Exercise in 2009

I noticed on yahoo today, one of the most searched celebrities was Jillian Michaels. When I think of exercise and fitness celebrities, she is definitely one of the ones that I think of. She has numerous fitness dvd's and is also a spokesman for an incline machine that is made by Nordictrack. According to Jillian, an incline workout can burn 3-5 times the amount of calories than walking on level ground. That is encouraging to me, to think that I could burn that many more calories with simply by raising the incline by 25%.

One of the other well known fitness celebrities that I think about is Tony Little who sells the Gazelle. That is probably my favorite machine because of the low impact workout. I have a Gazelle Edge and I love it. It is so easy to use and the workout doesn't really feel like much of a workout until you are done and then you can feel it in your muscles.

Since my goal for 2009 is to finally get into shape I will be working out on a variety of exercise equipment including treadmills, bikes, rowers, and steppers as well as using multi-gyms and weights. With a mix of cardio and strength training, I am sure to see results. North Shore Health & Fitness offers a variety of equipment with easy payment options including Rent with the Option to Buy and Buy with the Option to Exchange.

What diet will you be doing in 2009?

Will you be dieting in 2009? I am currently on the search for a weight loss plan that will enable to lose my excess weight in a reasonable amount of time and will allow me to do it easily and inexpensively. There has to be something out there for me but there are so many different diets out there, that it gets a little overwhelming after a while. With the low carb diets such as Atkins, Carbohydrate Addicts and South Beach, just the low car option becomes confusing. Then you take the low calorie diet plans such as Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig and that only adds to the confusion. The fad diets, such as the 3 day diet and the Soup Diet, are just that although I have had luck with the 3 day diet in the past. The bad part is that once you take it off, it usually comes back easier than it went off.

I am obviously a big fan of Biggest Loser and I really feel that this might be the best option for me. Not only do they focus on low calorie and low fat, but they do try to restrict bad carbs which for me is the best choice. I have discovered that when I eat bad carbs, I hold excess water and I have some of the symptoms of diabetes.

What about you? What diets are you trying and what successes are you having? I am one that likes to read reviews on diets before trying them and use those reviews to weed out the ones with best potential. If you like to read reviews as well, DietsIn Review.com has over 600 diet that have been reviewed by users.

Lap Band Surgery...Is it for you?

I don't know about you, but I've tried just about every diet out there including going to a doctor for prescription diet pills. It's really frustrating but nothing seems to work. I've considered lap band surgery but I'm a little apprehensive because it seems so new. I've known people that have had it and had no problems, but I'm kind of a "fraidy cat". The lapband is adjustable and can actually help cure certain medical problems including: diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, hypertension or other serious conditions.

People who have had the lap band surgery have experienced many of the following:
* 74% improvement in dyslipidemia
* 94% resolution of obstructive sleep apnea
* 55% resolution of hypertension
* 100% improvement in asthma
* 75% resolution of diabetes
* 79% resolution of reflux

With diabetes being a constant concern for me since it runs in my family, I've really started to consider this as an option. I'm trying very hard to lose the weight myself, but I feel like I go on this way for much longer that I may not be able to lose it. As I researching the procedure, I ran across these amazing before and after pictures. For a serial fat girl, that's some major inspiration.

Clinical Weight Loss

Have you ever thought of going to a clinic that specializes in weight loss treatments? I have considered this more and more of the last couple of weeks because it is so hard for me to motivated and stay motivated. I think that if I could get some real medical help that it might work. In the past I have used phentermine which is an appetite suppressant commonly used to assist in weight loss. There is a doctor here in Orange City and he prescribes Slimming Pills such as this to help with the psychological aspect of dieting and then he also teaches you the correct nutrition and fitness routines that should be followed. I really like phentermine because it works by sending a chemical to your brain that tells you that you aren't hungry thereby eliminating most cravings.

I'm sure there are other clinics out there such as The Online Clinic. The Online Clinic offers everything from prescription weight loss aids to Propecia and Cialis. The Online Clinic activities are regulated by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency therefore it is safer than most online companies.

Wholesale Printing Saves Money

Since deciding to start my own business, I have had to incur many costs from Brochure Printing, postage, website and much more. One of the most important things was finding Cheap Brochure Printing that was also of a great quality but affordable. The company chose offered a great deal of Printing Services, including brochures, business cards, posters, rack cards, presentation folders, and stationary. My main objective was to get my business cards, brochures and website ready to go and then move on from there. I did get all of that ordered last week, so I will be receiving them any day and I can't wait to see them. Ordering online is great for me because with my full time job, community involvement, and multiple websites time is very limited. I truly appreciate the opportunity to sit at home and design and order my printing supplies to get move my business to the next level.

Wholesale Printing Direct has years of printing experience and offers the following services at affordable pricing, with a technologically advanced web based ordering system.
• Wholesale-priced, high-quality printing
• A full range of print products and solutions, including mailing services
• Highly skilled professionals, the newest equipment and the most advanced
technology available
• A 20-micron, high-definition stochastic screening for near-photographic quality
• Immediate 24-hour support

If you have something that needs printed, I strongly urge you to give Wholesale Printing Direct a try.

Professional Answering Service for Small Business

For small companies, an Answering Service may be a less expensive option to hiring office personnel. If your office is simply receiving phone calls and not personal visits from clients, then you may want to look into this as an effective alternative.

Since 1991, MAP Communications has been the industry leader for providing quality Answering Services and enhanced call center solutions. If you customers expect a high level of personalization as well as a a clear presentation of the facts, then MAP Communications may be the choice for you.

I am in the process of starting my own business, and I was a little worried about being seen as a one-woman show and that may prohibit me from getting some of those big contracts that I will need to survive. One of the alternatives that I am considering is an Answering Service because it is so much more personal than all calls going to a voice mail or cell phone. My competition has offices full of personnel and with me just starting out, I will not be able to afford that for quite some time. However, if I can just a couple of contracts under my belt I may be able to afford an answering service to offer my customers a more personal touch.

I've lost 11.4 pounds since I started my diet

Just wanted to update you on my progress this week. I've lost 11.4 pounds since I started the contest, but unfortunately it doesn't look like I'm going to make it to my goal of 15 pounds by next Friday. I have been eating many of the same foods over and over, but it seems to work for me. The less I have to think about what I'm fixing the better. I sort of messed up on Friday night. I had Zingers and Beer at the Ale House, so now I'm trying to get back into ketosis.

Some of my favorite choices this week.

Meatballs with 6 carb Marinara Sauce from Winn Dixie.
Chicken Breasts with Enchilada Sauce and Cheese
Baked Chicken Parmesan, minus the bread crumbs of course
Ham and Eggs
Breyers Carb Smart Ice Cream Bars

Win a $50.00 Target Gift Card

SunEGrl Loves To Shop is having a contest!

Grandprize includes all of the following:
500 Entrecard Credits
Italian Charm Bracelet With 5 Charms
125x125 button on my blog for one month
$50.00 Target Gift Card

The top three in the points standing will receive 300 Entrecard Credits each, but the Grandprize will be awarded to one person by random drawing.

Hurry, this contest ends on July 31st.

I lost 1.6 pounds this week

This week was a tough week for my weight loss. I attributed what I call the two week slow down, but I think that it probably had more to do with the fact that I didn't eat at home as often as I should have. I did lose a total of 1.6 pounds and I am still working to get the rest of it off. I leave for Indiana in about 10 days, and I really wanted to hit my goal by then. This weekend I am going to focus on what I need to eat, and avoid everything else. I hope everyone else in the challenge did well.

2 week slowdown

This has been a tough week. My weight loss is nothing like last week. I have to shop, but I haven't had time to go to the store so that leaves very limited menu choices. I haven't exercised all week and it's just going to get worse. I have lost a little, but for some reason I can't stay away from the CarbSmart Ice Cream bars. I had two of them last night!!! Granted they were only 5 carbs each, but I had lots of carbs yesterday in my lunch because I had Olive Garden Salad, broccoli, and asparagus in addition to the Chicken Spiedini. They were all good carbs but it still adds up. I'm hoping that if I drink lots of water today, that I will be able to make up for some of that.

Down a total of 7.2 pounds!!

Last week was good for my weight loss. I lost 6.4 pounds last week and did not cheat once. I experimented with some new food combinations and even made and Chicken Egg Drop soup. My favorite meal of the week would have to be the Chicken Spiedini at Olive Garden. Instead of the potatoes that it normally comes with, I substituted Asparagus and Mushrooms in the place of the mixed veggies. I had the chicken without the sauce but it was still so nice and tender that a sauce wasn't needed. I also had the salad which I love, just no croutons and light on the dressing. All in all, my carb content was very low and it was very healthy. I almost felt like I cheated.

One of the meals that I experimented with was a chicken breast with Enchilada sauce. I crave Mexican food all the time and I love burritos with Enchilada sauce so I decided to do this. I placed 2 Chicken Breasts in a small baking dish, poured a 1/4 of a can of Enchilada sauce over the top and then sprinkled a little Mexican Mix cheese over the top. I baked it for about an hour and then sprinkled a little more cheese over the top and then baked for about 5 more minutes. It was oh so yummy and totally on my diet!!!

Skinny Me

This is me before I started gaining weight. I'm the one with really blond hair in case you can't recognize me. I'm now 6 pounds into my mini goal of 15.8 pounds. I have entered a contest that end around the 3rd week of June so I am right on schedule to hit my target. I have decided that this time I am not going to focus on the big picture but instead focus on several small goals.

Down another pound today!

Just as I predicted, I am down another pound today. That's the thing about a low carb diet, the scale starts moving so fast it keeps you motivated. Today should be a good day, I've got leftover leftover pork stirfry for lunch and I'm having parmesan encrusted shrimp for dinner tonight. Yum yum!

Day 3 of Low Carbing It

Well, it's Sunday evening and here I sit comfortably stuffed from a dinner of stir fried pork and veggies. Today was our Summer Pool Party at the hotel and everyone else was allowed to have hamburger buns and hot dogs, potato chips and cupcakes. Not me, I was the girl sitting there eating my two hamburger patties with cheese. It was still good and I wasn't hungry when I finished so I succeeded in my goal of no cheating this weekend. I'm actually down another pound and more than likely will be down again tomorrow. As far as my ankles, they are still swelling but not nearly as bad as last week. Tomorrow I'm going to try working out again, I have a Mystery Shop scheduled so that's added motivation. Things are definitely looking up.

I abandoned the low carb lifestyle...Look where it got me.

About 6 months ago, I abandoned the low carb lifestyle in part because I was trying to focus on buying my house and removing the stress from my life, but also partly because of all of the drama over the Kimkins diet. The effects of that was that I have now gained back all of the weight that I lost. Every bit of it! Anyway, I'm happy to be back on track and now that I am back on the low carb diet, I hope to find many of my low carb friends.

Last week, I lost .8 of a pound by watching what I was eating. Well, today I'm going back to my low carb weigh of life(get it) because I truly feel better when I am eating low carb. Not only do I start losing lots of weight, but the swelling in my legs goes down and stays down. The swelling in my legs in addition to the arthritis is what stops me from working out. It is so much pain that to put on tennis shoes and try to walk for an extended period of time is unbearable. I know from experience that after about a week of eating low carb, most of the swelling will be gone and I can then begin to concentrate on working out.

Wish me luck! I'd love to hear from anyone on a low carb diet.

Officially back on the wagon!!!

Well, I am officially back on the low carb wagon. I have realized that when I am eating low carb, I truly feel better than any other time. Not only do I get all of the nasty processed foods out of my system, but I start losing weight and have more energy. When I do low carb, I do not have the problem with my legs that I am having now. Wish me luck!

Kaiser Health Insurance

KPhealthplans.com is a free service where consumers can review, compare and buy Kaiser Permanente health insurance online. Kaiser Permanente combines the localized knowledge and friendly service of a neighborhood agent with the experience and buying power of a leading online health insurance source. Kaiser health insurance ensures that you will receive the best available prices, fast and friendly service, a broad selection of Kaiser Permanente health insurance plans that allows you to find the plan that best fits your needs, and the personalized service and reliability of your your own Account Manager. The health plans are available primarily in the Georgia and Atlanta metro area. For a complete list of available zip codes click here.

Two of the main reasons that to look at KPHealthPlans.com are Focus on Wellness and a Wide Selection of Doctors.

Kaiser Permanente's philosophy centers on keeping our members healthy, not just treating them when they are ill. They promote wellness by combining preventive care and health education with appropriate clinical intervention.

You have access to more than 200 doctors at our medical centers and more than 1,000 affiliated doctors. At Kaiser Medical Centers you can see a doctor and get lab, X-ray, and pharmacy services all in one location.

KPhealthiplans.com is a leading online source of health insurance for individuals, families and small businesses in Georgia. KPhealthplans.com, an authorized independent agent, and Kaiser Permanente in Georgia and offers you a wide range of affordable individual and family health insurance plans and options.

Buy Bulk Jelly Beans

Do you love jelly beans but you don't like the mixed bags that you get at the drug store? If so, you definitely need to check out this site. Last night, I went to a Friday the 13th party at my friends house and one of the girls brought over this huge bag of jelly beans. Normally you see the mixed bag variety, but with her being Hawaiian she is really into coconut and fruity things so she only had 3 different variety. She had the rootbeer for her husband, the blue Hawaiian and a coconut one. They were oh so yummy but I loved the rootbeer ones. I have never really been a huge fan of jelly beans but I think it's because I have always just bought the assorted ones and never been truly happy with any of the flavors. My solution to that is to buy Bulk Jelly Beans. Jelly Beans

Oh! Nuts offers a wide selection of Nuts, Candies, and Chocolates so for those of you who are the low carb diet, you can check out their nut selection. They have over 2,000 items in their online store and they offer wholesale pricing for bulk purchases. As a special side note, All of the nut, candy, chocolate, and gift items are kosher under rabbinical supervision.

Cliffside Malibu Rehabilitation Center

Cliffside Malibu is a residential drug and alcohol rehab center and extended care facility for adults suffering from alcoholism, drug addiction, eating disorders, depression, and other co-occurring disorders. Encompassing almost 2 acres overlooking Zuma Beach, Cliffside Malibu provides residents with luxury, privacy and treatment for their addiction(s). Amenities include a heated lap pool and sun deck where residents can relax and soak up the sun as well as fully equipped fitness center. The entire residence boasts a panoramic ocean view with relaxing decks and balconies. Dining at Cliffside is a spectacular experience complete with a 180 degree views of the ocean and buffet style dining. Residents can relax in the beautiful and peaceful meditation garden full of roses, lavendar and wildflowers adds to the landscape and appeal. Residents can enjoy comfort and luxury during their stay in order to aid in the recovery process. There are private bedrooms available as well as semi-private bedrooms.

Cliffside's Alcohol Rehab Program is a better choice than most rehab centers because they offer the best in individualized drug and alcohol treatment. They offer round the clock services including group, family and psychological/emotional treatment as well as alternative programs such as yoga and equine therapy.

Drug Rehabilitation is not an easy task, but Cliffside is trained to treat every kind of drug addiction ranging marijuana to heroin. At Cliffside, the only Drug Treatment that matters is drug treatment that effects lasting healing. Drug addiction is an overwhelming disease and should not be taken lightly, if you need immediate assistance please call Cliffside Malibu anytime at 1-800-501-1988. Drug Rehab has helped millions of Americans get sober and stay sober.

Hair Loss

Have you or anyone you know experienced hair loss due to genetic, hormonal, or medical matters? If so, there is help out there. PublicHealthForums.com is offering information and treatment options for dealing with many types of hair loss.

What causes Hair Loss?

The most common cause of hair loss is caused by a hormonal imbalances called androgenic alopecia. Other causes of hair loss are caused by drugs such as blood thinners that are used to treat depression, gout, arthritis, and cardiovascular conditions. Hair loss can also be caused by major medical treatments such as Chemotherapy and radiation, as well as major surgery, and stress.

Diet and improper nutrition can also induce hair loss. A low protein diet often results in severe hair loss. Once the person starts eating adequate amounts of protein, normal hair growth should resume fairly quickly. Too much or too little of certain vitamins can also cause hair loss. For example, an iron deficiency, or an excess of vitamin A have been known to cause hair loss in some people. Some women who have heavy periods develop an iron deficiency. This can be corrected with iron supplements.

If you are unsure of what the cause of your hair loss is, it's best to consult a dermatologist. The sooner you address hair loss, the better the chances you have of halting and reversing it.

What are the options for treating hair loss?

Hair loss is common among both men and women and the treatment options vary widely. One solution is a hair transplant. This is a surgical procedure in which graphs of skin are relocated to parts of the scalp where hair is absent. Another popular option is Rogaine or Minoxidil an FDA approved drug. Although Rogaine has proven to be effective for many who use it, it requires a very demanding routine involving two daily applications to the scalp and may sometimes be given up before it is allowed to work.

Another popular drug is Provillus which comes in topical and oral forms. Provillus contains Minoxidil but also contains ingredients that cause it to act as a DHT inhibitor.

Finasteride, is commonly used for prostate cancer prevention but can also be used to combat the effects of hair loss. Finasteride has been shown to work for men, but it does have possible irreversible sexual side affects. While men who are not worried about sexual side effects can enjoy the benefits of Propecia women can not use it. Studies have found that Finasteride does not have the ability to regrow hair in women. It is also noted that women should not even try to use this product as it causes birth defects in unborn babies.

While I have discussed the leading causes and treatments for hair loss it is strongly suggested that if you are experiencing severe hair loss that you see your doctor or dermatologist immediately.

My New Menu Plan for 2008

For optimal weight loss, I should be eating 3 meals and 2 snacks every day so that my body doesn’t go into starvation mode and therefore mess up my metabolism even more.
Additional calories and fat will be added through the addition of olive oil or butter in the preparation of my meals so I will have to account for that through FitDay. I'm sure as time goes on, I will be experimenting with my menu options a little more but right now I want to keep things super simple. I have used the (*) to separate meal options.

Breakfast
Boiled Egg and Canadian Bacon
*
Lean Meat Omelet (Smoked Salmon or Canadian Bacon)
*
Spinach Omelet

Snack
Small Apple
Slice of Cheddar Cheese or 1 tsp Natural Balance Peanut Butter
*
Raw Veggies
*
Carb Control Yogurt
*
Sugar Free Popcicle
*
Egg Muffin

Lunch
1 slice Whole Grain Bread
2 Thin Slices Low Sodium Lean Deli Ham
1-2 cups of green leaf lettuce
2 tablespoons Olive Garden Dressing
*
Walnut Chicken Salad
Low Carb Tortilla or 1 slice Whole Grain Bread
Spinach Salad
*
Leftover Rotisserie Chicken
Mixed Green Salad
Olive Garden Dressing

Snack
Small Apple
Slice of Cheddar Cheese or 1 tsp Natural Balance Peanut Butter
*
Raw Veggies
*
Carb Control Yogurt
*
Sugar Free Popcicle
*
Egg Muffin

Dinner
4 oz lean chicken or fish
1 cup broccoli or other green veggie

*
Shrimp Parmesan
Mixed Green Salad
Olive Garden Dressing
*
3 oz Lean Ground Beef 93% fat free or better
¼ packet of taco seasoning
¼ cup of cheddar cheese
*
4 oz Rotisserie Chicken
Mixed Green Salad
Olive Garden Dressing


Other Great Options for Healthy Lunchmeat options include: Boars Head Lower Sodium Ham, Boars Head Blazing Buffalo Chicken, and Boars Head Oven Gold Roasted Turkey. These have all been certified by the American Heart Association.