TheFATladyBlog

Living In Thin In Tucson

Another blogger is taking her weight loss goal public. Master coach and real estate celeb Joeann Fossland is using using the Isagenix nutritional system. (She is shown above during a recent village to State College as a featured speaker at a District Conference of the Pennsylvania Assn. of  REALTORS^®):

"What I have some trepidation about is my swimsuit persona. Now, I know the bikini days of  my 20's and 30's are well behind me, but who says a baby boomer can't still look HOT in a swimsuit?

"I shared last summer that I had discovered a great nutritional system called Isagenix and had done a 9 Day Cleanse. I have lost 14 pounds and 20+ inches since then. The best news is that while I was in 16 cities this Fall, I didn’t gain any of it back. AND, I usually succumb to a couple of days in bed with a cold when I come off that many trips on the road, but I know using the products has insulated me from getting run down!

"So, my goal is to lose another 10 pounds between now and when we leave on January 18^th."

 

Good luck, Joeann!

Water Workout Is Effective;Minimizes Wear And Tear On Joints

  Hate exercise? Envy those gym regulars with bodies beautiful who seem to thrive on sweaty physical exertion? What's the first step for a fatty when more than 10 steps in a row makes the knees scream, "Stop!"?

I can happily report that water aerobics may be the ticket to liberate the couch potato from lazy-bones fiefdom. I enrolled in two water exercise classes at the YMCA--Hydro is a deep water class with a belt and styrofoam barbells; Aquablast is a shallow water aerobics class that also makes some use of the barbells. The programs are 45 minutes to an hour long, with constant movement for cardio fitness. Additionally, the exercises are geared to cover every muscle group--abs, biceps, triceps, legs. There are stretching exercises, water calisthenics, weight training. And to top it off, its downright FUN! I'm starting to make significant progress with increased mobility, added strength, endurance, and elimination of pain (knees and hip). Of course, I'm also eating more sensibly and using nutritional supplements.

Weight Loss, Bone Health, Memory;I Get Lots Of Nutritional Support

No talk about scratchy feet, sore shoulders, or tipping scales at awful numbers today. Here is a list of the supplements that I am taking, with links to ingredients and additional information. Now we're getting scientific and technical!

MSM This product may be the one that is responsible for the improved skin tone that I referred to yesterday. This is described as a pharmaceutical-grade form of Methylsulfonylmethane. The MSM formulas are enhanced with an exclusive blend of vitamin C and antioxidants. Research demonstrates potential to offer nutritional support for the immune system, help promote a healthy digestive system, make skin appear softer and feel smoother, provide nutritional support for healthy skin, hair and nails, and assist in supporting healthy connective tissues underlying the skin.

Bone health is a major concern for women. I'm 53 and approaching menopause (they tell me, but no clear sign of that yet). This product also contains also contains special standardized extracts of some of the world's foremost traditional female herbs: chaste berry, licorice and dong-quai. These rare botanicals contain natural compounds (phytoestrogens) which can help to promote a woman's optimum hormonal balance. It is the first women's bone-support supplement to provide isoflavones from the miracle soybean and the Chinese kudzu vine. One daily dose contains the equivalent of 6 oz. of tofu, which is twice the average intake of Asian women and is 60 times the average American daily soy quota! Makes sense to me!

Weight loss formulary helps cut carbs, boost metabolism, and control appetite.

Antioxidants and nutrients supplied in handy packets is the foundation of the system. This product contains 157 vitamins, minerals, and anti-aging phytonutrients imported from 28 countries,

Ginkgo biloba extract formula that contains the added power of three unique herbs, vinpocetine, bacopa monniera, and huperzine A, all of which will help brain function at its peak, and enhance alertness, mental agility, and recall.

Digestive enzyme supplement provides research-recommended enzymes from 100% pure plant sources. It contains all of the enzymes your body needs to digest every type of complex carbohydrate, protein, tough vegetable fiber and fat you eat.  It increases the body's ability to absorb vital nutrients,  helping gain the most benefit from food and nutritional supplements. The pure plant enzymes naturally and safely ease the digestive process. I will testify to that personally. I could post a long, descriptive blurb about regularity, but how much do you really need to know about this blogger?

CoQ10 for cardiovascular health. This product also contains natural vitamin E, aged garlic, and capsicum extract, all of which help to regulate cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol health nutrients from this company win kudos that I have personally heard, so I'm taking this one as well. Scientific studies show that a combination of the other key nutrients in this product (niacin, vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B12) helps to maintain normal blood levels of homocysteine. (Homocysteine is a known risk factor in the health of the cardiovascular system.)

Week One: Health Journey Milestones

Weight: I confess that I was a little deflated when I saw that I lost only three pounds in the last week, but then I thought a little bit. If I continue to lose three pounds a week I'll weigh less than that dastardly 200 number by summer's end. Besides, I'm not hungry. I am eating real food, good food, loosely following The South Beach Diet Plan. I plan to update myself a little more on that plan in the days ahead and pick up the corresponding cookbook with those recipes for a little more structure to guide my gastronomic adventures.

Exercise: I've been doing 10 laps in the pool at the local YMCA each day. That may not sound like much to some of you, but it is a major undertaking for a plus-size couch potato. I had a little shoulder strain over the weekend but that  passed and I had my first little endorphin rush today after my workout. It's been a looong time since I had an endorphin rush after exercise, my friends, and it was good!

Interesting Benefits: There are two little surprises that greet me this week. Honestly, I was not expecting improvement so early in this junket, but changes like these are important.

1. I have had a skin condition for many years that affects primarily my forearms. The skin in this area has had an "alligator skin" quality for many years--scaly, red, almost impervious to liquid. I do not use creams or lotions or anything of that sort to treat this area. However, the skin on my arms has returned to normal since I have embarked upon this health journey. It is smooth and has returned to a completely normal state. I am anxious to show this to my sister, a nurse in Texas, who has followed my condition for years.
2. The heels of my feet have been responsible for umpteen pantyhose snares, tears, and rips over many years. The heel surface has ranged from emery board roughness on good days to a bed of little razors on severe days. For the past few days the heels of my feet are totally normal! Smooth!

I'm sure that supplements are helping in ways that I did not anticipate. I'll assemble a list of the products that I am taking and offer that in a future post in the next couple of days.

Himalayan Goji Health Secret No More!Clinical Studies Document Results

I've added a new ingredient to my regimen, Himalayan Goji berry juice. There is additional information at The Goji Book. Here are some of the medical facts about Goji:

* Allergies - Drink 2-4 oz. daily
In a study of Goji Berry reported in the Journal of the Beijing Medical University (1992), it was noted that Goji reduced antibodies associated with allergy-type reactions, by promoting CD8(+) T-cells and regulating cytokines. Goji Berry has also been reported to be a useful treatment for psoriasis.

* Anti-Aging - Drink 2-4 oz. daily
Goji's unique LBP polysaccharide complex has been found to be powerful secretagogue (a substance that stimulates the secretion of rejuvenative human growth hormone by the pituitary gland). Zhang (1993) studied the role of Goji's unique LBP polysaccharides in fighting peroxidation, a primary cause of premature cell death. Dr. Zhang and his team measured the changes in the electrical parameters of cell membranes after incubating living cells in a solution containing dangerous free radicals for six hours. They observed that the deadly effects of free radicals on the cells can be prevented and reversed by incubation with LBP polysaccharides.

* Arthritis and Inflammatory Conditions - Drink 4 oz. daily
The inflammatory free radical most often implicated in arthritis is known as the superoxide anion. One study in China found that the ingestion of Goji resulted in a remarkable 40 percent increase of this extremely important anti-inflammatory enzyme.

* Cardiovascular Health - Drink 4 oz. daily
The accumulation of lipid peroxides in the blood can lead to cardiovascular disease, heart attack, atherosclerosis and stroke. Our blood contains the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) to fight against lipid peroxidation, but levels of SOD decrease as we age. In a clinical study, Goji Berry consumption was accompanied by a remarkable 40 percent increase in SOD levels, and a decrease in lipid peroxides of an impressive 65 percent.

* Diabetes (adult-onset) - Drink 2 oz. twice daily
Goji has been used in China for the treatment of adult-onset diabetes for many years, as it is said to balance blood sugar and insulin response.

* Hypertension (high blood pressure) - Drink 3 oz. daily
The effects of Goji polysaccharides (LBP) on endothelial function were observed by Jia YX et al (1998) in China. Their results showed that the increase of blood pressure in the hypertensive rats could be prevented significantly by the treatment with Goji LBP.

* Obesity - Drink 2 oz. in the morning, 2 oz. in the afternoon
The Goji Berry has also been tested as an anti-obesity drug. Patients were given a tea made of the berries each morning and each afternoon. Results were excellent with most patients losing significant weight. In an animal study, it was shown that Goji polysaccharides enhanced the conversion of food into energy, and reduced body weight.

Ouch! No Pain, No GainThis Must Be Working

I started an exercise program of sorts at the Bethlehem YMCA last week. I enjoy lap swimming, back and forth, alternating between breaststroke and backstroke, then heading to the steam room and whirlpool comfort. It is a good low-impact exercise without all that wear on tear on sensitive hip and knee areas. I'm a little sore around the shoulders, but that's par for the course when those lazy muscles are put to work after such a long sabbatical.

I'm already seeing some interesting benefits to this weight loss program in areas that are probably related to the supplements but I want to do a little research about that before I start to talk about it. I already see significant improvement in GI health and skin and nails.  It's wonderful to have GOOD surprises now and then, isn't it?

Phony Weight Loss Product BagmenPrey On Hopes, Fears Of Obese

One of the things I am most concerned about on my weight loss journey is the quality of the food and supplements that I am using. I am engaged in daily research on matters relating to my own health. Know how to read your labels.

The American Obesity Assn. cautions dieters to avoid some supplements that are touted for weight control: "Whenever there is a disease or condition that many people will pay good money to relieve, there will be someone trying to turn a quick buck. In obesity, there are too many products or services that have been found to be harmful or are under current investigation."

AOA lists the following as Products of Concern:

Aristolochic Acid has been associated with permanent kidney damage, sometimes resulting in kidney failure that has required kidney dialysis or kidney transplantation. In addition, some patients have developed certain types of cancers, most often occurring in the urinary tract.

Ephedra, also known as ma huang, is found in some herbal products sold for weight control. . Ephedra is a controversial product. It may produce weight loss, but issues of appropriate dosage, effect of other stimulants and safety issues cloud this substance. It has been reported to cause nausea, dizziness, headache, skin rash, nervousness, moodiness, depression, heartracing, difficulty breathing, vomiting, blurred vision, addiction, disorientation, low blood pressure, gastrointestinal problems, chest pains, heart palpitations, and death.

Herbal weight loss tea / "Dieter's Tea," sometimes labeled as a natural bowel cleanser because of their laxative qualities, are often marketed as a weight loss product. The use of products with a laxative effect for weight control is ineffective and potentially dangerous for people on severely restricted diets.

Tiratricol: The FDA has forced the recall of products marketed as dietary supplements for weight loss that contain tiratricol, also known as triiodothyroacetic acid or TRIAC, a potent thyroid hormone that may cause serious health consequences including heart attacks and strokes.

Read what some holistic physicians have to say.

Those Pictures Finally Did It!I'm Getting Real With Exercise!

Okay, already! The first 20 pounds almost melted off, but there's a looong way to go, lady! I'm still tipping those scales way over that 200 mark, and I'm hoping to scale down to a trim 140. I'm using the best carbohydrate-reducing, metabolism booster on the market, but making a commitment to real health means more than pushing supplements. I'm using a three-pronged approach in this enterprise, combining nutrition, supplements, and exercise to lose weight, achieve fitness, and get healthy.

The exercise is the toughest part of this program. I've been content to take a walk now and then and call it "exercise." Who have I been kidding? Certainly not the mirror or the camera, and definitely not the bathroom scale! After posting those dreadful photos this morning I high-tailed it over to the Bethlehem YMCA and submitted this sorry body to a full, intensive 40-minute cardio workout. These muscles didn't know what hit them today! Afterwards I treated them to a glorious 15 minutes in the sauna, a delicious shower, and an utterly divine whirlpool experience. Then I summoned every ounce of effort remaining in this pre-menopausal protoplasm and dragged myself home to a lunch of yogurt with wheat germ, a glass of soy milk, and my midday supplement mix. Now it's back to the world of real estate for the balance of the afternoon and evening.

Does anyone have a house to sell? I'm almost sold out! Call me!

Vitamins And Supplements ArriveWith Full Ingredients Disclosure

Today is Day One of Getting Off The Plateau. The first 20 pounds or so of weight loss are relatively easy. The hard part starts now. After much study, I have settled on a weight loss product that is ephedrine-free and is scientifically formulated to boost the metabolism, control appetite, enhance energy, and reduce carbohydrates. I am going to give this product the ROYAL TEST! TheFATladyBloggers have a front-row seat to see the results for themselves.

One of the things that I like about this supplier is the fact that they are totally upfront about ingredients. Each product has an ingredients list that is more comprehensive than anything I have seen to date. Full disclosure adds trust and credibility to this health journey (as it does to the real estate process. Sorry, just had to get in a little plug there.)