I was in Target with my fiancee David the other day, and we sparked up a conversation with another man about the size our cereal boxes. David noticed that they were getting smaller – and the other gentleman noticed other food packages also getting smaller. Of course, I put my two cents in and said that it was also an advertising ploy to decrease the calories and keep the price the same. It makes the product ’seem’ healthier’…you know what I mean??

—

America’s Shrinking Food Wraps

By KATE PICKERT Mon Jun 30, 1:25 AM ET

American supermarkets are epics of excess: it often seems like every item in the store comes in a “Jumbo” size or has “Bonus!” splashed across the label. But is it possible that the amount of food Americans are buying is, in fact… shrinking? Well, yes. Soaring commodity and fuel prices are driving up costs for manufacturers; faced with a choice between raising prices (which consumers would surely notice) or quietly putting fewer ounces in the bag, carton or cup (which they generally don’t) manufacturers are choosing the latter. This month, Kellogg’s started shipping Apple Jacks, Cocoa Krispies, Corn Pops, Froot Loops and Honey Smacks containing an average of 2.4 fewer ounces per box.

Similar reductions have recently happened or are on the horizon for many other products: Tropicana orange juice containers are shrinking from 96 ounces to 89; Wrigley’s is dropping its the 17-stick PlenTPak in favor of the 15-stick Slim Pack; Dial soap bars now weigh half an ounce less, and that’s even before they melt in the shower. Containers of Country Crock spread, Hellmann’s mayonnaise and Edy’s and Breyer’s ice cream have all slimmed down as well (although that may not necessarily be a bad thing).

“People are just more sensitive to changes in price than changes in quantity,” says Harvard Business School Professor John Gourville, who studies consumer decision-making. “Most people can tell you how much a box of cereal costs, but they have no clue how much is actually in it.” Other segments of the economy have made similar moves to pass on their higher costs to the consumer without raising prices directly. American Airlines announced in May that it would charge $15 each way for a single checked bag, part of what airlines have dubbed “a la carte” pricing, which – along with the industrywide drive to put price tags on former freebies like soft drinks, meals and headphones – some airline observers say is really an effort to avoid increasing base ticket prices. Read the rest here.

Wanna low-carb burger with a bun?! You can get it anywhere for the same price as a regular burger!

I really enjoyed Kung Fu panda -It’s great for both children and adults alike to laugh, be inspired and get some really great quotes for your life philosophy. Here’s one of my favorite to take you through this Monday’s workout…as I always mention, training and achieving is all about faith, belief and the power of your personal power to control your life and your destiny.!

Shifu: That flabby Panda is not a warrior.

Oogway: You just need to believe.

I’m very happy about my workouts this week. I’ve been very fatigued lately so working out 4-5 times a week is an achievement for me! I actually just came back from the gym after training on the elliptical and performing chest, shoulder and arm work.

I also just started using a skin care product called Arbonne International. What I love most about the product is that it’s not full of chemicals that irritate my skin. ACTUALLY, I’ve been on a ‘green’ phase for a few years now. I like to buy things that are recycled and consume foods that are organic.

Check out how cool it is:

I will keep y’all updated on how much more prettier my skin looks. I honestly just use soap and water so this will be interesting!

For more information click HERE>

I love it!!

I love, love, love, love this study!! Did I say I love it??!!

It confirms all the reasons why you should subscribe to daily fitness motivations at Fitness Cure!

—

Breaking The Pattern: How Motivation Plays A Role

In Getting Healthy

ScienceDaily (June 26, 2008) — People fall into a pattern. They start out with the best intentions and do well for a little while … but then fall back into old habits. It’s a classic health trap: two steps forward, three steps back. People end up feeling bad about themselves. Moreover, the two-steps-forward-three-steps-back dance ends up increasing the health problems the behavioral changes were supposed to address in the first place.

Hands up if these scenarios are familiar:

• You get the exercise bike/treadmill/elliptical you wanted for Christmas, but by April, the machine has been moved to the basement for lack of use.
• You sign up for the weight loss plan that promises pounds will fly off your hips without you having to give up the foods you love. It works for awhile, until one day you discover you weigh more than you ever did.
• You decide to give up smoking, but put it off until next week when you’re not so stressed.

Motivation expert Michael Vallis say most people fall into a pattern. They start out with the best intentions and do well for a little while … but then fall back into old habits. It’s a classic health trap: two steps forward, three steps back.

And that’s a problem. People end up feeling bad about themselves. Moreover, the two-steps-forward-three-steps-back dance ends up increasing the health problems the behavioral changes were supposed to address in the first place. Read the rest here.

I love Russell Simmons. Not only is he a media mogul, but he seems like a great father and is an awesome fitness follower! He has been known to follow a strict vegetarian diet and loves Yoga! He even wrote a great book a couple years ago that was AWESOME.

In this 4 minute video, Russell answers a great question for all of us here at Fitness Cure:

“What keeps you so positive each day?”

Russell paraphrased:
“You learn as you get older…everything in this world is a manifestation of what you give the world. It’s Karma and in all sacred texts. You get what you give. Give the world the positivity you want back.”

WATCH for more answers!