It's April 3rd and Time to Start Something New

Whoopeee!  It's April 3rd and I've completed my 90 day Insanity Fitness Challenge.  I've lost inches everywhere and 20lbs.  I've been following my own customized Wellness Program and have adopted minor lifestyle changes.  Shopping for clothes has become fun again and I'm really enjoying myself.  But...now what????
I've achieved my original goal, so now is the time to set the stage for reaching my second goal....another few inches and another several pounds to be 'picture perfect'.  I want my 50s to be as fabulous as they can be and being as fit and healthy will help make all that happen for me.  I've devised a second stage Wellness Program that will include Brazilian Butt Lift, Insanity, jump rope and some Muay Thai pad work to keep me fit, supple and ready for anything coming my way.  Nutritional plan includes one cheat meal per week and a continuation of a dietary plan full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Want to achieve your fitness and health goals?  Email or telephone my office today and get going with a custom-made Wellness Program to help you attain your goals.  If you would like to order Insanity, P90X, Brazilian Butt Lift or another exercise program suited to your fitness needs, log onto http://www.teambeachbody.com/kmondesire
917-701-7582  k@kmondesire.com

My AARP Card

Well, it finally came in the mail yesterday....my very own AARP card.  I have mixed feelings about this card.  Great discounts, no doubt, come with the membership.  On the other hand, it reminds me that I'm not 25 years old (and forget that '50 is the new 30' crap!).  So, here's my advice for all you 'goldens' out there today:

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Have you just received your very own AARP card in the mail like I have?  Well, if you haven't gotten onto the wellness wagon yet, I suggest that there's no better time than the present!  I'm still kicking a heavy bag, doing serious cardio, riding a motorcycle, and doing everything in life that comes my way...and ,in most cases, better, faseter and harder than most 25 year olds out there.  So, don't be a loser in life - hop onto my wellness wagon and you'll have the ride of your life!

Let Go Of Poor Habits

All of us love to hold onto something that makes our lives difficult...whether it is a conscious or subconscious choice.  It could be that last mile you think you cannot finish, that 2nd roll you just don't think you live without, or those silly communications gadgets you can't seem to turn off.  This week, challenge yourselves to look inside and find just one habit you stubbornly hold onto and let it go.  Transform the thought of "I can't" to "I sure can!"  We are now in the month of Leo, the only astrological sign that is ruled by the Sun.  The energy of this month is monumental and powerful.  Anyone you know who is a Leo is a natural born leader and their presence is felt before they enter a room.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Harness the Sun's energy and be Leonine in character!  Transform the negatives into positives.  Be steadfast and persevere on your journey to well being.  If you just don't think you can do it on your own, contact my office and together, we will compose a wellness program that will fit your lifestyle and help you shake off those poor habits and develop new, healthy and fun choices for life!

Be Guiltless About Your Workouts

So, now that you've been engaged in your exercise and wellness program and looking fabulous, have you noticed that some of your 'friends' are annoyed with your new lifestyle?  Do you often hear, 'why don't you skip the gym and come out drinking with us' or 'you're always on a diet or working out' or 'you're getting too skinny'?  Hmmm....sounds like your 'fat friends' don't like the idea that you're not part of the club anymore.  These people are not your friends, they're roadblocks to your success.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Keep your eyes on the prize.  Keep the vision of what you'd like to become very close in sight.  To the 'fat friends' and the people out there who would sabbotage your success, just be kind and tell them that your interests have changed and you are leading a different path in life.  Real friends are happy for your successes; lose the deadbeats who would hold you back.  Flush the negativity down the toilet and empty the trash out to the curb.  Your life will be cleaner, lighter and without bad karma.

Where Are You NOW?

It's week 5 of P90X; this morning, I asked my workout partner if it would be o.k. if I just stayed in bed and watched him workout...not as many calories burned, but at least I'd burn 5.  Less than 1 minute later, I was out of bed and getting ready to do our biceps/back/abs day.  90 minutes later, I was glad I got out of bed, really happy to have a motivated partner for the days when I just don't feel like getting out of bed to exercise, and even happier when my clients and neighbors comment on how good I'm looking lately.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Wherever you might be in your wellness/exercise program, you're bound to have days when you just don't feel like doing it...motivate yourself or make certain your workout buddy will push you to do the right thing.  You'll feel better  and look better in the long run.  If you aren't enrolled in a wellness program yet....what are you waiting for?  Life is short, spring and summer here in Manhattan is even shorter.  Get going today!  Call or email my office and find out how YOU can look and feel your best!

The Healthiest Part of My Weekend Was....

I found this little line on twitter and thought it would be fun to share with all of you today!

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Fill in the blank line of the following sentence and share it here, online, on facebook.  Let's see what everyone did!

The Healthiest Part of My Weekend Was______________________________

Avoid Animal Fat to Help Reduce Arthritis Pain

Animal fats are high in Omega-6 fatty acids, NOT Omega-3 fatty acids.  Omega-6 fatty acids actually increase inflamation in our bodies!, Red meat, butter, and sour cream are some examples of animal fats.  If you suffer from RA (rheumatoid arthritis), you should avoid these food sources and you will help minimize the pain and swelling that comes with RA.  Follow a Mediterranean diet, which is plentiful in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, and lean protein sources.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you suffer from RA or gout or any other arthritic pain and are confused or ignorant as to which foods you should and should not eat, call or email my office today and enroll in my Wellness Program.  Together, we will formulate a plan that will suit your lifestyle and help you reduce your pain and inflamation.  A caveat:  acupuncture is highly effective in the treatment for arthritic pain.  Enroll today!

Signs of Toxicity in Your Body

Chemicals and toxins are affecting all of us every day.  Our water is impure, our air is polluted, our food is genetically altered, and now, we have to worry about radiation coming our way from the most recent terrible disaster in Japan.  Stress diminshes our immune system (our natural defense system).  But, what are the signs that we are beginning to lose the battle against the many toxins in our environment?  Here are a few:  dimished energy, poor digestion, weight gain or sudden weight loss, insomnia and mood swings.  As toxic levels build in your body, the secondary signs appear - inability to perform most daily tasks, inability to properly cope with every day stress and inability to intermingle with friends, colleagues and family.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, contact my office.  You will complete a free Wellness questionaire and enroll into the Wellness Program.  You will take control of your body and take charge of your life.  Your immune system will improve, your energy will come back to prime and you will feel great!  Contact me today!  k@kmondesire.com  917-701-7582

Gluten and Histamine Allergies and Alcoholic Beverages

Gluten Intolerance
Because the gluten-free commercial market has grown so much, many manufacturers make alcoholic beverages that are free from wheat and barley. Microbrews have been available in some markets for five years or more, and Anheuser-Busch recently rolled out Redbridge Beer, a sorghum-based beer that is the first gluten-free beer to be sold nationally. Some other common beers - including Budweiser and Coors Light - are wheat-free but not gluten-free, though always check labels, as ingredients may change.
Common alcoholic beverages that are naturally gluten-free include wine, sake, and most brandies. Most liqueurs and some wine coolers are gluten-free as well, but it's advisable to check labels or manufacturer websites for these, since there are exceptions.
Histamine Intolerance
Many foods, including aged cheese and red wine, are high in histamine, the same chemical involved in a number of allergic reactions in the body. Two enzymes, diamine oxidase (DAO) and histamine-N-methyltransferase (HNMT), bind to histamine in food and metabolize it in the body. In some individuals, however, these enzymes don't work properly due to genetic disorders or gastrointestinal diseases. This can cause a variety of histamine intolerance symptoms, including the so-called "red wine headache." (There is some evidence for histamine being associated with migraines.)
While red wine is especially high in histamines, all alcoholic beverages are histamine-rich. Antihistamines are somewhat useful in treating histamine intolerance symptoms when they occur, but the best treatment for histamine intolerance is a histamine-free - and, therefore, alcohol-free - diet. Other histamine-rich foods include cured meats, spinach, tomatoes, and fermented foods like kefir.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Don't know where to purchase gluten-free foods or need help with a histamine-free diet?  Join my wellness program today!  Together, we'll work out the kinks and get you on a solid path to good health!

Today's Topic is 'Portion Control'

I have a few patients who are into their 4th week of my Wellness Program.  Every single one of them has lost some inches and pounds and through various lifestyle modifications, they are enjoying new and exciting food groups and have traded in 'bad breakfasts, lunches and dinners' for delicious, low fat and seriously healthy fun meals.  They still have their 'cheat meals' once per week and are not feeling deprived of any food group.
So, how do you make something that's going great even better?
PORTION CONTROL WITHOUT PAIN.
It's easier than you think.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  When you are at the market and you purchase an 8oz piece of chicken breast (or meat or fish), have the butcher cut it in half or do this yourself when you arrive home.  Immediately freeze or refrigerate one half of the breast and cook the remaining half for your dinner.  If you are cooking for 2 people, when the breast is done, cut the chicken into nice slices and serve it on a nice salad or with a plate of mixed vegetables.  You'll be satisfied with 4oz of lean protein and you'll be having a great dinner.  If you go out to a restaurant for dinner with a friend, split your appetizer, salad and main entree.  Every dining establishment is quite used to accomodating its clientele in this manner (since 80% of us are watching our figures).  You'll have a beautiful meal, proper portions and really enjoy yourselves.  If you are dining alone, ask for a half portion on your plate and a doggie bag for the other half.  In this manner, you won't be tempted to overeat.  When it comes to pastas, think fist-size.  Push what is fist-size to one side of your plate, enjoy it and have the remaining food packed to go with you.  Try this simple technique for a few weeks and see what happens!!

Snack Attacks! Have Healthy and Tasty Treats Everyday!!

Truly, we should all have 6 small meals a day; cows graze and so should we.  It's when we snack on the wrong foods that we start looking like our bovine counterparts!

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  be smart about snacking!  Prepare your daily snacks the night before.  It only takes 10 minutes of your life to prepare yummy goodies to munch on for the next day.
Throw a bag of baby carrots into your bag every morning.  They're tasty, crunchy and if you need a 'pick up', you can dip each one in a tiny bit of natural peanutbutter!  Keep a small container of peanutbutter at your office or get yourself a tiny tupperware to put a stash in.  Make some fat free salsa!  Chop italian plum tomatoes, spanish onions, cilantro, green and red peppers.  Add some Mrs Dash, cayenne pepper and fresh squeezed lemon.  Eat this salsa with some cut celery sticks...yummy!  Throw a few pieces of fruit in that bag of yours as well.  Green tart apples, clementines, pears, blueberries...whatever you like!  A small fistful of nuts can give anyone a pre-workout 'pick me up' and get you going to your next adventure.  Whatever you do, keep your palate guessing.  Don't eat the same snacks every day or you'll get bored.  Don't wait to eat until you're absolutely famished; this is a recipe for nothing but failure and dollars-to-donuts, you'll be reaching for chips and cookies instead of your well-prepared handy snack bag!  Remember, it only takes 10 minutes of your life every evening to make 10lbs of fat disappear quicker!!!

I'm Back with More Healthy Tips

After a few days of much needed R&R, I'm back and loaded with rocket fuel for the New Year!  So, what's your story going to be this year?  Buying another $3,000 gym membership that you'll never use after the first 3 weeks?  Going to join Weight Watchers only to find yourself dizzy and dumb with the intricate and silly point system....it doesn't teach you how to live healthy, it teaches you how to add and subtract 3rd grade math.  I'll bet many of you ran out to Barnes & Noble or Borders and spent 2 hours looking at all the latest diet books, only to be so hungry after reading through them, you ran out to the local deli for a supersub sandwich.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  CALM DOWN AND DON'T PANIC!!!!  Rome wasn't built in a day, that 15 pounds you're lugging around didn't suddenly appear in a day and you're not going to transform into a superhero in a day.....so, we're going to take it ONE DAY AT A TIME, ONE STEP AT A TIME.  That means, TODAY, you're going to focus on improving one meal of your day, and focus on exercising 30 minutes per day.  You're going to stick with this plan for the next two weeks, when it becomes comfortable for you, then we're going to add to the overall plan.  After two weeks of changing just one meal per day and being active 30 minutes per day, you're going to see a change....I promise you.  You'll sleep better, have more energy, and not feel like such a loser every time you look in the mirror.
If this sounds like a plan that can work for you, go to the link listed below.  Take the free questionaire and sign yourself up for a free 15 minute wellness consultation.  Take the first of many baby steps on your road to a better YOU!
http://www.kmondesire.com/wellnessprogram.html

Vegetarianism and You- Your Daily Intake

We wrapping it up today with your daily dose of nutrients:

fats                          2 servings
fruits                        2 servings
vegetables               4 servings
legumes, nuts
& other protein
 rich foods               5 servings
grains                      6 servings
Courtesty:  The Mayo Clinic

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you're just not sure what to eat and want to get with a program, contact me at the link listed below.  Complete the brief wellness questionaire and you'll be eligible for a free initial wellness consultation!
http://www.kmondesire.com/wellnessprogram.html
I'll be taking a few days off from blogging next week, but stayed tuned...I'll be back with more Healthy Tips on Friday January 7th!  Happy and Healthy New Days going forward....remember, it's one day at a time!!

Have You Completed the Wellness Program Questionaire Yet?

Oh, it's Friday and time to plan some weekend fun.  Whatever you do this weekend, dress appropriately and remember that just because it's a bit cold out there, that doesn't mean you slack off on the water intake!  Did you know that many people become severely dehydrated during the colder months because they forget to drink water and replenish their electrolytes?

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  This is a great time to reassess your lifestyle habits and patterns. Complete the FREE Wellness Questionaire and you are entitled to a complementary initial Wellness Program consultation via telephone or email!  How easy can it get???
http://www.kmondesire.com/wellnessprogram.html
A Bon Chance to all those running in the NYC Marathon and Happy Weekend!

Free Initial Wellness Consultation!

There's been quite a bit of buzz about why so many of my patients are looking good, feeling great, and simply much happier lately...It's The Wellness Program!

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:
Pass this on to anyone you know or love. It's FREE and can make a difference in your lives! Simply fill out the e-questionaire at the site below, and we'll take it from there!
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/H2927XR