There go the reason for schedule changes. My Deerfield class is taking the summer break. I will be back in September. We have already planned next seasons classes. That does NOT mean my girls can stop thinking about the big picture and their health and well being.

Given the warmer, sunnier weather you girls need to get outside. Take at least one 1 hour walk a day. You can break it up and take two 30 minute walks. Just get outside, make your vitamin D, breath in the fresh air and separate yourself from your worries and troubles. If you take your kids to the local pool, jump in and play with them. Play a game of chase…walk around the inside of the pool, letting the water be your resistance. Eat more of the seasonal fruits ad veggies. And please, drink more water.

We can still make smart choices and continue our success. And come this fall, we will experience increased weight loss and muscle mass.

Somedays, it seemed it would never get here. Then last Monday, panic set in! My virgin Zumbathon as the coordinator and I had what seemed like a thousand loose ends to tie up, plus Becca was driving over from West Virginia to help teach and would be staying with us, so that meant I HAD to have a clean house!

I need to Thank Pamela Butler and Colleen Ballard-Thomas for getting me involved in such a great cause! Without their encouragement and faith in my ability, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to pull it off. You girls have my heart! I will forever be raising money for The Down syndrome Association, right beside you two, hand in hand! We make an awesome trio!

Pamela enlisted her employees to help organize and get us ready as well as dance with us and drug her family along to help. She even had her Momma, the Birthday girl, man the Team Dot table. Colleen rounded up vendors, collected their donations, sent out press releases and then was our photographer for the day. Those girls ROCK!!!

Next I need to Thank all the instructors: Rebecca Marcantel, TamaraThomas, Cristy Carabello, Jackie Reynolds, Jeff Hixon and Malcolm Thompson!! Your music and moves inspire me to be a better instructor! This was a joyful experience for me and I pray it was for you guys as well, and it is my sincerest hope that when we repeat this in the fall you will all join me again.

The alarm blared early, I crawled out of bed, my stomach in knots! It was finally the Saturday morning I had been planning for months! I don’t remember my shower, but during the drive over I remember thinking my heart is gonna bust..I’m too nervous and excited. I walked into the school and thought to myself, “We can do this! Let’s get the music started!!”

Then the music started, and standing on that stage with my Zumba peeps I felt brave, and happy almost giddy inside! There were soo many smiling faces in the crowd. Faces I knew, others I have never met, but there were plenty of happy ready to Zumba faces! Here’s where I do my third Thank you!! Thank you to everyone!! The success of the day rested solely on whether you would come out and dance with us and I am very grateful that you did!! I met some wonderful new people and I hope this is the beginning of some wonderful new life-long friendships!! Zumba Love to each and every one of you!

Why not join us? We want to raise a lot of money for their cause. 100% of the proceeds will be donated. No one is getting paid to do this and nobody but the Down syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati will benefit from this event. Please sign up today? You can register and pay online, or you can mail in a check or hand deliver the money at the door.

Here it is!!my niece Bailey Has it everday! But, being the eternal fat girl, i must have it. Today is the one day I look forward to every week!! It has become FREEDAY, not Friday in our house. Dieting and healthy living is a daily, hourly challenge, trust me. I to battle the bag of chips, conquer the cupcake, and overcome over eating, just like you.

This is why today is my favorite day. The easiest way to do the above is to have one, JUST ONE, FREEDAY a week. On this day I do not plan, I take it with ease and let my taste buds lead me wherever they see fit. Mind you, I do not overdo it, because my body couldn’t handle to overload and after all this hard work I have become accustomed to just treating myself to a little of what strikes my fancy.

Sometimes it lies within a waffle with syrup, or some lays chips with French onion dip, or just a big juicy cheeseburger. It keeps me sane, stable and it does make the rest of the week much more doable. Try it for 3 weeks. Have 6 days of your 5 bottles of water, remember the white, fluffy, taste good rule and use it, watch your carbohydrates and avoid processed foods as well as quick easy snacks. And get in at least 3-4 complete hours of exercise.Then, on your FREEDAY, and pick a day that works for you and yours.

You will be much more successful. Enjoy your day and weekend, I am off to fuel whatever cravings I have today….cause it’s MY FREEDAY!!! Whoo HOOOO!!!

Those girls were smiling and dancing and having just as much fun as I was. What a thrill it is to offer this gift of magic! One hour a week, that is all I am asking of them, for now. 60 minutes of letting loose, sharing our precious time, getting a little exercise and hopefully making long lasting friendships. There were two of my old students there and they blended right in, confident in their moves, but not the least be over bearing. That is why I love them! They danced and moved…the whole room did! I cannot wait to go back next Wednesday! One of them asked if the playlist was going to change every week, and she had a look of terror on her face. “Nah, let’s get you guys use to the music, rhythm and the moves first, then we will add one or a few as we go. I saw her sigh in relief. Isn’t that what this is all about….making them feel comfortable, confident and burning some calories while they are at it? I LOVE my JOB!!!

If your interested come and join us…it is a $6.00 drop in fee. We are meeting at the Kings Middle School in the cafeteria. We would love to share the dance floor with you!

Since his episode aired earlier this week announcing the new “miracle” weight loss supplement raspberry ketone, the Internet has been ablaze with searches. Stores are already back-ordered, and pharmacists are having to become experts on the subject almost over night.

“The amount of questions that came pouring in to my pharmacy about raspberry ketones just hours after Dr. Oz’s episode about them makes me think I need to start DVRing the show,” said Dr. Sarah G. Khan, our resident pharmacist at DietsInReview.com. She explains that the raspberry ketones have a weight loss effect because they increase “the metabolism by increasing the release of a hormone called norepinephrine.” Dr. Khan further explains that the other mechanism at play is “a protein that is found on fat cells called adiponectin… [which] decreases glucose levels and has been found to be very successful in lab tests with mice regarding weight loss.”

While she thinks long-term use of such a metabolism-boosting supplement could have effects on your thyroid, she also advises against their use by diabetics.

She’s not the only one speaking out against the new it-pill of the moment. Our resident dietitian Mary Hartley suggests that these raspberry ketones are nothing more than TV hype. She describes them as “compounds that give red raspberries their aroma.”

Where has Dr. Oz found support for his shining recommendation? Mice.

“That fat-blasting claim rests on two small mice studies that show when mice are fed a high-fat diet supplemented with raspberry ketones they gain less body fat than expected,” explained Hartley. “But be clear: raspberry ketones have not been studied in humans and they have not been proven to work.”

The dose, as directed by Dr. Oz’s assistant on the show, Lisa Lynn, is 100mg for breakfast and then 200mg at lunch. Hartley notes this dosing regimen will cost you “$20 to $60 a month, for a still unproven product.” She and Dr. Oz agree on one thing, you couldn’t possibly eat enough fresh raspberries to match the concentration in a dose of raspberry ketones, which would require about 90 pounds of berries.

The bottom line, as Dr. Khan asserts, “With any supplement I say go in it with a grain of salt.” As it’s untested in humans, and supplements like this don’t require any FDA oversight or approval, any supplement you buy leaves you at the mercy of the manufacturer. Your best bet, avoid these unproven supplements and stick to a healthy diet and consistent exercise regimen. However, if you do find yourself looking to buy, be sure that the raspberry ingredients are listed as main ingredients and not buried at the bottom of the list or excluded entirely.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/health-experts-explain-the-raspberry-ketone-craze.html#ixzz1mxmws2Ux

Then I searched some more on CLA;

by Mary J. Shomon

January 2001 — Major news for people with thyroid problems who are facing weight loss challenges is the news that the natural dietary supplement conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduces body fat in people who are overweight.

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, published in the December 2000 issue of the Journal of Nutrition found that CLA reduces fat and preserves muscle tissue. According to the research project manager, an average reduction of six pounds of body fat was found in the group that took CLA, compared to a placebo group. The study found that approximately 3.4 grams of CLA per day is the level needed to obtain the beneficial effects of CLA on body fat.

Dr. Michael Pariza, who conducted research on CLA with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, reported in August 2000 to the American Chemical Society that “It doesn’t make a big fat cell get little. What it rather does is keep a little fat cell from getting big.” Pariza’s research did not find weight loss in his group of 71 overweight people, but what he did find was that when the dieters stopped dieting, and gained back weight, those taking CLA “were more likely to gain muscle and not fat.” In a separate study conducted at Purdue University in Indiana, CLA was found to improve insulin levels in about two-thirds of diabetic patients, and moderately reduced the blood glucose level and triglyceride levels.

CLA has been the subject of a variety of research in the past several years, and findings also suggest that some of the other benefits of CLA include the following:

Increases metabolic rate — This would obviously be a positive benefit for thyroid patients, as hypothyroidism — even when treated — can reduce the metabolic rate in some people.
Decreases abdominal fat — Adrenal imbalances and hormonal shifts that are common in thyroid patients frequently cause rapid accumulation of abdominal fat, so this benefit could be quite helpful.
Enhances muscle growth — Muscle burns fat, which also contributes to increased metabolism, which is useful in weight loss and management.
Lowers cholesterol and triglycerides — Since many thyroid patients have elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, even with treatment, this benefit can have an impact on a thyroid patient’s health.
Lowers insulin resistance — Insulin resistance is a risk for some hypothyroid patients, and lowering it can also help prevent adult-onset diabetes and make it easier to control weight.
Reduces food-induced allergic reactions — Since food allergies can be at play when weight loss becomes difficult, this can be of help to thyroid patients.
Enhances immune system — Since most cases of thyroid disease are autoimmune in nature, enhancing the immune system’s ability to function properly is a positive benefit.

If you’re interested in taking CLA to help with weight loss, keep in mind that it’s not a magic pill, and you will need to start a program of diet and exercise in order to successfully lose weight and keep it off.

Did you guys get that? Both of these drugs mess with your thyroid function!! Seems to me you would be getting a double whammy if you took them together? We also need to think about the regulations on it. Is it monitored as heavily as prescription drugs, I think not. That means you will probably get any kitchen sink variety!

Again….listen with tender ears, do your research and make smart healthy decisions. Exercise and diet are still the biggest factors in weight loss and general health and well being.

Say you have done it? You made the choice to move, found a type of exercise you like in a location that is convenient and you have no qualms with the people who also have made their choice to increase their health and longevity….how do you keep it up?

Mix it up every now and then! Try out a different type of exercise. For my Zumba gang, I encourage you to take a random boot camp class or head into the pool for a few laps for a couple days and, yes, I’m gonna go there, GO try someone else’s class!!

Goodness knows I love seeing your faces and I have become involved in your lives. Learning personal items and sharing mine as well, but, we all get bored and need a change every now and then. Honestly, a boring routine stunts your weight loss and will frustrate you as well.

My particular style is doable…it is easy to custom taylor my moves to your fitness level. I WANT more than anything to share this wonderful gift with the world. My husband constantly accuses me of being the worst business woman in town. Maybe that’s because I run my business with my heart and soul. God doesn’t like prideful, boastful children and being greedy will certainly just send king karma rushing to your door. So, no thank you. I will just keep things as they are. Honestly, I have never considered myself one of the best instructors, I certainly enjoy every class and the interactions I get to have with each and every one of you and I hope that is how it is received.

Words cannot express how grateful I am that you choose to come to my classes. I know how hard making that choice is, I have been there. I won’t be offended if you mix it up every now and then and miss our time together. If you enjoy it, tell me. I get stuck in the weight loss struggle too and I like to TAKE classes, not just teach them. Thank you from he bottom of my heart!

Constantly I am encouraging you guys to try new healthy recipe’s, and I try to attempt them myself and if they work, I am the first to sing its praises! BUT, not today! Most of you also know I am a Pinterest Addict…there are some good fattening recipes as well as some good healthy alternatives on there.

Today, we tried the “Cauliflower Pizza Crust” recipe!! Ick….bleck…and David and I both agree, NEVER again. We are NOT cauliflower pizza crust peeps!!

I followed the recipe to the letter and here are the photo’s to prove it!!

Ricing the Cauliflower!

All mixed up and ready to spread!

All spread out and in the oven!

Done and ready to top!

It looks mouth watering

huh? Off to finish in the oven!

THIS is what it looked like when we scrapped it off the pan and onto our plates!!

That will not deter me from continuing to search for low-fat, high-protein, low-carb recipe’s. Just friday I tried a healthy chicken brown rice in the crock pot and it was wonderful!! We both agreed it is a have again, and often recipe, but the cauliflower crust was icky!! I am not telling you to not try it….I am just saying we DON’T like it!! Keep looking for better choices and let me know when you do!!! Sharing is the fun part!!

I probably should tell you that Emma Grace LOVED it!! My allergy ridden pup thought it was lovely, and i didn’t feel one bit bad about it, because it was corn, gluten and wheat free…SOO her belly was full while I was searching the kitchen for something else to eat!!

Getting exercise is the hardest choice to make. Finding the time to do something really good for yourself is sometimes almost impossible. Check out these people who took the time!

Finding the perfect exercise is hard…but, I have never experienced the joy and had more fun than when I am dancing with my gang! All I ever ask of my students is to JUST move!

It works, trust me! 64 pounds lighter and still moving, actually moving better and getting more bang for my buck makes continuing even better!! Join us, if you have, then bring a friend, that’s how I got started. A friend drug me to the first class and I never stopped going!!