April 2009 Archives

Dramatically Increase Your Ability to Survive Swine Flu
Avoid airplanes, subways, confined spaces and BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM!!!

Imagine that your immune system is your own personal army. Your troops guard against attacks from 'alien' forces, and they defend against invaders. If we ignore, abandon or mistreat this system, it weakens.

However, when we take care of our personal army, when we keep the troops happy, energized, and performing at their peak, we can boost our immune system and our chances of staying healthy are increased dramatically.

How to Defend Against Swine Flu and Boost Your Immune System

1. SLEEP DEPRIVED NATION - The body rejuvenates and strengthens itself when it is at rest. For the most part, we require approximately 8 to 10 hours per night. Sleep has been linked to balanced hormone levels (including human growth hormone and the stress hormone, cortisol). The right amount of sleep can help to keep weight down, clear thinking and reasoning, improved mood, and vibrant, healthy skin.

Specifically with regard to our immune system, a study published in the journal Seminars in Clinicial Neuropsychiatry indicates that "significant detrimental effects of immune functioning can be seen after a few days of total sleep deprivation or even several days of just partial sleep deprivation." Get your zzz's!

2. WATER, WATER, WATER - Staying hydrated can alleviate headaches, alleviate depression, hydrate skin - keep you youthful and happy! AND ... Water flushes the body of toxins! You should be drinking daily, your body weight in pounds, divided by two = number of ounces of water per day.

3. ELIMINATE REFINED WHITE SUGAR. If you really want to boost your immune system, experts suggest that you eliminate sugar. Your energy levels will improve, your weight distribution will change, you will think more clearly, have less cravings, and your immune system will be strengthen ... dramatically!

4. FILL UP YOUR PLATE (and YOU) with Fruits and Veggies! The nutritional value that you receive from raw fruits and vegetables is unparalleled. Their vitamins (with an emphasis on Vitamins A and C), phyto-chemicals that give fruits and veggies their color and antioxidants protect cells against environmental toxins and give your immune function a real big boost!

5. TEA TIME. Green tea is a rich source of a type of antioxidant called a catechin. Preliminary research has found that a specific catechin called epigallocatechin gallate (egcg), may give the beverage antigen-fighting abilities. In other words, it may well boost your immune system.

6. INGEST FRIENDLY BACTERIA. Foods that contain probiotics, bacteria that stimulate immunity cells in the gastrointestinal tract, are found in yogurt or kefir drink. One drink per day may well keep infections away! Make sure that you look for yogurt (or kefir) that contains 'live active cultures.'

7. STRESS-LESS. Our bodies respond to our emotions, to stress and upset, to feeling anxious or harassed and can manifest a cold, sore throat or more. Do create a space within yourself, within your physical environment (home or office) in which you can relax, calm down, take in a deep breath and let it go.

8. SHAKE IT! Exercise makes our body stronger, it increases the circulation of blood and nutrients, and it helps flush the body of toxins.

More Immune Boosting Info:
Swine Flu: Avoid It Like the Plague
Will the Flu Kill You?
Failure Is NOT An Option!

Spread the 'flu-fightin' word ... NOT the icing!
Janice

Our Lady of Weight Loss En"LIGHT"ens @ Omega Institute for Holistic Studies
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Follow Janice on Twitter:
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Janice Taylor is a Life & Wellness Coach, specializing in weight loss, reinvention, transformation & happiness, author, seminar leader and 50-pound-BIG-Time-LOSER! Write Janice for an Introductory Coaching Session.

For more motivation and inspiration, join the Kick in the Tush Club: Beliefnet Chapter.

Pick up a copy of Janice's latest: All Is Forgiven, Move ON ~ Our Lady of Weight Loss's 101 Fat-Burning Steps on Your Journey to Sveltesville!

"Janice Taylor is a certain kind of kooky genius ~ see if her idiosyncratic diet plan will work for you." ~ O, The Oprah Magazine

about Janice

How Can I Lose Weight???!!?
I received an email from a reader enquiring, "Can you give me some pointers on weight loss?"

To which I replied, "might you please be more specific?" After all, I could write volumes on the topic, from top to bottom and bottom to top, which I have (two fabulous books thus far, in fact, chock a block with vital, useful and fun - yes FUN - weight loss information!).

More information poured forth from said reader, "What SHOULD a person do to lose weight? ... One who has high blood pressure and diabetes? I know that I SHOULD eat less and exercise more. But I CAN'T seem to make myself do all that. I might not be TRYING hard enough. What SHOULD I do?"

My philosophy about weight loss is that the food plan is a part of the equation, because one can NOT lose food without a solid, healthy food plan, BUT it is only a part of the equation! What carries you forward into your compelling future, what keeps you motivated, what turns weight loss into permanent fat removal (ahhhh, chew on that for a moment before you move on) is your mind-set, your belief systems, which start with the words that we use.

STOP TRYING!!!
As Yoda from star wars says, "Do or do not ... there is no try." Every time you say that you are 'trying' to do something, you are essentially making certain that you have a way out. There's no commitment in 'trying.' How many times have you said, "I'll try to make it to your party." -or- "I'll try to stop by." Did you? So, please. just DO. DO eat healthy, DO move and shake thy booty.

STOP SHOULDING ON YOURSELF!!
Nobody likes to hear "You SHOULD" ..."You MUST" ... "You HAVE to." And yet ... we are constantly telling ourselves what to do. These words imply obligation. You agree that you 'should,' but you don't 'want to.' So, if you do what you 'should do,' resentment bubbles up, and if you don't do what you 'should' do, you feel guilty, bad, feelings of failure surface. Work on your WANT POWER muscle; move toward 'want' and away from 'should!' Let go of the should, the guilt, the negative thoughts and move toward being excited that you are creating a new and wonderful life. What do you WANT to do?

YES, YOU CAN
If you tell yourself that you can NOT do something; then you cannot. If you tell yourself that YOU CAN, then you can. Start by acknowledging your thought and begin to turn it around by saying, "It's not that I can't; it's that I just don't know how." Yes, you can lose weight, and yes you can figure out how. Get it?

If you TRULY want to Get UNSTUCK, then read these articles, ingest every morsel and THINK about your mindset!
Stay Fat Strategy
The Laws of Unattraction
What are YOU Putting Up With, Stomaching, Tolerating?

Spread the ultimate fat-fighting word ... NOT the icing!
Janice

Our Lady of Weight Loss En"LIGHT"ens @ Omega Institute for Holistic Studies
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Follow Janice on Twitter:
Facebook!

Janice Taylor is a Life & Wellness Coach, specializing in weight loss, reinvention, transformation & happiness, author, seminar leader and 50-pound-BIG-Time-LOSER! Write Janice for an Introductory Coaching Session.

For more motivation and inspiration, join the Kick in the Tush Club: Beliefnet Chapter.

Pick up a copy of Janice's latest: All Is Forgiven, Move ON ~ Our Lady of Weight Loss's 101 Fat-Burning Steps on Your Journey to Sveltesville!

"Janice Taylor is a certain kind of kooky genius ~ see if her idiosyncratic diet plan will work for you." ~ O, The Oprah Magazine

about Janice

Is Oprah not the best and most master hypnotist ever?

This Beliefnet blogger and reporter is coming to you 'live' from Kripalu Yoga & Health where I am leading the most remarkable and enlightening workshop ever (No doubt about it! Testimony to follow at the end of the week!), entitled "Into the LITE:" The Hypnosis Diet for Health, Wellness & Weight Loss; wherein we have explored the possibility that Oprah is, indeed, hypnotizing us!

While discussing the in's and out's of hypnosis, the how of it and the various types of hypnosis, I'd sited Oprah as an excellent example of someone who uses 'direct' hypnosis (vs. a more permission based, indirect style) very effectively. An example of 'indirect' hypnosis is: "As you become more and more comfortable, you might consider ... " vs. the direct route: "You will."

Think about it ... Is Oprah not the best and most master hypnotist ever? After all, when Oprah says, "This book will change your life. Buy it!" you do!

One of the participants in this workshop thought that Suzie Orman might also possess some of these same hypnotic talents. She looks at the screen, points directly at you and bellows out, "My newest book is my BEST yet. Buy it!" And you do.

Having said that, there's nothing wrong with what they are doing. Their intent is to help you, as they are 'selling' genuine, authentic and high quality goods. Further, I seriously doubt they would say that they are hypnotizing you (but they are embedding commands, are they not?).

We all agreed, as we veered off the weight loss charts, straight into financial matters. Said participant then offered a Suzie anecdote, "When a caller dialed into her show inquiring whether or not they should buy a big ticket item even though they were in debt," Suzie said in her strong, persuasive and hypnotic tone, "Can you afford it?"

How is it, I wondered aloud (skillfully bringing us back to weight loss) that we have no problem asking ourselves when shopping for big ticket items or small ticket items, "Can I afford this?" Particularly in these 'tight' (like my prom dress from the '70s) times, we exercise our 'say no to spending' muscles and say, "No. And I'll hold off on spending!"

What stops you from asking this question when it comes to food? When you consider the serious ramifications of overeating; from self-loathing to heart disease and diabetes, I am now pointing my finger at you and roaring! (Can you hear me roar???) CAN YOU AFFORD IT? Well, can you?

The next time you reach for the brownie, the donut, the extra serving of fries, remember to as yourself "Can I afford this?" And if the answer is "no," back off buddy and let it go! Say "No!" with conviction. Feel it. Remind yourself of the consequences. Imagine that YOU have the same amount of influence over YOU that Oprah or Suzie have.

Thirsting for more Oprah and Health?
Our Lady of Weight Loss En"LIGHT"ens @ Omega Holistic Institute (FYI, Oprah LOVES Omega!)
Bob Greene: I have 5 Fat-Burning Questions for YOU!
Star Jones: Depressed, Addicted and Honest

Spread the hypnotic word ... NOT the icing!
Janice
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Follow Janice on Twitter:
Facebook!

Janice Taylor is a Life & Wellness Coach, specializing in weight loss, reinvention, transformation & happiness, author, seminar leader and 50-pound-BIG-Time-LOSER! Write Janice for an Introductory Coaching Session.

For more motivation and inspiration, join the Kick in the Tush Club: Beliefnet Chapter.

Pick up a copy of Janice's latest: All Is Forgiven, Move ON ~ Our Lady of Weight Loss's 101 Fat-Burning Steps on Your Journey to Sveltesville!

"Janice Taylor is a certain kind of kooky genius ~ see if her idiosyncratic diet plan will work for you." ~ O, The Oprah Magazine

about Janice

A sneeze zooms out of your mouth at over 100 m.p.h. and then 'it' LANDS with a thud on door knobs, hand railings, elevator buttons, grocery carts, telephones ... on anything and everything that you mindlessly and automatically touch on through the day, several times a day!!!

Now, I don't mean to breathe or sneeze disaster in the air, or into your mind, but the swine flu has health officials concerned. At last count (so the numbers may being changing as I bang away on my keyboard that thankfully no one other than self has sneezed on), the Swine Flu has infected at least 20 Americans in five states, killed 80 people in Mexico and as traveled as far away as New Zealand.

The Swine Flu has been declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a "public health emergency." And as of this moment (hoping that this news will change), the CDC (Center for Disease Control) says that it cannot be contained or controlled.

WHAT TO DO IN THE FACE (or in the sneeze) OF SWINE FLU?

1. Wash Your Hands and Wash Them AGAIN!! And again. ... This may sound like a 'duh' moment (vs. an aHa moment), but sanitizing your hands if your best defense! Be sure to use soap and wash for 30 seconds!! No quickies. According to the CDC approximately 80 percent of all infections are spread by hands! If a sink and soap are not readily available, toss a handful of hand-sanitizers that with 60 percent alcohol content.

2. Steer Clear of Crowds - If you don't have to be in the mix of large groups, simply don't. It's a numbers of game, and you are less likely to catch something if less people are sneezing on or around you! If you absolutely must, seriously consider wearing a surgical or dental facemask. They are not foolproof, but helpful. AND if you feel it's not a great fashion statement, simply draw something clever and colorful on it before wearing. Coordinate with your outfits. Okay, I'm half kidding, but if you can't laugh, you're really sunk! Truly, no point to getting depressed and adding to the problem!

3. Treatment (not foolproof, but hopeful) - Swine Flu symptoms are much like the regular flu: fever, body aches, sore throat, cough, runny nose, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. If you do not feel well, for goodness sake, go see a doctor. I know that the tendency is to wait and see if 'it' goes away, but this 'it' may be deadly!

4. Knowledge Equals Health - The swine flu is resistant to two of four antiviral drugs approved for combating the flu: Symmetrel and Flumadine. But two newer antivirals - Tamiflu and Relenza - appear to work. So, go armed to your doctor with this information; just in case your doctor has a case of the Swine Flu him/herself and can't remember!!! Ultimately, YOU are in charge of your health.

Have a good day!!!! (No, seriously, I mean it!) Be in the moment and enjoy life!

More 'Enjoyable' Links:
Scientists Say: Obesity Causes Global Warming
Dr. Laura: Mean-Spirited; Anti-Fat
Starve a Fever? Feed a Cold?
What is the FLU? Will it KILL YOU???

Spread the healthy word ... NOT the icing!
Janice

Serious information/source of this article is Ben Sherwood.
I am merely lightening the landscape and helping to spread the healthy word.
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Follow Janice on Twitter:
Facebook!

Janice Taylor is a Life & Wellness Coach, specializing in weight loss, reinvention, transformation & happiness, author, seminar leader and 50-pound-BIG-Time-LOSER! Write Janice for an Introductory Coaching Session.

For more motivation and inspiration, join the Kick in the Tush Club: Beliefnet Chapter.

Pick up a copy of Janice's latest: All Is Forgiven, Move ON ~ Our Lady of Weight Loss's 101 Fat-Burning Steps on Your Journey to Sveltesville!

"Janice Taylor is a certain kind of kooky genius ~ see if her idiosyncratic diet plan will work for you." ~ O, The Oprah Magazine

about Janice

Chewing the Fat: Susan K. Perry, Ph.D., Creating In Flow blogger for Psychology Today and Janice Taylor, author, blogger, weight loss coach dish the dirt, chew the fat, and talk 'creative weight loss.'!

THE INTERVIEW: Get Creative, Lose Weight, Find Flow & Happiness

At first, I couldn't find the connection. Janice Taylor, a friend and fellow blogger, specializes in helping people lose weight. She also does crafts. After a few brief conversations with her, I got it: she's found a route to a productive happy life because she no longer feels the need to torment herself about weight. And she no longer has a weight problem because she found that doing creative stuff pulls her into flow and away from the nibbles. She's funny, too. I mean, sexy vegetables? ...

Taylor and I recently went back and forth via e-mail. The results reminded me, yet again, of how flow can change a life. Taylor is a Life & Wellness Coach, a seminar leader specializing in reinvention, transformation and weight loss, and the author of Our Lady of Weight Loss, and All is Forgiven, Move On. Here's how our conversation went:

Q: Janice, your big thing (no pun intended) is weight loss. You've said you learned to craft, to be creative, rather than mindlessly eating. How does that work in reality? Is it mainly that you always have some not-overly-demanding projects that you can turn too when you feel like nibbling?

A: On my fattest day ever, I rolled myself out of bed and made my way over to one of those weight loss centers where people obsess about food and weight. I stood on line, weighed-in, and it was my highest number ever. And then joined the rest of the folk for the lecture part of the meeting. I felt completely defeated, depressed and deprived before I'd even begun, and I thought, "I'm never going to make it." That's when I heard 'the voice,' which later I learned was Our Lady of Weight Loss.

"If you think you're never going to make it, you never will," the voice told me. "You're an artist. Turn weight loss into an art project." My attention shifted back to the meeting. Sheila was talking about 'juicy red peppers.' And in that moment, I did a complete 180. I got happy and excited and decided that I would use the meetings as inspiration. I would collage sexy vegetables. And I did. One after the other, I made art about food instead of eating it.

It was clear to me that our actions follow our thoughts. And we create what we focus on. Rather than obsess about food, I decided that I would eat healthfully and make art. My focus was on cutting and pasting! And let me tell you: it is difficult to eat when you have glue and glitter on your hands.

Q: Flow, of course, as I discussed in my first post at this blog is not a means to an end, but a lovely by-product with benefits of its own. So Janice, which of your activities really gets you into flow, where you lose track of time?

A: I can readily get into an "Elmer's Glue Flow." Any time I am working on any kind of art, I go into flow, into a trance state. Time disappears. I am so involved in color, composition, in the intuitive process that the chattering mind and time fall away.

Self-hypnosis has been a big part of my process, as well. I close my eyes, follow my breath. And I float way up high, imagining/feeling that I am rising above thought. If a thought comes, I see it unfold below me, separate from me. Again time and space are separate from me.

Q: If you were to gain back those 50 pounds, what would you be willing to trade? Would you take them back for a bestselling book, a great husband, peace on earth, a guaranteed no-illness future? (I know you'll understand how a silly question like this sometimes brings forth unexpected insights.)

Those pounds can visit, but they can't move back in! Every once in a while the scale spikes three or so pounds, and then I lose it fast. I don't think of the pounds lost as making me happy. I think of this way of living as a healthy framework from which I can create my life.

Now, I am assuming that you mean that I would have to gain those 50 back and keep them, yes? I would do anything to keep my children safe and healthy and happy. And my husband, too. World peace. Okay. But everyone would have to sign an air-tight agreement, no loop holes to wreck it. (I don't trust it. What guarantees can you give me?)

Bottom line: I don't think the weight off is the prize. The prize is that I'm not beating myself up each and every night. The prize is that I took control of my life, and food was the first and surprisingly easiest place to do that.

Q: How do you integrate exercise and healthfulness into a lifestyle that is mainly about sitting still, writing, doing therapy, and making stuff?

A: I love to walk. Walking is a creative act of weight loss. My mind clears; it feels good. The endorphins rush in. I am in a flow state at times when I'm listening to music and walking. I can get very high, too. Wow. Better than any drug. I live 10 blocks from the northern end of Central Park, so I'm a frequent visitor of the Conservancy Gardens. You can go into flow sitting on a park bench, with the sun shining and the flowers blooming.

For more Susan K. Perry, Creating In Flow, Psychology Today

Creative Links that Stretch the Mind:
6 Ways to Flow with Bo: Learn About Creativity and Joy from the First Puppy (by Susan K. Perry & Janice Taylor)
Creative Words to Chew On = Weight Loss
Six Thinking Hats!

Spread the word ... NOT the icing!
Janice
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Follow Janice on Twitter:
Facebook!

Janice Taylor is a Life & Wellness Coach, specializing in weight loss, reinvention, transformation & happiness, author, seminar leader and 50-pound-BIG-Time-LOSER! Write Janice for an Introductory Coaching Session.

For more motivation and inspiration, join the Kick in the Tush Club: Beliefnet Chapter.

Pick up a copy of Janice's latest: All Is Forgiven, Move ON ~ Our Lady of Weight Loss's 101 Fat-Burning Steps on Your Journey to Sveltesville!

"Janice Taylor is a certain kind of kooky genius ~ see if her idiosyncratic diet plan will work for you." ~ O, The Oprah Magazine

about Janice

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