Lost 100

Why Are Southerners So Fat?

I came across this article in Time Magazine and thought it would be worth sharing.  I like how the article breaks down the multi-faceted reasons for the obesity epidemic in the South (limited access to healthy foods, both monetarily & limited healthy choices in certain regions; lack of exercise, and this is interesting--less public transportation, more narrow streets, and extreme heat). 

What I'd like to see are more SOLUTIONS!  And not just nutritionists and personal trainers--out of the box solutions!  So maybe we can't add more bus lines during a recession--but can we renovate parks?  Can we create more opportunities for fitness in these areas?  Instead of Rachel Ray and other cooking program peeps heading to South Beach to film the summer extravaganza shows...what about the middle of Mississippi--and donating farm shares to lower income families?  Teach them to cook the vegetables in healthier ways and give them the vegetables.  There are real-life solutions, but we need more 'real people' out there promoting them!

Here's a link to the article:

Why Are Southerners So Fat?.

Eight of the 10 fattest states are in the South, says a new report. The region famous for its fried food has been struggling with its weight for years, but then again, so has the rest of the country

Helpful Advice for Eating Healthy When Eating Out

How to dine out without hurting your heart

• Story Highlights
• Dietitian: Be heart-friendly by asking how things are prepared, making requests
• "Chinese food can be a hidden salt mine," another dietitian says
• At steakhouses, portion size can present a challenge
• Watch out for "kewpie," or Japanese mayonnaise, at sushi restaurants

By Debra Alban

(CNN) -- Americans talk a good game about wanting to eat well. More than 75 percent claim they want to see more healthy options on restaurant menus. But when it comes time to order, only about half say they actually make nutritious choices, according to a recent survey.

Steakhouse portions often exceed the recommended five to seven ounces of animal protein per day.

On the other hand, 77 percent rank taste as the top priority for a restaurant dinner, and 44 percent say satisfying hunger matters most, according to the responses reported in June by Mintel, a market research firm. Of 2,000 adults polled in February, 20 percent said food health is an important factor when they order dinner.

Still, nutrition experts stress that it is possible to satisfy your taste buds and hunger while making nice to your heart.

"Eating out with friends and family is a pleasure you don't have to give up when you're on a special diet," said Anne Cain, a registered dietitian and senior editor at MyRecipes.com. "You just need to arm yourself with information about heart-healthy choices and not be afraid to ask questions about the menu and make special requests." (MyRecipes.com is owned by Time Warner, the parent company of CNN.)

Every person's needs are different when it comes to what he or she should eat, health experts say.

"There are some people that really have to worry about calories, there are some people that really have to worry about sugar, some people that really have to worry about salt. All of these bring in different kinds of mandates for you," said Riska Platt, a registered dietitian and spokeswoman for the American Heart Association.

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• MyRecipes.com: Smart dining-out strategies
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Still, some foods are more likely than others to derail a heart-healthy diet. Here are some tips to help you eat for your heart when dining out.

Chinese
Instead of oil- and fat-laden dishes such as lo mein, egg rolls, kung pao chicken or fried rice, try steamed chicken, seafood or tofu with vegetables, and ask for sauce on the side.

"Chinese food can be a hidden salt mine,"said Sari Greaves, a registered dietitian and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. Ordering it "as unadorned as possible" and with sauces on the side will help you control your sodium intake.

Soups such as egg-drop and hot-and-sour are low-calorie and low-fat, but may also be "salt bombs," Greaves said. But despite the poor reputation eggs have for their high-cholesterol properties, low-fat dieters don't have to steer clear of egg-drop soup, she said: "It's saturated fat and trans fat in your diet that raise your blood cholesterol, more so than cholesterol in your diet."

Stir-fried dishes are also a safe bet because they're generally cooked quickly and with very little oil. On the other hand, watch out for foods designated "crispy" or "double-sauteed," which indicate deep-fried dishes, said Greaves.

Sandwich shop
Instead of a sandwich on white bread, a white roll or white wrap and topped with mayonnaise or cheese, try whole-grain bread options topped with vegetables, mustard or olive oil, and little to no cheese.

Watch out for deli meats, which often contain a lot of salt, Platt said.

Hummus can be a good alternative to mayonnaise or cheese, as it contains heart-healthy fat. Platt endorses hummus, which is made from chickpeas, because it helps Americans fit legumes into their diet. Just don't overload on it, because the calories can add up.

Platt also suggests skipping oversized muffins. Even if they're bran muffins and consequently high in fiber, they're full of fat, sugar and calories. Breakfast wraps can also be detrimental to a heart-healthy diet, especially when an entire salt- and fat-heavy meal of eggs, cheese and bacon is packed into a compact package.

Italian
Instead of pasta topped or filled with cream, cheese or meat, try grilled, broiled or poached seafood with a small order of pasta with garlic and oil or tomato sauce.

Greaves suggests ordering shellfish such as shrimp, mussels or clams at an Italian restaurant, as long as they aren't deep-fried or cooked in butter. Although these shellfish might be higher in cholesterol than salmon or tilapia, she said, they're still very low in saturated fat.

If you do want cheese in your meal, add a sprinkling of parmesan atop a dish instead of gobs of cheese as the centerpiece of your meal.

And for an appetizer, Greaves recommends skipping the meat- and cheese-heavy antipasto salad in favor of shrimp cocktail, which is low in saturated fat. Also, pair bread with heart-healthy olive oil, not butter. Oil is rich in calories, though, so don't overdo it.

Japanese
Instead of tempura-style rolls or rolls with mayonnaise (think spicy tuna), try fresher sushi with fish high in cardio-friendly omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna, mackerel or halibut. The avocado in California rolls also carries heart-healthy benefits.

Edamame, which are green soybeans, may indirectly lower your blood cholesterol and are a good source of fiber and omega-3s, Greaves said. But if you're monitoring your sodium intake, request that the salt be omitted.

Be on the lookout for the word "kewpie," or Japanese mayonnaise, if you're trying to cut back on saturated fat.

Steakhouses
Instead of a full portion of steak, try limiting your meat intake by ordering a beef kebab, or a chicken or seafood selection cooked without butter or salt.

Choose lean cuts of beef such as round, sirloin, chuck, flank steak or tenderloin. Remove any visible fat that may be attached to the cooked meat, Cain said.

The American Heart Association recommends eating five to seven ounces of animal protein per day, and a 12-ounce steak at a restaurant far exceeds that, Platt said. Split a steak with one of your dining partners, or eat half and take the rest home for another meal.

Steakhouses also offer deceptively fattening sides, such as creamed spinach or fully loaded baked potatoes. Swap out those fatty sides for steamed vegetables, and you'll be in better shape.

Mexican
Instead of a cheese-filled burrito or taco, try a seafood, chicken or vegetable fajita.

The seafood or chicken will provide lean, healthy protein, while a vegetable centerpiece will boost your fiber intake. If you get beans, make sure they're not refried; black beans provide protein and fiber without artery-clogging saturated fat, Greaves said.

You can also cut down on saturated fat by opting for pico de gallo or salsa instead of sour cream. Since it's made from heart-healthy avocados, guacamole contains good fat that can lower bad LDL cholesterol while raising good HDL cholesterol. Just limit your intake to about two tablespoons, Greaves said, because it can carry a lot of calories.

Greaves also warns that you should watch out for salted rice and rice with cheese -- no-no's for people on low-sodium or low-fat diets.

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Mourning Michael Jackson's Passing in the Time of Facebook

*Editors Note....this blog is normally devoted 100% to fitness/weight loss/ nutrition related material.  But I feel moved to post this essay I wrote about Michael Jackson's death.

I’m not a musician, or a journalist, or an entertainment specialist, but somehow feel driven to share my thoughts on Michael Jackson’s death.   I, like many 30-somethings (and 20, 40, & 50-somethings) felt moved to post on Facebook.  Throughout last night and even more so this morning I’m seeing more and more anti-MJ postings (has the media gone too far, yesterday you all hated him, he was ‘child molester’, he was a train wreck, etc.).  I myself was surprised at how all the major television networked covered Michael Jackson’s death, until I began to examine why we might be mourning.
In a sense, we are mourning our own mortality…every song that is played, every video that is played we remember our formative years. 

Michael Jackson’s song, for some of us, were some of the first songs we learned the lyrics to.  His videos were recreated in backyards and playgrounds everywhere.  His clothes set style and our first brush with urban legend (if the glove is on such & such hand it means your gay, if it’s on the other hand it means your cool—what was all that about?!)  Each song may strike a certain sentiment in us, we remember events of our youth….the prom, 8th grade dance, a college party, and dance clubs.  We aren’t necessarily remembering just the music—but WHO WE WERE at that time in our lives.  We become nostalgic for our youth—forgetting the bullies, the pimples, the hard times and relishing on the good memories we associate with these songs, these times in our lives.

In addition, Michael Jackson taught us how to come together…because somehow if the varied voices of Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Kenny Rogers, James Ingram, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, Willie Nelson, Al Jarreau, Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Loggins, Steve Perry, Hall & Oates, Huey Lewis & the News, Cyndi Lauper, Kim Carnes, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Dan Aykroyd, Harry Belafonte, Lindsey Buckingham, Sheila E., Bob Geldof, Bette Midler, The Pointer Sisters & Smokey Robinson could come together to make a song the world couldn’t get enough of, maybe, just maybe the world could come together for a greater cause…hunger, peace, love.
Michael Jackson’s generosity inspired us to give….to give of our time, talent, and money.  As the news stories go on, I forgot how MJ donated money all the time, setting up foundations, and trust, putting on concerts for different causes.  Songs like Heal the World, You Are Not Alone, Man in the Mirror, and Black or White inspired us to make a difference in the world even if the difference was only making a small change in ourselves.

Because we want a good comeback story I believe many people may have written MJ off but hoped in their hearts he would overcome his demons.  I don’t know if Jackson committed the crimes he was accused of.  I know he was acquitted, I know Larry King and others overheard conversations by family members of the accusers stating they had a ploy to extort money.  I know that that Michael Jackson was a sad and lonely man who seemed very much innocent, childlike, naïve, and lonely.  Perhaps someone who wanted to give to others what he never had—unconditional love and acceptable.  In a sense we collectively weep for the vindication he never got in life, for the comeback he and we so desperately wanted….and most importantly because at the end of the day, we are human, we hope for the best in ourselves and we hope for the best in our friends. 

We grew up with Michael Jackson, and so now we wonder, if he’s gone, what does that mean?  Is our youth officially over (like the mortgage, the car payments, the screaming kids, the lawn and dishes hadn’t told us that already…but we hoped…..)?   So as we say goodbye to MJ, we say one last fleeting goodbye to our youth and we have in a sense a long reunion, with friends, with facebook, with our memories, of good times spent with a man who captured our emotions with his enigmatic voice and dance steps.

Ironic 'healthy kids' sign

I saw this sign at a local park & loved the message...then I saw the bottle of coca cola. I swear I played no role in it's placement! My friend Tracy suggested perhaps people will begin leaving undesirable items near the sign: McDonalds bags, cigarettes, juice boxes, pizza slices... Anyway-what item would you leave at the sign???

NIA VARDALOS: 'WHAT'S THE BIG FAT DEAL' Finally a Celeb Who Gets Real About Body Image!

Here's a blog post Nia Vardalos wrote for AC360 on CNN.  It is perhaps one of the best things I've ever read about body image and health.  I think I'm in love with Nia Vardalos!  She rocks--I love her confidence in herself, her sense of humor and that she doesn't think it's a big deal that she lost weight.  People magazine bikini shoot--no!  It was about her health, not how she felt in her skin.  I suspect Ms. Vardalos felt just as sexy before as she does now.  Her view of her body before is refeshing and sadly unexpected in a world where the Teenage Witch uses cruel terms to describe her post-partum fuller figure and a Ghost Whisperer yells and screams about how dare the media criticize her size 2 figure, only to drop 20 lbs and pay for do a major publicity tour about her 'new fabulous figure' and how much better she feels about her body.  Nia Vardalos never apologized for her body before and she isn't trashing it now~and to me that makes her a hero of sorts!  Way to go girlfriend~if I'm ever lucky enough to meet you I'm totally buying you a diet coke drink!!!

Editor’s Note: Nia Vardalos is the star and writer of the 2002 smash hit, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” Her new film, “My Life in Ruins,” is in theaters now.

Actress Nia Vardalos arrives at the premiere of 'My Life in Ruins' on May 29, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.

Nia Vardalos
Actress/Writer/Director

It’s just weight. Just 40 pounds of fat now gone from my body, but wow, it’s pretty much all I get asked about. In the last year, I got to star in a movie, wrote and directed my next one, and adopted a three year old from American Foster Care. But guess what I’m asked…how did I lose the weight?

I am embarrassed to be in the position of answering questions about my body again. On the publicity tour of ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ I was asked over and over again, if, as the writer, I felt it was a fair depiction of real life to have someone of my er, below average looks, hook up with hottie John Corbett.

It’s been years, and I have sat through many a movie like Sideways, where nobody blinks an eye when Paul Giamatti gets together with gorgeous Virginia Madsen. And, then ‘Knocked Up’….well, the visual of Seth Rogan on top of Katherine Heigl made me put the popcorn down and reach for my purse. Not because I was grossed out but because I knew the film was about to stop and Ashton Kutcher would now jump out and go “aha, you’ve been punked, that would never happen.” I waited. But no Ashton. The film went on. And many a reviewer, who probably look like sweet Seth (yes even the women) gave it a thumbs up.

Yes, there’s a double standard for women. Whatever. Yawn, we all know it, perpetuate it – we make it worse every time we buy a magazine showing “Stars with Cellulite.” And women, we do buy those magazines. Yes, we do. No, not just at the airport – you have a subscription, admit it. So do I.

So, it’s our fault. Let’s accept it and move on. Socially, the issue of men’s weight is simply not a big deal. Let’s face it: Russell Crowe is fat and no one ever talks about it. Alec Baldwin just orders his suits a size bigger and we continue to swoon.

So, what exactly is up with my weight loss? I get hit with this awkward question daily and have answered it in press interviews, at the grocery store, at the newspaper stand. Why? Because I see their anxious, open faces needing the secret, the new pill, the cure, anything. Just please share the secret. So I hesitantly answer and am always met with the same response: the glaze-eye slack-jawed face.

Because they don’t want to hear the truth: I had a blood sugar problem so my Doctor ordered me to lose weight, it was really hard but I did it through diet, exercise and it took a year.

This is when the boredom sets in on the querying person. I might as well just shove an Ambien up their nostril. The gleam in their eye fades and they get sleepy.

No one wants to hear the facts about weight loss. It’s simple. Take that bag of Doritos and throw it as far as you can. Now chase after it. Pick it up, do it again.

Or don’t. You don’t have to lose weight, unless like me, it becomes an issue of health. I thought I was attractive when I shot ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding.’ Studio executives and movie reviewers let me know I had a confidence in my looks that was not shared by them. In other words: they labeled me with words like, overweight, unattractive, unappealing. Hey, just say fat. I love the word fat. I used it in the title. It’s actually not a naughty word. We give it a power it actually doesn’t have. So, you’re fat. Big deal.

If now, I have a sudden validity because I look different on the red carpet, check out my Before pics on my Twitter. (@NiaVardalos) I am showing what happens before Team Miracle comes over in the Hazmat suits and works on me for a few hours. Anyone can look like they make me look. That’s why most malls offer a Glamour Shots booth.

I am just telling you the truth.

Here’s another fact: A studio executive recently asked me to change a male lead in a script to female because “women don’t go to movies.” He went on to explain some studios were no longer making female-lead movies because women don’t go to them.

Wow. I pointed out ‘Sex And The City,’ ‘Mamma Mia,’ and  ‘Obsessed,’ and he called them “flukes.”

He shrugged and explained he was just telling me the truth.

I wonder, is this the truth? Do we support female films? My film is out now and Sandra Bullock’s film ‘The Proposal’ opens soon. (Gasp, is she talking about a rival studio’s movie?) Yeah, I am. See it. See us both (just see us first, we’re low budget.)

So, I ask, can we tell that studio executive the truth? That women do go to the movies. Can we speak up with our wallets? Or did you doze off?

Nia Vardalos blogs for CNN

10K--we did it!

So hubby & I finished our first 10k today...73 minutes! Yes we were toward the back of the pack- but we ran the whole way& that's over a hour of continuous cardio!

Out next goal is to incorporate some speed workouts into our routine to work on getting under a 10 minute mile!

Here's a pic taken on my mother-in-law's deck after the race--check out those guns :-)

Gabrielle Reece blogs: 'Bikini Body in 2 Weeks'

I found this blog/article written by Gabby Reece on Yahoo, and found it to be a *Must Read*...enjoy! 

Bikini Body in 2 Weeks By Gabrielle Reece - Posted Fri, May 29, 2009, 9:45 am PDT

84% of users found this article helpful.

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I recently wrote a post about the mental motivation of getting bikini ready for summer. Well, summer is here, so it's time to get down to brass tacks. We all know there is no magic bullet or cure-all diet that works overnight, but there are some things you can do right now to make real changes.

These are my favorite get-ready-for-summer moves. I chose these moves because we can all do them: They are effective, safe, and you don't need tons of equipment. Do 3 sets of 10-15 reps at least 3 to 4 times a week and you'll see a difference in as little as 2 weeks!

1. Side Lunges
Works your glutes, lower back and core. I always like to go down slow and under control (not letting gravity control the tempo) and then from a static position explode up. For beginners, go as low as you feel comfortable; if you've already been working out, make it more difficult by bringing your knee up to your chest into a standing crunch after the lunge. Increase the burn -- never set that foot on the floor until after you have completed all of your reps.

2. One leg bicep curl
Works your biceps and glutes; increases focus and core stability. Lift one knee up, squeeze your abs, and hold it while you do your set of curls. Beginners can put a heel down and toe up instead of lifting the knee up. If you want to challenge yourself take your shoes off and stand on one leg on a Bosu ball. Switch legs after each set.

3. Dips
Great for the triceps and can be done anywhere. We all talk about the jiggle on the back of our arms. Well, here you go. Put your hands on a bench or chair, lower your body by bending your arms and then push back up. Beginners can go as low as they feel like they can support, and if you are advanced, add a bridge at the top of the move. Bridge by pushing your hips into the air, squeezing your glutes and push on the floor through your feet. Performing dips everyday does keep the jiggle at bay. Remember triceps make up 2/3 of your upper arm.

4. Swimmers
Great for shoulders and posture. Use an incline bench or just bend at the waist in a standing position and reach left arm up while pulling right arm back. Then reverse so that right arm is up and left is back. Don't forget to engage your abs. It's critical to use VERY LIGHT WEIGHT. This move is meant to be all about technique and not trying to fling around a bunch of heavy dumbbells.

5. Exercise ball lift (or Eball lift)
Works the hamstrings, core, and shoulders. Stand with feet wider than shoulder-width apart and an exercise ball between your feet. Squat down and pick up the ball; as you stand back up lift the ball overhead. At the top of this move really stretch through your core while reaching to the ceiling. If you want to make it tougher, do this with a smaller weighted ball and go up on to your toes at the top of the move. Squeeze those legs and glutes. This is a great warm up move.

6. Lat burn
I love this move! It's good for shoulders, triceps, lats, and most importantly, your posture. Stand with feet together and hold a resistance band at waist level with your elbows right by your sides. Pull hands away from each other while keeping your elbows snug against your waist. That's one rep. Remember to keep your shoulders up and back and feel the move in your upper back. Everything we do pulls our shoulders forward (driving a car, sitting in chairs on the computer). This is a very simple, friendly and effective way to get those aligned! If we are getting all swimsuit sexy then there is nothing more attractive than good posture.

7. Hip up squeeze
Want a tight tush? This is a safe way to work those glutes. It's important to concentrate on squeezing glutes at the top of the move but not jamming your neck. To make it more challenging simply add reps (try 50 for the mega burn) or just do it on one leg with the other one straight up in the air. Make sure to tighten your tummy to support your lower back during the move.

8. Tricep kickback
We're hitting the back of the arms again. The key to this move is to keep elbows in one spot and squeeze those arms. You don't need heavy weight, just proper form. Sit back in your glutes to work your core and back side, too. They have to work while holding your body during this move, so you're toning upper and lower body at the same time.

9. Front lunges
Works the hamstrings, quads, and glutes most effectively, all you need is your own body weight. I like to do all of my reps on one leg first and then switch to the other side. Hold dumbbells or add reps to increase the difficulty. I love doing moves like this that challenge your balance. It's critical to move in ways that will not only make you look great, but will help you be more coordinated in everyday life.

10. Superman (or woman)
Works glutes, core, shoulders, and body balance. This move is often used in rehab and therapy to help a patient develop or create muscle balance. If you get to the level where you want to make it harder and your FORM IS PERFECT (be mindful of hips and feet opening up or your posture collapsing), hold a dumbbell in one hand, and wear ankle weights on the opposing leg. I love these moves because you are working multiple muscles at one time.

(For more photos demonstrating these moves, click here.)

If you want to really get bikini crazy then add 3 days of cardio activity (biking, spinning, walking, running, swimming, cardio classes, boot camp) for a minimum of 30 minutes. Don't worry about finding time: If you turn off the TV, or spend a little less time online, you will have the time. You don't need to drive anywhere!

On the nutrition front, commit to giving up some of the white devils that end up on our hips and bellies (bread, white rice, pasta, too much dairy, and delicious foods made with white flour). Give sugary drinks a break, and yes, that means diet soda as well! Love the red meat, but if you are eating it often try to cut back. Reach for turkey, chicken, or fish. Stay out of the drive-thru.

Try to eat good fats and carbs, too. Don't be afraid of these two foods -- your brain and your body need them -- just pick the healthier one's like nuts, veggies, avocado, brown rice and beans, or a splash of olive oil. If you don't eat enough fat, you will never feel full. This can really lead to overeating.

Get some good sleep for the next few weeks and drink tons of water. Hook up with some friends for this bikini challenge, and find ways to take some deep breaths and let the stress out. It doesn't matter if you do everything perfect; if you are walking around stressed out and unhappy this information won't be effective in the end.
In this day and age, with the stress of the economy, there is no hotter accessory than a healthy body with a smiling face on top of it. And it's FREE.

See you at the beach or pool side. Good luck!

2009 Gabrielle Reece. All Rights Reserved.

Biggest Loser Full Season Re-Cap: Full Season Chart, Plus Breaking Down the Good, the Bad & the Ugly

So Season 7 is one for the books now.  History's been written and all we can do is re-hash it for what life lessons lie in the joy, pain, sweat & tears that made up this season.  And maybe be a little catty along the way...why not?!  Okay, actually, I'm sort of in the Zen-like place and don't really want to be catty.  First, if someone loses weight--any weight--we should be thrilled for them.  And I realized some of the people who are in need of losing more weight are well, err, just like me.

Because the show is a reality show, there is an 'end date', but in life what's not important is getting to a certain BMI/weight by a certain date, but taking the excess weight off, making a long-term lifestyle change that works for you. 

I am all about experiencing a better, richer, more fulfilling life.  I found that being overweight prevented me from enjoying some things to their fullest.  Sure experiencing a piping hot bowl of fetuchini alfredo to it's fullest can be momentarily satisfying, but is sorely lacking.  I'm talking about being able to use my body in ways that I enjoy...hiking, running, playing with my kids, riding a bike, riding a roller coaster, being a sexual person.  When I was severely overweight these things were difficult at best.  Plus, I LOVE being able to shop at stores now and not being chained down to Lane Bryant!

So back to this season...

First, here's a BMI chart on the left.  Granted, BMI isn't the be-all and end-all.  I do think women should go by it for the most part, and men, depending on their muscle-mass/ body fat percentage shouldn't be too far off.  Basically anything 18.5-24.5 is 'healthy', 25-29.5 overweight, 30-39.5 obese, 40-49.5 severely obese, and then above that it goes in increments of 10.

If you look at my chart below (you have to download it and then go to the last page), you'll see every single contestant significantly reduced their BMI over the course of the show.  The highest reduction was from Kristen, who lost an astounding 27 points of BMI!!!  The lowest was David, who lost a modest, yet significant 5.8 points in BMI--I'll tell you what 5 BMI points would be HUGE for me, frankly it's the difference between being on the verge of obesity and being 'healthy'.

Players who are in the 'Healthy' BMI range include (now/ start of show):

1. Helen (18.9)                  no one was in this category at start of show
2. Tara (20.5)
3. Nicole (22.5)
4. Jerry (24.0)
5. Estella (24.2) 

Players who are in the 'Overweight' BMI range include (now/ start of show):

1. Mike (25.2)                   no one was in this category at the start of show
2. Mandy (25.2)
3. Blaine (27.4)
4. Laura (29.4)
5. Shannon (29.4)

Players who are in the 'Obese' BMI range include (now/ start of show):

1. Cathy (30.1)                    Estella (36.8)
2. Sione (30.6)                    Mandy (38.8)
3. Kristen (31.1)               
4. Dane (31.4)
5. Filipe (31.9)
6. Ron (32.3)
7. Aubrey (32.3)
8. Damien (34.2)
9. Joelle (35.3)
10. Carla (38.2)

Players who are in the 'Severely Obese/ Morbidly Obese' BMI range include (now/ start of show):

1. Daniel (47.4)               Blaine (40.1)
2. David (47.5)                Aubrey (41.4)
3.                                   Helen (41.5)
4.                                   Nicole (41.5)
5.                                   Laura (42.1)
6.                                   Tara (43.4)
7.                                   Cathy (44.5)
8.                                   Jerry (46.1)
9.                                   Shannon (47.1)
10.                                   Joelle (47.7)

Players who were in the 'Super Obese' BMI range at the start of the show:

1.                                   Dane (50.1)
2.                                   Sione (50.4)
3.                                   Filipe (50.8)
4.                                   Damien (53.1)
5.                                   David (53.3)
6.                                   Mike (54.1)
7.                                   Carla (57.6)
8.                                   Kristin (58.1)
9.                                   Ron (58.3)
10.                                   Daniel (69.0)

Look at that--the proof in the pudding, so to speak!  Amazing results overall.  And I guarantee you these people are like everyone else--they think they can't do it, that they are hopeless--they are not, and neither are you! 

Here's the entire season breakdown, week-by-week inlcuding all the stats you could possibly want!

Download 2009 biggest loser season 7 finale

Congrats to all the contestants and those who lost with them at home...keep up the good work and don't stop working just because the show is off...I loved what Daniel said, he loses 100, then another 50, then another...'Never Give Up'--so true!!!!!

Arthritis walk-a-thon sends a good message...

Did a 3 mile run today & saw this sign on the route...funny enough my knee was killing me. Talk about irony! But the fact is, it is so true, our bodies are made to carry a certain amount of weight & when we have more weight on our bodies than is ideal we can have a whole host of aches & pains & diseases & health problems. The good news: take off weight & most of those problems will go away! So get out there & get some exercise :-)

HELEN & JERRY Prove The Old Folks Rule the Roost on The Biggest Loser!!!

Helen, looking rail-thin, showed 48 is just a number.  She won the $250K with an astonishing 54.47% (she weighed in at 117 lbs)!

Mike was 2nd, with a 53.35% loss (he weighed in at 181 lbs).

Tara, the 'warrior princess' was shocked by her 3rd place finish, losing 52.71% (she weighed in at 139 lbs).

The first and oldest (64) to weigh-in for the $100K prize was Jerry and he carried it all the way, as contestant after contestant stepped on the scale only to be told that Jerry had beaten them.  Jerry lost 47.97%, weighing in at 192 lbs).

Congratulations to all the contestants!  I'll be posting my chart tomorrow, as well as commentary on the surprises (people who actually gained weight!) and season as a whole.  Tune in!

Another race pic

Another pic...why is Sarah never smiling?!

Finished my race!

Mommy & Sarah both ran in our respective races! I ran all 4 miles without stopping! Sarah is starting off her lustrious career with her finish of a 100 yard dash!

Overall a wonderful Mother's Day!

Running in the morning!

I'm running in a mother's day race tomorrow in central park-stay tuned for photos!

BIGGEST LOSER: TARA & HELEN IN THE FINALS...WHO WILL BE THIRD?

Tonight on the Biggest Loser the contestants spent 30 days at home...preparing for the challenge that lies ahead when they go home for good.  They were visited by their respective trainers and worked to overcome obstacles...mostly mental.  They also got the news that they would be doing a marathon in 3 1/2 weeks!  I did a marathon in 1999--I trained for 8 months and it was brutal, plus I WALKED.  It's nothing to scoff at!  It was pretty dramatic with several past contestants making cameos and to help support the final 4. 

Tara came in first (big surprise!) with a time of 4:55--she rocked the house!  Helen, remember she's 48, finished in 5:49!  Mike, with an injury was forced to walk the entire course, he was really bummed and even said he didn't think it should count, but he finished in 8:58.  Ron, fighting his knees, injuries, high blood pressure the whole way finished in 13:16.  There wasn't a dry face--including mine!  Each contestant won $10K to donate to charity--nice touch.

Ron's son (Mike's bro) got some tips from both Jillian and Bob and seemed like he was on his way to making some life changes. 

At the final weigh in Tara and Helen both won their trip to the finals.  Big congrats to Tara who never once dropped below the yellow line.

America (and beyond!) votes in the next 20 hours as to who should have the third spot, Mike or Ron?  Tough call.  I think either of these guys absolutely has the ability and weight to beat the women, the question is will they?  Of course I'm totally rooting for Tara...but I'd love to see Ron show up weighing 210!  We'll see next week!

To vote for Mike call 1-866-613-0002

To vote for Ron call 1-866-613-0001

You can also vote online on NBC.com (The Biggest Loser site).

Voting closes at 9:50PM EDT on Wednesday May 6th.

Here's the chart I've been promising for weeks, including height, weight, age, BMI, etc. for all the contestants.  It's up to date...so check it out!
Download 2009 biggest loser18

Filipe is NOT the Biggest Loser!

Ron lost 9 pound & lost the lowest percentage of weight this week--ya, you heard right-9 pounds!  Yet Filipe was voted out because he was seen as a bigger threat.  Filipe had a great week, he lost 10 pounds for a total percentage of weight loss of 4.10%, but obviously it wasn't enough. 

The big twist was is that everyone is going home and will return to campus in 30 days to see who will be the final 3 contestants. 

Your final 4 are:  Mike (-11, 4.68%), Ron (-9, 3.02%), Tara (-8, includes bonus pound earned during challenge, 5.08%) & Helen (-7, 4.35%).

If Today was Your Last Day

Check out this cool video from Nickelback. What would you do if today was YOUR last day? What's stopping you from doing RIGHT NOW?

Musings of a Foodie...Why am I blessed with food choices while others go hungry???

So I'm sitting here at a little cafe in NYC, I just dropped my kids at their educationally adept daycare (you know, age appropriate toys, little stations, caregiver ratio of 2 to 1, bright colors, sleek furniture, fish to feed, puppets that come to life--it's like a freaking wonderland for a 3 year in that place & somehow when I pick them up at the end of the day they are perfectly clean and the women are not harried and all the toys are picked up and placed in their perfectly labeled containers and my kids have both taken naps and used the potty and not eaten any boogers--pretty much a complete 180 from what happens at a day at our house, which is why I never let my husband pick up the kids, lest he actually come to think this kind of irrational behavior is normal?!)...Anyway, yikes, where was I?  Oh yes, the kids are not my responsibility for an entire 8 1/4 hours--yippee!  The weight of world is off my shoulders!  I can do anything, be anyone 1/3 of a whole day.  Wow.

So what do I do?  I go to this little cafe on the ground floor of the Time Life Building (where the kids are in their educationally adept, company paid for daycare--to be read 'expensive').  I am going to get so much done.  I check my e-mail, balance my checkbook online, and begin working on an on-going project (a ridiculously complicated chart plotting the weights and BMI's and loss percentages of Biggest Loser contestants and comparing it to past seasons).  Finally, with the din of radio and the random conversations around me as background noise I am able to work and start feeling 'in the zone' (I hate phrases like that, but sometimes they just describe it).

"Can anyone help me out?'  That's what he said.  Who's he talking to?  Does he think I work here?  I don't have on a uniform...I don't have a name tag on.  Do I somehow look official?    He, for the record is a man in his 30's, light skin bi-racial guy with a face covered in freckles and a ruddy orange sweatshirt.  To be honest, I don't want to be bothered.  I want to go on working on my project and being an anonymous person in the corner of the cafe hogging a table that happens to have an outlet next to it and drinking the water and coffee I bought and the sunflower seeds and dried prunes I brought.  But maybe he's lost and just doesn't know where to order? Or he's not sure where the subway is? 

I say, rather naively (especially for a girl whose lived here more than 2 minutes), 'what do you need help with'?  'Something to eat' is the curt, loud response carried with an intense, audacious stare. 

Oh shit.  What if this is the 2nd coming of Christ?  What if I say no and then when I go and meet with my accountant later he tells me there was a mistake on my taxes and I owe $5000?  What if I say no and then get hit by a taxi on my way out?  What if that Hawaiian guy from 20/20 pops out and tells me I was actually being secretly taped for the 'What would you do' segment and failed miserably?  What if my grandpa was watching me from heaven and shook his head sadly at his snotty granddaughter.  How could I say no?

'I have an apple' I say.  'Okay!' he says.  I proceed to look voraciously through my bag, glad to know he's hungry and didn't say, 'no thanks' like most people do when they ask for money and I offer them the perennial apple that I usually have in bag.  My papers fall on the floor.  My pen falls on the floor.  My freckled-faced caller picks up the papers and pen dutifully.  I can't find the frickin' apple--I took it out this morning because I wasn't going to eat it and needed the room in my bag for the organic carrots and organic cheese and organic rolled up turkey I packed instead. 

'You know what, just go up and order something for yourself' I find myself saying.  A bewildered stare meets my eyes.  'You paying?' he says suspiciously.  'Of course' I say quietly.  Shit, what if he orders $50 in food I think.  I should have just grabbed a gift card and put $20 on it.  He orders and I meet him at the register with my Visa Marriott Rewards card that I use so I can get points toward the Fiji vacation I want to take. 

Fiji vacation.  Organic cheese.  Organic carrots.  Who have I become?

Why on earth do I deserve these things?  For God sakes there are people dying of starvation all over the world.  And I discuss the differences between the Jewish preschool and the YMCA preschool and if we can afford the $5000+/year pricetags.  And when we will be renovating our perfectly fine (albeit out-of -style & out-of-date) kitchen?  And do I like this paint shade from Benjamin Moore or this other one? And shouldn't we hire an arborist? 

$50?  What would it have hurt?  Sure, I couldn't have made a huge difference, really I couldn't have.  But, what if that act of kindness inspired Mr. freckles?  What if it inspired the check-out clerk as she puts herself through college?  What if it inspired someone else?  One small act is sometimes the catalyst of something big. 

I'm glad the orange sweatshirt guy was able to eat his bacon, egg & cheese on roll with a large orange juice.  I wish I hadn't muttered under my breath 'your welcome' as I walked away after paying and saying, 'I hope you have a nice day'.  Afterall, why on earth would manners be important to someone who is told to fuck off by the world probably 500 times a day.  Maybe this meal will be the only one he eats all week.

 I wish I had done more.

Maybe by writing this I have.

Be grateful.  Be inspired.  Do something for someone today.  Even if you think they don't deserve it.  Even if you are feeling bad for yourself.  Do something.  Do something and expect nothing in return.  Not even a thank you.  Be that catalyst.  Please.  Pay it forward for Mr. Freckles sake.

Kristin is Not the Biggest Loser

The 2 below the yellow line were:

Kristin (purple)--gained 1 lb. (+0.41%)
&
Helen (pink)--lost 1 lb.  (-0.62%)

It was heart breaking!  Kristin was devastated.  Also, the producers had some audio of Ron talking to Mike and encouraging him to vote Kristin out which was frustrating in that Ron & Mike had been touted as the 'moral voice of reason'.

Here's how the other competitors fared:
Mike -8   -3.29%
Tara -5   -2.75%
Ron  -4   -1.32%
Filipe -3 -1.21%

Kristin has lost a total of 132 lbs & her goal is to be under 200 pounds by the finale.  She doing public speaking and inspiring many with her amazing story!

Side note:
I am putting the finishing touches on a chart that encompasses the entire season (boy, it would have been a lot easier if I had started earlier!).  I'll be posting the chart in the next day or two.

Anatomy of a Breakdown

So, I'm back from our vacation.  I have to say, I think I've learned a bit about myself over the past few days.  I went into my Easter trip to my mother-in-law's larger than life (eek, that pun WASN'T intended!), I had it all figured out--I had MASTERED my eating/diet!  Boy, just when you get a little cocky that's when life kicks you in the ass.  And can I say one thing...'ouch'.

Prior to our trip I had adopted a new way of eating & frankly I was kicking butt and taking names.  I dropped 14 lbs in 2 weeks!  I realized a lot of this was detoxing my body and water weight, but I did take it off and keep it off, my clothes felt looser, I even wore a couple pairs of underwear that normally rode too low on my tummy and 'rolled' over (well, actually, under) my infamous low-belly overhang.

So, I'm going gangbusters, so what happens?  A total breakdown of the mind-meets-food-meets-mouth.  Yes folks, I went off the plan.  Yep.  Did it feel good?  Hell no!  Every bite I was taking I was screaming at myself, crying internally, yet somehow did not stop.  I even snuck into the bathroom with my journal and tried to figure out what the hell I was doing.  It didn't work, everyone thought I was sick and then people needed the bathroom and so I exited and had yet another slice of ham.

Not that I believe everyone must eat only a prescribed number of calories every single day of their life.  But I guess my frustration stemmed from having made a 32 day commitment and then breaking it.  I learned that I still have some issues around food.  I eat for emotional reasons, and what's great is that I'm doing a bit of work right now to figure out exactly what those emotions are and how I can handle them differently (in the past I would say to myself, well at least I eat and don't starve myself, cut myself, smoke pot, am a nymphomaniac--I call this the Jerry Springer phenomenon:  we compare ourselves to the least common denominator in humanity, instead of striving to live up to the best role models). 

So I know I eat for emotional reasons.  I know I wasn't hungry.  I also learned that I need structure.  Some people can 'wing it'.  I hate those people.  I am not a 'winger'--first off I don't have long blond hair and a twin and a famously deceased dad (sorry, bad 80's rocker joke).  Seriously though, structure is what I need, at least right now.  A plan.  A way to quantify the stuff I'm putting in my body.  This is why they recommend you 'write it down'--because most of us must need this--quantification!  

Now my only saving grace in all of this is that I became violently ill with a stomach virus (imagine that?!).  So, I actually did not gain (or lose) a pound in my week and a half 'off program'.  I would not recommend this method.  It is not fun to be as sick as I was, it really sucks when you are so sick you don't want to read, check e-mail or even watch TV.  If you can't even watch TV or a movie you have become a true slug!

I am back to being cognizant of my food choices....planning....journaling....choosing better foods for each meal.  I feel more in control and that's good.  AND I found out I'm going to be featured in Health magazine and have my picture taken (yikes!) so I have some extra motivation for staying in control and staying focused.  Wish me luck!

Obese don't just have a larger waistline...they have a larger footprint, carbon footprint.

Here's an interesting article from CNN.com about a study that concluded that overweight and obese people don't just have a larger waistline, they have a larger carbon footprint.  I checked out the message boards and you have the usual suspects, you know the type, 'fat people are ruining the world...just eat less and move more...fat people are gross' and the flip, 'i'm fat but very in shape....i'm sick of being blamed for everything....i'm fat and happy leave me alone'.  Folks need to take a step back here.  As far as I'm concerned this is just one more reason to work on becoming healthier, eating more local producer and dropping a bit of weight...just my 2 cents!

By Elizabeth Landau
CNN

(CNN) -- Here's yet another reason to stay in shape: Thinner people contribute less to global warming, according to a new study.

More than 1 billion adults worldwide are overweight, and about 300 million are obese.

Researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine published a study showing that, because of food production and transportation factors, a population of heavier people contributes more harmful gases to the planet than a population of thin people.

Given that it takes more energy to move heavier people, transportation of heavier people requires more fuel, which creates more greenhouse gas emissions, the authors write.

"The main message is staying thin. It's good for you, and it's good for the planet," said Phil Edwards, senior lecturer at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

The study offers this novel approach to the global warming problem as U.S. lawmakers discuss the future of climate change legislation. This week, the the House Energy and Commerce Committee is scheduled to begin on a comprehensive energy and climate bill. On Friday, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that six greenhouse gases pose potential health hazards, an announcement that could prompt the regulation of the gases.

More than 1 billion adults worldwide are overweight, and about 300 million are obese, the study said. Generally, the body mass index, a measure of obesity, is increasing in most countries worldwide, from China to European countries to the United States.

BMI is going up because of the availability of food and motorized transportation, Edwards said. People are less active now than they were 30 years ago, and the prevalence of fast food has given people less healthy, more energy-dense options.

Health Library

• MayoClinic.com: Obesity

Using statistical models, the authors compared the distribution of BMI in the United Kingdom in the 1970s -- when 3.5 percent of the population was obese -- with a prediction for the country's BMI distribution in 2010, reflecting 40 percent obesity.

"In terms of environmental impact, the lean population has a much smaller carbon footprint," Edwards said.

The population with 40 percent obese people requires 19 percent more food energy for its total energy expenditure than the population with 3.5 percent obese people, the study showed.

This 19 percent increase in food consumption translates into an increase of 270 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the study said.

"The findings make sense and highlight an important global co-benefit of losing weight, along with the significant personal health benefits," said Patrick Kinney, associate professor at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, who was not involved in the study.

In terms of obesity rate, the U.S. population is not far off from the overweight population model in this study. The country has 33.3 percent obese people, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The study suggests that governments have a responsibility to encourage people to be more physically active, Edwards said. Active transportation, such as cycling and walking, helps maintain a healthy weight but requires safe streets, he said.

"If the government wants to promote active transport, which would be good for the environment and for individual health, it needs to make the environment safe to do that," he said.

Although climate change has come into the forefront as a major world problem recently, this is not the first time scholars have thought about the connection between fossil fuel and body fat.

In 1978, a year the United States experienced an oil shock, a study in the American Journal of Public Health showed that if all overweight people in the country aged 18 to 79 reached their optimal weight, the resulting energy savings would equal 1.3 billion gallons of gasoline.

After the dieting period, about 750 million gallons of gasoline would be saved every year, said the authors, Bruce Hannon, professor at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and Timothy Lohman, now professor emeritus at the University of Arizona.

Today, research has shown that the obesity epidemic costs the United States about $100 billion a year, said Dr. Martin Donohoe of Portland State University, who runs the Web site Public Health and Social Justice. In terms of energy expenditure, the average food product travels 1,500 miles to get to your table, he said.

Some measures to curb obesity include making healthier meals available in schools, putting nutritional information on food packages and menus, and banning trans fats, he said.

Dreaming of The Biggest Loser

So, last night I had a dream that I was a contestant on The Biggest Loser.  What was really weird is that I'm a total Jillian nut, I think she rocks, plus I met her and she was such a total rock star and so awesome to everyone she met that night--very genuine....anyway, in my dream it was all Bob.  Bob was my trainer and I really liked him.

So, dreams aren't real, obviously.  I was disturbed though, in my dream I was a complete slacker, trying to cut corners, watching TV, just doing the bare minimum.  Plus, no one wanted to put in extra gym time (which it seems many people on the show do regularly).  I'd like to think I'd be a lot like Tara (green team) if I was on the show...I'm pretty competitive, athletic, and a very hard worker (plus we're the same height and started at roughly the same weight). 

So what's this all about?  Do I have inner doubts?  I mean, I've tried to lose weight so many times and I have seem tremendous success the last 3 years (I've lost almost 100 pounds afterall!).  Maybe I'm worried about 'finishing'?  I think I have a fear that I'll never 'finish the job'.  I know, I know....it's a journey, not a destination.  But what I mean is that there's still a little part of me who doubts I can actually lose ALL of the weight I need to lose.  Sure...I'm in regular clothes again, I don't see myself as a fat person anymore....but I don't see myself as a thin person either, certain fashions are not yet wearable (but really, are skinny jeans made for everybody?!).  I want to be in the weight range that many sources say is appropriate for my height...less than 170.  Can I do it?  Will I do it?

I think it must be these lingering doubts that are causing me to have some funky dreams.  But it is the success I am experiencing right now that gives me hope and I throw caution to the wind when I say:  this time feels different, I feel in control, I don't feel hungry, I feel stronger, I feel like I can conquer the world!  I literally feel the weight melting off of me.  I can't remember ever feeling so good about the food I was putting into my body. 

So Bob, stop yelling at me in my dream and put on your skirt and grab those pom-poms and start cheering me on!

I CAN Eat 1200-1600 Calories/Day and NOT be Hungry!

So, I'm 8 days into a new eating plan...I feel different than I have in the past about eating--this is big news for me!

My plan consists of 4 meals/day, no more than 4 hours apart and no more than 400 calories each.  For the first 4 days (yes, there a freaky '4' thing going on) I ate 1200 calories total and was amazed that I was truly, sincerely (not being paid to say this, believe it to my core) not hungry!  I have continued eating this way and now can have 1600 calories/day and continue to be amazed that I am not hungry.

I remember back a little over a week ago, as I was reading this mystery diet book (sorry, not ready to promote this book yet, but maybe in a few weeks), I seriously thought I was going to be famished and shaking from hunger.

I took stock at the end of each meal & again 1 hour later, I said: 'self, are you hungry?'  And my truly honest answer was 'No!'  And it still is.  Sure, there was one meal where I was thinking...this frankly wasn't enough food, it was a pasta meal...so I'm learning that they may be a trigger for me. 

I also have lost a good deal of weight this past week, much of it water weight, but nonetheless a great deal of weight. 

So, the message for today is...don't sell yourself short and don't be afraid to try something new--afterall I did and I am and I'm seeing results that I thought were only possible in my fantasy world!

I'll keep you posted on my progress!

Starting a 4-day Cleanse Tomorrow

So, my mom & I are starting a 4-day cleanse tomorrow.  I must say, I'm a bit nervous.  I'm a strong, determined, successful woman, business owner, mom, wife, homeowner, yadda, yadda....BUT I still haven't proved to myself that I can be 100% successful at completing a diet or 'diet plan'. 

Sure, I've dropped a great deal of weight, but let's be honest, we all know that I haven't met my goal of losing over 100 lbs. yet.  And quite frankly, I've gained some back.  I haven't thrown in the towel, but I've been frustrated by my lack of success and what feels like the worlds longest plateau ever.

It's not that I'm throwing all my eggs in the basket of this cleanse.  I know very well that in 4 days all I could hope to lose would be water weight.  I also know it's not going to solve everything.  But I think by completing this cleanse I can prove to myself that I certainly can survive on 1200 calories a day and I can thrive.  Just the knowledge of that must be worth something, right?

So, I'm heading to bed, ready to get up in the morning, make my special water and eat the small amount of food I'm allotted and I will somehow trick my brain into truly believing that everything I have eaten is and will leave me completely satisfied. 

Afterall, the pain of losing a limb to diabetes, or a breast to cancer, or my life to heart disease is surely much worse than being a bit hungry!

Empower Yourself--Check out this Poem!

A friend of mine, Ranae, shared this with me. It was adapted from another poem by a friend of hers, Michael. Michael inspired/ motivated Ranae to lose well over 100 lbs.  Michael lost his battle to cancer earlier this month.  She wrote a tribute to him and included this poem.  I want to pass it along because I think it's inspiring and in a sense Michael's impact will go on.

When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you queen for a day
Then go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what that girl has to say

For it isn't your husband, brother or mother
Whose judgment upon you must pass
The person whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the girl looking back from the glass

She's the person to trust, nevermind all the rest
For she's with you clear up to the end
And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the girl in the glass is your friend

Watch Oprah TODAY (3/26)--Obesity Rehab

  Today Oprah is promo-ing 'obesity rehab'.  It's not a freak show...this is reality for many people.  Ruby, the effervescent star of her own reality series (on the Style Network), also is a guest and talks about how obesity rehab was a real-life eye opener for her.

I'll give a re-cap later!

Biggest Loser Contestant Gains Weight When She Goes Home

 Tonight Aubrey, the mother of 5, was kicked off The Biggest Loser Campus after falling below the yellow line.  She promptly looked into the camera and stated she was going to be down to 125 lbs. by the finale by losing at least 4 lbs./week.  At the end of week 1 she had gained 2 lbs. back.  By 3 weeks she had re-gained 9 lbs. 

This scary scenario is all-too-real.  I myself have struggled for a year losing and regaining the same weight.  Sometimes I think, I just should quit--I'll never be successful!  But that's not a good idea.  Why?  For the same reasons that Aubrey found--once you resign yourself to the fact that you aren't successful it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy and you truly do give up.  I hate to say it, but there is no 'luke warm' in the weight battle.  You're either doing it or you're not doing it.  Anything else you're just lying to yourself.  I know, I'm in the thick of it right now. 

Seeing Aubrey pick herself up from a devastating 9 lb weight gain was perhaps more inspirational to me than all the other finales I've watched.  Thank you Biggest Loser for showing us this and Aubrey for opening up and sharing--you're inspiring moms all over the world--YOU GO GIRL!!!!

Eat Like an Obama: Plant a Garden, Eat Healthier!

There is no question that locally grown, organic produce is best for you. But sometimes people can't afford it. Planting a garden can be a cost-effective way to increase your vegetable intake. After all, your own backyard (or local community garden) is about as local as you can get! And before you say, that's for rich or elitist people...let me tell you, low income communities all across this country have community gardens. So even if you aren't a home owner, you can find a community garden or even start one!

For some inspiration, here's a story about the First Family planting an organic kitchen garden at the White House. Congratulations on setting a wonderful example for American families!



Want to know where the presidential produce comes from?

Washington's Bancroft Elementary School students help first lady Michelle Obama break ground on the garden.

Washington's Bancroft Elementary School students help first lady Michelle Obama break ground on the garden.

Take a walk past the White House. The answer may be planted right in front of you.

First lady Michelle Obama helped break ground on a new White House organic "kitchen garden" Friday. It will be the first working garden at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. since Eleanor Roosevelt planted a so-called "victory garden" at the height of World War II.

This time, however, the enemy is obesity. The first family is hoping to send a clear message to a fast food-driven nation that often seems to be losing the battle of the bulge.

"We're just hoping that a lot of families look at us and say this is something that they can do and talk to their own kids about and think a little bit critically about the food choices that they make," said Marian Robinson, the president's mother-in-law. Video Watch Michelle Obama tell students about the garden »

The first lady told a group of Washington schoolchildren on hand for the occasion that first daughters Sasha and Malia Obama were usually more willing to try fresh fruits and vegetables because fresh produce generally tastes better.

"What I found with my kids [is that] if they were involved in planting it and picking it, they were much more curious about giving it a try," she added.

"I've been able to have my kids eat so many different things that they would have never touched if we had bought it at a store because they either met the farmers that grew it, or they saw how it was grown," she said.

"They were curious about it and ... usually they liked it."

The idea of a presidential kitchen garden, used year-round with different seasonal crops, has been strongly promoted by advocates for organic and locally grown food. They argue that the White House garden may help set a positive example for families short on time and money, who are often tempted by cheaper, highly processed food.

The presidential garden will be used, among other things, for growing such staples as butterhead and red leaf lettuce, spinach, broccoli, onions, carrots and peas. It will also include a range of herbs, including sage, oregano and rosemary.

The garden is one of several additions to the White House South Lawn. A swing set for the first daughters was recently installed near the Oval Office.

From CNN

The Biggest Loser: Might this be the BEST Season Yet?

After the fiasco that was last season (the 'V' word, the mean spirit, the hate, the outrage...) I can't believe how this season has rebounded! 

Less drama...more inspiration & may I say many, many more tears.

You actually like these people...you actually are rooting for these people--all of them! 

Let's quickly mention just a few of the endearing things that have happened this season:

• An 18 year old young man (Mike) wins free food for a year and gives it away to mom of 5 (Aubrey), rationalizing she needs it more than him.  I still cry when I think about it.
• The pound-for-pound challenge encouraging all of America to lose weight and as a result get food donated to charities that feed the hungry. 
• Everyone on the ranch really seems to want each of their fellow contestants to succeed...there is very little backstabbing and the game-playing that occurs is mild compared to most seasons past.
• We were welcomed into the hospital when Blaine became a dad again...speaking of which, this season seems much more focused on families, the contestants are just more family-oriented.
• We cried when Dan, the heaviest contestant ever (and one of the youngest) was sent home...and we continue to hope he's staying on track and maybe something is connecting in the head of his partner.
• We watch people volunteer to go home, like tonight when Kathy sacrificed herself for her daughter and for Aubrey.
• We see the contestants play like we think we would...I can't help but LOVE Tara, tonight she said something along the lines of, 'I hope no one eats a cookie, lets just let the person who performs the best win and not bring games into it'--see, that's how I see it--everyone go out and do your very best, leave it on the floor, and may the best (wo)man win!
• We witness the close bond between 2 men, Sione and Bob the trainer...and see real emotion when they are pulled apart.  If you've ever had a trainer you may understand the close and intimate relationship--this person begins to see you at your worst and brings out the best in you...I cried too.
• We see a little sister step up and show she can be successful and fight for her big sister...Mandi going home was hard, but it was the right thing to do for her sister Aubrey.
• The father-son relationship between Mike and Ron just pulls at the heartstrings and could anybody not shed tears when they went home this week and talked to the other brother/son...his tears of shame and Mike & Ron's determination and inspire, help and support him had me bawling!
• Week after week we are pulled into the humanity and very little of the silly drama (it's still there, the producers are working hard to make a mountain out of a molehill with every little thing...)...we can't help but to tune in again and again and again.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU BIGGEST LOSER FOR BRINGING BACK MY FAITH IN THIS SHOW!!!!

Meghan McCain: 'Kiss My Fat Ass!'

Regardless of your politics, doesn't it just infuriate you when people turn to weight to further their argument by belittling someone else? I salute Meghan McCain for standing up for herself! And by the way, I'm fairly certain that Meghan McCain is NOT plus-sized...what would they say about my size 14 figure God forbid!

For too long women just quietly went away when attacked like this...I'm proud when women like Jennifer Love-Hewitt, Tyra Banks & Meghan McCain stand up and fight back. I just hope Ms. McCain doesn't go on a starvation diet and premier a new anorexic-esque figure.

Sometimes these things are a good catalyst to look at your lifestyle and assess if you are as healthy as you want to be. Who's to say it's wrong if you are slightly more curvy than Vogue says you should be? What if you're extraordinarily fit, have admirable numbers (ie. cholesterol, blood pressure, etc.), eat a well-balanced, healthy diet, but are not quite within the 'appropriate' weight range? Does this mean you must go on a diet? I think that answer is very individual...personally, I'm not happy right now at a size 14 (I'm much happier than I was when I was a size 24!). Do I think I must be a size 6 or 8? No. I would like to be able to run 6 miles without risking injury...I would like to be able to wear a wider range of clothing options than I currently do. And guess what, like every woman, I reserve the right to change my mind!

Too Sick to Workout or Sick of Working Out? How to Tell?

   I must admit, this morning I rolled out of bed at 9:45AM (yes, I'm one of those lucky mamas whose kids sleep late!).  After 9 1/2 hours of sleep (helped by a hearty dose of Nyquil) I felt achy and stuffed up and like total crap.  Getting to the gym in 45 minutes for my training session seemed unthinkable. 

Hubby was going to work late today, couldn't I just roll back over and get 2 more hours of sleep and a large OJ?  No, the shower was turned on, I was shoved into it and told in no uncertain terms that I would be going to the gym...ugh! 

I wanted to quote an article I recently read that says I shouldn't go to the gym when I'm sick.  But the truth was, I wasn't the kind of sick that would preclude me from working out.  So I tried another tactic, I called my trainer and laid it on thick...told her I was running late and maybe we could just do a little bit, and maybe just a 30 minute session.

I arrived and began my workout, even though I was stategically late, Barbara (trainer to the stars, err me), had somehow arranged her schedule to come to expect this....she was ready to work me for an hour.  Squats, wall sits, lunges, bicep curls, abs, lat pulldowns, rows, jacks, butt kicks, push-ups, and a bunch of other crap ensued.  You know what...70 minutes later I felt BETTER.  Seriously, I felt so much better after the workout, I literally had just a sore throat...the aching went away, the headache went away, I felt like I sort of 'sweated-out' something.  Don't get me wrong, I'm still sick; but I don't want to go back to bed right now.  I feel good. 

Makes me wonder how often can we talk ourselves out of a good workout, when really what our bodies might really need is just that.  Here's to stop making excuses and getting our butts to the gym!

Doctor Gives Diet Advice About 10-year-old Overweight Child

In this CNN article Nutrition Specialist Dr. Malina Jampolis gives some solid advice to a mom who's concerned about her 4'6", 105 pound daughter. 

If you've read my blog before you know how important this issue is to me.  I was not overweight as a child, but I wasn't super-skinny either.  After I stopped playing college sports I became overweight and soon obese.  I struggled with my relationship with my parents when we discussed my weight.  I blamed them for being cruel.  Now, as a mom myself, I see how complicated that relationship is and I realize they just wanted the best for me.  Their reaction to my weight was more about their own concerns and less about me (as my reaction was very much childlike and reactionary). 

I worry if my own children have a weight issue how will I react.  I also worry that being 'too supportive' will give a child carte blache to continue in their unhealthy lifestyle.  I like Dr. J's advise to this mom.  If you have a child who is struggling, check it out!

WANTED: MICHELLE OBAMA ARMS

It seems the newest craze is women wanting to have arms like Michelle Obama.  And why not...have you checked out those gun?!  She rocks the sleveless dress!  So...what excuse do the rest of us have?  Here's a 44 year old, with 2 kids & tons of responsibilities as the First Lady.  Time to beef up the bi-cep/ tri-cep routine!

Check out this CNN link for more information, ideas and motivation!   

WHY YOUR WORKOUT DOESN'T WORK...FROM SHAPE MAGAZINE

Here's an interesting article from SHAPE Magazine about reasons why your workout isn't working...check it out! 

LOW FAT? LOW CARB? WHAT 'DIET PROGRAM' is BEST????

DON'T FOCUS ON THE PAIN...BY FOCUSING ON THE PAIN

So, I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about where we all come from.  No, not the stork/ mommy & daddy/ hospital theories.  But rather, why we behave in certain ways, why we react in certain ways...really what perspective we are coming from. 

After taking a class, doing some reading, journaling, & talking I've come to understand that we all have things that have happened in our lives.  This is not earth-shattering, obviously.  However, coming to understand my own issues/ pain bodies (yes, that's Eckhart Tolle speaking), etc. has helped me to see that everyone around me is reacting from their own issues to things (their own stuff/issues/pain bodies).

So, great Jen...but what the hell does this have to do with working out/eating right/losing weight.

Well, my fine feathered friends, I had an epiphany of sorts today.

It came to me during spinning class (where else, right?  that is of course where all epiphanies start...haha).  So, if you have never taken a spinning class, saying it's intense/a hard workout is pretty much an understatment.  So as I was focusing through the tough parts I found this little spot on the floor and focused on that, while working hard.  Furthermore, I imagined that spot was a physical representation of the pain (the pain from my life issues.  As I did this I noticed myself working harder.  I also noticed that I wanted to get rid of the pain, I wanted to make the pain better, and by having a physical outlet for that pain I felt better mentally and spiritually.  At the end of my class my issues/stuff/pain was lessened. 

It got me thinking (as I immediately headed a Zumba class--which rocked by the way) how can I share this information with others?  What other ideas can I share.  I thought of a few girlfriends of mine who have shared a few of their own issues/pains with me & also things I hear people talking about on TV, in books, in the news.  Some common themes for issues/pain emerged.  Things like:  I want to be loved...I'm afraid of being abandoned...I'm afraid of not having money...I'm afraid of appearing incompetent...etc.  These issues can manifest themselves in many, many ways. 

For now though, I'll choose one issue.  As I was walking to class one of the big-screen TV's had on one of those Divorce Court shows, so we'll use a common marital issue as our example.  Infidelity.  If you use my example of focusing on the pain, you would not be saying...'look what that asshole did to me....i want to kill that whore...i imagine i'm stomping on her face....i imagine i'm kicking him in the groin'.  No!  This is not helpful.  You have to get to the raw emotion, the actual pain.  Simply, 'something in my life happened that I am experiencing pain from, it sucks, I hate the pain, I want the pain to go away, I imagine as I punch, kick, jump, pedal, lift (etc) that this pain is slowly easing away...the physical pain I am feeling is simply a manifestation fo the mental/spiritual pain I am feeling in my life...the more I feel the pain of the exercise, the less I feel the pain of my issue.

Does this make any semblance of sense to you?  Do you agree?  Disagree?

I also have found this to work with food.  Let me re-phrase that--I postulize that many people with extra weight have utilized food to push the emotions down, to not feel them/deal with them, to essentially numb themselves.  Again, I'm certainly not the first person that has ever said this.  You can actually tell yourself that the hunger you think you feel is simply a phsyical manifestation of the mental/spiritual pain and it's amazing how much control you will immediately take for the food that goes in your mouth.  Try it...it works!!!

MELANIE BROWN CAN HELP YOU BRING IT DOWN!

If you have ever heard of the Spice Girls or are a fan of Dancing With the Stars, then you know who Scary Spice/ Mel B/ Melanie Brown is.  You may also have noticed her awesome body (even my 80 year old grandpa is a fan of that!).  Wonder how she does it?  Wonder no more, here's a few resources to give you scoop on this amazing star.  New mom Mel has recently put out a DVD workout video, Totally Fit & launched a new website www.melaniebrown.com.

Danielle from celebrity-babies.com recently interviewed Mel, click this link to check out the Mel B Celebrity Baby Blog Interview.

SOUND-OFF: HOW MUCH PIZZA IS OKAY?

Recently the founder of Papa John's Pizza said people eat too much pizza.  He suggests 2 slices is a healthy amount.  Online calorie forums indicate a slice (depending on toppings) can range from 225 (plain cheese/thin crust) to 390 calories (all the meats, original crust).  He may not be far off. 

But I tell you, this isn't a reason to start ordering pizza all the time.  In my experience, if you are overweight you probably have a few 'trigger foods' (you know, the ones you tend to have will power issues around) and pizza is often one of these.  I remember completing a marathon and promptly eating an entire pizza (10 slices). Pretty stupid behavior.  Now, I sometimes will want more than 2, but really 2 should be the limit.  It's easy to mindlessly eat pizza.  We eat it so fast, we don't give our body time to realize it's full. 

One solution may be to eat with a fork and knife, cutting the pizza into bite size pieces.

Another solution, one I have used here with my family, is serving pizza with a large bowl of cut up veggies (usually carrots, celery & cucumbers) & sliced fruit (usually apples).  I encourage my kids to eat a serving of the veggies and fruit while the pizza cools & then more after their first slice.  I have noticed my husband and I eat much less pizza when we employ this technique.

Limiting how often we eat pizza is important.  When I was in my prime 'gaining' years I think we ordered pizza at least once a week, often twice.  Now, we are much more likely to make a frozen pizza and limit it to no more than twice a month.

What do you think....How much pizza is okay?  And, how often do you/should you eat pizza???????

To read the CNN article about the Papa John's interview click the link below.
Papa John suggest serving size

TRY THIS GREAT WORKOUT!

It's not often I find a new workout that I want to shout from the rooftops.  After all these years few things surprise me.  Sure, I may never have thought to put something together that way or in that order or a certain new move may emerge....but this is a WHOLE new ballgame.  Okay, seriously sprints have been around forever.  But perhaps I just never truly understood the difference something like this could make.  You'll have to read the short article from Self Editor-in-Chief to fully appreciate the brillance of this workout...but trust me, once you try it you'll be hooked!  Click on the link 18 minute workout!

 

OPRAH TALKS TO OBESE FAMILIES

On Oprah's show yesterday and today Oprah spoke with obese families and specifically families who had obese teens (some of the parents were obese, some were not).

It was hard to watch.  The teens were so depressed, some were suicidal, the anguish was so recognizable to me & it made me so sad...I can't imagine having those feelings AND being a teenager.  I know being obese nearly ruined my life (and no, frankly I don't want to rehash all the reasons why), I know it strained my relationship with my husband, with my mom, with my dad, with others...but I was 23 years old when I first crossed the threshold into obesity, not a teenager.

It is so important to take care of ourselves.  The emotional toll that excess weight can take on your psyche doesn't stop at age 19.  If you are overweight, get real with yourself, are you really, truly happy?  Or do you have emotional issues related to your weight?  What's worse, if you're a parent, are you setting a good example for your children? 

More kids today will die of bad eating habits than tobacco, drugs & alcohol combined! (According to Dr. Oz).  We, as a society, are consuming on average 450 calories/day from beverages alone (soda, juice, etc.).  This is an easy thing to cut out...we can all drink water and 1% (or skim milk).

Make today the day you decide this cycle MUST END.  You don't have to be a size 2, or 6, or even a 10...it's not about appearances--IT'S ABOUT HEALTH.  For me, a size 12 is healthy, for someone 5'3" they may be obese when wearing a size 12.  Figure out what you need to do, where you need to be, to be considered 'healthy' AND MAKE IT HAPPEN. 

For more information, check out Oprah.com

COOL CALORIE-TRACKER SITE

I just found this GREAT site (it's FREE!@#$@#$%@$%@$%$@--Woozers!)

The Daily Plate

You put the food in, it tells you how many calories it is, plus how many calories you have left to eat for the day!  You can track it everyday and it will start to see what foods you eat the most and put them in the sidebar so it's easier to find. Pretty cool stuff.  So far I've eaten just shy of 400 calories for the day....off to the Y in a few minute to do a long swim...more later!

WHAT'S ON MY MIND: LIFE BALANCE REVISITED

So, as you know, I have this struggle with balance, I never feel like I give enough to all the areas in my life.  And I still feel like I should be able to balance things better...but here's what's slowly changing:  I am starting to learn that

1. Almost all women struggle with balance, I am not alone in my struggle, I've talked to women in all walks of life and very few feel completely at ease with the way in which they balance their life.  Many stay-at-home mom's lash out at working moms because they hold deep-seeded resentment that they are not out in the world pursing their passion; many working moms lash out at stay-at-home mom's because they miss their kids and yearn to spend more time with them.  A few level headed women say--'hey life is tough for ALL moms, and I support 'em all whatever they choose or is chosen for them out of circumstance'. 
2. The most important thing right now to me is taking care of my health & my family.  The entire idea for starting a blog grew out of the idea that I no longer desire to work for someone else.  I don't want to ask for a vacation day.  I want to go and do things when I want, sometimes at the last minute.  I want to spend daytime with my kids.  Wow, a blog can make money and make this happen for me (or so I thought...money?  ha ha, $0 and counting!).  I also felt that THIS is the time for focus on my health and to finally have weight be a non-issue. 
3. I've found when I feel out of balance, when the bills aren't paid, and the kids are dirty, and the dishes are in the sink, and the toys aren't picked up, and the kids have been plopped down in front of the TV for too long then even if I perceive I have a lot of passion for what I'm writing about, it is far less fulfilling. 
4. If I'm not working out and cooking healthy food and taking care of myself why the hell would I even HAVE a blog about health & weight loss to begin with.  I take issue with hypocrites and just won't be one.  So, the daily trip to the gym, the grocery shopping, food prep, meal planning and cooking come first & that's a priority.
5. When I get really honest with myself, I know the answer is right now you just don't have the capacity to be blogging 7 days a week.  And you know what?  That's okay.  Don't get me wrong, I still love, I just love it a whole lot more when I'm not pressuring myself so much that the rest of my life feels like it's falling apart. 

To be honest, since I've come to these conclusions and felt like I know myself better I feel a lot happier and coincidentally a lot more in balance.  And when I'm not 'in balance' I sweat it less and know the pendulum will inevitably be swinging back soon enough.

Cheers!

COLLEGE REUNION OF SORTS

I went to a comedy show the other night, one of my old friends from college was performing (is that even the right lingo?!).  There were a number of people there from college that I hadn't seen since college.  I have to say, I felt good about myself.  Sure I'm not a size 8, but I wasn't going to hear any 'fat jokes' either.  Here's the thing, the next time I get together with this crew, I want to be skinnier.  It's nice that I had fun and I felt good about myself, but I know I've been saying that for a year and have been on the world longest plateau! 

So my point is this:  It's good to celebrate your achievements, but it's also good to continue to put a bit of pressure/urgency on yourself...just to keep it interesting. 

STOLEN WISDOM: RUNNER MARC PARENT

The mind remembers, 'This is really hard' and does everything it can to avoid it in the future by turning the word hard into impossible.

I found this quote in the text of an article in a recent 'Runner's World' Magazine.  How true...losing weight is hard...losing weight is impossible....

Is this the kind of self-talk we are doing?  If you haven't found the success you yearn for YET it may be the case.

What are some ways to turn the self-talk into something that works for you and with you instead of against you?

Would love to hear your ideas!!!!

INAUGURAL INSPIRATIONS

One friend wrote that she forgot to eat....

Another that she ran faster and longer than normal while on the treadmill watching....

What is it about external events that can inspire us?  How can we take that inspiration with us everyday? 

Regardless of your politics and unless you are an outright racist (and if you are, please don't come back, I don't want your business), you must admit that today's events were inspiring!  I'll never forget the stories of friends recounting the trauma of racism in their lives.  Several years ago, one of my employees was arrested for a minor driving infraction, he brought me the police report, and as I looked at it I notice the race box was marked 'white', he was black.  When I pointed this out to him, he chuckled and asked why I was surprised.  Later that day I decided to begin asking people about their experiences, and really listening.  I started with Mike, a trusted, older, black friend, and I asked him about his experiences with racism.  This man, a Vietnam vet, a married father of 8, my softball teammate, the Super of our building, my dancing buddy at the company party, and a deeply religious man sat and recounted at least 30 different stories to me...stories of being pulled over for a 'broken tail light' when all the lights were working, when I asked why he didn't ask for a supervisor, he rolled his eyes and said, 'why, so they could throw drugs on the ground, or pretend I attacked them and shoot me'; stories of people assuming his wife was a single mother; stories of people assuming he works at the stores he is shopping in; he ended with the point, sure, one of these situations may just be coincidence, but when this is your life, day after day, and everyone you know and talk to has the same things happening to them, you begin to lose hope and just assume that it's what you deserve.  These stories and stories from other older, wiser, black friends shaped me.  Whether it was watching the Spike Lee film, 'Four Little Girls' and having an intimate, tearful, heart-felt conversation with my co-worker; or experiencing the grace of Dr. Gray as I worked through my own issues and my own prejudices in my college seminar on Malcolm X (I was placed in the class, didn't want to be there, and tried to get out of it, but I dare say, it was perhaps the absolute best opportunity I have ever received, and perhaps the most shaping experience of my adolescent life). 

Today marks the beginning of true healing for many, many people.  Many of my friends.  And for us collectively.  You're not black/I'm not black, you say.  Perhaps true.  Yet, we are human, and as humans when there is tragedy we come to together, we experience it together, we mourn together.  One need look no further than the events of September 11th to understand that concept...the attack was felt much farther than 'Ground Zero'.  When there is triumph and hope and miracles we celebrate together...US Air's Miracle on the Hudson!  So, in sense, today marks for people who have struggled to overcome the stain of racism, the 'glass ceiling' being broken open.  Sherry Shepherd from 'The View' said there are no longer any 'limitation' on her young black son.  Exactly.  I told my little girls today, this is a special day, a day that they will always hopefully remember (accept, they probably won't as they are only 1 and 2), a day that says anyone can be anything no matter what. 

So back to channeling that inspiration regularly.  I don't know.  Some people have it figured out.  Maybe it has something to do with prayer and a relationship with God.  Although there are plenty religious people who are overweight.  Maybe it has something to do with mediating and being spiritual...maybe it has something to do with finding a place in your psyche or your heart that you can easily get back to.  Maybe linking a physical sensation with that 'joy'.  For me, I find it much easier to run harder, faster, and further when I'm listening to my favorite workout music.  I believe I have developed some sort of 'muscle memory' around my favorite songs...certainly my brain taps into it's stored adrenaline for certain songs....

I don't know what the answer is...obviously it's different things to different people....and I guess I'll keep writing about it until I find it!

If by chance you have the 'golden ticket' and know how to tap into this...please share with the rest of us!

STEPPING ON THE SCALE, NOT NECESSARILY 'THE MOMENT OF TRUTH'

So, I was sitting around the other day, thinking about the fact that I've been working hard, writing down every little morsel that enters my mouth, I've been working out, etc.  I said to myself, well, you'll weigh-in soon enough and that will be 'the moment of truth'. 

But then I caught myself.

Here's the thing...the moment of truth is every moment.  Every time I decide what goes in my mouth, every time I am honest and write it down, every moment is that moment of truth.  The scale may go up or down or stay the same (DREAD!), but really, at the end of each day if I know what effort I'm putting forth that needs to be my truth.

That said, don't embrace this belief and make it the reason you aren't losing weight....we sometimes allow ourselves too many excuses as well.  I know full well that I should be losing at minimum 8-10 a month, so I guess what I'm saying is, don't live for the scale week to week, but it certainly shouldn't be thrown out!  The scale should be used for what it was designed for, as a regular barometer of your physical weight.  Don't be afraid of the scale and don't over-do on the scale...once a week, max!

BIGGEST LOSER, SEASON 7, RE-CAP WEEK 2

Here's a great link to a MSNBC site that re-capped week 2 of the Biggest Loser...why re-create the wheel?!

MSNBC link

STOLEN WISDOM: KAE FROM THE BIGGEST LOSER 4 SHARE HER MANTRA

'Make your diet a permanent part of your life- something you can do for a lifetime- not a chore that you feel hesitant about.  Eating healthy is your choice, so get the most out of it you can.  After all, you are the most important person in your life.'  --Kae Whang, The Biggest Loser, Season 4

I love this!  How many times has someone else, something else been more important that ME.  Many of us are raised that way, to be 'selfless'.  That's a shame.  For in the nurturing and caring for ourselves we really find that we can give more fully to others when we are fulfilled and living our lives to their fullest potential.

A friend who is quite overweight recently shared with a me that her mom gently told her, 'your life isn't just yours anymore'....she's a mom now...if her life is cut short by her weight issues, there's more than just the adults in her life that will be hurt.

I know I said it before and I'll say it again...having children changed me....something intrinsically about how I treat my body, myself.  I so desperately want to share every possible moment with my children I never want my weight to be an obstacle to a moment we can share.  I certainly wish I had lived my life this way before (for me, for my husband, etc.)...but I didn't, so instead of sitting in despair and self pity about the past I look ahead and really I look at today (staying in the present) at all the things I can do and I can do with my kids, my family, my husband, myself. 

WISH YOU COULD GET SOME *FREE* WEIGHT LOSS SUPPORT--YOU CAN! LOST100 FOR MAMAS HAS ARRIVED!

Okay, so you want to lose weight, you are losing weight, you have lost weight...but you need some support (and no, I'm not talking about a new bra). 

Seriously, how many of you are in the same boat...you are resolved to take control of your health, but just feel like you could do 'just a little better' if you had someone to tell your goals to, someone to hold you accountable, someone you could write to and say, 'I'm about to eat the pizza, the *whole pizza*--HELP!'

What you're looking for has arrived...

...I have created a 'yahoo group' just for YOU! 

INTRODUCING 'LOST 100 FOR MAMAS'!

A new weight loss/weight maintenance support community hosted through yahoo groups.

Whether you want to check in daily, weekly, monthly, be an active participant, be a 'lurker' there is room for you!  We will support people at all levels of their journey

• just starting out
• getting back on the wagon
• going strong
• argh!  the dreaded plateau
• already met your goals and continuing to keep it real

Regardless of program (Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Adkins, South Beach, Zone, your own thing, etc.) we will support you!  You can share your weight, or you don't have to.  You can share your food journal, or you don't have to.  You can swap recipes.  You can tell an inspiring story.  You can talk about that roadblock you just can't seem to overcome...maybe someone will help you to discover the answer you need!

To join, e-mail:  Lost100forMamas-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

***It IS case sensitive, so be sure to capitalize the "L" & the "M"...

Click here, the link to send an e-mail is working now!

If you are still having difficultly, e-mail me directly at jennifergriola@yahoo.com
& I'll e-mail you an invite!

DON'T HAVE WHAT YOU WANT IN LIFE? THEN MAKE IT HAPPEN!

So here's the deal...I'm not working right now (in a traditional, out of the house, sense).  So money is pretty tight.  We also moved to a new house, in a new state less than a year ago. 

I have some things I really want in my life:
1.  Make money through my blog /life coaching to allow me to work from home & help support our family (thus hubby can cut back to working only 1000 hours of OT, instead of 2500)!
2.  Make friends: girlfriends to go to dinner with, 'couple' friends that hubby & I enjoy barbecuing with, watching the Superbowl, etc., make friends with people who have kids my kids' ages for playdates and family fun, etc.
3.  Talk with other people struggling with weight loss to get support and give support and purposefully find this for FREE without joining someone else's program (ie. Weight Watchers).
4.  Okay, so there's like a bunch more...but why bore you right now?!

So, I had a little creative moment a few weeks back and I decided something that was very important to me:
Instead of waiting to be invited to make friends with someone...seek them out...the worst that happens is they say no.  So what.  If they don't like my quirky personality then I really will never be at ease with the friendship anyway and don't really need them as a friend.  So I set out to 'make my own way'...in a sense create what I wanted (there's this awesome line at the end of Francis Mayes's novel/movie Under the Tuscan Sun where the main character discovers she was able to create all the things she really wanted in life/her home but in a different way than how she perceived they would be, leading her to say, "Unthinkably good things can happen even late in the game. It's such a surprise."). 

• First, I decided to throw a 'Family Friendly New Years Eve Party'...I hired our teenage babysitter and her friend to come and entertain the kids in our playroom/family room and all the adults enjoyed wine & appetizers upstairs...it was good, we had a smaller turn-out than I had hoped for, but it was fun & I was glad I reached out instead of waiting to be invited to someone else's party (which I did for the last 20 years of my life...wait to be invited to someone else's party!).
• Second, I decided to organize a girls nite out...it hasn't happened yet, but should in the next 3 weeks, and the women I'm telling about it are so excited, they were sitting home craving the same thing--somoene just needed to take the 'bull by the horns'!
• Third, I invited a few moms/kids over and invited myself over to their house for playdates & we're having lots of fun!
• Forth, I'm seeking coaching of my own and help in advancing my 'blogging skills' and finding what I want out of my emerging business.
• Fifth & finally, I sent a message out to a 'Mother's Group' I'm a part of (shout out Maplewood/South Orange Mother's & More Chapter!) regarding having a FREE/Kid-friendly weight loss support network.  The response was overwhelming!  Other women were craving the same thing, so we're planning a couple of different groups a week that will be set up like a playgroup but instead of talking about the same ol' shit (ie. I feel fat...my husband left the seat up...my neighbor's husband is having an affair and she doesn't know it...perfect mommy A, 'I always send my thank you notes out within 30 minutes of receiving the gift and don't understand people who don't, it's so easy'--this is when the rest of the mother's all take a sip of coffee at the same time and figure out a way to take down perfect mommy A!---haha!)...anyway, we are going to purposefully keep the conversation focused on supporting each other on the different variety of programs we're following, talk about healthy food, talk about roadblocks, talk about motivation, and celebrate each other's achievements while in a sense setting goals and holding each other accountable to achieving their goals each week--I'm SO excited, the first group should be meeting this Thursday so I'll keep ya posted.

My final thought is, what is it you want in your life?  I assume if you 'want it' you don't 'have it' now.  What's stopping you?  Are you waiting for something or someone?  DON'T...decide right now to take the steps necessary to create what you want in your life!  There's no better time than RIGHT NOW!  Carpe diem...Sieze the day!

WHAT WE HAD FOR DINNER 2NITE: SPAGHETTI SQUASH MARINARA

From 'Better Homes & Gardens:  New Cook Book, 11th Edition':

Ingredients:

• 1 medium spaghetti squash (21/2-3 lbs)
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp cooking oil
• 1 16-ounce can tomatoes, cut up
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning, crushed
• 1/8 tsp fennel seed, crushed (optional)
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

1. Halve squash lengthwise; scoop out seeds.  Place squash, cut sides down, in a large baking dish.  Using a fork, prick the skin all over.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 to 40 minutes or till tender.

2.  Meanwhile, for sauce, cook onion and garlic in hot oil till onion is tender.  Stir in the undrained tomatoes, Italian seasoning, fennel seed, and 1/4 tsp each salt & pepper.  Bring to boiling.  Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 10 to 15 minutes or to desired consistency, stirring often.

3.  To serve, remove the squash pulp from shell (with fork, carefully rake the stringy squash pulp from the shell, separating it into strands that look like spaghetti).  Spoon sauce over squash.  If desired, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. 

Makes 6 servings.

Nutrition Facts per Serving:  80 calories, 3 g. total fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 236 mg sodium, 13 g. carbs, 3 grams fiber, 1 gram protein.

Even the 1 year old and the 2 year old ate it!  It's all veggies--yeah!  I tend to buy larger spaghetti squash, add more tomatoes, more onion, more garlic, etc.  Usually you can keep the oil the same though which is nice. 

Another tip:  buy 'no salt added' tomatoes to keep the sodium low.