Some of you may look at me now and wonder—what could I possibly know about the struggle to lose weight? What do I understand about what it is like to look at myself in the mirror and not like the image reflected back me, what it’s like to feel a prisoner in my own clothes, to feel my self-worth defined by my body shape and to have my activities restricted by my size? The truth is, this was how I … [Read more...]
Your Guide to Happy, Healthy Holidays From The Mind-Body Shift
The holidays can be the most magical time of the year, but they can also be the most stressful - emotionally, physically and financially. Conscious planning and self-care are crucial to being able to fully and healthfully enjoy the holidays. Commit to Your Health This Holiday Season As my gift to you, I'm sharing my top 10 Tips to Stay Healthy Through the … [Read more...]
Spotlight on Diabetes: Foods That Feed or Fight Diabetes
While the month of October drew a great of attention to breast cancer, November sheds the spotlight on diabetes, the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. As of 2011, according to the American Diabetes Association, 25.8 million, or 8.3 percent of the population, had diabetes. It is estimated that 90 to 95 percent of patients with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 vs. Type 2 Diabetes … [Read more...]
My License to Heal
The last couple weeks have been landmark ones for me in terms of marking progress in my healing journey. Last week, I began the move into my first home away from my parents in several years. This past Wednesday, I made a trip to the DMV and came away with my license to drive again after 3 1/2 years. These two things alone are huge indications that, after a harrowing journey that sometimes seemed … [Read more...]
Improve the Health of Your Heart with Yoga
A new study suggests more evidence that yoga is good for your heart. Researchers from the University of Kansas Medical Center, aware of the significant benefit of yoga on cardiovascular health, studied the affect of the practice on atrial fibrillation (AF). They found that yoga reduced symptomatic AF episodes. According to the study report, AF is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. An arrythmia … [Read more...]
Manifest Meaningful Change In Your Life in 2013
As we welcome in the New Year, what more tempting a time it is to consider turning over a new leaf in life. We look back on the experiences of the past year, some amazing and beautiful, others we’d much rather forget. We look back on the chances we didn’t take or the promises we made to ourselves that we broke, and we swear to ourselves that this year will be different. The year ahead of us … [Read more...]
My One-Week Countdown to 35: Day 1
In exactly one week, I will be turning the big 3-5. I know, it’s hard for even me to believe it, but it’s true. While I know it’s not exactly over the hill, as a never-been married woman with no kids, it makes me feel pretty damn old if I think about it too much. So to silence the ridiculous screams of “spinster” and “cat lady” in my subconscious, I’ve decided to count the days until my birthday … [Read more...]
Double Amputee Oscar “Blade Runner” Pistorius Breaks Olympic Boundaries
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaXwioLpXcc] Yes, I admit it. This year’s Olympics have drawn me in more than any other since I was a child. From cringing at unsportsmanlike controversies even before the Games have begun to getting caught up in the thrilling rush watching the down-to-earth teen’s fulfillment of a childhood dreams, I have definitely been emotionally invested in London … [Read more...]
Hartford Ranks High Among Country’s Healthiest Cities
Hartford often gets a bad rap for crime, poverty and the quality of its education, but it recently received high praise for its level of health and fitness. Among the nation’s 50 fittest largest metropolitan areas, the Hartford area recently was ranked 5th. Only the San Francisco, Calif. Boston, Mass., Washington, D.C. and Minneapolis, Minn. areas ranked higher. The ACSM (American College of … [Read more...]
Get Off Your Duff: Can Daily Walking Reduce Your Risk of Early Death, Obesity and Cancer?
On Wednesday, the American Heart Association (AHA) sponsored National Walk to Work Day to encourage sedentary workers to unhitch themselves from their desks and get their heart pumping by walking at least a half hour of their day, whether it was part of their commute, during their lunch hour or after the work day. Yet the health benefits of walking extend long beyond April 4. The results of … [Read more...]