Years ago, I was on a date when my date said, “I can tell you’re into fitness. But I have to ask, are you a total fitness nut, or do you know how to have fun?” At first, I was taken aback. I’d never been asked that before—and I was proud of the hard work I’d put into my health and fitness. But then he clarified: “If we went on vacation, could you go 5–7 days without working out? Could you enjoy a drink, relax, and maybe have dessert?” And just like that, it clicked. That moment sparked a powerful shift in how I explain wellness to others today. Fitness and nutrition aren’t about perfection. They’re about balance, sustainability, and joy. Think of exercise like brushing your teeth—if you skip a day, it’s not the end of the world. But over time, neglect builds up. And when you’ve created consistent, healthy habits, a vacation cocktail or an ice cream cone won’t derail your progress—it’ll be part of the celebration.

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YOU are responsible for your health.

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Sunday Story…800 Grams!?! Really? 800?! How can anyone eat 800 grams of fruit and vegetables? How much is that anyway? For the record, there are 454 grams in one pound. That means 800 grams is just short of two pounds. Two pounds sounds like a lot, I know. But think about it…an apple is about 100 grams, a banana 50, but 800 grams is a pound and a half of kale. It depends on what you are eating. Are you going to eat eight apples a day? I think not. The idea is to mix fruit and vegetables and make varied choices within those groups. I ate 2 cups of blueberries and 1 cup of carrots this morning. My goal is 6 cups, which, depending on the density, should be close to 800 grams. To be exact, I will need to weigh my food. I haven’t quite made that step yet. The other problem is ingesting that amount of material. Going from 100-200 grams to 800 is a big switch if you aren't eating a fair amount of fruit and vegetables. I recommend you “ramp up” over a week or two. Make a concerted effort to increase your intake daily; before you know it, you will be up to 800 grams or more! I noticed these things during my first week of this challenge: First, I feel fuller than usual, but when I get hungry, I get hungry in a hurry. Second, the more I eat, the better I feel. In other words, my health feels more vital, and my energy is more even. Lastly, my digestive processes are more regular and easier. You can do this. It isn’t that hard. John Mariotti www.sunday-stories.blogspot.com www.crossfitodyssey.com 775-338-2412The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

In the United States, we do not have a healthcare system; we have a sickcare system. THIS is HEALTH care. It is the daily and weekly conversations that keep you sane and hold you accountable for being the person you truly want to be and living the life you truly desire. It is YOUR responsibility to take charge of your health, but we can help.

Don't miss the forest for the trees!

What to Expect When You Start CrossFit at CrossFit Odyssey