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My 2018 To Do List

Every year, I pretty much do the same thing. I make a list of what I want to accomplish and then I either start tackling a few things and then pretty much abandon ship after about a month or two. Well now that 2018 is around the corner, I’m back again and ready to dig into that list. Here’s hoping I stick to at least 50% of these resolutions!

  1. Lose Weight – I’ve already posted ad nauseum about my desire to lose weight and this time I am super serious. I feel bloated, my clothes don’t fit right and no matter how much I do my Peloton, nothing seems to be budging. Time to shake things up and started shedding some serious poundage. Up eight pounds from 2017 so hoping to be down 28 lbs. by the end of 2018.
  2. Should I Stay or Should I Go? – I still don’t know where my future is headed. Stick with being a small business owner or head back to a full time job? That is the career question for 2018. I’m definitely keeping my options open this year and am dedicated to pursuing projects that I truly believe in.
  3. Teach Myself to Cook Healthy Foods: I’ve already been doing that but I’ve stepped up my game several notches these last few weeks by using my Instant Pot several times a day to whip up soups, oatmeal, spaghetti squash, meatloaf, steamed veggies, hard boiled eggs and much much more! No more shakes, bars, or prepared meals for me. I’m going to cook myself thin!!!!
  4. Sing again: I don’t want to reserve this just for the shower. I really want to join a group again where I can perform in front of people. I miss that part of my life so much and definitely need to go back to it this year.
  5. The Role Mommy Retreat: Since the first time I started Role Mommy I have always dreamed of hosting a retreat for entrepreneurial and creative women and haven’t followed through with it. Meanwhile, I’ve watched others spearhead retreats and conferences while I’ve been busy working on projects that were leading me nowhere. Well not anymore. My goal is to kick off one retreat per year and then workshop events in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. I’ve got captains in mind for each city so stay tuned. Destination for the retreat? Haven’t decided yet but somewhere warm with great food, places to see and lots of inspiration.
  6. Write More: I said this recently on another blog post and while I haven’t been able to post every single day on my blog, I have been getting a lot better. This year, I’m finally going to stick to an editorial calendar so I can plan out what I’m writing each week.
  7. Read More: This one should be fairly simple. I have even bought several books this year and had every intention of reading them. Except I didn’t. Rather than spend my time scrolling through my Facebook page, I’m going to devote more time to reading. It’s time to get reinvigorated by great writing!
  8. Don’t Chase Anyone: I find that quite often, I’m the friend trying to make plans with people only to find my texts and messages ignored. For those of you who will probably never read this post in the first place, I get the hint. You won’t be hearing from me again in 2018 or beyond. If you want to see me, you know where to find me. Otherwise, I’m tired of wasting energy pursuing people who obviously have no time for me.
  9. Spend Time with People I Adore: This one should be fairly easy but when your schedule gets hectic, sometimes, the people you care about wind up on the back burner and you end up not seeing them for years. This year, I’m going to make it a point to reconnect with those friends, catch up and spend quality time with people who I truly care about and I know care about me too.
  10. Help My Family Achieve Their Goals: As we head into the New Year, my husband is still working hard to build his sports business for families, my daughter is about to start her custom design sneaker business at Temple University and my son is a budding magician who needs to start booking some birthday parties stat. I promise not to be a helicopter mom or hoverer but instead, a connector who can help all of them achieve their goals by providing them with support, guidance and lots of PR.

So there you have it. My 2018 list of resolutions. I’ll make sure to check back in a year to see if I kept all or some of them. Either way, I’m ready for the New Year to start already. 2017, you have drained me and it’s time to say sayonara!!!!

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Top 10 Diet Resolutions for 2018

With 2018 on the horizon, it’s time to start thinking about how we’re going to do things differently in the New Year. For me, I’ve got a long list of resolutions that I really need to adhere to in the year ahead. Truth be told, the last year has been a bit trying to say the least – both on the career front and on the diet front.

This post is going to focus on my diet.

Ever since the 2016 election, I have gained eight pounds. That’s eight pounds on top of the 20 that I had wanted to lose in the first place. While I faithfully exercised on my Peloton and have logged over 300 rides this year, that didn’t stop the pounds from creeping up on me. So how can it be? Simple. Whenever I exercise, I give myself permission to eat more. Add to that the fact I am convinced that I’m going through perimenopause and there you have it. For the first time in my life, I have boobs and a muffin top. While I have always battled big calves, a big butt and big thighs, I have managed to keep my waist trim and my bra size fluctuated between an A and a B cup. These days, it seems like I’m inching towards a C and my jeans just don’t fit the way I’d like. My legs, thankfully look better than they ever have (thanks to my Peloton) so I blame some of the weight on muscle gain which technically weighs more than fat. Okay Beth, keep telling yourself that.

Even though I worked out at least 4-5 times per week, I spent way too much time online and in front of my TV. And that sedentary behavior has lead to the weight gain too. I’m obsessed with MSNBC and can watch it for hours on end which is totally unhealthy. When I wake up in the morning, I check my emails, my Facebook feed, the New York Post app, CNN and Twitter to make sure I’m updated on everything taking place that day. Then there’s all those news alerts. By the time I turn around, I’ve been sucked into a black hole where I’m reading everything from the Washington Post, to The Hill, to Politico, The New Yorker, Elle, Teen Vogue, and on and on and on. On the bright side, I’ve never read so much in my life. But on the down side, I haven’t cracked open a real book in months and every time I watch the news, I just get more and more aggravated.

So what am I going to do differently next year so I can stop this vicious cycle, lose weight and keep it off? I’m going to take the advice of my dear friend, Toby Amidor, the author of the Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook and a leading dietician who always has great advice for me on how to lose weight and keep it off. I just need to stick to it and do it!

So here are my diet resolutions for 2018:

  1. Drink more water. No matter how much I hate water, I’ve got to suck it up (literally) and just do it. At least 64 ounces of water per day. Every time I’m feeling hungry, I’ll reach for water. This is going to be tough but I have given up Diet Coke so it can become a habit eventually.
  2. Just say “NO” to the bread basket. This is totally my weakness. Whenever we go out to a restaurant, I love the bread basket. Corn muffins or warm sourdough bread gets me every time but this year, all bets are off. I may break down once in a while, but 2018 is all about cutting out carbs so I can reduce the size of my perimenopausal muffin top.
  3. Double up on veggies. Instead of including a starch with my meal, I will continue to get creative with vegetables. My instant pot has seriously upped my cooking skills so this year, I’ll continue using that amazing product to make our dinners delicious, filling and satisfying.
  4. Eat out less.  We have started doing this already but I know that the more I cook at home and the less I eat out at restaurants, the better we will be – from a health and savings standpoint. We’ll still go out on weekends but I’m committed to cooking at least 5 days per week in the New Year.
  5. Less wine per week. On the weekends, I totally enjoy having wine with dinner. But I find that if I have more than 2 glasses, I become exhausted and completely bloated. In the New Year, I’m going to limit my wine intake to either 1 glass per weekend meal. I’m also going to cut out drinking during the week.
  6. Start dancing and weight training again. While I do love my Peloton, my friend Toby tells me that as menopause approaches, I need to burn even more calories. That means, I need to find another way to sweat and I’m either going to get a class pass to try out some Zumba in my area or I’ll download the BeachBody on Demand App and take their classes instead. I actually purchased these cool boots called Kangoo Jumps which are great for people like me who have bad knees so I may just combine a dance workout with the Kangoos and see if the pounds start falling off by mixing up my cardio routine. Toby also says that weight training is a great way to speed up your metabolism and lose weight. Even though I do weights on the Peloton, I need to add more strength training into my routine and can easily use their Beyond the Ride option to take more of those classes too.
  7. Write more. Sure writing is a sedentary exercise, but it prevents you from reaching for a cookie while you’re typing. When it comes to my blog, I always vow each year that I’m going to post more and then I just don’t. I can’t make any promises but I will definitely try. Even if it means banking a few posts to run during the week, the more I write, the happier I am. So look for more blog posts on weight loss, inspiring moms, binge-worthy shows and funny stories.
  8. Join a singing group. In year’s past, I was always rehearsing on the weekends for a show but about three years ago, that stopped. Since that time, I’ve been talking about wanting to sing again but haven’t done anything about it. Well that stops this year – it’s time to find a group or a class where I can sing again. I miss it, I love it and that’ll keep my mind off food too.
  9. Cut down on the TV News addiction. This one is tough since I am obsessed with practically every show on MSNBC. I start my day with Morning Joe, I love catching Velshi and Ruhl for my finance tips. I look to Nicole Williams for great commentary on what’s going on at the White House. I’m hooked on Ari Melber and his insightful and lawyerly approach to the news of the day. And don’t even get me started on Joy Reid, Rachel Maddow and Laurence O’Donnell. I think if I ever met any of them, I’d pass out. Honorable mention also goes to Chuck Todd, Chris Matthews, Chris Hayes and Andrea Mitchell but I do have to work and spend time with my family so I don’t have MSNBC on a 24 hour loop as much as I’d like to. So as tough as it is, I’m going to cut back on my MSNBC addiction. Or just do something productive while I’m watching like ride my Peloton or slip on my Kangoos.
  10. Delete Facebook and Twitter from my phone. I don’t know if I have the guts to do this, so I’m going to just put that out there and will keep you posted if I actually do it. I really love reading my Facebook and Twitter feed but it is a total time suck. When I wake up in the morning, I should pop out of bed and hop on my Peloton. Instead, I spend an hour in bed liking posts, reading articles and getting sucked into the Russia investigation. I need to get those hours back and the best way to do it is to delete those apps from my phone. One more thing is to leave my phone downstairs whenever I work out. Otherwise, I’m distracted and I don’t work out as hard.

So there you have it – 10 ways I’m going to work hard at losing weight this year. I refuse to drink shakes, put butter in my coffee, become a vegan or eat food I hate. I’m going to downsize by eating less, working out and doing the things I love. The only thing I didn’t mention was cutting down on sugar. Since I do have a sweet tooth, I’m not going to rule out having something sweet in my diet each day, but I will opt for dark chocolate over cool whip and ice cream but that’s about the only thing I won’t give up on my quest to lose weight for the umpteenth time in my life.

If you need to lose weight in the New Year, I hope I inspired you with these resolutions. If you have any suggestions, let me know. I’m all ears as long as it doesn’t require doing shots of apple cider vinegar or fasting. I’m ready to lose weight the old fashioned way. Hope you’re with me too!

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20 Pounds

Okay.  I did it. I got on the scale after several months and now I am thoroughly depressed. The reason? I don’t have to lose 10 pounds anymore.  Nope. The reason why my clothes aren’t fitting the way I’d like is because I’m 10 pounds heavier than I was the last time I tried to lose weight.  I thought since I was faithfully exercising on my Peloton that I’d be able to get in shape and while I am getting more toned, the actual number on the scale just freaked me out.

While desperate times call for desperate measures, I refuse to go on another fad diet.  I am sick and tired of reaching my goal, keeping the weight off and then gaining twice as much weight after I fall off the wagon. Frankly, it’s debilitating.  I tried all year to cook healthier but I still had too much to drink and way too many sweets. I’m still hooked on sweeteners even though I do tend to use stevia as much as possible.  I’ve got three weeks to go before I head to Paris and another month and a half before Jamaica.  So that means it’s time to get serious.

Starting today, here’s my official commitment to losing the weight once and for all.

  1. I’m committing to drinking more water, eating less bread and avoiding dessert.  Oy. That one was tough.
  2. I will still have my wine but will only have it on the weekend and limit the number of glasses.
  3. No bread from any bread basket.
  4. No pizza at all until I am down 10 pounds
  5. Walk at least 30 minutes per day and get it up to at least an hour if possible.
  6.  No processed foods.
  7. No chips.
  8. Oil and Vinegar only – no salad dressings.
  9. No mindless eating.
  10. Determine if it’s hunger or appetite and if it’s appetite, do something else.
  11. Write a blog post.

There’s way more that I can do, but at least this is a start.  It’s time to get serious so I’m taking a stand to shed the pounds.  I’ll let you know how it goes each week.  For now, it’s day one.  Here’s hoping I’ll be swimsuit ready for Jamaica!

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Finding Time to Exercise with a Busy Mom Agenda

No matter if you work outside the home or inside, it can be difficult to carve out time for yourself. If you do find a few free minutes, you may rather spend it catching up on some much needed sleep or a good book. However, eating right and exercising are integral to your health and wellness. The following advice can make it easier for busy moms to fit in a few pushups without feeling guilty.
Map Out a Plan
Before you had children, you may have had time for workouts at the gym and taking the time to cook nutritious meals. While you wouldn’t trade moments of snuggling your child for anything in the world, it would be nice to be able to go for a run without feeling like your missing precious moments with your family. However, balancing work, family life and a bit of “me” time can help make you more centered and happy. At the start of your week, map out a plan for the days ahead. This includes school, work, meetings, extra-curricular activities and social obligations. This allows you the chance to see where you can fit in a quick class at the gym, jog or walk with a neighbor.
Work Through Life’s Complications
A broken water heater, flooded basement, sick child or overdrawn checkbook can add to your daily stresses as a mom. While you may want to give up and go back to bed after a bad day, you still have to take care of your own health and wellness. Incorporating a workout in between the bad moments will help you feel better. The movement can also be helpful in alleviating stress and clearing your mind. In addition to doing something fun such as a Zumba class, getting outside in the fresh air can improve your state of mind.
Daily Activities
If your job is a stay-at-home mom or you’re able to work from home, you may be able to incorporate small workouts throughout the day. This includes taking the children for a walk in their stroller in the morning hours. If you visit the park, chasing after your children can burn calories. Games of ball, tag and follow-the-leader can also be unique ways to fit in a workout. If you have an office job away from home, place weights and a step nearby. In between paper shuffling try to fit in a set of curls and step ups. If you work an eight or nine hour day, you could have put in more workout time than you would have at the gym.
Find Something That You Love
A great way to exercise and stay committed is by finding an exercise that you really enjoy. No matter if you’re traveling, taking care of the children or working, you’ll be able to find a way to make it a priority. If you like running, pack your running shoes and fit in a short run before you come home from work. For those with a gym membership, you may be able to sneak in a class each day, especially if they have on-site daycare. Your children get the opportunity to socialize with other kids, and you get the chance to do something healthy for yourself.
You Don’t Have to Go Big
While working out for an hour or more each day may have significant health benefits, you don’t have to go big every day. Set your goals for a minimum of 15 minutes per day. Whether you take a walk with the kids after dinner as a family, go for a bike ride or do rapids sets of walking up and down stairs, remember that some exercise is better than none.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

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Forget summer bodies, here’s how to get in shape for life

With warmer weather truly on the way, you might be tempted to go all out to achieve the perfect summer body. The trouble is, taking this short-term approach to getting in shape can be a recipe for yo-yo weight loss and a lifelong battle with the bulge. Rather than focusing on what you look like in a bikini on the beach for a few short months, it’s much better to slim down in sustainable ways that you can keep up over the long term. If you want to get in shape and stay that way for life, keep reading.
Make changes to your diet that you can actually stick to
It’s easy to understand why crash diets are so popular. The prospect of being able to shed lots of weight within a short space of time is an alluring one. However, it’s impossible to keep these fad eating programmes up for the long haul. Often, they cut out crucial food groups and they can be very unhealthy. They also make unrealistic demands on your self-restraint. OK, so completely cutting out chocolate, cheese and other treats might be doable in the few short weeks before a summer sojourn, but what about when you’re back from the beach and don’t have a holiday to look forward to?
It’s much better to make more subtle but sustainable changes to your eating habits. Bear in mind that the average woman needs around 2,000 calories a day to maintain her weight, while for men this figure is 2,500 calories. If you want to shed some pounds, you’ll need to cut your calorie intake and make sure you use more energy than you consume. How much you cut your intake by will depend on your weight, lifestyle and goals, but whatever your target, make sure your diet is healthy, nutritious and full of vitamins and minerals. You can find out more about weight loss from your doctor or trusted online health services such as Online Doctor.
Build more exercise into your everyday life
Unknown.jpegAs with the food you eat, there’s no point in setting unrealistic targets when it comes to exercise. Sure, working up a sweat by spending hours in the gym could do wonders for your weight loss, but with your responsibilities at home and at work, how long could you expect to keep intense regimes like this up for? A more savvy approach is to build activity into your everyday life. For example, make sure you take the stairs instead of the lift, and try cycling or walking to local destinations rather than reaching for your car keys.
Even being active with your kids by taking them swimming or to play in the park could help your efforts to get in shape. Vigorous housework can be a great way to burn energy too.
Be patient
Following advice like this does require patience and perseverance. You won’t see major results in a matter of weeks; instead, the changes will be gradual. However, by sticking to your plan, you should succeed in losing weight and the best thing is, you’ll find it easy to keep up your new regime up. This could spell the end of your weight loss woes
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

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Do You Suffer From LOCKED CLOSET SYNDROME?

Urban Oasis.jpg I am definitely guilty of this, are you? A new survey of women who want to lose weight finds that, on average, women have 14 items of clothing in their closets that don’t fit. The reason? Sixty-eight percent of women said they keep ill-fitting clothes with the hope they will fit one day. The survey was conducted by Wakefield Research for Slimfast®,the weight-loss brand that has helped millions get what they really want for more than three decades.
“Many women can relate to the feeling of having a closet full of clothes, yet nothing to wear,” said Jenn Falik, style expert. “The Slimfast survey shows it’s in large part due to the prevalence of ‘Locked Closet Syndrome,’ the practice of ‘locking away’ clothes that once fit, are in ‘goal sizes,’ or you just don’t feel confident wearing.”
Other highlights from the Slimfast “Unlock Your Closet” survey include the following:
· 93 percent of women have multiple sizes of clothing in their closet – 3 sizes, on average
· Women keep ill-fitting items for an average of 14 months; with 15 percent saying they have kept pieces that don’t fit for more than two years
· 79 percent of women frequently dread getting dressed because of ill-fitting clothes in their closet
· 68 percent of women who want to lose weight characterized their wardrobe as “sensible” versus “sassy” (11 percent) or “smokin” (5 percent)
· If it meant they were able to fit into everything in their closet, 57 percent said they’d be willing to wash all the dishes by hand for a month and more than 1 in 10 say they’d take a pay cut
· 83 percent of women admitted to lying about their pants size more often than their age
Now you can take the Pledge to Unlock Your Closet with the Slimfast 14 Days to Slim Program
With 14 days to go until Memorial Day weekend, it is time for women to take control of their closet and get their minds (and bodies) ready for summer fashion season.
Women nationwide are invited to take the Pledge to Unlock Your Closet at Facebook.com/Slimfast and be entered to win $5,000 for a summer wardrobe. The sweepstakes is open from this Monday, May 12 through May 27, 2014. Women are invited to take on the Slimfast 14 Days to Slim program, a convenient and delicious way to lose up to lose 6 pounds in the first 2 weeks.
· Swap two meals daily with a Slimfast Protein shake or meal bar.
· Your third meal must be 500 calories.
· Enjoy three 100-calorie snacks or pieces of fruit per day.
· Don’t exceed 1200 calories per day.
· Do 30 minutes of light to medium exercise daily and drink plenty of water.
*If you live in the tri-state area, you can take advantage of an amazing free event this Monday, May 12th!!
SAY ‘SO LONG, WINTER’ AND STRUT INTO SUMMER
AT THE SLIMFAST POP-UP “URBAN OASIS” IN THE HEART OF MANHATTAN
MONDAY, MAY 12TH
WHO: With the start of the summer season just 2 weeks away, Slimfast and style and beauty expert Jenn Falik invite New Yorkers to get summer-ready and take the Pledge to Unlock Your Closet -just in time for the season’s crop tops and fringe swimsuits! New Yorkers will be surprised and delighted via an “urban oasis” pop-up near Union Square where they can relax in chaise lounge chairs, feel pampered and get ready for summer. Falik will be on hand for media interviews to discuss the season’s hottest fashion trends, as well as the results of a new survey that reveals the most daunting articles of summer clothing, plus the prevalence of ‘Locked Closet Syndrome,’ the practice of ‘locking away’ clothes that once fit, are in ‘goal sizes,’ or that you just can’t wear confidently.
WHAT: A pop-up summer oasis on the street featuring eye-catching cabana boys serving up the first taste of the indulgent Slimfast Limited Edition Piña Colada Protein Meal Shake to the public.
· Enjoy an on-site complimentary express manicure service while getting your summer groove on.
· Additionally, New Yorkers will also have the opportunity to Take the Slimfast 14-day Pledge to Unlock Your Closet” to enter for a chance to win $5,000 for a smokin’ new summer wardrobe, and bid farewell to their wardrobe hang-ups.
WHERE: South Side of 14th Street between 5th Avenue and University Place
WHEN: Monday, May 12 from 11am-2pm
jenn falik.jpg Falik – who has been on the Today Show and The View – will be on hand to discuss summer fashion, the results of a recent closet survey Slimfast conducted or common wardrobe hang-ups – like the “Locked Closet Syndrome”… saving clothes until incremental weight loss “unlocks” them and you can wear said clothes again.

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Is There a Link Between Fatigue and Weight Gain?

The Link Between Fatigue and Weight Gain By Debi Silber, MS, RD, WHC The Mojo Coach®
Is there any connection between eating to stay awake and the obesity epidemic? The answer is a resounding yes. Here’s how…
When we’re tired, we often turn to food to help us stay awake. The foods we choose are foods high in sugar because we’re looking for the immediate energy surge sugar often provides. Those high sugar foods we reach for when we’re tired are calorically dense yet nutrient void which means we’re taking in a lot of calories with little nutritional value. When the body takes in more than it can use, the only option it has is to store it in the form of fat for use at a later date.
Here’s what happens after a high sugar binge. The sugar rush is short lived due to a dramatic spike and drop in blood sugar and energy levels. The surge of insulin that was released during the high sugar binge then encourages the intake for more sugar. So this high sugar diet, which may have originally begun as a need for more energy, encourages an overuse of sugar and we go from binge to binge on a roller coaster ride of sugar induced energy and eventual weight gain.
When we eat to stay awake, we also secrete stress hormones such as cortisol. When over secreted, one of the things cortisol will do is stimulate our appetite for high sugar and high fat foods. So we find ourselves reaching for high sugar, high fat foods we may not have chosen if those hormones were never secreted due to a lack of sleep. It’s a dangerous cycle, which begins with the need for sleep but ends with overeating and obesity.
Another problem that occurs when we’re tired is that we don’t have the mental clarity or focus required to pre-­‐plan healthy meals or snacks. We grab what’s easy which is often prepackaged “sub-­‐food” loaded in sugar, fat and calories. When we’re tired, we’re also more likely to eat fast food and takeout food, which can be caloric time bombs as well.
Finally, when we’re tired and we eat to stay awake instead of getting enough sleep, we prevent our bodies from getting back to a normal sleep cycle. Without getting back to a normal sleep cycle, hormonal levels continue to stay unbalanced, hormones continue to be secreted and a healthy sleep cycle and hormonal balance is kept at bay. This leaves us to continue to search for ways to increase our energy…even if it’s causes excess weight or obesity.
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Debi Silber, MS, RD, WHC The Mojo Coach®, founder of www.TheMojoCoach.com is a leading health, fitness, wellness, lifestyle, self-­‐improvement expert and THE secret behind some of the healthiest, most dynamic, energetic and successful people today. Sign up for your “10 FREE Strategies to Get You Lean, Sleek and Sculpted”! (These are complete programs and videos) and take the FREE “Mojo Lifestyle Assessment” to see how you score.

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The Mojo Coach Weighs In: Why Do We Overeat?

The Who, What, When, Where, How and Why of Weight Loss
By Debi Silber, MS, RD, WHC The Mojo Coach®

One of the most common reasons why many of us struggle with weight loss and weight
maintenance is because we fail to look at the: who, what, when, where, how and why we
actually gained the weight in the first place. Once we’re able to ask ourselves these questions
and come up with some insightful answers, we can understand how to finally create a weight
loss plan that actually works. The first place to start is with the who of weight loss.

1. Who triggers you to overeat? It can be a boss who triggers us to grab foods to calm or relax us
after a stressful day at the office. It can be a friend or partner who encourages us to overeat
because they want a “food buddy.” It can be someone who shows their love for you through
the food they’ve prepared and we eat to avoid hurting their feelings.

2. What types of foods you are eating? Are you having a problem with your food choices, eating
too much junk food, takeout, prepared or fast food? Are the foods you’re choosing high in fat
and sugar? Are your portions too big and you’re finding yourself “economy sizing”, “super
sizing” or “value sizing?” Are you choosing foods that don’t satisfy or fill you adequately? Are
you taking in too many liquid calories?

3. When are you overeating? For many people, weight issues stem from over eating the same
foods at the same time. For example, many moms find they over eat their children’s snack
foods, between 3-­‐4pm. Others find that late night snacking while watching TV is the place
where they’re taking in too much.

4. Where are you doing most of your overeating? Many people find that they overeat at the
kitchen counter while preparing food and snacks for others. Others find that the living room
couch after a long day is where the damage is done and still others can blame weight gain on
the Saturday night breadbasket at their favorite restaurant.

5. How you’re over eating? You can be eating socially, mindlessly, binge eating or eating
emotionally. With social eating you’re not hungry, but you’re simply eating to be a part of the
group or the experience. You may be concerned about being judged, criticized or questioned if
you don’t eat what everyone else is eating so you use the opportunity to eat foods you’d
normally limit or avoid. With mindless eating, you take in extra food as you’re passing it to
others, when you grab something as you see it on the counter or someone’s desk, eating while
preparing food or eating while reading, watching TV or doing anything else that takes your
attention away from concentrating on what you’re eating. Poor food choices or eating to
improve our feelings or mood are the most common reasons for binge eating. For example, a
diet high in sugar often encourages binge-­‐eating behavior because the sugar provides a quick
energy surge followed by an energy crash. That crash encourages a high sugar binge in order to
regain that energy so quickly gained and lost. With an emotional eating binge, we overeat to
calm, numb or relax. It’s used as a means to self soothe and self medicate. It’s a technique
we’ve employed to deal with our stress, fears, anger, frustration or hurt and we eat to
encourage a boost of serotonin, one of the body’s “feel good” chemicals.

6.Why are you overeating? Questioning yourself after a binge is one of the best times to ask
that question. With compassion and without judgment, simply ask yourself “what do I really
need?” or “what was I really looking for?” Rarely is it food and more likely it’s compassion,
security, sleep, friendship, a fulfilling project, satisfying relationship, enriching and meaningful
job, more confidence or simply a call for a better way to handle your stress.

The more we understand the: who, what, when, where, how and why of weight loss, the better
we can create a plan that works for us…not against us. While it may take some effort to come
up with the answers, every answer you find brings you one step closer to gradual yet lasting
weight loss.

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Debi Silber, MS, RD, WHC The Mojo Coach®, founder of www.TheMojoCoach.com is a leading
health, fitness, wellness, lifestyle, self-­‐improvement expert and THE secret behind some of
the healthiest, most dynamic, energetic and successful people today. Sign up for your “10
FREE Strategies to Get You Lean, Sleek and Sculpted”! (These are complete programs and
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Where You Live Could Be Making You Fat

imgres.jpegI just came across this interesting pitch from Chef2Chef.net, a leading culinary web portal, recently released “Supermarket Secrets,” an infographic exploring the role supermarkets play in healthy eating decisions. The infographic suggests that grocery shopping habits are influenced by lifestyle, income and education, all of which play an important role when it comes to making healthy choices.
Living near a supermarket may play a significant role in healthy eating, according to a French study that found a correlation between higher body mass index (BMI), larger waist circumference and living far away from a supermarket. This is especially concerning because a 2009 U.S. Department of Agriculture study reported that 23 million Americans do not live within one mile of a grocery store. The same study found that people with high incomes are twice as likely to live near a supermarket as people with low incomes.
“One health benefit that is sometimes overlooked is how close one is to a supermarket,” said Heidi Agustin, spokesperson for Chef2Chef.net. “Access to stores that offer fresh produce and high-quality brands is an important factor in the development of good eating habits for individuals and their families.”
I never even considered that proximity to a supermarket would have anything to do with obesity, but depending upon where you live, you could be setting yourself and your family up for a lifetime of weight issues. Even though I do binge from time to time, I have to say that this year, I’ve made a conscious decision to cut out ice cream at night, have not eaten any frozen dinners and included greek yogurt in my daily diet. And I have to say, I feel so much better and dropped two sizes. Losing weight can be difficult – especially if you are obese, but all it takes is making smart decisions about what you’re putting in your mouth. Take a look at the Chef2Chef infographic for some more interesting facts about the obesity rate in our country and how supermarkets or lack of them play a role in sabotaging many Americans who don’t have access to healthy options.
Supermarket Secrets
Courtesy of: Chef2Chef.net

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Role Mommy Weight Loss Challenge: Week Four

We’re halfway through our husband and wife challenge and we are officially in a dead heat. Both down five pounds with five more to go. It is on. Seriously though, I have to say, today, when both my good friend and my daughter complimented me on the fact that I look thinner, I was on cloud nine. Even though I missed out on an opportunity to meet my favorite movie star of all time because I had to take my daughter for an xray, that’s okay – she said I looked thin and you know what, I’ll never forget it. And no worries – the xray turned out negative so I am not the most vain mom on the planet. Well, maybe just a little.
Take a look and enjoy…