The new Normal

Define normal. In society, it means to conform to the expected or average. Do we all want to be normal? Or do we want to stand out? Tough question for many. 
Most people are happy to be "normal".  But that means average. 
What we see every day, our brains process of the normal of society. Prices, cars, food, advertisements.  Have you ever talked about an item to someone, and then say, yes, that sounds about average or right? me too....


Let's talk food, the "normal" size of a bagel, is 3 times the size it was 15 yrs ago. The average meal at a restaurant used to be 4-500 calories. Today, that meal is well over 1000. Our restaurants are determined to give you value for your money, and our value is set by the amount, when we should really think about the quality. Just about every food company has mass quantified the normal. If you go to Mcdonalds, there is the hamburger, then there is the Double Quarter pounder. The Hamburger that was the normal when McD's started, is now the kids meal today. 

Another normal, is processed food. Who do you know that makes all their food from scratch? From ingredients around the kitchen. Flour, butter, milk etc. Grocers and marketers know how busy the American lifestyle is, and they cater to it. They show quick meals, and easy to prepare, right out of a box. It tastes good, and its' fast, but it is healthy? Not really, it's been in a plant, being processed and a lot of the nutrients have been processed away. And of course, it's usually pretty calorie dense and fattening.

Which brings me to the next normal. Our size. The average american is about 10-20 lbs overweight, per the 'charts". The CDC estimates that our children are more overweight and obese, greater than 20%  in most states and some higher. For adults, more than 1/3 are considered obese. These numbers are not counting 'overweight". 

So if the average person is overweight, is that the new "normal"?
Someone I work with told me, I needed to stop losing weight, because I was too skinny.nd I need to eat more. 
Now, personally, Ido not feel like I am skinny at all, I have good muscle tone, and I have 21% body fat, which is "athletic".  Below 18% would be considered too skinny. 
I eat plenty, and like most people, I can overeat at times. But generally, I eat a clean 1800-2100 calories per day. 

Now someone else, who advised me that I look lean and healthy, said something to me, she said, people just don't know what healthy looks like anymore because overweight is the norm. 
I am beginning to think that this is a true statement.
People come in all shapes and sizes, however, really size does matter. 
Being overweight, or slightly larger than average has a price, and our bodies are designed a certain way. We were created one way, however society and the normal,  has changed it. 

So, we need to change the  current normal and get back to the old way. Eating real food, non processed, things that can rot. If your food can go bad, it's good for you. 
Why choose to be normal, or ordinary, when you can be extraordinary and look, feel and perform better?? 

Put good things in your body and you will get good out! Eat crap and you will feel like it!! 

Thanks for reading and make it a great day! Go out and be ABNORMAL!!!