Here Come the Holidays

Ready or not. The holidays are here. Do you want to gain weight, lose weight or maintain?

If you want to gain weight, go for it. Enjoy whatever you want. However.... Most people are watching their weight and prefer not to gain weight. It's too hard to lose!

Go into the holidays with a plan. Eat what you want but watch the portions. Weigh yourself once or twice a week. It's shocking to not pay attention to your weight and then all of a sudden be four or five pounds heavier.

My best tips are to make physical activity a priority, watch the amount of goodies, and focus on fruits and vegetables. Not only will fruits and vegetables fill you up, they are also healthy for you.  If this is your idea of a day's worth of fruits and vegetables, try a little harder.

Check out Day 22 Rethinking Special Occasions from The Food Is My Friend Diet to get you through the holiday season with ease.

Veterans Deserve Our Support

November 11^th is Veterans Day. Let’s take the time to remember the brave men and women who have served our country and honor those who serve us now.

Did you know that the largest population of homeless veterans live in Los Angeles? Just in Los Angeles there are over 8,000 veterans living on the streets. They don’t deserve to be hungry, homeless, without a job, or in need of services.

For thirty years New Directions, Inc. has provided transitional housing and comprehensive services for homeless veterans in Los Angeles County. At its annual fundraising dinner gala, I had the opportunity to meet Master of Ceremonies, Joe Mantegna. Besides being a talented actor and currently starring in the role of David Rossi in Criminal Minds, Joe Mantegna is a longtime military supporter. We salute your compassion and dedication.

Thank you veterans for your service and sacrifice to our great country. Be sure to watch the November 14^th episode of Criminal Minds.

Trying to Lose Weight with a Monkey on Your Back?

Sometimes losing weight can seem like a losing battle. However, once you set your mind to do something, no feat is impossible. Break down your situation into steps.

            What’s your motivation? (My stomach hangs over my pants)

       What are your triggers? (Eat chocolate while watching tv in the evening)

Solution: Get rid of the chocolate.

New Problem: Will eat anything.

Brain storm real issue: Why am I eating? (Oh. I am eating because I am lonely)

New Solution: Keep a journal and let it out. Keep no feeling inside. Talk to a friend. Arrange to get out of the house three times a week. (Walk at the mall after dinner).

Come up with a plan and write a solution for every problem. Life is a process. Every success is a step forward. Don’t let losing weight seem like a burden weighing you down. Pick yourself up. Dust yourself off. And keep starting over until you reach your goals. You are awesome. Losing weight is empowering.

Still Have Olympic Fever?

Were you inspired by the Summer Olympics to be more active? Now that the Olympics are behind us, are you still motivated?

The holidays are right around the corner. With the extra parties come extra goodies. There may be tasty treats too hard to resist. This season set a goal to not gain weight. You will be a lot happier in January. If you are going to eat a little more, make sure that you are a little more active. Find an activity that is fun. Try something that you have always wanted to try but haven’t. Go for it!

Dr Robert Post Improves the Health of Americans

Meet Dr. Robert Post, Deputy Director of the USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. Dr. Post was a speaker at our annual convention (FNCE) in Philadelphia. He talked about the USDA’s campaign to “Make Half Your Grains Whole Grains” running September through December of this year. Oatmeal anyone?

Dr. Post has the important responsibility of managing national nutrition policy and promotion programs, including the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPlate. I am happy to say that The Food Is My Friend Diet uses these guidelines for its basic eating plan. Balance, Moderation, and Variety is the way to go.

Best-Selling Author Dr. Earl Mindell Shares Advice

Dr. Earl Mindell and I compared books at the latest meeting of the Book Publicists of Southern California. It was an honor to meet such an accomplished author.  Dr. Mindell is a worldwide best-selling author with over 50 books. Since 1976, The Vitamin Bible has sold 11 million copies and has been translated into 34 languages. Very impressive!

Have you ever had your vitamin D checked? Many people don't go out in the sun anymore to prevent skin cancer. Some of my clients, including me, had low levels. Vitamin D is important for bone health, as well as many other conditions. Follow the RDA for your age and take a supplement, if needed.

Working Out with Olympian Lashinda Demus

Working out with Olympian Lashinda Demus on a beach in Santa Monica was a wonderful experience, besides being great fun. A world record holder in the 400 meter hurdles gave me expert advice on how to run faster! It was awesome.

It got me to thinking. Where do you go for nutrition advice? The best place to get nutrition/weight loss advice is from a registered dietitian. We are the experts in the field of nutrition.

Do you have trouble losing weight? Think like an Olympic athelete. With a goal and hard work, you can achieve whatever you want to do.

I am very grateful for the opportunity to have met Lashinda and will always treasure the memory. Her focus and determination is an inspiration. All the best to Lashinda as she heads off to London to compete in the 2012 Olympics.

Run like the wind Lashinda and bring home the gold!