Fashion

Yesterday celebrity mom, Valerie Bertinelli, was on the View in as a co-host. She is also approaching her third Anniversary on March 8th as a client of Jenny Craig. Bertinelli has lost 40lbs, and kept it off. She achieved her goal in December 2007, which means December 2010 will also mark her 3rd Anniversary of keeping those pounds off. In this post you can watch a clip of The View and some words of wisdom from Valerie Bertinelli about the Jenny Craig program.

Jenny Craig Success Story Valerie Bertinelli, Approaching Three-Year Anniversary on the Jenny Craig Program, Offers Words of Wisdom for Current Clients

Jenny Craig veteran and weight loss success story Valerie Bertinelli will soon celebrate her three-year anniversary on the Jenny Craig Weight Management Program. While half the battle is losing the weight; the other half is learning how to keep it off. Bertinelli reached her goal of losing 40 pounds with Jenny Craig in December of 2007 and today she struts a toned physique and rocking bikini body!*

Through the Jenny Craig Weight Management Program, Valerie was given access to a variety of tools that helped her reach her goal. The weekly support from her Jenny Craig consultant combined with portion-controlled meals to keep her calorie intake in check allowed her to be a true weight loss success story and inspiration to people everywhere looking to lose weight. Valerie recently shared her advice for current Jenny Craig clients:

“For clients starting out on Jenny, these are my top three tips:

* “Find a consultant who gets you. Kathy was invaluable to me. She understood how my brain worked, she was patient and she pushed me whenever I needed a nudge. In a nice way though, huh, Kath?
* “Keep a journal. I didn’t really like this at first but I found that it was too easy to slip into old habits at the beginning. If I wrote down what I was thinking and feeling, it gave me a chance to think a beat or two before I made a decision I’d regret.
* “Surround yourself with people who care about/know what you’re doing. I used to diet in secret. This was a bad idea for me because then I wasn’t accountable to anyone but myself, (who I was so used to letting down) so one more time didn’t matter.”

“For clients who have reached halfway on Jenny, or are about to…

* “Re-evaluate your goal. All I cared about was the number on the scale at the beginning. And then I found that other things were motivating me to lose weight like my health or being able to run farther than one block. Your body changes as you lose weight and other things do, too, so listen to what makes you tick and what will keep making you tick.
* “Have a plan. Halfway means some meals on your own. Plan in advance what you’ll be ordering at a restaurant or on a plane or a party. Kathy and I used to do only meal planning at some of my consultations where we’d look the restaurant online (they also have a Dining Out Guide with a ton of restaurant menus listed) and we’d “pretend order” in advance. This was great because then I wouldn’t have to think about it.”

“And for clients who are on Jenny Craig’s maintenance program …

* “Come over to my house and let’s hug it out together. Seriously, changing your life isn’t easy! Lots of support and reminding yourself of all the things that are so much better in your life now is key.”

*Clients following the Jenny Craig program, on average, lose 1-2 pounds per week.

Other Resources:

http://theview.abc.go.com/video/viewtube-valerie-bertinelli

• PumpOne’s Top Five Tips for Avoiding Holiday Weight Gain
• Celebrity Mom Shares Her Secrets for Getting Kids to Love Their Veggies
• NEW Study Possibly Links Cognitive and Motor Delays with ‘Flat Head Syndrome’ in Young Babies
• Rebecca Gayheart’s New Baby Girl and Little Giraffe
• Carnie Wilson Talks to CelebrityBabyScoop.com About Life as a Mom

Rate this post! (No Ratings Yet)  Loading ... Written by Theresa Gould Filed Under Celebrity Moms, Weight Loss Leave A Comment >>  Email This Post Tags: Celebrity, Celebrity Mom, Jenny Craig, The View, Tips, Valerie Bertinelli, Weight Loss

A story came through and I was hesitant to share it, but decided that it is interesting enough to include in this week’s posts. Dr. Siegal, a doctor for more than 34 years, has created what is called the Cookie Diet. Yes, you read that right. He formulated amino acids and needed something to package them in and decided on a cookie. Good Morning America’s segment (see the YouTube link below) reported that they sent the cookies to the lab to see if they contained what the package said they contained and they did.

One lady has been on the Cookie Diet for two years and is maintaining her weight on this low calorie diet of only 1000 calories per day. Some are concerned about the nutritional needs and health of individuals using this approach long term, but Dr. Siegal claims that there is nothing clinically wrong with a low calorie diet. Time will tell, I guess. As with any diet, each of us needs to do our own research, including consulting with a professional such as our physician or a dietician before beginning such a rigorous low calorie diet like the Cookie Diet.

Nevertheless, this past week, the Cookie Diet has garnered some attention with an odd kind of promotion….

From the center of Times Square to the tents at Bryant Park’s Fashion Week, Dr. Siegal’s Cookie Diet (Snooki’s favorite diet) was passed out to encourage people to “Lose Their Love Handles.” Lots of hungry models gladly took the cookies. But there was a catch – Models and civilians alike had had to flash their flab (see below) to receive free cookies and $50-off-a-month supply of cookies when they visit CookieDiet.com.

Additional Resources:
http://www.cookiediet.com/
ABC’s Good Morning America Segment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9fuI9yzx4o
NBC’s Segment: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/34416230#34416230
http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/64574632.html

• Sensa Weight Loss Twitter Party!
• Celebrity Mom Shares Her Secrets for Getting Kids to Love Their Veggies
• Today Jenny Craig Celebrity Client Valerie Bertinelli is Down 40 lbs After Achieving Her Goal in December 2007.
• Carnie Wilson Talks to CelebrityBabyScoop.com About Life as a Mom
• Dr’s Tips: Prevent & Reduce Childhood Obesity

Rate this post! (No Ratings Yet)  Loading ... Written by Theresa Gould Filed Under Weight Loss Leave A Comment >>  Email This Post Tags: Cookie Diet, Dr. Seigel, Eating, Health, Low Calorie Diets, Weight Loss

Are your new year’s resolutions to get in shape falling by the wayside? Well, I have just the thing to “spice” up your Saturday morning and get you back on track! So what do you think about yoga? The following yoga information was provided to us by one of our PR contacts. I have not participated in yoga and do not know much about it. However, I thought that adding videos beneath the five exercises might help explain what Candance Morano, a yoga instructor, has described in her article below. Since the videos and the write up were done by different people there may be some slight variations between the two, but I hope they give you a better understanding of what is being conveyed. Yoga or not, those of us still experiencing blustery winter like the sound of summer and are looking forward to warmer weather! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: The following article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute the opinion or recommendation of a medical professional. Please use at your own risk.

Prepare for Summer with Yoga

With summer quickly approaching, many are working overtime at the gym and at home as they prepare for bikinis, short shorts, and strapless dresses. However, making time to incorporate exercise into an already hectic schedule is a huge deterrent for those who want to be fit but are short on time.

With this common issue in mind, certified yoga instructor and founder of Explore Vidya Yoga, Candace Morano recommends the top most effective yoga poses to get your body “summer ready!”

1. Downward Facing Dog Split

* How to “Strike the Pose”:

a) Start in the normal Downward Facing Dog pose with your feet together and hands shoulder width apart (body should be the shape of a pyramid).

b) Inhale and lift the right leg up so that your body is a straight diagonal line from your arms to your toes.

c) Next, inhale again and stretch your right leg out to the right, keeping it as high as possible.

d) Exhale, bringing the right leg back to downward dog pose and repeat two more times.

e) Do the same with your left leg keeping the movement steady with an even breath.

* Body Benefits: “Downward Facing Dog Split is an excellent pose to tone the hips, outer thighs and buttocks,” says Candace. “It also lengthens the spine and hamstrings while strengthen the arms, shoulders, thighs feet and ankles.”

2. Plank Pose (with a Twist)

* How to “Strike the Pose”:

a) Coming from Downward Facing Dog Position, inhale and take your right knee towards your right elbow.

b) Exhale, staying lifted through your pelvis and hips while gently pushing your heart forward, keeping the right knee softly resting on or stretching toward your right elbow.

c) Repeat this pose two more times with a steady breath then repeat three times on the left side.

* Body Benefits: “This is a more challenging version of Plank Pose that will do wonders when aiming to tone your core, arms and
thighs,” says Candace.

3. Warrior II

* How to “Strike the Pose”:

a) From Plank Position, inhale and move your right foot forward between your hands, engaging the core as in the last asana.

b) Exhale and place your right foot firmly onto the earth. Inhale and like a windmill, rise up into the standing position.

c) Exhale again, as you bend your right thigh parallel to the floor.

d) Inhale and ground your left foot 45 degrees into the earth. Feel your inner thighs widen and stretch.

e) Pressing the ball of your right foot, inhale and straighten your right leg. Exhale and bend the right thigh deeper extending the chest and keeping it over the hips and pelvis.

f) Repeat the pose two more times on this side and three times on the left side, feeling stronger and more length with each repetition.

* Body Benefits: “This pose will tone and tighten your legs, arms while opening your hips,” says Candace.

4. Upward Facing Dog

* How to “Strike the Pose”:

a) From the plank position, move slowly into the Upward Facing Dog position (similar to the Cobra pose, but using arms to lift the pelvis and thighs off of the earth). Lift the chest forwarded and up keeping your arms straight. “It’s important to bend the elbow slightly to avoid hyperextension of the joint,” advises Candace.

b) Exhale into the legs, tops of the feet pressed firmly into the floor, feeling the support of the earth rising up from the tops of your toes to the crown of your head.

c) Repeat the sequence of moving from Plank Position asana to Upward Facing Dog three times, allowing the breath to fuel the movement.

* Body Benefits: “The movements and transitions of this pose strengthen the arms, wrists and back of the legs all while stretching and toning the chest,” says Candace.

5. West Side Lunge

* How to “Strike the Pose”:

a) Inhale from Upward Facing Dog and exhale to your hands and knees.

b) Inhale again, placing your right foot between your hands.

c) Exhale as you start to turn to the left coming into the pose keeping your hands on the earth, core engaged, chest lifted and spine long.

d) Inhale lifting up from the core and start to lift your hips as you shift to the right, coming into side lunge on the left side.

e) Repeat this side lunge movement from right to left then left to right ten times coordinating each movement with a breath.

Body Benefits: “This side lunge will tone your buttocks and inner thighs as well as open your hips.” Candace continues “this asana is a great way to prepare for your summer body as it will tone, tighten and create muscular balance around the knee joint.”

Meet Candace Morano

Candace Morano is a certified yoga teacher & educational kinesiologist based in New York. For the past seven years, she has brought together the teachings of yoga, kinesiology, psychotherapy, and aromatherapy to transform the lives of the adult, children, and disabled clients with whom she works.

Combining her degree as a social worker with yoga and educational kinesiologist, Candace began to work privately with children with
Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome and Autism. For three years, she taught the yoga program at the Cooke Center for Learning, working with a body of students with a wide range of special needs. Candace also works with adults. She has taught programs to the parents and teachers of the Learning Spring School and the Rebecca School both based in NYC, incorporating yoga, educational kinesiology, and stress reduction techniques. Candace’s practice incorporates the use of medicinal oils for injuries and aromatherapy in the private classes she runs throughout New York City.

• 7 Ways to Protect Your Daughter (or Son) from Eating Disorders
• PowerHouse Hit the Deck Exercise Cards
• KMR’s Four Winners Holiday Giveaway!
• PumpOne’s Top Five Tips for Avoiding Holiday Weight Gain
• Feel Positive From The Inside Out With FIT2BMOM

Rate this post! (1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)  Loading ... Written by Theresa Gould Filed Under Health & Fitness, Weight Loss Leave A Comment >>  Email This Post Tags: Body Image, Candace Morano, Downward Facing Dog Split, Exercise, Getting in Shape, Health and Fitness, New Year's Resolutions, Plank Pose, Upward Facing Dog, Warrier II, Weight Loss, West Side Lunge, Yoga, Yoga Instructor

7 Ways to Protect Your Daughter (or Son) from Eating Disorders
by Cherrie Herrin-Michehl, MA, LMHC

After her brother said she was fat, Karen (not her real name) vowed to do whatever it took to get into a pair of size 6 Calvin Klein jeans. Most women who struggle with eating disorders remember this type of significant moment in their stories. This vow included starving herself to the point that she passed out on a beach. When she regained consciousness, the EMT asked her, “What can I do to prevent this from happening to my daughter?” With tears in her eyes, she answered,“You can love her unconditionally.”

“Oh my gosh, I can’t believe these elephant thighs,” you remark in front of the mirror as you try on a new pair of jeans. “Maybe I have elephantitis, and my doctor hasn’t diagnosed me yet.” Your daughter hears this, and you both laugh. But the problem with these types of negative body image statements is that they cut deeply into her soul, doing much more harm than you realize. Such comments, even if said in jest, reinforce the belief in our culture which screams, “If you’re not toothpick thin, you are ugly.”

This spurs girls, sometimes starting before age five, into dieting. Then they begin the roller coaster ride of dieting and later bingeing because they feel so starved. This leads to shame, which leads back to dieting again. Even if they get down to a normal size, they still feel fat. If they have people-pleasing, perfectionistic personalities, they often get swallowed up with anorexia. If they are not people-pleasers, they often flirt with throwing up until it develops into full-blown bulimia. But when they throw up, they are actually trying to purge all the hurtful feelings stored in their hearts. This is why learning to express true feelings is so important. (I will write more about this in another blog.)

Here are some ways you can protect your daughter (or son, as more and more boys are developing eating disorders) from eating disorders:
• Avoid talking about dieting, fat, or your fanny. Whenever you do this, your daughter is getting the message that her value rests on how thin she is
• Discourage dieting, as it usually leads to a lifelong obsession with black-and-white thinking in regards to food
• Discourage your daughter from looking at beauty and fashion magazines. Research shows this leads to depression
• Stop praising girls for their beauty. Instead, focus on their other strengths and accomplishments, When we praise girls for their appearance, we reinforce the cultural tsunami of lies that drown girls in feelings that they are only valued for their appearance.
• Be aware that certain activities such as ballet, modeling, gymnastics, and wrestling often emphasize thinness, which puts your child more at risk for developing an eating disorder
• Encourage your child find out which physical activities he or she enjoys, so they can have fun while getting exercise
• Promote a healthy lifestyle. Research shows that kids tend to pick up their parents’ lifestyle habits, whether they are smoking, exercising, obsessing about dieting, or eating lots of sweets. Work toward moderation so that they don’t feel deprived, yet get the benefits of a well-rounded eating pattern.

Of course there are no guarantees, but these suggestions will help your child to feel good about himself or herself, appreciating the unique characteristics that God has given them. Also keep in mind that many more boys and men are now falling prey to eating disorders.

Used with Permission from Cherrie Herrin-Michehl.

Cherrie Herrin-MA, LMHC, is a licensed mental health counselor practicing in Woodinville, WA. A passionate writer and speaker, she is available for speaking engagements at conferences, church retreats, and seminars. Recently Cherrie spoke on two prominent radio stations in the Seattle area on the subjects of body image and pornography addiction. She is currently writing a book called Fannies: Reclaiming the Plunder of the Body Image Bandit, for which she has acquired a well-respected agent.

When Cherrie is not helping people making peace with their fannies, she enjoys sea kayaking, eating chocolate, writing, speaking, and creating beautiful jewelry. She lives in the Seattle area with her best friend and soul mate, George.

© Cherrie Herrin-Michehl, MA, LMHC and Fannies: Reflections on Cookie Dough, Life, and Your Derriere and Fannies: Reclaiming the Plunder of the Body Image Bandit, 2007 – 2047. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cherrie Herrin-Michehl, MA, LMHC and Fannies: Reflections on Cookie Dough, Life, and Your Derriere with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

This article is taken from a newsletter on my web site: www.notjustsymptoms.com. Click on Newsletters on the right side of the home page.

You may also visit Cherrie’s blog at www.cherriemac.wordpress.com

• Prepare for Summer with Yoga
• PowerHouse Hit the Deck Exercise Cards
• Dr’s Tips: Prevent & Reduce Childhood Obesity
• BPA Linked to Heart Disease – Thanks National Geographic
• KMR’s Four Winners Holiday Giveaway!

Rate this post! (No Ratings Yet)  Loading ... Written by Theresa Gould Filed Under Health & Fitness, Weight Loss Leave A Comment >>  Email This Post Tags: Anorexia, Beauty and Fashion Magazines, Body Image, Bulimia, Cherrie Herrin-Michehl, Dieting, Eating Disorders, Exercise, food, Health and Fitness, Health and Nutrition, Healthy Lifestyle, Lifestyle Habits, Self Esteem, Weight, Weight Loss

I was sent a complimentary set of PowerHouse Hit the Deck cards. Due to my current condition, I won’t be using them anytime soon, but I look forward to using them in nine months time. However, from examining the cards and reading the instructions, I do think this is a potentially good product, especially for busy moms. You all know how precious our time is and that maximizing it is always to our advantage. This set of 35 cards seems to be uniquely designed to cater to our needs, ladies! Whether you prefer a dvd for your fitness program, being a member of a fitness club or running in the park, PowerHouse Hit the Deck cards does offer a program that could compliment or supplement part of your fitness regimen. As always, use caution before starting any new exercise program and if you have any existing health conditions consult with your doctor before you begin.

The cards are divided into three different levels of intensity (they make me smile ):

1.) No Sweat – cards 1-10
2.) I’m Glistening – cards 11-20
3.) Sweating Buckets – cards 21-30

30 workout cards, plus five cards with warm up and cool down exercises. They are easy to read and follow. Also included, as shown in the photo above, is a plastic interval timer.

The problem I have with the cards is the image of the woman illustrating the exercises. She has rippling abs, bulging biceps and extremely toned thighs and calves. If she isn’t a computer generated picture and she desires to look like that then I don’t have any problems. The problem is in the message that it could send to all of us moms who are still bearing children and struggling to get the extra weight off between children. The portrayal that all females can achieve this look is wrong in the world we live in. We can’t because each of us is different and cannot possibly fit a cookie cutter mold for the fit and trim woman. The thing each of us has to learn is what our normal is and aim for that.

The PowerHouse Hit the Deck cards retail for $19.99. Visit PowerHouse Performance Coaching for more information.

• 7 Ways to Protect Your Daughter (or Son) from Eating Disorders
• Prepare for Summer with Yoga
• Dr’s Tips: Prevent & Reduce Childhood Obesity
• BPA Linked to Heart Disease – Thanks National Geographic
• Holiday Product Round Up…Some Last Minute Ideas

Rate this post! (No Ratings Yet)  Loading ... Written by Theresa Gould Filed Under Health & Fitness, Weight Loss Leave A Comment >>  Email This Post Tags: Energy, Exercise, Fitness Program, Health and Fitness, Health and Nutrition, PowerHouse Hit the Deck, PowerHouse Performance Coaching, Weight Loss, Workout

We all know that the holiday season brings extra snacking, which can add extra pounds if we aren’t careful. Now’s the time to plan ahead before all the bottles are recycled, the noisemakers thrown away and the confetti swept up off the floor. If you need to lose weight, then plan to start an weight loss resolution routine. We know that we always have good intentions at the start of each new year, but in a few short weeks those promises fall to the wayside. This happens because we have set impractical pledges that are fated to fail.

Lucky for us, Pirate Brands’ (makers of all-natural snacks including the iconic Pirate’s Booty), resident registered dietician, Emily Anschlowar, MS, RD is here to offer tips on how to set realistic goals for 2010.:

· Be Specific. Don’t just say, “I want to lose weight.” Instead, vow to lose two pounds per week for one year by exercising three to four times weekly and eating sweets in moderation.

· Get Serious. If you’re not serious about losing weight and getting healthy, it is most likely you won’t achieve your goals, which can lead to feelings of shame and guilt.

· Take Stock. Look through your fridge and pantry and throw out or donate unopened packages of foods that are high in saturated fat, trans fat and calories or highly processed.

· Create a plan. Plan out your meals in advance and create a weekly shopping list to keep you on track in the grocery store. Also, develop a work out calendar, so you can pump yourself up the days you need to hit the elliptical machine.

* Change Your Habits. Select foods that are naturally high in fiber and whole grains. Make sure to hit all the food groups and practice portion control.
* Water it Down. Water is great for weight-loss because it often replaces high-calorie drinks like soft drinks and juices packed with sugar. Sticking to the “8 by 8″ (eight 8-ounce glasses of water by 8:00 p.m. daily) is a tried and true method to stay hydrated.

· Don’t Deprive. Your weight loss regimen should not feel like a punishment. Instead of depriving yourself, allow yourself to splurge on foods you love in moderation. For example, eat half of a chocolate bar once per week.

· Keep Snacking. Noshing on whole grain snacks that are low in sugar will keep your energy up for that big meeting in between breakfast and lunch. Snacking will also keep you from overindulging at mealtimes.

Pirate Brands snacks are deliciously baked, low in fat, gluten and trans-fat free as well as made from all-natural, wholesome ingredients.

Pirate’s Booty is made from puffed rice and corn, only 130 calories per servings and comes in great flavors like Aged White Cheddar, Barbeque, Veggie, Sea Salt & Vinegar and New York Pizza.

Other great-tasting snacks include Smart Puffs, all-natural baked corn puffs made with real Wisconsin cheddar and Original Tings, all-natural vegan crunchy corn sticks.

We hope you’ll be inspired to live a little healthier and have fun while doing it! Let’s weigh anchor and hoist the mizzen!

Pirate Brands

Pirate Brands, a leader and manufacturer of all-natural snacks, is located in Sea Cliff, NY and has been creating healthier treasures since 1987. The company was founded on the belief that you shouldn’t have to “snackrifice” taste and fun for health. Pirate Brands produces deliciously baked, all-natural snacks including Pirate’s Booty, Smart Puffs and Original Tings. Pirate Brands’ snacks are free from fryers, trans fats and ingredients you can’t pronounce, Arrrrrr. Products are sold in the US. For more information visit: www.piratebrands.com

• Healthy Halloween Tips from Pirate’s Booty
• Sensa Weight Loss Twitter Party!
• Today Jenny Craig Celebrity Client Valerie Bertinelli is Down 40 lbs After Achieving Her Goal in December 2007.
• Carnie Wilson Talks to CelebrityBabyScoop.com About Life as a Mom
• Dr’s Tips: Prevent & Reduce Childhood Obesity

Rate this post! (1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)  Loading ... Written by Theresa Gould Filed Under Holidays, Weight Loss Leave A Comment >>  Email This Post Tags: All-Natural Snacks, Healthy Living, Healthy Snacks, Lose Weight, New Year Resolutions, Pirate Brands, Pirate's Booty, Snacks, Weight Loss, Weight Loss Goals

WHAT: Sensa Twitter Party with an iPod giveaway and 6 month supply of Sensa!

WHEN: November 18th from 7:00pm – 9:00pm EST.

WHERE: Use Tweetgrid, Tweetdeck or Twhirl that can easily filter hashtags. (Use hashtags #sensa and #weightloss)

WHY: Because Sensa is amazing weight loss system that helped me lose almost 25 pounds and get back down to my pre-pregnancy weight!

FOLLOW: Be sure to follow @thehousewife, @fashionablegal, @sensaweightloss (You should follow @fashionablebaby too!!)

AMAZING prizes including an 8GB iPod and 6 months of Sensa!!

PRIZES:

• Grand prize: 8 GB iPod and 6 months Sensa
• 10 people will get a 6-month supply of Sensa
• 10 people will get a Sensa Weight-loss book

RSVP: Click here to RSVP on McLinky

Continue reading »

• Mom of 3 Loses 100 Pounds, Then Enter Beauty Pagent!
• Dr. Siegal’s Cookie Diet – Snooki’s Diet Doc Helps Fashionistas “Lose Their Love Handles” for Valentine’s Day!
• A Weight Loss Resolution You Can Keep
• New BOOST® Kid Essentials Nutritionally Complete Drink
• Today Jenny Craig Celebrity Client Valerie Bertinelli is Down 40 lbs After Achieving Her Goal in December 2007.

Rate this post! (No Ratings Yet)  Loading ... Written by The Fashionable Housewife Filed Under Health & Fitness, Weight Loss Leave A Comment >>  Email This Post Tags: Apple iPod, Fitness, Health, iPod, Lose Weight, Plus Size, Sensa, Sensa Twtter Party, Sensa Weight Loss System, Twitter, twitter party, Weight Loss