What I Do....
*Avoid eating past supper time. Nothing past 7pm or at the very latest 8pm. No eating meals or ANY carbs in the evening. If necessary, a piece of fruit, low fat yoghurt, sugar-free licorice, protein bar.
*Eat carbs at breakfast OR at lunch time and nothing past 4pm. Gives the body a better fighting chance to not feel bloated and to deal with the sugar spike and eventual drop that happens after eating carbs. Also allows the body all day to digest and process them.
*No trips to ANY Fast Food Restaurant UNLESS I am eating something off of their Healthy Choices Menu. Wendy’s and McDonald’s now have great Salad and Chicken Recipes as well as wraps. So does Tim Horton’s. But it’s best to stay away from them if at all possible because the greasy smell of the fries can have a sugar spike on your system. As well as a psychological effect. That’s why KFC works.
*Avoid all deep fried foods. You want fries, bake them or grill them in the oven or choose Sweet Potatoes instead but it’s best to bake them. Sprinkle them with Pam cooking spray or a wee bit of cooking oil and paprika and you’ve got crispy fries.
*Pizza is OUT. Unless you do it yourself from home and use Whole Grain Pita Shells or Tortilla Wraps and make your Pizza with TURKEY OR CHICKEN Pepperoni, fresh veggies/fruits, and calorie reduced tomato sauce/paste or salsa.
*Limit the intake of Milk to just 2 servings. That includes milk in your cereal and your tea/coffee or you meal. It also includes Yoghurt. Cereal is ONE choice, Yoghurt would be the SECOND choice.
*Ensure you have breakfast. Just like a car, you body needs fuel to go. Skipping any meal puts your body into fasting regime and it starts storing fat because it’s being told its being deprived.
*Once a week, I treat myself to Popcorn. No butter added, but I do cook it on the stove in Oil and then sprinkle it with salt. Another nice snack is Jiffy Pop. YES, they still make it. It’s also a healthy heart snack and it’s the lesser of ANY evil of snacks. (Everyone should have a weekly indulgence, but don't make a party of it, just look forward, do what you need to do and move on). Plan on making it the same time, same day, every week.
*Snack on rice cakes, nuts, fruit, jello, melba toast with peanut butter, veggies, protein bars, Turkey Bites.
*Drink plenty of water and/or tea. Driking water can fill you up and can also reduce cravings and is essential for the elimination process.
*Stop drinking POP. Coke, Pepsi, Gingerale etc., are all VERY high in calories and full of preservatives which make you want to eat more. If you must have soda, choose a calorie reduced soda. (Don’t drink your calories).
*No indulging in chocolates, cookies, chips or any of the “good” stuff.
And Most Importantly...GET MOVING. Get Moving.....Get Moving....Get Moving.
MY Fitness Schedule:
*Zumba 4-5 times per week
*Dancefit 1-2 times per week
*Walk EVERY day, regardless of weather, at least 45 minutes every day. Get a good comfortable and reliable running shoe with great tread. Change them up every 3 months. Invest in a rain coat and an umbrella and unless it’s thunder and lighting, WALK WALK WALK. A proven factor in keeping pounds away and off your waist-line is through walking.
Mentally: Walking allows me to think and talk to myself and it's a wonderful therapeutic process to deal with my demons and any aspects of my life that have led me to where I was 14 months ago. I also do LOTS of writing, and enmesh myself in the internet to continue educating myself on Health and Wellness. I attend Expos, I listen, I indulge in the overwhelming encyclopedia of knowledge that is out there. I take lots of before and after pictures and I continually document my journey and I share EVERYthing with as many people as possible. I use Facebook as my "Answering Base" so I have almost 2000 people to answer to and to kick my butt should my train ever derail.
*I try EVERYthing now, I never say no to any activity or any food. I have broadened my taste buds and have allowed my tongue to adequately allow salad to enter my palate and surprisingly enough...I LOVE IT!!!
"PUT DOWN THE FORK AND GET MOVING"
Showing posts with label Success Stores. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Success Stores. Show all posts
Monday, 3 October 2011
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
What To Do About Cravings – AKAThe Demon!!!
You’re walking down the street, you pass KFC and that infamous aroma hits your nostrils and takes you back to the days when you would sit and eat a bucket of chicken and peel off the skin and send it down your gullet and into your belly and 20 minutes later back out in to the toilet.
What do you do when those crazy cravings take over all of your senses and you lose all common sense and can no longer fight the temptation to give in?
If you’re overweight or morbidly obese you are a food addict and you have probably battled the bulge for many decades. And if you a person in the trenches, on your way back down; we’ve all faced the demon; the dreaded “craving”. The demon can creep up on you at any time of the day, at awkward events you are attending, alone, at a party, at the gym, watching TV, driving, watching a movie, having sex, sleeping, surfing on the net….ANYwhere and at ANYtime. The demon is not immune to weather, seasons, time of day or geographical placement. He feasts upon your emotions, and your inability to cope with stress, both positive and negative. He takes no prisoners when he attacks and knows your weakest points. You don’t crave Salads and Eggs….no; the demon knows that it’s Lay’s Potato Chips or Cheetos or Doritos or Chocolate Cake….or god forbid, Licorice All Sorts. And he sits there in your brain, on the tip of your lips and he doesn’t leave until he’s infested your thoughts and you can’t get the thought of that O Henry bar out of your head and ultimately in your mouth. And then he chuckles…he won again.
So…how can you fight the demon?
I asked a few friends of mine for their input on this subject and the responses have been quite enlightening.
What do you do when those crazy cravings take over all of your senses and you lose all common sense and can no longer fight the temptation to give in?
If you’re overweight or morbidly obese you are a food addict and you have probably battled the bulge for many decades. And if you a person in the trenches, on your way back down; we’ve all faced the demon; the dreaded “craving”. The demon can creep up on you at any time of the day, at awkward events you are attending, alone, at a party, at the gym, watching TV, driving, watching a movie, having sex, sleeping, surfing on the net….ANYwhere and at ANYtime. The demon is not immune to weather, seasons, time of day or geographical placement. He feasts upon your emotions, and your inability to cope with stress, both positive and negative. He takes no prisoners when he attacks and knows your weakest points. You don’t crave Salads and Eggs….no; the demon knows that it’s Lay’s Potato Chips or Cheetos or Doritos or Chocolate Cake….or god forbid, Licorice All Sorts. And he sits there in your brain, on the tip of your lips and he doesn’t leave until he’s infested your thoughts and you can’t get the thought of that O Henry bar out of your head and ultimately in your mouth. And then he chuckles…he won again.
So…how can you fight the demon?
I asked a few friends of mine for their input on this subject and the responses have been quite enlightening.
- When the demon comes calling and you have a craving, do your best to wait 15 minutes, and chances are once that 15 minutes are over, the craving, which is a chemical reaction release and systematic, will be over. During that time, watch a funny video on YouTube or listen to music, take in a chapter of a book, draw, do a crossword, anything to pass the time and take your mind off of the craving itself. Waiting 15 minutes can eliminate the thoughts of the craving. Real cravings stay with you but psychological ones don’t. If you’ve eaten enough and are hydrated, putting off a decision for 15 to 20 minutes will help the craving dissipate. Be your own distraction. If you start doing something else the feeling will usually pass. If you’ve been surfing the web or working on the computer or sitting in front of the TV and you feel the desire to indulge, do something else; changing your mindset might be all you need.
- Eat every 3 hours. Even if it’s something small. One of the biggest culprits for psychological cravings is falling blood sugar levels. If you keep your levels steady, you simply won’t crave the same things. The easiest way to combat cravings is to avoid them in the first place.
- If you want to indulge, sometimes all you need is just a drink, so have a drink of water or something good for you. People never drink enough water. Dehydration can cause the body to get confused and make it feel hungry. A small glass of water several times a day will keep your stomach full and keep you hydrated.
- If you’re thinking about binging…Exercise. If you start to exercise and your cravings aren’t physiological, you’ll feel better right away. However, here’s a true test, if the craving is physical, you won’t be able to enjoy your workout and that’s generally a sure sign that you just need to eat.
- Get angry with the Demon and be stronger than it is and issue it a challenge. “Come on Burger and Fries….Go ahead and take your best shot. I don’t need you, I am better than you and I’m not eating!”
- A simple change of venue to your daily routine can ward off the Demon. So, get all shook up and change what you do, no matter how slightly. The treats are generally in the kitchen, so do what you can to avoid that room. Turn the lights off, move downstairs. Set you house up differently, move your computer around, move your TV around, get up and stretch, drink water do anything different. A simple change can make it easier to make the commitment to following through on tougher ones.
- Make sure that you eat properly; if you are finding that you are snacking, you probably have not eaten properly. If your body still wants something, it’s telling you that nutrition is lacking in your diet. You have to plan your meals and make sure you are eating the proper amounts of vegetables and fruit.
- Does the Demon dangle the taste of salty potatoes chips? If you find yourself at a party and a bowl is placed in front of you, wait until there are only a few chips left and then take one…If you start as soon as the bowl is placed down you’ll continue eating… as long as you can hold off until it’s almost empty you won’t have the opportunity to indulge.
- When craving something sweet, put a stick of gum in your mouth.
- When you are going to a party, make sure you are not starving when you go because you just eat too much and grab everything. Be sure to eat some kind of healthy snack before and then you can stay away from the chips.
- Retrain your brain to think I think “is this healthy” it goes a long way to curbing eating junk.
- Reward yourself with a small treat for being good, anything like a new perfume, a book, a batch of flowers, new shoes, or breakfast in bed on Saturday morning; anything to keep the motivation and momentum going. Give yourself a pat on the back.
- Try to add some healthy treats, which not only taste great and can be labelled as a “treat” but are also high in nutrients and plants substances; apples, cherries, fresh or dried figs, nuts, sunflower seeds, raisins, apricots, peaches, plums, oranges, bananas. Put them into your blender and add with yoghurt, water or milk for a wonderful healthy and deliciously sweet TREAT.
- Remind yourself continually why you are on this weight loss journey to help get your brain back into default mode. Repeat these phrases several times throughout the day, to help boost self-confidence and empowerment; “I am in control”, “I want to be healthy”. “I want to live a long and healthy life”. “I want to look better”. “I am only going to eat foods that are good for my body”. Repeat it when you wake up before you go to bed. Use post it notes around the fridge and on your computer.
- Imagery, always help ward off the demon. Imagine that the donut is the face of an ex-partner or someone who has done you wrong. Try this visualization technique; actually “experience” the food you are craving, remember the taste, the texture, the smell and the look. Keep it there for 10 seconds, let it resonate, taste it in your mind, close your eyes and then let it go…and then while this is absolutely disgusting, but it works every time…..just imagine someone has thrown up all over the food you want to eat.
- When the Demon strikes, the best way to avoid the temptation is to simply do just that….Avoid It. Don’t put yourself into surroundings where the Demon waits. Eliminate him from your daily routines. Change your route to work so you don’t pass the strip of restaurants or the local bakery. The Demon knows your routine, and what your weak points are, don’t let him win!!! After all, the Demon is nothing more than a truly ugly bully. A bully can only succeed if there is a reaction from the target. Avoid The Demon; do not give him the power. Happiness combined with continued Health and Wellness makes the Demon powerless. KFC or the Size 12 Dress…the choice is easy.
“Put Down The Fork & Get Moving”
Joan Minnery ~ THINspiration: http://joanminnery.health.officelive.com
Monday, 27 June 2011
10 Months.....10 Dress Sizes
This month I hit the big ONE. The milestone I have been "weighting" for, since August 27th, 2010. I FINALLY dipped below the 200s on the weight scale and I'm now back into the 100s. There is a ONE at the beginning of my weight. One may be the loneliest number, but to see that number finally say HELLO after a 13 year absence...I embrace it now as the GREATEST number!!!
A ONE.....A Freaking ONE. Hello 1. Amen & Hallelujah. FINALLY out of the danger zone. Back on the right side of the scales and heading towards the finish line. This month also marks the 10th month of my journey. 10 months ago, I was dying. I was killing myself. I couldn't move. I was eating myself to an early grave. I was a size 26. NOW...I'm bordering on a size 16. I've lost 10 dress sizes. 10 months....10 dress sizes.
After 10 months of sustaining a healthier lifestyle, making saner choices for my future, embracing fitness with a sense of desire rather than urgency and embarking on an avenue of newness that I never dreamed possible; I looked in the mirror and looked straight in my eyes and said a narcissistic "Job Well Done Joan".
I’ve been overwhelmed with these types of questions; “How’d you do it, how’d you lose weight”. “What’s your secret?” “What plan are you on?” And when I tell them the trick of simply putting down my fork and starting to move, they seem shocked at my response. I’m not sure, but it seems as if they either don’t believe me OR they don’t want to admit to themselves that the answer is SO easy. And then my response is shrugged off when I couple it with the fact that I was REALLY sick and their reaction is more, “Oh, you had no choice then, oh well it’s not that way for me:”
I’m not going to lie; restricting my diet does require a lot of will power. My former fat self ate a LOT and I ate non-stop and always ate right up until midnight. I was a binge eater. I rarely ate breakfast, but I started eating at Noon and truly never stopped until Midnight. I snacked and nibbled and ate and gorged. And my body was a direct reflection of that. I was infamous for sitting down at the dinner table, and inhaling my food and then I would get up and walk to the counter to make toast. And an hour later, I’d be munching on chips. I was fat because I ate and I ate LOTS.
Here are my secrets friends…this works for ME; it’s not rocket science…
- Start every day with breakfast. Protein, Carbs, Milk, Fruits/Veggies. Whether it is an Omelet, or regular “normal” bacon and eggs or Rice Krispies/Special K; every day MUST start with breakfast.
- Up Protein, Down Carbs. Easy Math. We NEED Carbs and taking tem out of any fat person’s diet is ridiculous, it’s the cause of the failure of SOOOOOOOOO many diets. But have them in limitation and eat the cabs in the morning and the early part of the afternoon. You need them for energy later so they store up and release over the hours. Runners do this.
- No Greasy drive thru hamburgers or Fish Filets. No KFC. Eliminate all deep fried foods. ELIMINATE. Take them out, gone.
- Stop cooking with oils and use Pam cooking spray or get a non-stick skillet and cook the foods in their own oils and juices. If you have to use oil, use the spray on.
- Broil when you can or invest in a George Foreman grill….better yet….BBQ.
- Limit milk intake. Milk is essential, but I had a gorgefest with Milk and it was one of my nemesis, so I now limit myself to 2 glasses and that includes the milk in my cereal.
- I was a COKE fanatic and it ran through my veins. I had to find an alternative, and I did in Pepsi Max. I also drink Crystal Lite in my water, when in restaurants, I take the individual packets and pop them in….makes me feel like I’m drinking Freshie. MMmmm
- Chicken, Pork…..rediscover TURKEY It’s the new “thing” and there’s something in Turkey that makes you chemically feel like you’ve just inhaled a t-bone steak.
- Veggies…..Fruits….Fruits….Veggies. Learn how to make Fruit Smoothies and fill yourself up on goodness and a wonderful healthy snack. Pop in some Protein Whey powder and you’ve got yourself a LUNCH.
- Find the time to cook at home and stop eating out. It’s cheaper, it’s healthier, it can be a whole fun family affair and you do NOT need to leave a TIP.
- I try NEVER to eat past supper time and given myself that time to have water, tea, or something that I enjoy to break the fast. And on Thursdays, I have my FUNnight when I eat Popcorn while watching Grey’s Anatomy.
- Don’t forget about Wal-Nuts and Sunflower seeds to add Protein and that nice crunch that triggers the mind that you are eating something that may resemble something that used to be yummy. Plus, they add so much flavour to salads.
- No indulging in chocolate, cookies, chips or any of the” good stuff”
- Most importantly….GET MOVING. Exercise or Workout AT LEAST 3 times per week. If you can find time EVERY day to do something physical, do it. The key is to find something that you like.
The sanest choice for ME is walking. I chose walking because it is easy, cathartic, and I am able to hum, sing, and talk to myself while enjoying the crisp night air, which is a tonic for me. It makes me feel better and my body craves it. At first, the routine was a challenge. I started out slow and ended up in sweaty clothes but eventually, the walks became less strenuous and I began pushing for longer distances. Now, I walk at least 45 minutes to an hour, every day. Unless there’s thunder and lightning... I WALK. And NOW…I’m also taking Zumba Aerobics with Kelly and Lauren at the Art In Motion Dance Studio and have recently added Latin Dance Fit to My Schedule.
I didn’t start to be thin, I started to be well. I had done weight-loss programs before with mixed results. This journey has been vastly different simply because I am not focused on losing weight. My desire is to be healthier, thinner, and to get fit. I’ve always placed far too much emphasis on getting to a certain weight and watching the scales closely. This time, I am focuses on getting fit and obviously, weight loss has come with that. For the first 9 months, I never stood on the scales to see what was happening. All I needed to know was that I was eating better and that I was committed to changing my health and wellness schedule and that I was getting out and moving, walking, exercising, doing ANYthing physical. What may have been happening on the scale wasn’t a key component of my journey. It was what was happening to me inside, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
I am only 10 months into my new lifestyle but I have set realistic long-term goals to stay fit and to stay on this pattern. And weight SHOULD stay off, as long as the lifestyle changes I have made remain. And they must go hand in hand. Unlike the unfulfilling weight-loss experiments in the past, this time I am truly focusing and devoting myself to ME.
"Loving the self involves faith and trust and belief in who you are, and a willingness to take action upon it. People who love themselves come across as very loving, generous and kind; they express their self-confidence through humility, forgiveness and inclusiveness." — Sanaya Roman (Living With Joy: Keys to Personal Power and Spiritual Transformation)
A ONE.....A Freaking ONE. Hello 1. Amen & Hallelujah. FINALLY out of the danger zone. Back on the right side of the scales and heading towards the finish line. This month also marks the 10th month of my journey. 10 months ago, I was dying. I was killing myself. I couldn't move. I was eating myself to an early grave. I was a size 26. NOW...I'm bordering on a size 16. I've lost 10 dress sizes. 10 months....10 dress sizes.
After 10 months of sustaining a healthier lifestyle, making saner choices for my future, embracing fitness with a sense of desire rather than urgency and embarking on an avenue of newness that I never dreamed possible; I looked in the mirror and looked straight in my eyes and said a narcissistic "Job Well Done Joan".
I’ve been overwhelmed with these types of questions; “How’d you do it, how’d you lose weight”. “What’s your secret?” “What plan are you on?” And when I tell them the trick of simply putting down my fork and starting to move, they seem shocked at my response. I’m not sure, but it seems as if they either don’t believe me OR they don’t want to admit to themselves that the answer is SO easy. And then my response is shrugged off when I couple it with the fact that I was REALLY sick and their reaction is more, “Oh, you had no choice then, oh well it’s not that way for me:”
I’m not going to lie; restricting my diet does require a lot of will power. My former fat self ate a LOT and I ate non-stop and always ate right up until midnight. I was a binge eater. I rarely ate breakfast, but I started eating at Noon and truly never stopped until Midnight. I snacked and nibbled and ate and gorged. And my body was a direct reflection of that. I was infamous for sitting down at the dinner table, and inhaling my food and then I would get up and walk to the counter to make toast. And an hour later, I’d be munching on chips. I was fat because I ate and I ate LOTS.
Here are my secrets friends…this works for ME; it’s not rocket science…
- Start every day with breakfast. Protein, Carbs, Milk, Fruits/Veggies. Whether it is an Omelet, or regular “normal” bacon and eggs or Rice Krispies/Special K; every day MUST start with breakfast.
- Up Protein, Down Carbs. Easy Math. We NEED Carbs and taking tem out of any fat person’s diet is ridiculous, it’s the cause of the failure of SOOOOOOOOO many diets. But have them in limitation and eat the cabs in the morning and the early part of the afternoon. You need them for energy later so they store up and release over the hours. Runners do this.
- No Greasy drive thru hamburgers or Fish Filets. No KFC. Eliminate all deep fried foods. ELIMINATE. Take them out, gone.
- Stop cooking with oils and use Pam cooking spray or get a non-stick skillet and cook the foods in their own oils and juices. If you have to use oil, use the spray on.
- Broil when you can or invest in a George Foreman grill….better yet….BBQ.
- Limit milk intake. Milk is essential, but I had a gorgefest with Milk and it was one of my nemesis, so I now limit myself to 2 glasses and that includes the milk in my cereal.
- I was a COKE fanatic and it ran through my veins. I had to find an alternative, and I did in Pepsi Max. I also drink Crystal Lite in my water, when in restaurants, I take the individual packets and pop them in….makes me feel like I’m drinking Freshie. MMmmm
- Chicken, Pork…..rediscover TURKEY It’s the new “thing” and there’s something in Turkey that makes you chemically feel like you’ve just inhaled a t-bone steak.
- Veggies…..Fruits….Fruits….Veggies. Learn how to make Fruit Smoothies and fill yourself up on goodness and a wonderful healthy snack. Pop in some Protein Whey powder and you’ve got yourself a LUNCH.
- Find the time to cook at home and stop eating out. It’s cheaper, it’s healthier, it can be a whole fun family affair and you do NOT need to leave a TIP.
- I try NEVER to eat past supper time and given myself that time to have water, tea, or something that I enjoy to break the fast. And on Thursdays, I have my FUNnight when I eat Popcorn while watching Grey’s Anatomy.
- Don’t forget about Wal-Nuts and Sunflower seeds to add Protein and that nice crunch that triggers the mind that you are eating something that may resemble something that used to be yummy. Plus, they add so much flavour to salads.
- No indulging in chocolate, cookies, chips or any of the” good stuff”
- Most importantly….GET MOVING. Exercise or Workout AT LEAST 3 times per week. If you can find time EVERY day to do something physical, do it. The key is to find something that you like.
The sanest choice for ME is walking. I chose walking because it is easy, cathartic, and I am able to hum, sing, and talk to myself while enjoying the crisp night air, which is a tonic for me. It makes me feel better and my body craves it. At first, the routine was a challenge. I started out slow and ended up in sweaty clothes but eventually, the walks became less strenuous and I began pushing for longer distances. Now, I walk at least 45 minutes to an hour, every day. Unless there’s thunder and lightning... I WALK. And NOW…I’m also taking Zumba Aerobics with Kelly and Lauren at the Art In Motion Dance Studio and have recently added Latin Dance Fit to My Schedule.
I didn’t start to be thin, I started to be well. I had done weight-loss programs before with mixed results. This journey has been vastly different simply because I am not focused on losing weight. My desire is to be healthier, thinner, and to get fit. I’ve always placed far too much emphasis on getting to a certain weight and watching the scales closely. This time, I am focuses on getting fit and obviously, weight loss has come with that. For the first 9 months, I never stood on the scales to see what was happening. All I needed to know was that I was eating better and that I was committed to changing my health and wellness schedule and that I was getting out and moving, walking, exercising, doing ANYthing physical. What may have been happening on the scale wasn’t a key component of my journey. It was what was happening to me inside, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
I am only 10 months into my new lifestyle but I have set realistic long-term goals to stay fit and to stay on this pattern. And weight SHOULD stay off, as long as the lifestyle changes I have made remain. And they must go hand in hand. Unlike the unfulfilling weight-loss experiments in the past, this time I am truly focusing and devoting myself to ME.
"Loving the self involves faith and trust and belief in who you are, and a willingness to take action upon it. People who love themselves come across as very loving, generous and kind; they express their self-confidence through humility, forgiveness and inclusiveness." — Sanaya Roman (Living With Joy: Keys to Personal Power and Spiritual Transformation)
Thursday, 2 June 2011
Changing FAT into FIT...Choosing To Live
I don’t claim to be ANY sort of expert on fitness or dieting, but I am a card carrying lifelong member and 100% complete aficionado on being fat. If there is one thing I DO know, it’s about fat and how to be fat and how to get fat and how to stay fat. I’ve lived most of my life as a fat person. From being a pudgy child, to a chubby teen, then morphing into a large sized young gal and ultimately a morbidly obese woman; there is no doubt…I’m the fat expert!
However, my new mission in life is to change that. I’m changing FAT into FIT.
My expertise comes from 3 decades of my own personal struggles with obesity & chronic dieting along with a myriad of dangerous weight consequences that have resulted in severe health issues, negative body image and low self-esteem. As a recovering food addict; I have been there, I am still there, but I am winning. My in-the-trenches life experiences with the battle against weight; make me a true expert in guiding others to increased levels of self-care and self-love.
I’ve gone through this journey, so I am better equipped to understand the predicament of others and I can inspire people through our mutual struggles and progress. It is because I have been there that I can use my life as a testament and a huge source of inspiration for those who are where I have been. My role is very important, as I am able to perceive the wellness of others and translate that wellness to them by sharing my story, so that they are able to see and understand that reaching the desired destination is nowattainable.
I have worked very hard to resolve my own weight issues and now I want to share my compelling, compassionate and constructive approach to inspire others to start their own journeys to take charge of their lives and to…WAKE UP & Stop Being A Victim Of Your Own Self.!!!
How many times have you woke up on a Monday morning and said, “Today is the day I’m going to lose weight”. And then by Noon, you are in the drive-thru ordering a milk-shake, fries and a greasy hamburger. How many Tuesdays turn into the day that you wished you had listened to yourself the day before, but you end up defeated and beating yourself up and well, you messed up already and then you convince yourself, “I’ll Start Next Week”. And the same pattern happens over and over again, week after week, month after month, year after year. Pound after pound after pound…What if you changed your thinking and instead of saying, “Today is the day I’m going to lose weight”, that you woke up and said, “Today I choose to live”.
If I can do it, anyone can do it. All you have to do is have the motivation and be told that you can. My journey is not over and I am on a mission to help others start theirs. Imagine where YOU will be a year from now.
Less than one year ago, in August 2010, I was tipping the scales at almost 300 pounds. My health was dangerously catapulting out of control and my self esteem was at an all time low. Both factors were filtering into my professional life. I am an entertainer/event director and also teach music & dramatic arts. I lead a very busy and strenuous lifestyle. Many of my productions involve strenuous activity and long periods of stamina. I was a morbidly obese woman leading the life of a thin person, and it had caught up with me. I had one staggering health issue after another. It was becoming obvious to all of my fellow cast-mates and colleagues that I had given up on my appearance, which was having a direct impact on my performances and a noticeable decline in student attendance. After years of my body expanding and continued bad health; my journey took me to yet ANOTHER doctor’s office in at the beginning of August 2010. I underwent a 2 hour medical test for an inner ear imbalance, due to the fact that on top of pancreas issues, severe acid reflux and vision ailments; I was now experiencing horrific attacks of acute vertigo and continual nausea. During the examination, I had a violent physical reaction that ended up with me being covered in bodily fluids, vomit and fecal excretement. I sat up from the table, in a freaked out state of embarrassment and disorientation and cried, “Joan you didn’t sign up for this”.
Faced with the humiliation of having to leave that medical clinic with remnants of vomit, urine and feces still in and on my clothes and having to call my son to clear the driveway because I needed to quickly run into the bathroom; I looked down at my soiled pants and the stench of puke in my hair and I broke down. I did this to myself, ME; and it was up to me and ONLY me to undo the damage. I decided right then and there that I am no longer going to be a victim of my own self. As my son BJ was screaming at me in desperation, I made a promise to myself, to my son, my family and my friends, that I was going to stop watching them in fear of my health and take control of the most important commodity that God has given me…MY LIFE.
I made a commitment to myself and to everyone that is important to me, that it was time to get really serious about my future. I was sick of being sick. I was fed up living a lonely life and I was ready to get healthy. I am winning in my quest to change my lifestyle, one pound at a time.
This is NOT rocket science; it’s all about re-educating yourself, and it’s all complete common sense. The road to weight loss must be paved with a lifestyle change resulting in a commitment to healthy eating, an activity plan for some form of fitness and ultimately to yourself. Put Down The Fork & Get Moving.
No gimmicks, no fancy pills, no stupid fad diets, no $2000.00 year memberships to weigh in…..YOU have the power to be your own doctor and to change and undo the damage you have done. The ONLY gimmick out there that works FOREVER is YOU!!!
Want a wake up call? Take out the white stuff in the Oreo smear it on as cold cream and tape the black cookies to the sides of your head. OR Next time you reach for that bucket of KFC, empty it out and stick the bucket on your head and flap your arms like a chicken. Sounds stupid? What is more stupid, doing this or eating them?
The 6 best doctors ANYwhere are; Sunshine, Rest, Air, Water, Diet & Exercise. YOU are the best doctor…it’s about YOU YOU YOU.
This journey MUST be about a lifelong commitment to your health. It doesn’t end when you reach your goal. That is just the beginning. The target weight is just a milestone. The goal is to remain eating healthy for the restof our lives. A lot of us carry around emotional baggage and wear it like a mantel – or a spare tire. Once we deal with that emotional baggage and let it go, then it releases us to shed that mantel and get on with our healthier,happier lives.
Imagine where YOU will be a year from now. Look to where I was a year go…when I said, “Today Is the Day I Choose To LIVE!!!”
However, my new mission in life is to change that. I’m changing FAT into FIT.
My expertise comes from 3 decades of my own personal struggles with obesity & chronic dieting along with a myriad of dangerous weight consequences that have resulted in severe health issues, negative body image and low self-esteem. As a recovering food addict; I have been there, I am still there, but I am winning. My in-the-trenches life experiences with the battle against weight; make me a true expert in guiding others to increased levels of self-care and self-love.
I’ve gone through this journey, so I am better equipped to understand the predicament of others and I can inspire people through our mutual struggles and progress. It is because I have been there that I can use my life as a testament and a huge source of inspiration for those who are where I have been. My role is very important, as I am able to perceive the wellness of others and translate that wellness to them by sharing my story, so that they are able to see and understand that reaching the desired destination is nowattainable.
I have worked very hard to resolve my own weight issues and now I want to share my compelling, compassionate and constructive approach to inspire others to start their own journeys to take charge of their lives and to…WAKE UP & Stop Being A Victim Of Your Own Self.!!!
How many times have you woke up on a Monday morning and said, “Today is the day I’m going to lose weight”. And then by Noon, you are in the drive-thru ordering a milk-shake, fries and a greasy hamburger. How many Tuesdays turn into the day that you wished you had listened to yourself the day before, but you end up defeated and beating yourself up and well, you messed up already and then you convince yourself, “I’ll Start Next Week”. And the same pattern happens over and over again, week after week, month after month, year after year. Pound after pound after pound…What if you changed your thinking and instead of saying, “Today is the day I’m going to lose weight”, that you woke up and said, “Today I choose to live”.
If I can do it, anyone can do it. All you have to do is have the motivation and be told that you can. My journey is not over and I am on a mission to help others start theirs. Imagine where YOU will be a year from now.
Less than one year ago, in August 2010, I was tipping the scales at almost 300 pounds. My health was dangerously catapulting out of control and my self esteem was at an all time low. Both factors were filtering into my professional life. I am an entertainer/event director and also teach music & dramatic arts. I lead a very busy and strenuous lifestyle. Many of my productions involve strenuous activity and long periods of stamina. I was a morbidly obese woman leading the life of a thin person, and it had caught up with me. I had one staggering health issue after another. It was becoming obvious to all of my fellow cast-mates and colleagues that I had given up on my appearance, which was having a direct impact on my performances and a noticeable decline in student attendance. After years of my body expanding and continued bad health; my journey took me to yet ANOTHER doctor’s office in at the beginning of August 2010. I underwent a 2 hour medical test for an inner ear imbalance, due to the fact that on top of pancreas issues, severe acid reflux and vision ailments; I was now experiencing horrific attacks of acute vertigo and continual nausea. During the examination, I had a violent physical reaction that ended up with me being covered in bodily fluids, vomit and fecal excretement. I sat up from the table, in a freaked out state of embarrassment and disorientation and cried, “Joan you didn’t sign up for this”.
Faced with the humiliation of having to leave that medical clinic with remnants of vomit, urine and feces still in and on my clothes and having to call my son to clear the driveway because I needed to quickly run into the bathroom; I looked down at my soiled pants and the stench of puke in my hair and I broke down. I did this to myself, ME; and it was up to me and ONLY me to undo the damage. I decided right then and there that I am no longer going to be a victim of my own self. As my son BJ was screaming at me in desperation, I made a promise to myself, to my son, my family and my friends, that I was going to stop watching them in fear of my health and take control of the most important commodity that God has given me…MY LIFE.
I made a commitment to myself and to everyone that is important to me, that it was time to get really serious about my future. I was sick of being sick. I was fed up living a lonely life and I was ready to get healthy. I am winning in my quest to change my lifestyle, one pound at a time.
This is NOT rocket science; it’s all about re-educating yourself, and it’s all complete common sense. The road to weight loss must be paved with a lifestyle change resulting in a commitment to healthy eating, an activity plan for some form of fitness and ultimately to yourself. Put Down The Fork & Get Moving.
No gimmicks, no fancy pills, no stupid fad diets, no $2000.00 year memberships to weigh in…..YOU have the power to be your own doctor and to change and undo the damage you have done. The ONLY gimmick out there that works FOREVER is YOU!!!
Want a wake up call? Take out the white stuff in the Oreo smear it on as cold cream and tape the black cookies to the sides of your head. OR Next time you reach for that bucket of KFC, empty it out and stick the bucket on your head and flap your arms like a chicken. Sounds stupid? What is more stupid, doing this or eating them?
The 6 best doctors ANYwhere are; Sunshine, Rest, Air, Water, Diet & Exercise. YOU are the best doctor…it’s about YOU YOU YOU.
This journey MUST be about a lifelong commitment to your health. It doesn’t end when you reach your goal. That is just the beginning. The target weight is just a milestone. The goal is to remain eating healthy for the restof our lives. A lot of us carry around emotional baggage and wear it like a mantel – or a spare tire. Once we deal with that emotional baggage and let it go, then it releases us to shed that mantel and get on with our healthier,happier lives.
Imagine where YOU will be a year from now. Look to where I was a year go…when I said, “Today Is the Day I Choose To LIVE!!!”
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