It's a mad world!

An NBC New report out of Painstville, Kentucky tells us this week that truckloads of surplus Atkins Food (Energy Bars, Shakes and breakfast mizes) are being donated to the poor in the Appalachian Mountains. It went on to say this low carb food was being handed out to the HUNGRY.

An expert was quoted as saying this donation is yet another sign that Dr. Aitkin's diet and other the Low carb programs are falling out of favor. (NO dah!)

While the studies say these diets do help people drop the weight...I can't help but wonder if many of those who have followed them are now finding this low carb eating is just too difficult to sustain.

You don't need to be an expert to figure out that healthy bodies NEED protein, fats and carbs to work at their peak.

I just find it ironic that a product designed to help people who eat too much food is now being given away to people who don't have enough food to eat.

It really is a mad, mad world.

For me, any plan that promises weight loss must provide essential nutrients and encourage a full range of lifestyle changes. In all my years of dieting...I have found only one that does all of that and more. It's called Body for Life.

Support is essential....

Right before I began my my first complete 12 week Body for Life Challenge I had the honor of attending the EAS Energy Camp for Women in Golden, Colorado. That three day event changed my life in so many ways. The biggest lesson I learned was the importance of developing a support system.

Prior to BFL I was afraid to ask for help. That attitude got me no where but fat and tired.
The day I got back from camp I found the courage to ask my family for their help. I explained that I would be pretty busy learning and adapting to my new lifestyle. And that I would be looking to them to support me in this new adventure.
When I was done...they just looked at me with blank expressions.

"What, what," I asked..."what's wrong?"
I thought for sure they were thinking here we go again. I feared they would think BFL was just another of my "hair-brained schemes" that would soon fall by the wayside.

After a moment...my husband smiled. And then he said...
"We love you. We have always been here for you...all you had to do was ask!"

From that day forward...they became the solid core of my support system. The women I met at the Energy Camp formed my second ring of defense. From there my support system rippled out to include friends I've met in the BFL tracker community, on the BFL website guestbook...and a small support group of Northland BFLers who meet once a month to share the joys and frustrations of living a healthy life.

You can do BFL alone. Some have with great success. But I need people in my corner willing to pick me up when I fall...and cheer me on to success.