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.

Making Weight Loss Work with a Weight Loss App

Fit Bit, Tap and Track, Map My Walk, Weight Watchers are all offering phone apps to help you through your weight loss journey.

FitBit - Eat Smarter

Weight loss experts say tracking your food, weight loss and emotions while eating helps to regulate behavior by increasing mindfulness and vigilant.


Although weight loss apps seem to help create a face value to the whos and whats of what we consume, do they work? The apps are not recommended to be the only tool to achieve your goals, it is more of an accessory with support and proper nutritional guidelines to meet your needs.

For more information visit: NPR's article Ga Ga Over Mobile Calorie Tracking App

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback Weight Loss Challenges Kansas for Top Results

The time has come when obesity is now an epidemic. Miseducation of food choices, unhealthy ingredients in everyday foods, lack of physical activity and an excess of technological advances has placed us all in the world of convenience. Is this true? Well some weight loss challengers believe that it is. Including political advisors that are lending a hand to motivate those they may have lost their motivation for getting out there and creating health within their space.

Image courtesy of: Weightloss.ks.gov

Tuesday, November 27, 2012 Governor Sam Brownback and members of his Cabinet took the lead in a weight-loss contest to help encourage the people of Kansas to take a look at obesity and work towards incorporating  healthier eating habits into their families daily lives.

The weight loss contest will challenge "executive, legislative and judicial branch employees to field five-member teams that will compete to lose the largest percentage of body weight". The contest is scheduled to take place January 15 to May 15, 2013. How exciting!

The facts:

• In Kansas & nationwide — 2/3 of the adult population and 1/3 of children are overweight or obese
• Building a team to lose weight may help residents find support & motivation to change their habits 
• Obesity rose from 15% in 1995 to 30.1% in 2010
• Poor nutrition, physical inactivity & tobacco use were the two leading preventable causes of death

Don't get angry yet, i.e. he's trying to control us, the government is stealing our freedom of choice, this is my body, etc. That is your EGO talking, that is your fear to change and grow. The overall picture? He is working towards creating a healthier and a more supportive community. By publicly announcing and encouraging others to support each other, something new and wonderful can take place.  Wouldn't you love to have the support and education you need to move forward with your goals to loose weight?

"Don't give up. That's the biggest thing about this," Brownback said. "It's not about winning. It's about getting healthier."

To register, view contest rules and/or gain nutrition information for the challenge visit:  Weightloss.ks.gov 

Here's the catch!

1. The governor will be recruiting 4 members of his Cabinet to join his team. 
2. Measured by %, prizes will be awarded to the top two state employee teams with the biggest weight loss.
3. Teams that beat Brownback's team, but aren't already in the top two, will beligible for additional prizes.
4. Local governments and private businesses have also been encouraged to form teams and join the challenge, although these teams won't be eligible for state prizes, just the prize of health and a dropping a few pounds.

Firm Those Thighs!

Thighs, they can be hidden. However when you feel good about them it is a pleasure to show them off. Keep in mind that diet and excercise play a huge part in the overall success of your body's shape and muscle tone, however we are just talking about thighs here nothing else.







To help tone up for summer I will be writiing a few blogs that focus on certain bathing suit worthy areas of the body. Just a thought on quick fixes such as cosmetic surgery or even liposuction, these are great concepts but are not a permanent fix. Sooner or later you will have to learn to take care of those sexy inner and outer thighs.

Part 1: Firmin' Up Your Sexy Thighs

Question: Where exactly are your thighs?
Answer: Wikipedia states that "In humans the thigh is the area between the pelvis and the knee." This means the front, inside, outside and the back side of the leg.

Photo courtesy of: Fine Cosmetic Surgery

Question: Why do thighs get fat?

Answer: Scientific America states that  the following criteria work to determine what your thighs will look like:

• Hormones
• Women store fat differently than women
• Cellulite appears as body fat is gained
• Age
• Exercise
• Food choices

Video: Best Thigh Thinning Exercises

Will weight loss surgery work for you?

With claims from doctors that there are no scars, a fast surgery and instant weight loss, why not? But let's cover some of the basics first, before we make an appointment at the local doctor's office:

1. The surgery started many years ago on cancer patients with severe ulcers. Where the doctors removed large parts of the stomach or intestine to help control the cancer patient's ulcers. The doctors noticed that the cancer patients began to loose weight after the surgery, and weight loss surgery was born.
2. Obesity surgery involves manipulating the stomach or/and small intestine in some way.
3. There are two types of surgery used currently for weight loss: malabsorption and restrictive surgery.
4. Malabsorption surgery shortens the length of the small intestine therefore limiting the amount of food that is digested or absorbed.
   
5. Restrictive surgery involves making the stomach smaller. In restrictive surgery a section of your stomach is removed or closed off therefore limiting the amount of food it can hold which also causes you to feel full.

Photo courtesy of: PennMedicine.org

The University of Rochester's Medical Center states that in order to have bariatic surgery you must meet these qualifications:

• BMI (body mass index is determined by your height and weight) of 40
• BMI of 35-39.9 with one of the following obesity related health conditions: diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea.
• Absence of any psychiatric disorders
• Absence of any eating disorders
• No active substance abuse
• 21 years of age and older
• History of obesity of at least 5 years or greater
• Documented failed attempts at conventional weight loss programs
• Ability to follow pre-operative and post operative dietary, exercise and behavioral recommendations

To calculate your body mass index visit the University of Rochester's website: URMC.Rochester.edu

Keep in mind like most surgeries there is the possibility of many side effects, for a list of side effect consult your physician or WebMD.

Aside from physical side effects keep in mind the emotional effects of this surgery. Sure you feel fuller and you will begin to drop the pounds if all goes as the ads state. However the underlined behavior not being mentioned is dealing with the emotional patterns that began your weight gain nightmare. So if you decide to take advantage of this new advancement in medical technology, just don't forget about inner emotional self. The self that you buried deep underneath those extra pounds. Remember that your butt may look better for now, however that phases out after some time when the underlined emotions that created all that fat in the first place begin to resurface. Whatever your choice may be, best wishes in a new happy and positive you!

For more information on weight loss surgery, here is a brief list of informative websites:

• WeightLossSurgeryChannel.com
• American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
• National Association for Weight Loss Surgery
• Obesity Help
• Is Bariatric Surgery Right for You?
  

Source:

WebMD's - Is Weight Loss Surgury For You?

BBQ Your Way to Weight Loss

Spice up your food plan this summer with healthy grilling. Grilling can present a tasty and healthy way to cook your food while enjoying the outdoors. I tend to steer towards a wood grill because I like to play around with smoking veggies and meats, however I currently use a gas grill. It is just as good and faster to cook on.

If you haven't cooked with a gas grill before take a look at this video on How to Grill.

One of my favorite recipe websites is Saveur.com.  This is the online version of Saveur Magazine with a search bar. The Food Network also offers a complete selection of healthy and not so healthy recipes for grilling.

Vegetables on the Grill - Photo by Steve

So try something new this summer and delight your taste buds with your favorite vegetables in a balsamic and herb infusion, grilled chicken breasts for your salads or even grilled pineapple or peaches for dessert.

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!

Use Your Social Network to Loose Weight

There are so many devices available to you today to stay connected, why not use them to help you succeed? Who would have thought that your social network could help you loose weight. Your social network may consist of your cell phone, including texting, app's and access to Twitter, Facebook, and the internet.

Check out these ideas to increase your weight loss:

1. Studies have shown that when individuals on a weight loss plan text their daily weight and food intake to friends or a weight loss sponsor that they become accountable for their food intake. Acknowledging what you are taking in can help you become conscious of your food patterns. Do you eat when you are hungry or when you are tired and upset?
2. Start a weight loss challenge with your friends, family or even at work. Research shows that working or competing with others will help to fire up the motivation to loose those extra pounds.
3. Eat with others when possible. Studies show that when you eat with others, especially in a pleasant atmosphere people tend to eat less.
4. Online wight loss communities, these unique and powerful communities consist of forums to chat with others in the same boat, or gain momentum by chatting with other weight loss individuals who have already succeeded in their weight loss goals. Or for around the clock support check out Sparkpeople.com
5. Weight loss groups can also be a great source of information, support and motivation. Check out WeightWatchers.com, well known Tops Club, join a Meetup Group for weight loss, and Overeaters Anonymous.

Create a supportive and healthy environment in your life today. Create what you need to live a healthy life for yourself and thrive. Today is the day!

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!