The Many Disguises of “HUNGER”! Tired – Angry or Bored Out Of Your Mind? I’m here to help with “6 Vital Signs” you must check BEFORE cleaning out the frig.

Leave a comment

How many countless times in my life have I opened the frig and eyed every shelf  looking for that “something” to eat?  Only to end up going from the frig to the cupboard – to the pantry… still not sure what I wanted –  but hopeful,  that if I started at the top and worked my way down… EVENTUALLY I would satisfy the urge to eat!

Is this what we call the “crazies” or what!?!

When this urge strikes STOP and ask yourself  these 6 vital questions:

1. Am I thirsty?

2. Am I tired?

3. Am I stressed?

4. Am I angry?

5. Am I bored?

6. Am I REALLY hungry?

Ask yourself these 6 questions BEFORE you plough into the frig and eat your way into misery.

So many times we get signals from our brains that we mistake for hunger, when all we need to do is drink some water.  Water is important not only in the hot Summer months but also in the coming Winter months when we live more indoors and often skip fluids.

Next – if you are stressed and not sleeping well at night this is another of those mixed signals we can easily confuse for hunger. So think back to this morning — did you wake up fresh from a good nights sleep? If you got to bed late, tossed and turned or worse laid there not able to turn off you brain from the days projects, you could run into a snag from just the lack of good sound sleep.

My best advice is:  EAT an APPLE!

If you’re truly hungry, an apple is a good choice to snack on.  If an apple doesn’t sound good… more than likely you’re NOT hungry and you need to go back to the 6 questions above and see where you really are.

Here’s to your health and longevity!

Want to lose weight and get healthy? I am here to help.

Joyce Blonskij, Independent Certified Optavia Coach

joyce@healthcoachjb.com

Average weight loss on the Optimal Weight 5 & 1 Plan® is 12 pounds

Is Fear & Your Weight Issues Holding You Back From the Life You Are Destine To Live?

Leave a comment

WE ARE ALL BORN WITH ONE FEAR…being dropped as an infant.  All the other fears we have as adults are learned along the way as a product of our growing up and experiences.

I met a young woman just this month who was afraid if she lost weight her friends would leave her and she would be alone.  For some of you reading this you may be saying… that’s terrible – if they were true friends they’d stick by your side no matter what. But for many individuals, who have lost friends because they moved away, passed away or drifted down another path… no matter what, this is how they feel and as a result would rather be unhealthy and miserable than friendless.

Another gal I recently had the pleasure of meeting, who’s terrific… is fearful that by stating another “diet plan” will result in that all too familiar yo-yo syndrome we’ve all experienced. So rather than taking a step towards a healthy life style… this reasoning is another way for her to stay frozen in time, overweight, unhealthy and unhappy.

I had my own fears. I was destine to be overweight!  In my mind I had convinced myself that no matter what others did – they were not me. They were the lucky ones that found success and could grab on to the golden ring of health. No me… I was not one of the lucky ones.

I just could not see myself as thin. I was the pretty face, the smart one, the one that could light up a room and be the life of the party… and the one who would always be “heavy”.  I believed this. It was my reality and my prison. My lot in life and I lived with it the best I could for 40 plus years. I created a false reality for myself and was not able to see that I could change.

That is until… I got it!  The “IT” we are all looking for!  That ONE THING that turns your life on a dime… It’s not surgery or pills. It’s definitely not starvation or a cabbage diet that stinks up the house!

The “IT” I found was a gift from a dear friend of mine who to me had always been a thin guy. Someone you shrugged off as being out of touch with what being fat was all about.  What do skinny people know about living in a fat body? They don’t!  They have no stinking idea of the shame and humiliation we drag along with us every place we go… day-in and day-out.  So as a fat person with my own set of beliefs I blew him off.  Several times… until I got cornered and with the look of a desperate animal in the headlights of an oncoming car I asked; “What is the minimum time commitment I have to give you”? And the reply was: 5 weeks! “God Help Me” was my first reaction and guess what… He already had!

OK — I made up my mind… I can do ANYTHING for 5 weeks, even a new “diet”… Little did I know this was no ordinary diet! IT is a way of LIFE. The best gift anyone could have presented me with.  The Gift of Health.

For Five Weeks…

  • I never went hungry.
  • I was not a grouch.
  • I had tons of energy.

What you think of yourself is all that really matters.

 How do you feel about yourself right now?

Are you ready to make a life long commitment to your own health?

If you are ready for a happier, healthy life…I can help you.  I know your struggles and fears. I have fought them and won. My clients LOVE working with me because I have been in their shoes and understand the challenges they face.  I educate them and show them how to eat smart and make good choices so their day to day choices… become Habits of Health.

Want to lose weight and get healthy? I am here to help.

Joyce Blonskij, Independent Certified Optavia Coach 

joyce@healthcoachjb.com

Average weight loss on the Optimal Weight 5 & 1 Plan® is 12 pounds

 Please feel free to email me your biggest weight challenge, and I’ll show you how I can help you.   

Easter Dinner & Staying Focused On What’s Important…

Leave a comment

Just a quick post to help you think about and Plan for: Easter Dinner with your family tomorrow!

  • Take foods you can eat while being on program.
  • Plan your drinks and avoid alcohol.
  • Make a desert you can enjoy with out the guilt.

Here is my plan for tomorrow:

  • 8:00 AM  Fueling /Coffee
  • 10:00 AM Fueling
  • 1:00 PM Fueling
  • 3:00 PM Fueling
  • 5:30 PM Family Dinner: 5 oz. Steak, Grilled Zucchini & Ginger Asparagus* Diet Soda
  • 7:30 PM Fueling (Chocolate Brownie with Fat Free Cool Whip)  and Hot Tea

My family loves my grilled zucchini which is healthy and great to eat.

I’m making a Cold Ginger Asparagus dish to take along.

  • Steam the asparagus to your preference.
  • Remove from the stove and let it cool in chicken stock.
  • Add some fresh ginger, red wine vinegar, salt and pepper to taste and let it sit over night
  • Before serving (Cold) top with green onions and a touch of shaved lemon rind. If you want to add some Fat Free Feta Cheese that’s good too.

Want to lose weight and get healthy? I am here to help.

Joyce Blonskij, Independent Certified Optavia Coach 

joyce@healthcoachjb.com

Average weight loss on the Optimal Weight 5 & 1 Plan® is 12 pounds

15 in 50 Challenge – 1st day results were beyond my wildest dreams!

1 Comment

Let me begin by saying results may vary and that I ate my way all through Sunday before I got on the scale Monday morning to start my 15 in 50 Challenge and weighed in at 159.7  which is on the high side for me.

This morning I woke up having to hit the ‘john’ for the fourth time since going to sleep last night… I drank a lot water yesterday. I find that by  mixing a pitcher of water with a packet of Wyler’s Light Pink Lemonade or one of their flavors, it just helps get the water in.

My first day I dropped…

5.3 pounds

Starting today – day 2 at 154.4

I am very happy.

Today I again planned my day early this morning and thought I share with you a two-day look at how I journal.

Daily Food Journal

You get the idea even if the journal is hard to read. I PLAN.

I plan – when I have a meal replacement.

I plan – what I’m going to have as a meal replacement.

I plan – my Lean & Green meal that morning or the night before.  I know what I’m having for dinner and for a snack.

Planning  is key. When I get lazy… that’s when I see a gain on the scale. So I’m going to continue to track and encourage you to do the same.

Did you know according to statics those folks who track lose on average 20% more weight than those who don’t.  I like a 20% advantage!  Who wouldn’t?

I’m thankful that I have not been hungry. That’s because I graze all through the day on little meals that are packed with carbs and protein.  I’ve also learned the hard way,  to keep my coffee intake down or the caffeine will rev up my appetite…and that is a killer to live with.

Have a good evening and I’ll check back in tomorrow with hopefully more great results.

Want to lose weight and get healthy? I am here to help.

Joyce Blonskij, Independent Certified Optavia Coach 

joyce@healthcoachjb.com

Average weight loss on the Optimal Weight 5 & 1 Plan® is 12 pounds. Clients are in weight loss, on average, for 12 weeks.

On Your Mark. Get Set…. GO! My first 1/2 Marathon is about to get started.

1 Comment

My good friend, Sue Peppers, about 2 months ago shared the idea of entering a 1/2 marathon for charity – and I was in!

Today I picked up our race kits, shirts, bib numbers and directions to West Sacramento’s Raley’s Field where we begin in “wave no 1” at 8:00 am in the morning. How cool is this?

Check out our Kelly Green Racing Shirts.

Shamrock 1/2 Marathon 3/14/2010

The first leg of the race is 7 miles.  Our goal is to get this done and see how we feel.

Can we make the last half  of the marathon? Or will we have to call it good at 7 miles?   I’ll let you all know tomorrow evening.

Sue and I will be taping segments as we go, so please come back for a look.

Want to lose weight and get healthy? I am here to help.

Joyce Blonskij, Independent Certified Optavia Coach 

joyce@healthcoachjb.com

What are you happy to leave behind in 2009? For me it’s 105 pounds! HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010… What are you most looking forward to in the New Year?

Leave a comment

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I am happy to bring in the New Year 105 pounds lighter.

A great  reason to celebrate by any measurement.

But my journey is not over just yet!

Starting back up Friday, January 1st., 2010 I am back on program 100%

My goal is 135 pounds – 20 more pounds to lose.

If you have a few or a lot to lose… join me on January 1st for motivation right here on my Blog “Its Melting Off” , where I will be blogging my day-to-day progress.

I am going to schedule time to stretch every day for 10 minutes. Yoga  and weight training twice a week and cardio at least 3 days a week for 20 to 30 minutes!

Sounds like a lot going on… and it is!  I’m worth the time, energy and effort.

So join me daily starting New Years Day for my first entry to a slimmer me.

My hope is you get excited and motivated to get moving and improve your health along with me! So come on….it’s going to be a great year and decade for all of us!

Want to lose weight and get healthy? I am here to help.

Joyce Blonskij, Independent Certified Optavia Coach 

joyce@healthcoachjb.com

Average weight loss on the Optimal Weight 5 & 1 Plan® is 12 pounds. Clients are in weight loss, on average, for 12 weeks.

All The Best To You In The New Year!

IT IS POSSIBLE: A New, Sexy, Smaller Bathing Suit. Summer is just around the corner… and so is a slimmer you!

Leave a comment

Before you roll your eye and shake your head let me just say… IT IS POSSIBLE! You can be wearing a new, sexy bathing suit before you know it. I’m not making this up either. It happen for me and it can happen for you too.

Have a look at me in a bathing suit when I “thought” I looked good! OMG did I need a reality check. Wearing a  3xxx size 24 from Macy’s.

Joyce, Cabo San Lucas – Size 24

This photo was taken by my cousin Donna in 2002 and is one of the slimmer photos I have!

Now 100 pounds slimmer I much prefer this photo also taken pool side in Cabo just 3 weeks ago!

Joyce – Cabo Dec 2009 – Size 8/10

OK here is a new reality… What day are you reading this post?  In 365 days from today you can be healthier, slimmer, and physically in the best shape of your life. Decide to stop the insanity. Stop dieting and start a new life of health and mental well being.  It can start as soon as right now.

If you’d like to join me on this wonderful journey let’s chat.

Let me show you how to get the weight off and feel great for the rest of your life.

Want to lose weight and get healthy? I am here to help.

Joyce Blonskij, Independent Certified Optavia Coach 

joyce@healthcoachjb.com

Average weight loss on the Optimal Weight 5 & 1 Plan® is 12 pounds. Clients are in weight loss, on average, for 12 weeks.

Happy New Year!

Shopping — instead of just looking. After losing 100 pounds I can buy clothes off the rack now. I shopped for a new bathing suit.

Leave a comment

On Vacation in Mexico — Shopping in Cabo December 2009 (new smaller bathing suit)

Did you know Cabo has a Harley Davidson store right next to Ruth Chris Steak House?  Yes – Cabo has it all from the funky little stores to the fancy designer stuff.  It’s all here.

In the mall just off the marina there is a bathing suit store. If you’ve been to Cabo you know the one I’m talking about.  Well as a former size 24 they were off limits to me. Oh I’d still go in and have a look, but they didn’t have anything that would fit my plus size body.  Well today was different. I went in to shop!

I am very happy to share with you my new 3 piece bathing suit!

Now shopping is actually getting fun!

The top is an 8 with an underwire built in, and the bottom is a 12.  A lot better than a 24!  I love the genie pants that match. (medium)

I bought a swim suit that before I could only dream of wearing.

When I got back to the resort after walking and shopping for half a day, I have to tell you… I hit the gym.  This is how I’m going to keep my weight in check and build some muscle mass.  The “old fat me” would have run down to the pool because it was still happy hour, and order up a couple of high calorie, sugary drinks before the bell rung.  The new me…would rather spend that hour happily working out.

I did just over 20 minutes on the treadmill doing an interval of: walk 3 minutes and then jog for 5 minutes, repeat this 3 times. Then I did light weight training for about 40 minutes.  This felt good knowing I am making the changes in my life that will promote good health, and keep my weight off for ever!

Want to lose weight and get healthy? I am here to help.

Joyce Blonskij, Independent Certified Optavia Coach 

joyce@healthcoachjb.com

Average weight loss on the Optimal Weight 5 & 1 Plan® is 12 pounds. Clients are in weight loss, on average, for 12 weeks.

It was the night before Christmas, and What thoughts did it bring? My mind said to me…Why not have a big fling?

Leave a comment

CHRISTMAS POEM

It was the night before Christmas and,

What thoughts did it bring?

My mind said to me.

Why not have a big fling?

There were pies in the oven,

Sugared nuts in the jar!

There were snacks for the party.

And booze in the bar.

No! I’ll resist the temptation,

I will keep a strong head,

I’ll not eat a bite!

And I climbed into bed.

When out of my stomach,

There came such a roar.

I sprang from the bed,

Landing flat on the floor.

Away to the kitchen,

I flew like a flash.

Tore open the fridge,

To do something RASH!

A light from within,

Gave off such a glow,

To the objects of food,

Laid on trays there below.

I was going to grab,

An odd goodie or two,

When into my mind,

Came my promise to you.

Before I could have,

Any snack food to eat,

I must put on my coat

And get out of my feet.

I got into my coat,

My warm gloves and shoes,

Determined to walk,

For the goodies I’d choose.

The moon on the breast,

Of the new fallen snow,

And on houses and trees,

Gave a sparkle and glow.

As I walked down the street,

My mind did recall,

The words that we’d spoken,

At the Dieters Hall.

Of leaders through which,

I ambitiously sat,

For words of encouragement,

To help shed this fat.

I spoke not a word,

When my walk was done,

I felt so renewed,

I knew I had won.

I walked past the kitchen,

Without turning my head.

I smiled in the mirror,

As I headed for bed.

And I said to myself,

As I turned out the light,

With my mind, will and body.

I have fought the good fight.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

AND TO ALL…HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

Christmas 2009

Merry Christmas!

Want to lose weight and get healthy? I am here to help.

Joyce Blonskij, Independent Certified Optavia Coach 

joyce@healthcoachjb.com

Cabo San Lucas Mexican Mixed Fruit Cup topped with Chili Sauce! Out of this world good.

Leave a comment

Discovery… A Mexican Sidewalk Fruit Cup Extraordinaire!

 As my husband entered the Fishing Shop the lady on the corner fruit stand caught my eye.  She was making the biggest cup of fresh fruit to-go for this gal. I though she must have a blender and was making smoothies.  No blender. Just a sharp knife and lot’s of fruit.

 When she added salt, drizzled Chili-Coconut Sauce over the top and squeezed fresh lime juice, I was in shock.  I had to try this for myself. Lucky for you my husband had the video camera. You’re in for a treat now.

 

As my good friend Hilda would say… We all need a little fruit in our diets!

 If you’re on the 5&1 Meal Plan… just enjoy the video for now. Once you lose your weight you can introduce back in fruit and I do suggest you give this a whirl.  It’s yummy.

From Cabo San Lucas Mexico

Want to lose weight and get healthy? I am here to help.

Joyce Blonskij, Independent Certified Optavia Coach 

joyce@healthcoachjb.com

Average weight loss on the Optimal Weight 5 & 1 Plan® is 12 pounds. Clients are in weight loss, on average, for 12 weeks.

Take Shape For Life (TSFL) company name was changed to Optavia