Sunday, February 28, 2010
Tuesday, March 2 Meetings
6:00 p.m. Sheila Hall
Curves Weight Management Program - More on healthy choices at the grocery store.
7:00 p.m. Sheila Hall and Jean-Francois Borny
Sheila Hall will teach us the five components of a successful exercise program.
Chef Manuel will not be able to make it to the meeting this week. However, he has sent some wonderful recipes for us to enjoy.
Jean-Francois will be coming back this week to give us suggestions on healthier food choices.
See you Tuesday!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Meeting Notes for February 23
Jean-Francois Borny came to speak with us on Tuesday night. He graduated from Texas A&M with degrees in Chemistry, Computer Science and French and worked in the pharmaceutical, chemical and petrochemical industry for 25 years. He now teaches high school science, math and computer at Family Christian Academy in Channelview. As a scientist, he has studied the effect of the chemicals we ingest, for many years, and continues to research and study the foods we eat.
He had the audience members match up common chemcials to every day food we eat. For example, Dr. Pepper and acid were matched because all sodas contain phosporic acid. Milk was paired with medicine because milk contain hormones like the doctors give us for certain ailments. Bread matched up with bleach because all flour used in bread is bleached to extend the shelf life. If you want to buy bread that has not been bleached, the label must say "unbleached wheat flour". If the word "unbleached" is not in the ingredient list, then it has been bleached.
Powdered donuts were paired with paint because titanium dioxide is added to these donuts, for color. Margarine was paired with vaseline because they are basically the same product. Vaseline is actually a cleaner product. The first margarine was exactly the same color as vaseline and it was decided to turn it yellow to make it more appealing to the public. It worked. The popular children's snack, Fruit Rollups, was paired with Raid because it contains cottonseed oil and cottonseed oil is heavily pesticided because it is not actually a food crop.
Jean-Francois handed out a card with the list of items that contain MSG and the top five ingredients to avoid. They are as follows:
MSG - Monosodium Glutamate is always in:
autolyzed yeast monsodium glutamate
calcium caseinate sodium caseinate
gelatin textured protein
glutamate yeast extract
glatamic acid yeast food
hydrolyzed protein yeast nutrient
monopotassium glutamate
monosodium glutamate
sodium caseinate
textured protein
yeast extract
yeast food
yeast nutrient
Top five ingredients to avoid:
1. High fructose corn syrup
2. Preservatives (MSG, BHT, TBHQ, BHa, ...)
3. Partially hydrogenated oils
4. Artificial sweeteners (aspartame, Splenda, ...)
5. Artificial colors
He shared his favorite quote with us; "If it comes from a plant; eat it. If it was made in a plant; skip it." His position on this is because all chemically processed food is handled that way to extend the shelf life and all kinds of unhealthy chemicals are used. Also, these chemically processed foods are all highly addictive.
The reason he advocates going organic, as much as possible, is because organic food processors are only allowed to use 38 chemicals in their products. Foods that are not organic can use up to over 3,000 different chemicals in their foods. Makes you think, doesn't it?
He dispelled the myth that canola oil is the better cooking product. This oil is actually chemically altered through pressing, boiling and washing and then pressing again. His recommendation of cooking oils would be, in this order; extra virgin oil, virgin oil and grape seed oil. These oils are cold pressed and are not chemically altered.
He ended with a discussion of some of the labels brought that night and informed us of some of the bad ingredients in the food we eat on a daily basis. He answered many questions and stayed around afterwards to answer many more questions.
I stood up at the end of the meeting and showed people how to log onto the Crosby Meltdown blog. I supplied them with a handout on how to access the blog and how to sign up as a follower.
Connie Harding reminded everyone that they need to get their weights into their team leader by Tuesday of each week. It is then each team leaders responsibility to add the weights of all their team mates together. Team leaders please make sure you give Connie your team's combined total every Tuesday by email at Iconclh@hotmail.com or at the meeting. Individuals can also email their weights to her at the same email address, if they are unable to reach their team leader.
Connie named some specific teams that had not weighed in yet. She also asked that anyone who was not certain about their weight status to see her, after the meeting. Connie would like to be able to start giving a report of the weigh results at each weekly meeting but she cannot do that until everyone is consistently reporting.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Future Meltdown Speakers
March 2, 2010 Sheila Hall and Chef Manuel
Keeping Healthy with Exercise and Diet
Healthy Snacking "The Yummy Way"
March 9, 2010 Polly Heil - Mealeye, Certified Iridologist
Health Through Your Eyes
March 16 2010 Dr. Konarik - Balance Chiropractic
Understanding Hormones and Weight Gain
March 23, 2010 Pastor Keenan Smith - Crosby Church
Mind, Body and Spirit
March 30, 2010 Panel Discussion Questions and Answers
Award Night for "The Biggest Losers"
Free nutrition classes at 6:00 p.m. prior to the Meltdown Meetings. Please be in your seat by 7:00 p.m. We will have announcements and then introduce our Guest Speakers each week. We encourage everyone to take notes and we will have time at the end of each meeting for questions and discussions.
A Note from Jean-Francois Borny
Jean-Francois Borny sent the following note to Sheila, regarding his presentation this evening:
"As far as reminder, do not forget to bring your labels to your favorite foods and be prepared to match what you probably think is unmatchable."
For Intro:
"I graduated from Texas A&M with degrees in Chemistry, Computer Science and French. I worked in the pharmaceutical, chemical and petrochemical industry for 25 years, before making a God-lead drastic change in my life. I started teaching high school science, math and computer at Family Christian Academy in Channelview. As a scientist, I have studied the effect of the chemicals we ingest, for many years, and continue to research and study the foods we eat."
Top Ten Diet Tips for Success
By EatingWell , EatingWell.com
Achieving your weight loss goal is easier if you follow these ten tips:
The power of 10.
You don’t have to reach your ultimate weight goal to see benefits in your health status and in how you look and feel. Losing just 10 percent of your body weight--just 17 pounds, if you weigh 170--can give you terrific results in all those areas. A 10 percent weight loss, then, is a great starting goal--and, more important, it’s within your reach, no matter where you’re starting out.
Too fast?
Losing weight rapidly isn’t healthy in the long term. So if you’re losing more than 3 pounds a week for more than three weeks in a row, it’s time to raise your calorie goal. Try adding an extra serving or two of whole grains or an extra piece of fruit each day (about 75-100 calories each), until your weight loss drops into the healthy 1-2 pound range.
Too slow?
While losing weight too rapidly is not healthy in the long term, losing weight too slowly can be discouraging. If you’re not losing half a pound or more per week, you might need to dial down your calorie goal a little (as long as it doesn’t go below 1,200 calories/day). Try cutting out a discretionary item first--say, a serving of (non-whole-grain) starch. For an easier, more positive-sounding fix, you could increase your activity level so you burn more calories.
Have both short- and long-term goals.
Long-term goals provide a sense of purpose and keep you oriented in the right direction. They work best if they’re not so far in the future that they seem unattainable: ideally, six months or up to one year. Short-term goals focus on a more immediate time frame, such as "this week" or "this month." They move you toward your larger goals and give you feedback that your efforts are paying off.
Be realistic.
Setting an impossible goal--say, "l’ll never eat fast food again"--is self-defeating, as only a superhuman could reach it. And an unachievable goal sets you up for failure, which can send your thoughts in a devastating tailspin. Focus instead on a goal you know you can attain with some effort--or break a larger goal into smaller, more manageable steps. A more realistic approach to the fast-food goal might be: "I’ll cut down on fast-food meals to just twice a month."
Reward yourself.
As you reach your goals, make sure your acknowledge your achievement with a reward. This tangible recognition of "closure" on your goal is powerfully motivating, so don’t skip it! Your reward doesn’t have to be expensive, but it should be something meaningful to you. Think of something that is not food-related: Rent or go to a movie, schedule a massage, buy yourself a book, some music or a flattering piece of clothing you’ve had your eye on. For many of us, time is the most luxurious gift of all.
Track yourself.
Start keeping a food diary today, and you’re already on your way to losing weight. In fact, you might lose weight even if you make no other changes. How? Being more self-aware helps tip you off to behaviors (and calories) that contribute to weight gain, and helps you break bad habits. By writing something down, you become accountable for it, you have evidence of your behavior. It’s not just about changing your food choices, it’s about recognizing the behaviors that lead to problem food choices.
Take five.
Plan on spending at least 5 minutes after each meal to work on your diary. Even if you’re busy and stressed out--and who isn’t?--five minutes isn’t likely to make or break your day. It’s about as much time as you spend taking a bathroom break, and nearly as essential to your well-being.
Track your weight.
Just like a food diary, recording your weight regularly is a powerful motivating tool. It can give you valuable feedback on how your weight-loss efforts are paying off and what’s not working. Moreover, keeping track of your scale readings over time might help prevent you from gaining weight, even when you’re surrounded by food temptations. Since your weight can fluctuate greatly from day to day, it’s not important to weight yourself daily. Weighing once weekly is fine, and try to do it at the same time of the day, with the same amount of clothing.
Don’t beat yourself up.
Your internal thoughts about yourself and your abilities can have a huge impact on your progress. If you treat yourself like a failure, it can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. You wouldn’t urge your friend to "move it, blubberbutt!" So why would you use that language to chide yourself? Treat yourself with kindness and with an upbeat attitude--like a friend--and you’ll have a much better chance of success.
Monday, February 22, 2010
A Few Reminders About Tuesday Night
1. Just a reminder that Jean-Francois Borny will be our guest speaker at the Crosby Community Meltdown Challenge on Tuesday night at 7:00. He has asked us to bring labels from our favorite foods and he will analyze the ingredients. He is also going to give us some pointers on healthy grocery shopping at Wal Mart and will entertain us with a unique matching game.
2. Don't forget, Sheila Hall will be teaching another Curves Weight Management Class right before the meeting. She will be showing a very informative video on grocery shopping, so, do not miss it.
3. Connie Harding is recording team weights this year and keeping the Big Loser spreadsheet. Connie has asked that all team leaders get her their combined teammates weight by Tuesday night. If you cannot email the weights to her before the meeting, make sure you get all your team members weighed at the meeting and give her the totals before you leave.
"Accept the challenges, so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory."- George Patton
What challenge will you take on today?
Pasta Swaps
SELF.com
By Lucy Danziger, SELF Editor-in-Chief - Posted on Thu, Feb 18, 2010, 4:09 pm PST
Ever tried to avoid carbs in order to lose weight and found they still follow you everywhere you go? At my favorite restaurant, the fettuccine on the menu taunts me; at my friend’s baby shower, the sandwich platter beckons much louder than the mixed greens. And in a business meeting, the cookies distract me. Whether it’s a basket of warm bread, a tasty pasta or tantalizing desserts, carbs can be hard to quit.
Thankfully, you don’t have to. Despite their reputation for helping pack on the pudge (remember Dr. Atkins?), certain carbs can actually help you feel fuller longer and fight fat. The key? Fiber—found in whole grains, oats, certain legumes and even popcorn! When people follow a high-fiber diet—at least 34 grams of fiber a day—they absorb up to 6 percent fewer calories, research shows.
Before you raid your breadbox, learn these two simple carb commandments to enjoy pasta and all your fave carbs and still peel off pounds. Carb commandment #1: Look for whole grains. Unlike their white counterparts, whole-grain versions of rice, bread and pasta are high in satiating, fat-fighting fiber. Opt for whole-grain pastas and replace your usual loaf of bread with one that offers 4 to 5 g fiber per slice, says SELF contributing editor Janis Jibrin, R.D. For breakfast, nibble on whole-grain waffles. On pizza night, try whipping up a whole-wheat crust at home. Order brown rice with your Chinese stir-fry, and use whole-wheat tortillas on Mexican Mondays. These subtle (and scrumptious!) swaps will help you slim! Carb commandment #2: No need to pig out—even on whole wheat!
As with every nugget of nutrition advice, moderation is key. Fortunately, whole grains contain the same number of calories as refined or white carbs, but they serve up more fiber, so you’ll be satisfied with a smaller portion, says Madelyn Fernstrom, Ph.D., author of The Real You Diet (Wiley). Go ahead and have your Butternut Squash and Fried Sage Pasta, but serve it in a cereal bowl rather than a Frisbee-sized dinner plate and stick to a 1-cup serving. Mangia!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Please report weigh-ins by Tuesday
Good morning,
Crosby Community Meltdown Team Leaders! I am helping Sheila out this year by recording the weights. If you can have your team's weight before Tuesday's meeting, please email me and I will get them recorded. If you have to weigh in at the meeting, I will just get the weigh-in at the meeting. But, if I have weights beforehand, that will save time.
I need weigh ins for week 2 from Ditch all extra pounds and 2 weights from the Go Getters.
Thanks in advance.
Here is a list of the Crosby Meltdown Teams (there might be a couple that I don't have on the list yet):
Crosby Crunchers
Determined to Lose
Ditch All Extra Pounds
F.R.O.G.
Go Getters
Healthy Expectations
Meltdown Mamas
Skinny Cow
The Crosby Losers
Tim's Having a Bad Day
Go! Go! Go! Good luck to everyone.
If you get the chance this weekend, check out the blog for the Crosby Community Meltdown at www.crosbymeltdown.blogspot.com. While you are in the blog, sign up to be a follower. Have a great weekend.
F.R.O.G. (Fully Relying on God)
Connie Harding
Iconclh@hotmail.com
Friday, February 19, 2010
Speakers for Week Three of the Meltdown
Tueday, February 23, 2010
6:00 p.m. Sheila Hall
Curves Weight Management Program teaches the correct portions of protein, carbohydrates and fats to eat and still burn calories and lose weight. This innovative program advocates one week at 1200 calories per week, then three weeks at 1500 calories per week and finally 2 to 4 weeks at 2,000 to 2,500. Come find out why it is so important observe the Trinity of Good Health - good nutrition, exercise and supplementation.
7:00 p.m. Jean-Francois Borny
A chemist in the petro chemical industry for over 20 years, Mr. Borny now teaches science and math to school children.
Bring your favorite food labels and Jean-Francois will analyze the ingredients. He will also show us how to shop for healthy foods at Walmart and then we will play a game to match the healthy foods.
Should be a fun evening, educational and informative evening. So, mark your calendars, clear your schedule and meet us at Crosby Church at 5725 Highway 90. Please feel free to contact Crosby Curves at 281-328-4600, with your questions and concerns.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Diet Saboteurs
“You want to eat better but there are saboteurs at every turn...what is a girl to do?”
Why is it that the people who love you the most are the first to sabotage your healthy eating goals? Your best friend knows you're trying to make better choices, but that time of the month is coming and she just must have some fries. Your husband tried eating healthily with you for a few days, but now he's missing his meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Your kids just don't understand why you're baking fish instead of fish sticks, and why you're reluctant to fix them an ice cream cone.
It's just a fact that you may often be alone in striving to achieve your goals. It's best if you start off expecting the worse from those around you so you can plan your offense, so here's some tips:
1) When eating out with friends, don't let others dictate what you get. Don't feel weird if everyone else gets burgers and fries- you can still get the baked fish and veggies. You can be happy because you can steal a few fries off their plates and not feel guilty about eating a whole order.
2) Like it or not, your new healthy menu probably won't be a hit with your family. Although eating well won't kill them - although the drama that may escalate can seem as if you've just served up a plate of poison ivy with a side of arsenic, you may want to keep the peace and make a deal that you expect them to accept that the menu will change at least a few nights a week.
On nights they're having what they like, plan to have plenty of healthy sides for yourself and substitute here and there for your portion: make yourself a turkey burger when they're having hamburgers, throw on a piece of seasoned (unbreaded) fish next to the fish sticks they want, or make yourself a big salad with grilled chicken (even if it's pre-packaged) when they're having fried chicken.
Plan ahead for the diet snipers in your life and you may make it out alive, well, and healthy.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Notes from February 16 Meltdown Meeting
Last night was a wonderful Crosby Meltdown meeting at Crosby Church. Our speaker, Dr. Rob Rosenbaum, spoke about addiction and explained that addictive behavior is controlled by our mid-brain area, instead of our frontal cortex. The frontal cortex controls thinking and logical reasoning. Because the mid-brain takes over with addictions, our body does not warn us to beware of those things that are harmful for us like tobacco, alcohol, drugs and too much food. Until you realize that you have a problem and change the way your mind works, you cannot rid yourself of your addiction.
Once you begin working on your addiction, you need to be careful to recognize trigger foods, like ice cream, chocolate cake, etc. You also need to do something to keep reminding you of your goals like attending weight support meetings, forming a support group, etc. Dr. Rob explained that unhealthy eating destroys our body and likened our body to a house and a car because our body is our home and our transportation.
Once you have a vision to make a change in your eating and exercise habits, you need to ask yourself the following question: "What can't I stand any longer?" and then act accordingly. He explained that a vision involves an actual concrete plan or purpose, whereas a dream is just a hope that is not substantiated. He urged us to begin stating goals as if they had already happened.
Dr. Rosenbaum then proceeded to share his "Dr. Rob's ..No Nonsense--Commonsense, Top 10 List for a Healthier, Skinnier You".
10. Journal your food intake, exercise, water and anything that will measure your success at your new program.
9. Workout 30 minutes every day.
8. Prepare and plan ahead. Get your food ready beforehand and plan your meals ahead on a weekly basis. Pack your workout clothes the night before. The more you plan ahead, the more you will succeed.
7. Do not eat fast food.
6. Do not eat food fast. You need to give your hypothalamus enough time to register that you are full.
5. Eat five colors per day. Brown, black and white do not count as colors. Another words, get your fruits and vegetables.
4. Do not drink cokes, sodas or energy drink. These liquids squeeze your adrenal gland.
3. Eat organic, when you can. Organic food are those that contain no pesticides, no antibiotics and no hormones. Foods prepared with hormones contain endocrine disruptors which mimic hormones and do not allow normal hormones to be absorbed in the cells.
2. Do not clean your plate.
1. Look at your food labels and if any of the first three ingredients contain the ending "-ose", it is not good for you. "Ose" means sugar and it is an inflammatory food and causes many of the illnesses we have today. When eating carbohydrates, make sure you eat those with a low glycemic index because they are slow to digest.
Dr. Rosenbaum reminded us that we always have the power of choice. He said that it is ok to be hungry when you start your new healthy way of eating because your body is losing weight. He told us that if we do not want to eat something then do not buy it.
Dr. Jean Francois Borney will be our speaker next week. He was a chemist in the petrochemical industry for over 20 years and now teaches science and math to school children. Dr. Borney came to the meeting last night and asked us to all bring the label from our favorite food. He is going to analyze the ingredients of these foods next week. He will also teach us to shop at Wal Mart and make healthy choices. We will also be asked to participate in a special matching game.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
An Inspiration and Grocery Shopping Information
"If you don't know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else."- Yogi Berra
The following article was copied from MyCurves.com:
Grocery Shopping by Cassie Findley, M.S. Ed
The first step to a healthier lifestyle begins at the grocery store. Even though grocery shopping can be as enjoyable as a root canal, with a little planning you will soon be on your way to making better choices that will save you time, money and extra calories.Two things to remember before you go to the grocery store–
Make a list. Think about what recipes you will prepare for the week and what food you will need.
Eat a snack. If you're hungry when you shop you are more likely to pick up extra, more calorie dense foods that aren't on your list.
The key to smart grocery shopping is to start with the perimeter of the grocery store. This is where you will find the freshest foods. The majority of your purchases should come from the perimeter.
PERIMETER
Produce – Non starchy vegetables like broccoli, celery, carrots, cucumbers and bell peppers are free on the Curves Weight Management program. Aim for at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
Seafood Counter – A healthy diet can include just about anything from this area. Make sure that you bake, grill or broil the seafood. Seafood coated in butter or fried is no longer a healthy option.
Meat and Poultry – For beef, choose extra lean ground beef, or beef tenderloin or sirloin. As for chicken, skinless chicken breast is the best choice.
Dairy – Dairy products are an excellent source of bone-building calcium. Choose low-fat and fat-free varieties. It is safest to either buy organic or look for dairy products that don't use rBGH hormones.Next tackle the inner store with care. This is where you will especially have to pay attention to labels.
INNER STORE
Breads and Starches – Look for words "whole" in the title to find the whole grain bread. Whole-wheat pasta, brown rice, quinoa, bulgar and barley are also good ways to work whole grains into your diet.
Canned Goods – Fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables are best, but canned are a good option to keep on hand. Choose vegetables without added salt and fruit packed in juice rather than syrup.
Healthy Fats – Olive oil and canola oil are monounsaturated fats, or healthy fats. You should choose these over other vegetable oils in most cases.
Cereal – Look for whole grains. Avoid granola. It's healthy but it has a lot of calories. Oatmeal is an excellent breakfast choice.
Peanut Butter – Most traditional peanut butters have trans fat or partially hydrogenated oils in the ingredients. We should try to completely avoid trans fat. Natural peanut butter is the best choice.
Butter – Avoid margarines with partially hydrogenated oils. Look for spreads made from vegetable oil blends.
Frozen Foods – Frozen dinners are convenient to have on hand. Make sure to buy those with whole grains like brown rice.
Desserts – If you aren't good at portion control, prepackaged cream novelties are your best choice. There are quite a few 100 – 150 calorie treats available.
Now you have a cheat sheet to keep handy as you plan your next trip to the grocery store. Challenge yourself to make good choices. Your health is worth it!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Guest Speaker at our Crosby Community Meltdown

Dr. Rosenbaum of Crosby
Chiropractic will be speaking to us at the Crosby Community Meltdown on
Dr. Rob's..No Nonsense...Common sense...10 ways to healthier Skinnier
new you. On Tuesday, Feb 16, 2010 at Crosby, Church. This is a FREE
event. Come and bring a friend you will be glad you did. Call
281.328.4600 for more information.
Also, remember to be weighed and measured by Feb 16, 2010 for the Big Loser Contest. Go to Curves in the Palais Royal Shopping Center in Crosby, Tx, if you need help getting this done.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Tips to help you to lose weight. Article from Prevention
Losing weight is about a series of small steps--Once you've mastered one, add in another; before you know it you'll see results on the scale--no drastic changes required.
1) Weigh yourself daily
Why It Works: Weekly weigh-ins are a staple of many popular weight loss programs, but some studies show that daily weighing can be key to lasting weight loss. When researchers at the University of Minnesota monitored the scale habits of 1,800 dieting adults, they found that those who stepped on every day lost an average of 12 pounds over 2 years (weekly scale watchers lost only 6) and were less likely to regain lost weight. Step on the scale first thing every morning, when you weigh the least. Expect small day-to-day fluctuations because of bloating or dehydration, but if your weight creeps up by 2% (that's just 3 pounds if you weigh 150), it's time to skip dessert.
2) Keep TV viewing under 2 hours a day
Why It Works: TV junkies miss out on calorie-burning activities like backyard tag with the kids; instead, they become sitting ducks for junk-food ads. One study found that adults who watch more than 2 hours of TV per day take in 7% more calories and consume more sugary snacks than those who watch less than an hour a day. Wean yourself off the tube by introducing other activities into your life. Eliminate the temptation to watch between-show filler by recording your must-see programs so you can fast-forward through the ads. Or subscribe to a mail-order DVD service like Netflix, and make a movie the only thing you watch all day.
3) Eat 4 g of fiber at every meal
Why It Works: A high-fiber diet can lower your caloric intake without making you feel deprived. In a Tufts University study, women who ate 13 g of fiber or less per day were five times as likely to be overweight as those who ate more fiber. Experts see a number of mechanisms through which fiber promotes weight loss: It may slow down eating because it requires more chewing, speed the passage of food through the digestive tract, and boost satiety hormones. To get 25 g of fiber a day, make sure you eat six meals or snacks, each of which contains about 4 g of fiber. For to-go snacks, buy a piece of fruit; it's handier than vegetables, so it's an easy way to up your fiber intake. One large apple has just as much fiber (5 g) as a cup of raw broccoli.
4) Sleep at least 7 hours a night
Why It Works: A University of Chicago study found that people deprived of Zzzs had lower levels of the hormones that control appetite. "The research suggested that short sleep durations could be a risk factor for obesity," says James Gangwisch, Ph.D., an epidemiologist from Columbia University Medical Center. Sure enough, his follow-up study of 9,588 Americans found that women who slept 4 hours or less per night were 234% more likely to be obese. The key number for most people is 7 hours or more a night, he says, so set an early bedtime and stick to it.
5) Drink 8 glasses of water per day
Why It Works: Water is not just a thirst quencher--it may also speed the body's metabolism. Researchers in Germany found that drinking two 8-ounce glasses of cold water increased their subjects' metabolic rate by 30%, and the effect persisted for 90 minutes. One-third of the boost came from the body's efforts to warm the water, but the rest was due to the work the body did to absorb it. "When drinking water, no calories are ingested but calories are used, unlike when drinking sodas, where additional calories are ingested and possibly stored," explains the lead researcher, Michael Boschmann, M.D., of University Medicine Berlin. Increasing water consumption to 8 glasses per day may help you lose about 8 pounds in a year, he says, so try drinking a glass before meals and snacks and before consuming sweetened drinks or juices.
6) Stick to an 8-hour workday
Why It Works: A University of Helsinki study of 7,000 adults found that those who'd packed on pounds in the previous year were more likely to have logged overtime hours. Lack of time for diet and exercise is most likely the cause, but it's also possible that work stress has a direct effect on weight gain through changes in hormones like cortisol. Set firm limits on your workday so that when you're done, you still have the oomph to take a bike ride and cook a healthy dinner. To help you stay productive enough to finish on time, set an hourly alarm; when it goes off, deal with your most pressing duties.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Speakers for Tuesday, Feb 16, 2010
7:00 pm - Dr. Rob on Dr Rob's .....No Nonsense....common sense.....10 healthy ways to lose weight.
Looking forward to seeing everyone. Bring a friend. The meetings are FREE!!
Notes from our Tami Newton on her friendly challenge.
Good Morning,
Getting ready for another Saturday. Just had 2 boiled eggs and a Kashi bar and am writing this before I go get dressed to pick Connie up for Curves. I gotta get my high weight today, so, I can start getting serious about losing weight for the Meltdown Big Loser Contest. Have been eating around 2500 calories per day and will cut that to 1200 next week. Next week, I will bump the intake up to 1500 for the rest of the Meltdown.
I am determined to get a significant amount of the additional 15 pounds I need to lose off my body by the end Meltdown on March 30th. Dawn, Deewana, Mark and I will be the winners of the Big Loser Award and Prize, when this Meltdown winds down to its dramatic finish. Looking forward to a friendly? competition with Connie's Team F.R.O.G. Let the games begin.
Getting ready to head out the door, so, I will leave you with an inspiration from Booker T. Washington and a success story from someone who is winning their battle with food and exercise. Hope you guys have a great weekend. Take care and remember to ...
Keep on keeping.
A New Beginning
Tuesday night, February 9, found about 70 people congregating at Crosby Church for the Second Annual Crosby Community Meltdown Challenge. Sheila Hall shared some sobering statistics about the growth of obesity in the United States. Sheila pointed out that there are 3 components to good personal health and likened it to a three-legged stool. Every person must get the proper amount of exercise, get quality nutrition and then supplement with a multi-vitamin, calcium and omega 3's.
Afterwards, I was introduced as a speaker and I shared my journey to losing 62 pounds and 55 inches since last year's meltdown. My journey started with my first meltdown meeting and continued with my introduction to the Curves Circuit. Then I began attending Curves Weight Management Meetings and getting educated about eating more nutritionally dense foods. I even got up and demonstrated the weighted hula hoop, which I use at Curves every day for 10 minutes.
From there, everyone began breaking into teams of 2 to 4 and getting signed up for the Big Loser Contest. The team who loses the highest percentage of weight between February 16 and March 23 will be awarded the honor of Big Loser and will receive a Big Loser Prize.
Last year the prize went to the FAB 4 (Connie Harding, Lana Robbins, Janice Cooper and me). We received a wonderful spa day to TNT Spa in Pasadena. The team names this year include Team F.R.O.G. (Fully Relying on God), Crosby Losers, Blog Heads (H&R Block People), Skinny Cows and Determined to Lose (My team).
On Tuesday, February 16, Dr. Rob Rosenbaum from Crosby Chiropractic will be our guest speaker. His topic will be "Dr. Rob's ..No Nonsense--Commonsense, Top 10 List for a Healthier, Skinnier You." Those of you who attended last year, all remember his discussion about addictions and his ultimately urging us to physically bury the containers of foods which trigger us to overeat. He kept us in stitches and I am sure he will be just as informative and entertaining this year.
As a reminder, anybody who is attending the Meltdown is able to attend the "Free" Curves Weight Management Classes that are being held before the Crosby Meltdown Meeting on Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. These classes are very informative and help you understand correct portion sizes and the right portions of proteins, carbohydrates and fats to eat.
Curves innovative program incorporates 3 Phases. You are on Phase 1 of the program for only 1 week and take in only 1200 calories. You stay on Phase 2 of this program for 23 days and take in 1500 calories. Phase 3 is a metabolic recovery period that you stay on for 2 to 4 weeks and you ingest 2000 to 2500 calories. Come and find out about this unique way to keep your body burning calories and losing weight.
This week we will receive our tote bags, t-shirts and journals when we come to our meeting. Do not forget to give your weights to your team captain by Tuesday, so, they can be reported . Every week, you will weigh in and give your weight to your captain. Your captain will then total the entire weight of your group and have it recorded.
Do not forget, everyone is invited to all of the Meltdown Meetings every week. So, talk to your friends, neighbors and co-workers and let them know what we are trying to do to make Crosby a healthier and less obese community. See you at Crosby Church on Tuesday night.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Celebrate the small moments
REWARD YOUR SUCCESSES!!
Get a Manicure
Spend an afternoon reading
Buy those peridot earrings
Pick out a new red lipstick; wear it for carpool
Get a massage from your husband
Thursday, February 11, 2010
A Comment from Michael one of our Participants
Just wanted to say how excited I am to be a part of the community meltdown. I was diagnosed with Lupus 15 years ago and been through a heart attack, total hip replacement on both, cut open and tested for cancer several times and many many other miserable ordeals that are associated with the disease.
I was taking 13 prescriptions a day and my quality of life was poor at best. Until...I started seeing a all natural Dr. about 7 months ago and within 2 weeks I have no symptoms of the disease. I was up to a size 38 jeans and now I'm in a 34. But, over the holidays, I've put back on 25 lbs and can feel it affecting my health and have made the decision to get back on my diet and workout program, just in time for community meltdown.
I believe that proper diet and vitamins, minerals and exercise are truly God's way for us to live long and healthy lives and can also restore health that many doctors say cannot be restored. Anyway, I just wanted to share some of my story because I know there are other people who may be in the same spot that I was, with little hope.
If sharing my story helps someone, then I have done what I am supposed to do. Thank you and God bless for your commitment in getting people healthier.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Tami Newton our Biggest Loser's thought for the Day

Well, over a year later and we are getting ready for another Crosby Community Meltdown. I am 62 pounds lighter and alot more educated on what makes up a nutritionally dense food and what does not. This morning I am eating my new favorite morning snack. It is 1/2 cup of Kashi Go Lean Cereal, 1/4 cup of walnuts, 1/2 packet stevia sweetener and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Yum!
A year ago it would have been a donut or breakfast taco that some vendor or employee brought to share with the group. Now, I ignore those unhealthy picks and eat my new healthy food. I have learned that there are diet saboteurs around every corner who cannot stand it when we are eating healthy. They go out of their way to try to tempt us with unhealthy foods. I take them on one day at the time and, as you can see, I win most days.
A year ago, I would not have told you that I would become an exercise junky. I do not miss my daily workout at Curves and have added 10 minutes on the hula hoop to my 30 minute Curves workout. Also, Connie and I walk the track on Sundays, so that we have exercise in for all 7 days.
I have also become a health meeting junky. I do not miss any of the Curves weight management meetings. They are usually about the same format every time but I learn new stuff every time and I reinforce the things I have already learned. It gets me out around others with the same goals and keeps me inspired.
Well, I guess I better climb off of my soap box and start the day. I have pasted an inspiration about, of all things, a mosquito today. I also am leaving you with a recipe for panwiches. Don't forget about the Crosby Community Meltdown tonight at 7:00 at the Crosby Church on Hwy 90 and, as always, remember to ...
Keep on keeping on.
"Even a mosquito doesn't get a slap on the back until it starts to work."
- Anonymous
From eatbetteramerica.com. I would probably leave the cheese off this one.
Prep Time:20 min |
Start to Finish:20 min |
makes:4 sandwiches |
2 | cups Fiber One™ Complete pancake mix (from 28.3-oz box) |
1 1/3 | cups cold water |
6 | slices Canadian bacon |
1/2 | cup fat-free egg product or 2 eggs |
2 | teaspoons water |
1 | teaspoon no-trans-fat 68% vegetable oil spread stick |
1/4 | cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese (1 oz) |
1. | Heat oven to 200°F. Line cookie sheet with paper towels. Make pancakes as directed on box, using 2 cups pancake mix and 1 1/3 cups water. Place cooked pancakes on cookie sheet; keep warm in oven. |
2. | Heat bacon as directed on package. Meanwhile, in small bowl, beat egg product and water with fork or wire whisk. |
3. | In 8-inch nonstick skillet, heat vegetable oil spread over medium heat. Pour egg mixture into skillet; cook until top is almost set. Gently lift edges to allow uncooked egg to flow underneath; continue to cook until set. Top with cheese. Remove from heat. Cut into 4 wedges. |
4. | To assemble each panwich, top 1 pancake with egg wedge, 1 1/2 slices Canadian bacon and another pancake. |
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Together we become Stronger

Millions of women suffer needlessly with so many health issues. It has been researched and proven that when you eat nutritionally right and exercise at least 30 minutes a day 3 - 5 times a week, 85% of diseases can be cured, prevented and or make the disease much more tolerable.
At Curves we like to say we are in the business of saving women's lives. Come in for your Free Tour and Fitness Assessment and we will show you how.
You can call Shelia and her staff at 281.328.4600, for further information.
Shelia Hall
Second Annual Crosby Community Meltdown
It's that time again! We are so excited to announce our 2nd Annual Crosby Community Meltdown at Crosby Church 5725 Hwy 90, Crosby, Tx 77532 at 7:00pm. To preregister, please call Curves in Crosby, Tx at 281.328.4600. Then, check in at Crosby Church opening night.
We have an incredible line up of guest speakers to motivate, educate and inspire you to a healthier and happier body. Tami Newton, our Team Captain of the winning team "Fab 4", will be there to show off here new lighter, trimmer and healthier body. Her team has lost 154 pounds, since the beginning of last year's meltdown. We are so proud of their accomplishments. Come and hear how the meltdown helped her and her team to get started.
Lots of fun planned just for you and your friends. So, grab a buddy or two and come to the best event in town.
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"Let the Health Revolution begin with you and me.'
Shelia Hall
Owner of Curves Crosby Tx
281.328.4600