by Larry Lagarde

What did you eat for breakfast this morning?

Stress combined with a sedentary lifestyle and poor nutrition are a recipe for health problems. So what was my solution this morning when I awoke late and had to be dressed and out the house in 10 minutes? Why a Starbuck's Mocha Soy Grande and some dry chocolate Rice Krispies of course ;-)

Although my breakfast wasn't the greatest choice in terms of nutritional value, it made me alert so I could drive and was expedient. If only I had more time; right?

Our Choices Make Or Break Us
Too often, we lead our lives reacting to the immediate situation at hand and worrying about factors in life that we cannot control; yet, these are choices. Ultimately, each decision leads us to a seemingly endless cascade of choices that define us as the people we are.

If you are unhappy with your life or the last minute choices you are faced with, don't beat yourself up about it. Rather, accept responsibility for making your own life happier and take the steps that will get you there.

Figure out what ultimately led you to poor choices. Once you understand the underlying causes, you can map a plan that leads to better choices. Then it's time for the hard part - taking the steps you identified that will make you happy with your life and looking back every so often to be sure you're still on track.

Living well is a personal choice. If you want to be physically fit and emotionally well, there's no better time than now. Put yourself on the right track today.

By the way, if you want to improve your nutrition, US News & World Report published a story today titled "10 Things the Food Industry Doesn't Want You to Know" - interesting reading to be sure. Now go take a bike ride; that's what I'm doing!