It just amazes me that society has promoted the waif thin figures of 0-2 size models as being healthy and normal. Besides the designers and Hollywood, who finds that attractive?  And when you read about what the models and entertainers must do to remain slim enough to stay competitive, I wouldn’t tout that as healthy living, either. Unfortunately, through the fashion, media, and entertainment industry, society has promoted an entire generation of kids to feel unattractive if they’re average, and many have turned to eating disorders as a solution. Others who are overweight struggle to find acceptance, which cycles into unhealthy eating habits because of emotional eating and yo-yo dieting.

I say kudos to those models and entertainers that have stepped out of that mold and become comfortable in their own skin.

Finally, magazines like Glamour are stepping up to the plate and giving us “average” women something to relate to. So big was the response to a feature of full figured, size 12 model, Lizzi Miller, that they are devoting another fall issue to Plus-size fashion. It seems America, and maybe the world, is ready for the curves to make a comeback.

So, what does that mean for those of us trying to lose weight? Well, contrary to those who believe it encourages obesity, I think it gives most women a realistic and healthy image to shoot for. It supports finding an ideal size for your body type and lifestyle…something you can live with and maintain over the long term. And it means that women can be beautiful at any size. Self-esteem, after all, is part of the success in reaching your ideal size and becoming fit and fabulous for life.

I’ve been as big as a size 18 (just a couple years ago) and as small as a size 8 (in my twenties) in my life. Right now, I’m a 14 and working my way down to a comfortable and toned sized 12.  As a baby boomer woman, my goal isn’t just to look good, but to be as healthy and fit as possible as I age, and encourage other women of all ages to live their best life.

Do you celebrate “normal” sized women gracing the pages of fashion magazines? Do you think it encourages being overweight? Do you even think size 12 should be labeled as a “Plus” size? I’d love to know what you think, so feel free to comment either way.

The one thing people who fail at losing weight do is give up and quit before they’ve seen success. Now, there may be all sorts of reasons for that. Some people just don’t want to do what it takes to lose fat and live healthier lives until they’re forced to by a health problem. Other people self-sabotage because of low self-esteem, lack of belief, lack of motivation, an “it’s not happening fast enough” mindset or a myriad of other excuses. Others are hoping, by some chance, that taking a pill, potion or shake will magically melt the fat right off of them. I’ve got news… it isn’t going to happen! There are no shortcuts to being fit and fabulous.

Have you started a diet or fitness program or tried various weight loss aids and then quit before really experiencing success? You’re not alone!

So, what can you do to raise your level of success for long term and lasting weight loss?

1. Find a partner, accountability group, or personal coach to support and encourage your efforts. Just having that someone to call, or meet up with can do a lot to keep you focused on your goal. I lost the most weight when I had a friend that I was training with and accountable to.
2. Stop “dieting” and start following a balanced approach to eating. The 16 Keys to Lasting Fat Loss is a good place to start. When subjects were studied to determine which popular diets were most effective, it was found that nearly 25% quit after the first two months and another 50% of those left didn’t stick with their assigned diet for a period of even one year. From those that did complete the year long study, everyone lost weight, but no particular diet worked significantly better than others, leading researchers to conclude that any diet plan that helps people eat less food and lose weight will work as long as you stay with it.
3. Make a commitment to yourself and to friends of sticking with a plan. Write down your compelling reasons for wanting to lose in a journal and track your progress. Keeping a journal of what, when, and why you eat can be helpful in identifying those triggers that cause self-sabotage. Create a plan for integrating lifestyle changes gradually and deliberately over a period of a few months so the new habits have a chance to work and become a daily routine. Then work your plan and celebrate your successes. Changing your lifestyle while losing the weight sets you up for long term success so you don’t become one of the 80%+ who put the weight back on.
4. Support your nutritional program and exercise with effective supplementation. I’ve seen both dietitians and fitness coaches criticize supplements, and I agree that there are a number of hyped diet aids that don’t work, waste users money, and promise overnight or unrealistic results. However, I also believe that while dieting, it’s important to supplement with effective natural ingredients that can provide added nutritional support, thereby lowering cravings for food, as well as help to preserve lean muscle during weight loss and curb the appetite. Eating less, along with a stressed and busy schedule, can create deficiencies in nutrients, and most people don’t get the proper nutrients even if they’re eating normally. So, for optimal health and the best results, I recommend supplementation.

I use and promote both a vitamin/mineral patch that is designed for women’s nutritional and hormonal support (a men’s version is available) and a weight loss patch that curbs my appetite and enhances my energy and fat loss while preserving muscle.  The patches are easy and convenient to use with more effective absorption of ingredients than if taken orally and processed through the digestive system. I use a protein powder supplement called Shakeology as a meal replacement several times a week, and I also highly recommend drinking ionized alkaline water for optimal hydration and flushing toxic waste that is released from fat cells as you lose.

Depending on a fad or even a proven diet plan may work for the short term, but we’ve all heard the many stories of people who have just put the weight right back on after quitting. An Oxford study showed that 80% of people who lose weight gain all the weight back within 3-5 years. A National Weight Control Registry report suggested that number could be as high as 95%. You’re a step ahead when you lose weight gradually and with methods that are sound, healthy, realistic, and transition into lasting maintenance.

Have you tried dieting? Did it work? Did you keep the weight off? If not, why not? I’d love to hear your stories, so feel free to share by commenting below.

I just created a 90 day plan to end the year by losing more weight and regaining some of the fitness, muscle, and flexibility that was lost during nearly 3-4 months of fairly sedentary recovery (translation=sitting on my butt). The good news is that after purchasing and using the Ab Circle Pro midway during my recovery, I was able to lose 7 pounds and inches from both my waist and hips. That may not seem like a lot, but for as inactive as I was, I was thrilled not to gain weight and inches.

Currently, I’m rotating between some fitness DVDs that I have on hand, including Shakeology 30 and 50 minute workouts that combine cardiovascular intervals with strength moves to both tone and build metabolism, Core Secret’s “Full Body Challenge”, an energizing workout that builds strength and improves agility, and Core Secret’s “Ab Assault” powerful isolation and core-shaping moves to flatten and firm my abs. Even though these allow me to work right in the comfort of my home, which is convenient, the downside is that each of these requires no less than 30 minutes, and some even more, to complete. There are those days, when activities or work cut into that time and I began to miss my Ab Circle Pro™.

So, I just ordered a second Ab Circle Pro™ for over here. And my hubby said he would use it, too. A quick 5-7 minute workout in the morning when I get out of bed energizes and drives up that metabolism first thing. In case I miss a workout, I know I will have at least benefited from those few minutes of intense exercise. And, even though I’m working at losing more everywhere, my biggest trouble spots are my waistline and hips and buns, so this will help trim the inches off as I continue to lose weight.

I’ve had a couple people comment and ask if I had success with the machine, so this should assure you that I felt it was a worthwhile investment. The order won’t ship until the end of September, so in the meantime, I will be working out according to plan 6 days a week and posting my results periodically. BTW, there is no financial benefit for me to promote this machine. I just like it and want to share something that has worked for me.

How will you spend the next 90 days? Do you have a plan for weight loss or fitness? September 23^rd gives you 100 more days of 2009 to work on You. I hope you’ll use it to reach your potential. If you need help, feel free to set up a 30 minute free coaching call, join my Facebook fan page, or fill out the form and get my newsletter. Let’s do this together!

In partnership,

Leta

I received the machine 2 weeks ago and was excited to put it together immediately and do a workout. Fortunately, there is a DVD that accompanies the machine that shows some different ways to optimize your workout and use more muscle groups. I recommend a fitness coach or trainer, or in this case, coaching through dvd, to anyone starting a fitness program to minimize injury and get the best results.

To start, I used the lowest incline and completed just 10 reps of each sequence for a total workout of about 4 minutes. Outside of a little soreness in the inner thigh, I didn’t feel much the next day, so added 5 more reps and then 5 more the next day. I’ve been doing those 20 reps through each exercise sequence since and my workout is about 8-10 minutes. After 8 days of using the Ab Circle Pro™ I’m definitely feeling muscle soreness. I took my weight and measurements, so will share after 2 weeks any results I’m getting.

I like the Ab Circle Pro™ for the following benefits:

• Lightweight, compact machine that is easy to set up and store (would easily slip under the bed or against a closet wall)
• Can be used at any fitness level
• Works multiple muscle groups, including biceps, triceps, pectorals, lats, a variety of abdominal muscles, the butt, hips, and inner and outer thighs. Because you rest on your knees during the workout, the lower parts of the leg are not as affected.
• Provides a low impact aerobic benefit, which I assume increases as the incline increases.
• Workout time is short, intense and great for those who are time challenged.
• At less than $200 is an affordable alternative to a gym or more complex machine
• It’s fun. I found myself wanting to get on it rather than fighting the exercise.
• You can do it in the privacy of your own home on your own schedule.

I’m looking forward to seeing some inches come off the waistline, hips, and thighs and would recommend this as an option for those who want a quick targeted workout that focuses on abdominal fat. If you’re looking for some ways to get a weight loss and/or fitness program started, I’m available for a consult. Simply fill out the form or set up an appointment online and let’s get started.

Meanwhile stay tuned as I keep you updated on my personal 90 day Chick Challenge progress. By combining smart, healthy eating with the weight loss patch and daily activity, I’m maximizing my results even with my physical limitations.

I agreed to go support her in her new endeavor and found myself on the floor learning new steps my very first night. I’ve been back four times since. In fact, I spent an hour one of the nights learning a completely new dance and found that it was very much like an hour of aerobic exercise…but way more fun! And the dance floor was packed!

So, I did a little mingling and socializing and found several of the gals were losing a significant amount of weight line dancing. One lost over 75 pounds shakin’that booty and kickin’ those legs. She’s having fun, it’s her social time, and she’s confident she’ll dance away the other 75 pounds she desires to lose, as well.

It’s an ideal place for boomers to be active while having fun. There were people there from 21 to their 80’s. And line dancing allows both couples and singles to enjoy themselves, since a partner isn’t required. Even during couples dancing, singles were line dancing, too. The men and women were enjoying themselves, staying active, and it didn’t feel like they were there for a “catch”. I found it to be a comfortable and relaxed environment.

Now, I do have to warn you that if you drink beer or alcohol while dancing the night away, the chances of losing weight go down, so commit to staying on the dance floor as much as possible and rehydrate with water instead.

If exercising has become boring, you struggle with discipline, or are simply looking for some new ways to add activity to your lifestyle, why not try line dancing? Just get a few friends to join you and go have fun while burning those calories. Believe me, it doesn’t feel like exercise at all! And the country music…well it’s growing on me.