10 tips to help you lose weight

January 31, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Still working on those ten/twenty pounds? What if we could change a few habits and lose 10-20 pounds without having to “diet.” The truth is that as we get older, it’s harder to lose and maintain a healthy weight and dropping a lot of weight too quickly will send you back on a yo-yo trip. Going slowly by changing habits that don’t serve you will take more effort but the effects will be long-lasting.

picture of vegetables

At the local Farmer’s Market

Here are some guidelines or reminders to help you on your way to looking and feeling sensational:

  1. Eat when ONLY you’re hungry.
  2. Food is fuel, not therapy or a drug. Don’t use food as a drug or as a way to comfort yourself or to beat yourself up.
  3. Watch serving sizes and read the ingredients on prepared food.
  4. Eat what your body wants, not what your mind or emotions want. Your mind can rationalize reasons to have something that doesn’t serve you well. Pay attention to your body. It will tell you the truth. 
  5.  Eat slowly and until you’re satisfied and no more.
  6. Snacks are snacks, not meals!
  7. Eat what’s good for your body not what old habits lead you to.
  8. If you can shop at a Farmer’s Market, take advantage of the fresh fruits and veggies that are in season.
  9. Eat with enjoyment, attention and pleasure. If you take the pleasure away what’s the point?
  10. Experiment and have fun with different fruits and vegetables in main dishes, salads, soups and desserts.

Start today and you’ll be on the road to a healthier, more fabulous you!

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Why a Client Nearly Lost Her Pants

October 24, 2012 by 2 Comments

I was thrilled when a client told me she had put on a pair of pants she hadn’t worn for a couple of months and as she walked out the door, she noticed they were very loose. She took a few steps and they dropped about four inches and she had to quickly pull them up.

Why was I thrilled? Because she wants to improve her health and has been working very hard to lose weight. This story told me that the results are truly beginning to show…BIG time!

How has she done this?

Mainly by being aware of and slowly changing her eating habits.

I don’t believe that diets work because most weight-loss diets are too restrictive. Given this belief, we used a different to approach the problem; that is, we worked on changing beliefs, ideas and habits that result in unhealthy eating and an unhealthy body.

What I know to be true is that losing weight gained over a long time can’t be fixed in a few weeks! Yet I see women who don’t have the patience to stick with a program, especially when they have a few setbacks (and there WILL be setbacks) revert to fast fixes, a sure path to a downhill slide and even more weight gain.

Other dangerous times are when we hit that dreaded plateau and the scale doesn’t move. We can feel we’ve failed, the process isn’t working, and many simply give up.

If you’re thinking of losing a few or a lot of weight, here are some questions to ask yourself before starting a steady, lasting, weight-loss program.

  1. Why do I want to lose weight?
  2. What will losing that extra weight do for me?
  3. What will not losing the excess pounds do for me?

The most important of these questions is the “why.” If you want to lose weight and don’t know the “why,” then a commitment to the process will be fleeting and possibly a failure. This is the key to overcoming setbacks including the patience to work through the plateau.

With Halloween and the holiday season coming up, this is the time to decide how you want to look and feel during and after the holidays. Perhaps this is a good time to decide how you want to be at the start of the year. Remember, it starts with those little Halloween treats that look so tiny they couldn’t possibly harm you…you know the tempting little “bite size” Snickers, Milky Way and Baby Ruth kind.

Final thought: Love yourself no matter what your weight is. Love your body. It’s the only one you have.

How have you handled the holiday eating whirlwind? I’d love to hear from you.

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Bored? 5 Ways To Leave The Bored Room

June 5, 2011 by Leave a Comment

When life becomes boring, what do you do? When a job or task becomes boring, what do you do?

Boredom, and its close cousin, comfort, can be debilitating.

Where does boredom come from?

Many places. Lack of sleep, lack of goals, and absence of challenges, loneliness, maybe even a poor diet! I believe that the absence of challenges in your life will quickly turn into boredom, loneliness and low energy. It can also take on the mantle of depression.

We spend a lot of energy trying to get to a “comfortable” place. What drives us is the search for comfort is part of the human condition. We work all our lives to get there. When we feel successful at overcoming obstacles to get to a level of comfort, we forget that it’s the search that keeps the juices flowing whether we succeed or fail.

I’m not talking about physical comfort, such as climbing into your own bed after a hard day. What I’m addressing here is that boredom that leaves you saying, “Is that all there is?” or that feeling of “I hate what I’m doing,” or “I don’t have the energy to do this.” It’s that listlessness that we see in teens when their chief occupation is watching TV or texting. There is no real connection to another except for the electronic relationship. Personal connection with others is so very important in keeping boredom at bay.

The cocoon

It’s easy to settle into a cozy cocoon and stay there. I find myself slipping into that spot quite often. It’s nice. It feels good. If I stay in there too long I find myself gaining weight, looking awful and not moving very much. The parts of my body that are already going south take a fast trip to the bottom. To quote Alan Caruba, who once created a media spoof called The Boring Institute,  “Boredom is your mind demanding to be “fed”, “stimulated”, fulfilled in the same way the body must be fed and for the same reason we explore different foods as opposed to eating the same thing every day.”

So if you’re bored or your life has become boring, here are some suggestions based on what has helped me, of course.

What to do

  • Create a master list of all the things you want to do to and tackle them one at a time. Idle time is greatly overrated.
  • Start something new. Have you wanted to learn a foreign language, or learn pottery, or do some other craft?
  • Join a group where people have similar interests to yours, such as book groups, writers groups, artists gatherings, etc. Take a leadership role or become truly eng
  • If you have those boxes of pictures you haven’t opened for years, start with one box and start getting rid of duplicates, people you no longer remember, and divide them up to send to friends or relatives who might want them. Another option is to have them scanned into CD’s for easier storage.
  • Use your creative juices to turn a favorite, not so healthy recipe, into a healthy one.

The most important thing about all of this is to put your own self into it. If I’m doing something because I think it will please people, I do what I think they want and I’m left out of the loop. But that’s another article, and one I’m qualified to write because I’m a people-pleaser in recovery.

Till next time…be sensational!

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What to do When Time Flies?

May 29, 2011 by Leave a Comment
A young patriot salutes heroes at the 2009 Nat...

Young child celebrates Memorial Day

Does time fly by for you? As a child, I couldn’t understand what adults meant by this. To me, time was an endless waiting game…for school to be out, for school to start, for Christmas, for Halloween, etc.

Now it seems that life literally whizzes by.

Was it only a few days ago that my twin grandsons were born? Now they’re almost 14.  I had almost given up hope of ever having grandchildren when they were born. Then two years ago I was thrilled to welcome twin granddaughters.

Even though I only see the babies every six weeks or so, I’ve watched them grow through personal visits and through my daughter-in-law’s generous use of Flip Videos, those amazing short videos that get sent through the Internet.

Watching their antics through the videos, I wish they’d never change. On the other hand, each new exploration and sign of growth is a delight.

Was it Barney Google who used to say, “Time’s a wastin’?” Even though “time” is just a marker of activities and change, we often do waste what we do with it. We all need times of quiet, contemplation and just being with ourselves. But time’s-a-wastin’ when we don’t move out of our contemplative state, memories of the past and possible dread of changes in the future.

So tomorrow we celebrate Memorial Day, designated as a time for reflection and remembering those who contributed so much to our country. Memorial Day also marks the end of one season and the beginning of another.

That means another summer, another graduation, and another celebration. We start planning vacations, attending graduations and changing our wardrobes from warm clothes to lighter summer wear.

What can you do to end the spring season with joy and move into summer with excitement and anticipation of what the next season will bring?

It’s not the big things that eat away at our energy. We plan for the big things. It’s the little things that nag at our energy and that keep us stuck. Here are some thoughts on little things that seem insignificant but will give you more “time” to enjoy the summer.

  • If you didn’t do your “Spring Cleaning,” start the summer with a declutter project.
  • Clean out sock and underwear drawers, clean and store sweaters, heavy coats and scarves.
  • Take an inventory of your makeup drawers and bins. Mascara, eyeliner and toothbrushes should be replaced every three months.
  • Create or look up new menus and take advantage of all the wonderful summer vegetables now coming into season, such as this recipe for chicken with spring vegetables from the Food Network.
  • Resolve to make this a healthy summer full of fun and appreciation for the life we have been given.

Yes, “time” really does fly. As changes take place, it’s a perfect opportunity to stop, reflect and be grateful, so take the day to honor the men and women who served our country as well as loved ones who contributed to our joy or who gave us life.

Then…get ready to enjoy your time this summer!

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Do Anti-Aging Products Really Work?

May 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Have you noticed how many anti-aging products are on the market? Each “serum” or cream promises to restore youthful beauty. You’ve all heard those enticing commercials, “In only two weeks you’ll look 20 years younger…and “If you call today, you can have a free trial for only $19.95! and if you call immediately, we’ll double the offer.” What? Beauty and a Bargain? These ads are powerful and huge moneymakers.

Why? Because most women (and men too…but that’s a different story) want to retain the beauty they have enjoyed in younger days. Some products actually do provide quality; however, what to try is always the question, especially if you’re curious. They all tell us that we can drink from the fountain of youth (with shipping and handling, of course).

So, do anti-aging products really work? The answer is a big NO, if you want to look the way when you were 20 or 30. Some products do provide some comfort and probably some improvement in overall care…skin, hair, body, etc., and it may be what you want. A youthful appearance, however is in the energy and confidence you have in who you are.

I’ll admit I’ve ordered a few “bargains,” a couple of offers that I was really pleased with (and still order and would recommend) and a couple that I returned. If you really are intrigued with a product and you decide to order it, check out their return and cancellation policy, actual shipping charges and how to get product help.

The phrase, “anti-aging” is a strange phrase to me as it really tells you that aging is not a good thing. We will age and no matter what we do, we’ll still be as old as we are. How we think and what we do with our life as we age is what’s important to living a full, happy life.

In fact, that’s the reason I’ve created the Sensational You course, to show women around and over 60 that we can be fashionable, elegant and beautiful regardless of our age. We owe it to ourselves to feel and look great and to enjoy the age we are with beauty, charm and grace.

There will always be that everlasting admonition, “Don’t spend time on yourself. That’s selfish!”

Typically, most women spend very little time and money on themselves. As as result, that feeling of looking a bit dumpy or frumpy slowly creeps in and self-esteem and energy drop.

This is a prime time to celebrate that extra window of time that has been given to our generation. It can be a time to rejoice about the many choices we have and how much more easily we can get the information and training we want to take us to a more fulfilling level.

If you haven’t looked over the course outline for the Six-Week Sensational You course, why not do that now? This is the best time in your life to be all that you can be and to regain that confidence in yourself that you can only get when you know you look your best. Go here now or click on the Sensational You image on the right.

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At Age 60 Can You Really Look 40 Without Botox or Surgery?

November 17, 2010 by 6 Comments

At age 60, I believe you can look 40 by following a few simple rules. Even if the body isn’t cooperating the way we want, a youthful outlook can instantly melt away some of the ravages of aging. That means enjoying life, laughing, playing and loving a lot.

It’s never too late to have fun, to be kind, generous and adventurous. That’s the key to youthful aging.

So how can we look 10 to 20 years younger and look like the new 40?

It takes a HEAP of doing…Health, Energy, Attitude, Posture.

Health: There is so much information available today on health and beauty. Mostly that includes drugs, diets, exercise, liposuction, cosmetic surgery, etc. Yet the fundamentals of health are simple. Eat healthfully, exercise regularly, drink water, sleep seven to eight hours each night, don’t smoke, limit your drinking to a glass of wine per day, get regular dental, eye and medical checkups.

On which of these health fundamentals do you fall short? For me, it’s water, exercise and sleep, but none are extreme. So today, I will remember to drink more water and tonight I’ll go to bed early. How about you? What can you tweak to bring your health up a notch?

Energy: Without good health you will not have a lot of energy; however, there are other things that promote energy. Being with people who have a positive outlook on life, people who support you, and a loving family or partner will boost your energy.  Big time energy boosters are exercise for physical energy and doing something meaningful for emotional energy.

Can you let go of people who drain your energy? Where can you be of service or inspiration to someone?

Attitude: I’m a believer in appreciating our own talents sharing them with the world. What stops so many of us is fear…fear of aging, of rejection, of making a mistake, of being ignored. To think like a young person of 40 (while smugly appreciating the added 20 years of experience) is the secret to looking younger. They are not as afraid to share their knowledge and talents with the world. When you think young, you’ll be young.

What special talents can you share? What baggy, dowdy clothing can you pull out of your closet today? When you think young, you’re eager to share your talents with the world and you’ll look the part. It will seep into the way you wear clothing, makeup, and accessories that make you look young.

Posture: You won’t see many 40-year olds slouching and dragging their feet, unless they’re sick or hurt, of course! Slumping and slouching can make anyone look older than they are. Remember in grade school when we were told to walk around with a book on our head routine? It was designed to help us walk smoothly and to stand up straight. See if you can still do it!

When you stand tall and want to look youthful, those baggy clothes won’t help. What clothing that you feel dragged-down in can you get rid of today?

Each of these HEAP essentials are interlinked. Miss one, the link is broken, and it’s hard to look young. All of them are what make up a youthful persona.

If you go shopping today, look around and observe the younger women and the older women. How do they walk and what kind of energy do they exude? What makes them look younger?

As I sit here writing this article with a cookbook on my head, I pray it doesn’t drop on my keyboard….ooooooppppps!

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Four Quick Tips on Saving on Health and Dental Costs

August 12, 2010 by 3 Comments
Picture of heart

Keeping health care costs can be good for your health...and your heart!

I stumbled across this dental and health care quick tips article written by Ivan Penn, Times Staff Writer.   There are simple steps you can take that many consumers might overlook in saving on health and dental. Here are some suggestions from Martin Rosen and Abbie Leibowitz, authors of The Healthcare Survival Guide.
Read more on St. Petersburg Times

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Live, Love and Be Healthy

February 12, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Love is in the air! Why? It’s ‘s Valentine’s Day, of course, and we hear, “Send cards, send flowers, buy diamonds, send candy, etc.” Is love really a commodity we can buy once a year? I don’t think it has anything to do with what we buy. It has  to do with our intention to give something as a symbol of our caring for another.

Love is the one thing that’s guaranteed to come back to us multiplied. All we need to do is to give it away, keeping in mind that it starts with ourselves. We can’t give away something we don’t have.

In his book, How to Live 365 Days a Year, John Schindler, M.D., talks about the effects of our emotional state on our health. He lists the number one thing everyone needs to thrive is LOVE.

If this is what we need to thrive and survive, perhaps we need to start by loving ourselves. When you think about it, we are truly miracles of creation. There is no limit to what we can create, to what we can accomplish and what kind of legacy we can leave behind.

Can we really create a circle of love that will last through future generations? If so, how can we do this? This is even more important for seniors because part of aging gracefully is making every day count as a delightful memory, and with our many years of loving and being loved, we have a lot to give.

What if we were to put aside that part of our nature that likes to criticize, and replace criticism with appreciation. I have often found myself ready to find fault with poor service, a sullen waiter, or (horrors!) the way young children are being raised today. Then I remember that my Dad thought my children were extremely spoiled, and my grandmother and mother went to the mat on the way my mother was raising us. This attitude is not uncommon for senior women who have been there, done that, even if not as spectacularly as we would like to believe.

In celebration of St. Valentine’s Day, how about giving away Valentine gifts everywhere in the following ways:

  • Start with a Valentine for yourself. Look in the mirror and say, “I love you. Thank you for being me.”
  • Tell the grocery or store clerk that you appreciate the efficient way your order was or is being  handled.
  • If you’re at a restaurant, make eye contact with the waiter, smile and compliment something you like about him or her.
  • Tell your partner, spouse, friend how important they are to you.
  • For grandchildren? I find that compliments are always overshadowed by cookies.

You will find that you have not only made everyone feel good, you’ll get lots of smiles in return, and you will feel wonderful.

Happy Valentine‘s Day!

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