[ElaineM]

All I had to do was to learn that cancer likes sugar (glucose etc.) and think about all my relatives and friends who have had to deal with diabeties. I saw what it did to them. I decided there was no way I wanted to go there. I had a very good friend who had to do dialysis for almost 9 years before she passed away when her heart just couldn't deal with anymore dialysis.
I eat fresh fruit and veggies, but I strictly limit cake, pie, cookies, and other forms of refined sugar. I never drink soda and limit sugarly fruit juices. I eat healthy good tasting, well balanced meals cooked from scratch. I found it really doesn't take any more work than using prepared foods if we find an organized way of doing it that meets our lifestyle and is alot cheaper. I now actually prefer my own food over restaurant food anyday. I go to restaurants only to celebrate a special occassion (mine or somebody else's). I don't eat alot then either, but I enjoy going for the fellowship. I bring my lunch with me when I am going to be out during lunchtime.
I am retired, but I participate in a couple organizations,so I have to go to meetings and so forth.
I do more intense exercise when I can, but one thing to remember is to get up and get going everyday. We should stay on our feet and keep busy as much as we can during the day. Keep moving. Don't sit down except for meals. I don't watch T. V. after 9am or before 4 or 5 pm. I often multitask when I am watching T. V. I stand and cook all my food from scratch. I do my own housework. All those things help us keep active and physically healthy. I learned alot of these things from my 88 year old aunt who is still active and in pretty good health.
Good luck. Getting in shape and loosing weight should not be done fast. Slow, but sure is better.
A happy, healthy and peaceful 2011 to you.