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We interrupt this series of avoiding weight gain to bring you 2 confessions. 

Confession #1–I sometimes find myself watching E! or ET while waiting for House to come on. I try to turn away from Donnie and Marie–are they sleeping together?–Britney, Christie, Kelly, and the other celebs and their same old stories, skimpy outfits, and scandals. I fail, with a vengeance. I practice observing without judging. Judging is easy and fun and it may even burn calories so this is not so off topic afterall.

Last night’s 10 minutes brings me to the second confession and it has to do with Oprah. I teared up watching Oprah talk about her weight gain. Once again she has piled on 40 pounds. I wasn’t fighting back a full on sob because of that. Having her stand up and say “I can’t or don’t want to hide this anymore. I have not been taking care of myself” said O. That’s where my heart got pulled in.

She did not say, “I let my job get in the way, I had no time, I have so much stress.” All of those things must be true for her every single day of her  life on view. She said, “I have not been taking care of me.” Not working out, eating foods that do not support health, energy, aging strong and long; these are signs of not caring for oneself.

This is where the sadness came up. I ache for those of us who can’t figure out how to love and care for ourselves especially when the physical manifestation is extra weight. It’s not about the number on the scale though we focus on that. It’s about the number you see yourself as. Say what you want about how it–the weight–doesn’t really matter. I think it really does. I’ve been there. It sucked.

A survey reported in USA Today a number of months ago reported that out of a few thousand average Americans who participated, 80% said the one thing they will regret not doing before they die is losing the weight they want to. 

People, even a loss of a few percent of your total weight improves your life expectancy and healthy aging potential. Not to mention one less thing to regret.

It does not have to be that difficult. Oprah is starting an online program to take off the weight with her. I offer one as well, Spark People has lots of ways to get online and community support. Doesn’t matter who you choose but I encourage you to choose some form of help and then love yourself enough to stay with it.

So it’s the day after Thanksgiving here in the US and I have a question midlife women–what kind of exercise will you do this weekend? “Why do you ask?” you might ask. Because if you are anything like me it’s helpful to have someone remind me to include this uber beneficial activity in my long weekend with leftovers lurking in every corner of the kitchen. Hey, we have yesterday’s extra calories to get rid of but that’s not all. 

Yes, the holiday season has officially started bringing with it the once-a-year-only delicious morsels, parties, and longer than usual to-do lists. In our already busy lives, these rituals can squeeze out our much needed exercise program. Skipping exercise is never a good thing but when temptation in the form of food and libations beckon ditching that walk or spin class is the surest way to the Holiday 5. Hate to break it to you, if it was a 5 pound weight gain in our 30’s and 40’s it’s an 8 - 10 pound gain in our 50’s.

Rather than fretting let’s do something different this year. Let’s plan some movement into our month rather than trying to squeeze it in as the days progress. Oh, and if you are of the mindset that “it’s already the end of the year, I’ll just party like it’s 1999, eat what I want, and start my new lifestyle habits in the new year” I have a question for you? How has that kind of thinking worked for you in the past?

Starting on Dec. 1st I’m going to give you tips to party smart and avoid the Holiday 5 (10). I am not asking you to starve, forgo treats, or stay home like Cinderella all season. I’m going to give you easy ways to manage it all and not gain the weight. 
Wouldn’t it be a bonus if you woke up on January 1st feeling like a success before you even looked at your new year creation plan?

I can’t wait to hear your success stories.

What would you give to have your own personal chef, nutrition expert and life coach all rolled into one?

And what if you could ask this genie any question you want about what to eat to maintain a healthy weight or release weight, how to maintain or improve energy levels, how to protect the heart and stave off the diseases of aging without giving up everything you love?

You can do all of that and grab the tips, tools and techniques for living the healthiest second half ever.

How? Just use this link to learn more about, and sign up for, the 4 week teleseminar I’m offering.

In 4 short weeks, one hour per week, from the comfort of your home you can get coaching, ask questions and laugh and maybe even cry along with 9 other women just like you. The women on these calls are smart and smart enough to know that we must be actively pursuing health not just accepting the decline that comes with age.

Take a look at all that this life changing course offers. I promise you’ll easily recoup the small investment or I’ll give you your money back.

The holidays are coming and the frantic pace can add stress and pounds to your life. Why not jump in to the Mind and Body Tune Up and get tips, tools and resources to help you manage the stress and avoid the weight gain.

The best way to make lasting change is by making small changes with support. There is no better support than a group of women just like you working one on one with a coach, food and wellness expert.

See you on the calls.