According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003–2006 and 2007–2008, over two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight or obese. And it’s big business since Americans spent $60 billion every year on diets, pills and programs to help them lose weight.
Now, I understand that sometimes medical issues can contribute to weight gain but the vast majority of the time, losing a few extra pounds comes down to plain ol’ willpower and discipline.
For instance, I was with a friend the other day driving back to my apartment and we passed a new cupcake bakery that opened on a nearby corner. My friend insisted she could never drive by that place every day without gaining 10 pounds.
Do I think about stopping for a yummy, gooey, sweet treat there every day? You betcha! Every single day.
Do I stop there more than once or twice a year? No way!
Why? Because I value my good health far more than the fleeting pleasure of ingesting loads of fat, calories and sugar.
Now you may not have a cupcake bakery near you but you will still face daily temptations. And beware, because we are heading into a dieting minefield on the calendar.
Halloween, Thanksgiving and Holiday parties are lining up one after another in quick succession. And that means it’s time for me to start my yearly Swimsuit Diet.
Forget counting calories. All this diet requires is a fantastic barely-there swimsuit hung in plain site in my closet. It serves as a clear daily reminder that a healthy body is waaaaay more important to me than a whole slice of cheesecake or one more glass of wine.
And by the way, you don’t ever have to actually wear the swimsuit you choose for inspiration. Take today’s VPOD for instance. This vintage 1960s bikini by Armonia is flirty and playful and, while just a tad too youthful for my 40-something body, would be a perfect hand-me-down to my niece after serving its inspirational purposes.
That makes it a double-duty find for this vintage fashionista!
Available at C. Madeleine’s.
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