"Real Women Have Curves?"... No.

So. My name is Liz and this is my body:

I'm not thin. I'm not skinny.

I'm pretty curvy. I have a big butt, my legs are big in comparison to my upper body, and big natural boobies that can be very annoying at times.

I have lost over 100 pounds and I am pretty damn proud. 

However, I want to step on my soap box and say that I loathe the term "real women have curves". I heard women at work talking about it today and then I saw this article on "The Huffington Post". I hate the divide that is among women, a lot of it brought on by society and the media. I love women and I am all for "girl power". When I was in the cosmetics world, one of the best parts of the job I had was improving a woman's self esteem. I also enjoy promoting my girlfriends in every way I can. 

I see no point in jealously, cattiness, and most of a divide. We all need to lift each other up, not tear each other down. 

ALL women are beautiful. If you are thin, fit, slightly overweight, "skinny", and/or regular. The quote needs to read: "real women are who they are". We all come in different shapes and sizes, and we are ALL real women and beautiful.

In comparison to that, I don't like articles celebrating obesity. If you click the link I have above from "The Huffington Post" it has "regular" (and I use this term mocking, just look at the pictures" modeling in lingerie. Here is an example from the article:

I am not judging these women at all. I would be their friend in a heartbeat, I would support them, and they sre probably very intelligent, successful, goodhearted people - not to mention brave and confident. That alone is beautiful. I don't know what their story is or their struggles. 

However, being that much overweight with a significant amount of body fat is NOT healthy. This is not what we need to promote amongst ourselves and especially the youth. When I was 274 pounds in 2008, I felt depressed, fatigued, and down a LOT. I was very overweight. People would tell me to just "love the skin I was in", however, the skin I was in, was killing me. I was on the verge of heart problems, clogged arteries, and diabetes. That is not anything to celebrate. It will literally amaze you to see how many issues with our health that can be cured solely by being fit and healthy. 

Now that I have lost over 100 pounds, I feel like a brand new person and all of those potential diseases I could have had are gone, my physical and my health are in tip top shape. That is something to celebrate. That is beautiful. 

I say: "Real men AND women come in all different shapes and sizes. Real women are intelligent, confident, and know their self worth. Real women know that their outer appearance does not define them, but takes pride in their health."

Lets work on empowering one another and helping when we can. A divide amongst what is beautiful does no good for anyone.

To view another post on my view of women, jealously, and friendships click here..

Read More

The Importance of Stretching In Preventing Obesity

Many people overlook the role that stretching your muscles plays in preventing obesity and maintaining health and wellness. Stretching is more than a method used to prepare the body for movement and activity. It is an integrative and holistic process that incorporates your mind, emotions and your body. It increases flexibility and relieves stress. It is also an effective calorie burner.

Proper stretching requires you to breath into the stretch. The deeper you can breath the better the stretch and the more relaxed you feel. Deep breathing has a very calming and soothing effect on both the mind and the body. When the mind and the body are relaxed, calm and at ease this in turn causes us to be calm emotionally. Deep breathing also brings about clarity and sharper thinking. You are much more creative and better able to solve problems and respond to them instead of react. Your body follows your mind.

Deep breathing uses oxygen. This use of oxygen serves several purposes. It provides the brain, which uses 20-25 percent of all oxygen that is used by the body, with a rich supply of it. Oxygen is also a very vital component of the fat burning process. Oxygen burns fat.

As mentioned earlier deep breathing requires lots of oxygen which also activates the parasympathetic system which causes what is called "the relaxation response". Causing this response encourages the body to burn fat. So you get two benefits calmness and fat burning occurring at the same time. How great is that! I love two for ones.

Stretching elongates the body giving you the appearance and feel of losing weight. You will notice your clothes fitting better and you will look better in them. You may weigh the same weight so don't be discouraged. People put way too much emphasis on the scale anyway. So remember to not put all of your emphasis on the scale, consider how you look and feel too as they are very important and keep you motivated.

It is very important to stretch properly. The first order of business is to make sure you have comfortable clothing that allows you to stretch. Secondly, you want to be in the proper frame of mind, so do not rush or force yourself. You want to relax and let go. Say these words as you are stretching. Breath deeply while stretching, only going as far as you can go without feeling any pain. If you feel pain back off, ease up and just breath deeply in whatever position you're in. Focus on your breath not how far you have stretched or want to stretch.

It is better to stretch on the floor that way you are not working against gravity or yourself. While lying on the floor take a couple of deep breaths and then put your attention on each part of your body from head to toe and notice how it feels. Notice any tightness or pain. If your lower back hurts while lying down bend your legs by raising your knees, or place a pillow under your knees.

You don't have to always stretch lying down, although I love doing it in my bed before I get out of bed. That way I'm sure to get it in. You can stretch while standing, sitting, up against a wall, over an exercise ball or use stairs. They are books on stretching and things like Yoga or Athletic Training in your local library and book store.

Some quick stretches you can get in are yawning, your neck by rotating your head slowly, as well as your wrists, shoulders, arms out in a "V" shape or just simply hanging over. You can do the hanging over either sitting or standing. If you are standing and the back of your legs are tight bend your knees. You can twist your spine by turning slowly from side to side while seated. If you're standing just slowly move your upper body while keeping your lower body facing front. Through out it all remember to keep breathing, take your time and relax.

I hope you can see that this can be some thing that is rewarding and supportive in preventing obesity, providing you with many benefits other than just weight loss. Incorporate it into your day, while you are at your desk, waiting in line or traffic, watching your child's game. There are so many ways you can fit stretching in and it doesn't have to be so obvious you just have to remember to do it. Stretch with your children or with a group of friends that have a common goal of getting in shape.

For more information on eating healthy for you and your kids get a free report or read the blog at http://www.healthykidsweightloss.com.

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert

Read More

What does it really cost?

I see this all the time.  You get your nails done every 2-3 weeks, you get your hair colored and cut every 4-6 weeks, you eat out, you shop for new clothes, etc.  Then you say, “I really don’t have the money right now to invest in an exercise/nutrition program”.  Well, you are spending the money, just on other things.  When does your body get to the top of your priority list?

What will it take to get you to invest in what is below the surface, beyond the skin?  Your heart, your lungs, your muscles and yes, those bones!  Getting our hair and nails done makes us feel good about ourselves and boost our confidence.  I would say that investing in exercise and nutrition is one of the best things you can do to boost your confidence.  You feel stronger, healthier, have a better shape and much more energy to get through your day. 

What is it costing you to NOT get active and eat right?  Your health!  While it may not seem like a big deal now, continued sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits will catch up with you and then it will hit you and your pocket book in a really big way!  Low energy, low self esteem, higher risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer and heart disease will not only drain your bank account, but drain your time that you could be spending with loved ones and living a healthy active life!

The rates of obesity and chronic health problems are at an all time high in the U.S. right now, making it more important than ever to get moving!  A recent study states that being fit (even if you are overweight) reduces the risk of most diseases and premature death.  Being fit is one of the best things you can do to take care of what is on the inside!  Go beyond the surface and get to what really matters.  Taking care of yourself is the most important thing you can do for your family.  If you don’t take care of you, who is going to take care of them?

Take the first step and yes, I mean that literally!  If you are not active right now, get out and walk for at least 10 minutes twice a day.  Next week, make it 15 minutes twice a day.  Get to where you can walk for at least 30 minutes every day.  Research CONSISTENTLY reports the positive benefits of walking.  And guess what?  It is free!  

To get the most bang for your excise time – incorporate strength training.  Building lean muscle increases your resting metabolic rate (that means you burn more calories sitting on the couch!)  Building muscles also stimulates bone growth. Both women and men are at risk of osteoporosis as they age and strength training is the best thing you can do to prevent this disabling disease.

So what is the best approach for strength training for busy people who want to burn fat?  Stay tuned!

Read More