Fear is what stops us from being great.

Fear is what stops us from being great, it hold us from stepping forward to life; it is the ENEMY that doesn’t let us be what we really were meant to be. And yes, we all have fears, you name it: fear of success, fear of heights, fear of dying, fear of getting that job, fear of exercising and getting healthy etc.

What happens when you cross the barrier of fear?? After reading many, many books like “Feel the fear and do it anyway” by Susan Jeffers, books of mastering your thoughts, etc., I changed my perspective of fear. That knowledge will help people take the road and drive thru their path. What happens when you, yourself, overcome it, feel it, do it, is: “WISDOM COMES”. You have to experience it with your body, your mind and your soul, that’s when you really breakthrough and become better.

This Friday October 1, 2010 was an amazing day, o yeaaaa. I work with the greatest team of trainers ever; we really are the best striving daily to get even better. Billy Beck III, our boss, friend and awesome person ever, took us to challenge ourselves to overcome fear, step forward and be better persons and trainers. What an experience!!! He took us to do tide rope where you have to walk on a rope 40 something feet above the floor hanged by a harness. It wasn’t that easy!!!!!
To talk about my fears, I always was afraid of heights. Deep inside scared, due to an experience I had when I was little.
Was I scared?? Yes, but I mentally changed my perspective of my fear just by not thinking about it.

In early 2010, I wrote in my goals that I would like to overcome my greatest fears, and that day I internalized that goal and I said to myself : “You have to do it no matter what”, opportunities don’t come every day, it is now or maybe never, and that I can do it with this great group of people that are in the same situation I am, with their help, coaching and energy we will all do it together as a team and grow.(By the way I like this word “GROW” we do have to grow or we get stagnant, and if you are stagnant you are dead); to always be better persons and trainers, to better help our clients, family and friends, and make a difference in this world.

I want to thank my spiritual guide, I name it God, for being there and inspire me.

When we want to have something in life we have to dream it, write it, feel that you have accomplished it and be optimistic of getting it.

Keep Moving, Keep Smiling!!! We live once.

Diana’s Vegetable Soup

Being in shape and healthy sometimes and for some people it is a struggle, but the truth is, that it shouldn’t be. That’s why we have to work with trial and error to see what really works for us.

Here I want to share this recipe that just came into my mind. Today talking with a client that can’t find the time to cook and eat the right foods, this Yummii and flavored soup came into my mind, and “voila” it does have life, spice and a lot of taste. Hope you like it as I did.

Diana’s Vegetable Soup

(You can add any type of lean organic meat or organic chicken or turkey breast)
I did it vegetarian.
All vegetables are fresh.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Beans soaked overnight in warm water. Change the water a few times.
1 medium sweet onion
3 cloves of garlic
½ squash
1 bag French green beans
2 tablespoon fresh ginger
¼ fennel with everything
3 stalks celery
1 medium yellow zucchini
½ orange pepper
1 leek (just the white part)
2 medium parsnips
2 medium carrots
1 small sweet potato
¼ cup Fresh cilantro
Dash of cayenne pepper
Indian curry
Salt


Preparation
Chop and grill the onion and the garlic in little oil in a tall pan.
Add water and cooked the beans for 20mn aprox.

While it cooks: take the squash remove the seeds and place it on an oven safe pan and bake it face down on 350 * with 2 tablespoon of water for 20mn aprox.. Take it out peel it and cut it.

While everything is cooking chop the rest of the vegetable, add them to the pan with the beans with enough water, add the squash, the cayenne pepper, curry and salt; boil everything for 20 more mn on low heat.

Let it cool, take ¼ of the vegetable soup and blend it, add it to the rest of the soup for a creamy texture.

I love eating, I love enjoying my food I love life!!!!!!!!!!!
Keep Moving!!!

How to Interpret Food Labels and Shop Like an Expert

Food labels can be confusing, even for seasoned shoppers. Does "trans fat-free" mean guilt-free? Is "organic" more healthful? Not always, here is a guide that breaks down label lingo and shows how to detect misleading enticements.

Serving Size
Isn't a small package of cookies or a can of soup a single serving? No, one serving is whatever the numbers on the label say it is.
"You have to multiply the fat and calories by the number of servings listed on the label." That can of soup showing 800 milligrams of sodium… Check the label. With the blessing of the Food and Drug Administration, the manufacturer defines the amount as two servings. Mistaking it for a single serving will have you downing 1,600 milligrams of sodium, higher than the American Heart Association's recommended maximum of 1,500 milligrams for an entire day.
Take cereal, for example. "The serving size is one ounce, which is good information," "But what does one ounce mean?" A one-ounce serving of Grape-Nuts is 3 tablespoons; an ounce of Cheerios fills one cup. Unless you're measuring out cereal on a scale, it's hard to visualize what an ounce of cereal looks like.

No Sugar Added
This term doesn't mean sugar-free, as is often thought. The product may not have had sugar added during processing, but it could contain natural sugars that have the same number of calories. To know where your sweetener is coming from, check the list of ingredients for corn syrup, sorghum, maltodextrin, or anything ending in "ose" (like fructose).

Fat-Free
A product can contain up to 0.5 grams of fat per serving and still be called fat-free. But load up your plate and you could be consuming several grams of fat.
Moreover, "a lot of people associate 'free' with no calories, which is not the case," "One muffin could be fat-free, but could contain 600 calories and be loaded with sugar." So be cautious that "fat-free" food labels give consumers the impression that it's O.K. to indulge.

0 Grams Trans Fat
As with "fat-free," manufacturers can brand any product with less than half a gram of trans fat per serving with "0 grams trans fat." The giveaway sign is the ingredient list. If hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fats are on it, trans fats are in the product.

Light
While this defines foods that contain no more than half the fat or sodium as their "un-light" version, it can also describe texture or color, such as light brown sugar or light olive oil. "Light olive oil is light in flavor, color, and has a lighter feeling in terms of texture, but has the same nutritional value as its counterpart," "You won't save calories by choosing a lighter oil."

Organic
This is called a "health halo"—a little-understood term that sends good vibes. As defined by the government, organic foods are produced without the use of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers and cannot be genetically modified. Whether the foods are more healthful and worth a higher price is another question. Many nonorganic products, like whole-grain bread and peanut butter, are healthful while organic chips and cookies may be loaded with fat, sodium, and sugar. When buying organic, "don't be fooled by the front of the package."

Keep Moving!!!!

EAT WELL; BE WELL SUPERMARKET TOUR

"Let Food be your medicine & Medicine be your food" Hippocrates

EAT WELL;BE WELL SUPERMARKET TOUR

Learn and be an expert in:

How to select foods that will optimize your fat loss.

The truth behind fat free... sugar free... no cholesterol, labeling... and more.

How to recognize misleading information in “Healthy Foods”.

How to read and understand “Food Labels” (Nutrition Facts).

Make better choices for you and your family that will save you time.

Invite your friends and family, let's help them learn the right way to get " LEAN & HEALTHY"

If there is somebody that will benefit from this tour , help them, they will thank you forever..........

"Every little step foward we make in life is a step to success"

When: August 24th /2010 @ 6pm
Where: @ Publix Weston Town Center
Reserve @: 954-424-8584
E-mail: edalevy@myacc.net
Price : $40.00 / 1 to 1 ½ hour tour

The big reason why people are getting FAT!!!!

Sitting on a resent flight to Chicago for the 4th of July, the Stuart passed offering some snacks which you have to pay and some drinks which are courtesy of the house. In front of me were sitting 3 kids, they asked for a soda can for each one. In the Stuart’s cart they held juices, sodas and water.
People and also parents need to learn what’s inside of a soda or a juice….. just nothing good. It is filled with sugar and if not with either high fructose corn syrup or a sugar substitute and colorants. And what sugar can cause to your body and even to your brain? is only damage, nothing better. Sugar is addictive; it is the main reason why people are obese these days, kids suffering from ADD, learning disabilities, diabetes and so on.
Can you imagine the Stuart offering some kind of stimulant or worst Marijuana? Well it’s the same in some way.
Kids are being taught and are being exposed to junk, lots of sugar… and that’s what the market wants, so they will increase their sales…… what a waist. Why they do this to us?? There should be a big sign or maybe a huge one posting: “HELP!!!! WE NEED GOOD FOOD”
Big companies should come up with something that kids will love, enjoy and at the same time make them healthy, and so be the future of our society. We need to teach them how to enjoy clean and pure water, the best source of fluid for your body.
Keep Moving!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stay Fit while in vacation

First rule to be fit and healthy is to eat your veggies, lean protein, good fats and your starchy carbohydrates without forgetting drinking plenty of clean and pure water. But what happens when we travel, go out for the weekend?? UPS!!!! Then we have to eat where ever and whatever…. So if you are organized, knowledgeable about your food combining; portion control you can easily manage your eating habits where ever you go.

Just recently came from a long weekend with my family from Chicago, and on the plan there were places to visit and restaurants to eat. Chicago is famous for their deep pizza and hot dogs. Well I thought: If it is just for the weekend I can deserve a “Cheat day” or call it a “Free day”. Life is to enjoy. Always being conscious of not binging.

I decided that if I would have a pizza night, that day I would be eating my normal meals: breakfast would include my egg whites with some veggies and a piece of whole wheat toast, for my snacks I will take with me some nuts and fruits, knowing that I might not be able to find a healthy stop, and dinner will be the pizza time, and why not with a glass of wine. Now the important part is to enjoy it, don’t over eat, you don’t want to end up with stomach ache.

This is a matter of wanting to keep your body in shape, healthy and not coming with extra pounds that then you will regret….not good!!!

If you want you can, is a matter of choice!!!!

Did I enjoy Chicago? O yeah, what an outstanding city.

“TO BE OR NOT TO BE HAPPY” That’s your decision!!!

Research has proven that happy people live longer, are healthier, more successful, enjoy deep relationships, earn more money, and are liked and better respected.

But what happens? That people are almost always worrying in spending their energies and time in small things that are not that important. So it’s better to stay focus in what it is important, be proactive, searching for actions that takes us to self growth.

If you just take a few minutes every day and be thankfull for all the blessings & positive things that you have gotten into your lives, just by this act you will experience positive feelings of happiness.
These are some of the principles that I use to keep my self happy, they work for me and I hope they will work for you too.

**Keep good relationships with family and friends
**Be an optimist (try to extend the time you spend on positive thoughts.)
**Keep a sincere smile, and laugh a lot. Act happy. It won’t hurt if you do it with someone you don’t even know.
**Do some physical activity; exercise regularly. This brings your serotonin up.
**Pray. Believe in God, be spiritual.
**Be generous and share with others. Give with your heart, and give more than you receive.
**Love your body and accept it just the way it was created. And take care of it; this is the temple of your soul.
**Read, exercise your mind, search for new subjects, projects, ideas.

To be Happy is a decision that you have to make. And there are just two options:
To Be or Not To Be Happy” Which one would you choose???

We need to set our goals wisely and to develop happy-thought strategies and to surround ourselves with encouraging and positive people.

Be open to new possibilities and don’t judge, try not to take things personally, open your heart to whom is in need, be honest, and accept the today, that will open your mind and spirit to you and to whom is in contact with you.

Be an optimist; be positive and laugh, LAUGH A LOT!!!!!!!!!

Keep Moving!!!!

WHY WE FAIL IN WEIGHT LOSS??

Sometimes people come to me with this statement:
” Diana, why should I eat breakfast if I’m not hungry in the morning??"

Breakfast; as the word says it means break the fast. You have been sleeping for 6 to 8 hours, you need to start the day by putting some fuel (energy) onto your body, that’s the way our bodies will run and at the same time it will speed your metabolism.

Now…..not all foods are made the same, you have to choose wisely which foods are the ones you are going to consume, the ones that will be optimal and which will give you all the benefits, the nutrients your body needs to run smoothly and safe. And by just changing this habit you will be able to burn more calories during the day…isn’t it amazing???? O yes it is!!!!!!!

As an example: is not the same to have first thing in the morning a donut with an orange juice, as a bowl of regular oatmeal with some egg whites.
Excuses: I don’t have time :0(……. If we want, we always can find 3-6 minutes, how?
Take the blender, pour 6 ounces of water, ice cubes, a scoop of good organic quality protein powder, some berries, ¼ cup of regular oatmeal, cinnamon (optional) ,1 package of stevia, blend it and Voila!!!!!!!!!!!!! You’ll have an amazing Smoothie.

You have time?? Good…… ……

Egg white Omelet
Ingredients:
Organic egg whites
1 whole organic egg
Vegetables: peppers, onions, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli (you choose)
Sea salt and pepper

Sautee the vegetables in a pan, pour the egg mix and cook. That easy!!!!!

Keep handy some Ezequiel bread (you’ll find it at the refrigerator in your local supermarket) the one I like is English Muffins they taste yummii, but always toast it a bit.

And Keep Moving!!!!!!!!!!!

This past week the “Eat Well, Be Well Super Market Tour” was outstanding!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks to all participants for the great feedback.

I wanted to take the opportunity to share one interesting question I got this Tuesday:
Is the sugar of an orange juice the same as an orange? Aren’t they natural sugars???

Juices have a lot of added sugars, about 8 to 9 teaspoons per glass (in 8 ounces) and less fiber. This sugar that is added to the juices is called fructose, a type of carbohydrate that will raise your insulin levels, causing you to easily gain weight.
Orange juice is the outcome of taking many oranges (some of them damaged) and processing them. Also, many additives are used to preserve its shelf life and freshness.
The benefits of eating a whole orange are that it has fiber, vitamins and its nature of an earth product. Does it have sugar? Yes, but this one is not added and combined with the fiber of the fruit, moderating insulin release.
Eating fruits is ok as long you are healthy, no diabetes or weight problems.

HOW ARE YOU DOING??

I was today at the supermarket, and I heard this answer as I walked by:
A women asked : How are you doing Sir? The answer was? “Not so bad”

This is the 2nd time in this week that I heard this same answer. The other day at the gym I asked the same question to a client: Not so bad Diana, he said.

What does this answer mean: that 50% of your life is kind of bad and 50% is good???
Or that you might not want to say that your life could be better but is not??

The truth is that when someone ask you how are you doing, they DO NOT CARE AT ALL!!!! it is just a polite way of saying “HI”.

So why don’t people just say something positive, like:
“Great thanks?
Every time you put a bad word, thought or believe and you express it, it will be the way you react in life. But if just by saying awesome even if it’s not completely true, your mind set and believe will change in a positive way.

“The joy of life is in the journey. The fulfillment of life is in the growing.”
Keep Moving!!!!!!!!!!!

Are artificial sweeteners safe??

If you still believe sweeteners like Equal and NutraSweet are safe, you’ll want to pay very close attention to this special report. You’re probably aware of the dangers of consuming too much sugar and that sugar is not healthy for you. You might have been led to believe that artificial sweeteners like aspartame are safer, and less likely to cause you to gain weight.
Well, neither of those beliefs are true.
Slick marketing of products containing aspartame by giants in the food industry -- especially marketing that sends the message it’s healthy to consume these products -- might be giving you a false sense of security.
You might even be convinced you’re doing the right thing for your health and the health of your family by using products artificially sweetened with aspartame.
You couldn’t be more mistaken.
Remember:
If you’re consuming a food or beverage created in a lab instead of by nature, you can be assured your body doesn’t recognize it. This opens the door to short-term and long-lasting health problems for you and your family.

Adverse Reactions to Aspartame

There have been more reports to the FDA for aspartame reactions than for all other food additives combined. And, there are over 900 published studies on the health hazards of aspartame. You can find a list in the National Library Medicine Index.
There are also some 10,000 documented reports of adverse reactions to aspartame, including death. Since it is estimated only about one percent of people who experience a reaction report it, it is safe to assume at least a million people have had a reaction to this chemical.
Migraines are by far the most frequently reported reaction. Other commonly reported symptoms of an aspartame reaction include:
headache
change in mood
change in vision
convulsions and seizures
sleep problems/insomnia change in heart rate
hallucination
abdominal cramps/pain
memory loss
rash
nausea and vomiting
fatigue and weakness
dizziness/
poor equilibrium
diarrhea
hives
joint pain

According to James Turner, the chairman of the national consumer education group Citizens for Health, has expressed shock and outrage after reading a new report from scientists outlining the dangers of the artificial sweetener Splenda (sucralose).
"The report makes it clear that the artificial sweetener Splenda and its key component sucralose pose a threat to the people who consume the product. Hundreds of consumers have complained to us about side effects from using Splenda and this study ... confirms that the chemicals in the little yellow package should carry a big red warning label."

Taken from Dr Joseph Mercola's website

That’s why is very important to learn which are the right products to be consumed and how to read inside the labels. On the 20th of April I will be conducting a tour at the Supermarket. Please go to the link: EAT WELL; BE WELL Supermarket Tour for more info

I have these flabby arms….and it is because of the age……

Flabby arms, means no exercise + not the right nutrition = slow metabolism

Sitting the other day with some 40sh women talking about how they exercise and eat:

Lady 1--- I don’t eat that much and I don’t know why I don’t lose weight, and look at my arms they are flabby, I'm getting into that "age".
My breakfast is something simple like an orange juice, coffee and a whole wheat toast, then I try to eat a small lunch like a yogurt and at night I eat with my family,( she didn't ask her what she eats at night……why? because is whatever is on the table and maybe a little bit more….)
Lady 2---do you exercise, because is important???
Lady 1---Oh but of course, I’m reading this awesome book, and the only place I can read it is at the gym while I do my cardio, so I go for 1 hour or so to walk on the treadmill.

Now girls first you are not putting the right nutrition into your body, and that is causing you to slow your metabolism
And 2nd if you can read a book while you do cardio, YOU ARE NOT DOING CARDIO, that’s a fact.

Try to put in your body 5 to 6 small meals that consist of:
lean protein; vegetables; starchy carbohydrates and good fats.
Exercise, do weight training, which will help you burn lots of fat while you get toned (no flabby arms) and your cardio should be in a mode that you can’t read a book, but you can talk or sing a song.

Keep Moving girls !!!!!!!!!!!

IS IT ABOUT SERVICE OR IS JUST ABOUT GIVING??

Service is what we are always looking for when we go to someone to seek for help in any area. And that is….. “service”…… what about giving from your heart and soul when someone is in need of your services??? That’s what people is looking for…. When it comes to training, do people come only for a workout??? Yes at the beginning and no and the end, but they always come for RESULTS.

They need someone to understand their fears, their limits, their desires, and their real goals. And all this come in packages that just a person that knows what is really giving from your heart can understand, and help them go through this process. And by doing it there are many tools that the giver needs to have: professional knowledge ,open education and real life experience to understand what they are really going through; patience, and many more tools to help them achieve what people came for.
It’s all about understanding people needs, people’s life’s, people’s desires and give with no condition or judging. And voila!!!!! You’ll have a satisfied client.
So give with passion, not just do “service”.
Keep Moving!!!!!

Diana's Maffins for Passover

We can still eat clean and nutritional in Passover.
That’s why I want to share this Yummy recipe.....

Ingredients:

5 whole wheat squares of matzos (break them and soak them in water until soft.
Drain them, and mix them in a large bowl with a wooden spoon with:
1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
1/2 cup organic egg whites
1 whole organic egg
2 packages of stevia
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Shredded almonds
2 tablespoon of flax seed meal
Grease a cup cake sheet with pam, distribute them, bake on 350* for 30 mn
And enjoy!!!!!!!!

A Yummy New Summer Salad

If you're anything like me, then you're always on the lookout for yummy, new salad recipes. So when I came across this one, I was really excited. It's quite tasty, and so very simple!
This is a great recipe for mixed types, as it has the veggies that are best for them.
INGREDIENTS:
SALAD: 1 pint cherry tomatoes 2 cups black, pitted olives 1 cup organic green beans, chopped large
DRESSING: (The best bit!) Approx 1/2 cup olive oil 1 garlic clove, crushed About 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano 1 squeeze of lemon juice
GARNISH: Sprig of fresh mint or oregano
PREPARATION: Place tomatoes, olives, and green beans in medium bowl. Place olive oil, garlic oregano, and lemon juice in small bottle and shake. Pour dressing over salad and toss well. Garnish with sprig of fresh mint or oregano.
The aroma is divine; the taste is even better! What a quick, easy recipe for guests. Of course the recipe can be doubled, or even tripled, for larger crowds. There you have it! A beautiful summer salad for mixed types, and I'm sure you'll love it!

Weight Gain During Menopause: Is It Inevitable?

I have been receiving lately frequent inquires from my female clients about the many changes their bodies go through with time. I consider very important that all of us learn and prepare ourselves for those coming changes in our bodies. My experience is that we can put ourselves ahead of those changes but only with dedication, commitment and the proper guidance. I’m enclosing an article that caught my attention and I would like to share it with you.

Weight Gain During Menopause: Is It Inevitable?
On average, American women gain about a pound a year between their mid-40s and their mid-50s—the time of life that matches up with the years just before and after menopause. It's enough to make a levelheaded woman suspicious: Is rising weight due to dropping hormones?

That news may be hard to swallow for women who find their bodies changing just as menopause arrives. But those extra pounds at midlife—which bring with them an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and some cancers—are more likely due to aging than hormones.

As men and women get older, the number of calories their bodies use declines. Muscle, as anyone who's heard of resistance training knows, burns more calories than fat, even while people are at rest. Replace muscle mass with fat, and you burn fewer calories. Diet probably is not the sole explanation for midlife weight gain. What really seems to be the culprit is people's tendency to turn down their level of physical activity as they get older.
Research has found that women, who are physically active have less body fat, maintain smaller waists and gain less weight than those who are not physically active. "The message is people need to move,"
"They need moderate intensity activity on most if not all days of the week for a minimum of 30 minutes. By moderate intensity”
It also may help to realize that your exercise time "is time for yourself that you should guard jealously, It will help you feel well and good about yourself, and to be strong, fit and have a lot of energy."