HAPPY NEW YEAR...blah, blah, blah...

Hey All!

Why is it that the New Year is so significant to changing our lives? Really...I mean in some way I really don't get it. Here you are..living your life...and then all of a sudden just a few months away you decide that you are going to change something significant? Dating, weight, look, attitude, job etc. etc. Why wait? Do you think that is why many of us don't succeed? That people want to make the change but they really don't want to put the work into making those hard changes? So instead, they push it off, as long as they can, until D-Day...January 1st. January 1st, 12:01am, that is when "I begin!" But then what? Are you prepared to make those changes? Do you know what you are getting yourself into? Are you setting yourself up for failure? Are you ready...in your soul of souls...to quit smoking? No turning back, no hesitations?

Here is what I suggest....here is what I did this year....I decided in late November that I'm not waiting until January 1st for any resolutions. That my resolutions start..NOW! I'm going to stop procrastinating in getting a car, I'm going to start back at the gym...REGUARLY!...I'm going to clean out my voice mail box so my friends stop hearing, "The mailbox is full!"...and I'm going to tweek my life in such a way that I'm living MY best life! I didn't wait until January 1st...and I'm glad because by the time January 1st rolled around I didn't lose any time. I didn't make it a milestone of expectations. I just "did it!" It's in my soul of souls to want to change....AGAIN!!!!!!

What's your life look like this time 2010?

Warmly, Susan

Survival Kit for the Holidays!!!

Hi All!!

We are RIGHT in the middle of the holiday season. Here are some survival tips to keep you going...

1. Stay Active!!! Don't sit on the couch like a slug all day, sucking down candy canes and chocolate Santas. Take a walk. If there's snow..throw some snowballs, go sledding, take a "hike!". Have fun because all those extra calories need to be burned up some how!!

2. Don't overdo it on the big meals. This is definitely a time of celebration, so you should enjoy yourself. There IS, however, a big difference between "enjoying" and "gorging". Make sure you balance out portions of your favorites with other lighter options. And what do we always say? Eat lots of lean protein and plenty of veggies!

3. Give away your food gifts! People LOVE to give edible holiday gifts, whether it's a tin of cookies or a homemade fruitcake. However, you don't have to eat it! Regift, or even give it all to a homeless shelter. You're not only saving yourself from all the extra calories, but your doing a good thing, as well!!

4. Holiday shopping. Walk the mall a few times before buying anything. Then go on a shopping spree having a great time enjoying the holidays!!! When it comes to getting hungry head the the court yard and take a breath before chosing a sensible meal! Don't get overwhelmed by it all..remember in a few days all the "hoopla" will be over and you don't want those extra pounds as YOUR present to yourself!

5. Drink lots of water! If you don't, you'll likely get cranky, mistake thirst for hunger, and make bad decisions. By drinking a lot of water, you'll be fully hydrated AND you won't feel like you need to eat everything you see.

6. Leftovers?! Freeze them so they are not so accessible for a late night nibble.

7. Watch the calories you drink, party animal!!! Celebrating is fun, but try and keep your beverages on the lighter side. Eggnog may be a time-honored tradition, but it's also traditionally LOADED with fat and calories. Keep it simple with cocktails made from seltzer or diet soda and a shot of vodka or rum -- skip juice-based drinks and heavy liquors.

8. Bring your own low fat/low cal recipe to the party!! This way you will always have something to eat! Here is a great one!

Squash Pie

2 containers of frozen butternut squash
4 eggs
1 1/3 cup honey
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup oil
2 frozen pie shells (optional....not using will lower the calories..and it is just as good!!!)
cinnamon (for the top)

Mix everything together (except cinnamon) and pour into pie shells. If not using pie shells, use two round aluminum tins. Sprinkle cinnamon over top. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until the middle is solid. Then ENJOY!!! Tastes great cold too!!

HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY SEASON!!!!!!!!

Warmly, Susan

Snow's a comin'!!

Hey y'all!...(feelin' kinda southern today! :)

I have this "thing" about coats. I don't like them. Growing up we had them. Even had some gloves. But when we lost the gloves we used socks. Don't ask me how tube socks kept our hands warm...but somehow they did!!

So last year when I complained and complained to my husband that I was cold he said to me, "next year will be different!" And it is! Let's just say from July he kept reminding me that I need to get a coat! Since I've always been in the "I'm going to wait because I'm going to lose the last 40 or so pounds....and I don't want to have to get two differnt size coats!" frame of mind...I waited until the last minute! 4o pounds still intact! I got a coat...and guess what...I even got a rain coat! Boy, do I look sassy in a red rain coat!!! :)

Today it is supposed to snow...not Minnesota or North Dakota snow...but New York City drizzle snow that after it stops will make everything really gross and mushy on the sidewalks and that gross dirty snow smell that permeates into the subway...kinda snow. I don't complain that I'm cold anymore, and in fact, really like my new purchases!

Still workin' on the 40, but you know what....I'm happy...REALLY happy.....40 pounds or not!

Keep me posted!

Warmly, Susan

Tough Breakups

Hey all...

What an amazing day today. Have been helping out a friend with a bad breakup the last couple weeks. I remember those days and so sad that she is going through it. She cried on my shoulder, I've made her laugh and we've probably walked all through Central Park 10 times already. It's one of those kind of break ups that even if you wanted to eat, there was no way it was going to happen....which in her case is working in her favor! Kidding....but you know what I mean. Last night I went over to her house to make her our favorite honey mustard salmon over rice that she always loved. Was glad to see that she ate it.

I know that so many of us go through hard times....but in the end there is always a rainbow. Keep looking for the rainbow through the pain. Trust me....it's there!

Keep me posted....

Warmly, Susan

Cookies

"Don't take orders from the cookies!"

Too funny! Last week was a crazyyyyy week!!! Out of the house by 6:30am, not home until 8:30pm...work is crazy...my life is crazy! All I wanted was a box of cookies! Yes, you heard me....not one, not two...but the whole friggn' box!! I happen to mention this in passing to the associate director at work and she said,

"Don't take orders from the cookies!" I couldn't stop laughing because all I could think of were the chocolate covered milanos saying..."come on Sue, eat us now!" But she was right! Now of course, I had no intention of eating a box of cookies..trust me! But the want was still there...I've just learned to manage it better.

So you see....it never goes away totally...just managing the stress levels that we all have is the most important thing!

So whatever you do..."DON'T TAKE ORDERS FROM THE COOKIES!"

Keep me posted!

Warmly, Susan

S

Hey S...

Wow! I hope you'll be OK with me saying....You sound like how I used to sound! Take a deep breath. Now sit still for 10 minutes. Really sit still and let the whirlwind that it is in your head slow down. Do that every day.

When you feel you are ready...and come on...isn't it ALLLL about being ready??? When you feel you are ready start cutting back and walking. No dieting. Just eat one candy bar less than you would have prior to this blog entry. Whatever you are doing for exercise now...do 10 minutes more...than 15 minutes more and one more candy bar less.

Also, stop listening to "them." Who cares about them!!!! Start embracing your support system...besides yourself, they are your BEST allies!!! Have them start giving you hugs and put the sugar down!

This is just the beginning! Remember....

Life shrinks or expands in proportion t one's courage.

Keep me posted....seriously!!!

Warmly, Susan

Halloween!!!

I grew up in New Rochelle at a time when it was more than OK to send your kids out trick or treating to stranger's houses! My favorite was the lady up the street who gave out FULL SIZE Hershey bars!!!! She only allowed us to take one and we had to take it slowly...not like gavones...as my Uncle Joe would affectionately call us! LOLO!

I currently live in New York City where I see the cutest kids (not cuter than my nephew and niece!!...but then I'm biased!) Trick or Treating AT DUANE READE!!!! For anyone who isn't from New York...that is a drug store!!! So there I am getting some cotton balls and nail polish remover and there is a woman with her kid dressed up as a robot (store bought..I mean really...where are the kids imagination these days!!) she was getting Stay Free Maxi Pads and her kid was screaming Trick or Treat!!! The cashier took the cash for the woman's product and handed the kid two small pieces of candy that he proceeded to eat with the plastic on!!! (My niece and nephew wouldn't do that!!...but then again I'm biased :)

So if you're going out with your kids Trick or Treating...remember to explain to your kids about portion control!! Be the best role model for them by eating healthy and exercising!!! Nothing wrong with one or two bite size Snickers...but freeze the rest and portion out accordingly!

Enjoy and BE SAFE!!!!!

More later...

Keep me posted!

Warmly, Susan