Phasing Out Stages of PWS

There is hope! But in the meantime...


I have been away for a while and I am limited on time today, but let me share some new information about Prader-Willi Syndrome (new to me).  It has to do with research that has been ongoing.


With Prader-Willi syndrome, current information includes two stages as they relate to nutrition and hunger. New research has determined or identified seven nutritional phases. It is something that has been talked about for a few years and has just now, it seems, gained legitimacy. An abstract has been published by the American Journal of medical genetics and you can read it at this link "Abstract".


I found this link in a wonderful Blog by a mom in the Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) community who Blogs daily about her life. Check out "diving into the waves".


I see hope in this new information because 1st, it is ground gained in the understanding of PWS. And 2nd, it gives us all hope that our children might be the rare few that gain the ability to feel full when eating (something I thought impossible).


On another note, I had an inspiring day today. I met Dianne Miller of  G.O. Ministries and will be posting about some of my thoughts that were inspired by Dianne.


In the meantime, if you are in need of green cleaning products, natural nutrition or weight loss products, check out my Shaklee page.

Terry Guinn, A Healthier You Too

Treat your family to the quality products they deserve. Shaklee products are always safe, always work, and are always green. If you would like more information about Shaklee products, please contact me, Terry Guinn, Shaklee Independent Distributor, through my website at  www.ahealthieryoutoo.com or if you would like to checkout the products for yourself, go to my Shaklee page at  www.ahealthieryoutoo.myshaklee.com 

Shakleebaby & Shakleekids

Be "SMART" About It In "2011"

Today is the first day... Of the rest of your year!  It's also the beginning of those "2011" New Years resolutions.  Maybe you don't start working on those until you have fully awakened and have had a good lunch.  Or, after "New Year's Day" perhaps.  Of course, It would be a shame to waste the holiday weekend suffering.  Oops, I forgot about Monday... How can anyone expect to be successful starting something new on a Monday???

Shaklee "A million trees, a million dreams"

New Year's resolutions, or setting goals, are great for planting seeds for success in the new year, but if you don't take action, they are just dreams.  It is so easy to make or find excuses to avoid following through on your goals, and before you know it, many months have gone by, the seeds are still in the package, and you are then waiting for 2012 to start fresh with your goals... As if a specific start date is required.

Just do it!  Now!  Take the time to evaluate, estimate and create excitement! But be "SMART" about it. Is your goal a "SMART" goal?

• Specific - Have you set a specific and realistic outcome/goal.
• Measurable - What changes, and what does success mean? 
• Attainable - Are your goals realistic and do you have what it takes to achieve them?
• Relevant - Are your goals meaningful and beneficial?
• Time Bound - How will you stay focused and know your on track?

Once you have identified and evaluated your goal, write it down, share it and create a plan to track, achieve and celebrate success.  Don't just celebrate the achievement of your goal, track your progress and celebrate every step toward success! With every step you take, you are getting closer to success and gaining confidence & strength. 

Now consider this... How will you stay on track?  

• A chart to update regularly? 
• A sign on your bathroom mirror as a morning reminder or inspiration?
• A picture on your desk for encouragement?
• A preset daily alarm in your cell phone or daily electronic reminders?
• How about a collage of pictures that represent your dreams (new car, house, vacation, ect.)?
• Will you share it with others who will help or hold you accountable?

For most, achieving their goals will require making changes and there in lies the biggest obstacle.  Overcoming the fear and or struggles associated with change requires a mindset for success.  This mindset exists within in all of us, otherwise we would not be alive today.  Anything is possible, but that is not to say that anything is easy. 

Victory is within your reach, if you plan your battle and stay focused on the goal. A big part of remaining focused and positive is feeling good.  With every successful step we feel more confident and excited, but when something slows us down, we can easily fall into the same old rut which is our contort zone.  A healthy lifestyle is the key to unlocking our inner strength and empowering each of us to achieve our dreams. 

If you are looking to start creating a healthier lifestyle for you and your family, Shaklee has products that can help. From natural supplements like daily vitamins for you or your children, fish oil, cholesterol reduction and probiotics, to green cleaning products for a healthy home, laundry and kitchen.     

*And, If you are considering weight loss, as many do for their new year's goal, Shaklee can help you with that as well. The Cinch® Starter Kit has everything you need to get started.

Shaklee's "Cinch® Starter Kit

    

Terry Guinn, A Healthier You Too

Treat your family to the quality products they deserve.  Shaklee products are always safe, always work, and are always green. If you would like more information about Shaklee products, please contact me, Terry Guinn, Shaklee Independent Distributor, through my website at  www.ahealthieryoutoo.com or if you would like to checkout the products for yourself, go to my Shaklee page at  www.ahealthieryoutoo.myshaklee.com 

Shakleebaby & Shakleekids

Have It Your Way... In 2011!

Hold the pickle, hold the lettuce... "Have it your way"!  Can I get mold with mine???

I have been conducting an experiment and reporting on it in my other Blog "Terry' Notebook". It started with hamburgers 63 days ago because I saw a presentation that included as a prop, an eleven year old McDonald's hamburger. Being the skeptic that I am, I had to see for myself whether a hamburger could actually last eleven years without molding, so I started the "Terry Guinn, Hamburger Experiment".  It was soon followed by the "Terry Guinn, French Fry Experiment".  After researching the processing of these fast foods and finding no real excitement (and very little mold) in these experiments, I started the "Terry Guinn, Mold Watch Experiment".  

I spent 63 days so far, watching and waiting for 4 hamburgers to mold.

Now I have 4 hamburgers that will likely outlive me and be passed on to future generations of Guinn's... It could happen!  

I am excited to say that there is now mold to see.  What I am reminded of from this experiment is that I have had the control of the outcome all along... To "Have it my way".   I could have changed the outcome of my experiments with temperature, humidity, environment, lighting, air, ect.  We can achieve any goal with persistence, enough preparation and if we create the right circumstances. That is not to say that it will be easy.

Of course, as with anything, we can have or do anything we set our mind to. We control our own destiny and can change course anytime if we don't like the current heading. Change can be difficult at first, but in time it will become a part of our routine.  

The new year is fast approaching. Do you have the patience, drive and tenacity to do what it takes to make changes in your life? To "Have it your way"?  Sounds like a good New Year's resolution.

No one can be truly successful, who does not enjoy good health.  And good health does not come in a bottle.  It starts with proper diet, exercise and a healthy environment. Ridding your home of unhealthy toxins is a great start and Shaklee can help with many great products for the laundry, kitchen, household and they also have many other natural products, including personal items such as shampoos, conditioners, antiperspirants, baby care, ect. Shaklee-ize your home today.  If you need help with weight loss, wrinkles, age spots, vitamin D deficiency... The list goes on and only a visit to the Shaklee On-Line store can reveal the true opportunity available to you and your family.    

December is a great month to treat your family to the quality products they deserve.  Shaklee products are always safe, always work, and are always green.   Several promotions available, including the "Free Membership" offer below. If you would like more information about Shaklee products, please contact me, Terry Guinn, through my website at  www.ahealthieryoutoo.com or if you would like to checkout the products for yourself, go to my Shaklee page at www.ahealthieryoutoo.myshaklee.com 

SPECIAL OFFER:

December 1-31, 2010, "Free Membership" 

(a $19.95 value) with an order for $70 worth of products at member prices.

The Weight is Over...

Can it be true? Have I finally achieved a new plateau and weight loss is on the horizon? Could it be that "the weight is over..."? Yeah... right.

I just celebrated my 51st birthday and my family took me out to dinner. We don't go out much anymore, so this was a real treat for all of us. We went to my favorite restaurant so I could get my favorite mexican skillet. My mouth watered with anticipation as the waitress brought out my long awaited special treat. And it was delicious!!! I savored every mouthful as I dug into my meal.

Half way through my meal I noticed a feeling I had not experienced for a long time and never from my favorite meal... I was feeling full! All sorts of thoughts began running through my head as to how such a thing could occur and ruin such a joyful experience. Did I eat to fast? Am I coming down with something? Did I drink to many liquids? IS MY STOMACH SHRINKING??? Could that be it? Could my stomach be shrinking? I had, been eating smaller amounts at meals for the past ten months because I share with my six year old who requires a special diet. That must be it I decided.

As always, anytime I get a thought, idea or question about the bodies chemistry or function... I go to the all mighty Internet to search for answers. I have been doing this for years, but with much more intensity over the past ten months as I have tried to get a better understanding in an effort to help my six year old who has Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). Diet is extremely important for her and with her condition, nutrition has also been a major concern of mine.

In my efforts to find out the feasibility of the stomach shrinking, I was disappointed to find that it is not possible (WebMD is a great resource). What I did find however were some interesting articles that suggested that body chemistry can also affect and trigger feelings of satiety for different reasons. Things I had read about before but these were presented in a different light and I had always looked for information, other than the chemical signals because the chemical process does not work properly in individuals with PWS like my daughter. It makes sense thought, that my body may have been telling me that I had reached my nutritional needs. I have been taking a very potent dose of daily supplements that may have, with some food intake, triggered a chemical process giving me that full feeling.

When you think about it, our body communicates with us in many ways and it is all controlled by chemical processes. Just as we join Toastmasters to improve our oral communication, we must do what it takes to improve the communication process within our bodies. You can, through Toastmasters, reduce and eliminate the verbal clutter in your oral communication to make you a more effective communicator and you can through proper diet, exercise and I can't emphasize enough the importance of proper nutrition... Reduce and eliminate some of the clutter affecting your bodies communication, to reenergize your bodies effectiveness in communication and weight management.

The weight “gain” IS over... But only with proper diet, exercise and nutrition.

For information on a Company with your health and safety in mind, please check out my website at www.ahealthieryoutoo.com. As a Shaklee Independent Distributor, I can introduce you to some wonderful nutritional, beauty, weight and healthy home products (and an opportunity to help others if your interested) from the #1 Natural Nutrition Company in the U.S.

One final note of interest, after successfully gaining control of my daughters weight, as well as my own, for the past nine months... I am excited to report that my six year old has lost five pounds over the past five weeks and I have lost three.

A Healthier You Too

I started a new journey a month or so ago. I became a Shaklee Independent Distributor. Sales has always been in my blood, but then again... So has hepatitis C. So why Shaklee? Because I can't sell anything I don't believe in completely and I can't believe in products, or a Company, that has no history to back up their quality. Shaklee has been in the business of helping people for over 50 years and was Green before anyone knew what Green was. They also have research, studies and clinical trials documentation and they continue to test and retest to insure the highest quality products. Let's not forget the money back guarantee.

Since the birth of my daughter who was diagnosed with Prader-Willi Syndrome, my wife and I have learned so much about proper diet and living a healthier lifestyle. I have also done a lot of research on the chemicals & toxins that are in the air we breath, the cleaning supplies we use and the foods we eat. Shaklee is a perfect fit for my family.

So my wife and I have been working to Clean up our act, so to speak, for the sake of all four of our children. I myself have been especially focused over the past nine months on making changes, thanks in part to a wonderful company who has given me more time to spend with my family. Yes, after twenty-three years they let me go.

With the free time I have had, when I wasn't looking for a job, I was making changes at home. After nine months I am happy to report that:

• My daughter who has had weight issues because of her syndrome, has been able to maintain her current weight for the past six months and her doctor is very happy with her current, much improved, cholesterol levels.
• My son has fewer headaches than before.
• My children are eating very little fast food.
• A chronic cough that I had for years (like a smokers cough, but I don't smoke) is gone.
• For the first time since being diagnosed with Hepatitus C, many many years ago, my viral levels have gone down without being on a treatment.
• And my doctor and I are weening me off of Thyroid medicine and so far, so good.

If that isn't a testimony for proper diet and going green, than I don't know what is. I continue to meet and hear stories from people on how making changes to their lives have made a difference. Check out my website www.ahealthieryoutoo.com to find out more about Shaklee or if you have questions, you can find my contact information there.

Weight Loss Activities

What's your favorite exercise routine or weight loss activity? A few of my favorites are playing Pac Man or bowling on wii, a "dicing" game or reading a story book, watching a chica chica wawa movie and the list of "children's" activities goes on. Children's activities? YES!

In our home, keeping the focus off food is an ongoing requirement. You know what they say about idle hands... Well in our home, when my six year old daughter is not playing games, reading books, enjoying a movie, engaged in some busy work or activity, then she is focused on food. That is the biggest problem with Prader-Willi Syndrome. The insatiable appetite is ever present and like the rest of us, if we can stay focused on something, we can keep our minds off food.

My daughter was born with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) and it is not something that can be cured. It is also not something that can be outgrown. She experiences more frequent hunger pains as she grows older and we are forced to be more proactive in gaining her attention & interest in activities to distract her from her food seeking behavior and drive. My daughter will never experience a feeling of fullness and as a result, is subject to the risk of extreme obesity or death. Individuals with PWS only burn calories at approximately 60% effectiveness compared to the rest of us and they also have low muscle tone & a low sensitivity to pain. My daughter was born at the lowest level of "low tone" if such a thing exists.

Many of us don't need to have Prader-Willi Syndrome to have a problem with weight gain. We are free to eat whatever we like, whenever we like and we do just that. We keep snacks & goodies on hand and we eat. We eat when were bored, when were watching TV, when were working, when were traveling and so on. When we have an event, a meeting, a party, a celebration... Food is always an important part of the plan. Isn't it funny how we can go for hours or even a whole day without any food when we are focused on an activity we are enjoying or pressured (focused) to complete?

What are the activities that keep your mind off food and help with your weight loss or weight control? My favorite activities are playing games with my daughter, reading her books, watching the Chipmunks movie or listening to my daughters stories of her fantasy life where there is no such thing as PWS and she can do all the things the other children can... Where every day its someones birthday, complete with all the ice cream & cake you can eat.

"Fire!" and Weight loss

APX Alarm posted on Facebook an interesting question on Friday... "What's your #1 safety concern in your home? Fire, break-in, medical emergency? Why?" I know what you're thinking... What is so interesting about that and what does that have to do with weight loss?

When you live in my world, safety brings with it a whole new set of concerns with fire and weight loss being the biggest. You see, my six year old daughter is overweight, does not move very well and getting my whole family out of the house quickly will continue to get tougher as my daughter grows older, more mobile and learns to figure things out. WHAT??? Perhaps I should explain...

My daughter has Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) and as a result of an underdeveloped hypothalamus, along with many other medical issues, has an insatiable appetite which is complicated by a low sensitivity to pain, low muscle tone and a limited ability to burn calories. Uncontrolled, she is at risk for extreme obesity or even death. As you can see, controlling her diet is critical. There will soon come a time when control requires that we lock the doors, not only to keep intruders out, but, to keep my daughter in. Children & young adults with PWS have been known to find ways of sneaking out at night to raid neighbors refrigerators, garbage cans or head for the nearest store or restaurant.

Imagine having your home locked up tighter than Fort Knox! All the doors double locked with a key required to get in... OR OUT! Imagine having alarms & locks on everything from the upstairs windows to the refrigerator in the kitchen. Welcome to my world! At six, my daughter is not quite as aggressive as some of those with PWS who are older and just because some of these children are mentally challenged, that doesn't mean they can't learn to pick locks or figure out an access code or create resourceful ways to gain access or exit.

We have already taken necessary measures to restrict access to food, which includes closing up and controlling access to part of our house (including the kitchen). It is only a matter of time before more controls will be required, including more locks and with that, a deeper concern for fire safety. If we add more locks and barriers in our home, getting out in an emergency could be a major challenge.

All that being said... I would love to hear from you. Do you have any extreme measures, tricks or tips on controlling diet that you would like to share? What kind of security measures are you taking to keep your family safe and what are your concerns? Please post a comment below.

As long as your here:

May I ask for your support for... Any charity, cause or organization that you feel is filling a need in the world. You have a great opportunity now to support many great non-profit organizations on Facebook at the APX Alarm page (tab - APX Gives Back). Many, many great non-profit organizations have entered to be one of the final six that will share the $250,000 that APX Alarm is giving away in August, but your endorsements are needed to launch six lucky charities to the top. You can "Endorse" 5 charities everyday, 1 in each of the regions and if you choose to share this opportunity with your friends, there are links for almost all charities to Facebook, Twitter and email, so you can show your support and ask for theirs. My personal favorites are of course the Prader-Willi Syndrome organizations represented in all four of the US regions (two in the Pacific region).

When it is all said and done, with the awareness created by APX Alarm and all that support them... Everyone wins!

With a Real Job, You Don't Have to Weight!

Unemployment... A great start to a weight loss program! Although I wouldn’t recommend quitting your job as a first step to your diet, it does give you more time to focus on a healthy diet and more time to exercise (until the money runs out).

Are you working long hours and putting on weight because your eating a lot of restaurant food, drinking flavored coffees or soda and struggling to find time for a good exercise program? Chances are that those long hours are a result in some part of a poor diet and a lack of proper exercise. I should know because I was there. About five months ago I lost my job after twenty three years, that after spending about five months of the last seven months traveling and eating out quite often.

Since beginning unemployment, I have discovered a healthier lifestyle that has not only helped me lose some weight, but has also contributed to the health & well being of my family. It has not been easy to make changes in our home and I have not changed things so drastically that my wife and kids have mutinied. We are slowly turning this ship around.

The need to turn things around was a necessity due to the special needs of our six year old who has Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). The problems associated with this syndrome, including weight gain, were beginning to rear their ugly heads over the past year or so and the most prevalent problem associated with PWS is an insatiable appetite complicated by a low sensitivity to pain. My daughter at six knows the importance of eating healthy, but driven by hunger in the absence of healthy choices and controls in place is at risk of extreme obesity.

That being said, I am happy to say that because of our new found routines and healthier food choices, we have both lost a little weight and she has cut 50 points off her cholesterol level.

How did we do it? One change includes lots of fruits and vegetables. Almost every dinner meal is 50 to 75% vegetable. A steamed broccoli, cauliflower, green bean, carrot, turnip and snow peas mix is our favorite (the leftovers, including the vegitable water/juices mix, go into a healthy soup for another meal). Cantaloupe and/or fruit smoothies are our evening snack/desert of choice.

I inadvertently discovered these plans of action/tips/recipes in my search for employment as a result of creating an opportunity with a local doctor/friend. A result of this learning opportunity was the discovery of three simple e-books on goal setting, smoothies and weight loss, as well as a more involved program on habit busting. All things that can be found on the internet for someone ambitious enough and willing to try some trial & error research. If your curious, check out the free goal setting book at www.paylessforproducts.com where all of these are also available.

Please read responsibly. I am not a doctor and I have no special qualifications related to the information that I provide in my blogs. I am however a devoted father who is concerned about the health, welfare and future of his family.

Weight Loss Videos and So Much More!

Weight loss videos are everywhere! I happen to be doing some research this weekend in preparation for a communications workshop that I am conducting at a local college and it occurred to me that many of you may not realize that there is not only a wealth of information on the internet in general, but there are thousands and thousands of informational video’s on Youtube and other media sites. It’s where I look for tips, tricks, how to’s and inspiration.

There are video’s on anything you can imagine, including weight loss, exercise, diet do’s and don’ts and the list goes on and Youtube has a way of leading you from one subject to another if you let them, so it is best to remain focused. I came across many great video’s from “psychetruth”, one in particular gave me some food for thought and ideas to research. The “psychetruth” video was titled “The Truth About Diets and Weight Loss”. Although a lot of what Dr. Vincent Bellonzi had to say was nothing new to me, he mentioned some tips & suggestions that might be helpful, especially for my daughter who has PWS.

Then it hit me again... Like a two ton truck it hit me!

I am always looking for tips and ideas , but not just from doctors telling me to watch what I eat or what my child is eating. What does that mean exactly? I want to know what food to serve and in what proportions, but I can’t afford a dietitian or weight loss program with prepared meals. I want suggestions from people with the same struggles that I, my daughter or my family are going through. Wouldn’t it be nice to see more information from families on a regular basis about how they cope with life’s struggles? Meal suggestions, recipes and daily activities. How about family “best practices” in a weekly or daily blog.

I might be on to something here. Time to start rallying the troops to see if this battle has support.

Please read responsibly. I am not a doctor and I have no special qualifications related to the information that I provide in my blogs. I am however a devoted father who is concerned about the health, welfare and future of his family.

Weight... Until Easter is Over!

Weight loss and holidays don’t mix! Holidays are difficult enough when you have four young children, but when your goal is a healthier diet it can be especially challenging if there is a birthday involved and you add travel to the mix. Easter weekend, a trip to the Wisconsin Dells, dinner at my Sister-in-Laws and my oldest daughters birthday... Spells stress for my wife and I.

As I mentioned in my last post, one of my youngest has PWS and controlling her weight is a daily challenge. Although she knows she can not have all the delicious foods, candies, treats and drinks that many enjoy without a second thought, it does not stop the hunger, craving and want for it (she’s only six). Routines and control are typically the focus of the day and have helped considerably in weight management, but when you are out of your comfort zone it becomes quite a task.

Although we did well during our travel, it all came crashing down due to traditions. Coloring eggs was just the beginning and weight gain was inevitable! Easter candy at church, hard boiled eggs for eating after the fun of coloring them and then the big blow... Easter dinner with a wide selection of tasty dishes and treats at my Sister-In-Laws, complete with large chocolate rabbits on display from their kids morning spoils and pre-dinner appetizers. Top that off with a birthday celebration for recent past, present and near future birthdays, including my daughters which was a day away. More weight, I mean cake tomorrow!

Chalk it all up to a day of “splurging”. Even God took a day off! Don’t we all need something we can look forward to? The day we can eat anything we want, drink anything we want and relax without the weight of the world crashing down upon us, telling us how we should live, look and what our weight should be.

With my daughter it is all about rewards and limits. Focusing on proper diet is easier when there is an incentive. For my daughter, because of her insatiable appetite, food is the incentive (sprinkled with common sense). Many weight plans include a scheduled day of splurging or fattening rewards for goals achieved. As long as it works!

Please read responsibly. I am not a doctor and I have no special qualifications related to the information that I provide in my blogs. I am however a devoted father who is concerned about the health, welfare and future of his family.

Weight for it... Go!

Wow... My first blog! It was along time coming. What can you expect from this point on? Weekly thoughts & ideas on diet, dieting, weight loss, exercise, lifestyle, foods and meal recipes. Why???

My life took a dramatic turn six years ago that has forced me and my family to focus on a healthier lifestyle. My daughter was born with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) and the most prevalent issue affecting those with PWS is extreme weight gain due to an insatiable appetite that starts at a very early age. Parents are forced to put locks on refrigerators, food pantries and in some cases, lock their children in the house to keep them from stealing from neighbors. It has been very difficult to maintain control of my daughters weight due to the many physical and health related issues that are a part of PWS, but she has been very understanding at six of the issues that affect her, which is typically not the case.

Healthier eating is quite the challenge for a family that had enjoyed splurging on snacks, soft drinks, fried foods and so many other fattening, but delicious foods. We have come along way over the past few years and with the help of a wellness physician who is a close friend and advice from many other doctors, as well as support and tips from other parents, I hope to provide interesting reading and useful information to help and inspire others.

Please read responsibly. I am not a doctor and I have no special qualifications related to the information that I provide in my blogs. I am however a devoted father who is concerned about the health, welfare and future of his family.