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.

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... 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.