Dig yourself out of the diet pits

Why is it that the American diet has taken such a nosedive, steering us swiftly into a health crisis characterized by more diabetes, more heart disease, more cancer? Our life expectancies are down, our health costs are up, and we're fatter than ever.

Is it because our lifestyles have become comfort driven -- we'd rather ride than walk, rather carry-out than cook-in -- and crazy fast all at the same time? Could be, says Dorianne Schwaiger at Divine Caroline.

Time management is one key to maintaining a healthy way of life. Try this: Thirty minutes of planned exercise at least three times per week, plan grocery trips and take a list to guide the way, stock your pantry with healthy ingredients, cut out the coffee shop stops where latte and danish live, get outside, and sleep plenty.

Making good food and lifestyle choices is also critical. Fat, salt, and sugar are added to every processed food item we purchase -- these empty calories are a main contributer to our nation's obesity problem. So don't buy them, even though the food industry makes them seem so very appealing.

Education won't hurt either. Check out a few books, DVDs, videos, and articles about how to achieve health.

Commit yourself -- not to the recliner, not to the drive-thru, not to a sleep-deprived state. Commit yourself to better living. You won't regret it.