Try Something New and Lose Fat

Try something new. New ideas spark new thoughts creating inspiration and possibly new positive self talk. Great things, things and ideas that excite you therefore inspire you to change and grow, progressing you out of the old ruts and bad habits.  Here are some "new"  ideas to try out:

1. Check out a local art museum: One of my favorites and just a walk from the beach is the Laguna Beach Art Museum and it is even free on Thursdays from 5pm-8pm.
2. Look for some fresh and inviting veggies and fruit, inspire the senses at your local farmers market. Farmer.net
3. Redecorate your house, add some flair or simply. Give your house a makeover and feel good about coming home. Interior Design Magazine
4. Try a new sport, to name a few: Volleyball, Basketball, Bicycling, Tennis, the list goes on and so does the fun. Sports are character building, fun and exciting ways to loose weight. MeetUp.com may have a few people in your area trying to do the same.
5. Take a dance class, salsa, line dancing, jazz, ballet.....bellydancing.
6. Energize your life with skydiving.
7. A fun way to find new and cheap ways to do things in your area is too check out reduced priced action from sources like Groupon, Spreebird, Daily Deals and many more.

PHOTO: Female Volleyball Player

Have fun with your day and  doggonit try something new!

NOTE: This website holds no responsibility for your actions or choices, talk with your medical or psychological doctor if you have any questions.

Top Weight Loss Resorts - Hilton Head Health and Fitness Resort

Hilton Head Health:
Award-Winning Healthy Weight Loss and Wellness Resort

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA

All-Inclusive Weight Loss and Wellness Resort

14 Valencia Rd., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

- I wish I could escape there TODAY!

This sounds like a dream come true, stuck in COVID-19 quarantine for almost a year now, I am staying active but I have not had a vacation since last year around this time. An escape to a southern resort just off the coast of North Carolina is exactly what I need to refuel my soul. (Link to the resort is at the bottom of the page.)

Each of your days at Hilton Head Health will be full of exciting new culinary, fitness, and spa experiences in a beautiful island retreat setting!

Image courtesy of Hhhealth.com

About:

Hilton Head Health is ranked Top 10 Islands in the US, Hilton Head is a world-famous resort and planned community that happens to also be home to America's favorite weight loss retreat - Hilton Head Health - The Weight Loss Resort and Wellness Spa.

Located off the coast of South Carolina, Hilton Head Island is a barrier island of 60 square miles. Composed of a series of planned communities or "plantations," the island has blossomed into one of the most widely acclaimed resort destinations in the world. The majority of Hilton Head's nearly 24 golf courses have been cited in national magazines and is the home of the Heritage Golf Tournament, while three tennis facilities are ranked among the top 50 in the country.

Image courtesy of Hhhealth.com

Program options may include:

• 4 Week Residential Comprehensive Weight Loss Plan
• Customized Fitness Plan Designed Around Your Goals
  Inspiring Sessions, Emotional Support & Coaching
• Extended Stay Programs
• LOSE Well – NEW 4-week Weight Loss Program
• 3-4 Day Wellness & Weight loss Retreat

Sample Schedule (Excerpt from 2021)

Two Typical Days in the Living Well and Weight Loss Programs

Living Well Program

7:00

Sunrise Beach Walk

7:30

Breakfast / Thermal Walk

8:30

FITNESS

Treading, Medicine Ball or ULTRA Circuit

9:30

FITNESS

Water Fitness, Zumba Latin or Tai Chi

10:30

Fit Bite

11:00

LECTURE

Body Imae or Nutritional Health

12:00

Lunch/ Thermal Walk

1:00

ACTIVITY

Wii Sports or Cardio Tennis*

2:00

ACTIVITY

Planning Healthy Meals or Cooking Demonstration

3:00

Fit Bite

3:30

FITNESS

Butts & Guts, Firm Body Workout or Body Sculpt

4:30

FITNESS

Roll It Out or Gentle Fitness

6:00

Dinner/Thermal Walk

7:00

Stretch & Relaxation

Weight Loss Program

7:00

Sunrise Beach Walk

7:30

Breakfast/Thermal Walk

8:30

FITNESS

Treading

9:30

FITNESS

Pilates, Lap Swim or Resistance Band

10:30

Fit Bite

11:00

LECTURE

Exercise Presentation

12:00

Lunch/Thermal Walk

1:00

ACTIVITY

Ultra Circuit or Kayaking*

2:00

ACTIVITY

Portion Control or Developing an Action Plan

3:00

Fit Bite

3:30

FITNESS

Hip Hop Dance, Machine Pump or Beach Yoga

4:30

FITNESS

Raise the Bar or Low Body Conditioning

6:00

Dinner/Thermal Walk

7:00

Stretch & Relaxation

Within the first two days, you will have a private 45-minute consultation with one of our health specialists who will recommend the classes most suitable for you based on your individual needs and personal health goals.

*Sample schedule subject to change

*All classes and program activities facilitated in English

Image courtesy of Hhhealth.com

What you can expect to get out of Hilton Head’s Fitness Retreat is:

"Body Image: 
A negative body image can be a barrier to achieving a healthy lifestyle. Explore how body image is developed and strategies for creating a more positive body image.

Emotional & Stress Eating: 

Unravel the complexity of emotional eating and gain personal insight that can ultimately help modify unhealthy eating patterns. This class could be your Ah-Ha moment!

Mastering Motivation: 

Learn unique motivation strategies as well as suggestions for re-energizing motivation when it seems to stall. You will also do some personal insight work to get to core motivating factors important to your individual journey.

Food Rules: 

Do you sometimes feel that your relationship with food manifests like an addiction? Are you bewildered with how to address the addictive behaviors? This seminar will help you to identify what food addiction looks like and learn skills for managing the addiction. Learn how willpower alone is ineffective and how implementing personal rules involving eating behaviors can assist with the management of food addiction.

Gratitude & Health: 

Gratitude is a skill, that when mastered fully, makes us more spiritually aware. It provides us interconnectedness with all aspects of life, as well as our well-being, including physical, emotional, spiritual and relational levels. Part of the virtue of cultivating gratitude is its health benefits. Join us as we expand our attitude of gratitude.

Mindful Eating: 

Compulsive overeating and compulsive food behaviors originate in our brains, not our stomachs. Learning how to get out of your head and become present when we eat is an important factor in sustained weight loss and allows us to enhance our overall serenity. Learn strategies for becoming mindful eaters and increasing daily peace.

Image courtesy of Hhhealth.com

Enhance Your Experience With Customized Service Options

Most Hilton Head Health Weight Loss and Wellness all-inclusive programs include H3$ (resort credits) which can be used to personalize your stay with a variety of health, fitness, spa, dining, counseling, special events and recreation opportunities. Our programs are well designed, but we realize there is no single path to health and wellness. Spend your H3$ on the services that are best for you. We also encourage you to take advantage of special recreational opportunities to fully enjoy our East Coast Island setting. While many services are reserved for guests in our programs, The Indigo Spa and Healthy Kitchen are open to the public." (Excerpt, 2021, https://www.hhhealth.com)

How much does it cost? Prices range from $750 per night to $22,000 for a one month stay.

Per https://www.hhhealth.com/rates/, 2021:

"Hilton Head Health 2021 Program Rates and Prices:

What’s included in our 2021 rates? 

All stays cater to adults and include activities listed on our LivingWell schedule, all meals and snacks, accommodations, resort credits (H3$) and complimentary transportation to/from Savannah International (SAV) and Hilton Head Island (HHH) airports upon request. Pet-friendly accommodations are available for an additional fee – please call for availability and pricing. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to stay at our brand new 30-room Sweetgrass Inn!"

Coupon codes are available:

Available Discounts/Promo Codes:

Return Guests get 15% Off!

Promo Code: return2021

Early Bird Bookings (60+ days in advance) get 20% off!

Promo Code: earlybird

Stay a While (3+ weeks) and get 25% Off!*

Promo Code: stayawhile

How to re-create yourself? Part 1

This is part 1 of a 3 part series on recreating your life!

Spring is the time for renewal, growth and change. Eastern medicine empahasizes the air for re-creation and balance of oneself begins with the seasons. And dis-ease with oneself may set in when old behavioral patterns become unhealthy and change is not accepted into one's life when it is needed.

Recently the idea of re-creating became constantly evident in every aspect of my life. Re-creation, how do I re-create myself and what does it mean?


There is a saying that states that:
'The only thing you can count on in life is change.'




And although for some of you "I hate change-ers" this can be scary, but really it is true and no matter how hard you try to hang onto today, today will change into tomorrow. And that is good, it is the natural part of life's every changing re-creating of itself.

So what is re-creating oneself?

Re-creating oneself encompasses a dramatic challenging of one's daily habits and beliefs.  Becoming observant of unconscious ways that you treat yourself and others. A few unconscious attributes I have recently became conscious of is:

• How I feel about others
• Negative self talk
• How I apply and where I apply my creative abilities
• How I spend my time
• And positive and negative ways that I care for myself

Taking a thorough inventory of these qualities about myself has opened up my eyes in so many ways to how I operate on an every basis and will overall help me improve myself.



Here are few great books to help you through the process of recreating yourself:

1)   Recreating Your Self   by Neale Donald Walsch

            

2)  Recreating Your Self  : Building Self-Esteem Through Imaging and Self-Hypnosis by Nancy J. Napier

     


3) Flawless! The Ten Most Common Character Flaws and What You Can Do about Them by Louis A. Tartaglia

     

4) The Five Things We Cannot Change: And the Happiness We Find by Embracing Them by David Richo

           

Why change?

People can change until they take their last breath.
-Alton R. Jorgenson-

Why change if what you are doing is working? Your ability to change is your biggest advantage in life. And unlike an animal we have the ability to create and change our circumstances. And although sometimes it feels as those change is not possible, and stuck may be the word that comes into your mind frequently. And even if the solution isn't what you may think it is I am sure there is "another option" to enjoy your life and become the full wonderful person that you are.

The state of your life is nothing more than a reflection of your state of mind. 

 -Wayne Dyer-

If you feel as though you need a change and you are in the holding pattern, try asking yourself a few questions:

• What is stopping me from making the changes I know I need to make?
• What do I have to loose?
• Will this change bring improvement to my life?
• Are there things in your life that need to happen before this change occurs? If so what?
• Do you really want to change your weight, your life and/or your perception?
• Is this change for you or for someone else?

These questions may help you through your weight loss journey. Becuase part of weight loss is getting in touch with your inner feelings, the ones that are normally stuffed when eating. Be aware of these new feelings and what you really want within your life. And remember if you are having a hard time expressing or dealing with these "extra" feelings seek professional help or check out free support through local groups in your area such as OA (Overaters Anonymous).

Or try out Free Online Chats and Forums:

• FitClick.com
• BuddySlim.com 

Livestrong.com mentions that:
"The Mayo Clinic suggests that many individuals who are trying to lose weight often benefit from behavioral support. If you struggle with motivation or negative eating or lifestyle habits, such as giving in to food cravings or leading a sedentary lifestyle, a peer support group may help you stay motivated. Support groups can help you learn new strategies for long-term weight loss and give you encouragement when you experience difficulties or frustration."


Life is worth the change and although your feet may drag at first things will improve. 


Be the change you want to see in the world.
— Mahatma Gandhi

Do you know your breaking point?

Your mentality forms who you are, including:

What you eat.

How you react to situations.

How you discipline yourself.

And your ability to stick to it.

Although it may hard to see right away, but all of the above has a direct impact on how and if you loose weight and head in the right direction of long term healthy eating habits.  Ask yourself, really go within and find your answers to these pertinent questions.  "Action is the foundational key to all success. -Pablo Picasso-"

1st Photo: Bansky, Burgers and Bells Bristol, England
2nd Photo: Flickr By Rei San
3rd Photo: Dancer 
4th Photo: Constantina Tomescu crossing the finish line of Women's Marathon.

Loose Weight and Eat What You Want

Is it possible to loose weight and eat what you like?  Sometimes it feels like loosing weight means starving yourself from you favorite goodies. Although sometimes this may be true, it is also relative that maintaining a balanced diet that includes foods that you like will keep you happier and healthier for a longer period of time. Therefore stopping the up and down scenario, starvation, binge, self loathing, etc.

Here are  a few healthy suggestions for maintaining your balance:

PHOTO: Balance with my Edit

• Try a lot of wonderful healthy food, with a little of what you like.
• The time when healthy food tasted bad is long gone. Healthy food has the capacity to taste great! It is just a matter of finding the right source for your healthy recipes. I personally worked with the P90x menu and tweaked it where I found it necessary. 

Other great resources include:

• Cooking Light Magazine
• Prevention Magazine
• Taste of Home Recipe Makeovers
• Fitness Magazine
• Weight Watchers
• Food Network Healthy Eating
• Eating Well Magazine

The key here is to enjoy while you supplement your body with what it needs to prosper.

Valentine's Day Weight Loss Plan

Valentine's Day brings forth a wide assortment of feelings for both singles, couples and married couples. Love, confusion, loneliness and satisfaction are only some of these feelings. And although this blog is about food and weight loss, V-day is an important subject because holidays can be a sore spot for some and a trigger for emotional eating for others.

PHOTO: Happy Valentine

Don't give in this Valentine's Day, don't give into the self ridicule and loneliness talk. Instead inspire yourself, no matter what your situation is and move into with GRATITUDE and shed a smile on someone else's life. Get out of your head, and treat someone how you would like to treated for Valentine's Day. Traditional isn't always the way someone feels i.e. flowers, chocolate and cards. Maybe you are not inspired by that. Dig deep into how you want to give and move forward. And sometimes an experience is worth far more than a box of chocolate. Break out and have fun this Valentine's Day!

If you don't like your life CHANGE IT!

Many people today are finding that at a  later age the habits they held during their youth (teens through late 30's) do NOT hold up for positive health at a later age 40's plus.  Basically the fast food diets, and fast paced, low exercise life is not a good stepping stone to live problem free for many years to come. Just remember that it is never to late to change your health and habits.  Some say next week, next month and even next year.

But the reality of it all is that we have today this moment to change. The discipline comes in when we choose to stick to it through the tough times. When you are tired, stressed or unhappy, and you choose something greater for yourself than the negative old habits that pulled you through the bad times before. Everything gets better and today is the day to start something new and something better!

PHOTO: Beach Runners

Suggestions for starting something great include:

1)  Go for a walk

2)  Do something nice for yourself. Find that special thing that makes you feel good. I am a pretty easy to please person at this point in my life, and a hot bath with candles and some meditative, calming music with an empty house does it for me.  

3) If you can't be alone, take whomever with you to go somewhere you want to go, try somewhere new. It is probably best to be sure they will somewhat enjoy it, as you don't want to hear someone complain the whole time you are out. LOL!

4) Watch an uplifting movie, relax and cuddle up with a blanket and enjoy.

5)  If you happen to have a fire place, use it. This can be extremely relaxing and soothing.

Enjoy your life this is all you have! Don't rush through each day, savor the moments and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! And if you don't like your life CHANGE IT!

Ten Great Snacks That Will Tide You Over!

Morning or mid-day depending on the intensity of my workouts I get hungry. And I need to fuel up on a good snack. If I try to ignore the hunger and convince myself that food isn't important or I need to loose some extra pounds so a little starvation will not hurt me, then really I am just hurting myself. Because as soon as I am around food I will gorge my hunger, and usually with the wrong food.  A Chef  by Trade, I acknowledge that food is important and should be enjoyed. And this can be done by planning ahead. Here are ten easy snacks to choose from, pick and choose the time of day to enjoy them.  My current daytime work atmosphere consists of a standard office job, with no facilities to cook. Just a refrigerator and a small microwave. So here it goes, some creative inspiration to fuel your healthy appetite:

1. Celery and nut butter, or for a low-fat option try low or no-fat cream cheese. Spice up your cream cheese flavor with some fresh herbs (parsley, basil, thyme, or all of them). Very simple preparation includes, 8oz of no fat or low fat cream cheese, a hand full of rinsed and dried herbs, a pinch of salt and 1 tablespoon of skim milk or water. Sun-dried tomatoes are also a great addition, low-fat and high vitamins.
2. Baked chips and salsa. Don't let yourself eat the whole bag, so before you start eating portion  yourself and do not go back for seconds.
3. Raw veggies and hummus. My favorites are carrots, cukes, cherry tomatoes and apples for a savory and sweet flavor.
4. Medium sized bran muffin, if you are having a sweet tooth drizzle a little warm honey on the top.
5. Greek yogurt (plain and non-fat). Trader Joe's makes a great Greek yogurt. There handy small sizzled portions do well and are usually pretty low in sugar.
6. Low-fat popcorn.
7. Raw veggies, baked chix and a handful of pasta. Top it with 2 tsp of dressing (Caesar or Balsamic Vinaigrette make a great addition).
8. High-protein, low-sugar smoothie. Find yourself a good all inclusive protein powder. I use a brand put out by Nutri-Shop a local business in OC, CA.  1/3 frozen banana, 1/2 tsp Spirilina, ice and fill it up with non-fat milk. Blend and drink.
9. Low-Non Fat Cottage Cheese with a spoonful of jam.
10. Turkey/Cheese Roll. Ditch the bread and go for the good stuff. Roll up one slice of cheese and a few slices of turkey, add a bit of mayo to the middle.

Eat up and enjoy your food while you delight in the greatness of health.

How Oprah Motivated Me To Loose Weight

Motivation is a funny thing. When it's there you feel pumped and empowered, when it's not, guilt and negativity may begin to set in. I remember when I was overweight and attempting to find the motivation to loose weight, quite frankly I recall feeling dumpy and depressed because the motivation wasn't there.



Lack of motivation can leave you with feelings of guilt, which can lead to emotional eating.  What most of us crave is healthy weight loss, overall health and balance.

Recently I overheard a story on Oprah about a man that was having the same sort of challenge. The man  began by taking baby steps to improve. He first observed his inner challenges and found that he was put off and overwhelmed when he though of the big picture of loosing weight. 

• the commitment and effort
• what he might be missing out on
• the before and after workout preparation
• the new food choices

Image courtesy of Oprah

He was discouraged however he found a solution. By just getting dressed for the work out and committing himself to nothing else, he actually starting working out. His solution:

1. He got dressed in his workout gear
2. He sat in the workout area
3. He stayed there for 15 minutes
4. He repeated this for a few days, each day taking it one step farther
5. Days passed, he began moving around the space
6. He turned on workout videos
7. He began to feel better

As things progressed he realized that when he wasn't trying to think himself out of it or blow it up to be this huge thing in his head, he actually liked working out. He wanted to do it because it felt good during and after.

I can remember after I had my second baby I could barely walk down the road not to mention do jumping jacks . I was desperate to improve and move into a new resolution for myself that included health and positivity.

Do what you need to to improve yourself. Because you are so worth it. This is it, today is what we have to accomplish our greatness. As Tony from Beach Body's P90X says "Bring it!" Kudos to you Tony for helping so many people achieve those baby step goals!

Top 5 Reasons Why New Year's Resolutions Fail

New Year's Resolution, what does it really mean? A New Year's Resolution is a commitment that one person or a group of people make to one or more lasting goals, projects, or reforming of a habit. Usually dealing with self-improvement, including loosing weight, looking better, feeling better, being more focused, more active, nicer to others, more successful, etc.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Here are the top 5 reasons why New Year's Resolutions fail:

1. Unsure of how to follow thought with your commitment. Lack of education.
2. Busy or distracted
3. Convincing yourself that it doesn't matter, and things are fine the way they are.
4. The resolution was made because you were trying to satisfy the needs of someone else "playing martyr".
5. Not committed, the resolution was made to just make a promise or join the crowd.

The majority of people tend to forget their resolution, their secret personal pact they have made with themselves within the first few weeks. Is the pact broken because of being side tracked, lack of confidence or even lack of education on how to succeed and follow through? It is hard to change, however keep this in mind "it only takes two weeks to change a habit."

How about you? What is your New Years Resolution this year?