Go Back
I was driving to Starbucks this morning to get a cup of coffee and visit with friends when I heard an ad on the radio for a dietary supplement called Skinny Minny, Trim and Slim or something like that. It's supposed to help you get "High School Skinny."

As usual, not only was a radio DJ taking the pills and raving how simple it was to lose-weight, but there was a nutritionist on the commercial promoting it as well. This shocked me! And I find it sad that a nutrition professional would endorse a product like this.

The website where you can buy these diet pills claim that they will help you:

• Lose-weight fast

• Curb your appetite

• Give you a long lasting energy boost

• Boost your metabolism

Is it me, or have we not seen this before? This is just another bogus diet product promising a "quick fix" and preying on peoples’ desire to take the easy way out. Just pop a couple of these every day and you'll lose-weight and be healthy. Never mind the thousands of dollars you'll be spending if you take these pills for the next few months.

I mean won't exercise and eating nutrient rich foods give you these exact same results? Plus the added benefit of:

• Reducing your risk of heart disease

• Decreasing your chances of getting cancer

• Diminishing your likelihood of osteoporosis

• Increasing lean muscle on your body

• Reducing your risk of stroke

And too many other benefits to list...

I mean if you want to spend thousands and take the easy way out in order to lose a few pounds by popping some pills, then that's your business. If you want lose-fat, build lean muscle, drop a few clothes sizes and look and feel better as fast as possible WITHOUT taking any diet pills, then stick with exercise and eating nutrient rich foods.

Okay I am off of my soapbox now! Whew!




What's Lifestyle Got To Do With It?

It happens to everyone. That moment when you realize that it's time to do something about your weight.

It may happen when you're looking in the mirror or standing on the scale.

Your first thought is to go on a 'diet' but as quickly as that enters your mind the ghosts of a hundred diets past return...along with all the frustration.

Then you wonder, why bother? The weight will come back, as it always has. Then you'll be back in front of the mirror as discouraged as ever.

The answer is not to go on another diet. The answer is to change your lifestyle.

You've heard this before, and it makes sense, right? So why haven't you done it?

Your Lifestyle Obstacles. Most people resist changing their lifestyle for two reasons.

1. Change is scary. Whether you realize it or not, your life is in a constant state of change. Though you cling to the familiar, it's a struggle. Change always wins. The most consistent thing in life is change. Since you'll never escape it, you might as well channel it. It's time to make the change in your life purposeful and positive.

2. Lifestyle misconception. How many times have you heard the term 'healthy lifestyle' only to picture a health nut with celery sticks in one hand and tofu in the other? The truth is that most people think that changing their lifestyle will be an extreme and unpleasant experience - and that's not true.

Improving your lifestyle does not mean swearing off chocolate or living in the gym. You don't have to eat wheat germ for lunch and you can still enjoy a nice plate of pasta. The key is moderation.

Making the Change. It's time to lose your 'all or nothing' mentality. Embrace simple, small changes that will add up to big improvements in your lifestyle. These are your main venues for change:

1. What You Eat. Let's face it, most of the foods you eat aren't the healthiest. Some are downright terrible (the burger and fries you had last week). While others are simply excessive (the snacks you eat while watching TV).

The solution to cleaning up your daily diet is NOT to go back on a 'diet'. In fact, I never want you to go on a 'diet' again. (Yes, you heard me right!) Instead I want you to make permanent healthy changes to your eating habits.

Here are some practical examples:
o Choose salad over chips or fries
o Don't add butter to your food
o Eat fresh produce with every meal
o Purchase fat free dairy products
o Limit desserts to one or two per week
o Cut out mindless snacking
o Drink water, not soda
I don't expect you to eat a perfect diet every day of the week - that'd be crazy. You should, however, make MORE healthy choices every day than unhealthy ones.

2. What You Do. Exercise is a huge component to a healthy lifestyle, and quite frankly you're not getting enough of it. How often does an entire week go by without you ever lacing up your tennis shoes? Don't disregard the importance and power of a good workout.

Your new healthy lifestyle means exercising on most days of the week. This may seem tough, but I have the perfect solution - my training programs were created for busy people just like you who only have so much time to dedicate to exercise.

I understand how hard it is to find the motivation to stay consistent and to push yourself. Make exercise a no-brainer –

• Here are simple ways to move more:
o Watch less TV
o Stretch stiff muscles every day
o Play at the park with the kids
o Go for a jog
o Do some pushups every morning

While none of the above are meant as substitutes for a solid exercise routine, they are great ways to become more active and to improve your lifestyle.
Your lifestyle is the balance of all the choices that you make regarding your body. Swing the balance in your favor - make a majority of your choices health conscious.

So the next time you're in front of the mirror you won't worry about your weight.

You'll relish it.

Take care of yourself,

Ann

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