Yesterday, I bit the bullet and signed up for Weight Watchers online.  There are five nagging pounds between me and fitting easily into my favorite clothes.  I have pretty good eating and exercise habits.  At the same time, I have a few bad habits that have to do with the choices I make when I am busy and stressed. 

The bottom line is I know which days and weeks are going to be busy.  Those are the weeks I need to be especially conscious about filling the refrigerator with vegetables, fruits and whole grains.  And protein options that are lower in fat and calories. 

Most of the time, I am pretty good about staying hydrated.  Unfortunately, when I get behind on my water intake, I pay a high price.  My heart rate elevates and I feel worn out.  Sometimes, I even get a headache.  I have found this to be much more true since I had a full hysterectomy at 38. 

My family has a long and varied history of heart disease and diabetes so I take weight gain and health very seriously.  Weight watchers does not monitor for either of these and allows a lot of processed foods, which I also avoid.  What Weight Watchers does do is to take my pretty good habits and shows me right on the computer where I can make them better. 

Plan ahead for healthy and delicious food choices.  A glass of wine here and there.  Drink plenty of water.  And save the splurges for true celebrations. 

My goal is to release that nagging five pounds over the next two months and then cement the improved habits to keep it off!  I’ll be weighing in on Sunday and will let you know how I’m doing. 

I would love to hear from you about your weight loss releasing successes!  Victory is much sweeter when shared! 

GlamourByLBD Note:  This past week, I embarked on a 15-week wellness project at Rozenhart Family Chiropractic.  CWAS, which is the acronym for Creating Wellness Assessment System is going to help me to eat better, exercise more effectively, sleep better and de-stress by making positive changes in my life in the aspects of my life where I have the ability to make choices.  Over the next 15 Saturdays, my coach, Michelle Damron and I, will share my progress with you! 

When I went in for my assessment, my “score” was 88  which is a long way from my goal of 125!  I intend to reduce body fat, get back down one clothing size, increase my energy and learn strategies for dealing with stressors in my life.  End result?  I look and feel my best in my favorite LBD!  Wish me luck! 

Here’s what Michelle has to say about week one: 

Laura Beth recently began the 15 week Creating Wellness program at Rozenhart Family Chiropractic.  Two weeks ago she received a full body assessment, filled out an extensive questionnaire to determine lifestyle factors and the result was an in-depth analysis and Wellness Quotient.  The Wellness Quotient is a number on a scale of 1-200 that signifies the health and well-being of a person.  A score of 100 is the average for a person your age. 

The program is unique because it covers the three dimensions of stress- bio-chemical, physical and psychological.  There is a website with thousands of recipes that includes a set meal plan for those who desire such, as well as guidelines for those who need more flexibility.   Exercise DVDs, a strength band, exercise ball are part of the kit - everything a person needs to work out at home.  The program also includes a supply of vitamins that received the highest possible rating from an independent company.  Weekly Sound Advice and coaching offer support and education.   

This week when Laura Beth came into the office to pick up her kit, she was absolutely radiant.  She was full of life and so excited because she had lost 11 inches since being measured one month earlier, her clothes were fitting better and her energy had increased.  All this, simply by adding the Vitalize supplements, a quality greens drink and increasing the dosage of an adrenal supplement. 

GlamourByLBD Note:  Yesterday, my publicist, Julie Scopazzi, and I participated in an End of Summer Boot Camp at the Family Life Center in San Jose.  Julie kicked my butt, I picked up some great information and a few tight muscles!  I asked Rommell Corpuz, who is my personal trainer, and who runs the Performax division of the Family Life Center, to share some tips for getting into shape now that the summer is winding down.  So, what are you waiting for?  GET MOVING! 

Click here to learn more about Performax Personal Training Programs.

As the sizzle of summer starts to simmer down, have you started to lose your enthusiasm to be in shape for the sun?  Have the lazy days of summer turned the fun in fitness into a challenging chore?  Has the stress of the season left you struggling for sanity?  No matter what the circumstance, the summer season always seems to go just as fast as it came.  Never enough time to get in shape for it and always leaving you chasing the daylight to stay in shape.  As your motivation starts to muddle and your focus begins to fade, let these insights and innovations push your mind over the matter and strengthen your spirit to speed into shape! 

Focus on Perfecting Your Body rather than the Perfect Body.

You may understand and appreciate the power of positive thinking, but do you realize just how powerful your thoughts about yourself are in your journey of fitness?  Brian Focht, PhD, an exercise psychologist at East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C. says that too much focus on physical shortcomings rather than a focus on what’s good about their bodies can sabatoge even the best intentions of getting in shape.  In fact, a recent study by Focht and colleague Tom Raedeke, PhD, found just what Gilbert discovered: When the focus is on an exercise routine’s fitness or health benefits, participants felt better, enjoyed the exercise more, and were more motivated to continue than when the emphasis was on looking good or losing weight.

Join A Group.

It’s your health, your commitment and your journey.  But no one ever said you had to do it alone.  In fact, studies show that the success of a fitness program is increased by 15% when done with a partner.  If you are commited but find it hard to get motivated to move, find a group fitness activity with great dynamics, common goals and post workout fellowship all of which contribute to a spirit of anticipation in achievement.  The Family Life Center (FLC), which is connected to Performax, has a program called Hopes Calling, a running group that trains for local running events with an emphasis on excelling spiritually as you are challenged physically!  The FLC also offers a Spinning Program, which is a group indoor cycling class set to energizing music, charged with spiritually inspiring instructors and powered by fitness enthusiasts.  The FLC Dance Aerobics is a group exercise class filled with fun dance moves set to hip music aimed to kick up your cardio and challenge your muscles into fresh levels of fitness!