Month / April 2013

by tessbrennan

I gained 4 pounds, YESTERDAY?????

I am one of those people who weighs herself almost daily.  I’m not obsessed about the number on the scale, I worry more about how my clothes fit and how I feel for my status quo than that silly number.

But…that silly number can tell us a lot! Yesterday, the number on my scale was FOUR POUNDS HEAVIER than the day before.  What should I do???

FeelGoodFast_Up_4_pounds

What would you do?  These are things that people I know would have done.  One of them is what I do.

  1. If we Starve ourselves all day, we actually set ourselves up for a bigger failure.  Our metabolism drops into starvation mode and we will begin packing on more weight.
  2. DO NOT give up!  You can do this, remember the straight line. Sensible choices and movement.
  3. YES!!!!  A large jump in weight in a 24-hours could mean a couple of things.  a. you are dehydrated and your body is retaining water to protect itself. b. your bowels are sluggish and need to empty quicker… increased water helps both situations.
  4. Yeah, this option just costs time and money…so, NO.

Once again, my answer is DRINK MORE WATER!  Because you haven’t heard me say that before.

by tessbrennan

Are You Pregnant? — And you are NOT!!!

I was 10 years old (maybe 9) and sitting in class and the substitute teacher, who was a dear friend of my mother and a neighbor, came by my desk. I looked at her beautiful, glowing face and exclaimed excitedly, “ARE YOU PREGNANT?  WHEN ARE YOU DUE?”

She blushed a bit, and told me she was NOT pregnant! I was still young, but I remember my embarrassment, the knot in my chest, and how badly I felt for her due to my mistake.

obese

This weekend, my friend was the one who was asked this question by someone else.  As I read her account of the event, that familiar lump came back to my chest.  But so did a loving smile, because today I can offer her a way to never have that happen again.

I’ve been the one who could have very easily been mistaken for being pregnant and I’ve discovered how easily it can be reversed for the LONG TERM.

If you would like to JOIN A TEAM working toward a similar goal, contact me, we can talk to see if your needs match what I have to offer.  I have many different options that require different amounts of time and at different price points to help you reach your goal and STAY THERE!

Lets get you on the road to better health and a smaller waistline!

by tessbrennan

Take a walk, and kick it up a notch.

Last night, in our Feel Good Fast support group meeting, one of our community brought in this article that she had found in the Fort Myers News Press on Tuesday, March 26th.

It was really, very interesting in that Camille and I used to walk several times a week, usually about 6 miles, and I pushed a stroller at the time. (We’ve since fallen away from this habit since our schedules don’t match and are currently working to schedule more time together.) 

Camille’s comment was that, during all that time we were walking, we didn’t see a dramatic change in our appearance while we were walking what seemed to be a significant distance.  Here is the explanation.

Walking News Article

This article discusses remembering FIT while walking. 

  1. Frequency – while we only need about 30 minutes of walking or exercising a day we need to be at 55-90 percent of our maximum heart rate during that time to get the best workout.
  2. Intensity – your speed, (compared to others) isn’t the issue, Intensity here is an individual pace set by your heart rate and ability.
  3. Time – in the beginning, you may find your self winded early on with only the capacity to move for 15 minutes, and that is OK! Keep at it and your 15 minutes will get easier and you will realize the progress you are making and be ready to add 5 more minutes.

Its about challenging yourself, and improving and increasing your personal stamina, one step at a time!     Happy walking!

20130406_141144

Here is a perfect example of a gentleman, pushing himself and doing what he can.  You may not be able to walk a marathon or even a 5K, but starting somewhere and sticking to it can make a big difference.

by tessbrennan

Building a Health Community-Supporting Each Other

There’s no need to attempt to do it alone!

Things are more fun when we share the experience with others.

We tend to continue doing things we enjoy and find support in challenges through others who are like minded.

For this reason, we have begun building communities of people working toward a common goal of improving their personal health, and committed to sharing that experience and supporting each other throughout the transition. And ITS WORKING!

Feel_Good_Fast_-_Teamwork_support

I currently have local teams building, who meet once a week. For quality control we have a limited number of spaces for this new community of support, teamwork, and coaching.

I also have a private community of people from all over the United States who work together, some are friends and some are new acquaintances, all are committed to building each other and themselves up through community and commitment.

The 5 pairs of shoes above represent five women in 3 different states who are currently on this journey. Contact me if you would like additional information or want to be connected with other like minded individuals.

Looking for improved health? Looking for increased energy? Looking for others who are finding it?  Check us out!

by tessbrennan

Turnaround Smoothee Recipes

My friends and clients have requested it, so, here goes nothing.  A few Smoothee recipes to mix and match your mixes in. Smile

Always add your Smoothee Mix LAST! Smile  Learn from me.

Laura’s Piña Colada
2 scoops Shaklee 180 Vanilla Smoothee Mix
6 oz. nonfat milk or light soy milk
2 oz. pineapple juice (feel free to use ½ cup of fresh pineapple chunks instead of juice)
¼ tsp coconut extract
Ice as desired
Directions: Mix all ingredients together in a blender until frothy. Enjoy!

Dr. Jamie’s Mocha Latte
1 scoop Shaklee 180 Chocolate Smoothee Mix
1 scoop Shaklee 180 Café’ Latte Smoothee Mix
8 oz. nonfat milk or light soy milk
½ tsp instant coffee
Ice as desired
Directions: Mix all ingredients together in a blender until frothy.

Roger’s Strawberry Lemonade
2 scoops Shaklee 180 Strawberry Smoothee Mix
6 oz. light soy milk*
2 oz. natural lemonade
Ice as desired
Directions: Mix all ingredients together in a blender until frothy.

Liquid Cinnamon bun
2 scoops Shaklee 180 Vanilla Smoothee Mix
8 oz. nonfat milk or light soy milk
1 tsp ground organic cinnamon
Directions: Mix all ingredients together in a blender until frothy.

Chocolate Orange Smoothie
2 scoops Shaklee 180 Chocolate Smoothee Mix
10 ounces of water OR unsweetened Soy Milk *
1 snack-size container of mandarin oranges (about 1/2 c.)
1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon **
Directions: Mix together well with a blender and enjoy!
* dairy not recommended due to its adverse reactions with citrus.

Berry Good Yogurt
¾ cup fat free plain yogurt
2 scoops Shaklee 180 strawberry smoothee mix
couple of drops vanilla, orange or almond extract
¼ cup fresh or frozen blueberries
¼ cup fresh or frozen strawberries
If using fresh berries, add a few cubes of ice and blend. Blend it all up in a blender.
The fruit in this will count as 1 fruit serving on your Cinch ™ plan.

Change it up! Almost like Reese’s ™ yogurt
¾  cup Fat-free plain yogurt
2 scoops Shaklee 180 Chocolate smoothee mix
1 tsp cocoa baking powder
2 drops vanilla extract

Raspberry Chocolate Dream Shake
2 scoops Shaklee 180 Smoothee Chocolate Mix
1 C fresh or frozen raspberries (unsweetened)
1 C nonfat milk or low-fat soy milk
4–6 ice cubes
Directions: Combine all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. Pour in a tall glass and enjoy!
Pom-Berry Morning Smoothie
2 scoops Shaklee 180 Vanilla Smoothee Mix
1 C nonfat milk or low-fat soy milk
1/2 C fresh strawberries
1 stick Cinch® Energy Tea Mix Pomegranate Flavor
4–6 ice cubes
Directions: Combine all ingredients in blender and blend until creamy.
Nel’s Peach and Mango Cinch Indulgence
2 scoops Shaklee 180 Smoothee Strawberry Shake Mix
1 C frozen peaches (unsweetened)
1 C frozen mangos (unsweetened)
1 C water
Directions: Combine all ingredients in blender and blend on low speed until fruit is blended in. Pour in a tall glass and enjoy!
A SPECIAL NOTE FROM NEL: “You may have to periodically stop the blender and mix in the fruit so it’s well blended and in small chunks. It should look like sorbet with small chunks of fruit. It’s my favorite 180 indulgence!”

Green Goodness
1 cup (handful) of green chard (you can find it in the fresh produce section near the lettuce)
1/4 cup frozen or 1/2 cup fresh strawberries
1/2 medium banana
12 oz cold clean water
2 scoops Vanilla Shaklee 180 Smoothee Mix
5 Ice Cubes
Directions: Blend all ingredients in a Commercial Blender until creamy. Garnish with a fresh strawberry and drink up!

Tess’s Favorite Green Breakfast
1 cup lowfat milk or soy milk
4-5 pieces of pineapple
1/2 banana
1 tsp of coconut oil
1 handful of spinach
2 scoops of vanilla or strawberry Shaklee 180 Smoothee Mix
Directions: Blend all ingredients in a blender, enjoy!
by tessbrennan

CHECK OUT THIS LATEST DIET CRAZE!

Yesterday I saw an ad on my Facebook page for the “Latest Diet Craze”.  Why was I drawn to this?

Later in the day, a friend and I were talking and she said something that resonated with me. Something I remember saying to myself, many years ago.

Inside, I still feel like the skinny, strong girl. When I look in the mirror, I still see that skinny girl, but when I see a photo of myself, I’m not.  When I try to run or be active I discover I am not…  I want to get her back!

I remember feeling this way in 1999. I had just gotten photos from a friend’s wedding in the mail and it took me a moment to realize the “fat girl” in the photos was me. My health was failing, my energy level was flat, and I began trying every latest “craze” I came across.

New Craze Diets - Feel Good Fast

Flash forward to 2007 when I discovered that the latest craze wasn’t the answer. Old fashioned nutrition and choices are the answer. 

It isn’t a number on the scale, it IS how my clothes fit, what size they are, and how I feel. It is a daily decision to consume and use the products that promote health and choosing to eliminate that which does not.

Join us, April 18th for our Feel Good Fast Support Group meeting in Bonita Springs.  We are people working together to make healthful, lifestyle choices that will effect our life, our energy, and our ability to enjoy it!

Take life by the horns, enjoy it and feel good fast while doing it!

by tessbrennan

Migraines, Pharmaceuticals, & Fat–Gone

In 2001 I moved from Indiana to Florida and took a high school teaching job.  I was taking five pharmaceuticals for asthma and depression (and side effects from the Rx). 

On November 4th I attained a migraine.  I say attained because it stayed with me, in differing degrees, until February of 2002. I went to the family physician who had no answers, then to the neurologist who did MRI’s and scans to be sure there wasn’t any brain tumors. Eventually he added another drug to my protocol. It took another month or so after starting the meds until we got them at the “right level” so I wouldn’t have as many side effects.

In the days and years that followed I would get occasional migraines and headaches that were excruciating, until I made some personal changes in my life.

I began by making a few healthier choices daily.  Food based supplements, healthier food options, and eliminated many of the toxins in our home. (None of the nasty, strong smelling cleaners with poisons.)

As a result of conscious choices, and an excellent source of nutrition, I began losing weight, healthfully.  (By weight I don’t mean a number on a scale – I mean that my clothes fit better and my measurements decreased.)

A side benefit of the fat being gone was that I was able to wean off the anti-depressants, the asthma medications, the meds for the side effects, and the daily migraine pill.

My depression eased way off and I found other ways to keep it in check, like cognitive therapy.  It wasn’t for almost a year that I realized I just wasn’t getting headaches any more, AND… I had a new, thinner me with increased energy and a zest for life!

It never occurred to me that I could help my body by feeding it “good food”.  In agriculture, when a plant has a symptom we give it “food” to fix the nitrogen or other deficiencies.  When our car doesn’t run right, we listen to the symptoms, and repair what is wrong… we don’t feed it crappy gas, then expect it to run smoothly.

I am so happy to be able to share with others, what has worked for me.  Contact me for more information.

by tessbrennan

UPDATE: I’m a mom, I don’t have time for Cancer!

Its been a couple of weeks since I introduced you to my friend Franny, so I wanted to give you an update.

Franny_and_Family

I received a message from Franny yesterday, that made me smile and spurred me on, to keep on walking through the night at the Relay for Life.  I want to share this message with you.

So, I am not sure what has caused me to be "not me" but I took both kids with me to sign my son up for t-ball, go INSIDE the bank, and walk/shop around Wal-mart for a long time. I actually shopped for necessities like toothpaste and toothbrushes and nail polish remover….that means I have the energy to paint my own nails!!!!!!! For the past year or more, I have dreaded doing ANYTHING with two kids and I was too tired to browse while shopping. I just went in, got out, and then it took me the whole day just to put all the stuff away. Or I would make my hubby shop!!! Tess, I have put make up on the past two days!!!!!!

After my nap today, I had to ask Franny, what has changed to cause this increase in energy.  I am aware of her efforts to “move more” as she has started walking regularly, either outside or on a treadmill, so I asked her.

How many days have you been exercising? When did you begin supplementing your nutrition? When did you begin noticing these differences?

I started the vitamins on the night of 4/2/13 and the smoothie on 4/3/12. Well, I don’t know. I did walk the week before I started using but not as long or intense. But I definitely know for a fact that it was Wednesday when my husband was impressed with what I did around the house that day.

I am so happy Franny is feeling better!  I look forward to working with her and following her progress.

This is not the first time I have seen others respond to the food based supplements so quickly.  Results depend on the individual, their mindset, their attention to prevention, and their consistency.

If you would like more information on how this system can work for you or someone you know, contact me.

by tessbrennan

Improving Your Health–One Small Step at a Time.

I have many friends and clients who have decided it is time to improve their health, they are ready to make the commitment and work toward gaining more life in their years!

Many times, when people begin making a change for the better, they feel they need to change EVERYTHING all at once.  This sets anyone up for failure.  It is much better to move one solid step at a time.  While out taking a “Mindful Walk” this afternoon, I had some thoughts about this.

I know, that through my own actions, (and some I remember of my father in years passed) that I have been know to jump right into “changing” everything for the better, all at once.  Jumping into a vigorous exercise routine or running straight from my long stint of couch sitting (by long stint I mean months or years).  Finding that a day or two later I am so sore I can hardly move.

How about when we try changing everything in our diet all at once, only to find it “too difficult” to continue on the path we attempted to lay out in front of us.

Friends, learn from my mistakes!  Take this journey, ONE. SOLID. STEP. AT A TIME!  This is a journey for a lifetime! We are here to begin making healthier choices and working smarter toward our life so that we can see a MAINTAINED improvement over the long run, not just for a week or two. 

Take it easy, lets talk and work on a plan that works for and WITH you rather than against you.  Its what I do.

For more information contact me.  Make it a great day!