a social people, these foods are placed before us continually. As with anything else, there are steps to successful weight management. If you learn these principles, you will find success. Just take it step by step and move forward; climbing, progressing.

Successful Weight Management ? Stage 1
Five easy steps:

1. Take an inventory of the kitchen ? with the family, if necessary. Ask, ?Are these foods what my taste buds want to taste, or what my body needs to operate efficiently?? If you are not sure, then put them on a scale of *calories?to?nutrition*. Which do they contain more of? Is each product highly processed, or straight from nature?
2. Remove the contents of the refrigerator, and place these items in two piles: 1) ?God-made foods?, and 2) ?Man-made foods?. Which do you have more of? Now let?s be reasonable here. This doesn?t mean that all prepared foods are not good. Just focus on the value in this exercise. Which are which?
3. Using the exercise above, understand there is a difference between wants and needs. What the taste buds want, is usually not what the body needs. Think about this over the next couple of weeks. Focus on what your body needs, not wants, especially while you shop.
4. Next, discard foods those ?foods? that were high in the calories area and lacking nutrition ? the ?Man-made foods? that provide no benefits. Don?t feel guilty about doing this! They are better off going in a garbage can than in your body. Don?t feel you need to pass them on to the neighbors either. They don?t need them any more than you. Throw them in the garbage can where they belong then commit to not buying any more of them.
5. The biggest problem in having successful weight management in today?s world, is that most of our so-called food purchases are ?Man-made?, instead of ?God-made?. Purchase the ?God-made? foods, enjoy eating the raw fruits, vegetables, and nuts, whole grains and legumes (beans) in their close-to-natural state. Your body will thank you for making that decision!

To a healthier lifestyle!

Erleen

• When you feel the need to snack, your body is most often really thirsty, not hungry. When you feel the need to eat, first drink a 12-16 oz. glass of good purified water then wait a few minutes. It will often satisfy the needs of the body.
• Place a fresh fruit bowl out where it is in sight. Fresh fruit is a great snack, and lower in calories than most other snacks, and is something that is good for you.
• If snacking time precedes a meal, cut up a veggie platter and snack on them first. Then you will have eaten the raw foods you need before the meal begins.

The Healthy Fundamentals Teleseminars are continuing next week on Tuesday, January 11 at 11:00 a.m. MST. We last covered the topic of "Why Not Meat?" and now will follow up with "Why Legumes (beans), Nuts and Seeds?" which will answer many unsolved questions and give some great healthy, low-fat menu ideas.

I know you won't want to miss out on this! Plus, you'll want to take advantage of my New Years offer! Follow this link to find out more!!

Take a moment to visit Erleen's new BLOG! What's a BLOG? A "Web Log"! "BLOG" for short. A place where Erleen will offer (sometimes daily) thoughts and information in a very informal way. Drop by and see what she's up to today!

Erleen loves teaching people down-to-earth principles of nutrition as she sees the positive changes in others lives as they live the principles of good health and eating. She has a passion for wholesome foods and their life giving qualities. Her many personal experiences and years of study and research qualify her as an expert in health education, speaking, and consulting. Contact her now for your next conference, for health consultations, or for an upcoming event!