The Oprah Reaction

Read Julia Havey's article first on the previous blog post.

Here's my comments:

Julia, I couldn't agree with you more. I watched the show and had the same reaction. As an obesity survivor too, I completely understand the “Blue Chips” vice. But, why is there a bag of the chips within arms reach from her “diet” menu? How long will it be before the “Blue Chips” creep their way back on to the daily menu. I work with many women over 50 who are struggling with various hormonal challenges, so I KNOW that the thyroid issue is significant. She’ll have to work harder in her workouts and have daily struggles to find that paper menu appealing. Oprah, one day that fish and salad will lose to the Blue Chips if they are sitting side by side on an emotional day. Throw ‘em out the window NOW! Show yourself some love and figure out the vices before trying to revamp your pantry. Remember the last time you did that, you traded potato chips for these "Blue Chips", didn't you?

It was nice to see Oprah realize the importance of strength training for the aging woman. Exercise is everything for the woman over 40! If you used a hammer and nail to mount your new healthy habits, know that you can’t get anywhere without good nutrition. It’s the hammer. But nothing STAYS off or “up” without building and maintaining muscle. It’s the nail. Build yourself the strongest anchor possible and the healthy habits will weather the “age” storm much easier.

Healthy New Year

Healthy New Year!

This is a great article from Julia Havey. She is AWESOME! I admire her greatly and I'm always encouraged that there are other weight loss gurus that feel the way I do. Read on, it's a good one. My comments are on the next post.
-Marisa

Happy New Year!! I hope that your holidays were blessed and you enjoyed some relaxing downtime.

Today is January 6th and the sad reality is that 71% of people who started a "diet" have already "cheated", as happens whenever someone goes on a diet. This statistics are from a survey that eDiets.com did to their 14 million readers to research if my Vice Busting principles to losing weight were fad or fact. What we found was amazing. 33% of people polled said that they break their diets EVERY day while another 38% said that the broke it at least once during the week. So we know 71% of people who are attempting to lose weight via a "diet" are doomed to fail. Sad.

Even more sad is that in front of millions of viewers (85% of who are likely on diets themselves or trying to lose weight because that is the number of Americans on a diet at any given moment) the most influential woman on television publically started yet another "DIET". Oprah, girlfriend when are you going to learn?

I just watched the videos from the show today, the BEST Life week which she is dedicating to helping people start the new year off right and she showed her diet menu for the month. I am will to bet all the money I have, against all the money that she has that within this month she will stray from her "diet menu", I am 100% certain of it.

Why?

Because she hasn't figured out yet that her figure doesn't rollercoaster up and down because she is deficient of the right meal plan but because she "loves" a few foods that when on a diet don't show up on the brocolli, salmon, 1/2 a yam meal or the oatmeal/egg whites breakfast.

The very foods that drive 71% of people to a binge within the first week of their diet; their "Vice Foods". A diet vice by definition is any food, drink or action that inhibits the individual from living at a healthful weight--habitual food drink or action. Your routine, your habits, your favorite munchy foods. Oprah held up a bag of Blue Chips and said if she doesn't plan, she will grab the chips and eat them all.

Oprah, it's NOT the diet menu, it's the chips! You can allow yourself more variety and interesting foods and eat normally once you BUST forever the vice foods that call your name, cry out to you in the middle of a stressful day.

We all have them. The most common are chips, soda, fast food, pizza, candy, cookies and chocolate.

Imagine what the obese population would look like if these foods were forever banned from their diet?

I can't watching anymore. Seeing Oprah on the path to another up and down makes me sad, and the fact that millions will line up to do what she's doing with her.

(I will note that in addition to having gone back to her vice foods, the years of dieting, like most of us, have taken a toll on her system--it did to mine. The thyroid can really go out of whack as our weight goes up and down. I am now on thyroid medication and bio-identical hormones and feel better than I have in years. I will be discussing those in my next book geared to women like me and like Oprah!)

I turned the channel, TLC was on and it was worse. They were running a show "Half Ton Mom" (she weighed 1400 pounds and died 2 weeks after gastric bypass surgery) and next up was "Half Ton Dad",(he lost 300 of his 1200 pounds in ONE month--just by eliminating his fast food and cola diet and putting him on a bit less than his typical 30,000 calories a day diet. The show also featured a teenager who weighed an astonishing 800 lbs on his journey to have gastric bypass.

It's not the bypass causes weight loss.

It's the elimination of pure junk from the diet, adding exercise, drinking water. Imagine my frustration to KNOW that I have the answer yet we live in a day and age where 2 Million people are now considered "Super Obese" in the U.S. and another 15 million are morbidly obese (the super obese are super morbidly obese).

Wonder how we got in this mess? Maybe, just maybe it has to do with the fact that we spend over 110 BILLION dollars a year consuming McDonalds and other Super Obese diet staples. That is more money than is spent on higher education.

Want off the roller coaster and have no interest in becomming "super"? Join me won't you and learn how to live diet free and lose weight and the best part is; keep that weight you shed OFF forever!

Julia
www.JuliaHavey.com

On the 11 day of Christmas.... Too much sugar

Remember to feed the kids(and yourself)what they NEED not just what they want.

My son, Zeke, has a tenacious sweet tooth. The holidays are driving both of us crazy. He's frustrated because I keep cutting him off from all the candy and goodies. I'm frustrated because he's never satisfied with the amount I allow him to eat. Candy canes, cookies, chocolate, pie, cake, more candy, ice cream.... How much is enough? By the end of the day, I'm tired of saying "No!" and he's tired of being denied. Don't get me wrong, I do give in. It's the holidays after all. I'm not denying him. I'm just limiting him. You may be wondering what's the big deal? I know the effects of refined sugar on his little body and I'm not willing to let an overdose ruin the rest of our vacation days.

My reasons are simple. I don't want him to get sick. I don't like the way he acts when he's pumped up on sugar. I don't like that his stomach hurts every night he has too much. I don't like the dripping nose that seems to creep in after a couple of days of holiday treats. And, I want him to learn that portion control applies to treats as well as everyday foods. Here's some facts on refined sugar that may surprise you and why kids (and adults) shouldn't have candy everyday, holidays or otherwise.

Before you read the list, let me add that the occasional treat is NOT what I'm talking about. Even though sugar still has a negative effect on the body, it's okay to indulge rarely (meaning once in awhile, not weekly, and certainly not daily.)

Sugar can suppress the immune system.
Sugar can upset the body's mineral balance.
Sugar can contribute to hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, concentration difficulties, and crankiness in children.
Sugar can produce a significant rise in triglycerides.
Sugar can reduce helpful high density cholesterol (HDLs).
Sugar can promote an elevation of harmful cholesterol (LDLs).
Sugar can cause hypoglycemia.
Sugar contributes to a weakened defense against bacterial infection.
Sugar can cause kidney damage.
Sugar can increase the risk of coronary heart disease.
Sugar may lead to chromium deficiency.
Sugar can cause copper deficiency.
Sugar interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium.
Sugar can increase fasting levels of blood glucose.
Sugar can promote tooth decay.
Sugar can produce an acidic stomach.
Sugar can raise adrenaline levels in children.
Sugar can lead to periodontal disease.
Sugar can increase total cholesterol.
Sugar can contribute to weight gain and obesity.
High intake of sugar increases the risk of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Sugar can contribute to diabetes.
Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis.
Sugar can cause a decrease in insulin sensitivity.
Sugar leads to decreased glucose tolerance.
Sugar can cause cardiovascular disease.
Sugar can increase systolic blood pressure.
Sugar causes food allergies.
Sugar can cause free radical formation in the bloodstream.
Sugar can contribute to eczema in children.
Sugar can overstress the pancreas, causing damage.
Sugar can cause atherosclerosis.
Sugar can compromise the lining of the capillaries.
Sugar can cause liver cells to divide, increasing the size of the liver.
Sugar can increase the amount of fat in the liver.
Sugar can increase kidney size and produce pathological changes in the kidney.
Sugar can cause depression.
Sugar can increase the body's fluid retention.
Sugar can cause hormonal imbalance.
Sugar can cause hypertension.
Sugar can cause headaches, including migraines.
Sugar can cause an increase in delta, alpha and theta brain waves, which can alter the mind's ability to think clearly.
Sugar can increase blood platelet adhesiveness which increases risk of blood clots and strokes.
Sugar can increase insulin responses in those consuming high-sugar diets compared to low sugar diets.
Sugar increases bacterial fermentation in the colon.

If you're still reading, I'd also like to strongly discourage the use of candy or sweet treats (or any food for that matter) as motivation for good behavior in children. Bribes, "deals", and if/then scenarios that involve food develop a terrible relationship with food as children grow to be teens and then into adulthood. I know this from personal experience....

FEATURED ORGANIZATION:
This has little to do with sugar, but everything to do with taking our indulges for granted. There are many around the world who wouldn't have the option to indulge let alone choose what to eat and how much. Global Action is an organization close to my family's heart. They team up with many international organizations to help them meet needs around the globe. They have real tangible ways to make a difference and I know personally that the money goes where they say it does.
Global Action - www.global-act.org

On the 11th Day of Christmas..

Remember to feed the kids(and yourself)what they NEED not just what they want.

My son, Zeke, has a tenacious sweet tooth. The holidays are driving both of us crazy. He's frustrated because I keep cutting him off from all the candy and goodies. I'm frustrated because he's never satisfied with the amount I allow him to eat. Candy canes, cookies, chocolate, pie, cake, more candy, ice cream.... How much is enough? By the end of the day, I'm tired of saying "No!" and he's tired of being denied. Don't get me wrong, I do give in. It's the holidays after all. I'm not denying him. I'm just limiting him. You may be wondering what's the big deal? I know the effects of refined sugar on his little body and I'm not willing to let an overdose ruin the rest of our vacation days.

My reasons are simple. I don't want him to get sick. I don't like the way he acts when he's pumped up on sugar. I don't like that his stomach hurts every night he has too much. I don't like the dripping nose that seems to creep in after a couple of days of holiday treats. And, I want him to learn that portion control applies to treats as well as everyday foods. Here's some facts on refined sugar that may surprise you and why kids (and adults) shouldn't have candy everyday, holidays or otherwise.

Before you read the list, let me add that the occasional treat is NOT what I'm talking about. Even though sugar still has a negative effect on the body, it's okay to indulge rarely (meaning once in awhile, not weekly, and certainly not daily.)

Sugar can suppress the immune system.
Sugar can upset the body's mineral balance.
Sugar can contribute to hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, concentration difficulties, and crankiness in children.
Sugar can produce a significant rise in triglycerides.
Sugar can reduce helpful high density cholesterol (HDLs).
Sugar can promote an elevation of harmful cholesterol (LDLs).
Sugar can cause hypoglycemia.
Sugar contributes to a weakened defense against bacterial infection.
Sugar can cause kidney damage.
Sugar can increase the risk of coronary heart disease.
Sugar may lead to chromium deficiency.
Sugar can cause copper deficiency.
Sugar interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium.
Sugar can increase fasting levels of blood glucose.
Sugar can promote tooth decay.
Sugar can produce an acidic stomach.
Sugar can raise adrenaline levels in children.
Sugar can lead to periodontal disease.
Sugar can increase total cholesterol.
Sugar can contribute to weight gain and obesity.
High intake of sugar increases the risk of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Sugar can contribute to diabetes.
Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis.
Sugar can cause a decrease in insulin sensitivity.
Sugar leads to decreased glucose tolerance.
Sugar can cause cardiovascular disease.
Sugar can increase systolic blood pressure.
Sugar causes food allergies.
Sugar can cause free radical formation in the bloodstream.
Sugar can contribute to eczema in children.
Sugar can overstress the pancreas, causing damage.
Sugar can cause atherosclerosis.
Sugar can compromise the lining of the capillaries.
Sugar can cause liver cells to divide, increasing the size of the liver.
Sugar can increase the amount of fat in the liver.
Sugar can increase kidney size and produce pathological changes in the kidney.
Sugar can cause depression.
Sugar can increase the body's fluid retention.
Sugar can cause hormonal imbalance.
Sugar can cause hypertension.
Sugar can cause headaches, including migraines.
Sugar can cause an increase in delta, alpha and theta brain waves, which can alter the mind's ability to think clearly.
Sugar can increase blood platelet adhesiveness which increases risk of blood clots and strokes.
Sugar can increase insulin responses in those consuming high-sugar diets compared to low sugar diets.
Sugar increases bacterial fermentation in the colon.

If you're still reading, I'd also like to strongly discourage the use of candy or sweet treats (or any food for that matter) as motivation for good behavior in children. Bribes, "deals", and if/then scenarios that involve food develop a terrible relationship with food as children grow to be teens and then into adulthood. I know this from personal experience....

FEATURED ORGANIZATION:
This has little to do with sugar, but everything to do with taking our indulges for granted. There are many around the world who wouldn't have the option to indulge let alone choose what to eat and how much. Global Action is an organization close to my family's heart. They team up with many international organizations to help them meet needs around the globe. They have real tangible ways to make a difference and I know personally that the money goes where they say it does.

Global Action

The 9th and 10th Day...Making Healthier Tamales

I bet you're wondering what happened to me yesterday. Where's my 9th day? It's stuck inside a tamale. All day - spread, fill, roll, steam.....

Who doesn't love a good tamale at Christmas time? For those who don't know, a tamale is a delicious Mexican treat most often associated with holidays. A corn based dough steamed in a corn husk enclosing different kinds of fillings from sweet to spicy. Every year, my mom rounds up the family and recruits us all for a tamalada. They are horribly tedious to make and many hands make for quicker prep. We used to buy them from local vendors or "people at the church", but the traditional version is full of lard and the fillings are usually the fattiest meats you can find. When I started my weight loss journey years ago, it was the one cultural food that I just had to have no matter what. I knew it was full of fat, but Christmas morning just isn't the same without them. When my mom jumped on my healthy lifestyle wagon, she set out to create a healthier version. It's taken a few years and some trial and error, but she's finally created a tamale that's even more delicious than the original with the leanest meats and no lard. Watch and learn:





Featured Organization:
I love being Mexican! I get to eat the best food and have the best parties! I'm proud of my culture, but I realize that eating traditionally isn't so good for the waistline. I'm always looking for ways to improve what I eat and find the balance. The Latino Nutrition Coalition is a great organization trying to accomplish the same goal.
Latino Nutrition Coalition

On the 8th Day of Christmas...

Do some active fun with the family. All of us have busy lifestyles and it's hard to get in family time and workouts on the weekends. Here's our solution to the problem. A Wii Fit Challenge. It's fun, active and can be a great workout if you go from one activity to the next without a break.

Many people ask me my opinion on the Wii Fit as a workout tool. I like it, but you still have to challenge yourself. There are games that are too easy and others that offer a greater challenge based on your fitness level. I've reviewed most of the menu and here's what I've found. Keep in mind that you have to unlock the harder games by playing the easier ones a few times.

On my own scale of 1 to 10, 1 being the most intense, very likely to get your heart rate in a good training zone and 10 being fairly easy and not likely to keep your heart rate up.

Aerobic Games:
Super Hula Hoop - 1
Island Loop Long Run - 1
Long Run - 3
Advanced Step - 4
Hula Hoop - 4
Rhythm Boxing - 4
Beginner Step - 9

There are additional free runs and free steps games, but those are self-paced so they could go either way.
Here's me and Danny at the end of the Island Loop Long Run.



The strength training exercises are great as stand alone. As a personal trainer, I wouldn't use it to get really effective or fast results, but it's a fun add-on to a normal routine workout. It's up to you to turn it into a workout and challenge the muscles in a balanced way. Nonetheless, I like that it instructs you to maintain balance and use core stability (keep your abs tight and not falling all over the place.) It's also sequenced well allowing you to unlock harder exercises as you master the easier ones. It's a bit frustrating to wait for each exercise set if you're trying to make it a workout, but it's better than nothing.

Here's Zeke doing the push up challenge. He did 33 pushups. He could have done more, but the Wii trainer made him give up. How many could you do?



The yoga exercises are really good! It's NOT a yoga class and doesn't even come close to taking the place of having an instructor monitor your body position, but it's good for the beginner. I would say it's like testing the water temp with your toe. It's a glimpse, but not the full effect. I'm always trying to improve my flexibility, so I enjoy using this as an additional tool. It's also great for encouraging deep breathing which relaxes the body and makes you focus. The best feature is that it monitors your balance and gives great feedback on the screen. If you need to work on balance, Wii Fit will certainly help.

FEATURED ORGANIZATION:
I'm passionate about educating kids on nutrition and active lifestyles. Dr. Katz is leading the way to battle childhood obesity.

Dr. David Katz and the Nutrition Detectives Program

On the 7th Day of Christmas...

Break Records. Let me explain. Today is one of my clients', Kirsten, birthday! Well, when it's your birthday, I always plan a special workout. The workouts are designed to give the gift of achievement and shock. Kirsten has worked really hard for several months and I knew that if I challenged her enough, she could break a studio record. (We've got a board in the studio with big achievements marked by the date and the client's name who broke a record) Before Kirsten's workout, the record for the most push ups in one session was 151 (not in a row, but over the course of one session). Guess what? The new record, set by Kirsten, is 170. Woohoo! You might be thinking, 170?, that's crazy, she must be an athlete or super advanced. Not really the case. You see, Kirsten works really hard in the studio and she's come a long way. She's strong, determined, and most importantly, she trusts me. She's still got about 65 lbs to lose and we don't let her weight or her mind doubt her abilities. I knew she could break that record if we broke it into smaller goals every few minutes. I also knew that if she broke that record, it would shock her and make her feel so good.

Do you know what she said when she finished number 170? "Wow, I never thought I would be on that board for any record!" And she said it with a huge smile. High five, Kirsten! You've got more possibilities in you than you know! I believed in you!

So, I challenge you to break a personal record today. Think of your usual habits: Maybe this time last year, you indulged in candy, cookies, and sodas way too much. Or maybe you decided to take a couple weeks off of workouts. Or maybe you skipped breakfast, didn't drink enough water, or brought the "bad" dessert to your company party. These would be your current personal records. Now, BREAK THEM toward better health! Let today be the day you make a better choice, start a better holiday habit, or do just one more exercise that you did this day last year.

Breaking records feels really good and turns a normal Dec. 19th into a fabulous one. Just as Kirsten!


FEATURED ORGANIZATION:
Read about an easy way to make the wishes of many children come true!

Make a Wish Foundation