I bought The Sugar Addict’s Total Recovery Program  by Kathleen DesMaisons a few years ago when I was feeling really desperate. While I don’t agree with everything in the book it is a fanatastic resource for those who feel like their dependency on sugar may be related to their depression or getting in the way […]

I received a very moving email the other day and in it the sender asked me how I cut sugar out of my life and how was I able to fill the void that sugar was filling, with something else?  They also wanted to know how I made that final commitment to remove sugar from my […]

Today I decided I’m going to cancel my gym membership.  My kids really want to take Tae Kwon Do and we can’t afford both.  At first I was disappointed then I realized how blessed I am to be able to even have the choice.   The biggest challenge is going to be cleaning out my […]

Here is another on of my staple “I don’t have time to cook” recipes.  You can use this in tacos, burritos, on salads, or my favorite way: make a “bowl”.  To make a “bowl” I put lettuce in the bottom, then add about 1/4 cup brown rice, 1/4 cup black beans, the chicken, and top with […]

“I’ll huff and puff and I’ll blow your house down.” So the wolf huffed and he puffed.  And he puffed and he huffed but he could not blow the house down. Why? Because it was a house of bricks set on a good foundation. Or maybe the wolf smoked 2 packs a day and didn’t […]

This is follow up to  “How much should I lift?” from last week. I totally understand the fear of bulking up.  It wasn’t long ago I didn’t think muscles were attractive on women.  Or at least that’s what I said. Now I flex my bicep in the mirror when I brush my teeth!  But to answer the question […]

I began this blog with one goal in mind: to share my story and the knowledge I have (and will learn) in hopes that some might be encouraged and inspired.  In the first email to my friends when I was letting them know what I was up to, I said Competing to Lose was my […]

I don’t think eating healthy has to be bland and boring all the time.  Granted it’s not cheesy calzones and fettucine alfredro but food doesn’t have to taste like chalk. Or maybe I’ve just trained my taste buds over the years to think sawdust tastes good.  Regardless, here is one of my all time favorite […]

I like simplicity.  Maybe it’s because I’m such a nut and I need simplicity to balance out all the craziness in my head.  One of the simplest forms of exercises that you probably learned on the playground in elementary happens to be a fantastic workout: jumping rope. It’s another one of my backyard backup exercises.  Perfect when […]

Thanks for sharing your workouts but I don’t see how much you are lifting.  I’m not sure how much weight I’m supposed to be lifting. Can you help me? First you’re welcome!!  Everyone is at different levels of fitness and therefore there is not a one size fits all weight for women or men.  Here […]