A Virtual Group for Women

It seems that the #1 complaint of women is their body size (after their hair complaints, of course). Coming towards the end of our world wide lock-down, it seems like a good time to address that weight issue.

The women I’ve talked to are eager to lose between 10 and 60 pounds. Many of them say they want to be reasonable, so they will just say they want to lose 10 pounds; that way the goal won’t seem too onerous. After all, 90% of these women have been in numerous weight loss programs before and they know it’s easy to lose that first 10 pounds. Of course, once the program is over and they are back to their regular habits, those 10 pounds come back and usually bring another 5 pounds with them.

As one woman told me, “I know exactly how to gain weight, but I don’t seem to know how to lose it.”

“I’ve gone to Weight Watcher’s and Metabolic Weight Loss and I got so sick of chicken breasts I could die,” they tell me. Then they’ve tried exercise of all kinds, such as walking, jogging, half-marathons, Camp Gladiator Workouts, and even Cross Fit. They got stronger and in better shape, but they didn’t lose much weight.

The truth is, you cannot maintain a diet that keeps you hungry. One of your most powerful instincts is to avoid starvation. The only diet that can be sustained – by anyone – is a diet that allows you to eat until you are full and, at the same time, promotes weight loss and good health. ~Dr. John McDougall

WHAT IF YOU COULD GET DOWN TO YOUR IDEAL WEIGHT?

What would be possible?

• Could you stop feeling bad about yourself because you have failed so many times?
• Could  you finally buy clothes you love?
• Could  you feel more confident and project a new look?
• Could you find romance (if you’re looking)?
• Could you be a role model of health for your kids or grandkids?
• Could you finally quit struggling with your weight?

I’m going to let you in on a secret.

With over a decade of writing, coaching, and enabling women just like you, I know that each of these are possible RIGHT NOW.  There’s a simple formula that I have used for designing a healthy, weight loss program that can then become the most energizing, creative, and valuable asset in your life.

YOU CAN JOIN A VIRTUAL CLUB FOR WOMEN

What in the world is a “virtual club,” you may be asking.

It is a little bit like a Facebook group, only much better.  There is a dedicated APP that we can use to privately communicate with one another.  Women who have been living this lifestyle for years can root for you and encourage you.  Women who are completely new to this lifestyle can learn all about it.  Everyone can gather new recipes and meal planning strategies.

Because this is a “whole new world,” we can make it up as we go along and support one another.

Please note: June 1st is the actual starting date, and I would love to have you join me as a Charter Member.  Give it a couple of months to flesh out, and I hope you will decide to continue on as a member.  However, once you have given it a fair trial, you are welcome to drop out if it doesn’t fit you.  You may cancel your membership anytime before your next monthly billing cycle.

Looking forward to “seeing” you!

American Adults Are Overweight

A headline in today’s local newspaper proclaimed that more than two-thirds of American adults are either overweight or obese.  We have heard that so often that it is no longer shocking.  

What is shocking is this picture of Jack and Jackie Kennedy taken in 1955.  I can already hear your comments, “OMG, they are too skinny!” or “They are so thin, they must have an eating disorder.”  

Do any of you remember when most Americans were this thin?

Today American women seem to be on a perpetual diet, but they don’t seem to be getting any thinner. They say things such as, “I wish I could lose some weight, but I just don’t have the discipline,” or “I really know I should lose some weight, but it’s not that important to me right now.”  Or, we hear the Oprah-like statement, “We just need to be happy with our body, no matter what size we are.”

As a health coach, I want to help people get healthy - and, overweight or obese is NOT healthy.  In fact, I’ve set a goal to help 500 women become healthy.  

How am I going to define “healthy?”

Since it’s important to use objective measures rather than just asking women how they feel, let me explain what I’m going to use.

1.) BMI under 24.9 – To find your BMI, put your current weight and height in the BMI calculator.  If you are in the normal range, “good for you!”

Being overweight or obese is NOT a cosmetic problem.  That extra weight raises your risk for serious health problems such as: gallstones, type 2 diabetes, abnormal blood fats such as high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, high blood pressure, cancer, osteoarthritis, infertility, coronary artery disease, a stroke and sleep apnea. Medical care related to obesity in our country in 2002 was estimated to be $100 billion.  

2.) Blood Pressure under 120/80 – Blood pressure tends to rise with age if you are not following a healthy lifestyle.  Nearly 1 in 3 American women has high blood pressure.  You can prevent high blood pressure by reducing sodium (salt) intake, being active, and keeping a normal BMI.  High blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease.  To measure your blood pressure, you can schedule an appointment with your physician or go to your local pharmacy and use their FREE blood pressure cuff.

3.) Total cholesterol under 150 mg/dl. – A high cholesterol level puts you at greater risk for coronary heart disease, heart attack, stroke and cancer.  Lower blood cholesterol levels are linked to lower rates of heart disease, cancer and stroke.  To get a cholesterol test, you can give blood at your local blood bank and they will usually send your cholesterol reading for FREE.  You can also schedule a finger prick at a local Walgreen’s, look up an on-line cholesterol screening test or make an appointment with your physician. 

If the readings of your three screenings are not in the “ideal” range, you are welcome to sign up for a coaching program.

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© 2007-2013 Melinda Coker

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: “Melinda Coker, health coach and author of the book, Diet and Cancer: Is There a Connection?, teaches men and women around the world how to develop a healthy lifestyle.”

To Lose Weight

1. Eat a large raw green vegetable salad for one meal every day with a nonfat dressing.
2. Eat whole grains, beans, starches and vegetables for your second meal every day.
3. Eat as much fresh fruit as you want.
4. Avoid ALL oils, butter, and cheeses.
5. Minimize nuts, seeds, avocados and olives.
6. Avoid processed foods and sugar.

This simple six-step plan for weight loss was proposed by John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods, and Dr. Joel Fuhrman. Give it a try and let me know if it works for you.