I am definitely a goal kind of person. I work harder and more efficiently when I have a specific goal in mind. I am also a lot less likely to cheat if I know that doing so will knock me off track. My wonderful friend Sara and I set fitness goals for ourselves each month. Last month, our goal was to do an unassisted pull up! I have to be honest with you... when we set this goal I secretly thought, "there is no way I can do a real pull up all by myself." Guess what....we did it!! Sara, Alison, and I (after a lot of practice and sore biceps) all did a pull up or two completely by ourselves! I can't even begin to describe how excited I was.

This gave me an idea to start setting a health goal each month, and invite you all to join me. In honor of it being summer, (and the fact that I have been eating out way too much lately) I think our Health Goal for August should be; to eat fast food no more than 3 days a week. This includes lunch and dinner! I know this seems harsh, but let's look at all the negative effects fast food is having on our health.

How Fast Food Effects Our Health:

• Fast food is loaded with extra calories, fats and sugar- which all cause weight gain.
• It is extremely high in cholesterol, salt, and trans fat. These three things cause high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and dangerously high levels of trans fat in the body.
• Most fast food is completely void of any dietary fiber. This is what makes you feel full after a meal.
• Many people consume sugar-rich colas along with their fast food which only worsens a bad situation.
• Eating Fast Food on a regular basis can increase your risk of developing insulin resistance.
• Fast food is also lacking in most major nutrients like fiber, vitamins, minerals, and protein; which leaves you feeling hungry, even after you consume a 1,000 calorie hamburger.

Statistic that says it all: According a study conducted by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, "After 15 years, those who ate at fast-food restaurants more than twice each week compared to less than once a week had gained an extra ten pounds and had a two-fold greater increase in insulin resistance, a risk factor for type 2 diabetes."

If we accomplish this goal we will not only save thousands of calories, and loads of fat and sugar, but quite a lot of money as well. Eating out for lunch five days a week (even if you only spend $5 a day) will cost you $1,300 a year. Who can really eat lunch for less than $5?? I know with a little planning, and a few trips to the grocery store we can all accomplish this goal!!

I am also going to set a personal goal for August. My personal goal is to cut down on the amount of diet coke I drink each week. Compared to how much I used to drink, I am doing much better, but there is always room for improvement. My goal is to limit my intake of diet coke to 2 times a week, and to only consume those on the weekend. Wish me luck!

What do YOU think:
Will you join me in this Health Goal for August?
What is your personal Health and or Fitness goal for August?
Have you even set a health goal before? And if so, how did you set out to accomplish it?

Yours truly,

Lauren G.

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