The Gym...OR...Pills?

I've got weight gain...Michael's got muscle atrophy.

Is there a pill we can take to make it go away?

I actually googled the weight reduction aide Alli today, which works by "decreasing absorption of fat by the intestines," and reducing the calories you absorb - IF you're already doing low fat, low calorie and high exercise.

Which I am - since the healthy lifestyle is my preference - so, it sounds tempting. A little boost would be appreciated.

Immediately, I found a report from the Mayo Clinic - whom I respect - saying that this expensive pill might only take off an extra six pounds a year. And on days when you might eat more than 15 grams of fat, might cause "unwanted effects" like urgent bowel movements, diarrhea, and gas with oily spotting.

I immediately unwanted it.

Then I thought - hmmm! I wonder if I should take something thermogenic to really boost my body's fat burning ability?

Then I found a report from Dr. Andrew Weil - whom I respect - saying that thermogenics, which uses stimulants to boost your metabolism and suppress your appetite, might create short term weight loss, but "you won't maintain this weight loss without eating less and exercising more" - plus - "several of the ingredients are potentially dangerous."
Sigh!

So today, Michael and I had appointments with Trainers at the gym - his trainer having special expertise in working with people fresh out of medical rehab. He actually did a plank today - and the recumbent bike. Gym-Boy is back!

My trainer, the amazing Debbie, is five years older than I am (and I'm 57 going on 40) and leads the "I Hate to Run" class, as she is an advocate of slow, easy running. That made me look at her warily.

Then she said the magic words to me: "When you run, you can eat anything."

I looked at her thoughtfully. "But I don't run," I told her, "unless someone is chasing me." I explained that I was the fat girl in P.E. class who dreaded the words "Take a lap" even more than "Let's pick teams."

But I will say, I am going for a natural thermogenic...

"Trust me," said Debbie.

So today, for the first time in my life, I jogged in two short spurts on the treadmill. Just like those fit, young girls I see who actually sweat.

I was surprised. I was not out of breath or uncomfortable, yet my always excellent heart rate soared thermogenically. And, after months of sitting, it felt good to move. Debbie said that those two short bursts actually took me a quarter of a mile. Hmmm.

So I'm going to let Debbie have her way with me. Cautiously. Slowly. Guardedly.

Because she absolutely guaranteed me there would be no gas with oily spotting.

Patricia's New Magic Running Shoes -
Expensive, Comfortable & Thermogenic

Flirting With Reality: Just Interviewed by Alan Cohen on his Hay House Internet Radio Show

Flirting With Reality: Just Interviewed by Alan Cohen on his Hay House Internet Radio Show
www.Tiny.cc/weightlossinterview

Just Interviewed by Alan Cohen on his Hay House Internet Radio Show

Inspirational speaker and author Alan Cohen had me as his guest on his Internet radio show on the Hay House Wisdom Community website as a weight loss expert ( ironic for me, since my job now is to put weight ON someone, at which I've been very successful: Michael's up from 110 to about 130 now - yay - and I'm up about 15 pounds - damn!).

It was good to be back in the saddle as in inspirational speaker - especially as this is an unexpected season of my life where I get to walk my talk. Makes you think about what you believe. And I stick to my firm belief that you have to focus on health - not weight - or your inner rebel will show up immediately and stay for dinner.

The interview will be available at HayHouseRadio website at for two weeks, starting May 7th (and then you need to have an ID/password to access archived interviews) - but I'll publish it on my website soon, as this blog won't accept the link.

So if anyone out there is visiting this blog for the first time, I want to give you the fabulous piece I read on air that's about self-acceptance. The author was unknown, so I cleaned it up and rewrote it. (Note to authors: ALWAYS put your name on your work!)

WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM THE ROSE

Author Unknown

Rewritten by Patricia Alexander

When we plant a rose seed in the earth,

we notice that it is small

…but we do not criticize it as rootless and stemless.

Rather, we treat it as a seed,

giving it water and nourishment.

When it first shoots up out of the earth,

we don’t condemn it as immature and underdeveloped;

nor do we criticize the buds for not being open when they appear.

Rather, we stand in wonder at the process taking place and give the plant the care it needs

at each stage of its development.

The rose is a rose from the time it is a seed

to the time it dies.

At all times, it contains its whole potential within it.

As a result, it is constantly in the process of evolving.

Yet, at each stage…at each moment…

…it is perfectly all right as it is.

I believe that it is only from this point of self-love and acceptance that you can become the healthiest version of yourself you can be. We are all roses at our own stages of life, thorns and petals all part of the deal!