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Have you tried losing weight by dieting alone? Frustrating isn’t it? Exercise is a vital part of the weight loss formula and is proven to increase your metabolism all day long. Dieting alone could never do that.

Craving something sweet? This recipe is the perfect summer dessert. If you don’t have nectarine or pear on hand, be creative and use other fresh fruits. Servings: 2

Here’s what you need…

• 1 white nectarine, chopped
• 1 pear, chopped
• 1 Tablespoon chopped pecans
• 1 Tablespoon chopped dates
• Dash of cinnamon

1. Mix the nectarine, pear, pecans, and dates in a medium sized bowl. Sprinkle with cinnamon and mix until well coated.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 119 calories, 3g fat, 24g carbohydrate, 4.5g fiber, and 1.5g protein

Do you ever find yourself snacking away without paying attention to how much you’re eating? Maybe you’re focused on a movie or the ball game. This is a sure-fire way to gain weight. When your goal is to drop pounds it is important to practice the art of eating mindfully. This means that when you eat you should stay tuned in to your level of satiety so that at the first sign of fullness you will stop.

With one holiday under your loosened belt, you’re gearing up for many more celebrations…and piles of seasonal comfort food. If you don’t mind, I’d like to be totally candid with you today.

Sure, I could write you a ‘feel good’ article about cutting back a few calories and exercising a few minutes each day, but I’d rather be perfectly frank (and truly helpful).

Here’s the real deal: You abuse food.

That’s right. You’re overweight because you eat too much, and you eat too much because it brings immediate pleasure.

I am here to point out that this pleasure comes at high price…

The other side of comfort food: You’ve heard dishes being referred to as ‘comfort food’—some restaurants even have an entire section of their menu designated as comfort food. But comfort food is more than just a hearty dish.

• It’s those extra calories that you eat to feed an emotional need rather than a nutritional need.
• It’s excessively big portions that leave you stuffed.
• It’s high calorie snacks.
• It’s sugary treats.
• It’s fried, cheese smothered appetizers.
• It’s whatever you indulge in with mindless munching.

Could you relate to any of the above? Most of us tend to gravitate toward a particular form of comfort food. For many women it’s chocolate or other sugary treats. For men it often takes a saltier form.

Think of the last time you ate for pleasure rather than nourishment. Why’d you do it?

Out of Habit: Your body loves routine. If you always snack while watching television then you’d probably find it hard to relax without going through that munching motion. The good news is that once you break the cycle your body will quickly adapt to a healthier routine.

To Change Your Mood: Does the thought of a cupcake bring a smile to your lips? How about a large pizza to lift your mood? Pay attention to the emotions that trigger you to overeat—you may be surprised how often you use food to feel better.

Because Everyone’s Doing It: Who can resist comfort food when it’s offered among friends? Peer pressure doesn’t just apply to teenagers—it’s another reason to overeat. Remember that true friends will support your decision to refrain.

Can you remember how you felt after you last filled up on comfort food? If you’re honest, you’ll admit that the stuffed and bloated feeling was downright awful. So why do it?

Come on, where have your eating habits gotten you?

• Into clothes that are a few sizes larger.
• Drained and with less energy than ever before.
• Plagued with health concerns and prescriptions.
• Embarrassed and frustrated with your body.

Most people don’t realize it, but the battle to overcome your eating habits is decided by a single body part—and it’s not your mouth. (Your mouth is simply a puppet.)

It’s your brain. Once you’ve made up your mind, for better or for worse, you can bet that your body will obey your decision to the letter. You’ve proven it time and time again.

So make the decision to give up your unhealthy dependence on comfort food.

There is no better time than now.

Making a change is hard—that’s why I’m committed to being with you every step of the way. Call today to schedule a consultation.

You can end the abuse, once and for all.

Don’t let the rich flavor and mouthwatering moistness of these muffins fool you. You’ll have a hard time convincing anyone, but this recipe was modified to include less fat and sugar than the original. This is a great treat to share at holiday parties.
Servings: 40 mini muffins

Here’s what you need…

• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup natural honey
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 7 oz pear baby food (or applesauce)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup shredded zucchini
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a mini muffin pan with paper baking cups, or use non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a mixing bowl combine eggs and honey. Add pumpkin, melted butter, pear baby food, and vanilla.
3. In a separate bowl combine all of the dry ingredients. Gradually add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture and mix until well combined. Stir in the zucchini.
4. Pour into muffin tins, sprinkle the tops with chopped walnuts. Bake for 10-20 minutes or until you can poke a toothpick in a muffin and it comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes.

Nutritional Analysis: One mini muffin equals: 92 calories, 3g fat, 15g carbohydrate, 1.5g fiber, and 2g protein.

Motivate your friends, family and co-workers! Use the “refer a friend” link below to forward this newsletter and subscribe your friends.

Hello again,

When in doubt, put up another clip of Homer Simpson going on a diet.  It never fails to amuse.  Enjoy….

A good dose of motivation can change your life almost overnight.

The best part of my job is seeing clients achieve amazing results. Whether they drop a few sizes, lose the baby weight, get off their blood pressure meds, or shrink their waist the excitement is always contagious.

There really isn’t a clear way to describe the euphoria that settles in once you’ve realized your fitness goal. You have to experience it.

Though each successful client is unique with different goals one element unites them.

They are all highly motivated.

You see, I am in a unique position. I know how to get you (or anyone else who walks through my door) into great shape. I can coach you through a 50 pound weight loss. I can guide you to a healthier body. I can even train you into a toned athlete.

But there is one catch.

You’ll need to be motivated.

See, saying that you want to get into great shape isn’t enough. You need motivation-and that’s just half of the equation. The other part (and the most important) is ACTION.

Nothing happens until you take action.

You can want it, think about it, mull it over, ponder it, plan it, and then re-plan it. But nothing happens until you take action.

While I may not know your story-it’s probably safe to assume that you are dissatisfied with your body and know that you can improve your fitness level. You want to look better, to have more energy, to experience fewer aches and pains, and to enjoy sweet satisfaction as you achieve your goals once and for all.

I know that all of my successful clients were once in your shoes. They wanted to change their bodies. They felt urgency. And then they did what most fail to do. They took action and contacted me.

But there is more to it than that. They then committed to a program, put in the exercise, stuck to their diet and met their goals. There’s nothing more gratifying than getting back into those jeans that now sit in the back of your closet.

Those that take massive action get massive rewards. And those that simply talk about losing weight will continue to put weight on, pound after pound. I hate to put that way, but it’s the truth.

So what do you want?

To drop 20 pounds

To feel younger

To look better in your birthday suit

How bad do you want it? How much motivation do you have? Enough to take MASSIVE ACTION?

The rewards are great IF you do.

Who can pass up a soft pretzel that is warm from the oven? While the pretzels sold at the mall are drenched in butter and filled with processed ingredients, this recipe only uses a tablespoon of canola oil (the good fat) and super flour crams whole grain nutrition into every bite!

*Here’s a quick tip: if you decide to purchase a pretzel at the mall, ask for it to be made ‘nonfat’—it may take a few extra minutes for them to bake one without butter, but you’ll be saving yourself quite a few unnecessary calories and it will be nice and hot!
Servings: 6 pretzels

Here’s what you need…

• 2 cups Super Flour, divided
• 1 Tablespoon Canola oil
• 1 cup organic apple juice
• 1 Tablespoon active dry yeast or 1 packet active dry yeast
• Salt — optional

1. In a large mixing bowl combine 1 cup of the super flour, canola oil, apple juice and yeast. Beat with electric mixer for about 3 minutes. Add the remaining 1 cup of super flour.
2. Knead for 10-15 minutes, add water or flour as needed for a good consistency. Roll 6 pieces of dough into long snakes and form into pretzel shapes.
3. Coat a baking sheet with non-stick spray, place the pretzels on the sheet and allow to rise for 30 minutes. Heat oven to 450 degrees F. If desired, coat the top of each pretzel with a small amount of water and sprinkle with salt.
4. Bake the pretzels for 15 minutes or until they become golden brown.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 162 calories, 3g fat, 31g carbohydrate, 4g fiber, and 7g protein.

Are you making a New Year’s Resolution today? If you do, keep this in mind: It has been reported that 92% of New Year’s Resolutions end in failure. Why? Because most people make resolutions that are simply unrealistic. They quickly get discouraged and then abandon the idea entirely.

To ensure that you accomplish your New Year’s Resolution, stick with a goal that is realistic rather than intimidating. Check out these examples:

• Instead of resolving to lose 70 pounds by summer, commit to exercise 3-4 times each week.
• Instead of resolving to give up all carbs, commit to bring healthy lunches to work instead of going through a fast food drive thru.
• Instead of resolving to drop 3 sizes in 3 months, commit to losing 1 pound each week until you reach your goal weight.
• Instead of resolving to never eat out again, commit to eating healthy all week and rewarding yourself with one meal out on the weekends.

Homer Simpson eating rice cakes.  What more needs to be said?  Enjoy…

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