Let’s talk turkey about these options other than eating right and exercising. This particular “new option,” The Stomach Pacemaker, sends eletrical pulses that gently stimulate your stomach and tell it it is full after eating only a small amount of food. How does this sound to me? Hunky dory.. If it seems like you would be comfortable trying it, great!  Try one, try them all! All I ask is that you choose your alternative option in a way that works in your lifestyle, for you and your family, and your work. It isn’t smart to ruin one part of your life to fix another.

I don’t believe that we are weak and somehow bad because we have a weakness in one area of our lives. And I think finding the answer to your weight loss issues make you strong. So if you have struggled for too long trying to lose naturally, go the alternative route. Just do your research, choose carefully, and go for it.

Being overweight is a constant drain on joyful living, and it’s unhealthy. So if you need to put in a lap band for a while, so what. The side effect of not trying is continued disintegration of your body and, in my not-so-humble opinion, your mind. Being fat is low-level torture, day in and day out.

I for one, wanted it out of my way. I didn’t choose gastric bypass but maybe you should. Ask your doctor. Today!

If hypnosis puts you in the proper state of mind, schedule it regularly (like you get your nails done!).

Just do “SOMETHING.” Try everything until you get where you want to be. I’m always experimenting with new stuff to keep my “WEAKNESS” under control. This is a way of life. Every single person has an area where they just can’t be strong. EVERYONE. Some are just really good at hiding it. We, as overweight people, cannot hide our weakness. Gamblers hide their weakness. Adulterers hide theirs. What if your weakness was wealth and power? Bernie Madoff successfully hid that weakness for decades. Personally, I’d chose a plate of nachos over destroying so many people’s lives.

Remember, Every Ounce Counts

Fable

In Kim Kardashian’s recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar, the reality TV star said, “I’m on a diet. I need to be. I love to eat — Kit Kats or cookies-and-cream ice cream. I need sugar, like, five times a day.”

Apparently, Kim says the bad habits kicked in while she was filming “Kourtney & Kim Take New York City.” Kardashian admits she can hardly pass up the street vendors and junk food.

She explained, “I worked out once. I gained, like, 10 pounds. All the papers were like, ‘Kim’s pregnant!’ I ate the nuts on the street corner, the hot dogs, the street meat. It was not a joke.”

Do you think she needs to be on a diet? Is this another example of outrageous obsession?

James Duigan has been Elle Macpherson’s personal trainer for the last 15 years and he’s recently revealed the secrets behind her enviable figure. He believes that the first step to weight loss is a strong commitment to a healthy lifestyle.

Duigan offers these tips to lose weight and stick to your diet:

*Make the commitment! Find the determination to make changes to your eating habits and, most importantly, to stick to your diet.

*Eat clean and lean – eliminate processed foods from your diet.

*You need to eat lean and clean. Once you get that right, everything else will fall into place.

*Cut out wheat and sugar. Eating processed, low-fat food and drinking diet coke does not mean you’re on a diet.

“It’s not fat that makes you fat, it’s sugar.”

Duigan doesn’t believe in diets that make you count calories, measure portions or ban certain foods. He thinks these types of diets are a waste of time and a solution to lose weight, but only for a short period of time.

*Find the exercise that works best for you. Not everybody can do certain exercises so it’s better to experiment and find those exercises that fit you.

His last tip is to stretch before bed, it’ll help you get a flat tummy.

Duigan is a real believer in these tips, saying that if these are followed properly, anyone can get to have a fit body in about a month.

And trust me- they believe that EVERY OUNCE COUNTS.

Do you find Duigan’s advice do-able? Believable?
Can you find a way to incorporate these ideas into your lifestyle?

When I was very overweight I used my love of fashion and vanity to dress and do my hair and makeup so that people could see past my physical faults and see ME. It worked like a charm. And I will tell you that on the days where I was just getting by and didn’t primp and style my look, I was treated differently, by others and myself. And food is ever-present in our minds when our self esteem is taking a hit.

So, to list all your wishes for your appearance, and begin the process of physically self-loving you is where your priority must be.

I have an upcoming event with my work associates and I’m now tackling a body issue that has plagued me for decades. Will I conquer this? I don’t know yet, but I chose it from my physical wish list and I’m giving it the full court press. I’m able to focus in certain areas of my world extremely well, so now I will focus on this.

All I know is, when I present myself well in the world I lose my desire to overeat. The compliments I receive are fuel for my motivation to lose more weight and increase my health, and primp even more. And there is a mentoring effect that this gives off. Those who have watched me struggle, or I have shared my story with, feel free to ask me how they can look better. Which in turn gives them the “MOJO” to watch what they eat and even exercise.

Is vanity now a force for good? I say yes. Use every weapon in your arsenal, and always be acquiring newer weapons. Like a new dress, add one new exercise into your routine that works on something from your physical wish list. Do you get the point? YOU are a project… Play and tweak and experiment with YOU!

Tell us how you have used vanity to your advantage. Share with us what has worked and what you struggled with.

Remember- Every Ounce Counts!

Fable

So doing what I ask you all to do, I tuned into my body- where was it feeling good and where would it like attention. As I have said before, I have created a routine of incorporating small physical stretches and movements into my morning pattern. Like rolling my shoulders to loosen them up while the coffee is brewing. I do this to start my day- thinking and feeling as positive as possible about my body. I’m IN TUNE with it.

I already have a very positive attitude about how I will eat today and have sort of honored where my body is and know how to care for it. I’m excited to go move around in it and see where I can strengthen it today at the gym.

This week’s focus during my workouts is six 30-min workouts- 20 mins cardio, 10 mins heavy weight lifting. Now, I can stay longer but I am only asking myself to show up, get in and out in 30 mins. The reason is I feel a lot of pressure to get so much done , and yet I want to get in BETTER shape. So I’ll try this this week.

So, go out in the world today and get IN TUNE  with your surroundings. Don’t judge anything until you see what’s really going on and then turn that focus on your body. Feel what’s happening inside. Let it talk to you, then listen and respond.

Every Ounce Counts

Fable

Can’t we teach in school that it is okay, and expected, that we will have areas in our lives that we SUCK AT. And then teach us the warning sign,s and then show us where in our phone to put our therapist on speed dial. Yes I’m being dramatic, but I think it hits fairly close to home, right? Humility and self awareness are great partners. And every time we openly acknowledge our shortcomings, we let those around us breathe a sigh of “oh thank God, I’m not the only one.”

Just get off your own back, stop thinking you’re going to be strong enough to overcome every weakness on your own, and get some help SOLVING AND ELIMINATING PROBLEMS!!

Whew!!!! what a rant.

And remember…Every Ounce Counts!

Do you have an exercise guru – someone who has inspired you to jog in the morning, or whose healthy lifestyle has led you to follow suit? Maybe  you should be the guru in your own small world , in your village so to speak.

Remember, Every Ounce Counts
Fable

Well, as I have evolved in my weight management, I realize that most of my RULES are STUPID. I’m now having a ball just changing everything. I’ll try to eat almost anything, to challenge and see if I really don’t like it or was it just bad that one time I tried it before. And if it’s healthy for me, can I work it in my diet in a sneaky way so I won’t actually have to CHEW it! Whatever it takes by the end of this year I will be eating more exciting food and be thinner and healthier because I have embraced not just change, but  ”CONSTANT CHANGE .”

I have only had FUN doing this, probably because I was asking for the changes, not someone else. But I am having fun. And I have to eat gluten-free so I have some limitations, but not as many as you would think. So change your food today, and tomorrow, and the next day. Don’t be afraid to order new stuff. I promise the restaurant has something else if you hate it, and the supermarket won’t run out if you need to toss something.

Tell me what YOU changed, and how it made you feel. It’s scary at first, but soon you’ll learn to look forward to it.

Every Ounce Counts,

Fable

Not every woman wants to be noticed. Raven said that when she was heavier, people looked at her for her. Now she’s stared at because she is hot. It’s no longer about her, now it’s about her body.

Many women are beautiful and sexy, naturally. But they don’t want attention for those reasons. We all want to be valued for our hearts and minds first.

Maybe this is a good time to go to our on-line diary and list what is valuable about you, and what characteristics you wish to enhance in yourself.

1. Drink 6-8 oz. of water before every meal.

2. No alcohol issues? Drink half a glass of wine BEFORE dinner.

3. In the morning, use vitamins and healthy supplements to keep your energy as high as possible.

4. Eat a low-sugar, low-cal cookie or slice of bread before a meal.

5. Do 30 minutes of cardio as soon as you wake up- those endorphins will keep you jacked up all day.

Remember, Every Ounce Counts.

Fable