JOANIE SPEAKS OUT

We are fixated with our bodies.  Television, magazines, movies all force us to fall into the trap that somehow our looks determine the future.  WHAT NONSENSE!  

I am overweight; I have been since my third child was born.  My husband loves me, finds me sexy, and exciting.  For thirty-five years we have enjoyed each other physically, emotionally, and intellectually.  Inspite of many personal crisis, we have remained committed to each other.  I am not saying that a loving marriage is the only way to happiness.  I am just saying that a relationship with mutual respect, along with good sex is not so bad.  The key is to respect each other, which is the basis for all relationships.

I am reaching middle age.  Today is my 54^th birthday – a baby boomer – I have never really been sick, but I am not in good shape.  My husband encourages me to think about growing old together.  He is committed to good diet and exercise.  I have not!  He lectures me on how the spread of obesity is destroying America.  People young and old are getting fat and along with the fat has come the epidemic of heart related illnesses.  He has urged me to use my creative gifts to create joaniesgoodies.com.  It is dedicated to making all natural, low calorie, reduced fat, handcrafted baked goods and candy.  Each morning, before the sun comes up, as I drag myself to the bakery to start a day of hard work, I remind myself that every heart healthy goody that I create is doing a small part in promoting good health.  We also decided to give the American Heart Association 10% of our holiday gift sales to help them fight heart disease, the number 1 killer in America.

GOOD HEALTH the expert tells us a balanced diet and exercise is the key.  Lets face it, we are not going to stop eating sweets; at least I am not.  So, I eat a goody that I have made knowing that I am enjoying something nutritional that won’t add another pound to my tummy.

Tomorrow, I will get out my Pilate tape.