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Herbs Offer Much More Than Flavor!!
(Reprinted from Sun-Times Media, Naperville Sun 7-20-11) When I was in elementary school, I planted my first flower, a marigold. As a third-grader, the evolution from seed to flower was amazing to watch. Ever since then, I have always appreciated those who had the patience and talent to grow a garden. Lucky for me, I…
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The Food Puzzle
There is an abundance of nutrition information on the internet, but what truly educates the reader about whole, healthy nutrition options that are sustainable and realistic. Some food for thought on what people buy into when it comes to nutrition and what things need to change to ensure that the health of our country improves…
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3 Words That Changed a Life
As many of you know, I have been implementing a weight loss challenge at my studio that has turned out to be, well, amazing. Because of the incredible results our clients are experiencing, I am asking them to come back at the orientations we hold each month and share their stories. Let me just say,…
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I’m Growing Tired of Gluten-Free
Let me say right up front, Celiac Disease IS real and does affect almost 3 million Americans according to the University of Chicago, Celiac Disease Center. Those that have it do suffer. In some cases, many are not even diagnosed for up to four years. However, given that 3 million Americans suffer with Celiac, that…
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Where Did We Lose the Fun with Exercise?
I recently started training a 14 year old girl. She’s never been interested in organized sports and the idea of exercise is, well, a turnoff for her. She doesn’t understand how people can ‘LOVE’ exercise and finds it odd that people actually do it every day. For me, I totally get it. I too was…
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Learning is Key to Success
For those of you that have read my blog for awhile, you know I’ve never romanticized weight loss, nor have I ever promoted diets. For 20 years, I have always maintained that a healthy weight is a by-product of a healthy lifestyle, and the scale does not necessarily dictate good health. In all my years…
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Change Your Mind About Weight Loss
After 20 years in this industry the one constant is people who want to lose weight want to lose it NOW! No matter how often I may remind people that fast and easy is never a solution to long-term weight loss, somehow it doesn’t matter. It seems that the more shows depict weight loss as…
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Ode to Summer Garden
I’m probably not the most sentimental person in the world, but when it comes to saying, “Good-bye” to summer, I get a lump in my throat. Summer to me means freedom. Freedom to go outside without the 10 pounds of gear winter weather requires. Freedom to spend time outside with friends and family taking a…
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Making Changes for All the Right Reasons!
This picture brings back a lot of memories. I was about 17 years old and about 50 pounds overweight. I was miserable but hadn’t yet made the connection between my weight, my lifestyle and how I felt. It would be another year before I would finally have an “a-ha” moment and realize that I can’t…
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Hydration! Hydration! Hydration!
It’s unbelievably “thick” here in Chicago today. The humidity is so high that the heat index makes it feel like it’s 104 degrees outside, ugh! I found myself drinking a lot more water both pre and post workout. I was reminded how very important it is to keep yourself hydrated, not only during the obvious…