Welcoming 2013 with New Goals…Not Resolutions!

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First things first: for those of you who have followed me over the years, as well as those who are seeing this blog for the very first time, I vow to you that THIS will be the year that I uphold my promise to update more frequently! I've set a very realistic and manageable goal -- two posts per week … [Read more...]

Five Years Later: In for the Long Haul

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At this time five years ago, I was embarking upon my most recent weight loss journey. I started Weight Watchers for the umpteenth time in November 2007 -- the weekend right after Thanksgiving, no less! This is, by far, the longest I have ever succeeded in sticking to a "diet," and it is absolutely … [Read more...]

Staying in Control Through Hurricanes and Snowstorms

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As you may (or may not) know, I write from the great state of New Jersey. After living through Hurricane Sandy and witnessing the havoc it wreaked across my state, and now bracing for this lovely Nor'easter that has just arrived (in fact, I'm blogging from a power-less apartment after my electricity … [Read more...]

Racing for a Cure: PurpleStride New Jersey 2012

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I'm not one who usually solicits donations for anything, but I did want to share the details of a particularly special upcoming 5K race here in the hopes that someone might find it in their heart to donate just a few dollars to a very worthy cause. On November 4, I will once again be running in the … [Read more...]

Persistence Pays Off

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If I had a nickel for every time I quit something...well, let's just say I wouldn't be writing this blog post from my tiny apartment, surrounded by furniture purchased from the likes of Walmart and Big Lots. My weight has fluctuated up and down (and up and down again) since I was in elementary … [Read more...]

How Self-Discipline Makes All the Difference

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In my Muay Thai kickboxing class, the instructor talks a lot about discipline. The cornerstone of martial arts training, self-discipline is even part of the "Student Creed" we have to recite before leaving class (along with things like perseverance and honesty), and he often ends class with a speech … [Read more...]

Appreciating The Body You Have…Right Now

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For as long as I can remember, I hated the body I saw when I looked into the mirror. Everyone has their body hang-ups. I believe you'd be hard-pressed to find a person who couldn't name at least one part of their body that they wished were different...bigger, smaller, more shapely, perkier, … [Read more...]

Letting Go of the “Old Me”

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I have a confession to make. Prior to this weekend, I hadn't weighed myself since before the holidays. And by holidays, I mean Thanksgiving. These past few months have included some of the the most defining moments of my life -- not the least of which was finally moving out of my parents' … [Read more...]

Keeping My Own Promises

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When you're trying to adopt healthy living habits, I truly believe that success can boil down to just one factor: The ability to make a commitment, and actually stick to it. Now, this is not something for which I'm traditionally known. I'm shamelessly of the "I'll finish it later" variety who … [Read more...]

Oh, Gym, How I Loathe Thee. Let Me Count the Ways.

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Recently in my journey to optimal health and fitness, I have discovered a shocking new development. I absolutely, positively hate the gym. When I first began losing weight, if I wasn't at home or at work, I was on the elliptical at my local YMCA. As a result of juggling two jobs, my only available … [Read more...]