This post is not related specifically to a diet but a weight-related study which I found very pertinent to my readers in a few ways.  A recent study published in the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved has reported that chaos and household instability increases the possibility that a mother will be obese.  In the study, household instability was measured as parental stresses such as feeling alone or trapped by responsibilities, financial instability and ability to keep food on the table.  Many of the homes were those of single mothers.  Not surprisingly, children’s weight was not affected by household chaos in this study, which re-confirms what we already know—that mothers often put their children’s needs before their own.

It’s pretty impressive how a combination of the fast paced life of today and emotional stress impacts so many people’s quality of life today, not to mention their weight.  You have to help but wonder sometimes—we race around trying to make life easier and it seems to become more and more of a burden on our quality of life!  Again, it may pay off for us to simplify and return to some of the more traditional trends popping up today when it comes to lifestyle.  But back to the study: I feel the take home message here though is that before we can even consider the best diets for health and weight loss, women have to have a stable environment at home with which to support and nurture themselves.  And if this is not in place, repeated failed attempts at implementing diets will only make it harder to believe in yourself and succeed in the future. 

Remember that even in the midst of financial and emotional stress, to carve out for yourself 10-15 minutes of each day for mediation, self reflection or even a catnap, whatever it is you need to re-charge and be your best.  It can make all the difference in the world.