Start Next Week Off With a Healthy Heart

Since Valentine’s Day just passed, I want to remind you to take care of your heart – physically and emotionally.  First, let’s talk about the emotional healthy heart.  In a recent study of people 45+, AARP wanted to discover the levels of loneliness in this age group.  Loneliness is a significant predictor of poor health. A little over one-third (35%) of the survey respondents were categorized as lonely. Isn’t it interesting that 1/3 of our population 45+ could be lonely?  Loneliness is a sad destination. The survey indicated that people involved with “outside the workplace” activities were not as lonely as they seek to connect with others for support and a more satisfied lifestyle.                                   

 Second, let’s talk about physically taking care of your heart.  In the past two years, I have made a concerted effort to get healthy.  In the process, I have lost 43 pounds and I feel great!  How, you ask? Here are some things I have done to change my heart health:

1) I literally stopped eating anything white because most white foods have empty calories with no nutritional value.

 2) I stopped sugar binges and learned to snack on fruits and nuts as a healthy alternative. 

 3) I no longer eat anything with aspartame (artificial sweetener that has the same chemical composition as  formaldehyde and causes continuous food cravings – see www.janelhullocom for her Sweet Poison articles). 

4) I avoid any products where the first ingredient is high fructose corn syrup – it’s such dangerous stuff.  

5) I no longer eat anything that my great-grandmother would not recognize as food. 

Take care of your heart health – not only for yourself- but for your family and friends as well.

It’s The Westminster Dog Show Again!

If you have never watched the Westminster Dog Show you have to watch tonight on USA Network from 8:00 – 11:00 pm.  www.westminsterkennelclub.org  Even if you are not a dog lover, you will be amazed at the showmanship of these animals.  My husband and I make this an annual television event in our home. Of course, just like watching a Miss America Pageant, we always try to pick a winner before the name is announced.  Stuart always wins!  He just knows dogs way better than I do.  I look  for cuteness.  He looks for the athletic body and their abilities. 

           

I always wondered what happened behind the scenes at these dog shows, and never understood it until I watched Christopher Guest’s movie, Best in Show.  It is a hilarious mockumentary of dog shows, the dog show handlers’ and dog breeders’ world.  Christopher plays the blood hound dog breeder and handler from NC with just the right touch of southern humor.  If you’d like a great guffaw rent or download that movie soon!  You’ll love it.

Red For Women in February

Do you know every 25 seconds an American will have a coronary event? And about every minute  an American will die with heart failure?  This serious disease affects every family. This month is a time for us to focus on our heart health.

Girls, it’s time to show our support for being heart healthy by wearing the Red Dress pin on our   lapels! If you have not checked out the www.goredforwomen.com web site, please click on it for  interesting articles and free assessments for your heart health. 

Women account for 50% of heart disease patients.  Because women have been largely ignored as a specific group, their awareness of their risk of this often-preventable disease has suffered. Only 55 % of women realize heart disease is their No. 1 killer and less than half know what are considered healthy levels for cardiovascular risk factors like blood pressure and cholesterol. The Go Red For Women movement works to make sure women know they are at risk so they can take action to protect their health. Encourage any woman you know to be serious about their heart health!

A Tribute to Bill Brooks – A Winner In Every Way

During my twenties, I had the honor and privilege of working with Bill Brooks, CSP, CPAE, an outstanding speaker, trainer, consultant and coach.  Bill’s 67^th birthday would have been February 6^th. Bill passed away in 2007 and left everyone who knew him with a hole in their hearts - wanting him to return and patch the emptiness. Bill Brooks lived every second of his life totally in the moment and  on fire with the desire to achieve.  Not only was he brilliant in his speaking and training business but he was, without a doubt, one of the funniest humans that ever breathed.  He was as tough as a drill sergeant and as soft hearted as a man could be. 

 Bill Brooks had an amazing influence in my life.  He is responsible for my speaking career, by first, having faith in me and my raw abilities. Second, he offered incredible learning opportunities always in a creative, fun and sometimes painful life lesson. Third, he provided travel experiences with wonderful clients all over the United States.  There is not a day that goes by that I do not hear Bill, in my mind, continuing to give me words of wisdom. Today I pay tribute to Bill Brooks – a man who  touched thousands of lives and left everyone feeling better by merely walking into a room!

Are You Having Super Bowl Victories in Life?

Good luck to the Steelers and Packers this Sunday!  I am a long time Steelers fan since the days of  Terry Bradshaw and The Immaculate Reception.  I love football and any team that is determined to win through excellence and execution.  As you go to a Super Bowl party or watch the event in your home, think about the joy you have felt in your life when you’ve won! If you do not feel you  have experienced many victories lately, focus on how you’re playing the game of life.  Maybe you should have some fresh plays drawn up in your life.  Maybe you need to re-read the rule book.  Maybe you need to change your jersey.  It’s really up to you – not anyone else. Winning is an  amazing feeling.  Start February out with a winning attitude!

Ever Had One Of Those Days?

Groundhog Day is tomorrow.  Let’s face it- we’ve all had Groundhog Days in our own lives. We  repeat the same behaviors over and over, follow the same patterns day after day, act the same way time after time and then wonder why we do not get different results.  Oh yeah, and we try to place the blame on someone else. We are our own worst enemy!  If you’re experiencing Groundhog Days – stop it!  You are the only one in control of what you think and how you behave.  If you have no joy in your life - change you and you’ll see amazing results.