June 2009 Archives

Some people do well in gyms and health clubs, but most of my clients and readers do not.  Most people I know who have zealously joined gyms have gone for a few days and then stopped, wasting tons of money, and feeling guilty and ashamed for not having the willpower or resolve to keep it up.

That's why I recommend saving your money on gym memberships, and doing it yourself.  Here are some tips to get started in what I call re-creation:

-- Schedule 10 minutes a day to walk.  I find it's best to go in the morning.
-- Go for a daily walk.  Do your best to do this every day, and never miss.
-- Ask a friend to go with you.  Make it a time to connect and enjoy the outdoors together with someone.
-- If you are unable to walk, schedule 10 minutes of stretches or simple yoga, or chair stretches.

The mind is where the movement begins!  Make up your mind that doing 10 minutes a day is really simple, and that little amount of time is actually possible.  Everyone can make 10 minutes, or find 10 minutes.  If you tell yourself it's only 10 minutes, then you will get started.  It will not seem impossible or too hard.

Of course, as always, ask God to help you find the ten minutes! And bring God with you on the walk or stretches, saying "thank you God," with each step you take.

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Florence Serecka wrote a very inspiring comment awhile back, commenting on my blog, "Lose Weight with God."  It stuck with me, and stayed with me for a month now, and I want to share it with you.  I wanted to publish it sooner, but couldn't until now.  What Florence wrote fits well with my theme of Saving Money and Losing Weight this month - save money by working-out at home, instead of buying an expensive gym membership.

"For as long as a can remember I hated my arms, years of dieting and weight loss, the sagging arms were my demise.  So I thought until just recently.  I began looking at my blocks from happiness were all do to my low self esteem.  And I always knew that the good LORD made us in his image and I could, by the grace of GOD only work on my arms as well as my self esteem.  I have been doing simple dips now on my kitchen chairs and I wear short sleeves (sometimes) now.  I work up to 50 a day and I see the difference.  Wow!  If we could only see ourselves as GOD sees us.  By the way i am 54 years old.  I look and feel great, and also no more sitting on my rump and waiting for it to go away.  The mind tells the body what to do, not the other way around.  GOD bless you all in your struggles.  May they be LITE ONES."

God bless YOU Florence, and everyone here, and in the effort to find God and receive His help in being healthy and happy.

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I understand how it feels when you're not at your best. Perhaps you feel flawed, unworthy, or hopeless. Maybe you feel sick, drained of energy, listless, or depressed. Or is it that you just feel so fat and ugly, and there's so much weight to lose you don't know where to start?

It may sound strange, but I believe, from experience, that we are supposed to make mistakes, fall off the wagon, and blow it from time to time. That's how we learn to do something different. By falling, we learn to get up. By not knowing answers, we look for truth. By eating too much, we feel sick and eat less next time. By feeling sick, we seek a remedy. By feeling out-of-shape, weak, and in chronic physical pain we realize the need to move every day. By losing touch with God, we reach out for something more.

I think the worst mistake of all is when I feel unimportant and unloved. I've lived through the lowest lows of self-esteem and I know if God didn't think I was important, I wouldn't be here. If I was not supposed to live, I wouldn't have awakened alive again today.

My Creator loves me, and cares for me. That's evident because I am a part of nature; I belong. The same is true for you, too, dear friend. It's evident that you are supposed to be here, and that you are loved and cared for by your creator. If you were not, surely you would not be alive again today, reading this.

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A lot of readers have been asking why the lost weight comes back, despite diligent efforts.  While I cannot answer everybody's specific problems, and it would be inappropriate for me to do that, I do often try to generally address questions that are on a lot of people's minds (and bodies).  First - speak to you medical doctor or health care practitioner, making sure that the weight problem isn't caused by some other medical or emotional condition.

Why does the weight come back?

After changing eating and activity habits to lose weight, a lot of people just revert back to old ways and expect to keep the excess weight off. They stop eating consciously, and begin to stuff themselves at every opportunity. Or they give up being active. Unbelievable, right?

If you want to be thinner for the rest of your life, make simpler, tolerable changes you can live with for the rest of your life. Then make those changes permanent.

The key, though, is to adopt changes that you CAN live with, and actually enjoy. So many people today try to go on extreme, heroic diets - expecting to quickly solve their weight problems. The only method that works is eating in moderation, being active, and having a full life, which includes a spiritual component.

Also, many people fall into the trap of over-exercising, causing their appetite to increase and possibly changing their metabolism in ways that are not so healthy.  Some people do not eat in balance, consuming too much of one food or type of food, again causing their body to adapt in ways that keep the weight a problem.  Consult your physician or healthcare provider.

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I'm shocked and saddened this morning over our friend, MIchael Jackson's death.  I'm also happy for him that he is now with his maker, after such a wild life of extremes.

There's an infinite amount being said and written about him, so I'll be short and succinct.

I loved his music, he entertained me, moved me, made me laugh and cry.  I repeatedly enjoyed his monumental genius and talent.

Michael Jackson was also a role model of what not to do in life.  I consistently learned not to reach for fame as the way to happiness, because it never delivers.  He exemplified excess, having so much wealth and stardom, yet never being fully satisfied because money and status cannot ever fulfill.  In the end, he was depending way, way too much on medications, money, stardom, and the advisers, promoters and producers swarming around him.  Yet, in his vain and futile attempts, he taught us not to depend on people alone, because we're limited, but to love them. 

Love others, care for one another -- that was his true deepest message.

I know he was a lover of God, too.  You can hear it in his music and in his joyous moments.  I pray that God has mercy on him, and hope that his soul is with God in heaven.

What did you think and feel about Michael Jackson?  I'd love to know.  What did you learn from him?  Please tell me.

A couple of our readers shared their love of cooking fish for us. Merk, shared two recipes for fish last month.  These look great.  See if you like them.Blackened Tilapia INGREDIENTS: 4-6 Tilapia Filets2 Tbsp paprika 2 tsp salt 2...

One of the simplest ways to save money on food is to eliminate impulse buying of foods you don't need or aren't good for you.  The way to only buy what you need is to take a little time to...

A way to quickly save money is to immediately end the bottled water habit.  This will help with the budget, and also help save the earth - it's a totally "green" way to go.Plastic bottles are expensive.  Eliminating a daily...

Here's another idea to add to this month's collection of ideas and ways to save and lose weight at the same time.  Today I want to suggest a healthy cooking party!Invite a few friends over, say 3 or 4, and...

Sonya A. said it all, "For the majority of my life I "chose" to imprison myself with food, low self-esteem and weight issues, it was not until recently with a much renewed connection to All Mighty God that I am...

At any moment, it's easy to be tempted to fall back into old overeating habits. Try some brand new habits instead.   Instead of more expensive meats, junk food, snacks and prepared or packaged foods, eat more vegetables and fruits.If you...

The way I lost weight (160 pounds) and kept it off (over 16 years now) was to learn to eat ordinary food (not diet food), in smaller quantities. I also learned to be sure to combine protein, grains, and either...

A way to save a lot of money and lose weight, is to buy generic, or store-name foods.  Often, the same manufacturer or packager makes all the food, but puts different labels on it.  Same products, different labels.You are not...

Preparing and cooking your own food can save lots of money, and it's better for your health, too.Avoiding fast food restaurants will save cash and calories.  Limiting your purchase of prepared, frozen, and packaged meals also cuts a lot in...

If you want to lose weight, eat healthier food and use your body.  Don't bother buying expensive vitamins or "appetite suppressants," or magic weight loss pills or formulas - I don't think they work.  Some are harmful.  Read what I...

This is strange, but true.  The more you eat, the more you want, the more you end-up eating!Why do you think they call them "appetizers?"  Extra food sparks your appetite.  They make you have an increased "appetite" or make you...

Not long ago I wrote about how to "Lose Weight with God."  It's my favorite topic! God, that is, not just weight loss!   Here's the article: click here.Marie wrote an absolutely beautiful comment awhile back,"I have battled weight all my...

If you always need or want something more than what you have, or worry or obsess about food and dieting--consider giving to others, and less about yourself.  Take the monetary and financial aspects out of the picture. Here are some...

Having trouble staying with a healthy food plan? Tempted by foods you want to binge on? Losing control over snack foods or desserts? Get away from them. Don't buy them, and you'll save a lot of money. Don't stock them...

This recipe for yummy bean dip is a real find!  I think you'll love it, at least I do and so do my family and friends.  It's so easy, it's amazing, it's also incredibly easy on the pocketbook.1 can black...

Here's a quick tip to eat less, save calories and save money.  Use meat just for flavoring.Many cultures and cuisines feature meat in very small quantities.  This is particularly true of Asian foods.  Consisting of mostly vegetables and a little...

Yes, it is possible to eat out at a restaurant and save money (and calories too).  The trick is to only order one thing - an entree.Skip the appetizer; they are often expensive, too big, and have lots of calories.Skip...

Eating more whole grains and bran helps you feel more full from less food and less money.  Baking your own bran muffins is a great example.  It doesn't take long, it's easy, and gives your digestive system a helpful, healthy...

Awhile back I wrote about cutting portion sizes as a way to save, and a way to lose weight without dieting.  It's a method that really works!  All you do is have half the size portion of what you would...

Instead of always needing or wanting something, or worrying or obsessing about food and dieting--concentrate on giving gifts to others. Here are some ideas for "getting outside of yourself."  --  Give someone an hour of your time.--  Help a friend...

I frequently write about my recommendation for eating 3 meals and 3 snacks per day. If you have a little, you're less hungry, and that can save money and calories.  In other words, instead of the classic 3 (big) meals...

Yes, it's great to want to be as pure and healthy as possible by buying and eating organic foods.  But if you're trying to lose weight and save money and like me, I can't really afford to go organic.My wife...

Do you really save money buying food and supplies in large quantities?  The answer is yes.  There is a difference in places to buy food in bulk, though, so do your homework.  Basically, when it comes to savings there are...

Many of my clients have told me that they go to fast food restaurants fairly often.  One person I am working with says she goes everyday after work and has a couple of burgers (make that 4).  She also told...

I have a surprise for YOU!  This entire month, I will be offering you ways to save money and lose weight at the same time.  I'll offer new recipes for cooking healthy, low-cost meals and snacks; ideas for filling yourself...

Melinda wrote awhile back, "I keep a daily log of my food intake & activities. I love doing this because I get to see EXACTLY what I am eating. It also forces me to THINK - BEFORE I eat (which...