28 Day Diet | Day 28 WE MADE IT

This is it....we have cleaned the pantry (or cabinet), learned to meditate, forgave some folks and lots of other intriguing activities as we have journeyed along with Dr. Oz on this 28 Day Diet.  I had lots of fun how about you?

Before you start celebrating our victory we have one final activity that we need to do because this is officially the final day of the diet.  Spread kindness - it's simple and such an appropriate way to end our journey.  Now how does this help you in your diet quest you might ask?  Because it boost your mood of course.  If you are in a better mood it's going to be easier to do the right thing like shake your finger at that 3 layer cake at the birthday celebration you attend.  Also what better time to take on this activity as we are in the month where we all should be celebrating Random Acts of Kindness, although I do it all the time.  Do something today out of the ordinary, here's a few that I've done in the past:

Help someone pack their groceries at the store
Pay for someone's meal that is behind you in the drive thru
Help someone with directions
Go visit with an elderly neighbor
Take some carnations to a hospital floor

I'm sure you have some others on your list that you could share with us too.

Well this is the end and I hope you all have learned alot about what you can do to get to a Better You like I have.  I really did gain some awareness that was only enhanced by blogging about my experience.  I'll hit the scales today and report back to let you know if I achieved any weight loss success but all in all I have gained some really great tips and an understanding of what I can do for a lifestyle change.

With Style,

StyleDIVA

28 Day Diet | Day 26

A lil bit of stretching to get the day started feels so good.  Dr. Oz recommends a seven to ten minute session but I already have to meditate (geesh!) so 3 minutes works for me.  Besides the obvious reasons to stretch as soon as you rise - flexibility - it also makes you stronger.  Remember Only You can Make Yourself Strong.  Below are a few stretches he offered in the article:

The Hippie - Pretend your head weighs 500 pounds, and let it pull you down, Bend one knee and hold for 15 seconds, then change legs.

The Pecs Flex - As you lift your hands as high as possible, squeeze your shoulder blades together and open your chest.

The Leaning Tower - Try to elongate your body by creating the greatest amount of distance possible between your left pinkie and your left heel.  Hold for 15 seconds, then switch sides. 

The Hippie!

You can find more stretch positions on Dr. Oz's site.  Make up your own routine and customize it to fit your early morning mood.  Feeling great yet?

28 Day Diet | Day 25

Are you a yes girl?  Don't be ashamed to admit it, I too am a recovering one.  I think that as we ahem...mature we learn that yes can't be the answer to every request we receive.  Can you imagine if Oprah told everybody YES?  If she tells me YES I won't be mad at her though.  I wonder if she's gotten my emails?  I digress...Dr. Oz's suggestion today is....It's alright to say NO.  It's not that you don't want to grant everyone's wishes but essentially you need to protect your health from chronic stress by not saying yes to everything.  Now don't take this as free license to say no to everything your honey ask for.  I can hear you now, "Well Dr. Oz and the StyleDIVA said...."  Be constructive in your no's.  Tell folks maybe a no right now could be a yes later but for now it's a no.  Here's the mantra I want you to practice, "Less Yes for Less Stress."

With Style,

StyleDIVA






**Disclaimer - You can still say NO to EXCUSES!  Isn't that right @marlinpage?**

28 Day Diet | Day 20

I always hear that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  I will admit however that it is not always on my list of to-dos.  As a mother I make sure the kids get something in their systems before heading to the bus stop but none of us are huge breakfast eaters, unless someone is treating at IHOP.  Dr. Oz has a quick fix, with today's task he is challenging us to automate breakfast as in KISS, Keep it Simple Sexy (LOL).  Suggestions for quick no-fuss morning energy are below:

Blueberry and Banana Smoothie - loaded with essential nutrients to help you start your day as well as fiber.

1/2 large ripe banana broken into chunks
1/3 cup soy protein
1/2 Tbsp flaxseed oil
1/4 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 Tbsp. honey
1 tsp. psyllium seed husks
8 ozs of water

Blend all ingredients well and enjoy!

Hmm, I wonder if they have this at Jamba Juice (well he did say automate)

Grapefruit with Greek yogurt - this power punch gives you healthy doses of vitamin C, lycophene (helps fight cancer) and probiotics.  Grab a juicy California grapefruit (trust me I wasn't paid for that one) and your favorite Greek yogurt to add to the side.

Speaking of breakfast it's time to get up and make some for the kiddies.  No better time to start than the present. 

With Style,

Trying new pics - Don't judge me!

StyleDIVA

28 Day Diet | Day 18

Like I said the other day when you yell snack I think Snickers.  What about you?  What's your favorite snack?  Today is a trade-off day and replace My favorite snack is _________ with --- popcorn.  Yeah, it's not number 1 on my list either but I enjoy it every now and again.  The value in enjoying this crunchy treat is the calorie count and it's fiber-packed.  Three whole cups of popcorn is less than 9 potato chips - WTH?  Bartender pass the popcorn and of course my Dirty Martini.  I'm learning but we will have a few more days to go!

With Style,



StyleDIVA

28 Day Diet | Day 16

Calculate your BMI, really - just why????  Well the good doc says it's to find out how much fat you are carrying around.  Is this something I really need to know?  I mean I see it each morning when I'm struggling to pull my bra strap together and swing it around.  I'll take one for the team though and do this horrific exercise.  Oh but don't think I'm revealing my weight just my BMI, trust me that's embarassing enough:  My BMI total is....39.6 which gives me a reading of obese (I hate that word).  9 more points to go before I reach just overweight - gee something to reach for!  But the truth is the truth, curves - thickness and all can lead to major health issues.  If you want to figure out your BMI try this site: American Institute for Cancer. 

To get us pumped up Dr. Oz gives us some encouragement on losing BMI percentages and the benefits of doing so:

Lose 5% and you can improve your body's ability to use insulin lowering risk of type 2 diabetes.
Lose 11% and you can lower your blood pressure significantly.
Lose 16% and you can experience a threefold increase in your levels of vitamin D preventing migraines and Parkinson's disease.

Great incentives!!!  Calculate your BMI, implement the changes we've been talking about and get that percentage lower.  I've got a secret to share with you.  I've actually lowered my BMI by 4 points since December.  Partly due to being sick but also changing how I think about food and increasing my exercise.  I've slowed down recently but plan to just watch my food intake and keep challenging myself to be the best me after these 28 days.

With Style,



StyleDIVA

28 Day Diet | Day 15

I just started taking a Multivitamin this weekend.  Yes I know.  What was I waiting for?  Well to be perfectly honest I just didn't think I needed one but recently I've seem to come down with a case of the Bakersfield illness called THE VALLEY FEVER!  Pausing for dramatisy.  [insert heavy sigh] Yes, I was warned when I arrived after unpacking my moving truck about this dreaded illness but thought yeah, right, pssst - not me.  Well yes me!  Not going to give you all the deets of this um thing but essentially I'm on medication for goodness knows how long and if I would have been taking some vitamins I probably wouldn't have had a weakened immune system and bypassed the spores in the air that caused all this drama.

All that to say that day 15 is dedicated to taking the right pills.  Dr. Oz actual recommends that you not only take a multivitamin but also calcium and vitamin D.  Anyone had the dreaded news that you are vitamin D deficient?  I think it's a scam but none the less vitamin D is important so he's recommending it.  He also says if you are having other ailments: lower back pain, family history of Alzheimer's, high blood pressure or constipation you can talk to the folks at the counter at the health food store and get some extra help with what to take to alleviate some of these symptoms. 

Be smart, Be happy and Be aware of what you need to do to be a better you.  Take your vitamins and also mention to any physician what you are taking to make sure it doesn't interfere with any prescribed meds.  Just a tip from your Style Diva.

The 28 day Diet | Day 14

Okay so I took a two day vacation but it was Super Bowl Weekend, #allowed.  Now I'm cracking my knuckles and getting this post out.

Day 14 and Dr. Oz wants us to connect with our relatives in a different type of way then family gatherings, he wants us to interview them.  That's right pull up a chair, some paper and a notepad and ask some hard questions, family history.  No, we don't want to find out if Lil Suzy is really Uncle Johnny's baby.  Well maybe I do but Oz wants you to find out the medical history in your family.  Is there diabetes, heart disease, cancer?  He says your relatives history will give you hints about what your genes have in store for you.  Another great suggestion is the online tool The US Surgeon General offers to compile your notes into a report to print for your doctor.  Now that's #HOTNESS!  And remember it's never to early to do this.  In your 20s, 30s, 40s (Oh dear God) is better than discovering that over active thyroid is a family trait when you are 89!  Well that's exaggerating but you get my point.

Share your information too with other relatives so they can get their health in check and make it a family affair. 

With Style,


StyleDIVA

28 Day Diet | Day 12

Ugghh Portion Control is the title for today.  Yes essential but so boring to look at my cheese cubes to see if they are resembling 3 dice, heck I'll crap out if I have to do this everytime I eat.  As Oz stresses as American's we do like it all big....okay I'll keep it PG.  Cars, houses and our meals and I'll have to admit when I swung around at McDonald's to get a small drink (okay and an apple pie) I was shocked at the size of a small drink even though it costs as much as a happy meal!  So I have noticed that the portions you receive when you go out really are triple what you'd probably have at home.  But eating out is fun, eating out is social, eating out in my house is survival and that's where portion control really comes into play.  Eating half of the Monte Cristo sandwich at Champ's is acceptable, not favorable but acceptable.  Over the next few days notice how you can cut your meals in half and still enjoy your meal - challenge yourself.

Now let's not go crazy!

28 Day Diet | Day 10

We are on Day 10 and it's going to be a wonderful day starting with MEDITATION!  Who wouldn't love meditating, it provides great benefits: stress-busting, lowering blood pressure and bad cholesterol.  There are a few tools Dr. Oz provides us with in his article to help us get to the OM factor:

1.  How to Meditate CDs, can be purchased at a health store or on online.
2.  Insight Timer App.  Chimes to notify you when your desired timed meditation is over.
3.  A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workbook.

Below I've taped a meditation session that I hope you will join in on:

Sorry I said the 11th day in the video, hey it's 5 AM!!!

Namaste,




StyleDIVA

The 28 Day Diet | Day 9

Are you getting enough sleep?  Sometimes I think that I don't but my kids would disagree.  I definately get 7 - 8 per night, I could use 10!  Couldn't we all?  Now raise your hand if you have a little trouble getting to sleep some nights...***StyleDIVA hand in the air***  Well our new bud Dr. Oz talked to some of his celeb friends and they gave him some suggestions:

Rosie Perez makes a dried tea of chamomile flowers that her sister (a chef) told her to make before bedtime.

Jillian Michaels listens to books on tape and if she rolls over and is up in the middle of the night she recites the alphabet backward.  - sidebar, I don't know about you but after Z, Y, X I'd be so confused I'd never go to sleep.

Robin Hunt (Yes I'm a celeb!  Didn't you see me hanging with David Tutera?) says to try the Rain App on your smart phone or tablet.  iPad has a great one, it gives you several rain selections like: rain on the roof, rain hitting the ground, rain on water and my favorite is a rain with thunder.  Love, love, love this - trust me you will sleep like a baby after 5 minutes. 

Do you have a favorite trick to get the sandman to come?  Leave a comment below so we can share it on the air.

Sweet Dreams,

StyleDIVA

The 28 Day Diet | Day 8

Time to take it up a notch today, break out your new year workout gear and start sweating!  That's right do some physical activity for 30 minutes to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attacks by 30%.  Not use to working out?  Start with a walk, you'll be surprised how you feel about yourself when you get done.  If you are the Workout Dancehall Queen I'm going to challenge you to do something different to your workout routine.  Try belly dancing, go 6 miles instead of your normal 5 or give ZUMBA a try instead of sliding your membership card to walk the treadmill.  Day 8 ladies just 20 more to go, how do you feel?  Thanks Dr. Oz for making this journey loads of fun.  Now where is that belly dancing brochure?? - don't worry I'll be sure to report back how it went ;) (wink, wink). 

The 28 Day Diet | Day 7

Day 7 has some interesting possibilities.  Let's just say Dr. Laura Berman, host of In The Bedroom on OWN, helped with today's activity.  Put this one in your Daytimer..."Get Busy Getting Busy".  That's right ladies schedule some S-E-X to boost your immune system and decrease the likelihood of plaque buildup on the arteries.  I'm down!  Caveat for me, Big Poppie is 2 hours away, guess what Dr. Berman is giving me a pass, sort of.  She says and I quote, "no partner doesn't mean no sex.  This is about health and happiness, don't be afraid to take care of yourself."  Guess it's time to break out the "roommate" as one of my besties calls it.  LMBO!  Honey I'm scheduling you in on Monday!!!!  Sorry Dr. Berman but the roommate don't compare to Big Poppie, IJS!  Happy love making PEEPS.

Pic courtesy of Cosmo Mag Online

The 28 Day Diet | Day 6

I'm going to find todays task to be a chore but none the less helpful in the diet journey.  Here it is:  Write every bite, scribble every nibble (his words), be a slave to your food war (my words).  Even though this task is daunting it is essential.  I've had friends actually lose pounds by doing this because they were afraid to write down they had eaten a bag of chips for fear that....it was true!  LOL  The nice thing about doing this is that it is super easy.  You can jot things down in a notebook or Oz suggests going technical and using one of the following apps to help you:

PeerTrainer (actually works with WW points)
Dailyburn (includes workouts and it's FREE)
SPARKPeople
Lose It! (This is actually an IPad app - Whoo Hoo!!!)

The StyleDIVA is only familiar with one of these and that's SPARKPeople, they flood my email box with stuff.  Some of it helpful some just spam but they do have lots of cool tools on their site that are helpful with weightloss.  Pick your favorite method and see where some of the pitfalls in your diet are coming from.  Remember write it all down, from that stop at the vending machine to the peas you eat off of your son's plate.  Maybe we'll lose twice the weight we expect to lose as the article claims people that track do....I'm game are you?

Let's turn YIKES into Morning Sexy!

The 28 Day Diet | Day 5

Memorize a poem today.  The good Dr is trying to give us a cognitive boost, invigorate the spirit…get the blood pumping!  He suggested a nice poem but here’s the one I’m choosing.  It’s by Jill Scott from her The Moments, The Minutes, The Hours book of poetry.  Diva grabs mic……

To My New Lover

For the first time I’ve allowed someone, no you, to strip me of all my

Clothing, all my confusion, all my doubt, all my fear of love

And life.

I am Naked.  Yes naked, Butt naked and

Impressed with your ability to see me,

To see ME

Clearly

Through my private, lonely haze,

You touch me.

You feel me and make me tremble with the possibilities of

Tomorrow, the next day, the next day and forever baby.

With you,

I feel my cloud cleared

My rain washing me

With you

My flower blooms in December cold

With you

I lose mental chaos and gain tranquility

You have my power and when I grow weary,

You replenish me

With you

My angry ocean sits placid easy calm

With you

I have become

My entire self.

Thank you.

Drops mic….dramatic pause.  I’d say that gave me a boost!  So get yourself some culture, practice and put your favorite poem to memory to get those brain cells circulating today.  Send us your favorite poem in the comments section.  Ciao!