Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Summer Weight Loss Contest


Drop A Ton and Have Some Fun!

Happy to announce the launch of our new summer weight loss contest.  I even did a video for you!  Check it out!



For contest details and to enter, please go to:
http://www.leanandhealthy.ca/weight-loss-contest.htm
I am excited about this?  Can you tell?  LOL!

C’mon and join us…. we are going to have so much fun!
icon_smile
Have an Amazing Day!
kims_name

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Weight Loss and Visualization

See The Pounds Drop Away!

The surprising fact is that many conditions can be improved by visualization and weight loss is one of them. It works like this: you keep a vision in your mind of how you want your body to look, and subconsciously you will begin acting in a way that will go in that direction. You become much more positive about your body, more accepting of your diet or fitness regime, and you will reach your weight goals more quickly and easily.

Effecting change through visualizing desired outcomes have become more and more acceptable in recent years. Psychologists do not understand exactly how it works but clearly the mind and body are not as separate as we often believe. It seems that if you truly want something it is more likely to happen - provided of course that it is something that is possible, and within your control. Visualization helps us to truly want to lose weight by creating a clear and happy picture of our fitter bodies. Without this we can often put psychological traps in our own path.

Many people who are overweight believe they cannot lose weight. Sometimes you may say it out loud, or hear friends say it about themselves. For other people this belief stays in the subconscious. But it is sure that it influences our behavior. Someone who believes it is impossible for her to lose weight will be constantly battling her own negativity when she is trying to diet. Her mind will be constantly telling her there is no point dieting, she cannot lose weight so she should just go ahead and eat everything she wants. Visualization is the strongest technique that we can use to overcome these negative thoughts and impulses.

If you are plagued by negativity either from your own mind or from the reactions of friends and family to your diet, go ahead and visualize yourself at your desired weight as often as you can. It works on the same level as all those negative voices and can annihilate their influence like nothing else can.

It is important to practice every day - morning and evening if you can. You just need to take a few minutes in a quiet place and keep an image in your mind of your body at its ideal weight. Some people can do this easily while others need some help. If you have a photograph of yourself at your ideal weight in the past, you may find it easier to look at that. Or use a photo from a magazine but cut off the person's face. You need to visualize your own body, but thinner.

You can also visualize from the inside. Close your eyes and let your awareness focus on a part of your body - for example, your right thigh. Imagine it slowly becoming thinner in your mind's eye. Then move to the other thigh, and on through the body. It may help to start at the feet and move up towards the head, or vice versa.

As you go about your work or daily chores, think of yourself as already at your ideal weight. Create your own affirmations and repeat them often, always in the present tense ("I am glad to be flexible, fit and slim", not "I will ..."). Enjoy the feeling of having a positive self-image. Over time, this will help you to keep to your weight loss plan. You will find that fatty foods are less attractive and exercise is more enjoyable.

While your weight loss will of course be gradual, the wonderful thing about visualization is that it gives you a new body image right away. Use visualization and weight loss to make you happier right now, today!

Have an Amazing Day!
kims_name

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Today I Start New!

It has been a while since my last post.  Much has happened in my life.  As my blog title indicates... Life Happens.... Make The Best of It.  But what happens when there are things that go on in your life that you have no control over?  Sometimes we are forced to live a life we don't want to live, face the very things that we fear.  Lose something so precious... we feel a part of us has died.

I have gone through that over the last couple of months... and today... my birthday... I finally feel able and ready to write about life again.

Three years ago my father was diagnosed with lung cancer.  He was only given months to live.  The passion that he had for life gave him the ability to fight this terrible disease... for at least a little longer.  His love for his new wife Gail and the desire to spend as much time with his children and grandchildren, his friends and family, gave him the courage to face his fear and fight a very courageous battle.

The last few months have been very tough.  I feel very blessed that I was able to spend almost every day with him, taking him for his radiation treatments, spending time with him... in and out of the hospital.  I was given the opportunity to share with him my feelings, my love, and my hopes for the future.

Sadly, he passed away on May 4th of this year.  I know in my heart that he is in a better place, and free from his pain.  However, the grief for our loss still overtakes me.  When I think about not hearing his voice, not sharing time with him, knowing that nothing will be the same again, sometimes I break down and cry. 

I know that it will take time to heal, and I'm good with that.  Today though, is the first day that I have been able to have a sheer sense of happiness.  A day that I am actually enjoying, rather than just surviving!  Perhaps it helps that my dear hubby (ah he is so sweet to me), brought me flowers, a nice card, my favourite treat (a chocolate bar) and got me that new book that I wanted.  (which I will talk about further down).  He also took me to lunch today with his Mom and sister.  So far today has been enjoyable.

Life for me is about having a sense of purpose.  When something happens in my life and I lose that... I am not really living, I am in survival mode.  Its time to move past that... and get back my sense of purpose.

Now about this book that I wanted.  Last week I was flipping through the channels one afternoon (laying in bed - surviving - well depressed actually, if I am to be completely honest here), and on the screen came Oprah.  This day she was interviewing an author Geneen Roth and the topic of conversation was her new book: 

Women Food And God

I found this interview so appealing, so captivating, so interesting.. I knew I had to have this book.  In fact, I immediately texted my best friend Jen and told her she needed to watch Oprah that day (she pvr's it).  I knew she would be interested too.

Well today my hubby presented me with this book, and I am so excited to start reading it.  I am hoping that not only will it help me to understand why I turn to food to console myself or when I am bored, but also give me more insight into the other women (and men) that I coach.

Click here to read an excerpt from the book on Oprah.com.



Click on the book to see if it is available on Amazon.com

I will keep you updated as I read this book and begin on "An Unexpected Path to Almost Everything"








Have an Amazing Day!

Monday, February 22, 2010

Patience… goes along way in a Poker Tourney!

Every Sunday afternoon Poker Stars hosts the Sunday 1/4 Million Tourney.  It is a very large tournament, a lot of people enter it because it only costs $11.00 to play, and if you finish at the final table you can make $1000’s.

I won a seat in yesterdays tourney on a $2.20 Satellite Tournament that I had won on Saturday.  I was pretty happy about getting into the tournament cheaply. 

36,306 entrants in it.  I knew, if I played well and had some good cards along the way, I could be in it for a while.  So I went ahead and prepared dinner, early in the afternoon, so that the family could eat whenever they got hungry.  During these multi – table tournaments you get a 5 minute break each hour. 

I did get some good cards at key times.  I laid down some good hands at key points and I think played the best poker I have ever played.  I managed a 28th place finish.

28th out of 36,306 entrants… that in itself is a feat.  With a prize pool close of $363,000, I made the best cash I have ever made on Poker Stars.  I was thrilled.  Well, still am..  :)

It took 7 1/2 hours for my tournament run to come to an end.  I stayed patient, focused and disciplined along the way.  In the end, with a short stack and looking down at JJ.. I decided to throw all my remaining chips in.  It was the right thing to do.  This starting hand is a better than 3 to 1 favourite from any random hand.  I got a call from one player who was holding Q8.  However, he flopped an 8 and rivered a Queen, which ended my run. 

pocket-jacks

I know that I didn’t go out on a mistake… just luck of the cards!

Now, if I could only convince Poker Pro and fellow Canadian Daniel Negreanu to coach me a little, my dreams of playing in the WSOP might be a little closer to reality… wink wink!  ;)

smileystarHave an Amazing Day!

kimsname

Friday, February 19, 2010

It's Not Just About Weight Loss....

A fellow facebook friend of mine shared this video today.  I have seen it many times before, and have also shared it on facebook.  Today I would like to share it with you!

This video makes me cry every time I see it, simply because it is an Amazing story of transformation.   When you watch it, you will understand... that Isagenix is not just about weight loss.  It's about so much more than that!

I hope that this video will inspire you and touch your heart, like it has touched mine. 






What if you could find a career that allows you to give back to the world and help others on their life's journey?  What if you could start that career now, part time? Keep your full time job until you are making more money with this new career than you make in your regular job? If this interests you, please contact me.

Have an Amazing Weekend!

Network Marketing Training

Would you like to sponsor your first distributor online?  Do you think that is an unrealistic possibility?  Well, I suppose if you don't know what you are doing it seems like an ominous task.  But let me tell you that it is a perfectly realistic possibility for you... and I am going to show you how!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Colon Cleanse? How about a Total Body Cleanse?

Back a while ago I witnessed a friend of mine drop a considerable amount of weight in a short period of time. I was curious to discover his secret as I had been struggling for quite a while to lose the excess fat from my pregnancies (yes plural).

He told me about a body-cleansing program. I said, “Oh a colon cleanse? Yes I have heard of them”. He said no that it was a completely natural total body cleanse.

Why do we need to cleanse?
My first thought was… why the heck do we need that? So I started to study this process of cleansing and detoxifying the body. Here is what I learned:

Sunday, February 14, 2010

February Blahs?? No Time For That!

It happens every year.  We hear about it, like its an ailment.  The February Blahs...  It's cold outside, the wind is howling.  The snow has piled up, but it's not pretty anymore, it is dirty from all the salt and sand being thrown around by the plows.  Spring still seems such a long way off!  This for me would be the ultimate time to get away on a nice warm sunny vacation south!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Detoxification: Cleansing Your Organs

Today I wanted to talk a little bit more about body cleansing. It has become one of my favorite topics, because honestly, it has completely changed my health.

Cleansing the inside of your body is actually not some new fad or new diet that has just sprouted up over the last few years. The internal cleansing of the body has been practised throughout history. Cultures from around the world have seen the value in cleansing the body of harmful impurities, so this is actually not something new, but it seems to be more important than ever in today’s modern world.

There are many new products on the market to help aid your cleanse. Indeed, there are many benefits to those who actually use these types of diets properly. Not only can one experience a healthier immune system that will help ward off disease better and more efficiently, but the body will be much better off for undergoing a cleanse (or detox). If you have ever wondered about some of the other benefits that you could gain by cleansing your internal body, here is some food for thought:

Sunday, February 7, 2010

A Miracle Happened… 19 years ago today!

When I first found out I was pregnant, we were very happy, yet extremely anxious at the same time.  I had been told during my teenage years that I would never be able to carry a baby to term, given my severe and complex heart condition.

I arrived at the Toronto General Hospital Special Pregnancy Unit for a consultation at 10 weeks.  The doctors suggested that I terminate the pregnancy, because it was so risky for me. 

I guess even at that stage a mother’s instinct kicks in.  I just knew that everything would be okay.  I had this miracle growing inside me, now it was up to God and a special medical team to see it through.  I told them that termination was not an option.  I would do anything and go through anything to have this child.

Friday, February 5, 2010

First Pilates Class

I have been going to my gym since 2003.  I usually just work by myself and do my workouts, which consist of both cardio and strength training.  I attended a couple classes a few years ago, but found them quite challenging considering the limitations of my exercise tolerance due to my congenital heart condition.

I have looked in on the classes from a spot out on the gym floor and often wondered if I had the capacity to participate… perhaps I wanted to feel a sense of belonging or just wanting to try new things to change it up a bit, but I never did…. until today!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

The Biggest Loser – I am a fan!

I started watching The Biggest Loser I think around season 7, so not too long ago.  My friend Jen got me interested in the show, and I have been watching it ever since.  The funny thing is… somewhere mid-last season, my hubby started to watch it with me, and now he is a fan too.  We watch it every week together along with our 9 year old, Cass!  Of course she does not get to stay up to watch the whole thing.  But she does love the show.

I was really happy to see it go back to couples this season.   I think having the support of a partner going through the same thing with you would make it easier.  It must be difficult to spend that much time away from family and every day life… but I have to commend the contestants that put life on hold to be there and do something for themselves – changing their lives!  It would take a lot of courage to expose so much of yourself on National TV.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

What to do when your cardiovascular exercise isn't working anymore!

Tips to get you back on track! 
We've been taught that performing cardiovascular exercise for 20 to 30 minutes at a target heart rate of 60 to 80 percent is the best way to lose your excess fat. Yes, it can be. But, what do you do when you have hit that weight loss plateau and your cardio workout isn't working any more? 

Monday, February 1, 2010

Chocolate – 100 Calorie Treats! :)

I am an admitted chocoholic!   I love my chocolate.  I would eat it every single day if it didn’t go right to my hips and tummy!  But when you are trying to eat healthy or are on a calorie restricted diet, then sometimes you can feel like you are going without, if you cannot have any chocolate!
valentines
I do indulge in the Isadelights from Isagenix.  They are a 50 calorie very healthy dark chocolate snack.  But once in a while I love to have milk chocolate.  It is my absolute favourite.  So I am always trying new things like the Fibre Plus bars, or the Special K Bars. 

Today I came across an article from E-Diets that offers the Top 10 Chocolate Treats (for 100 calories or less), so I thought I would share it with you.  Some great ideas that I am sure going to try!
 Top 10 Chocolate Treats

Enjoy!
Have an Amazing Day
kims_name

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Does Body Cleansing Assist With Weight Loss?

Cleansing the body at an internal level seems to be a very hot topic today, and for good reason. People want to know if those colon cleanses and liver cleanses actually assist with weight loss. There are different views on this topic, but I can only comment from personal experience.

Back when I started on my weight loss journey (a few years after my last child was born) I did all the right things. I joined a gym, and started eating a healthy diet. I paid for a few personal training sessions, and thought that I was well on my way. I did lose some weight, but could not seem to get that last 15 lbs off my body, no matter what I tried.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Julia Roberts Look A Like?

Today, I had the pleasure to attend the Reel Kids Film Festival with my daughter Cassidy's class.  One of the perks of working from home.  I really love that I am able to do things like that with the kids.  The film was wonderful!

So anyway, today, when we were standing in line getting the kids ready to board the bus, and one of the grandparents came up to me and said that she thought my daughter looked like Julia Roberts, and that she was beautiful.

I took that as a real compliment, even though I had never really given it much thought.  Cass wasn't sure who Julia Roberts was (she's 9) - so when she got home from school we did a google search for pictures of Julia Roberts.

3 Exercises for Flat Abs!

So after 3 pregnancies and 2 C-Sections, my tummy was no longer flat.  A couple of years ago I decided that I wanted to get fit and flatten my tummy.  So, along with my cleansing program, I worked out in the gym.  Here are three effective abdominal exercises that I did to help acheive a flatter midsection:

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Converting my wordpress blog to blogger

With the start of 2010 I have created some new goals.  One of them is to start blogging more often.  So today, I have decided to put all of my stuff together on one blog site.

I am in the process of amalgamating all of my writing into one blog and organizing it with labels.  So, if you happen upon my wordpress blog... it is coming down as soon as I have everything moved over.

Wish me luck....

Have an Amazing Day!

Caffeine and Weight Loss

Does Caffeine Hinder Weight Loss?

Yes and no, caffeine may promote weight loss or the opposite. Caffeine may give a boost to your metabolism, but as it’s after effect, it gives you an urge to “pig-out” at mealtime or even in-between-meal snacks. So, gain or lose, it’s up to discipline and self-control.

More input from doctors and clinics:

A few studies indicate that large amounts of caffeine – the equivalent of six cups of coffee a day – may slightly enhance weight loss in people who exercise and maintain a low-fat diet. But no studies indicate that weight loss from large amounts of caffeine is significant or permanent.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

5 Exercise Tips For the Working Mom

While you are raising a family, sometimes the pressures of daily life seem overwhelming. You have kids to get ready for school, housework, meals, laundry, illnesses, not to mention your job if you work outside the home! “When the heck am I going to have time to workout?” That is a question I hear regularly, and I can relate to that because I am a working mother myself. Sometimes it is just impossible to stick to a regular fitness routine and the preparation of healthy meals.

That being said, I try not to let everyday stress become an excuse to not get my regular exercise in. We all have 24 hours in a day, so we need to find some time during that period for some form of exercise. Part of your daily routine includes a shower and brushing your teeth. You would not go without those, so if you make exercise part of your daily routine too, it will become a habit. A great habit! It is just not right to use lack of time as an excuse to avoid exercise. If you are afraid to get started, or just not sure how, then read on, I think this will help you.

Monday, January 25, 2010

10 Tips to Help You Stick to Your New Years Weight Loss Resolutions!

Ah here we are again. Another New Year is here and we are filled with hope. There is a certain excitement about setting new goals and striving for success. Often though, ambitious as we are, setting new habits and sticking with them often fall to the wayside relatively quickly.

Can you remember what your New Year’s Resolutions were for 2009? Are they the same resolutions again? What happened? Why were those resolutions not achieved, so that this year we could start anew?




Sunday, January 24, 2010

Are you making your passion your profession?

Since most of us spend the majority of our waking life working for a living, can we really afford to be, and do we really want to be in the wrong profession ?

In today’s competitive environment, it is not at all uncommon to find people working as much as 16-18 hours a day and indulging in our hobbies and interests only on the weekends. So, if we are forced to work for such a long duration in the wrong job, it is bound to lead to health as well as other adverse implications which will permeate into all areas of our lives.

Do you think that if you could turn your passion into a profession that you would be a happier, well adjusted, healthier person?

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Trying to Conceive a Boy?

It is not too often I write so openly about my kids and my family, but I feel compelled to share this today, and when you watch the video, you will understand why.