Get Ready For a New and Exciting Blog

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  after over 600 posts, I've decided to revise the format of this blog.  Beginning next week, this blog will be posted once per week.  The difference in the content will be as such:  many of you are not aware of the enormous scope of practice that is Traditional Chinese Medicine.  I am going to begin with a blog that explains exactly how acupuncture and herbs work in the human body.  After this blog, I will begin to talk to you about the different diseases and health conditions that I treat with acupuncture and herbs.  Some of you will identify with various conditions and this will give you information on how to take care of yourselves in a very different manner.  The blog will still be infused with humor and fun, but it will be directed more towards specific health topics and how I treat them. 
Your tip for today...every day is a new start.  If you have fallen off the wagon of health, fitness or happiness, do one thing today to make a change in the right direction.  Every small drop of water in a pail adds up to an overflowing vessel over time.

Time Out Tuesday

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Take a time out today and reasses your goals for today, this week, this month, this year.  Are they realistic?  Do you have a plan set to achieve your goals?  Look at your life as if it were someone else's to be more objective and say 'if that was me, I would....' - then do it!

Back To Business

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  I'm back to the office after a much needed sejour in sunny Florida.  It's going to be a cold weekend here in New York and the flu is running amuck; bundle up, don't forget to wash your hands and although it's freezing outside, make sure you plan to do something fun this weekend!

Acupuncture For Weight Loss

Do regular acupuncture treatments really help a person to lose weight and keep it off?  The answer is...yes.  The combination of sensible eating habits, exercise and acupuncture can get the pounds off and keep them off.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Regular acupuncture treatments in combination with my Wellness Program can get those unwanted pounds off and help you to keep them off.  Call or email the office today.  k@mondesire.com   917-701-7582

Persevere And You will Reach Your Goals

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  About 4 months ago, I decided to get serious with myself and enroll into my own Wellness Program...heck, if it works for all my patients, why wouldn't I want to do it as well???  Today, I'm once again wearing my very expensive and fabulous summer Armani Collezione pants suit - the one I got too fat to fit into for a few years.  The take home message here:  stick to your guns, persevere and stay with your Wellness Program.  If you're lost and don't know what to do to get fit and healty, call or email my office and I'll enroll you into my Wellness Program...it works!
917-701-7582  k@kmondesire.com

A Little Help Goes A Long Way

Henry the Bear, is apprenticing upstate before he begins his assignment as my clinic assistant here in Manhattan.  He's busy doing the 'meet and greet' at the door and now, he's learning how to cope with mailing and documents.  He's a bit confused (as you can see) and a bit overwhelmed with the workload, but the staff tells me the little bit of help he gives goes a long way.  Holding onto the packages and bringing smiles to all who visit the shop...that makes life a lot easier for everyone.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  It doesn't take much to make things happen in a big way.  A little bit of help on everyone's part can make a huge difference.  So, whether it's a charity event, a house construction or a  group fitness program...do your part and chip in a little, 'cause it will go a long way.  Good job, Henry!  Keep up the good work!

Patient Education For Weight Loss

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  It seems that Americans are becoming more and more obese.  All the tools a person needs to become a healthier individual are available:  weight loss programs, psychotherapy, exercise programs, wellness programs, bariatric surgery, et al.  ALL my patients who enroll in my Wellness Program achieve their goals, but this is because I educate them on proper nutritional choices, and limit lifestyle changes so they are not 'deprived'.  Patient education regarding healthy weight and nutrition is part of my job.  I never shy away from encouraging a person to lose that extra 15 to 20 lbs that is affecting their achey knees, heart disease, diabetes, R.A. or vertigo.   Working together with a patient and understanding why they overeat and their lifestyle is key to their road to wellness.  If you have a problem losing that extra poundage and are tired of being labelled 'obese', call or email the office today.  Enroll in my Wellness Program - you won't regret it!  917-701-7582
k@kmondesire.com

Be Civilized When You Eat

Today, I had approximately 20 minutes to prepare a salad and eat it for lunch.  I scoffed it down just as quickly as my dog could have eaten it and one hour later....oh, what a stomach ache!!

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Sometimes, we just don't have enough time to eat our entire lunch because of our busy schedules.  Just eat slowly, and eat what you can within the allotted time span.  If you gobble down your meal, you'll have a wicked stomach like I have right now!  Be civilized...eat slowly!

Win Money To Lose Weight

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  HealthyWage.com will pay you for losing 10% of your body weight.  Form a team and you and your buddies can win up to $10,000.    A very nice incentive to eat right, exercise and have some extra spending cash for all those new clothes you'll want to buy!  Try it today!

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

When You Lose Weight, So Will Your Spouse

The International Journal of Obesity recently published a report stating that when one spouse or domestic partner engages in a weight loss/fitness program, their partner lost an average of 3% of their body fat as well.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you and your domestic partner want to lose weight, become 'fitness' buddies and do it together.  You'll be accountable for one another, it will be easier to stick with a healthy eating plan and you can find exercise programs that will suit both your tastes.  Log onto http://www.kmondesire.com/teambeachbody.html  today and choose from the many exercise programs available from Beachbody.com.  For less than the cost of a single month's gym membership, you can enjoy fitness in the privacy and time-flexible comfort of your living room.

My Mother The Human Booby Trap

Yesterday, I went to visit my mother.  My mother was a model in her day and still has legs to knock anyone's socks off at the age of 87.  Not a day goes by that my mother doesn't dress the best; her hair and makeup always done.  I've never, in my 50 years, ever seen my mother in a house dress - she's never owned one.  Always figure-conscious, my mother's sharp eyes can tell me if I've lost 3 ounces or gained an 18th of an inch around my waist.  So, when I told her yesterday, I brought my own soup for lunch, her reply was 'I have a nice steak if you want it'.  When I replied I no longer ate red meat, her answer was 'o.k., I'll make you some nice lamb chops'.....oh, my mother....We went shopping to Fairway for produce, etc.  She made a beeline for the homemade breads and bought a lovely walnut raisin bread.  When we arrived back at her home to have lunch, she waved a slice of this still-warm treasure in front of me and said how wonderful it smelled. (I admit it - I'm a wheataholic...I LOVE bread). I told her I wasn't eating bread since I wanted to lose a few pounds.  As I ate my soup, she went on and on about how delicious the bread was and handed a piece to me to take.  I asked her if she would offer a whiskey to a reformed alcoholic....oh, my mother....

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Sometimes, people can only look as far as their nose ends.  When confronted with absolute torturous temptation be waved in your face, just remember this - at the end of the day, when you observe your overall appearance and check in on how good or bad you are feeling physically and psychologically - that person who said 'it's o.k., it's just one slice, one drink, one cookie' is not going to be there with you.  PERSEVERE and remain steadfast in your determination to achieve your fitness and health goals.  Our mothers have every good intention, but they are human booby traps to our fitness goals.  I made my mother happy and had 2 clementines (delicious, nutritious and low fat).  This made her happy.  She said 'oh, it makes me happy to see you eat'.  3 months ago, she was telling me my butt was getting enormous. Like I said...my mother.....

Staying With Your Resolutions

I'm well into week 2 of my Insanity 90 Day Challenge.  Exercising to these dvds 6 days a week and abstaining from alcohol and gluten (my own self-inflicted torture) and partaking in a very clean dietary regime is hard work.  It takes planning meals, shopping wisely and a daily lunch bucket to schlep to the office.   At the end of each day, I feel better than the previous day and proud of myself to stick with the program.  I am a team leader and coach for Beachbody.com and I have a few people doing this challenge with me....we're all in it as a team - encouraging oneanother and checking in on the internet daily to keep ourselves going strong.  I'm loving the experience and the enthusiasm of the group is uplifting.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you're feeling lonely and losing your momentum with your New Year's regime, pick up the phone or get onto the internet - create a team, join a team or if you like, join my Beachbody.com team.  You don't have to being doing one of the beachbody programs.  You can do your own thing and check in with me daily or weekly.  YOU GET FREE COACHING!  How can you beat it?
log onto www.teambeachbody.com/kmondesire and join my group.  We'll help you achieve your fitness and health goals!

Leading The Insanity 90 Day Challenge

Somehow (and as usual), I've become the Leader of an Insanity 90 Day Challenge.  People from all over the United States have joined my cyber exercise challenge and for the next 90 days; they have committed themselves to doing the program and being the very best they can health-wise.  Since I'm their leader, I'm doing the same.  It's been a long time since I've truly committed myself to a specific goal and I'm up to the challenge.  I'm going to workout 6 days/week for the next 90 days, be quite mindful of my caloric intake, abstain from acohol, and try to be as gluten-free as possible. I will inspire, guide, coach and encourage my teammates to achieve their goals.  It's only been 3 days into the challenge, and already I've been receiving emails from folks who are 'alarmed' that my new challenge will affect their socialization with me....interesting, very interesting.  After years of maintaining an extremely spartan lifestyle while being a full combat Muay Thai fighter, I know how to socialize and enjoy myself without indulging in fatty meals or alcohol.  After all, if you didn't have the option of indulging, you wouldn't be missing the item anyhow...right?  So, it's mind over matter.  It gave me food for thought and I'll share it with you today...

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Leadership requires integrity, honor, focus, self-discipline and accountability.  You are Your Word....period.  A great leader leads by example.  Followers are like leaves in the wind; swishing and swashing whichever way is easiest.  Ask yourself today - are you a leader or a follower?

Being Overweight Can Really Cost You More At the Pump

"A George Washington University study estimated that overweight individuals spend between $8 and $10 more a year on gas than those with lower BMIs. Obese people shell out an extra $21 to $23 to fill the tank. Why? Just as an SUV requires more gas to operate than a Smart car does because of its sheer size, it takes more fuel to transport heavier passengers."
Source:  MSN Online 11.30.12


Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  times are tough and the cost of all goods and services are more expensive than ever.  Do your patriotic duty today....eat less, exercise more.  In the long run, it will cost you less for food, medical bills and fuel.  The money you save today could be tomorrow's vacation money!

Possible Harmful Drug Interactions with Alli

The over-the-counter (OTC) product Alli™ could have potentially harmful interactions with prescription medications like levothyroxine and other thyroid hormones, by decreasing your ability to absorb your prescription medication. This is just one example of an OTC product that can interfere with your prescribed medications.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you need to take prescriptive medicine, don't be lazy.  read the informational sheets that are given to you with the medication.  All side effects, harmful drug interactions and other cautions are listed.  Be responsible for your own health and read all the fine print.  If you are taking Alli, that's too bad.  You should be eating well and exercising instead.

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!!!

Eating Disorders Part 3 - Binge Eating

Well now...before you say to yourself, "I've been so good this week - been to the gym, worked out, dieted and turned down the bread and sweets; I think I'll go out Friday night and whoop it up"......read on!


The last part of this week's Eating Disorders Series will deal with Binge Eating. ROAED has defined Binge Eating as: individuals who consume large quantities of food in a short amount of time. However, these individuals do not use compensatory behavior in an attempt to eliminate their food. Prevalence of binge eating disorder is on the rise. Now, after working so hard all week to stay on track and workout to have a healthy body, why would you mess it all up by eating a whole box of cookies or whole chocolate cake?

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day: You've worked hard all week and you deserve to be nice to yourself. So, if it's a sweet tooth that does it for you, go to the finest pastry shoppe in town, order a beautiful piece of pastry with a lovely cup of coffee, tea or other beverage. Sit down and take your time to enjoy that one piece of pastry. You'll be satisfied and feel like you've truly indulged yourself. Plan to take a long walk, bicycle ride or some other type of light aerobic activity afterward. Remember, sugar is like rocket fuel to the body, so you might as well burn it off! But most of all, what YOU see in the mirror is what counts most. A healthy, well maintained body is a beautiful body. You don't have to be 6ft tall with flamingo legs, or have abs of steel. A healthy, toned body that's healthy and happy on the inside will radiate to the outside for the whole world to see!! If you don't think you can do all this on your own, enroll yourself today in my Wellness Program. Together, we will get you going on your journey to a healthy and beautiful/handsome you!
917-701-7582
k@kmondesire.com

courtesy:  http://www.roaed.org/index.php?nav=4&subnav=7

Eating Disorders Part 2 - Bulimia Nervosa

Now that you are aware of what Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is, read on and learn about Bulimia Nervosa (BN):

Reaching Out Against Eating Disorders (ROAED) defines Bulimia Nervosa as: "a disorder in which individuals eat excessive amounts of food in a short period of time and afterwards eliminate this food from their body through some type of purging behavior."

Here are some criteria for diagnosis of bulimia nervosa:
• Recurring episodes of binge eating, characterized as an uncontrollable consumption of food in a short period of time
• Episodes of purging behavior following binging episode in which the individual tries to prevent weight gain through self-induced vomiting, laxatives, diuretics, enemas, fasting, or excessive exercise
• Self-evaluation is influenced by weight and body shape.

Bulimia nervosa is specified into two types:
• Purging Type: In this type of bulimia, purging behavior is in the form of self-induced vomiting or through the use of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas.
• Nonpurging Type: In this type of bulimia, fasting or excessive exercise is the compensatory behavior that is used to prevent weight gain. There is no self-induced vomiting.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  BN affects men, women and children.  Did you know that constant self-induced vomiting can cause the stomach acids to erode the esophageal tract?  This can lead to ulcers and cancer and life long health problems.  If you or someone you know suffers from BN, get help!  Contact the nice people at ROAED today via the link below.


Courtesy:  http://www.roaed.org/index.php?nav=4&subnav=7

Eating Disorders Part 1 - Anorexia Nervosa

Reaching Out Against Eating Disorders (ROAED) is a wonderful orgainzation dedicated to helping individuals with eating disorders.  They have defined Anorexia Nervosa (AN) as:
Anorexia Nervosa


"...a disorder in which individuals exhibit significant weight loss and extreme restrictions in their food intake.
While it has been estimated that up to 90%1 of those suffering from this disorder are women and girls, the prevalence rate of eating disorders among men is on the rise."
"The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) lists the following criteria for diagnosis of anorexia nervosa:
• Refusal to maintain what is considered a normal body weight for that person’s age and height
• Intense fear of gaining weight
• Distorted view or denial of their actual body weight and/or shape
• Loss of menstrual cycle

Anorexia nervosa is specified into two types:
1. Restricted Type:
• This type of anorexia is categorized as a severe restriction of food intake with the absence of binge-eating or purging.

2. Binge-Eating/Purging Type:
• This type of anorexia is categorized as engaging in binge eating or purging behavior while exhibiting behaviors classified as anorexia. Purging is characterized as a way to eliminate food from your body either through self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, or through laxatives, diuretics, or enemas.

In addition to the diagnostic criteria, the following are considered warning signs, or possible precursors, of anorexia nervosa:
• Restricting certain types of food and the amount of food intake
• Preoccupation with weight, body shape, and calorie and fat content of food
• Dramatic weight loss
• Excessive exercise
• Distress over body weight and shape
• Withdrawal from previously enjoyed activities, and from family and friends"

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If the above description sounds like you or someone you know, log onto the website listed below and read a bit more about AN.  Give the ROAED people a call and have a chat with them.  AN is the leading cause of death with respect to mental health conditions and it affects men, women and children.
courtesy:  http://www.roaed.org/index.php?nav=4&subnav=7