In designing programs for companies, I was researching what is currently the most impacting for sedentary clients. The program I am most impressed with is the pedometer 10,000 step challenge. Studies have shown that it is beneficial to have 10,000 steps per day, approximately 5 miles.  Most of us do not come close to this in our everyday routine, but it is eye-opening to buy a pedometer, wear it for a few weeks, and just observe how many steps we truly take.

In working with so many people that lead sedentary lives, this can be a real change. But the health benefits of getting physical, starting with 30 minutes per day of moving, in any way, can be greatly beneficial to our health.

Here are a few suggestions to getting started:

• Purchase a basic pedometer (see sidebar). For it to work accurately, you will need to clip it to your waist.
• Wear a good pair of running or walking shoes.
• Observe your normal routine, then set a goal of increase each week, based on your tolerance, and work it up slowly. You do not want to injure yourself so consult your doctor if you have any concerns for your joints.
• As we age, we contain less lubrication in our joints. Anti-aging specialists highly recommend taking a joint lubricant like glucosamine and condroitin, (if over 40)
• If you are trying to compare with running on a Precor or stationary bike, 2,000 steps is the equivalent to burning 100 calories.
• Keep a written log of your progress
• If you get bored, find a buddy. Get creative with a more comprehensive program.
• Hire a coach to hold you accountable.
• Above all, make it FUN!

We have had some inquiries about the upcoming Significance event for the Business Women of Clay County. I just want to clarify  that this is NOT a vendor fair or Health Fair.  Significance started last December, as an evening set aside to honor, encourage and empower women. We want to honor all of the “wellness-oriented” businesses in clay county and hopefully recognize the significant role that all attendees play in the lives of others.

I have been speaking to women for over six years, and am now being invited into the corporate setting to mostly help with stress management. What I am seeing is epidemic. We are facing serious issues, degenerative diseases, emotional breakdowns, and just plain “burnout”, and the majority of these can be repaired, rectified and prevented through lifestyle choices and habits. We are a STRESSED out society.

Why do I feel passionate about this area? Well, it has to do with my own personal battles with this enemy.

Some who have heard my story over the past few years knew we were special needs parents. We knew what it was like to have on-going stressful issues that we felt powerless to change. We had joy and blessings, and many years of that “fight or flight” chemistry going on in our bodies. After losing our son, we also saw how very physical stress can become.

Women today are finding they are caught between caring for their elderly parents, their young children, or adult children with issues of their own. We are carrying the responsibility of keeping peace in the home, while also helping with the income, as the economy becomes more uncertain. Women are nurturers and we place so many others in our life above ourselves. I want to spend an evening sharing with these women how very important it is that they take care of themselves through all of this. Self-care is so key, for us to be around to care for others.

We will have some chair massage going on for those that really need a break, while the rest of us enjoy a brief message on life balance, dealing with stress, and awesome, uplifting encouragement. Each guest will have time to briefly spotlight who they are and what they represent to others, and then we can connect and enjoy valued relationships in our community.

The chocolate, hors d’ouevres and goodybags will help too.

So whether you want to

• get one ticket to just sit and bask in a relaxed evening, or
• promote your business by donating a gift basket for the raffle or goodybags or
• buy a table of 8 for your staff to get out together and learn,

come join us and become more empowered in your life balance and connections in the community!

Call 276-3116 to reserve a spot.

So much is happening lately! I have teamed up with Life’s Journey Yoga and Wellness and we have finally put a date on our next annual Significance event. It is a sweet,  encouraging evening for the Business women of Clay county FL. You can read all about it here. We are speaking and teaching on Wellness and the importance of  Self-care. So if you are in the N Fl area and would like to join us, call the contact info on the link. I am hoping it will be a great night to connect and develop friendships.

I turned on Fox News on Sunday morning and saw a nutritional consultant, promoting her book, as she proceeded to teach the same philosophy for diet, metabolism and proteins as Dr. Layman. Since he won the 2009 National Award for his 22 years of metabolism studies, is all over PubMed, and personally told me that he had been travelling around the country teaching at Dietitian conferences, I know he is the source for this teaching, but it was still so encouraging that others as esteemed as herself were implementing it into their books, teachings and practice. His findings have ROCKED the dietitian’s world, by debunking the entire food pyramid. The specific proportions of protein vs. carb, and the studies he has done, are nothing less than amazing to prove we can raise our metabolism to a more youthful state, and have the dramatic health improvements, by merely altering the way we eat.

But if we want the extra help of using his specific leucine combinations and products to help us along, He has released the MetaboliQ 90 day program that is patent-protected with a 15 year license. The testimonials we are seeing from practitioners and individuals on the program are life-changing. From Bone density to blood counts to cardio issues, when we are able to raise our metabolism, so much improves.

Not to mention we finally have the energy to get up and MOVE again.

Contact me for more information: info (at) daringlifewellness (dot) com

I thoroughly enjoyed speaking yesterday for about 75 social workers from Hospice and Pedscare. It helped me see into their world a little more, recognize what all they carry on a daily basis, and I felt really honored to be there. I shared some tips on dealing with stress in life, using humorous stories of raising my boys. The stories were about vacuum cleaners and leaf blowers, and you may find them somewhere in my previous posts through searching. Having wild boys (my husband included) has really offered me some fodder throughout the years for great analogies and stories to share. Some were not very funny at the time, but years later, we have a new perspective and must laugh at our situations. We still have some challenging wild-men situations as the boys continue to grow and learn. Although it may be frustrating and challenging at the time, they may, in time, evolve into humorous analogies as we look back and chuckle (I hope).

I have no doubt that we’ll have plenty of  material if they have me back again.

Title: Get Inspired!
Location: Deerwood C Club
Description: guest speaker-tips on optimal living for Hospice social workers
Start Time: 830
Date: 2010-03-25
End Time: 9

The more that I am out meeting new friends and connections, the more I am convinced of the magnanimous purpose and importance of what I am sharing. I have loved the training on wellness and balanced living, and it has made such an impact on my own personal life but I am just overwhelmed by the needs that I am seeing fulfilled and answered by the training and programs that I am sharing.

For about 5 years I was speaking and teaching on grief recovery, giving our testimony. Since it was ministry-related, I had so many people coming up to me for guidance and couseling, which I knew I was not equipped to offer. But at the same time, so many just need an ear, a friend, an encouraging word. So that is what I could offer.

What I found was that in addition to dealing with spiritual and emotional issues of living with stress, grief or loss, so many did not even have the basic knowledge of nutrition and how to proactively take care of themselves. We are dealing with some serious epidemic issues that can be easily remedied with mere diet and lifestyle changes.

Because of my history with a child with special needs (a rare genetic difference), I have more knowledge in that area than most want to hear. I spent 8 years in conversations with specialists, seeking the most researched, the most natural, the most clinically proven avenues to possibly show improved absorption at the cell level. When your child is small and not thriving, you are all about absorption. It is so KEY for people to understand that we are not “what we eat” .

“We are what we absorb”.

Right now the industry is totally unregulated. The organization Natural Products Foundation (formed by some of the leaders in the nutritional industry) is making great strides to self-police and test and report their findings. This is helping to get rid of the “bottom-feeder” companies that do not have the science, the validity, the efficacy of their claims. It is amazing how many products they find on the shelf that do not even contain the ingredient listed!!

After we walked through our own physical challenges, stemming from stress and grief, I sat in conferences for the past 5 years listening to some of the most advanced biochemists and researchers in the area of anti-aging and nutrition. It has been such an empowering experience for us personally, that I decided to continue to share it more with my talks and career.

One of the most recent findings is from Dr. Layman, who won the 2009 National Leadership award for nutrition and metabolism research. This means he is the GO-TO guy for metabolism in this country. He has over 90 peer-reviewed articles, and 22 years of clinical trials to test a weight loss program. Using sedentary women, over age 60, he PROVED, with the right combination of proteins and a macrobalanced (portioned controlled) diet, we CAN raise our metabolism back to our 20s and burn fat, EVEN WITHOUT EXERCISE.

This is causing the fitness experts to have a fit. Of course he recommends 30 minutes a day of walking, yoga or pilates. Of course he recommends they get up to 60 minutes a day, for optimal performance. But for those who are disabled or injured or working in a sedentary environment,  it is still possible to lose an average of 5 lbs per month.

I am seeing medical doctors, once they understand this program and Dr. Layman’s findings, they are getting very excited.

So along with my Optimum Weight Support Group, I am scheduling as many group trainings and informational sessions as possible. For those who are proactive and want to TAKE CHARGE of their own health and future, this is great stuff. The  choice really is ours!

But those who were enjoying blaming their situation on heredity (35%) or their doctors or their upbringing…well,not so good.

They are going to have a hard time watching the rest of us get skinny.

Title: Optimum Aging
Location: ATRIA San Pablo
Description: What science has proven we can control with our aging
Start Time: 2
Date: 2010-03-16
End Time: 3

Title: Optimum Aging Class
Location: Lake Asbury Seniors Group
Description: What science has proven that we can control with our aging- Long Life secrets from the centenarians
Start Time: 5
Date: 2010-03-08
End Time: 7

Title: New Beginnings Art Reception
Location: Art & Soul Gallery Women\’s Center of Jacksonville
Start Time: 6
Date: 2010-04-15
End Time: 8