ANTICIPATION

 

In anticipation of watching my daughter, Gina, make some really positive changes in her life, and with the life changes that I am invoking into my life, I thought as I take this journey that I would write about it.

The years up to this point have been indecisive for me. I never really knew what I wanted from life or really what my passion would end up being.  Unbeknownst to me, in 2008 I was laid off from my full time job. As months grew on, it became apparent that landing a job wasn't going to be easy. Because I had already been contemplating opening a business, I decided that the time had come to do so. That was the birth of Nicoletti's Italian Subs, LLC.  Although this restaurant is not in existence today, I have been working toward and looking forward to it's re-opening.  I had a wonderful team, I loved the atmosphere, the patrons were loyal and brought so much charisma to Nicoletti's and I knew I loved feeding people!  That was really when I learned that this was the place for me. This had become my reality! The smile on the faces of the many that I fed, made me so very happy.  I felt like I was home regardless of the work involved.  After I closed the place, and within days my fathers passing, I realized that I was about to be suffering not one, but two separations. Indeed my experience was difficult and it was probably one of the toughest years that I have endured as far back as I can recall. I had a hard time finding my way back, and about two years later I decided to go back to school. In the process I learned about the potential that was buried deep within me, and I just knew I wanted to be the absolute best I could be in my career.  Education is a funny thing, however, it allows you to develop and realize the options that are right in front of you. More importantly, through education I have been able to begin to hone in on exactly where my place lies. As each semester ended, I began to really think about my direction.  I had enrolled as a culinary student because I felt I had already realized my dreams and simply needed more of a business sense. After one full year, I decided to switch my major to business.  This would open up my opportunities and wouldn't be so limiting as culinary would be. As that next year progressed, I still held a passion to be attached to food. My problem was I hadn't quite figured out in what capacity. In addition, I had begun to pack on the weight again and thought, this is just crazy.  I dieted all my life, I endured gastric bypass surgery, I love food, my family and friends love food, it usually seems to be at the center of any gatherings, and so perhaps I need to be attached to food in a different capacity. One thing was certain, I didn't want to be a 300 pound restaurateur and I did not want to battle with weight gain for the rest of my life.  I had had enough classes from culinary to examine the way our foods were being produced. Listening to the media, hearing about organic, inorganic, genetically modified foods, farm caught fish, caged raised chicken...what was all this?  Our foods are growing ever complex-eat fat, don't eat fat, don't eat beef, eat wheat not white flour...these concepts were popping up all over the place. What was true and what wasn't?  And realize every time we turn around, cancer is afflicting yet another.  Years ago, we heard of cancer but it wasn't the disease in the top three that was killing off our population. And so, I decided to take a introductory nutrition class and absolutely loved it.  The science of food is interesting, at the same time, powerful. But if you are like me, food illiterate, and predisposed to carry extra weight, I hope you'll join me in learning why to eat healthy and what food choices will make you successful. The push is on, if one understands that we need to nourish our bodies to make them work with a combination of nutrients that allow us to keep our bodies going all the while practicing good health, I believe in you! I believe that people will make the proper choices given the knowledge and idea of the consequences that lie ahead.  No one intentionally sets out to be unhealthy.  And no one person wants cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or to be fat.

I began reading more about nutrition, and the careers involved with nutrition. I realize the same holds true, I would love to stay attached to food in my career, except that it will be in a different capacity.  Did you ever notice that food brings people together and they are happy?  Will I get the smiles...I believe that I will. When I learn to counsel someone and they lose their weight or they become healthy because I helped them attain their goal, they will smile!  The field of nutrition has many avenues, and probably too early to decide where I will land, but my direction is clear. While I am learning, and reducing, I hope to become a success with applying all the new information that is coming my way.  And this isn't just for me, although the drive is for me.  But many of you know my family and we all tend to carry the extra weight.  My dream is that I can save many people from the world that I lived and know so well. And that I can show them, discuss with them and teach them so that they will understand the concepts of their food choices. Understanding those concepts, should release anyone from being food illiterate. Instead you will be food literate and living life in their healthy bodies!

Lastly I wanted to mention that I found a great relation to the picture of Gina attached to this article...SHE DID IT! and her body language says so without a doubt. Don't you agree? She lost the weight, she is exercising/running at least 4-5 days per week and is making all the right food choices to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This picture is just after she ran 5 miles in the Color Run this past February. I am anticipating that I will do it, and that many others will do so also.  Perhaps my recording the journey of my learning and reduction in weight will help others DO IT one day, one selection, and one step at a time!

At this time, I cannot promise that I will re-open Nicoletti's Italian Subs, LLC, because after all, it wasn't a healthy way to eat.  And I definitely don't want to be apart of day to day unhealthy eating.  Now don't get me wrong, I understand that every now and again, you just want to bite into a great sub and I am all for that. As long as the behaviors aren't similar with every meal, every day.  If another restaurant is to come, it will no doubt have a new, healthful concept to it.

The purpose of this blog will be to introduce knowledge to those of you that are interested in learning and making life, healthful changes.  The information that I put in this blog will come from reliable sources only and I will link the information should you decide you want to learn more or challenge the information.  My disclaimer is that I am not a registered dietitian and will therefore, not counsel you.  Realize if you are unhealthy, there maybe things going on that I don't know about that may contradict any efforts that we discuss. Therefore, I strongly urge you to speak with your doctor. As I said, I want to enlighten you and supply you with sound information. The sites that I note in the blog will always be reliable should you want to further review.

Here's to your health and mine!

Donna