Commit To Get Fit

Why Do Diets Fail?

2011-05-20T17:26:00.000-07:00

“Winners never quit and quitters never win.”
-Anonymous-

Recent statistics claim that diets aren’t working, according to the NBC “Today Show.”

I say: Baloney! And here’s why:

The “experts” need to redefine “healthy eating” because what’s healthy for some isn’t healthy for others – especially for those who are highly carb sensitive – like me and maybe like you, too.

If you really listen to the medical media spout their mostly outdated diet dogma, the majority of them tout the same old - same old, which never worked for me and obviously isn’t working for you or any of the overweight people across our nation, either.

You should no longer think of it as a “diet,” but as the way you have to live from now on. It’s easier than you think.

To change your lifestyle, you have to be in it for the long haul to win it. First, you have to begin to change your mind.

And please stop blaming race, socio-economic issues and the economy for the way you eat. You are the only one putting food into your mouth. No one else is doing it to you . . .

By making better food choices and adding a few, simple changes, like, picking a healthy, effective eating plan – or as we used to call it back in the day – a “diet,” and by exercising portion control, and adding daily cardio into the mix, you’ll be much healthier for it.

But you really gotta wanna, and no one can wanna for you – but you . . . and it has to be something personal. Something that’s truly meaningful to you, like, you’re sick of hauling yourself around. And, believe me, I speak from past experience.

You must be fully committed from the beginning. You have to “Commit To Get Fit” and develop a positive mindset from the giddy-yup.

Learn to meditate – If you think you can do this alone, think again. Daily positive self-talk works wonders, but there’s nothing like daily meditation for reinforcing your resolve. Works wonders for me.

Set daily and weekly weight and fitness goals. But be sure to weigh every day and keep a record of it in your fitness journal. You do have one, don’t you? How else will you know where you’re going if you don’t keep a daily health and fitness journal? It’s your roadmap to success. Use your daily numbers to motivate yourself.

Define your diet. As you lose weight, you should feel satisfied and energized, no longer hungry, sloppy and sluggish. If you do, you’re not on the right diet for you.

When you fall off the diet, health and fitness wagon, forgive yourself, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and begin again – the very NEXT meal. Stop beating yourself up and obsessing over it.

Need a jumpstart?

Come join us for Commit To Get Fit/Elgin’s Biggest Loser 5 now at Elgin Community College beginning June 1st from 5-7 PM every Wednesday for 8 weeks. Class # CED 372, Section 200, to register on line go to
http://elgin.edu/noncreditclassesdetail, or by phone 847-622-3036.

There are no short cuts.

If you quit now, you’ll never win.

Laura Dion-Jones is a Pro-Health Activist, Radio Show Host, motivational & lifestyle writer & speaker.

Listen to "The Laura Dion-Jones Show" on WRMN, 1410 AM & www.wrmn1410.com every Wednesday, 3-4 PM, CST.

E: dionjones@aol.com, Website: www.lauradionjones.com

Dear Mrs. Obama

2011-05-16T13:17:00.000-07:00

Dear Mrs. Obama: To end our country’s obesity epidemic,

Please redefine healthy eating.

A Documentary by

The Elgin Youth Leadership Academy

And Laura Dion-Jones for

The Global Youth Service Learning Project

This past year I’ve had the pleasure and honor of being an adult mentor twice a month for an incredible group of local Elgin kids grades 7 through 12 for the Elgin Youth Leadership Academy.

My subject was Nutrition and eight YLA kids signed up for my group – 5 boys and 3 girls.

I was puzzled when I first met my group of kids because not one of them was overweight. When I asked each one why they had chosen my topic of nutrition, each said in their own way that they wanted to learn the right way to eat now because most didn’t want to end up like their parents or relatives - overweight and sick with diabetes and other diseases.

Throughout the semester, I guided my cluster of kids as they researched our topic, fleshed it out and then helped put our presentation together that is now a mini-documentary.

The goal of the Nutrition Service Learning project is to redefine healthy eating by educating people about healthier diet options. The four diet options we chose include: the low-carbohydrate diet, the low fat diet, Mediterranean diet, and calorie counting.

We are all well aware that our country has an escalating obesity epidemic and our goal is to combat that obesity epidemic by building healthier communities through improving the healthy eating and fitness of individuals.

First Lady Michelle Obama is the Honorary Chair for Global Youth Service Day, which was April 15-17, 2011.

Mrs. Obama tirelessly encourages youth to find their voice, take action, and solve problems.

The Global Youth Service Learning Projects are a method of encouraging the youth to take more leadership.

Our documentary project on health and nutrition is listed on the GYSL website and will be posted on their site, on YouTube and other pertinent websites.

We also have a website dedicated to our documentary: www.dearmrsobama.com.

The Elgin Youth Leadership Academy, operating out of Elgin Community College, is a unique program providing a constructive, mentoring environment for students from low-income backgrounds who may be vulnerable to gangs, drugs, and other serious problems.

Through intensive leadership development, YLA cadets earn full tuition scholarships to attend Elgin Community College and Judson University, also in Elgin.

On Wednesday, May 11, 2011, my YLA kids and I will present our documentary to the Elgin City Council at the 7 PM CST meeting at Elgin’s City Hall. Please tune in to www.cityofelgin.org and go to the home page, click on the Video Center and then click on the May 11th meeting to watch live or later when you have time.

I am extremely proud of my group of YLA kids and the work they have done on this project. I hope we accomplish our goal of creating awareness about our country’s obesity epidemic by giving people healthier choices they may not have thought of before.

Laura Dion-Jones
May 9, 2011©

Laura Dion Jones teaching a new class at Elgin Community College!

2011-05-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to announce that I'll be teaching a new class at Elgin Community College starting June 1st! The class takes place on Wednesdays from 5:00-7:00 pm and is separate from my Commit to Get Fit series. I'd love to see you all there!!

The course description is as follows:

"Improve yourself from the inside out with Laura Dion-Jones, a Pro-health activist, Radio Show Host, popular motivational speaker & writer, who will motivate you to overcome common diet and fitness hurdles and reach the best shape of your life. Laura's high-energy presentations teaches the basics of daily walking, meditation, positive mind-set and finding the right diet for a life style change. Laura, who successfully lost 150 pounds and has kept it off for 8 years - for the first time in her own life - is the author of Commit to Get Fit: The Secret to True and Ever-Lasting Weight Loss. An extension of Laura's highly successful Elgin's Biggest Loser competition, this 8-week series will show you how to move, lose weight, and stay motivated 365 days a year forever, looking fabulous while doing it. You'll not only learn to enjoy daily walks and how to eat healthier, but change your lifestyle by taking it one step at a time, one meal at a time, one day at a time. This is not a "diet." It's a step by step, no nonsense guide to help keep you motivated and show you a practical, realistic way for creating that forever-healthy lifestyle change we all seek,and learn to love yourself in the process. Laura has her own radio show on Elgin's WRMN 1410 AM, Wednesdays from 3-4 pm CST and this expansion of her motivational methods and Elgin's Biggest Loser competition into a classroom series is guaranteed to help anyone succeed! It's time to think about a healthier way of living. (EBL begins at 5 pm at ECC for weigh-ins. This is not part of the Commit to Get Fit series but separate). Feel free to come early and check it out."

Course Number CED 372
Section 200
6/1-7/20/11 5:00 pm- 7:00 pm

Click here for more course info and details on signing up!!!

ELGIN AREA LEADERSHIP ACADEMY GRADUATES 20 COMMUNITY LEADERS

2011-05-02T19:00:00.000-07:00

Media Release from the Elgin Area Leadership Academy:

"The 2010-11 class of Elgin Area Leadership Academy (EALA) graduated on April 30, celebrating their completion of an eight-month intensive leadership program that provided them insight into many aspects of their community.

A program of the Elgin Area Chamber, Dan Fox and Don Waters have served as the volunteer co-coordinators of the EALA Class since its inception in 1991. "When you bring this many people together--people who have consistently demonstrated enthusiasm and leadership in their careers--you experience great energy and see amazing examples of leadership,” said Dan Fox.

This award-winning program designed to meet the communities’ needs for active participation and networking of informed and dedicated community leaders. "EALA is an incredible experience,” says Don Waters. “This leadership program prepares, challenges, and engages emerging and existing leaders to strengthen their community."

This year’s graduating class includes:

Diane Allen, Robert Morris University
Lori Beckwith, Sherman Hospital
Laura Dion-Jones, The Laura Dion-Jones Show
Lisa Eby, My Time Is Yours, Inc.
Rick Ellis, City of Elgin
Amelia Gavina, School District U-46
Pam Gertig, Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois
Teresa (Terry) Gray, Kinane Gray LLC
Bill Jones, Lundstrom Insurance
Elisa Lara, Visiting Nurse Association Health Center
Lynne Lipper, Elgin Community College
Robert Moffett, Gail Borden Public Library
Jay Mulholland, THE National Bank
Dianha Ortega-Ehreth, Youth Leadership Academy
Marilyn Prentice, Elgin Community College
Jennifer Rakow, IHC Construction Companies LLC
Renee Reynolds, School District U-46, Elgin High School
Julie Schaid, Elgin Community College
Mark Weinert, First Christian Church
Eric Weiss, City of Elgin

Since EALA was introduced in 1991, more than 400 hundred local business, government and neighborhood persons have completed the program and have committed to become stronger leaders for our community.

Recruitment begins soon for the next class which will kick-off with an orientation in September and run through May, 2012. Applicants should display a commitment and motivation to serve the Elgin area, a commitment to volunteerism, resulting in significant influence on important issues facing the community, and the ability to make the time commitment required by the program.

For further information, please call Carol Gieske at the Elgin Area Chamber at 847-741-5660 or go online to www.elginchamber.com."

It Takes 35 Days to Make a Healthy Habit (Or Break a Bad One)

2011-04-29T12:15:00.000-07:00

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."
-Theodore Roosevelt-

Dear Laura

I always find your articles interesting and uplifting. I just know you will be back on the road again and trust your doctors to help get you there.

I'm wishing you a speedy recovery - you would be a great patient for any doctor to have.

Julie

PS - I was walking every day for about an hour - but once the weather turned nasty, I stopped. So is there some reality to doing something for 35 days straight to become a habit - just curious.

Dear Jules:

Thanks for your warm note. It's uplifting for me to hear reinforcement and know I help make a difference in your life.

Yes, there is something to doing the 35-days-in-a-row walking thing to help develop a daily habit. How do you think I began? Difference is, when the weather turned nasty on me, I hunkered down and got prepared for it. I met it head on by developing an all-weather walking wardrobe rather than give up. I was having such great results, I didn't dare let slip back into the old habit of not walking daily at all . . . my old fat self chases me down the street just waiting for me to weaken and pounce. Trust me.

Since the sun is shining today where I am, and I hope where you are, too, there's no better day than today to start your walking for 35 days straight.

I'd get out and take that walk today as soon as I was able to squeeze it in, if I were in your walking shoes, Girlfriend. I can't WAIT to be back hiking the urban streets, once again, after my surgery's rehab. And since I'm up in Elgin for my radio show and other events a few days a week, I'm looking forward to exploring some hiking trails there, as well.

And, yes, my doctors love me because I never let them slide, either. I challenge them to find a way for me to keep walking and doing what I do best. They give me the best care they can because they know I'm determined to make the most of every single day I have left on this great planet of ours. I've wasted far too much time living fat. It's so unnecessary and really not all that difficult to get the weight off and keep it off - if you want to. I've never felt better (even with all my physical challenges) nor been happier or less encumbered . . .

There are no more excuses for me.

How about you?

Just do what you can, with what you have, where you are - pull on your shoes and get out and walk daily for the health of it.

Fondest best,

Laura

Tragedy and Hope: Rebuilding the Ark For animal lovers everywhere

2011-03-22T18:29:00.000-07:00

Laura Dion-Jones and George Rawlinson, in cooperation with WRMN 1410 AM Radio, present a very special show Wednesday, March 23, from 9 to 10 a.m.

"Tragedy and Hope: Rebuilding the Ark" tells the story of Ark R.A.I.N., a wildlife sanctuary in Brownsville, Tennessee. Late last year, 56 animals died during a devastating fire that also engulfed the home of the founders, Tim and Toni Davies, both former Elgin-area residents.

While they escaped with only minor injuries, the fire also destroyed almost everything other than the clothes on their backs, including necessary supplies to take care of the surviving animals.

Tim Davies said that he and his wife were only eligible for minimal fire insurance because of the exotic animals they housed.

Dozens of the animals sheltered outside the house did survive, including arctic foxes, badgers, a lion, two tigers, and Tucker the kangaroo, a longtime family favorite.

Ark R.A.I.N. is well known nationally for providing permanent homes to exotic animals that had been abused, neglected or illegally owned.

The not-for-profit animal sanctuary is trying to rebuild from the ground up. Wednesday's radio show is the first major media step in that direction.

Please listen to "Tragedy and Hope: Rebuilding the Ark." Learn more about the surviving animals and also how you can help with a fully tax deductible donation to Ark R.A.I.N.

That's "Tragedy and Hope: Rebuilding the Ark" on WRMN 1410 AM Radio, Wednesday, March 23, 9 - 10 a.m.

Laura Dion-Jones Named Volunteer of the Year

2011-03-01T18:04:00.000-08:00

It is a uniquely American ideal-a volunteer's vision of giving.

She says that even the smallest token of sincere consideration can carry a message far beyond its size.

"When I lie down at night, here is the thing I always ask myself: 'Have I made at least one person a little healthier, a little happier or a little bit better today?' If I've learned anything, I've learned that a life is only important in the impact it has on other lives."

So said Laura Dion-Jones, YMCA Volunteer of the Year, honored last week at Villa Olivia Country Club in Bartlett.

The award was presented by Elizabeth Pendexter, executive director of the Prairie Valley Family YMCA-Taylor Family Branch in Elgin.

"We are pleased to present the Volunteer of the Year award to Laura Dion-Jones," Pendexter said at the not-for-profit organization's annual dinner. "Laura is a fitness motivator, walking guru, writer, lifestyle and fashion consultant and local radio show host. She first became involved with the Y as a child in the swim program and about a year ago connected with the Prairie Valley YMCA when she made making improving the health of Elgin residents her mission. Laura was in the process of developing her 'Elgin's Biggest Loser' program and partnered with the Y to give participants a place to meet for weekly motivational talks, weigh-ins and an option for physical activity. Laura quickly gave her all to create a partnership with the Y. She volunteered at our annual Shutdown and Golf Outing, she advocates for the Y on her radio show weekly and she donated her home in Florida to help us raise funds for our annual campaign. Laura exemplifies the spirit of a great Y volunteer in the sharing of her time, talent and treasure in an effort to strengthen the foundation of the Elgin community."

Dion-Jones said she was "overwhelmed" by the recognition.

"I'm just trying to make a difference," she said. "I know the importance of a positive push."

Since March 2010, Dion Jones has helped 144 people lose 1,520 pounds through her 12-week weight-loss program and competition, in which contestants meet at the Y every Wednesday.

For more information about Laura's original Elgin's Biggest Loser Motivational Weight Loss competition, please email Laura directly at

dionjones@aol.com or go to www.elginsbiggestloser.com

Dedication and Discipline

2011-02-21T08:44:00.000-08:00

Dedication and Discipline = Diet Success

"No steam or gas ever drives anything until it is confined.

No Niagara is ever turned into light and power until it is tunneled.
No life ever grows until it is focused, dedicated and disciplined."

Harry Emerson Fosdick
(1878-1969, American minister)

One of the first questions I'm always asked is if I ever cheat on my low carb lifestyle maintenance diet, and if I do, when and how often. People are curious about what kind of dedicated discipline it takes to maintain my weight loss for so long.

Since losing my initial 130 pounds in 2 ½ years and now successfully keeping it off, plus a bit more, into my 8th year - I still have my during-the-week cheat moments now and then. But on the whole, I try to save any real diet destroyers for special Saturday nights.

Bear in mind: Once you indulge in forbidden foods and slide down that slippery carb-laden slope, you have to atone for it somewhere else along the way, and you'd better snap out of it and make it soon - like your very next meal, the very next day - even if that's a Saturday - if you know what's good for you.

The longer you wait - the longer you continue to compromise your diet with the wrong foods - the harder it is to climb back on the health and fitness wagon. Besides, isn't that how you got up to where you are on the scale in the first place - by frequently eating what you shouldn't, by constantly cheating on your diet, by ignoring your health and by being lazy and not following a daily fitness plan?

Take last Thursday, for instance: Nothing especially stressful about it, so there was no reason to binge out.

However, I started the day off kind of hungry, didn't eat enough protein for breakfast - in fact, I skipped it altogether, and then committed the second Cardinal Sin of Low Carb Weight Loss and Maintenance: I left the house without any low carb snacks in my bag. No cheese, no nuts, no apple, no Atkins bar, nada. I was in a rush and plumb forgot.

Next thing I know, there's the Rock-N-Roll McDonald's right, smack in front of me as I zip up Ontario Street - and I've been dying to try one of their Angus 1/3-pounders, anyway - so, stomach growling, my car took a sudden hard left and into the McDrive I went.

Once in line, I also found myself with an incredible craving for a vanilla shake. You know how it is when you start reading the menu. I quickly ordered a medium to go along with the burger. At least I didn't order a large, I think. Someone once told me, "No one needs to eat or drink a large size of anything." I heartily agree. My direct downsizing gets me a few extra willpower points right there, but I really should'a had a small. But, seriously - I shouldn't have had a shake at all.

Then, I took the burger home - it was too big, juicy and garnish-laden to snarf down like a regular, daintier cheeseburger while driving. Besides, I wanted to savor the experience and not wonder what in the heck I just ate.

Unwrapping the burger, my conscience and a tummy full of vanilla shake got the better of me, prompting me to cut the 1/3-pounder in two and eat half with all the trimmings - minus the white, starchy-carb bun, of course. More will power points, and hopefully, a lower number on the scale.

And, believe me, it was worth every fat gram, too. /'-)

Never once in all the years it took me to lose and now maintain my new weight did I EVER count calories, fat grams or anything else with my food. I only counted the hard-core carbohydrates. I swear.

It's all that white starch and sugar you're still eating that's keeping you fat - not the dietary fat. Insulin's the fat hormone, trust me, and my endocrinologists. I'm living proof after a lifetime of chronic obesity.

So when you come right down to it, the only damage I did to my diet was raise my carb count for the day from the sugar in the medium vanilla shake. I know that if I stray over the 30-35 carb-a-day line, I won't lose an ounce. The lower I keep my carb count for the day, like around 20-25, the easier it is for me to lose weight.

The following day after a diet cheat, I'm right back on the scale and smack back into my low carb routine till the next Saturday evening.

If I learned my low carb lifestyle lessons well, and really want to exercise my willpower over crappy carbs, I'll focus my discipline and keep totally away from all white starch and sugar till next weekend, which is exactly what I'm going to do. Just because I know I can and I know it will only benefit me in the long run.

Focus. Dedicate yourself to being disciplined when it comes to your low carb diet, daily cardio and wellness routines.

Do it for the health of it.

Your life depends on it.

Laura Dion-Jones
550 N. Kingsbury St #120
Chicago, IL 60654
312-933-7325
September 14, 2009©
dionjones@aol.com
www.lauradionjones.com

www.lauradionjones.blogspot.com

Da Bears, Da Booz, Da Diet and You

2011-01-22T08:41:00.000-08:00

Da Bears championship playoff game Sunday is absolutely no excuse to eat junk food like there's no tomorrow, and it won't help Da Bears win - not even one little bit.

But what it will do is retard your weight loss and wellness efforts too early into your new year's health and fitness plan.

If you find yourself getting swept up in the football frenzy of food, drink and fun - you have to learn how to enjoy yourself without carb-cramming like everyone else at the party. Maybe others can afford it - but you certainly can't.

And as far as using Da Bears as an excuse for not losing weight this coming Wednesday at weigh-in, I wouldn't if I were you. It's become one of my least favorite excuses of all.

Sure, it's funny at first, but in the end, how funny is it to sacrifice your health, weight loss and wellness for mere football fun food.

A lot of us got through the holidays pretty reasonably unscathed, and did real well the first two weeks of Elgin's Biggest Loser 4 competition, but this past Wednesday, I wish I had a dollar for every time one of you used Da Bears as an excuse for your mystified gain.

Partying hardy, eating everything in sight with reckless abandon just isn't worth it in the long run - as you'll soon find out the next time you step on the scale.

And a few of you seem to have lost sight of the real reason why you're in EBL in the first place.

You're not doing it for me - you're doing it for you, for your family, for your future.

I'm not your enemy - you and your demons are.

Personally, I don't care if you eat carbs like crazy till the cows come home. That's your choice. I finally made my peace with my weight and found the keys to true and everlasting weight loss. I can only share what worked for me with you. If you think you know better, so be it. However, you're not fooling anyone but yourself because it's written all over your body and your face.

When I congratulate you on a big weight loss and job well done for the past week, and some of you snicker and say in an aside to the rest of the group within earshot - "Don't tell Laura, but I ate carbs!" That's entirely your choice. Sooner or later it will catch up with you - and you'll continue to be stuck in the same old weighty situation you've been stuck in for how long now? Aren't you tired of it? I was dog-tired the third time my weight sky-rocketed to over 300 pounds - this last time tipping the scale at 317. That was IT for me.

What's gonna be IT for you?

Whatever diet you choose is, of course, up to you. Whatever you're doing to lose weight, or not, is up to you. I just hope you choose a healthy eating plan that you can live with for the rest of your life. Because if it's not, the joke's on you. It's not my weight, heath and fitness that are at stake here. It's yours.

If you continue to eat the same way that got you into this overweight trouble in the first place, you'll continue to get the same old results. What else do you expect?

Some of you are a bit too young to really realize the ramifications of chronic obesity - because that's what being fat and over weight really is - obesity. And it will surely shorten your life considerably. Just wait and see

How's this gonna sound:

Dear Mrs. Obama: The real reason we have an escalating obesity epidemic in our country today is because most people don't really care. They'd rather lazily lie around and eat everything they want, hoping no one notices. Or some think they're gonna pay the piper later on down the road.

It doesn't work that way.

For some, this road will be all too short because of critical health complications . . .

You've read my book, blasts and articles, and are listening to me and the other successful EBLs who have found out for themselves that most of the time, cheating just doesn't pay.

What's that old Chinese proverb again?

"If you wanna know about the road ahead, ask someone who's on her way back." That be me.

Enjoy the game. But bring your own diet-friendly snacks and drinks. I always carry something low carb that I love to eat to keep me from caving into the temptation of the "pokey-bait" that's usually the standard fare for these kinds of affairs.

And by all means, make sure you get your pre-game daily cardio in.

Train like Da Bears!

Do it daily for the health of it.

Best,

Laura

1-22-11©

Clairvoyance

2011-01-18T08:38:00.000-08:00

This story is in honor of the gal from Idaho who just won half of the second largest lotto prize in US history, and anyone else having a marital meltdown:

Pat knew for a long time that her clairvoyant gift was a curse as well as a blessing. It started about as far back as she could remember. With little things.

"Don't go in the water right now, Anna!"

"Why not, scaredy-catty-Patty," Anna teased back.

"Just don't! Wait 'til later."

Undaunted, Anna waded in up to her waist. "C'mon in Patty! It's so war...yee-ouch!" Anna screamed rushing back to shore. "Ow-weee! Somethin' bit my foot!"

Then there was the time in high school when Jolie was selling chances for a brand new '77 Chevy Impala for her church raffle. Patty just knew if she waited to buy her ticket until the last second, right before the drawing, she'd win.

Pat drove that '77 Chevy way past law school, right up until she moved to New York and took a job with one of the city's top firms.

So, it should have come as no real surprise to her when, for no apparent reason, her car pulled into Harry's mini-mart on her way to the Hamptons, and she bought those lottery tickets. Pat never pinned her hopes on "hitting the big one," like so many of her friends did. "What the hell?" she mused, as she plunked down her money.

That Saturday night, right after a wonderfully romantic, candle-lit dinner, Patty's husband calmly asked her for a divorce.

He was sorry and all. Even cried some. Said she could keep their TriBeCa loft and the house on The Pond. He just needed to move on and his plans didn't include her.

Funny, she hadn't seen it coming - not this time, anyway. But, when the blonde on the TV slowly drawled out the numbers as those six shiny, white balls rolled across the screen, her tears of despair at once turned to pure joy!

"$107 million lump sum, after taxes! I wonder if he'll want half?" she said to no one in particular.

"Seems like I'll be the one moving on . . ."

Laura Dion-Jones
550 N. Kingsbury St #120
Chicago, IL 60654
312-933-7325
April, 2001 ©
dionjones@aol.com
www.lauradionjones.com

The Choice Is Yours

2011-01-02T08:30:00.000-08:00

''Anybody with a little guts

and the desire to apply himself can make it,

he can make anything he wants to make of himself.''

Willie Shoemaker

(1931-2003, American racing jockey and trainer)

Bless me Father, for I have sinned. I've eaten more white starch and sugar carbs over the last 13 holiday days, than I've probably consumed during all of the past year.

And by now, I'm really sick of eating carb-laden holiday goodies and such, aren't you? So what better time to start on your new weight loss, health and fitness plans than right now?

Even though some of you might want to keep partying and eating like it's 2099, it's time to snap back to reality.

Today's Sunday, January 2, 2011, and I don't know about you, but it's time for me to climb back on that low carb weight loss wagon that serves me so well and buckle down, preparing for a serious diet beginning -- well -- gee whiz, today.

However, tomorrow is the first Monday of the New Year and high time we all kicked it in gear. No more excuses.

And if food is not love, why do I still feel guilty about giving away or throwing out certain homemade, from-the-heart holiday goodies, especially when that ''something special'' is food from a loved one?

For most I've talked to, this is their number one concern -- what to do with all that stuff, along with how they're gonna get fit this year, once and for all?

Seems everyone you talk to is tired of the yo-yo-ing uncertainties of life. And one thing I found out on my weight loss journey is: when all else fails, the one thing you can get a hold of, the one thing you can really begin to learn to control is your own weight, health and fitness. This will give you power and self confidence like nothing else.

So, if you're smart, you'll jump right back on the scale first thing tomorrow morning, write that number down in your new 2011 health and fitness journal, and seriously toe the line between now and the time you get all your unhealthy weight off -- whatever that personal goal may be.

The choice is yours.

Case in point: on the morning of the Eve of New Year's Eve, a woman walked toward me as I made my way up Kingsbury Street heading for the club. You know how you know that someone is just going to talk to you by the way they're looking at you:

''What an inspiration you are. I see you every day and don't know anyone at this club who's as dedicated to their daily cardio as you are. You're to be admired.''

I thanked her for making my day and she gasped when I told her a little bit about my own weight loss story, and that I cardio rowed for an hour a day doing weights every day but one, and fitting in PT and Pilates at least once a week, too.

''Why do you do it?'' she asked.

''I have no choice,'' I replied.

''You DO have a choice,'' she said with a smile as we parted.

''Thanks for reminding me.''

The choice IS yours, too. I hope you have the guts and the desire to apply yourself to make the right one for your health and fitness this year.

I'm dedicating this story to Sara whom I met on Kingsbury Street on my way to my daily workout, the Eve of New Year's Eve, 2010. Thanks for the reminder.

Happy New Year! Make the most of it.

Laura

Laura Dion-Jones

550 N. Kingsbury St. #120

Chicago, IL 60654

312-933-7325

1-2-11©

dionjones@aol.com

www.lauradionjones.com

www.lauradionjones.blogspot.com

Ms. (Mr.) Boudreaux Prays For A Pass

2010-12-13T08:28:00.000-08:00

Ms. Bonnie Boudreaux (or for you guys, Mr. Bubba Boudreaux) was driving down the street all in a sweat because she (he) had an important Holiday party to attend, absolutely nothing in her (his) cramped closet that fit, and was having no luck finding an appropriate outfit that would accommodate her (his) ever-burgeoning body.

Looking up toward Heaven, she (he) said, "Lord, take pity on me. If you find me a wonderful outfit that fits me and makes me look gorgeous, I will go to Mass every Sunday for the rest of my life, start walking each and every day, and give up eating white, starchy, sugary carbs forever."

Miraculously, a stunning, well-fitting dress suit appeared in the very next shop she (he) went into.

Ms. (Mr.) Boudreaux looked Heavenward again and said, "Never mind, Lord. I just found one."

How many of us live our lives like this - making deals, praying for a pass, never managing to start that all-important, save-your-life diet until it's too late? We think we'll always manage to skate by, the whole while staying heavier than we know is right and damaging our heart, organs, limbs, ego, psyche, and the rest of our body by hauling around that weighty, excess poundage. All because we insist on eating the wrong foods and are too lazy to exercise daily.

The Holidays are breathing down your neck as we speak. What are you waiting for, New Year's Day? By then, it'll be too late. Your weight could balloon up another 10 pounds between now and then. Why put yourself through that?

This Christmas and New Year's Eve, how about cutting the amount of scrumptious stuffing, candied sweet potatoes, buttery mashed potatoes, crusty bread and sweeter-than-sweet desserts that you normally eat in half? Better yet - cut back your portions to just a whopping-good taste of these things. You won't die, and as a bonus, you won't feel over-stuffed and in a carb coma like you usually do at these gatherings.

Take it as your cue to move in a new, healthier direction for the New Year.

And, by all means - get everyone up from the Holiday table between dinner and dessert and go for a nice, brisk walk.

To hell with the dishes.

Tell the hostess Laura said so.

Happy Holidays, Y'all!

550 N. Kingsbury St. #120

Chicago, IL 60654

312-933-7325

November 21, 2005©

dionjones@aol.com

www.lauradionjones.com

www.lauradionjones.blogspot.com
www.elginsbiggestloser.com

www.dionjonesltd.com

Have the Strength – Do What It Takes

2010-12-07T08:26:00.000-08:00

"Life demands from you the strength that you possess.
Only one feat is possible - not to have run away."

Dag Hammarskjold
(1905-1961, Swedish Statesman, Secretary-general of U.N.)

Several years ago at this time, I had a total body lift performed over the course of two surgeries.

"NO WALKING," was what the doctors emphatically told me, but they were rather vague about info on exactly for how long. Can you imagine me not walk every day? Even now, with my walking wings clipped while I wait for my second knee replacement to roll around, I find it interesting when doctors tell me not to walk. And I panic.

Telling someone like me, an elite walker who has logged over 25,000 miles since January 1, 2003 (and leaving 150 pounds in her wake), not to walk is like telling a shark not to swim.

As one of my favorite sisters recently said to me: "My thoughts always go to you as I walk and meditate, because I know you are doing it daily, too"

Those close to me know exactly how important daily walking is to my health, weight loss maintenance and well-being. They also know how important it is for each of them, too. There are absolutely no excuses for me or anyone else not to eat right and do daily cardio.

Be sure you keep a grip on those white starch and sugar carbs and try not to get carried away with your portions over the rest of the Holidays.

The more pounds you pack on during the next few weeks will only make it that much more difficult for you to dig in and Commit To Get Fit once the New Year arrives and you've come to your senses.

Trust me, many's the time I wish I could've just turned tail and ran away during my weight loss journey. I didn't think I had the strength to see it through. I knew I had to develop the power to get 'er done - and I did. Now I'm so much healthier for it, I can't even tell you. I'd never go back to my old way of eating, thinking and being, ever. It's just not worth it. It's not me anymore. I've changed for the better. I know you can, too.

And for those in the Fox Valley and Chicagoland areas who are interested in changing for the better, don't forget our Elgin's Biggest Loser 4 competition begins January 5, 2011. Go to www.elginsbiggestloser.com for the details and registration form.

Happy Holidays and here's to a healthy and absolutely Heavenly 2011.

And PS: If I and our friend, the "Now If" 2,000-Pound Cow, (shown in my book) has the strength to keep walking in this ungodly cold and snowy weather, do what it takes so you can too!

And don't forget to tune into "The Laura Dion-Jones Show," Wednesdays on WRMN 1401 AM from 3-4 PM CST or listen in internationally on www.wrmn1410.com.

Laura Dion-Jones
550 N. Kingsbury St. #120
Chicago, Il 60654
312-933-7325
dionjones@aol.com
www.lauradionjones.com
www.lauradionjones.blogspot.com
www.elginsbiggestloser.com

Breeze Through the Holidays and Beyond and Actually Lose Weight

2010-11-22T08:24:00.000-08:00

Holidays got you in a tizzy? Don't know where to turn for a good cardio burn? All over the radio and TV, in newspapers and magazines, there's some expert at this or that telling us what to do and how to eat so that we don't pack on any more partying pounds.

This Mt. Everest of overindulgence runs from Thanksgiving right on up thru January 1st. Come January 2nd, it's time to finally pay the piper and buckle down with your daily health and fitness routine, because surely by now, you have one that you can live with for the rest of your life.

I'm here to help you sail right through all of your Holiday festivities, smack into the New Year and beyond, without gaining weight. But first, you have to be willing to Commit To Get Fit and really want to improve yourself from the inside out.

You need to begin now and plan for 2011 to be the year you finally lose weight once and for all. No more if's, and's or butt's about it. If I can do it, you can, too. It's not that difficult.

I can help you achieve the same results for yourself that I did by losing 130 pounds in 2 1/2 years, on my own, and keeping it off successfully for eight years. Then, last year, I lost another 20, to boot!

And, yes, one of the key components to true and everlasting weight loss is developing a daily cardio routine that you can do on a consistent basis forever, and walking's a no-brainer. It's the cheapest, easiest form of daily cardio you can do. But you already know that.

There is no real, long-term weight loss or improved health and fitness benefit without daily cardio.

For me, an avid swimmer and biker, nothing, nothing, nothing ever worked like daily walking. It boiled all that visceral fat from my frame - all the schmutz surrounding my organs and puffing out my skin is now g-o-n-e.

By combining a healthy low carb diet with walking and cardio rowing every day, I'm still able to keep my weight off - hopefully forever.

Another key component is learning to make healthier food choices you can live with - through the Holidays, birthdays and beyond. For me, these healthier food choices are a diet low in white starch and sugar carbs.

Back at the end of '02 when my first real serious diet Holiday season rolled around, I was terrified of failure. I had been working with Dr. Mark Stolar, a Chicago endocrinologist, for just a few months and was having positive results with my modified Atkins low white starch and sugar carb eating regimen. But, being known to throw all culinary caution to the wind where fabulous food is concerned - I remember one year in particular - I packed on a good twenty pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. Seriously. Most of it from scads of sweets, white starches and sugar.

Those days are over for me and should be for you, too. I wouldn't go back to eating the way I used to eat for anything.

So, here are my personal favorite, tried-and-true, healthy Holiday eating tips:

Drink a big glass of water or have a beer right before you go to a party? I seriously think not, Dr. Oz.

I believe if you're going to fill up on something, make it something that you really enjoy that legally fits your new diet. If you have to, bring your own, nurse it, and use it as your drink of choice for the evening. I do club soda - a nice, fresh, crisp, gassy one, but my all-time evening favorite is a decaf café latte. I show up with both.

Stay away from alcohol. Most might be low carb, but the overproduction of insulin is what's making you fat and alcohol is sure to spike your insulin and mess with your metabolism, trust me. If you must indulge, have a wine spritzer instead of straight wine.

When I was fat, I was a notorious eggnog freak. I could drink my body weight in the stuff. Now, it's totally out of the question.

Eggnog, or any nog for that matter, is loaded with sugar. So what if it's low fat? I never counted a fat gram or calorie to lose any of my weight and keep it off - I only count white starch and sugar carbs, period.

(However, I am still secretly waiting for a sugar-free eggnog sweetened with natural Stevia to be born!)

Remember: "low fat" isn't low carb. And if you struggle with one diet after another, I venture to say you're highly insulin resistant and carb sensitive like me. It's not the fat that makes you fat - it's the carbs. Carbs create overproduction of insulin. Insulin is the fat hormone. Too much insulin keeps you fat. Not fat. Ask Dr. Mark Stolar or another good endocrinologist.

Always offer to bring something so you can control what you eat, as well. If you're eating low carb, bring your favorite low carb dish or dishes.

Ask for a small plate and fork, if only cocktail napkins are visible. Skip the scoopers and other chips that dip - they're too high in white, starchy carbs.

A friend of mine usually only provides napkins with her appetizers, no plates and forks, so I always ask for a small plate. Respectfully, I heap it up with all the low carb dips and goodies offered - because it's the chips and scoopers that are usually the high carb culprits - and I eat all the goop with a fork - tossing in some celery, broccoli and cauliflower for crunch. Believe me, you will NOT suffer.

And stay away from the carrots on the crudités tray! They're too high glycemic - too high in starch and sugar and will retard your weight loss. Another "trust me."

Don't overindulge - save room for the main event.

If you're absolutely dying for something that's one of your all-time traditional favorite foods, especially at cocktail time, use the "Taste and Toss" technique: take a big bite and covertly slip the rest in the garbage.

Think before you eat it. Do I really need all those white starches and sugary carbs? Remember, they're poison for a person who is carb-sensitive and needs to lose weight.

Keep away from the sweet table. This is the most difficult one for me. I'm a true sweet-a-holic and that's usually the first place I gravitate toward on my initial culinary reconnaissance missions.

Remove yourself from the buffet area ASAP. Join in on a group that is having vigorous verbal stimulation or start your own interesting, lively topic of conversation.

Offer to help the hostess. Pick up plates, serve drinks, do whatever.

Keep moving and not stuffing yourself. Keep busy and out of the food. Get up and clear the table.

Host your own holiday party so you can control all of it.

Make sure you have plenty of tasty, low carb appetizers.

And at THE BIG DINNER - go easy and stop at one heaping spoonful. And if it's your very favorite - well, take two, but that's it. No second platefuls! One stacked should do you.

GET OUT AND WALK AFTER THE BIG MEAL! Do the dishes for the hostess, then drag her out with you. Most will welcome the walk, the fresh air and the help.

There isn't a person on earth who couldn't lose their unwanted weight by cutting harmful carbs from their diet and by developing walking into a daily habit to keep their weight off forever - if they want to.

The power is in your hands.

Your Mantra for 2011: LESS CARBS - MORE CARDIO.

And Happy Holidays!

Laura Dion-Jones
550 N. Kingsbury St. #120
Chicago, IL 60654
312-933-7325
12-1-07©
dionjones@aol.com
www.lauradionjones.com
www.lauradionjones.blogspot.com

www.elginsbiggestloser.com

Motivate Yourself To Move - No Matter What

2010-11-10T13:29:00.000-08:00

"Be miserable.
Or motivate yourself.
Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice."

Wayne Dyer

In mid-February of 2007 we returned to Chicago after a marvelous month spent in sunny, but quite cool, Florida. And I was absolutely miserable our first morning back in town when I found myself faced with the prospect of pushing my butt out into Chicago's sub-zero cold for my daily five-mile walk.

"Ain't happenin'," I think. "Now what?"

The bare minimum I will walk on a day like today is one hour. So, my only other option is to bundle up, race down the street to East Bank Club, chain myself to one of their high-tech treadmills, tough it out for that hour and get the whole thing over with.

As treadmills go, I especially favor the ones that look like "Star Wars" Strato Scooters, so I pick my favorite on the end, punch the quick start workout button and away I go.

However: by 13 minutes and 09 seconds into my workout, I'm already bored silly without my I-pod. I can't believe I forgot it. That thing's an appendage, but today it's in a different spot than usual because of last night's travel and I just plain walked out without it.

And, to top it all off, my dang knees are screamin', too.

How many of you would quit right here and now at the first sign of a little pain, a little discomfort?

If you want to lose weight and get healthier, you have to work past the pain and walk every single day.

Consult with your doctor first, but do get your butt moving ASAP.

You know what your personal pain tolerance is and what everyday aches you have that you always use as an excuse to not move as much as you should. Stop letting those things hold you back. Stop holding yourself back. I did for years, so I know.

Get on the scale. Look at yourself in the mirror. Feel how tight your waistband is. Look at yourself from behind. Notice how snug your shirts, sweaters, skirts, pants and blouses fit. Or don't fit.

It's time for you to get moving. Or are you waiting for some catastrophic health event to strike where, if you're lucky enough to survive, THEN maybe you'll start to do what you need to do for a healthier, more fit life?

Why wait?

Back to the music matter: it works wonders as a distraction from pain. It's one of the things that keeps me walking day after day after day. Studies prove that people who walk and listen to their favorite tunes are more likely to develop walking into a daily habit. And for safety, listen with only one earphone while you're walking outside. You'll get the same hypnotic effect, trust me.

15:51 minutes in: I'm restless and looking for an escape. I spy some new Nautilus split treadmill machines called treadclimbers. Hmmmm.

17:09: My curiosity gets the better of me. I feel the need to switch over to one of the treadclimbers and keep my warm up going while I get oriented on this new cardio contraption.

"No need to run! 2 X's the workout fun!" blare the red-dotted words on the screen in front of me. We'll see.

I last five whole minutes - before I call it quits. I absolutely cannot move my legs another revolution.

"Continue workout??" red-dots flash next.

Not! I think.

"Treadclimber, indeed." I wonder what genius thought this one up? Must've been a guy. But in my heart I'm envious of those who zoom along, cardio-cranking, proficiently smooth and sweating like hell. That's the real name of the fitness game if you can handle it. Lucky dogs.

Otherwise, take it slow, do what you can, but you do have to push yourself and practice every single day to get results.

And if your heart, knees, hips and back can take it, the treadclimber will seriously boil off your excess pounds in no time flat and then keep them off for as long as you continue to use it daily. That's one of the crucial keys to weight loss's biggest "secrets," consistency - doing it all daily. Forever.

I can't beat a path back to my old treadmill fast enough. The grass was not greener, and clearly I need my music to get me through the rest of this workout.

Another turning point: how many of you would quit now? How many of you would figure, "What the heck," and just stop right here?

I have to press on. No excuses. I've come too far.

I do some quick math and figure seventeen minutes on the first treadmill, plus the five minutes I spent on the treadclimber, equal twenty-two minutes. That leaves me with a minimum of thirty-eight minutes to go - back on my original "Strato Scooter."

A few seconds into it, I wish my knees would stop screaming while I wait for the Excedrin I popped to kick in.

Hanging on for dear life, I slit one eye open: only 30 more minutes to go. This is pure, unadulterated penance, but daily vigilance is vital. There is no other option.

At 11:23 in, (of the 38 minutes I have left this go-round) I discover I have to go to the bathroom.

"No way," I think. It's just my Demon's excuse. If I stop again I will never be able to get back on this thing. I know it, you know it, Demon knows it, too. It's excruciating for me today - especially without my usual musical diversion.

15:52: For distraction, I sneak my Bluetooth outta my purse and snap it on my ear, placing a verboten call (club etiquette rules) to my business partner, whispering to her that I'll be in within the hour.

I then grab hold of my machines's handlebar slam my eyes shut, and by 20:44 I gleefully realize I'm over halfway there.

OMG!

Failing to keep my mind occupied, I compulsively open my eyes again and again only to find the first thing I stare at is that dang elapsed time.

25:52: How will I keep on walking for the duration? Then I think about the consequences if I don't - that does it for me every time. After struggling with being mostly overweight for a lifetime, I know only too well what will happen if I succumb to such stinkin' thinkin' again.

An almost anorexic gal climbs onto one of the

treadclimbers just a bit in front of me. Her legs and feet are a dizzying blur as she gears up to speed instantly without so much as a fine how-da-ya-do warm up. She's tall and weighs maybe ninety pounds dripping wet - half of what I weigh, so what do I expect? The lighter the load, the faster you move.

"Only ten minutes to go, no one would know if you stopped now," someone whispers. I know it's not me but that dang Demon voice in my head trying to sabotage me, yet again. I refuse to listen.

"I would know, you ass, and that would never do," I whisper back. Why risk entertaining such a horrible habit now, after all I've done, after how far I've come? Quitting early just isn't my style. I know how much better I look and feel without that extra 140 pounds. Even with my chronic pains, the effort's well worth it. I'm much healthier and lighter now and have far less discomfort, too.

Onward.

33:17: My Demon's hard at work begging me, demanding, stomping his feet to get me to stop now "before it's too late."

"Too late for what," I snarl? Demon doesn't come up with a good enough answer, so I press on, eyes clamped tight to shut out the red-dot, elapsed time's display.

36:28: Just a few more minutes. "You can do it," I encourage myself.

"Don't be a fool. No you can't," hisses Demon.

37:01: Only 59 more seconds of this misery. Rest assured, I will never forget my I-pod again. I think I might have it implanted under my skin.

All of a sudden, I see myself punch the cool down button. Am I crazy or what? Adding five more minutes onto this treadmill torture for good measure is insane, but I do it anyway - just because I can, thinking, "Take THAT, Demon."

I always make sure to get my daily walking workout in no matter how hard it is, no matter what.

How about you? You know there is no REAL excuse not to.

Do whatever has to be done.

Motivate yourself.

It's always your choice.

Laura Dion-Jones
550 N. Kingsbury St. #120
Chicago, IL 60654
312-933-7325
dionjones@aol.com
February 16, 2007©
www.lauradionjones.com
www.elginsbiggestloser.com

You Can't Direct the Wind

2010-11-02T13:26:00.000-07:00

"You can't direct the wind, but you can adjust your sails."

An Old German Proverb

"Walking yet?" would be an innocuous enough question to some. Instead it was an on-purpose question directed toward one of my good friends, via e-mail, who can't find her way with her diet, fitness and lifestyle change right now.

However, I am proud of her for the success she is having in other areas of her life. We are old enough friends for me to know she really needs a motivational kick in the pants - pronto.

I think I've mentioned her before - she's the one I knew when . . . we were a lot younger and thinner and skied Ajax and The Burn till our legs were rubber, so we go way back.

She emailed me: "I've been slackin'. Been up late almost every night this past week with parties and seminars so I haven't been able to get up early!"

Me: Sigh.

She: "I did walk my dogs a couple of days!"

Me: "BRAVO! Better than notin'."

She: "Today is my busiest day of the month because it's beginning of the month and I'm having a Spa party at my house tonight for a good gal pal who's just starting her skin care and make-up business.

My weight is the same - I really haven't done anything to plan my meals or food."

Me: "Huge mistake. Wait till I get my hands on you!"

She: "I haven't even grocery shopped in over a week! I was at a seminar on the 22nd and a friend of mine told me to get this book "Natural Cures "They" Don't Want You To Know About" by Kevin Trudeau. It's so aligned with what you are up to! He so advocates walking! You may have read this--it's sold millions. I had not heard of it and I'm reading it now. My friend has changed his eating habits and lost tons of weight, of course. The book advocates eating natural grown foods for optimum health and walking!"

Me: And what finally worked so well for me after a lifetime of yo-yo dieting was absolutely cutting all the white starch and sugar out of my diet. I know this gal well enough to know she is just like me - been up, down and all around the scale her whole life. I suspect she's carb sensitive and hypo-insulemic just like me, too. What does that mean? White starch and sugary carbs are literal poison for our system. You know the drill.

She's still writing: "I see that I make everything and everyone else in my life my priority - the last one I take care of or make time for is ME!"

Me: Gee, folks, sound familiar? Are we all not in the same or similar boat?

She: "I'll write more later, have about 10 hours of work to do in the next 5 hours!"

Me: I can well relate.

My email back to her: "I love you like a sister.

Keep totally on purpose.

It's time for you to make your self - your purpose - your project - you are your number-one priority.

And walk your dogs more! They'll love you for it."

You can't direct the wind, that's for sure. But you sure can readjust your sails until you find the combination - the method of diet and daily fitness - that's right for you.

How would you have responded to her?

How would you treat yourself if this were you?

How do you treat yourself?

How do you take care of yourself?

What's the one thing that you can do for yourself this week that will make you your number-one priority to move toward a healthier, lighter, happier life?

Dream Bigger, kids. And I don't mean fatter. Just BIGGER. More grand.

Signed: One who's been there for most of her life,

LAURA

550 N. Kingsbury St. #120
Chicago, IL 60654
312-933-7325
dionjones@aol.com
September 30, 2005©
www.lauradionjones.com

www.elginsbiggestloser.com

Halloween Party Eating - Carbs Beware!

2010-10-26T06:52:00.000-07:00

Dear Laura:

I think I am doing better this week. Saturday is going to be horrible with the big Halloween karaoke party we’re invited to. Everyone brings stuff. Anything and everything that is delicious in life is a carb!!!! Boo!

-M-

Dear M:

Not true that everything delicious in life is a carb, I can think of a lot that are not. So choose your treats and snacks at the party wisely.

Unless it's something so screamin' scrumptious, don't even bother to indulge. Visualize your fat self chasing you, looking over your shoulder and ask, "is it worth risking gaining another few pounds on the hips just for a moment of pleasure on the lips??"

I'd stick with the protein and healthier, low glycemic stuff, staying away from the carbs and crap. Why do you need it??

I have a wonderful Holiday eating article dedicated to navigating parties and such that I’ll release closer to Thanksgiving, and some of my tips will be posted in Good Housekeeping’s December issue, I believe. I forgot who I did the interview with! Anyway:

How I managed to make it through the Holidays without gaining any weight at all since my first year of serious dieting is beyond me, but I did. I was on a roll. I refused to gain. I even lost a few pounds, I believe. I'll have to look back in my journals.

Remember: It's Halloween, not the Last Supper!

XXX,

Laura

Make One Better Choice Every Day

2010-10-24T10:32:00.000-07:00

"You can do what you have to do,
and sometimes you can do it even better than
you think you can."

-Jimmy Carter-
(1924-, American President (39th)

The other day while cardio-rowing at the club, I was lamenting to Margaret, one of my Goddess-girlfriends, about how I'd love to knock off a few more pounds then call it a day and maintain that weight for life, if possible - when up walks one of Margaret's own Goddess-Girlfriends, a gal named Kathy, who looks like Gabrielle Reece, the tall, statuesque, Olympic volleyball champ who's married to Laird Hamilton, the equally gorgeous, internationally renown, extreme surfing champion.

Gabrielle, I mean, Kathy, then plunks down on the rowing machine just to my right, Margaret was on my left - and I found myself squeezed between these two Goddesses - sort of like a Goddess sandwich with me as the minced meat in the middle.

Anyway, we got to talking chocolate and both gals fessed up, much to my surprise, that they eat chocolate every single day - OMG! - and still manage to look the way they do.

I mean, you wouldn't expect gals who look like these two to indulge in a daily dependency on chocolate ever letting the stuff pass through their lips, but they do.

"How do you control it," I asked, "so it doesn't get the better of you and pack on unwanted pounds?"

Each looked at the other and laughed.

"We're very, very selective with what we eat and all our other food choices are healthy, and organic when possible. And we keep an eye on everything else we eat - we eat to live, we do not live to eat. Food is fuel. And we workout every single day - just like you do!" They said, almost in unison.

"Well then, why don't I look like you two do?" I shrieked.

Margaret reminded me to get back to making at least one better, healthier choice every day. And when I'm reaching for a piece of Dove milk chocolate, rethink the choice and make a better selection. Do it once, just for one day.

Then the next day - do it again, and again the day after that, reminding yourself to make better, healthier choices every day.

Well, you know me, one day turned into the next and I made better choices the second day, too.

And after a week, I ran into Margaret at the club and when I told her how I got through the last seven days, she smiled and asked how I felt.

"Confident," I replied, "and in control, which is what it took for me to shed all my unwanted pounds in the first place. I was in control. And daily cardio, which is another control issue."

When you control exactly what you eat and how much you move every day, nothing can stand in your way. You run the show. You call the shots with regard to your own weight, health and fitness - and eventually everything else, really. You gain confidence when you're in total control and then the sky's the limit.

So, you know what you have to do: make just one better, healthier choice in your eating and fitness routines today - and show yourself that you can do it - be in even better control of yourself than you think you can.

Laura Dion-Jones
550 N. Kingsbury St. #120
Chicago, IL 60654
312-933-7325
October 15, 2010©
dionjones@aol.com
http://www.lauradionjones.com/

http://www.elginsbiggestloser.com/

http://www.dionjonesltd.com/

Beat the Diet Blahs

2010-10-19T10:21:00.000-07:00

"The minute you settle for less than you deserve,
you get even less than you settled for."

Maureen Dowd
(American Newspaper Columnist)

I know a guy who's trying to lose a good amount of weight before his daughter's wedding.

He's only into the third week of his new diet and fitness plan and he's already whining about how bored he is. You just know I sent the following to him:

Battling the blahs and it's only week 3 of your "Father-of-the Bride Boot Camp?!" And already you're whining about how bored you are? Shame on you! You need to hire me as your motivational coach. I guarantee you won't have another blah week of dieting and fitness for as long as you live. Trust me on this one - but it takes work. And not so much "drill sergeant-y" work, either. More mind work.

I see this happen all too often when people come to me for motivational help. After only a few weeks into their diet, they experience exactly what you are - the Blahs - and then they call me.

If you're getting tired of fruits and veggies, you need a more interesting and more effective diet. You, yourself, once said that the Atkins diet did a great job for you. Well, why not go on a modified version of the Atkins again. Modify it so that you can live on it Monday through Friday - long term. You should know by now what works for you and what doesn't. I can help you sort this out.

By the time I was three weeks into my diet, I was rockin' and rollin' - I was down a few pounds and felt relieved because I could finally see a faint glimmer of light at the end of the yellow brick tunnel.

Was I bored with what I was doing? Nope. I was extremely hopeful that this was finally it for me. I figured out how to "bend" my diet and daily cardio to suit me - to work for me instead of against me.

You have a copy of my book, Commit to Get Fit: The Secret to True and Everlasting Weight Loss. Pull it out and read it. It's all right there.

How many weeks till your daughter's wedding? Eight, not counting this week? And if you take off the week right before, you have only seven. And, well, I need all of them from you - and I guarantee you'll be Speedo, I mean Tuxedo worthy just in time for the final fitting the week before the wedding.

There's the pitch, the gauntlet, if you will. Whatever it takes, I'll help you do it - but you must pick a diet where you'll see the best results possible for the amount of effort you put in. And you must read my book so we're on the same wavelength.

And walk daily - tennis a few times a week doesn't cut it for the weight loss you're after. Walking. Walking. Walking. Cardio daily. And forget the 50-yard sprints and runs - just walk, for cryin' out loud. Put all that extra energy into a solid, brisk walk every single day. Build up to a real good clip - but walk.

If you spent 60 minutes a day walking, your weight would melt off, just like mine did. You would stop struggling and you would certainly not be bored.

You can incorporate tennis to help round out your maintenance plan after the wedding. But do not rely on tennis for your cardio to lose those pre-father-of-the-bride pounds. Those days are over. What worked for you when you were younger won't work as well for you now.

Capisce?

While I think you're doing great on all those crunches you say you're doing, I'm afraid I cannot share your enthusiasm for them. I do the Pilates equivalent of "Hundreds" - and work my way up from there. But, you're a guy and guys tend to do more "guy" kinda exercises - like your push-ups and pull-ups, for instance. Whatever works for you. Do it. Just make sure you're getting positive results for the effort you're putting in. If you're not, your plan ain't workin'. You're wasting your time, spinning your wheels. The same goes for your diet.

I also have several physical therapy exercises and Pilates moves that I practice almost every morning, so I can walk and make it up Michigan Avenue and all around town getting in my minimum of five miles a day. Some days I walk lots more, but it didn't start out that way. You need to build up to five miles a day and squeeze in a biggie on the weekend.

Rounding out my fitness, I do weight training six times a week - alternating three days of upper body with three days of lower body, a private Pilates lesson and a physical therapy session once a week. Sounds like it's a whole lot more than it really is, but trust me, it's very manageable.

I work with a few other guys who are on the weight loss and wellness wagon, also. So, give my way a try. What've you got to lose but all your weight and gain better health along the way.

Then you'll fit in a much smaller, trimmer Tux.

I promise!

Don't settle for less than you deserve.

You deserve the best.

Get it now.

Laura Dion-Jones
550 N. Kingsbury St. #120
Chicago, IL 60654
312-933-7325
June 1, 2008 ©
dionjones@aol.com
http://www.lauradionjones.com/
http://www.elginsbiggestloser.com/
http://www.dionjonesltd.com/

Thinspiration

2010-10-10T10:11:00.000-07:00

"There is no greater illusion than fear."
Lao Tsu

And there is no greater fear than failing time after time with your health and fitness plans. I know the feeling . . .

A lot of you are having tremendous success with your Elgin's Biggest Loser 3/Commit To Get Fit weight loss and fitness programs.

I'm extremely proud of each one of you. Even those of you who have seen this movie many times before or perhaps have fallen off the wagon a bit lately but are eager to hop right back on - I'm proud of you for hanging in and trying to further improve your weight and wellness situation. The EBL door and my heart are always open to each of you.

I benefit from working with you and from what you're doing in ways you cannot even imagine, and I hope you benefit from what I do to lead the way.

This week's most important question:

What are you doing for your daily cardio?

What are you doing to make cardio a daily, life-long, healthy habit? Seriously.

"There are no short cuts, kids." - this week's EBL/Commit To Get Fit motto.

Write it on your bathroom mirror so you will see it while you brush your teeth and do your other hygiene routines . . .

Write it on a stickie and plaster it prominently on your computer screen right at center front, if you have to. Do whatever it takes to make the commitment to yourself and to me.

Question: Why Do Diets Fail?

How 'bout it?

According to the NBC "Today Show," some statistics prove that diets aren't working.

I say: No wonder! And here's why:

The experts need to redefine "healthy eating" because what's healthy for some isn't necessarily healthy for others - especially those who are highly carb sensitive/insulin resistant like I am.

If you really listen to all the medical media spout their mostly outdated diet dogma, they tout the same old - same old, which never, ever worked for me and isn't working for the majority of overweight people across our country, either.

You should no longer think of a diet as a "diet," but as the way you have to live from now on. What's so hard about that?

To change your lifestyle, you have to be in it for the long haul to win it.

To change your lifestyle you have to begin to change your mind.

And please stop blaming race, socio-economic issues and the economy for the way you eat. You are the only one putting food into your mouth. No one else is doing it to you . . . no one.

By making better food choices and adding a few, simple changes, like, picking a healthy, effective eating plan - or as we used to call it back in the day - A "diet," which you should have done by now - combining portion control, and adding daily cardio into the mix, you'll be much healthier come the end of this competition, on into the New Year and the rest of your life.

If you wanna.

But you gotta wanna.

And no one can wanna for you - but you . . .

Here's how:

1. You must fully commit from the beginning. You have to "Commit To Get Fit" and develop a positive mindset from the giddy-yup. Most of you have.
Some of you haven't. And it shows.
I am not the enemy - eating the wrong food, eating too much food, and having no fitness health habits are the enemies. Please remember that.
It's Y-O-U all the way.

2. You really gotta wanna and it has to be something personal. Something that's real meaningful to you, like, you're sick of hauling yourself around. Sick of disparaging comments. Sick of everything. And, believe me, I speak from past experience . . . Re-read "Your Perfect Storm," on page 34 of the new edition of my book, Commit To Get Fit, which most of you have. (Or you can order through my website.)

3. Learn to meditate - I use a hybrid of a few meditation methods that serves me well. It's what I teach to my Elgin's Biggest Loser participants on one of the nights of my seminars. We hold weekly weigh-ins followed by a Thinspiration Motivation meeting and conversation for a 12-week duration.
See www.elginsbiggestloser.com for successful stats, interesting data and more info.

4. Daily positive self-talk works wonders, but there's nothing like twice daily meditation for reinforcing your resolve. Works like a charm for me.

5. Set daily and weekly weight and fitness goals.

Keep a daily weight, fitness and walking log/journal. Our minds often play tricks on us - when something's written in black & white, it's more difficult to be in denial about what you're really doing to improve your health, weight, fitness and quality of life situations.

6. Define your diet. And as you lose weight you should feel satisfied and energized, no longer hungry, sloppy and sluggish. This is also up to you.

7. When you fall off the diet, health and fitness wagon, forgive yourself, immediately pick yourself up, dust yourself off and begin again - the very NEXT meal - not, "starting Monday."

Stop beating yourself up and obsessing over it. We're all human. And rest assured, you will have another meal.

And:

I welcome you to come on or call in to my radio show to share your diet, health, fitness and life experiences and ask us your questions - all to help motivate our listeners so everyone can benefit from hearing that your struggles are their struggles, too.
"The Laura Dion-Jones Show," is broadcast live Wednesdays from 3 to 4 PM CST on WRMN 1410 AM radio, internationally on www.wrmn1410.com.

Please email me at dionjones@aol.com for details.

My radio show's call-in line is 847-931-1410.

Again, I highly encourage everyone to post your questions to me on my blog so more people can benefit by identifying with you through reading about your problems as well as my replies.

Again, many of you are doing really, unbelievably well. Keep it up!

And please use your walking and fitness logs to your advantage. Everything I tell you, everything I write and send to you is to help you have the same success with your health, fitness and weight loss that I, and so many others, now enjoy.

That said - I'll see all y'all on the radio!

My BEST to the very BEST,

Laura

www.lauradionjones.com
www.elginsbiggestloser.com

www.dionjonesltd.com

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

2010-08-17T17:17:00.000-07:00

By
Laura Dion-jones

"He that is good for making excuses
is seldom good for anything else."

Benjamin Franklin
(1706-1790, American scientist, publisher, diplomat)

Summer is a difficult time of year for me, eating-wise. I know it is for you, too. But then, what time of year isn't?

At Holiday BBQ's and picnics, family reunions and all manner of parties and festivals - tempting goodies surround us everywhere we turn. The key is to develop a new way of eating those celebratory goodies so that we don't pack on the extra poundage that's so harmful to us - like we've done in the past.

I don't have to tell you how, before we know it, excess fat has mysteriously multiplied on our hips, our waistline, our tummy and on other trouble spots, like under our chin(s), beneath our arms and on our butts, backs and cheeks. Summer's hot enough without carrying around all that extra insulation. Been there, done that for a lifetime, it seems.

Well, no more.

A wonderful maintenance technique I've developed for myself is to eat just the burger, not the bun. I've said this 8 trillion times, but it's true. I'm nuts about burgers - just can't eat the bun. They're poison for me, and for others like me who overproduce insulin.

And if you're the least bit fat, chances are you overproduce insulin.

Once you get in the habit of taking the bun, bread and other white, starchy stuff off of your food, you'll wonder how you ever ate that awful, pasty goop in the first place.

Believe me, it's what's lurking right under your skin, bulging you out here, puffing you out there and, well, you know where it is on your own frame.

Go ahead, eat your burger, hot dog or sandwich with all the other trimmings; smother that baby with everything you've got that's not carb-laden. You can even heap up on the salads (lettuce), coleslaw, and many other greens as long as you make sure to go real easy on the dressing.

And no potato salad! Nada. LQQK in the mirror.

Learn to order your burger, dog or sandwich without the bun or get it off your plate immediately. Put it on a separate plate and have the wait-person remove it from the table, push it away from you or cover it with your napkin. Better yet, get up and slip it into the garbage yourself. That way you'll be sure not to be tempted. Do whatever it takes to get it out of your face.

Once you've finished eating, you'll look at that silly piece of soggy, caustic carb sadly sitting there by itself and wonder how in the heck you ever had enough room in your tummy to fit that in there, too.

I guarantee that if you do this every chance you get for a week, you'll be over the hump and will no longer be interested in eating that skanky bun or bread.

Or would you rather wear it?

And like everything else in life, the more you do it, the easier it gets.

For me, it only took twice, just two times, before I got sick thinking of all the bread and buns I've stuffed under my skin in my lifetime. No wonder I was always so fat. Now I'm not.

And beware of the three or five-bean salad, too. Pick out the green beans, leave the rest, and tell Aunt Tillie not to take it personally, you just can't eat these things right now.

All that stuff is tremendously high on the glycemic index and also exceptionally high in harmful carbs. And that's the last thing you need right about now if you're seriously trying to lose weight.

While you're at it, cut the other junk you eat at these parties and picnics in half. Eat more protein. You won't starve and this way you won't feel deprived. I just hope you'll be able to stop at half. For some of us, it's all or nothing.

And the portion control problem is another habit we need to break, since it's how we got where we are in the first place, isn't it?

Don't believe me? Believe the scale. This is why I recommend weighing each and every day. I'd be sunk without it.

I'd also be big and fat once again, if I didn't weight darn near every day. You have no idea what a powerful motivational tool this is for you in your weight loss quest. I could never have lost my 130 pounds in 2 1/2 years if I hadn't weighed myself every single day.

And still the struggle is never-ending.

I can hear some of you: "Oh, for right now I'll just enjoy my summer the way I always have and starting Monday I'll take Laura's advice and go on that diet I've been talking about going on for the last ten years."

Or how about for the last ten or eleven weeks?

Stop waiting for yet another Monday to roll around. If you don't do something about your weight now, sooner or later it will be all or nothing for you, and by then you'll be out of Mondays, too.

Remember the immortal words of our friend the Tortoise: "Slow and steady wins the race, Pal." Learn to make your weaknesses your strengths and your new strength will make you even stronger."

550 N. Kingsbury St. #120
Chicago, IL 60654
312-933-7325
dionjones@aol.com
July 18, 2005©
www.lauradionjones.com
www.lauradionjones.blogspot.com

Help! I'm Stuck On A Plateau And Can't Get Off

2010-07-28T11:58:00.000-07:00

By
Laura Dion-Jones

"That's the risk you take if you change: that people you've been involved with won't like the new you.
But other people who do will come along."

Lisa Alther
American novelist, (1944 - )

I ran into a lovely woman at the health club the other day that lives in my building. She has watched me shed 130 pounds and now maintain that weight loss for about seven years, including squeezing off another 20 pounds over the past year - and has voiced her admiration of my accomplishment on several occasions.

She's pretty shapely and spry, a tad older than I, and has admirably shaved off some pudge of her own recently. She doesn't seem to have that much more to lose, but it's those frustrating, final few pounds that cling to your butt like white on rice that are making her crazy.

This morning she stopped me for a little chat saying that she reads my article, "Acquire the Desire," over and over again for inspiration and motivation. However, she has been stalled at a weight plateau for months and can't seem to get off it. "What do you do when this happens to you?" she inquired.

I told her I just happened to be in the exact same shoes as her at the moment and that she and I need to jolt our systems in order to blast some of our stubborn weight off and get the numbers on our scales moving in a downward direction once again.

She said she's a Weight Watchers Gal and that it has always worked the best for her - up till now, that is. She is accustomed to dropping two pounds a week on a consistent basis, but lately she just can't seem to shed any more weight. Every week when she gets on her scale it says the same old thing. This plateau stuff is very discouraging and it's getting her down.

I can relate. But instead of getting down about it, like I would've in the past, I use it to motivate myself. The longer the plateau lasts for me, the stronger my resolve grows. Once I finally make up my mind, I grit my teeth, dig in, and begin at the beginning of my diet plan, once again.

I told my friend that I firmly believe one of her first mistakes is not weighing herself each and every day. This habit keeps me on track like nothing else. Once a week is not enough. Well, for weighing in, that is. Use that morning number as motivation, not as a defeat.

Next, she needs to do what I do regardless of what diet she's on - immediately cut the starchy, sugary, white carbs from her eating plan. Banish them totally for at least two weeks - yeah, even on Weight Watchers. And before I could get another word in, she protested, "I can't give up my little, tiny piece of crusty Italian bread! I have to eat it every day!"

"Oy. There's one of your answers," I said.

"Have to eat it?" I questioned. "Have to, as in, I have to have this one measly piece of primo, fresh, crusty, scrumptiously mouth-watering Italian bread every day or else I'm gonna drop dead right here on this very spot? That kind of have to?"

"Well, yeah," she sheepishly muttered, looking down and toeing the weight room floor with her tennis shoe as she spoke.

"That's one of your biggest problems," I countered. "It's one of the reasons you're weight's stuck. Give up the bread and everything else that's sugary, starchy and white from your diet for at least two weeks. It isn't going to kill you. Evidently if your WW eating routine isn't cutting it right now, your diet plan needs a punch.

If you can't do that, then the least you can do is give up those nasty white carbs during the week and have a nice, big piece of your favorite bread with dinner on Saturday nights. But during the week - nada. You can at least make it to Saturday evenings without bread, can't you?"

She smiled and knew what I told her was the truth. It's obviously bite the bullet time for her.

"What are you doing for daily cardio?" was my next question.

"Oh, I play tennis three times a week and walk some," she answered.

"'Walking some' isn't going to blast the weight off anyone," I told her. "Your body's used to your diet and exercise routine and needs a bigger challenge. You should be walking at least one continuous hour every single day, and then some. You know how I feel about that. You've watched me transform myself in this very way.

"There isn't any time off for good behavior with daily walking, fitness, and healthy eating. It must become a part of you just like breathing, brushing your teeth, and kissing your cat. It's way too easy to stall and then slip back into your old eating and non-exercise habits that got you into trouble in the first place. You have to be vigilant in your healthy lifestyle efforts forevermore."

Oh, sure, you can lay off once in a while or occasionally even slip up here and there, but only for one meal, only for one special day, period. Don't make a habit out of it. You have to immediately get back on your horse and begin again, otherwise you'll be right back where you started from, or worse. And that's another yo-yo we all want to avoid.

When I attended the American Heart Association's annual luncheon, Go Red! For Women, recently at Chicago's Navy Pier. One of the speakers told the story about her own heart attack and stroke. She was a lovely, vibrant woman and to look at her you'd never know she had any health issues.

She told of how, before her illnesses, she would try (sometimes not too successfully) to fit exercise into her daily routine with caring for a family and working a full-time job.

After the wake-up call of her heart attack and stroke, she had to switch priorities and fit her full-time job and family into her fitness lifestyle. We all laughed, knowingly, but it's no joke.

Heart disease is a major health threat and the number one cause of death in women. One out of three women die from heart disease or stroke annually, versus one in thirty women who die from cancer. Heart disease claims the lives of more women than men every year. Just our luck.

You must make healthy eating - and I mean really healthy eating with a good, sensible, effective diet, and daily cardio the number one priority in your life. If you don't, no one else will do it for you.

You never know what's coming just around the next corner. And I'm sure, being the curious gals and guys that you are, you want to be here a bit longer to find out.

Think of all the new friends you'll make!

550 N. Kingsbury St. #120
Chicago, IL 60654
312-933-7325
February 9, 2005©
dionjones@aol.com
http://www.lauradionjones.com/

Thank you for the article...

2010-07-26T13:27:00.000-07:00

I recently received this letter from one of my current EBLs. It's a response to my latest article about my nephew, and I wanted to share:

Dear Laura,

Thank you for this article. This is very inspirational. And congrats to your nephew!

My hubby and I had gone away with my brother-in-law and his wife to their lake house in MI. I was doing ok while we were up there; watching the carbs, except some ice cream at night. My hubby and I went for a walk 2 of the 3 days we were up there. Then yesterday came. L We had about 30 people at the house to come meet the new additions to our family (our new 9 week old kittens). I started out good. Then……..there were cookies (several! Ok…many) and chips and a glass of sangria, then lemonade! I felt horrible last night. Your nephew made a comment about feeling sick after now drinking a regular Coke. That’s how I felt last night. It has been so long since I have eaten like me old self (whatever-whenever-as much as I wanted) that it made me ill. I won’t be eating like that again. I felt yucky (not to mention guilty L). I got on that gazelle for a full hour this morning! My number won’t be a good one tomorrow, but I have learned my lesson and have jumped back on the wagon first thing this morning.

Thanks for the inspiration. I saw K yesterday. She brought me her book “No More Fat Kids” to read. I will start reading it tonight.
M.S.

2 healthy, low-carb fresh veggie dishes of the week!

2010-07-22T20:50:00.000-07:00

Below are 2 great, healthy, low carb, fresh veggie recipes for you to try.

Zucchini Medallions – low carb /'-)

* Wash, dry, then slice zucchini into medallions

* Dip in egg bath

* Then coat in a mixture of grated Parmesan cheeses

(Reggiano and Pecorino) and dried oregano, fresh garlic and an eentz of salt.

* Fry in olive oil or Pam. Your choice.

Enjoy your healthy, fabulously fresh, veggie treat with a twist.

----------------------------------

Camp Edwards Zucchini Marinara – or Pasta-free, Low Carb Lasagna - OMG!

* You'll need a large pile of zucchini – I used about 6 pretty big ones – sliced into 1/4th to ½ inch medallions – sauté in olive oil just till their crispness is gone – but NOT to mush. You’re still gonna bake all this in the oven like a lasagna.

Set aside in a big bowl.

* Sauté 2 very large sweet onions because I love cooked onions. Cut them into bits – not too small, not too big, and sauté till almost clear – like Emeril tells ya to do.

Add the onions to the zucchini already in your big bowl.

* 1-2 pounds fresh mushrooms, sliced and sauted lightly in the olive oil – drain off the dark water.

And add to the zucchini and onions.

* You’ll need to use a good amount of fresh or home-canned tomato pasta sauce, but make sure it’s a real good one that’s not too salty.

Pour over the veggies in the big bowl – and the bowl must be large enough to gently stir the mixture up well.

* Season with garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, rosemary – to taste.

* You’ll also need several pounds fresh grated Mozzarella cheese to layer with the veggie mixture like lasagna.

* Olive oil for sautéing the veggies

* one or two 10” X 13” roasting pans lined with foil, sprayed with Pam.

* Layer the zucchini veggie Marinara mixture in the pan first then top with a nice, thick-ish layer of Mozzarella, and lay on another layer of the zucchini mixture and end with a thick layer of Mozzarella on top. Sprinkle with fresh grated Parmesan, BAKE at 350 degrees for at least an hour – you want the veggies to finish cooking and the cheese to get nice and melty.

If you’re concerned with the fat content of the cheese, sub a lower fat Mozzarella and use Pam to sauté all the veggies.

Voila! Now you have a wonderful, healthy, low carb pasta-free, carb-free lasagna.

The reason I make such a large amount is because it takes time, patience and love to make this fresh dish and you will want to freeze single serving portions to have on hand to take to work for lunch or when you come home after a long day and you just want something comforting, but still low carb.

Think of me while you’re enjoying these wonderful dishes!

And if you have any other great, tried and true, tested by you, healthy, low carb dishes - please submit them to me for use in my book.

Going the Distance - Again

2010-07-11T14:19:00.000-07:00

In August of 1987, I was the very last person to complete the Chicago Triathlon in 4 hours and 51 minutes.

I hope reading the following account of the day's events, which appeared in an issue of BBW, a women's magazine, inspires you to find the motivation to do everything in your life that you need to do to get healthy and more fit.

Commit To Get Fit - do it for the health of it. Do it for your life.

Going the Distance
By
Laura Dion-Jones

One Full-Figured Woman's account of her triumph
over a real triathlon,
and a few tremendous obstacles in her life.

One of the best things I've ever done for myself was to compete in, and complete, The 1987 Chicago Triathlon. I was the very last person to finish - with a time of 4 hours, 51 minutes; but the entire experience gave me incredible strength because I found out that the key to success in all things truly is mental.

On the day before the race, all the contestants had to report to a downtown Chicago hotel with our bikes, helmets and entrance forms in tow. I quickly learned how to maneuver a 10-speed bike up and down crowded escalators and into elevators with finesse and style. Then came the race clinics, which gave us tips to help us through the next day, but none of the anticipation and preliminary preparation even came close to actually doing the real thing - although every day I either swam or race-walked for a full hour, so I thought I was more than ready.

5:30 a.m., the day of the race. I reported in to be body-marked. With a waterproof black marker, they wrote my ID in three-inch high numbers that reached from my shoulder to well past my elbow. I was "2541" on both arms. Not to worry, they assured me - it would come off. My question was, when?

From there, I proceeded to hang my bike, helmet, towel, Walkman (this is 1987, remember), sunscreen, shoes, shorts and lipstick (you know me), in an area at the end of the swimming event at Olive Park, carefully taking note where I left it all so I could locate the spot quickly among the 3,999 other bikes already stored there.

On to Oak Street beach, with only a swim card, determination, and, oh, yeah, goggles, to keep my eyeballs from freezing right out of my head in the 59 degree water.

My triathlon suit was a stylish purple unitard - the kind you dance in. It wasn't insulated like a Body Glove because at the time I didn't realize I needed one, and they didn't make them in my size, anyway. Oh, how I wish they did, because one of the most brutal experiences of the triathlon was the one-mile swim from Oak Street to Navy Pier in 59-degree water, bucking one-to-three foot waves. Yes . . . It took me an hour to swim the course, where I normally do a mile and a half in an hour in East Bank Club's pool.

It was quite an inner conflict for me just making the mile walk to Oak Street Beach in that purple unitard. No towel to hide my butt behind, no shorts to camouflage. What the hell, I told myself, if they don't like how I look, that's their problem. I strutted, head held high, trying not to look too scared. There were 3,999 hard-core triathletes there, and not a flabby one in the bunch. I was the fattest person within a mile radius. Seriously.

The men were great; they all wished me luck and gave me encouragement galore. Thin women just stared; many were down right hostile. Others were in awe. And I confess to some enormous feelings of self-doubt along the way. Did I say, "some?!"

All of that nonsense was quickly forgotten as soon as I took the plunge. The freezing cold water blew my mind - it was beyond awful; I couldn't draw a decent breath. I had to keep changing strokes to breathe and thought I was going to die in Lake Michigan's frigid waters right then and there. The cold, the current, the waves, and everything going on inside my head . . . all the fear and frustration, drive and determination, and my anger at all those things, made me realize I had to complete this challenge. I couldn't turn back even if I wanted to; it was way too late to quit.

Suddenly, I found myself fuming! My life as I knew it was in shambles, my marriage was disintegrating; my plus-size clothing design business was just getting off the ground, and a lot of people had made no bones about their expectations of my failure. If I wimped out now, how could I ever trust myself to tackle the other things in life that faced me? How could I be strong, take the type of rejection that comes with building a new company from scratch, the rejection that comes with just "putting it out there" every day. There was no way I would quit.

One hour and one mile later, I staggered out of the water, exhausted but exhilarated. I decided not to stress myself too much more, so I took my time getting to my bike and belongings. I am built for comfort, not speed. And while I might not be the fastest, I sure was steady and with one-third of the triathlon down, I had only two-thirds left to go.

The 25-mile bike ride was pretty tough in the blistering sun, 100% humidity and 98-degree heat, and I admit I thought about quitting a million times. I also could have cheated, like I saw some others do, by choosing to ride only half the course, but I figured that was no way to build character, so sweating bullets, zipping along on my bike, grinding my teeth, I took all my frustrations and anger out on the pavement, and I'm proud to say I finished that part of the course - my way - all 25 miles.

Imagine for a minute what it felt like riding along Chicago's beautiful lakefront on a sweltering-hot summer day with half the traffic lanes on Lake Shore Drive blocked off in one direction for us triathletes and the other half bumper to bumper. Motorists and passengers alike must have wondered who this crazy-big woman in the purple unitard and black shorts was, cruising along on her bike like she didn't have a care in the world - totally making their lives miserable.

I laughed and cried at the same time. Here I was, desolate because my marriage was over, yet delirious with joy because if I could complete this Herculean task set before me, I really felt that I could and would be able to do anything I put my mind to. Somehow this race had become the ultimate test of my guts.

The next thing I knew, I was parking my bike on lower Randolph Street under the Standard Oil building (1987) and starting on the 6.2 mile run, and that's when I knew I had it licked. One woman who had already finished her run hissed, "Just starting your run?" It was then I realized I was the last one - the very last one.

"Here she comes folks, the last one...give her a hand!" "Way to go purple," one guy yelled, thumbs up in the air. The volunteers sprayed me with water as I race-walked by, keeping time with the music on my Walkman. It wasn't easy to keep going - but by then, it would have hurt too much to stop. Every muscle, every bone, every tendon ached and burned. All I could do was continue moving.

At about the halfway point, one of the workers said, "Just turn around here and save yourself a half mile, no one will know."

"I didn't come all this way to cheat," I told her. "I'd know." But, of course, she couldn't understand. I needed to FINISH for complete Victory; I needed the accomplishment of knowing that I did the whole thing.

I asked one volunteer, as I passed, to call the Finish Line to make sure someone was there to record my time. I had paid my money and I wanted an official time. There were only about ten people left, taking down flags, putting things away for next year's race, when I finally crossed the finish line; but the Official Timer was there to sign my race bib and record my time. It was like a Seal of Approval for me.

That day, I saw people who did the triathlon in relay teams of three - one for each event. Others, much thinner and more fit than I, dropped out right before my eyes along the way. But I finished. I went the distance. I made it all the way to the end, and I've never had such an exhilarating experience in my life.

I like to think I competed in that remarkable race for all the Large-Size Women out there who grew up like me, thinking we had some defect or some unacceptable flaw. What I proved by finishing, to myself, anyway, is that you don't have to be thin, or a raving beauty to succeed in life. You must simply have the determination, the drive, and the dream to go the distance.

When this article was originally published in a 1988 issue of Big Beautiful Woman magazine, Laura Dion-Jones was one of the country's first and top designers of fashions made exclusively for the Full-Figured Woman, and a formidable Plus-Size model in her own right.

She is now America's Preeminent Pro-Health Activist, a successful motivational lifestyle writer and speaker with a longer, more comprehensive version of her current how-to, how-I-did-it motivational weight loss book, Commit To Get Fit: The Secret To True and Everlasting Weight Loss, due out in late November of 2009. Laura is also working on a documentary on obesity and has a screenplay, a semi-autobiographical book as well as other creative projects in development.

Still keeping her hand in design, she is one of the principal designers of Snob Hounds, a canine couture clothing company.

© By Laura Dion-Jones, 1987. All rights reserved.

Laura Dion-Jones
550 N. Kingsbury St. Suite #120
Chicago, IL 60654
Cell: 312-933-7325
dionjones@aol.com
www.lauradionjones.com
www.dionjonesltd.com

My Nephew Lost Over 100 Pounds!

2010-07-05T12:17:00.000-07:00

"The difference between a successful person and others is
not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge,
but rather a lack of will."

Vincent T. Lombardi, 1913-1970
Coach, Green Bay Packers

I've noticed lately that some of you lack the will to actually lose weight - and some get mad at me when you don't. Like, it's MY fault!

I can't come and do it for you. However, if you pay me what they pay Jillian, I'll come to your house for "Losing it With Laura" and make sure you lose it, too.

Otherwise: when you run into a diet and walking roadblock, begin again right at that very moment. Make what you do each and every day count toward your improved health and a better way of life.

And stop whining to, and asking your friends for, their approval of your eating crap. It's not their body, not their health, not their life. It's all up to you and only you. No exceptions.

Ever notice how an unexpected e-mail, letter, or phone call can change the course of what you're doing.

I'm blown away by a wonderful e-mail I recently came across from my nephew when he was a 22-year old new college grad who I'd been harping to about losing weight for several years prior:

Hello, Auntie La,

I want to take some time and thank you for your help with my weight loss. I don't think I could have done it without you.

Although I never fully adopted the Atkins Diet like you did, I did adopt a few key elements of it like trying to avoid the bad, white, starchy carbs and sugars.

Your suggestion of the diet, and the example you set for me made me start to shy away from pizza, fried foods and the occasional, unneeded snack. (Trust me, this guy made a career out of the "occasional unneeded snack," and believe me, it was more than "occasional.")

In addition, your determination to get me to switch over to diet pop, as well as to drink more water, has also helped out tremendously. Every time I drink any regular soda now, I get sick from the amount of sugar that masks the taste.

All totaled, I have lost over 100lbs over the last two years with your encouragement and by your example.

Sometimes it's brutal, but all true and useful, and well worth it.

The weight I'm at right now is something I haven't experienced since I was young. Obvious benefits to me are the attention I get from the ladies, increased energy and way more self-confidence. I find I'm loving the way I now look, too.

But it's the little things that have me really excited.

I remember this summer when I could vividly recall my dreams from the night before. Before I lost the weight, when I slept, I couldn't recollect having any.

The simple joy of being able to touch the bottom of your bellybutton is just incredible (as well as way more sanitary).

The slob that I was before is something that I don't want to ever go back to.

I also wanted to commend you on your weight loss. You look absolutely outstanding. I have always remembered you as a beautiful person, however that is even more apparent today. Keep up the good work.

I love you and best wishes.

Andy

Well, it seems all my butt kicking over the last few years finally sunk in. I had no idea he was really paying attention until I began to see him gradually lose weight. And I don't get the chance to see him all that often, either.

Living with his grandmother, who was a retired grammar school chef, he had every comfort food know to man at his fingertips, and he took full advantage. He would have a two or three bagel snack every afternoon, I swear, slathered with butter, of course, and God knows what else.

The kid was on a bad carb collision course since he was a baby. Gorgeous beyond words in his infancy, I watched in horror as he not only grew up, but sideways as well.

I'd see him only occasionally throughout his childhood and then lost touch for several years until I unexpectedly received an invitation to his high school graduation four years ago.

When we got reacquainted, I was shocked to see how rotund he had grown. Not that I was in any position to point fingers about being overweight, tipping the scales at 317 pounds at one time, myself. I knew all too well what social and health horrors lay in store for him if he didn't do something to get all his extra weight off - and fast.

Outside of the morbid medical issues he was setting himself up for, I knew firsthand about the social prejudices and ridicule he would be exposed to just because of his size.

Somewhere along the way I got fed up enough with my own weight situation and discovered, after fifty years, how to get a grip on my own excess poundage.

As soon as I began to see my weight loss success materialize, I started coaching, cajoling, begging, pleading and then kicking his butt to do the same for himself.

When Andy went off to college, he worked his way through all four years as the assistant manager of a national pizza restaurant chain - intravenous pizza was always the order of the day. And breadsticks, and rip and dip, and you name it. If it was high in white starch or sugary carbs, he inhaled it.

For as big as he was, he insisted on drinking regular Coke all through college, not diet, and he was known to down six to eight cans in a day. There was absolutely no way I could get through to him about all the sugar carbs he was packing into his already bloated bod. He wanted nothing to do with "diet" anything much less Diet Coke. As far as he was concerned, the word "diet" in Diet Coke was just another four-letter word. No way was any of that un-macho stuff going to pass through his porky, little lips.

Andy would sooner die than have one of his frat brothers catch him swigging a Diet Coke while he studied or BS'd around the house. It just wasn't done. And it showed.

Now look. Sigh. He's gorgeous, and I mean gorgeous.

I've had many a talk with the kid over the past few years about his Grandmother's food not being love, because whenever he'd come home from school on weekends or on semester break, he'd stay at his Gram's house - and she'd ply him with her special home-made "love."

I know, personally, the conflict he faced every time he walked through her front door and was welcomed not only by her open arms but the alluring aromas she worked so hard to provide.

I was raised by my Gram and for a very long time I mistook, maybe even confused food for love, for need, for fulfillment, for wants, for desires, for passion. It happens to all of us and it's up to each one of us to snap ourselves out of that familial food trap.

Every time Andy and I would get together I would repeat a mantra: Food is not love. Food is not love. Remember, food is not love. Be strong. Resist temptation.

Apparently, all my reiteration finally sunk in. And did I mention that fatal heart trouble and diabetes run rampant on Andy's father's side of the family. Thankfully, Andy's Gramp on his father's side was my stepfather, so I'm absolved from all that mess as far as I know. But is anyone who is chronically obese really ever absolved from a mysterious medical future regardless if it's genetic or not? I'll let you know because I'm trying like hell to rectify all the damage I've done to myself with food all these years. Time will tell.

Oh, yeah, and Andy neglected to mention in his letter how important it is to his weight loss and maintenance plan that he joined a great, 24-hour health club conveniently close to his house and now works out at least 6 days a week. He also jogs every day instead of walks, but look at his age. I'd be jogging, too, if I were a tall, foxy, buff guy in my early twenties. Hell, I'd be jogging if I were anything in my early twenties.

I'm very proud of him. And if you saw him, you'd agree: he's ready for Hollywood, trust me.

Now it's your turn. Anyone can do what my nephew, others and I have done. All you have to do is want to, and evidently Andy wanted to bad enough. How badly do you want to lose weight? How badly do you want to move easier, more pain-free and be lighter on your feet? How badly do you want to have more energy? Breathe easier? Look better? Feel better? Sleep better?

Hmmm?

I think my nephew said it best when he wrote, "Sometimes it is brutal, but it's well worth it."

Actually, losing weight, becoming healthier, more fit and improving your over-all personal appearance isn't that difficult. The hardest part is getting started on a good, healthy diet that will work for you and then really sticking to it. Pick one you can make a part of your forever lifestyle.

No matter what else is going on in your life at the moment, your one constant should be how healthy you eat, how much you move, and how well you take care of yourself. If you don't take good care of yourself, I assure you, no one else will.

And be sure you walk every single day or do some other form of cardio - minimum of an hour a day, and lift weights three times a week. Trust me, this is key.

Andrew's a very lucky guy to have seen the light now rather than in his thirties, forties or fifties - if he even makes it that far, when all the years of being obese will have taken their ugly, insidious toll on his body, his heart and his health. My nephew didn't have to give up pizza entirely - he just needs to learn a new way of eating it. I'll have to work on him (and you) about that later.

It doesn't matter what diet or eating plan you chose to use - pick one that you can live with and get going, already.

What else are YOU willing to do to become more healthy?

550 N. Kingsbury St. #120
Chicago, IL 60654
312-933-7325
December 29, 2004©
dionjones@aol.com
www.lauradionjones.com

Different From Everyone Else

2010-06-29T12:13:00.000-07:00

"We are generally the better persuaded
by the reasons we discover ourselves
than by those given to us by others."

Blaise Pascal
(1623-1662, French scientist, religious philosopher)

Generally, this is so, but not always, and sadly, sometimes all too often we're left to our own devices that get us in trouble . . . even when we "think" we know better.

We'd be wise to listen to someone who's been there for most of her life . . .

But, stubborn creatures that we are - sometimes we have to find out the hard way, on our own, and when that doesn't work, it's high time we sought some professional motivational coaching help, and that's why I'm here.

I don't really give you reasons - I help you find your own and then point you to better results. Some have to be dragged, but that's another story . . .

Evidence my reply to a recent comment posted on my video voting audition page for the Oprah Talk Show Host Competition:

"Hi dionjones, 'blueyes2631' left a comment on your video."

"You should of presented something that was totally different from anyone elses diet. not everybody can walk and walk. some of us are limited on what we can do. I eat whatever I want and still loose weight. I just reduce my poriton size. Ive lost 25lbs in 3 months."

Dear Ole' Blueyes:

I am very different from everyone else. I'm a motivator, a catalyst who gets people moving in a much healthier, happier direction, physically, emotionally, mentally, personally, and professionally.

My "diet" is different from everyone else's - because it's really your diet - each individual's diet of choice.

And lucky you that all you have to do is reduce your portion size, and, Voila! You lose weight. Without any daily cardio, too. Imagine!

For some of us, it ain't that easy. For some of us - I'm talkin' the chronically obese - and I consider myself so, luckily I'm in recovery, but just one hot fudge sundae away from 317 pounds again -

For some of us, it isn't the portion size as much as WHAT we're eating.

Those of us who are highly carb sensitive can reduce our portions to almost anorexic proportions, count calories and points till Christ calls us home, and it's the white starch and sugar carbs that our pancreas counts whether we like it or not. Capisce?

Diet, nutrition, fitness and medicine are like religion: Each one, a drastically different diet dogma, a different diet "religion." Each one, a different school of nutritional thought, a different philosophy of medicine. And each one will have you believe their way is "The One and Only Way" for you, for everyone, to lose weight.

News Flash: There still is no one diet or health and fitness plan that's right for everybody. So as soon as people stop looking for the magic bullet, that paranormal pill, and start listening to someone who's actually been there for most of her life . . . well, you get the message, I hope.

And it's not my job to change anyone's mind about what diet they go on. Your success or lack of it should change your mind. It's my job to help you along the way of what you want to do - making sure you're as successful as can be.

And there is no true and everlasting weight loss without a good eating plan, or as we used to call it back in the day: a good, effective diet, combined with daily cardio.

For those who cannot walk, there are other non-weight-bearing cardio activities to help get and keep the weight off. But nothing else worked as well for me as daily walking. And I did it all with a few disabilities, too.

Lucky you . . .

Thanks for your time.

Best,

Laura

PS:

There's still time to vote for me! Up till midnight July 3rd PST.

Here's the link:

http://myown.oprah.com/audition/index.html?request=video_details&response_id=9840&promo_id=1

Oprah Talk Show Contest

2010-06-20T12:48:00.000-07:00

"Whatever course you have chosen for yourself,

it will not be a chore but an adventure

if you bring to it a sense of the glory of striving,

if your sights are set far above

the merely secure mediocre."

David Sarnoff

(1891-1971, Belarus-born American entrepreneur)

OK, Kids,

The moment we've all been waiting for is finally here: I've entered Oprah's upcoming Talk Show Host contest and desperately need your votes and those of all your friends and family worldwide asking them to do the same.

Please vote early and vote often - you've got till Midnight PST on July 3rd.

Here's the voting link to my video audition:

http://myown.oprah.com/audition/index.html?request=video_details&response_id=9840&promo_id=1

I entered the contest about a month late and need to get only 2,000,000 votes by the deadline in two weeks in order to be one of the top five contenders.

Together we can do it!

Thanks for your help and support. Even if you don't know me, personally, someone you know does, so please vote for me. I'd vote for you. /'-)

Thanks and very best,

Laura

PS: You all know I was born to do this and also look better in person. Just listen to my message and not how I look!!!

And when I win, each one of you who voted for me will get tickets to any of my shows!

social networking!

2010-06-09T20:34:00.000-07:00

As you may have noticed I've been posting here more lately! You may also keep up-to-date with my lastest news by being my friend on Facebook and Twitter.

If you'd like to join me on Facebook please go to: http://www.facebook.com/lauradionjones and click "Like" at the top of the page.

To follow my tweets on Twitter, it's: http://twitter.com/lauradionjones

Also, I've created a Facebook group for the "Elgin's Biggest Loser 2" contest. If you are participating, this would be a great place for you to share your thoughts, discussions, photos, videos and encouragement as we proceed... See you there!

2010-06-06T11:22:00.000-07:00

6-6-10

Morning pain meds: 2 Ex es and off to the club for Sunday morning Gyro-kenesis class with Jackie and an hour's cardio row.

Yes, I even do cardio on Sunday. You eat on Sunday, don't you?

I love when I improve my cardio performance numbers.

My personal best is rowing about 8800 meters in an hour. I've only been rowing for about 2 months, maybe . . . I tend to average between 7500-8000 meters per hour.

The guy rowing next to me today rowed 12,000 meters in an hour!

Something to strive for.

And I think I’m hot $#it reaching 8800 meters in an hour, thus far!

I like reaching past my personal best . . . I like pushing myself, improving my cardio performance.

2010-06-06T06:15:00.000-07:00

Dear Laura:

OMG, I went on that elliptical machine at the Y and it was awesome. For the first time, I could only handle 13 minutes but I thought it was pretty good for a beginner. I finished my cardio day on the treadmill with another 25 minutes, so I thought that was pretty good for a first day working out at the Y.

As far as diet goes, I will be combining my own form of Weight Watchers and Atkins – a slower way to lose weight, but I’d like to keep it off for good. I did really well with Atkins last time I went on it, adding fruits mostly because I am a big fruit lover and prefer that over breads and sweets, actually.

Looking forward to exercise more, though.

See you on Wednesday for our 1st weigh in at the Y.

Dear L:

Congratulations on your first real cardio workout day at the Y. I’d caution you about doing too much right off the bat since you're not used to it yet. The idea is to first develop the daily cardio habit. If you begin with too big a bite, you risk losing interest because on the second or third or forth day you could decide, "heck with it, this is just too hard."

There is no true and everlasting weight loss without daily cardio. Trust me on this.

Wherever you begin, make sure it’s something you can live with on a daily basis and then build on, add to, as you get into the swing of practicing cardio every day.

And I’m glad you have a diet plan. A few of the other new EBls do not – they just say they want to “eat healthier.”

What I need to know from everyone, including the politicians on the anti-obesity bandwagon is: What exactly does “healthy eating” mean to you?

Without an actual plan, a real road map, you will get nowhere. It’s very easy to trick yourself into thinking you’re “eating healthy” with all the misinformation in the media.

You have to pick a diet that works for you from the minute you start. We’ll monitor your progress and reassess in a few weeks.

And as far as adding fruits into your diet plan, if I were you, I'd stick with LOW glycemic fruits like cantaloupe, honey dew and strawberries - read the glycemic index of watermellon and you'll never tough the stuff again - no matter how much you love it. I eat a little every summer, just to remind myself of how wonderful it tastes, but how detrimental it is to my low carb diet.

One of the EBL 1's fessed up she was eating watermellon and pineapple and once we discovered this, it was apparent why she wasn't losing any weight! I made the same mistake at the beginning of my weight loss, too - and promptly cut out all but the lower glycemic fruits. See the low carb legal food list I gave you in your EBL intro packet and use that as your guide.

Great going. Keep up the good work.

I look forward to hearing more . . .

BEST,

Laura

'Elgin's Biggest Loser' Finale Loses No Drama

2010-05-10T19:26:00.000-07:00

Three finalists in first contest

*As seen in The Courier-News*
By JANELLE WALKER For Sun-Times Media

ELGIN -- The eight weeks are up, and the results are in -- almost.

There were three top finishers Wednesday night among the 34 people who signed up to compete for the title of Elgin's Biggest Loser, a challenge designed to help people lose weight and -- for the top "loser," to win $250 for their favorite local charity or nonprofit.

Author/organizer Laura Dion-Jones expected about 17 people to show up for the final weigh-in; that was the number of people who faithfully attended their weekly weigh-in and kept up with the challenge.

Dion-Jones worked late into the evening to calculate the results and enter them onto a spreadsheet. The winner is determined based on who lost the highest percentage of body mass.

Based on the NBC reality series concept, Elgin's Biggest Loser asked residents to show up Wednesday nights at the Elgin Taylor Street YMCA to weigh in. During the eight-week competition, those who signed up for the challenge were given a complimentary membership to the YMCA and got healthy eating and workout tips from Dion-Jones.

Dion-Jones, of Chicago, is host of a radio show on healthier lifestyles on Elgin's WRMN Radio. She wrote a book on fitness after losing 150 pounds through healthy eating habits and daily exercise.

The top three losers reduced their body mass by between nearly 13 percent and 10 percent, Dion-Jones said.

One of those top three finishers was Lisa Eby. She lost 21 pounds.

"I gain and lose weight a lot," Eby said at the final weigh-in. "Each time ... I put it back on. This time, I feel more motivated to take it off and keep it off."

Dion-Jones was a huge help, Eby said, sending the competitors three weekly e-mails to keep them on track and discussing dieting plans at the check-ins.

"She has really shown me that this is a lifetime thing," Eby said. "It is not about the swimsuit or the dress you want to fit into for a wedding."

Going into the competition, Dion-Jones encouraged the dieters to use programs that have worked for them in the past, including "name brand" programs. If the program didn't seem to be working halfway through, she suggested a change. For many, that was going the low-carbohydrate route.

"I advocate modified low-carb because it was successful for me," Dion-Jones said. "But it is about what you gravitate to."

Allan Anastacio, 27, didn't go the low-carb route. He just stuck to the food pyramid -- a set number of servings of fruit, vegetables, meats and breads or starches each day. He was already quite active and lost 29 pounds, Anastacio said.

Laurie Nomellini did go with a low-carb approach, in addition to regular exercise. "It isn't no-carb -- it is just low carb," she said.

Not everyone was successful, however. Mike Hunziker admitted he gained a few pounds. But he also quit smoking three months ago and knew that would probably come with weight gain. And as a diabetic, he had other concerns about keeping his blood sugar at the right levels.

Even so, he said, Elgin's Biggest Loser probably kept him from adding even more weight. "I might have gained 15 or 20 more pounds if not for this program."

The first Elgin's Biggest Loser was so successful that it likely will start again, Dion-Jones said. Another program is set to begin June 1, and in the fall it will have a session for teams from businesses, churches and schools.

More information about the next Elgin's Biggest Loser is available from Dion-Jones at dionjones@aol.com.

2010-03-31T05:07:00.000-07:00

Lisa:

Yep, I got it all in on Monday, just like I intended to.

And thanks for asking.

Too soon to tell on the blood tests and re-biopsy.

Praying for the best. For us all.

Onward . . .

BEST,

Laura

PS: BTW - taking a rowing lesson this AM.

It's been suggested to me to try it to cut down the amount

of time I'm spending doing cardio every day.

I need to maximize my time better. As it stand now, I do about

90 minutes of cardio a day. Would love to get it back down to 60 minutes

of a more intense workout so I can get on with my day.

From my experience - CARDIO IS KING! Or QUEEN, or for us gals!

I need more time to work, write and post to the

motivational blog!

2010-03-29T10:42:00.000-07:00

My Monday started out totally discombobulated and not what I’m used to at all.

I hate when this happens, not that I’m a creature of habit, you understand. But once I finally, finally developed the daily cardio habit, after over 50 years of struggling with my weight, I found I had to get my morning cardio walk over with ASAP, or else I run the risk of talking myself out of it altogether, even though now it's become a difficult, but healthy habit to break.

Exactly what I was hoping and working for all these years. /'-)

So, OK, we'll see how much I put my money where my mouth is and if I get my daily cardio and Monday weights in before the afternoon is over.

I had to take a fasting blood test this AM. I’ve been putting it off for a good month and my doc’s ready to kill me, so, today was the day.

Sigh.

Now, here I sit, writing to all y’all and it’s early Monday afternoon. The plan is to stop working promptly at 2:30. Get ready to go to the club to meet with someone about a special project from 3:00 till 3:30, then quickly, before I can even talk myself out of it, jump on my cardio machines and get it over with first, then move onto my Monday weights before I scoot up to Randolph and Michigan to my derm doc for a re-biopsy at 6.

One way or another, I’ll get that dang cardio routine in today!

Laura

Stron incentives to be 'Loser'

2010-03-13T18:25:00.000-08:00

Strong incentives to be 'Loser'

Charity, health prizes in Elgin's version of reality TV show

March 12, 2010
By JANELLE WALKER For Sun-Times Media

That is one of the reasons Kristin Rosenberg, 41, Elgin, along with her cousin and best friend, signed up to be a part of Elgin's Biggest Loser contest

In addition to competing against her friends to win the title, the three also can support each other to exercise and eat more healthfully, Rosenberg said.

Based on the NBC reality series concept, Elgin's Biggest Loser program asked residents to show up Wednesday evening at the Elgin Taylor YMCA to sign up and weigh in. Over the next eight weeks, the 31 people who signed up will have a complimentary membership to the YMCA, and receive healthy eating and workout tips from author/radio host Laura Dion-Jones.

The Taylor YMCA is co-sponsoring the contest as part of its Activate Elgin initiative.

Dion-Jones, of Chicago, has been hosting a radio show on healthier lifestyles every Wednesday afternoon on WRMN AM-1410 in Elgin. She is the author of a book on fitness that she wrote after losing 150 pounds through healthy eating habits and daily exercise.

At the end of the eight weeks and after a second weigh-in, the person who has lost the greatest percentage of weight -- not total pounds -- will win $250 for their favorite local charity or non-profit organization, said George Rawlinson, the radio show's producer.

During the competition, the participants also agree to appear at least twice as guests on the radio show.

Rawlinson suggested the contest as a way to draw listeners to the radio show but was surprised at how much interest it actually drew.

"It really snowballed," he said, adding there were more phone calls and e-mails from people interested than the program was able to accommodate. "It went way beyond my expectations. For every person, there were five or 10 more who wanted to be involved."

The YMCA has been very generous, he added. The 31 people who signed up will have complete access to the Taylor facility for the duration of the contest.

Dion-Jones will send weekly e-mails to the participants to help keep them motivated, but she plans other events for the group as well, including Saturday events at the YMCA.

She also hopes to take the group up to Camp Edwards, a YMCA facility in East Troy, Wis., for a day of camp-like outdoor activities.

Hikes around Elgin, boxing lessons, biking days and meditation events also are being planned, Dion-Jones said.

To give the competitors even more incentive, Dion-Jones and Rawlinson said they were looking at giving away a week's stay at a Fort Myers Beach, Fla., home.

That news got Rosenberg and her cousin, Heather Bayer, even more motivated -- not just to lose pounds but to beat their friends, too.

"It definitely motivates me more," Bayer said.

"Summer swimsuit season is around the corner," Rosenberg added, and working toward a goal with her friends likely will keep her on track.

"It is a lot easier to go to the gym with someone," she said. "It is hard to do it by yourself."

Use It Or Lose It

2010-03-03T15:53:00.000-08:00

"The trouble is, if you don't risk anything, you risk even more."

Erica Jong

(1942 - American author)

Not long ago, sitting at a table at a favorite Florida Gulf-front restaurant, my husband and I took in the panoramic view of Sanibel Island just in time to catch the last half-hour of sun gloriously setting on the breathtaking horizon beyond.

A handsome, elderly couple sat at the table next to ours. And as the wife gazed longingly out the window at the parade of sunset walkers strolling up and down the water's edge, I overheard some of the couple's conversation. Here's what I gathered:

"I never should have stopped," she sighed.

I knew exactly what she was referring to - the walking.

"I would give anything to be able to do that again," she continued.

"You could do it, if you tried," comforted the husband. "Start out slow."

"I never should've stopped after I recovered from my last illness. I should've got right back into it as soon as I began to feel better. I never made the effort or took the time. Deep down I knew I was just being lazy and putting every stinking, little thing I could think of first. Now look. I'm lucky I can walk to and from the car. What I wouldn't give to be out there with the rest of them and have that spring in my step once again."

I didn't have to ask any questions or nosily pry. I knew all too well what she was talking about. Many people of all ages seek my help, eager to benefit from my motivational "magic" - and a lot of their stories are the same. I hear the words, "I never should've stopped," over and over again. "I got cocky and thought I'd feel fabulous forever. And when I began not to, it required an even greater effort for me to start up again, so, I gave up."

It seems the age-old adage, "Use it or lose it," applies to much more than the libido. It affects everything in life. And the older we get, the more important it is to maintain a good level of physical activity - with walking being the number-one most important thing we can do to improve our health and to lengthen our lives.

It is essential to keep moving for as long as we're on this great planet. Not a day goes by that I don't pray and meditate for continued mobility, to be gifted with ambulation, no matter what it takes, right up until it's time for me to move onto the next plane.

Since I began my daily walking program in earnest - now going on seven years - I have come to realize just how crucially important walking and being able to get around and do for oneself truly is. Actually, it's what drove me to begin walking in the first place. That, and the fact that I needed an effective form of daily cardio to blast my excess pounds off and keep them off for forever. And what better cardio is there than walking? Seriously. We have to walk to get everywhere in life, otherwise life will pass us by.

Anyone who is able to make daily walking a part of their forever lifestyle is way ahead of every diet and fitness game there is. When you develop the habit of daily walking, eventually building up to a minimum of five miles per day (10,000 steps), your weight - with the help of a successful, healthy diet - will melt right off.

Just look at me. As of February 28, 2010, I'm down about 150 pounds, total, and still holding.

Begin at the beginning - start slow if you have to, but get your butt out there and do it every dang day.

At first, it's not the time or distance that count, but that you make the effort to walk daily. After about 35 straight days, daily walking will be your life-long, healthy habit - if you let it.

By the way, since January of 2003 I've logged over 20,000 miles, or almost all the way around the earth at the equator (25,000 miles), and am considered an "elite walker." Not bad for someone who "just never had the time to fit walking in" - even while my weight skyrocketed up to 317 pounds.

Now I know better. I want to make sure you know better, too.

When are you gonna start to use it so you don't ever lose it?

Laura Dion-Jones
550 N. Kingsbury St. #120
Chicago, IL 60654
312-933-7325
dionjones@aol.com
August 10, 2005© February 28, 2010
www.lauradionjones.com
www.lauradionjones.blogspot.com

Cardio Boxing

2010-02-07T21:00:00.000-08:00

Cardio Boxing Blast,
Or: How 3 Inglorious Little Bastards Taught a Boomer Babe the Finer Points of Life in the Cardio Fast Lane.

By
Laura Dion-Jones

Right about this time of year, everyone's heady New Year's resolutions seem to dissolve into thin air. So, more and more people are asking me what else they can do to help reinvigorate their diet and fitness plans - but with a new spin on it. "Like, what else would you do for daily cardio," they want to know.

Well, with the help of a few guy pals from East Bank Club, I found an exciting alternative to the customary cardio choices out there and last Monday, my own cardio routine took an unexpected hit: I had my first "official" boxing lesson with Glen Freedman, EBC's boxing coach extraordinaire and 2 of his astute students, Howard and Pat.

Let me just say this much: when I decided to send them an email of thanks for the experience later that evening, I could barely move. By 6:45 my shoulders screamed in their sockets, and by 8 PM, I could barely lift my arms at all.

As the paralysis progressed down the rest of my body and I realized I couldn't move a muscle, let alone think to type an email, I crashed till the next morning.

Boxing's definitely cardio in the fast lane and not for the faint of heart - make no mistake about that. But if you're looking for an intense cardio burn to revive or jump-start your daily workouts, this could be it.

I barely got through the rest of my weight workout after our lesson ended, staggering around the club trying to get my bearings and keeping my eyeballs from spinning smack out of my head.

After sweating like a guy with the guys for an hour, I totally blew off my usual daily hour on the Air-Dyne. I figured enough cardio is enough for one day. I warmed up, pre-boxing, logging 30 minutes on the Nu-Step, so I knew I was in real good shape.

I'm also sure I'd get used to the impact on my shoulder and upper back bones eventually, but the rope jumping has me beat for now. I can't seem to spring myself into the air like I used to, but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it with some practice.

However, when I told my Russian athlete trainer, Sergey, I flunked the jump rope portion of my lesson, he said, "Vy vould you vant to do zat, anyvay? I ztrongly vould recommend you didn't even try zat vit your hiztory!" Looks like I might have to find an alternative to the boxer's traditional rope jumping warm-ups and between-set practice. Hmm.

The best part of the lesson next to the sweating, punching and ballet of ducking and dodging was listening to the guys' "man-versations" - one of my all-time personal fave pastimes. Stems from growing up surrounded by nothing but boys.

Of course, I'm dramatizing this a bit, but boxing is a form of cardio in a much bigger way than what I'm used to or almost anything else that I've ever done. It ranks right up there with rock wall climbing and the Triathlon as far as the sweat and exertion factors are concerned and uses every single muscle in your entire body, as well.

And, gals, don't worry about getting punched in the face just yet. I like my face just the way it is right now, too, but beginners aren't at the actual mano-a-mano sparring stage. You have to master the preliminary steps first - learning the punches, jabs, dodges and ducks, fancy footwork, rope jumping, etc., and, thankfully, that could take a lifetime.

Plus, there's a whole 'nother etiquette and choreography that comes with boxing. And I doubt if I'd ever want to actually spar with another human on purpose, anyway. It's that out-of-the-norm, more intense cardio burn I'm starting to crave.

As I mentioned, right after the boxing lesson, I was a tad punch drunk - a bit wobbly on my feet. Downright shaky's a better description - for a few hours after, actually. I used muscles I haven't used in decades, perspired like I haven't since I helped build the Pyramids, and can see where this boxing thing is really a terrific workout.

And, wow, those guys sure do work up a super sweat of their own. Howard had rivers of it running off his nose from the exertion he put in. And I heard today that he boxes with Glen three times a week! What a glutton. Once a week would be enough for me right now. And Pat, on the other hand, moved like a butterfly and stung like Ali.

For a mildly OCD germ freak, one might want to purchase one's own wrist and hand wraps as the tapes used on me were a tad "gym-smelling," if you know what I mean.

The musky scent I whiffed throughout the lesson harkened me back to the days of walking into CVS high school's gym during wrestling practice. All that musk and testosterone permeated the air smelling just like the wraps around my wrists and hands, and, well, let me just say, I couldn't beat a path to the Ladies Room fast enough after class to wash up to my armpits with soap. But that's just me.

And my two boxing mates didn't seem to be phased by the smell in the least, but then, they each have their own set of gloves and stuff, so no one else's germy sweat-smell trapped there.

Plus, they're guys. What more can I say?

Once Glen wrapped my sensitive artist's hands with great care, he slid 16-ounce gloves on me for extra protective padding. So, besides swinging, punching and pumping my arms in a way that I'm not normally used to, I had one-pound "weights" Velcro-ed to each of my own mitts.

The guys' gloves are much lighter, but then they're used to the routine and have "guy hands" which are more hardy and resilient than mine or most other gals.

Then there was the "jewelry thing" for me to contend with. Those who know me know it took a few minutes for me to de-bracelet and de-ring myself. Why I don't think ahead in these circumstances is beyond me. With my regular walking and cardio routines, I don't have to remove a thing. I don't even have to think. For wall/rock climbing and boxing, all the swinging, jangly jewels and accessories have to come off. One could lose a digit or an errant earlobe if not careful.

And to be a little fly-girl on the wall while the two boys each took their own turns with Glen was a hoot! The guy talk was a scream, and half the time I didn't even know who they were talking about, boxing-wise, but it didn't matter. It was the language they used that had me roaring.

Then once they got around to dishing about "Celebrity Rehab," it was worth its weight in gold just to be there, hiding out on the other side of the big punching bag, practicing my jabs, eavesdropping, snorking with a huge grin.

I especially love the "Clint Eastwood" gleam Glen gets in his eyes like a proud papa who's lived ringside and done it many times before, but is still as passionately interested in each and every student as if they were training to fight Tyson.

I always thought boxing to be violent, but after interviewing Glen and Howard on my radio show the week before, my interest was piqued - not to run out and watch every flippin' fight that comes down the cable on TV, but purely for the cardio, strength and endurance-building workout it delivers. And, at my age . . .

At the end of the hour, just when you think the clock has almost run out and you're home free, Glen pulls yet another pro trainer's trick out of his boxing bag and makes each student lie on the floor, on their back, and do ab and core work that would dust the average individual had I not had the privilege of six straight years of once-a-week private Pilates lessons under my belt.

When you come right down to it, a lot in life is all about having a strong core and that's no BS. Man, what a lesson, not only in boxing, but in life skills, as well.

So, as I said, by 6:45 that evening, all I wanted to do was kill those Three Inglorious Little Boxing Basterds. Every single muscle, every fiber, every nano-meter of my body hurt. Not only from the vigorous punching and jabbing, but from using parts of my frame that have been asleep for a long, long while. All right, from the laughing, too.

From what I've heard and observed, Glen is truly the Obi-Wan Master of boxing in the Chicago area and I have a new respect for all three guys.

Boxing is a Zen-like experience of life in the cardio fast lane while getting one's butt kicked, metaphorically speaking, of course.

Laura Dion-Jones
550 N. Kingsbury St #120
Chicago, IL 60654
312-933-7325
2-1-10©
dionjones@aol.com
http://www.lauradionjones-com/
http://www.lauradionjones.blogspot.com/

Off the Wagon

2010-02-01T09:10:00.000-08:00

Off the Wagon
By Laura Dion-Jones

"No man is fit to command another that cannot command himself."

William Penn
(1644-1718, British religious leader, founder of Pennsylvania)

Dear Laura:

I fell off the diet and fitness wagon and I'm back at 149 lbs! I started following your advice 2 years ago when I was at 152 lbs and went down to 139 lbs, but now I'm up again.

I never really allowed myself to reach my goal of 125-130, which would be wonderful for my petite height. 149 pounds is just way too heavy for me.

I think my hormones are playing a big part. I started pre-menopause (Keep it a secret, it makes me feel like I'm entering middle age!).

I had lost my weight and maintained it on The South Beach Diet, but didn't stick to it all during the week, like you advise. I failed to make it my lifestyle.

Do you think I should go back to that diet?

I need your words of motivation and advice.

D

Dear D:

I'm on my way to the club for my daily cardio (1.5 hours) and Sunday morning Gyro-kenesis class (sorta like Pilates, but not, for 1 hour, 10 min) and then a few of my other strength building exercises I do in my Sunday routine. I'll get back to you more in depth later.

Meanwhile, cut the damn carbs!!!

You know what works for you from your last dieting attempt with The South Beach Diet. Low carb. You had tremendous success with it. Why not try it again? I certainly would.

Sooner or later, you're gonna get sick of the yo-yo and just do what it takes to get your weight off and keep it off.
Get the diet book out and reread the quick start and begin again - right now - your very next meal.

Either you're gonna eat low fat or your gonna eat low carb - you cannot combine or mix the two. It's gotta be either one or the other. Not both. All those yummy desserts you bake for your business might be one of your downfalls. This is where the low fat VS the low carb concept becomes so important. And bananas are poison to a low carb diet - and to anyone like me that overproduces insulin. (And I know you eat them!)

Insulin's the fat hormone, not dietary fat.

And keep away from bread - eat your deli meats rolled in nice, organic lettuce! No wraps, either. Carbs are your enemy.

I knew a while back when we spoke that you were going to get into trouble and fall off the wagon when you told me how you were baking all those goodies for your shop. "But it's all low fat!" You cried.

I knew that was it. You were doomed. You forgot that what worked for you in the first place was cutting the carbs.

Reread my booklet Commit To Get Fit: The Secret to True and Everlasting Weight Loss, and begin again. It will help motivate you.

You need a significant low carb intervention right now.

Do some serious soul searching to see where you're really going wrong with your eating, and no fair blaming it on hormones just yet. Don't get me started there.

It's your carb consumption, Girlfriend, pure and simple.

And lack of daily cardio. So get back into it, no excuses. Start walking again. Spring's coming. Trust me on this.

And start weighing every single day and write it in a log. Record your walking steps daily. I still wear my dang pedometer without fail every single day, too.

On February 10th I'm doing a motivational seminar at The Lemont Public Library in Lemont, IL, at 7 PM, sharp. Go to their website, www.lemontlibrary.org, get the info and sign up.

You should come to it. Maybe you need a refresher course, or another good dose of my motivational magic. It's up to you.

All I can tell you is this: I'm maintaining my weight and have lost probably another 10 pounds or so since summer - and a few more since the Holidays ended. I follow my own best advice.

Not a day goes by that I don't get positive comments from people who see me every day at EBC or on the street and around town. These compliments are some of the things that keep me motivated to stay on my diet, health and fitness wagon. There is no going back, no falling off the wagon for me. I refuse to let my weight get even 5 pounds over my current lowest. I weigh almost every single day, do cardio every day and keep a strict eye on my daily carb count. When I want to lose more, I don't go over 30-35 carbs a day.

I do not count the carbs in low-glycemic veggies, tomatoes and such. I do count all the white starch and sugar carbs, however.

I refuse to eat even whole wheat breads and pastas because I know how highly carb sensitive I am and cannot afford to regain any of my lost weight.

When I eat whole wheat products, sweet potatoes, brown rice and the like, I don't lose any weight, so why bother eating that stuff at all.

I don't miss any of it and am healthier than I've ever been.

I look and feel amazing and there's no food on earth that's worth a backslide.
I know better now and so should you.

You have to make that diet, whichever one you chose, your forever eating lifestyle. Period. There is no other way.

You gotta wanna do it.

I can't come do it for you.

You know my number. Call me if you're really in trouble.

Hugs and best,

Laura

Laura Dion-Jones
550 N. Kingsbury St. #120
Chicago, IL 60654
312-933-7325
dionjones@aol.com
January 31, 2010©
www.lauradionjones.com
www.lauradionjones.blogspot.com

Angels in Disguise

2010-01-25T16:06:00.000-08:00

An Angel in Disguise
By
Laura Dion-Jones

"Do not lose hold of your dreams or aspirations.
For if you do, you may still exist, but cease to live."
Henry David Thoreau

I met an Angel the other day. Actually, it wasn't the first one - I've met several of them in the past. They always show up when I need them the most and they're almost always African American, too, which, for a white gal, some think kind of odd.

Two of my best friends are black and both swear that I was probably a black woman in one of my past lives. Don't ask me why - but it's what each of them separately claim, probably because of my outlook, my philosophy, my something.

Anyway, for some reason I was compelled to dash over to my local, corner 7-11 mid-afternoon earlier in the week to buy some lotto tickets.

It was cold as hell that day - one of the lowest temps of the year - and actually, it was only officially the 4th day of the New Year, but you know what I mean. It was damn cold. Windy City-winter cold.

As I entered the 7-11, there at the counter is a FedEx driver standing with his back to me. I don't remember how the conversation between all of us went, but somehow I said something about how much we business people love and appreciate our FedEx drivers and how they're our favorites, especially compared to some of the USPS employees, but don't get me started on that one.

As I moved up to the counter and to the right side of the FedEx driver, she turned to speak to me. I was stunned to see that what I thought a man, was a woman. I have no idea why I just assumed the bulky, bundled up person standing before me was a guy, but she turned out to be a female who resembled Whoopi Goldberg, of all people, and she even sounded like the Whoopster, too.

Then she sincerely said, "We thank you for your business. People like you pay our mortgages."

I was stunned at her heartfelt comment because in the grand scheme of things, I probably don't send enough FedEx packages to even pay her enough for a few nights out on the town once in a while, let alone her mortgage. However . . .

One thing in our conversation led to another and the next thing I knew, I was handing her my radio show business card while she asked me a ton of questions about what I do and what my show is about.

In the picture on one of my cards I have blonder hair, but now I'm pretty much back to my original, trademark, dark burgundy red hair with blonde streaks.

Ms. FedEx made a comment about the hair color disparity and I said something about getting older and wanting to go back to my more youthful, all-red hair, but needed to disguise the gray, hence the blonde streaks now. You know, just sort of making girl talk.

Ms. FedEx looked at me and said, "Here's your thought for the day: 'There are many people for whom the privilege of growing older is denied.'"

Her statement really made me think. Growing older is a privilege, but one that we usually do not take gracefully, and definitely take for granted - especially me.

She then said a few more kind of spiritual things and as she turned to leave, I held out my left hand to shake hers as I often do - closer to the heart - besides, my right hand was full. As we shook hands, our eyes met and she said, "I'll pray for you if you pray for me."

What an angelic thing for her to say, I thought. I'm sure Angels need prayers, too. Look at all the temptation they're surrounded with 24/7. How they manage, I have no idea, but:

As she slipped out the door, I asked her name. "Angela," she replied, half turning her face toward me.

Thinking back, I don't recall ever seeing a FedEx truck parked out side, nor hearing one, either. You know that sound.

What makes me think Angela was an Angel? It's just a feeling I got from the second our eyes met till she wandered out of sight.

Granted, nothing amazing's happened since the sighting. Haven't won the Lotto yet, nor a Golden Globe, but I can tell you this much: Nothing bad's happened, either. So that's a blessing in itself.

I do thank God and all my Angels every, single day for all my gifts and blessings, for His abundance and love, for my beauty, talent and creativity and for my incredible weight loss and motivation to maintain - because at the end of the day, when I sit down to really think about it all, I'm more blessed than a lot of others out there, and still I whine.

But I'm grateful.

Was Angela an Angel?

I'd bet money on it.

Laura Dion-Jones
550 N. Kingsbury St #120
Chicago, IL 60654
312-933-7325
January 4, 2010©
dionjones@aol.com
http://www.lauradionjones.com/

Hope for Success

2010-01-12T17:58:00.000-08:00

Hope for Success
By
Laura Dion-Jones

"Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be."
George Sheehan

(1918 - 1993, American physician and author)

Hope is essential for making any lifestyle change your successful new reality. With each step you take in the right direction, you'll feel less reluctant and more hopeful on your journey. With every success comes more success - success does breed success. But it's up to you to keep the "Big Mo" going once you begin.

Arrange your environment to make your new lifestyle change easier to manage. Tweaking your fridge, cabinets, pantry, purse, briefcase, locker, hide-y-hole, and workplace will help you stay on track with your Commitment To Get Fit. Using everything at your disposal to your best advantage will support you in your health and fitness efforts and assure ultimate success in achieving your goals. Trust me on this - I lost almost 150 pounds to date using every little trick in the book I could think of. I still do and I'm holding my new lifestyle weight for 6 years, now.

Remove all temptations from the fridge, or put them in places where you can't see them as soon as you open the door. Out of sight is usually safely out of mind - and if you don't lose your unhealthy weight sooner than later, you will be out of your mind - with endless discomfort, illness and more.

I stock up on all my fave, low carb foods and snacks and arrange them right, smack where I can see them as soon as I open the fridge or cabinet door. I also tape little notes to places where I might turn for food comfort in a weak moment: "Think before you eat it!" "Count those carbs!" "Suicide by Sugar!" Are three of my favorites.

And if someone brings me carb-laden treats, I give them away or store them out of reach, far away from the kitchen, in my back storeroom, high up on a shelf or in the extra freezer (if you have one) - stash the stuff anywhere but right under your nose. Make yourself work to get at it. Gives you time to think and reason with yourself why you absolutely should not be eating it. Works for me.

Someone once said, "Change is a process, not a destination." Your destination is reaching a healthy, new goal weight and then keeping it there for life. It's not that hard, trust me. Staying fat is way more difficult, takes a lot more energy, and involves quite a bit more discomfort and unhappiness.

Lots of positive, healthy little steps add up to big, lifelong changes.

So, have the hope, courage, determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be.

Laura Dion-Jones
550 N. Kingsbury St #120
Chicago, IL 60654
312-933-7325
January 1, 2010©
dionjones@aol.com
www.lauradionjones.com

Dear Big Momma!

2010-01-11T05:33:00.000-08:00

Congratulations! You're "getting it!"

Keep up the great work!

If it worked for me, it'll work for you, too.

One hour of daily cardio and keeping carb count around 30-35 a day will definitely help you shed those unwanted, unhealthy pounds and then keep them off!

More on how to maintain later in your weight loss journey!

Thanks for your support and for listening.

BEST,

Laura

Radio Host Helping Elgin Go From Fattest To Fittest

2010-01-02T16:06:00.000-08:00

New years day.

Laura was featured in an article in The Courier-News, a member of Sun-Times Media, talking about her new show, The Laura Dion-Jones Show, and her road to successful weight loss.

Check out the link below for the full story!

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/lifestyles/1967629,3_1_EL01_GETFIT_S1-100101.article

The Laura Dion-Jones Show

2009-12-07T19:21:00.000-08:00

"The Laura Dion-Jones Show:
Lose Weight Fast, Get Rich Quick, Look Young Forever"

Presented by

The Elgin Broadcasting Company and State Street Publishing

Chicago and Elgin, Illinois: Laura Dion-Jones welcomes Dr. James Bailes, Jr., to her hour-long radio talk show Wednesday, December 9, from 3 to 4 p.m. CST on WRMN 1410 AM Radio. (www.wrmn1410.com)

Dr. Bailes is a pediatric endocrinologist and co-author of No More Fat Kids, a Pediatrician's Guide for Safe and Effective Weight Loss.

He specializes in childhood obesity and is also an
Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Marshall University, School of Medicine, in Huntington, WV. (www.nomorefatkids.com)

Dr. Bailes has developed a health program for school-age children, allowing them to lose weight without feeling hungry.

His straightforward, practical and easy to follow approach is said to improve overall health, lipid profiles and most importantly, self-esteem.

You won't want to miss this show as it is not just for kids only - it's for anyone who is tired of struggling with their weight and wants to make 2010 the year they begin to Commit To Get Fit, lose weight and get healthier once and for all.

Dion-Jones is the host of "The Laura Dion-Jones Show: Lose Weight Fast, Get Rich Quick, Look Young Forever", heard each Wednesday afternoon from 3 to 4 CST on WRMN 1410 AM Radio. (www.wrmn1410.com)

Calls are taken on the show at 847.931.1410.

Dr. Bailes' appearance on "The Laura Dion-Jones Show" kicks off "Dion and the Doctor," an ongoing segment of doctor and professional medical guests that Laura has planned to help educate and motivate all those who want to Commit To Get Fit and don't know where to finally begin.

###

Laura Dion-Jones
550 N. Kingsbury St #120
Chicago, IL 60654
312-933-7325
dionjones@aol.com
www.lauradionjones.com

2009-11-09T18:55:00.000-08:00

ARE YOU IN - OR ARE YOU OUT?

By
Laura Dion-Jones Casey

"Until you get dissatisfied, you won't do anything to really move your life to another level. Dissatisfaction is a gem. If you're totally satisfied, you're going to get comfortable. And then your life begins to deteriorate."

Anthony Robbins
(1960-, American Author, Speaker, Trainer,
Peak Performance Expert)

Now that the weather's cooling down even more and our precious daylight's growing shorter by the nano-second, you should try to get your daily walk in before dark - if you can. And nothing is as invigorating as a nice, brisk, lunchtime walk instead of sitting and chowing down like it's the Last Supper the way some of us have been known to do.

Instead, grab a cup of satisfying, low carb soup at your desk and go out for a mid-day walk starting today. (Progresso makes an excellent chicken or beef low carb variety. You'll find them the cheapest in an 8-pack at COSTCO. Or make your own, thick with meat or chix and low carb, low-glycemic veggies. Bring some to work, school, etc., in a thermos. C'mon, bringing food from home is almost always better than buying out. You know that.)

If you get in the habit of DAILY walking right now while it's still relatively nice out, once the weather turns for the worse, you will begin to miss the fresh-air time alone with yourself. You'll miss the exhilaration. The movement. The meditational solitude. Trust me on this.

You have to condition (sometimes even brainwash) yourself into doing it. Weight loss and/or weight maintenance with diet alone will not work in the long run. Neither will exercise all by itself.

Please believe me. You know I speak from over 50 years of my own successful, up close and personal experience.

(An aside to my Midway Walking Boys or Fat Men Walking: You all deserve a great, big "Atta Boy!" For your efforts on the daily walking thing for a month-plus, now, but weight loss ain't happenin' with walking alone, now, is it? I told you: You absolutely have to cut back on the crap carbs you're all eating. Stop denying it! It's written all over each one of you!

I hear-tell that you guys munch belt-busters fit for a lumberjack at lunchtime and ain't none of you boys choppin' no wood. Then y'all have the nerve to troll for a nice, big, home-cooked dinner shortly after work, too.

I can only imagine what y'all eat for breakfast. My spies tell me that J frequently goes to those near-by Bo-hunk bakeries bringing back Heavenly, carb-laden treats and sweets, for starters. But, you don't have to fess up to me . . . I know. I lived a lifetime there. Right where you are now. And it was written all over my fat face and bulky body, too.

Remember how I did it? By cutting all white starch and sugar carbs from my diet and walking daily. It took me 2 1/2 years to lose 130 pounds, and you boys always tell me that keeping it off into my 6th year is my most incredible achievement. So, if I can finally find the key to true and everlasting weight loss and what ailed me all those fat, unhealthy, overweight years, I can help you find it for yourself, too. But it ain't gonna happen with daily walking, alone. Diet and daily cardio go hand in hand.

There may be times over the coming months when it might be a bit difficult for you to lose your weight - but hang in there. It does begin to move again, sooner or later. Depends on how diligent you are with monitoring your daily carb intake and daily cardio walking. The more determined you are with your efforts - the quicker they'll pay off.

Feel free to post your questions on my blog so we can share the tips I give you and help others with the same or similar issues.

Life is only as tough as we want to make it. The same is said for a serious lifestyle change. It's not as difficult as you might think once you get started. But getting started's not a piece of pie, either. It does take determination, effort, and daily vigilance.

You gotta wanna.
And it's well worth it.
We're all in this together.

And remember: I need to constantly motivate myself to sail successfully through my days, too. I take it one step at a time. One meal at a time. One cardio session at a time. One pound at a time. One day at a time.

Too comfortable? Are you kidding? Most of you can't possibly be so at the weight you are right now.

Stop your denial.
Stop your dissatisfaction.

Stop your deterioration - because that's exactly what being over weight is - gross, negligent deterioration.

Let's get started.
Are you in or are you out?

550 N. Kingsbury St. #120
Chicago, IL 60654
312-933-7325
September 27, 2004©
dionjones@aol.com
www.lauradionjones.com

2009-10-29T18:49:00.000-07:00

Rule Yourself
By
Laura Dion-Jones Casey

"Ask council of him who rules himself well."

Leonardo Da Vinci

As I slid into one of the handicapped parking spots at our friendly, neighborhood Jewel grocery store recently, a rather obese, young security guard stood right in front of me with his beefy arms barely folded across a too-ample chest, straining the fabric of his windbreaker sleeves and back within an inch of their lives - giving me the dang fisheye.

Now, it's happened to me a time or two before, so I knew exactly what the dude was thinking as he gave my car and I the once-over. The look on his fleshy face said it all. He was trying to intimidate me, based purely on my appearance, thinking I didn't have a right to be parked in that spot, just waiting for me to get out of my car and not have a handicapped placard to slip on my rearview mirror - so he could then cut me a new one.

The last time this happened was at the Greek Town Dominick's. A similarly built female security guard stood right in front of me and said, "You don't look too handicapped ta me, why you parkin' here?"

You can imagine what I said to her, as I breezed right past into the store. And, it was the last time I ever went to that Dominick's again. She didn't have the right to question whether or not I was "handicapped" enough. I had the proper placard. It's between my doctor and me. No one else. But, that's another story.

As the seconds ticked by, the more annoyed I became with the current security guard's sour, pissy, little attitude. So I wondered how long I should toy with him, how long I should torture him before I whipped my handicapped placard out of my purse and placed it in its rightful spot.

Should I make him wait till after I raise the car's top, or should I just get it over with, end his misery and hang the dang thing up there right now? Or should I just keep torturing this grossly overweight kid for being such a snot?

I mean, for a guy in his early 20's - why is he so fat, I wonder? And he wasn't bad looking, either, just way too sloppily fat. I mean, what gal's gonna want to deal with that? And I don't mean a bit of this disparagingly. I'd be the very last person on earth to do that since I've been fat for most of my life. It's his attitude about the handicapped parking spot that got me going.

With the current push from the White House and the media, it's high time we did put an end to our country's obesity epidemic because it's so unnecessary and totally preventable - if people really wanted it to be. But most people who are obese don't really want to change. They think it's much easier and safer to stay big and fat than it is to Commit To Get Fit and get healthier - so they can live longer and have more enjoyment in their lives.

I can personally attest that they're dead wrong. In fact, if they don't do something about their unhealthy weight, most will be dead - way before their time.

I decided to end the security guard's torture and hang the handicapped thing, already, before he popped a blood vessel. Because that was coming next.

As soon as I placed the placard on the rearview mirror, the guy changed his tune, only slightly - but it was too late. He had me too pissed off.

I absolutely had to let him know that he needs to do something about his unhealthy weight, so as I passed him on my way into the store, I slipped one of my motivational weight loss and walking flyers into his meaty, ham-hands, whispering to him: "You really should do something about your weight. You need to stop eating so much white starch and sugar crap that you're obviously living on."

He looked at me in total astonishment, as if I spy on him and what he eats, 24/7.

And funny thing is, I don't have to spy on him at all. He wears it all over his face and bulky body. Just the same as I did when I was heavy for most of my life. Just the same as everyone else does who's considerably overweight. We can't hide our addiction like alcoholics or smokers. It's right there, up front, for everyone else to see.

Please believe me, I didn't set out to hurt this guy's feelings at all, but he sort of had it coming to him. He's way too big and fat to be giving me that kind of intimidating, BS attitude over a parking spot - even if it is part of his job to guard it.

I know one thing has nothing to do with the other, but he could've waited to see if I had the proper placard, or till I got out of the car or something instead of rushing right over, planting himself smack in front of my car like a hood ornament, and acting like some truant officer ready to pounce on me for being a delinquent.

Anyway, I know I made him think about his physical situation because as I left the store, he gave me a very wide berth and stayed several parking spots away from me - still eyeing me fishily.

Somebody's gotta tell these people they need to get up off their lazy butts and do something for themselves to make their life easier, less encumbered, more comfortable and healthier. Patty-cake doesn't work. Nice-y-nice doesn't do it, nor does begging and pleading, either. If it did - we wouldn't have this escalating obesity epidemic.

For some, there's simply no polite way to tell them anymore - you're fat - get the weight off - or die. And these are not my rules, they're the natural laws of physics, medicine and health.

And our country's obesity epidemic isn't all from fast food, either. Trust me on this. I could show anyone on earth how to eat fast food and still lose weight - healthfully. More people need to get out and move. And when I say move, I mean really move, not dilly-dally down the drive. Anything less than an hour a day and you're kidding yourself. Start slow. 10 to 15 minutes a day, at a good clip. Add on time and distance from there. Build up to the hour a day.

Most people also need to follow a low carb lifestyle and eat less white starch and sugar junk.

And so do a lot of you.
Take it from someone who's been there most of her life.
Take it from someone who now rules herself.
Do it to show yourself who's boss.
Do it for your health.
Do it for your life.

Laura Dion-Jones Casey
550 N. Kingsbury St. #120
Chicago, IL 60654
312-933-7325
dionjones@aol.com
October 25, 2009©
http://www.lauradionjones.com/

Take The Risk

2009-10-24T15:27:00.000-07:00

Take The Risk - Break Through Your BS

By

Laura Dion-Jones Casey

"It takes courage to push yourself to places that you have never been before... to test your limits... to break through barriers. And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."

Anais Nin

I ran into an old guy pal of mine at the club the other day. He was pumping and sweating his butt off on one of the gym's gazillion LifeCycles - and I'm sad to say, I've never seen him bigger. He always has some excuse or other about why he's fat and can't keep his weight off once and for all. This is a guy who has me and Oprah both beat at Yo-Yo dieting. Like us, he's one of the world's undisputed, chronic diet Mavens.

It's been quite a long time since we've seen each other and my friend barely recognized me. When he finally realized who I was, he burst into an enormous smile and dang near fell off his bike.

Once I had his full attention, I told him I wanted to slap him (a friendly Southside endearment) because he still, after all these years, has no command over himself and food. As usual, he started in with this bit about how he's on yet another "new" program since July and has lost a good 15 pounds - so that means he was bigger, yet.

Let's see - 15 pounds lost since July is nothing to sniff at - a pound a week, maybe - but if this guy is telling me the truth about how much daily cardio he's doing and what he's eating, a bit more should've come off by now - if he were truly on the right diet, health and fitness plan for him. And it shouldn't be such a struggle, either.

This is what a lot of people don't get: it's not that difficult to shed your unhealthy, unwanted, excess poundage - and then learn to keep it off once and for all - but you have to be on the right diet and fitness plan - for you. Not the same old - same old because it's easy . . . Nor the same old - same old because your doctor says so. If it isn't working and you're giving it your all - it's just not working - so find an alternative - another doctor, a different healthy eating plan you can live with till your weight's off and then follow it forever. This is one of the core "secrets" to true and everlasting weight loss. Trust me.

So, forthright, outspoken wench that I am, I told my pal that if I were he, I'd be doing no less than 1 hour of cardio a day (which he swears he is), plus weights 3 times a week (ditto) and at least an hour of Pilates (which he just started) squeezed in his week somewhere.

He then proceeds to tell me about his wife who has kept her weight off (I believe she previously had the gastric by-pass, but I forgot how long ago.) and has "only regained about 15 pounds." From sweets. Her weakness. Mine, too.

I promptly told him she better get a grip and fast. "Only" 15 pounds leads to 20, then 30, and pretty soon - well, you know the rest. How many of us live our lives this way - up till now, anyway?

I reiterated how I not only lost my original 130 pounds and am keeping them off into my 6th year, but recently even managed to squeeze off another 10.

Need I say more?

He then proceeded to tell me about his cousin, who I also know (another one of the original Yo-Yo Diet Queens of the Universe). She was once very high profile in the media and was one of my best clients when I had my Plus-Size clothing design company, Dion-Jones, Ltd., so I know her personal health history pretty well.

Turns out the Cuz also had gastric by-pass surgery and then promptly turned right around and regained everything she lost plus more. And, surprise! She's struggling her ass off - still.

I got my pal's current address and sent him, his wife and cousin copies of my quick-start booklet, Commit To Get Fit: The Secret To True And Everlasting Weight Loss so they can Commit themselves to getting more fit - once and for all.

At his suggestion, I'm following up with them all. It's high time they got off that useless, unnecessary, unhealthy, fat merry-go-round.

It's not that difficult to lose a great deal of weight. Trust me on this. I never suffered, I still don't.

What barriers do you have to break through in order to pop out of that tight, painful bud you're stuck in and blossom into a healthier, more fit you in the coming year?

It's well worth the risk it takes to finally break through your old BS and gain control of your entire being - beginning with food and serious daily cardio - for life.

Find a way to do it. For the health of it.

Laura Dion-Jones Casey

550 N. Kingsbury St #120

Chicago, IL 60654

312-933-7325

dionjones@aol.com
http://www.lauradionjones.com/

The Art of Giving a Compliment

2009-10-10T15:08:00.000-07:00

By Laura Dion-Jones Casey

Dear Tom:

You're my favorite writer at Esquire and I really enjoy your way with words, but I have to take issue with you regarding your recent article on how to give "The Perfect Compliment." I absolutely loved the piece - however:

Speaking as both the giver and receiver of daily compliments, I can attest to the fact that one really cannot learn to give the perfect compliment overnight nor by your "shotgun approach." Rather, it is something innate in the compliment-giver's eye that prompts the blurt of heartfelt praise in the first place.

For instance, my background is strong in the fashion design, beauty, weight loss and motivation industries - so when I see someone who looks particularly fabulous - for them - when I see someone who has put forth the effort to look magnificent for their own self-esteem and for us sincere admirers, I don't hesitate to compliment. "Great color trench!" I might call out as I zoom past on my daily walk especially when it's the first trench of the season in a spectacular, new color. "Fabulous hair!" Is another when it's well deserved. And, as always: "Man, you look like you've lost weight! You look fabulous! Keep it up!" Even if all they've lost is just a lousy ounce.

These types of compliments always make the receiver stand a bit taller, stride a bit stronger, and smile a bit wider, for the rest of the day and, hopefully, beyond.

Then there's the fitness factor: anyone who is putting extra effort into improving themselves with their weight loss, fitness and appearance, I don't hesitate to compliment - because not a day goes by, luckily for me, that I don't get multiple compliments from people who see me at Chicago's East Bank Club and from strangers on the street who regularly see my dogs and I on our daily walks around Michigan Avenue and its environs.

Why? Because I've totally transformed myself having recently shed 130 pounds in 2-1/2 years through cutting white starch and sugar carbs from my diet combined with daily walking; I now average 45-50 miles per week and since January 1, 2003, I've walked over 19,000 miles - more than two-thirds of the way around the Earth at the Equator. And I've managed to maintain that weight loss into my sixth year, now, so I know a thing or two about compliments. And I did it all right in front of everyone's eyes. This is why I, personally, am fortunate to get so many daily compliments. Are they well deserved? Ask anyone who knows me. I'm a walking role model - literally and figuratively: the poster child for successful, healthy, low carb weight loss and maintenance, and I always make sure I look my best, even while working out. I can't afford not to. I motivate and inspire just by showing up. It amazes even me.

The very day I read your article in the recent issue of Esquire on "The Perfect Compliment," I had just given an important one of my own to a big guy at the club who's been working his male ass off to lose a bit of that unwanted flab he's been hauling around. His efforts did not go unnoticed by me. When he was big and hulking, he was nothing special - but now . . . I told him that his recent weight loss and increased buff-ness upped his handsome quotient by a thousand percent.

Catching him so off guard, he blushed red as a Rooster, and it made me smile because I know firsthand that when I get compliments of that magnitude, I sure think twice before I put any kind of food-crap in my mouth the rest of the day.

My personally given compliments also always carry another agenda beyond the obviously stated. What's on the outside is secondary - it's how the person perceives them self that's paramount.

Seriously, Chiarella, you could learn a thing or two from me on this compliment-giving thing:

First Rule: It should come naturally. Second Rule: It should make the receiver feel good. Third Rule: It should come from not only your head, but your heart, too.

Most sincerely,

Laura Dion-Jones Casey
America's Preeminent Pro-Health Activist
among other things.

Dedication and Discipline = Diet Success

2009-09-28T13:49:00.000-07:00

"No steam or gas ever drives anything until it is confined. No Niagara is ever turned into light and power until it is tunneled. No life ever grows until it is focused, dedicated and disciplined."

Harry Emerson Fosdick
(1878-1969, American minister)

One of the first questions I'm always asked is if I ever cheat on my low carb lifestyle maintenance diet, when, and how often. People are curious about what kind of dedicated discipline it takes to maintain my weight loss for so long - and because lately I've even shaved off a few more pounds.

Since losing my initial 130 pounds in 2.5 years and now successfully keeping it off, plus a bit more, into my 6th year - I still have my during-the-week cheat moments now and then. But on the whole, I try to save any real diet destroyers for special Saturday nights.

Bear in mind: Once you indulge in the forbidden food and slide down that slippery carb-laden slope, you have to atone for it somewhere else along the way, and you'd better snap out of it and make it soon - like the very next meal, the very next day - even if that's a Saturday - if you know what's good for you. The longer you wait - the longer you continue to compromise your diet with the wrong foods - the harder it is to climb back on the health and fitness wagon. Besides, isn't that how you got up to where you are on the scale in the first place - by frequently eating what you shouldn't, by constantly cheating on your diet, by ignoring your health and not having a daily fitness plan?

Take last Thursday, for instance: Nothing especially stressful about it, so there was no reason to binge out.

However, I started the day off kind of hungry, didn't eat enough protein for breakfast - in fact, I skipped it altogether, and then committed the second Cardinal Sin of Low Carb Weight Loss and maintenance: I left the house without any low carb snacks in my bag. No cheese, no nuts, no apple, no Atkins bar, nada. I plumb forgot.

Next thing I know, there's the Rock-N-Roll McDonald's right, smack in front of me as I zip up Ontario Street - and I've been dying to try one of their new Angus 1/3-pounders, anyway - so, stomach growling, my car took a sudden hard left and into the McDrive I went.

Once in line, I also found myself with an incredible craving for a vanilla shake. You know how it is when you start reading the menu. I quickly ordered a medium to go with the burger. At least I didn't order a large, I think. Someone once told me, "No one needs a large size of anything to eat or drink." I heartily agree. My direct downsizing gets me extra willpower points right there.

Then, I took the burger home - it was too big, juicy and garnish-laden to snarf down while driving like a regular, daintier cheeseburger. Besides, I wanted to savor the experience and not wonder what in the heck I just ate.

And it was worth every fat gram, too. /'-)

Never once in all the years it took me to lose and now maintain my new weight did I EVER count calories, fat grams or anything else in my food but hard-core carbohydrates. I swear.

It's all that white starch and sugar you're still eating that's keeping you fat - not the dietary fat, trust me. I'm living proof after a lifetime of chronic obesity.

So when you come right down to it, the only damage I did to my diet that day was raise my carb count for the day from the sugar in the medium vanilla shake. I know that if I stray over the 30-35 carb-a-day line, I will not lose an ounce. The lower I keep my carb count for the day, like around 20-25, the easier it is for me to lose weight.

The following day, I'm right back on the scale and right back into my low carb routine till the next Saturday evening.

I look at it like this: I used up Friday' evening's cheat - on Thursday afternoon - so now I have to pay up, carb-wise by being totally carb wise.

Focus. Dedicate yourself to being disciplined when it comes to your low carb diet, daily cardio and wellness routines. Your healthy future depends on it.

Laura Dion-Jones Casey
550 N. Kingsbury St #120
Chicago, IL 60654
312-933-7325
September 14, 2009
dionjones@aol.com

www.lauradionjones.com
www.lauradionjones.blogspot.com

Walk With Your Eyes Open

2009-09-18T13:45:00.000-07:00

"We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty,

charm and adventure.

There is no end to the adventures that we can have

if only we seek them with our eyes open."

Jawaharlal Nehru

(1889-1964, Indian nationalist, statesman)

STREET SEEN:

On a very recent morning walk, we slid right up next to a rather nice looking, younger guy waiting for the light to change so we could all continue on east up Wacker. What made me take notice of him was the way he was dressed.

While for his particular height, he would be considered "Petite" if he were a woman, the word is still "short," unfortunately, for a man.

But his bearing and the way the guy was dressed clearly gave one the impression that he was way taller than his actual, physical size.

His impeccably tailored suit was perfectly proportioned for him. Not overly expensive, not custom made, just flawlessly fit to his more manly frame.

Oftentimes menswear lacks the size range sensitivity for the height challenged male. Men of slighter stature used to be relegated to buying suits and clothing that were always too large for them and then had to have the stuff tailored, ending up looking like they had their older, bigger brother's clothes on. Somehow their proportions are always out of whack.

Not this guy. He sure knows where and how to shop for himself. He was the sharpest, most well turned out male on the street that day.

The rich, midnight-ink color of his suit matched his olive complexion and complimented his overall appearance giving him an air of wealth without looking too fussy.

He sported a burnt orange backpack slung high over one shoulder - not a schlubby, dingy, outdoors-y affair, but a pristine looking pack that did not tug or distort his suit jacket as is so often the case with many businessmen we see making their way to work everyday.

The light changed and he sped out ahead of us, but using him as our "rabbit," we pursued hot on his heels.

A few lights up, he changed direction, heading south, waiting for another light.

By now, I was so impressed and taken with how well he was dressed, I decided to say something to him about it - as I always do when I see someone that well put together no matter where I'm at.

"Excuse me, I'm a clothing designer, motivational writer, speaker, and all-round observer of human nature and I'd just like you to know that you look totally together! Your suit fits you like it was made for you and given your stature sensitivity, I'm so glad to see that the menswear industry has finally "got it!" You look absolutely fabulous!"

The guy lit up like Times Square on New Year's Eve.

I love making someone's day like that. Everyone who puts that kind of effort into looking their absolute best deserves to hear how great they look.

I watched the guy as he crossed the street striding south, looking like he was every bit of six feet tall.

Cuz by now, he was!

Every single day is an adventure when you walk with your eyes open; you see all sorts of odd, interesting and neat stuff. Besides all the incredible health and fitness benefits you gain, that's the real fun of it.

Weight loss and improved health and fitness are an adventure, too. Open your eyes and take a realistic look at where you're at health and fitness-wise and decide to do something to improve your situation today.

Walk everyday for the health and adventure of it.

Walk everyday for your life.

Laura Dion-Jones Casey

550 N. Kingsbury St. #120

Chicago, IL 60654

312-933-7325

November 1, 2007

dionjones@aol.com

www.lauradionjones.com
www.snobhounds.com

www.dionjonesltd.com

Going The Distance - Again

2009-08-30T11:35:00.000-07:00

Going the Distance - Again

In August of 1987, I was the very last person to complete the Chicago Triathlon in 4 hours and 51 minutes.

I hope reading the following account of the day's events inspires you to find the motivation to do everything in your life that you need to do to get healthy and more fit.

Commit To Get Fit - do it for the health of it. Do it for your life.

Going the Distance

By Laura Dion-Jones Casey

One Full-Figured Woman's account of her triumph over a real triathlon, and a few tremendous obstacles in her life.

One of the best things I've ever done for myself was to compete in, and complete, The 1987 Chicago Triathlon. I was the very last person to finish - with a time of 4 hours, 51 minutes; but the entire experience gave me incredible strength because I found out that the key to success in all things truly is mental.

On the day before the race, all the contestants had to report to a downtown Chicago hotel with our bikes, helmets and entrance forms in tow. I quickly learned how to maneuver a 10-speed bike up and down crowded escalators and into elevators with finesse and style. Then came the race clinics, which gave us tips to help us through the next day, but none of the anticipation and preliminary preparation even came close to actually doing the real thing - although every day I either swam or race-walked for a full hour, so I thought I was more than ready.

5:30 a.m., the day of the race. I reported in to be body-marked. With a waterproof black marker, they wrote my ID in three-inch high numbers that reached from my shoulder to well past my elbow. I was "2541" on both arms. Not to worry, they assured me - it would come off. My question was, when?

From there, I proceeded to hang my bike, helmet, towel, Walkman (this is 1987, remember), sunscreen, shoes, shorts and lipstick (you know me), in an area at the end of the swimming event at Olive Park, carefully taking note where I left it all so I could locate the spot quickly among the 3,999 other bikes already stored there.

On to Oak Street beach, with only a swim card, determination, and, oh, yeah, goggles, to keep my eyeballs from freezing right out of my head in the 59 degree water.

My triathlon suit was a stylish purple unitard - the kind you dance in. It wasn't insulated like a Body Glove because at the time I didn't realize I needed one, and they didn't make them in my size, anyway. Oh, how I wish they did, because one of the most brutal experiences of the triathlon was the one-mile swim from Oak Street to Navy Pier in 59-degree water, bucking one-to-three foot waves. Yes . . . It took me an hour to swim the course, where I normally do a mile and a half in an hour in East Bank Club's pool.

It was quite an inner conflict for me just making the mile walk to Oak Street Beach in that purple unitard. No towel to hide my butt behind, no shorts to camouflage. What the hell, I told myself, if they don't like how I look, that's their problem. I strutted, head held high, trying not to look too scared. There were 3,999 hard-core triatheletes there, and not a flabby one in the bunch. I was the fattest person within a mile radius. Seriously.

The men were great; they all wished me luck and gave me encouragement galore. Thin women just stared; many were down right hostile. Others were in awe. And I confess to some enormous feelings of self-doubt along the way. Did I say, "some?!"

All of that nonsense was quickly forgotten as soon as I took the plunge. The freezing cold water blew my mind - it was beyond awful; I couldn't draw a decent breath. I had to keep changing strokes to breathe and thought I was going to die in Lake Michigan's frigid waters right then and there. The cold, the current, the waves, and everything going on inside my head . . . all the fear and frustration, drive and determination, and my anger at all those things, made me realize I had to complete this challenge. I couldn't turn back even if I wanted to; it was way too late to quit.

Suddenly, I found myself fuming! My life as I knew it was in shambles, my marriage was disintegrating; my plus-size clothing design business was just getting off the ground, and a lot of people had made no bones about their expectations of my failure. If I wimped out now, how could I ever trust myself to tackle the other things in life that faced me? How could I be strong, take the type of rejection that comes with building a new company from scratch, the rejection that comes with just "putting it out there" every day. There was no way I would quit.

One hour and one mile later, I staggered out of the water, exhausted but exhilarated. I decided not to stress myself too much more, so I took my time getting to my bike and belongings. I am built for comfort, not speed. And while I might not be the fastest, I sure was steady and with one-third of the triathlon down, I had only two-thirds left to go.

The 25-mile bike ride was pretty tough in the blistering sun, 100% humidity and 98-degree heat, and I admit I thought about quitting a million times. I also could have cheated, like I saw some others do, by choosing to ride only half the course, but I figured that was no way to build character, so sweating bullets, zipping along on my bike, grinding my teeth, I took all my frustrations and anger out on the pavement, and I'm proud to say I finished that part of the course - my way - all 25 miles.

Imagine for a minute what it felt like riding along Chicago's beautiful lakefront on a sweltering-hot summer day with half the traffic lanes on Lake Shore Drive blocked off in one direction for us triathletes and the other half bumper to bumper. Motorists and passengers alike must have wondered who this crazy-big woman in the purple unitard and black shorts was, cruising along on her bike like she didn't have a care in the world - totally making their lives miserable.

I laughed and cried at the same time. Here I was, desolate because my marriage was over, yet delirious with joy because if I could complete this Herculean task set before me, I really felt that I could and would be able to do anything I put my mind to. Somehow this race had become the ultimate test of my guts.

The next thing I knew, I was parking my bike on lower Randolph Street under the Standard Oil building (1987) and starting on the 6.2 mile run, and that's when I knew I had it licked. One woman who had already finished her run hissed, "Just starting your run?" It was then I realized I was the last one - the very last one.

"Here she comes folks, the last one...give her a hand!" "Way to go purple," one guy yelled, thumbs up in the air. The volunteers sprayed me with water as I race-walked by, keeping time with the music on my Walkman. It wasn't easy to keep going - but by then, it would have hurt too much to stop. Every muscle, every bone, every tendon ached and burned. All I could do was continue moving.

At about the halfway point, one of the workers said, "Just turn around here and save yourself a half mile, no one will know."

"I didn't come all this way to cheat," I told her. "I'd know." But, of course, she couldn't understand. I needed to FINISH for complete Victory; I needed the accomplishment of knowing that I did the whole thing.

I asked one volunteer, as I passed, to call the Finish Line to make sure someone was there to record my time. I had paid my money and I wanted an official time. There were only about ten people left, taking down flags, putting things away for next year's race, when I finally crossed the finish line; but the Official Timer was there to sign my race bib and record my time. It was like a Seal of Approval for me.

That day, I saw people who did the triathlon in relay teams of three - one for each event. Others, much thinner and more fit than I, dropped out right before my eyes along the way. But I finished. I went the distance. I made it all the way to the end, and I've never had such an exhilarating experience in my life.

I like to think I competed in that remarkable race for all the Large-Size Women out there who grew up like me, thinking we had some defect or some unacceptable flaw. What I proved by finishing, to myself, anyway, is that you don't have to be thin, or a raving beauty to succeed in life. You must simply have the determination, the drive, and the dream to go the distance.

When this article was originally published in a 1988 issue of Big Beautiful Woman magazine, Laura Dion-Jones was one of the country's first and top designers of fashions made exclusively for the Full-Figured Woman, and a formidable Plus-Size model in her own right.

She is now America's Preeminent Pro-Health Activist, a successful motivational lifestyle writer and speaker with a longer, more comprehensive version of her current how-to, how-I-did-it motivational weight loss book, Commit To Get Fit: The Secret To True and Everlasting Weight Loss, due out in late November of 2009. Laura is also working on a documentary on obesity and has a screenplay, a semi-autobiographical book as well as other creative projects in development.

Still keeping her hand in design, she is one of the principal designers of Snob Hounds, a canine couture clothing company.

© By Laura Dion-Jones, 1987. All rights reserved.

Laura Dion-Jones Casey
America's Preeminent Pro-Health Activist

550 N. Kingsbury St. Suite #120
Chicago, IL 60654
Tel. 312-595-0172
Cell: 312-933-7325

dionjones@aol.com
www.lauradionjones.com
www.dionjonesltd.com
www.snobhounds.com

Acquire The Desire II

2009-06-15T17:04:00.000-07:00

"Obstacles can't stop you. Problems can't stop you. Most of all, other people can't stop you. Only you can stop you."
Jeffrey Gitomer
(American author and sales trainer)

A good friend of mine is in big trouble - she can't seem to stop eating. Every time I see her, which is not too often - she lives in another city - she appears to be putting on more weight.

My rapidly expanding friend recently visited another good friend of ours who then called me with the report in a panic. She begged me to send our gal pal one of my motivational, come-to-Jesus, kick-in-the-butt, lose-weight-now-or-die-before-your-time, e-mails that I send from time to time, personally, to keep many of you motivated, reminding you to eat right, walk or do some other form of cardio an hour a day, and squeeze in weights three times a week - to lose weight. This is all it takes to shed those ugly, unwanted pounds you've been hauling around with you since, well, forever.

This, and cutting the white starch and sugar from your diet.

Sounds like a lot? Trust me, it's not. But it sure works.

My friend needs to get a serious hold of her self and only she can do it. I can prod, but she needs to be sick of hauling herself around. She needs to be sick of squeezing herself into her way too-tight pants, skirts and tops. She needs to be sick of her husband's humiliating remarks. She needs to be sick of the way she looks: like an old bag, and the way she feels: probably like an even older bag. There's no excuse - period.

She also needs to acknowledge that she's addicted to white starch and sugar and that's probably why her eating is totally out of control. She has to break that addiction. A modified Atkins diet did it for me and continues to keep my weight from piling back on.

My friend has to take the horse by its reigns and do something about her self-destructive behavior. I've been there a time or two, myself, so I know.

She has to stop hurting herself with food and drink. Neither she nor her husband would dare miss an evening's cocktail hour, but daily cardio? Fugeddaboudit.

She must close her mouth and mind to all that useless, extra junk she's putting in her body - those white, starchy, sugary carbs that are so abundant at this time of year. It's these "poisonous" carbs that fool us into thinking they comfort when they really only keep us addicted and coming helplessly back for more and more and more. And before we know it - you guessed it - we're in bigger trouble with our weight than we ever were before.

In the meantime, she, and maybe you, too, need to hop on that scale, imprint those numbers in your mind, take a long look at yourself in the mirror - right smack in the eye, actually - and promise yourself to take immediate steps to do something about your health, weight, fitness, and appearance, prontito.

If you're anything like my friend, you need to begin walking - and I mean serious daily walking - even if it's just around the health club, horse farm, beach or block at first. Even if it's only twenty minutes a day for the first week or two - it's all a matter of developing the habit, then increasing and building on that habit. You gotta start somewhere. And you gotta do it every day for thirty-five straight days to develop the habit. No excuses.

Easier said than done, you say? Not really.

All you have to do is want to - You Gotta Wanna - no one can wanna for you.

You have to acquire the desire to change, to get better, healthier, slimmer, more fit, more active, more attractive, more vital, more lively, more spry, more agile, more vibrant, more beautiful, more of everything - get the picture?

Nothing and no one is worth overeating over. You have to begin to love yourself more than anyone or anything else on this still-green earth; more than your husband, significant other or kids.

In the long run, you are all you have and all that matters.

No matter where you are in your life with your weight, fitness and eating, you can begin to turn things around for yourself right now. But you really gotta wanna. . . .

What's the absolute worst that could happen to you if you lost weight? You'd be healthier. You'd move more easily, compared to how you feel right now when you move, or walk, or go to the bathroom, or climb a flight of stairs, or get in and out of a car, or whatever. Moving will begin to feel almost effortless once you lose your excess weight. And those aches and pains you have? Gone, or nearly so, once you get all that junk outta your trunk.

Aren't these benefits worth far more than those candy bars you stop for everyday at the 7/11? The sodas you sneak? Isn't the feeling of increased well-being and the fact that you're probably going to live longer once you lose weight worth more to you than any favorite, carb-laden comfort food or drink on earth?

If you wind up choosing food over all the positive benefits weight loss can bring, you have my sympathy. No food on this planet is worth what we have done and continue to do to ourselves by destroying our once-healthy bodies by eating the wrong things.

Doing what I did, losing 130 pounds on my own in a little over 2 1/2 years is a monumental achievement. I still can't believe what I've done or how I managed to do it. I can't believe I'm still maintaining that weight loss for over four years, and now it's time to get back on a little slower, but steadily downward weight loss spiral shaving off another 20 to lighten the load on my new knee.

Just keep your chin up, your eyes looking straight ahead and take the whole thing meal by meal, step by step, mile by mile, pound by pound. There is no other way.

If there's anything I can do for you, any question you need answered with regard to all of this motivation and moving and weight loss stuff, do not hesitate to ask. I'm at your service and here to help you benefit from my successful experience.

If the low carb way of dieting worked for me, it certainly will work for you, my friend and everyone else who struggles with their current weight loss plan.

If you run into a diet and walking roadblock, begin again, right at that very moment. Make what you do each and every day count toward your improved health and a better way of life.

Meanwhile, what are you waiting for? Chanukah or Christmas?

PS: OK, Kids, you know me well enough by now to know that when I slip off the middle of the motivational radar screen, something's up. Well, something is up: I'm having a total right knee replacement this coming Tuesday, June 16th at Northwestern, here in Chicago.

I'll be sending more frequent motivational emails as soon as I can think straight again. Should be in a week or three. Please forward all of them to everyone you know so that my pro-health, anti-obesity movement can finally get off the ground. I need all of you to help me take the grass by the roots and tip this point in favor of better health the low carb, daily cardio way. I'm living proof that it works.

Laura Dion-Jones Casey
550 N. Kingsbury St. #120
Chicago, IL 60654
312-933-7325
June 14, 2009©
dionjones@aol.com
www.lauradionjones.com

How Often Do You Exercise

2009-05-13T16:49:00.000-07:00

"First say to yourself what you would be;
and then do what you have to do."

Epictetus
(50-138, Phrygian Philosopher)

How often do you exercise?

According to a recent survey, 35% of the respondents said rarely, 12% owned up to only a few times a month, 33% admitted to a few times a week, and only 20% proudly said that they did daily workouts.

Speaking from over 50 years of up close and personal experience in the "Diet and Fitness Wars," I do know that no matter what some of the media experts say - your weight isn't budging without a serious daily cardio workout - even with a good, healthy diet - so you better get busy if you want to be Speedo-worthy by this summer.

I'm not saying that you won't lose at least some weight by dieting, alone, but not enough. The first year I was on my last diet - the one where I lost 130 pounds in 2 ½ years - only 40 pounds dropped off without daily exercise. Nothing to sniff at, I know, but . . .

What I'm saying is once it was pointed out to me that I was "playing at working out," and once I saw what daily cardio did for a friend's husband who lost the same amount of weight as I did but in a much shorter time frame, I kicked my daily cardio into high gear making it my top priority every single day.

They say that it takes 35 days to make or break a habit. That philosophy sure worked for me - after 35 straight days of walking one hour a day with my 2 dogs as my companions, we haven't stopped - and all my weight's still off into my 6th year.

(I do need to shave off another 10-20 pounds to further lighten the load, but that's another story for later.)

And you don't have to go out and kill yourself exercising eight hours a day, every day, like you're on the "Biggest Loser," either. Weight loss and daily cardio aren't as difficult as they make it look on TV. Plain, old walking did it for me - that and cutting the white starch and sugar carbs from my diet - and each component continues to help me keep those 130 hard-won (or lost) pounds off - hopefully forever.

Do what you have to do to get where you need to go health and fitness-wise. Begin right now - for the health of it.

Laura Dion-Jones Casey
America's Pro-Health Activist - among other things
May 1, 2009©
550 N. Kingsbury St. #120
Chicago, IL 60654
Cell: 312-933-7325
E: dionjones@aol.com
http://www.lauradionjones.com/

To Khaki or Not?

2009-05-03T18:26:00.000-07:00

That’s the Real Pants Question

It was a gamble I took - and lost - but one I’d willingly take again. Last spring, the opportunity to be one of three women featured in an incredible weight loss article appearing in a national women’s magazine slipped right through my fingers because I refused to be photographed for the piece in khaki pants or a khaki skirt.

I wasn’t willing to compromise my convictions, especially about something I know for sure: no woman or man over a size 8, maybe a 10, should be caught dead in khaki bottoms, even if one has the appropriate proportionate booty and thighs.

The magazine didn’t send me the photo wardrobe requirements until a day or so before the shoot, which was scheduled at our Florida island home. I had no time to race into, and then all over town trying to buy things to be photographed in only to return them the very next day since they simply did not fit my personal image and wardrobe.Because if there’s one thing I do incredibly well it’s inspire and help people with their self-image. How I look every second of every day rubs off on a lot of people. Even on me.

So, I thought I’d take a chance that once the powers that be at the magazine saw me looking glamorous in one of my fabulously flattering outfits, they would absolutely love the image I presented and realize what a wonderful role model I was for the story and their loyal readers – of all ages.

How wrong I was.

I didn’t find out I’d been cut from the article until the day the magazine hit the stands. Waiting in line at the local supermarket, feverishly thumbing through the rag page by wrinkled page, I repeatedly scoured for my pictures and place in the article.

Of course I was crushed when it finally dawned on me that the young, whipper-snapping editors, writers and staff at the magazine failed to see the motivational merit of my dressing to inspire their readers along with my personal story. They certainly know fashion better than, well, an expert like me who’s been designing special sizes her whole life (www.dionjonesltd.com).

It’s no secret that the majority of women, men and children in this country are overweight, so why keep portraying people in seriously unflattering clothing when the true demographic of most readers is much broader then any of the media realizes? Let’s face it, the real money, the serious economic buying power comes from us more grown up gals and guys.

Isn’t it about time the editors and staff of a lot more national media outlets realize the same things: demographics do lie – especially these days. Not everyone, not all of your viewers, readers, listeners, are in your “heavily researched,” perceived target audience, trust me on this.
Thus, a lot of said loyal readers reside outside your supposed demographic and do not look as good in the de rigueur khaki bottoms as some of the thinner fashion, magazine and media people do. Khaki just doesn’t work on or for everyone.

Several months after the article appeared without me, a woman called from California who was also doing some weight loss thing or other and wanted my advice about how I got invited to be in that magazine interview in the first place, and also what happened that I wasn’t in the issue like my press release said I would be.

I told her my story and she was aghast: “You mean you couldn’t even compromise and get photographed in those khaki bottoms just to get into the magazine for the PR?” She exclaimed.“No I could not,” I replied. “Why stoop to portray something that is so diametrically opposed to what I, in my core, believe? I see far too many fat women, men and kids walking around in khaki bottoms and a lot of other extremely unflatteringly clothing styles when they clearly should not. Why keep perpetuating this myth when it goes so against everything I believe in, everything I teach about style, image, dressing, and clothing design to improve one’s personal appearance and increase one’s self-esteem?”

The magazine did their readers a significant disservice by not running the pictures the photographer took of me that day – by not using what made me look my absolute, personal best - just this once. They had nothing to lose and everything to gain.My look is part of my message and it says: “This is what I’ve done with what I have to work with and I can help you do it for yourself, too.” But you gotta wanna . . .

Let’s say I was sitting there, right outside your dressing room door, waiting for you to get ready for a luncheon in your honor or just going out with the girls, in general, and you appeared before me with your size 18 thighs stuffed into size 14 khaki pants topped by a sweater nowhere near long enough to disguise your gigunda hips, thighs, belly and butt. I would instantly leap up, grab your shoulders, spin your big behind around so you could get a good look at yourself in your 3-way mirror - then proceeded to tell you exactly why I would not let you appear in public in those hideously unflattering khaki pants.

Who else is gonna tell you this stuff but me?

Burn those pants, baby. Don’t even donate ‘em. I can’t bear to see the bag ladies of Michigan Avenue schlump around in them, either.

Then call me for a personal consultation about how you, too, can Commit To Get Fit and lose all your unhealthy, unwanted weight once and for all, just like I did – on your own, and how you can look absolutely, smashingly fabulous while you’re doing it, too.

Laura Dion-Jones
550 N. Kingsbury St. #120
Chicago, IL 60654
312-933-7325
February 6, 2009©

The S.M.A.R.T. Way To Weight Loss Success:

2009-04-14T22:18:00.000-07:00

Set Goals

“Winning is not a sometime thing; It's an all the time thing. You don't win once in a while; you don't do things right once in a while; you do them right all the time.”

Vince Lombardi
(1913-1970, American Football Coach)

Goals give your life direction, help you do things right all the time and provide you with a roadmap to success in whatever you choose to do. Eating healthier, losing weight, getting more fit, finding a job, you name it – setting goals the S.M.A.R.T. way will surely get you where you want to go.

S = Specific: Define in detail what you want to achieve. What result are you trying to reach? What are you looking for?

M = Measurable: A measurable goal allows you to keep track of your progress. It tells you how much and how many of something you need to produce or do to succeed.

A = Accountable/Achievable: Set realistic goals that will challenge you. Goals you know you can accomplish once you put your mind to it. Who is accountable for your success if not you? If you constantly reach your goals without any difficulty, you’re setting your sights too low. You’re not setting your goals high enough. You need to work and stretch into your goal.

R = Results oriented: Set your goals to focus on what needs to be done – and do it. If you set your goals so high that they’re unattainable, you’ll get discouraged and give up.

T = Time-limit: All your goals should have a time limit, a target date for accomplishment. Long-term goals can cover 12-months to 10 years or more. I recommend you set goals no longer than 12 months at a time.

Short term goals cover periods from a month up to 6 months.

Mini-goals are quickly achieved in as little as a week to 10 days.

Long term goals, short term goals and mini goals all work together to make a results oriented, successful plan of action.

Stop being such a whuss. Get ‘er done!

Media Malpractice

2009-04-03T13:58:00.000-07:00

Media Malpractice: How the Media Keeps You Fat

Fueling Our National Obesity Epidemic
By Laura Dion-Jones Casey

We have an escalating obesity epidemic in this country, and it's due to medical and economic politics. Most people who struggle with their weight are on the wrong diet and health and fitness plan - for them.

Diet, nutrition, fitness and medicine are like religion. There's the Food Group Pyramid faction, the low fat fanatics, the low carb followers, the Weight Watchers, the Jenny Craig-sters, the Nutri-System supporters, and everyone else in between. Each one, a drastically different diet dogma, a different diet "religion." Each one, a different school of nutritional thought, a different philosophy of medicine. And each one will have you believe their way is "The One and Only Way" for you, for everyone, to lose weight.

News Flash: There is no one diet or health and fitness plan that's right for everybody. So stop looking for the magic bullet, that paranormal pill, and start listening to someone who's actually been there for most of her life.

I recently lost 130 pounds in two and a half years, and I did it the old-fashioned way - on my own. Keeping the weight off for the last five years has been an incredible experience that has completely changed my life. Cutting white starch and sugar carbs from my diet, combined with daily walking, saved me. I now walk 45-50 miles per week, and in the past five years I've logged over 15,000 miles - more than halfway around the Equator. So I know what I'm talking about.

The media and big business always put their own agenda first, and when someone's views do not fit in with theirs and/or their "experts," the message doesn't get heard. All over the TV and radio, in newspapers and magazines, there's always some expert at this or that telling us what to do and how to eat. But what do you think Big Sugar, Big Orange Juice/Big Every Juice, Big Cereal (especially Big Oatmeal), and the rest all have in common? Economics, pure and simple. Not your personal health, that's for sure.

It's about time the American public was made aware of these diet dogma discrepancies and realized that it's not necessarily them that's at fault - they're just on the wrong diet and fitness plan, no matter what some of their experts say.

A crucial component to true and everlasting weight loss is finding the diet that's right for you. Once you do that, you can learn to make healthier food choices that you can live with - through every Holiday, birthday and beyond. For me, and others like me whose overproduction of insulin is keeping them fat, the healthier choice is a diet low in white starch and sugar carbs.

If you, or someone close to you, struggles with one diet after another and has a great deal of weight to lose, I venture to say you or they may be highly insulin resistant and carb sensitive, just like me. It's not the fat that makes you fat - it's the white starch and sugar carbs. Insulin is the fat hormone. Too much insulin keeps you fat. Not food fat. Ask Chicago endocrinologist Dr. Mark Stolar, who listened to me, never prejudged, and showed me that those foods were poisonous to my system. If you consistently struggle to have any success with diets, find and ask a good endocrinologist of your own who understands the low carb way of weight loss.

As soon as the Big Food Industries and the media and medical professions admit that there are other diet alternatives and give us viewers, listeners and readers a choice rather than zealously hawking only their own low fat beliefs and fitness plans, we'll become a lot healthier as a nation and lose our excess weight more easily. As soon as we, the consuming public, stop believing every "new and improved," "quick and easy" diet and health and fitness guru that comes along, the better off we'll all be.

Use common sense. If what you're doing isn't working for you, you're on the wrong diet, the wrong health and fitness plan. It's not always your fault. Find something that works for you and stick with it. If you need help, then get it, but keep moving on until you find the right combination of doctor, diet and daily cardio that works for you.

I still consider myself a recovering, chronically obese woman. I struggled and lived a lifetime like that, but now I'm a healthier, happier, leaner, less encumbered, and more beautiful person. And so I feel it's my duty to help all those who wrestle with their weight the same way I did because of big business and media malpractice. A good, healthy, low carb diet can help you stop struggling with your weight once and for all and help you achieve the same results I did.

If I could finally do it, you can, too, no more ifs, ands or butts about it. Your excess weight isn't budging a bit without daily cardio, so try it just for the health of it.

America's Pro-Health Activist: Laura Dion-Jones

It's OK To Skip a Day

2009-03-08T13:50:00.000-07:00

It's OK to Skip a Day
By Laura Dion-Jones Casey
Sort of . . .

A dear friend of mine named, Boudreaux, lives on a little farm in a town called Mamou down near old New Orleans. He's terribly overweight, on the verge of type II diabetes, his arteries are clogging up by the nano-second and he's in for a lot worse health-wise if he doesn't clean up his act and do something about his weight and fitness right now - so his doctor put him on a diet.

Boudreaux's doc told him: "I want you to eat regularly for two days, then skip a day, and repeat this procedure for two weeks.

The next time I see you, you should have lost at least five pounds to start.

When Boudreaux returned to the doc two weeks later, he shocked the doctor by having lost nearly sixty pounds.

"Why, that's amazing!" the doctor said. "Did you follow my instructions?"

Boudreaux nodded and said, "I'll tell you though, by God, I thought I wuz gonna drop dead on dat third day."

"From the hunger, you mean?" asked the doctor.

"Hell no, doc, it wuz from all dat dang skippin'," Boudreaux shot back.

While Boudreaux has taken his doctor's diet and daily cardio advice to the extreme, you don't have to. It is still possible to lose a good sixty pounds by the end of this year - if you really want to - and begin right now.

If you have a lot of weight to lose, or even just a little, but find yourself constantly struggling to get it off and keep it off - I have news for you: You're on the wrong diet and fitness plan - for you.

When I lost my initial 130 pounds in 2 ½ years, I never really struggled or suffered depravation simply because I followed a modified Atkins low carb diet plan. And I still do. And my weight's still off.

White starch and sugar carbs are the culprits that are keeping you fat by overproducing insulin. So think low carb if you really want to get it all off and keep it off. Following either a modified Atkins (my first choice), South Beach or Zone diet will give you the results you're after. Combined with daily cardio, of course.

And, no, it's not really OK to skip a day while you're trying to lose weight - especially in the very beginning.

You have to take advantage of your successful momentum as it builds and be diligent in your diet, daily cardio and fitness efforts to see results.

Because results matter.

Determine Your Own Destiny

2009-02-23T18:58:00.000-08:00

“More than anything else, I believe it's our decisions,
not the conditions of our lives,
that determine our destiny.”

Anthony Robbins
(1960-, American author, speaker, peak performance
expert, coach)

Bless me Father, for I have sinned. It’s been almost 87 years since my last confession.

Father, I have never been able to get through an entire Lenten season without breaking my promise to give up eating something that I absolutely love – except once. Every year I start out with the best of intentions and get through the first day without a hitch, it’s keeping up that momentum for the next forty straight weekdays (plus weekends) that gives me the most problem.

Traditionally, somewhere along the way temptation always does me in, and the next thing I know, I’m eating a piece of whatever it is that I gave up – so I give up - instead of beginning anew right there and then. And now I know better.

Since I’ve been able to master and control my incredible 130-pound weight loss and successfully maintain it going into my fifth year, I’ve decided that this is the second time I’m keeping my Lenten resolution and not eat any chocolate for the entire forty days of Lent (including weekends) – until Easter morning – if even then.

With the recent end-of-the-year Holidays, and then a two-month long working trip to Florida, I suddenly found myself with this darn something-chocolate-a-day habit again and that disturbs me.

What worries me the most about it is that I know only too well what my history with chocolate and sweets is and how easy it would be for me to slip back into the mentality of denial where the next thing I know – my weight would be up five, ten or even twenty pounds because of it.

I refuse to let this happen after all the hard work I’ve done to develop my dieting willpower and self-control to the extent they are.

To prove to myself that I’m stronger than any man-made cocoa-confection, I gave up chocolate cold turkey and made it through the entire 2007 Lenten season without so much as a snip of the stuff since that Ash Wednesday morning. A lifetime first.

Well, I’m going for the gold again this year and giving it my best shot – Ash Wednesday is this coming Wednesday. I have a few more days to get my fill – which doesn’t mean I’m going hog wild in the interim – just getting mentally prepared for this amazing feat.

And I’m putting it all out into the Universe.

Sure, it’s been a struggle for me – that’s what I get for slipping off my Atkins low carb lifestyle a bit, but besides being naturally addicted to chocolate and having re-cultivated that addiction into “needing” a daily fix, I’ve “re-infected” my mind, body and pancreas keeping me on a little, albeit, daily chocolate insulin drip. In other words: I’m re-addicted to carbs. What better time to nip it in the bud?

The custom of giving up something you thoroughly enjoy as a Lenten sacrifice, whether abstaining or semi-fasting from a certain favorite food or festivity (like drinking, smoking or bowling), dates back to the time of Our Lord’s forty days in the desert. Some of the ancients practiced this form of penance because of food supplies running low before the new harvest, and others because they felt it brought them closer to God.

Whatever the case, I believe one should give up a favorite food addiction or vice for a period of time (at least 35 days) in order to “un-infect” yourself as well as prove to yourself that you can do it, prove that you have control over the chemical cravings of your mind and body and that your addiction or vice is not your master, but that you, yourself, are the true master of your own fate and weight.

And it will also bring you closer to you.

Compared to our ancestors, giving up chocolate, sweets, smoking or another one of our favorite cravings is a piece of pie and a great beginning exercise in developing low carb dieting habits, will-power and self-control.

It was only by developing my will-power and sheer self-control into what it is today that I was able to lose 130 pounds in 2 1/2 years - the old-fashioned way – on my own. Cutting white starch and sugar from my diet and making daily walking a lifelong habit are the incredibly healthy by-products I now enjoy.

So, what am I worried about? This should be a no-brainer for me!

When are you going to develop your will-power and self-control to the extent that you will be able to look chocolate, alcohol or one of your other favorite food or drink vices in the eye, laugh, and take a pass on it for now because you know you should in order to lose weight and get more healthy and fit once and for all?

After you knock off your excess weight, you can have just about whatever you want to eat – but only on the weekends. You have to stick to your healthy, weight loss eating plan Monday morning trough to Saturday morning. Period. It works.

And you do have to keep walking or doing some form of serious cardio - every single day – no Sunday’s off on this one for now. If anything, you should strive to walk a bit more at least one day on the weekends because you probably have more time on your hands and just because you can.

When are you going to decide to show yourself who’s boss and not let food or drink determine your destiny?

Isn’t a longer, healthier, more fit life well worth such a small price?

And you don’t have to wait for Ash Wednesday to roll around again to get started. Every day is Ash Wednesday.

Begin right now. Give something up. What have you got to lose?

Go Beyond Your Limits

2009-01-01T21:37:00.000-08:00

“Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them.”

Brendan Francis
(1923-1964)
Irish author noted for his powerful political views
and earthly satire.

I currently have the pleasure of working motivationally with a lovely gal in her early forty’s who needs to lose about twenty-five to thirty post-baby pounds – and the kid is now two.

She’s on my mind a lot of the time as I often wonder how she’s doing with her new daily walking and diet routine. I like when she frequently checks in with me via e-mail whether she’s having a motivational problem or just to tell me how great she’s currently doing. My feedback helps her stick to her plan and believe it or not, it’s always a big inspiration for me, too.

I’m very proud to know that I help motivate her the way I do. That’s what I’m here for.

Whenever I get the chance, I always congratulate her on her progress with the South Beach diet plan. She’s been following it religiously for nine days and counting, which is nothing to sniff at. Her six-pound weight loss during that time shows that the low carb lifestyle in combination with daily walking does work – especially after the other diet methods she’s tried in the recent past have not. From my experience, most people who struggle with their weight need to eat lower carb to lose and just waste time fooling around with a lot of other diets that do not work as well for them.

No matter what, you HAVE to pick a diet you can live with in the long run – something you can follow Monday through Friday - especially after your weight is off.

That’s a big reason why I always suggest people choose the diet that has worked the best for them in their lifetime – and we all have one – and then go on it – and then stay on it – saving cheating for weekends only. Period

You can never really ever go back to your old way of eating – ever. If you do, the pounds will just pile back on by the handful. Duh.

This is truly one of the secrets to true and ever lasting weight loss and it’s right under everyone’s nose! Trust me on this. I’m living proof. I’m into my fourth year of maintenance following my original modified Atkins, low white starch and sugar carb eating plan – and look at me now.

The fact that people are beginning to notice my friend’s weight loss certainly IS a good boost for her, too. That’s one of the things that helped spur me on - especially in the very beginning of my own weight loss program this time. Success breeds success. Compliments breed success.

Otis Wilson, the former Bear’s Super Bowl champ, was one of the very first people at East Bank Club to even notice that I was losing weight. And there is also a doctor who belongs there who was another one of the very first people to notice my weight loss in the beginning. Oddly enough, he was losing weight right along with me, but he actually started his health and fitness plan just a little before I did and was a big inspiration to me because we were both pretty large and each had significant amounts of weight to lose.

As further proof of daily walking’s benefits, I told my friend to think back to when she lived in Argentina and how all the women and men who walked around the city were always the most fit and healthy of the bunch. Even with Tango, it was the walking that kept everyone on their toes!

The same goes for all of Europe and other countries where people walk a lot. They seem to have a lot less problem with obesity than we do and I don’t believe it’s all related to eating copious amounts of junk food, either.

Actually, I can show anyone how to lose weight by eating fast food – but that’s another story.

All I can say to you and my gal pal is: keep up your daily walks. If you’re not yet walking daily – start right now. It is the one and only way to lose weight and keep it off forever – trust me - combined with a good, effective diet, of course.

I do recommend you eventually buy a pedometer, however. And it really helps to record your daily walking totals and weight in your fitness journal every day. The numbers don’t lie. Use them all as motivation each and every day. You need to know where you’re going by seeing exactly where you’ve been. And your steady progress – no matter how small - will help you eventually push far beyond what you think your limits currently are.