At the end of 2010 I posted a BLOG about starting to lose weight before resolution time. I am reminding you once again not to put off your weight loss or fitness goals until January 1. There are many benefits to starting now instead of waiting. If you start today you will: 1. Avoid Holiday weight gain and hopefully even lose some weight through the Holiday season. 2. Have more energy for the Holidays. While the Holidays are a wonderful time of year,the season can also be exhausting. Hosting parties,decorating,and shopping around your business or job is like having a second job. If you start eating right and exercising now you will feel a boost in energy before Thanksgiving. 3. Feel great about yourself going into 2012. It’s no fun starting off the New Year feeling heavier then you did year end and lethargic from all of the heavy eating. 2012 will start out on a positive note if you have already started changing your habits and are starting to see the results. You will have a new found confidence to propel you into a very happy New Year! As always,I am here to support you. Please drop me an email if there is anything you need. I am here to help. karen@karenhummel.com May I be the first to say Happy New Year 2012! I know there are great things in store for you next year and if you start now you will be amazed what you accomplish in 2012. Start today!! Karen
Recently I have been seeing stories about people purposely gaining weight to make the weight loss surgery requirements. I find this very sad. Why not work hard to lose the weight and be healthy? I realize people get desperate for weight loss and want fast,easy results,but gaining weight to undergo surgery is dangerous. If you have been contemplating gaining weight to make a weight loss surgery requirement I want to talk with you. I will give you a free coaching session and hopefully get you excited to improve your health and forget the surgery. Drop me an email to schedule a time at karen@karenhummel.com
Hi All, I wanted to let you know today about a Weight Loss site that will allow you to download a ton of weight loss-related gifts. And the best part is that it is absolutely FREE! If you’ve had enough of plodding along year after year and you want to improve yourself and your health to make this your BEST ever year,then you need to go here:http://weightlossgiftsgiveaway.com/go/59 The Weight Loss Gifts Giveaway will be open only for a VERY LIMITED TIME from October 6th to October 27th,2011. When you go there you’ll find a multitude of products – all FREE – provided by Weight Loss experts from all over the world. Here is just a small sample of what you will find: * Divinely Easy Weight Loss –Moira Hutchison
* Angelic Healing Audio –Self Esteem for Weightloss –Lisa Dorey
* Goal Setting Success –Leslie Householder
* Weight loss In A Week System –Terry Phong
* Destroy Weight Loss Self-Sabotage Hypnosis Audio –Michelle Mayur
* Lose Weight and Radiate 21 Day Challenge E-course –Lynn Smith
* 10 Surefire Ways to Jumpstart Your Motivation –Terri Bodell
* Get Wealthy Healthy and Hot Audio –Zoe Routh
* And TONS MORE! Get all of these and many more here:http://weightlossgiftsgiveaway.com/go/59 The organizers of the event are Carolyn Hansen,Gillian Hood-Gabrielson,Stephanie Mulac &Dr. Joe Rubino. Stephanie started this style of event in 2006. It’s in the form of a “Giveaway” which is sort of like a giant electronic trade fair where 100’s of experts offer their products free to the public. Because it has become so popular,this time Stephanie has joined forces with Carolyn Hansen,renowned fitness professional,Gillian Hood-Gabrielson,exercise physiologist and intuitive eating coach,and Self Esteem Expert,Dr. Joe Rubino. You only have to walk into any book store in any country to see how popular the subject of weight loss is. It’s a multi-billion dollar industry churning out hundreds of new books,audios,CD’s and other paraphernalia every year. These can be very expensive but at http://weightlossgiftsgiveaway.com/go/59 you can pick this information up completely FREE. With the year 75 percent over,what better time is there than right NOW to set yourself and your business up for future success? This event is a life-changing experience for those who take it. Come and join Carolyn,Gillian,Stephanie,Joe and me and see for yourself. If you want to grab the best collection of weight loss products you’ll find ANYWHERE – all FREE – then go to http://weightlossgiftsgiveaway.com/go/59 NOW and claim your bounty!
One of the trainers at a local gym I train at just started a training program to run a 5k in November. I have to admit,I thought I would be left out from participating,because it is a 5K training program and my running is very limited due to spinal injuries and damage. Once again feeling like a left out gimp,I said I couldn’t volunteer to train,as my running is extremely limited. In fact,all except one physician,have warned me against running. Being fused from the chest down,I just don’t have the cushion of the discs in my spine to support during impact. I was very happy to hear that some of the folks that signed up wanted to walk it and I could be involved. Yippee! I will be helping train the walkers. Now I have a challenge for you. If you have never done a 5K and/or you have not exercised in years,I challenge you to get off the sofa and train for a 5K of your choice in November. Train along side me. I will provide you with tips and encouragement. You can even stay in touch with me via email. I would love to hear about your progress. Now I don’t want to hear any excuses. Just get out there and do it! Email a buddy right now and get someone on board with you. Keep in mind,training to walk a 5K will provide you with the necessary exercise recommended to maintain optimal health. It could also be just what you need to get started towards a healthy diet and weight loss regimen. Okay,lets go. A 5K or possibly a Turkey Trot awaits us in November. Please drop me an email at karen@karenhummel.com if you are accepting the challenge! May I be the first to say “Happy Holidays”. Karen
Okay,I could not resist talking about this on my BLOG! Fat burning underpants? I am thinking of adding a page of shame to my BLOG and calling it,Karen’s wall of shame,to list every gimmicky,quirky,completely stupid weight loss and/or fitness scheme I have ever seen. And believe me people will be buying these super duper fat burning underpants. I have seen my own friends,family and clients purchase the shaper shoes,so why not fat burning underpants? Lets think about this for a moment. Person A goes to the gym and does squats,lunges,calf raises,etc…Lots of leg work on a regular basis. It takes some time for Person A to develop the muscle to see a difference. Person B gets super duper fat burning underpants and some of those great shaping shoes and they are bikini ready in two weeks,okay maybe three. Does this sound plausible? NO!! it doesn’t,yet we get all excited when we see adds for this kind of stuff and those who are desperate and want a quick fix purchase this junk. Funny,I started writing this post earlier this week. The very next day I saw that Reebok has to pay out $25 million,because there is no scientific information to back up firming hamstrings,calves,and butt from wearing their shaper shoes. I believe anyone selling gimmicky junk should take a hit for it. But honestly,if you really thought a pair of shoes could shape your legs. You don’t deserve your money back! So let this be a lesson to you,don’t buy the fat burning underpants! They won’t work. Although,maybe you will get lucky and they will burn your booty,so you too can have a lawsuit. Just kidding! People are way too sue happy now a days. This is my short little rant for this week. Please stop wasting your money on crazy weight loss products. Use that cash to buy a gym membership,purchase foods for a healthy diet,and/or hire a weight loss coach and get moving in the right direction. All the best! Karen
Hi All, If you have a weight problem I just want to encourage you to click on the CD cover on the top right side navigation bar. This is a free audio to get you started on the right track to healthy weight loss and weight management. I also have a special offer at the end of the audio for those who would like more support. I got started in the weight loss industry in the early 90′s ,because I was sick of seeing people being taken advantage of by diet gimmicks and shysters who knew nothing about healthy weight loss that were just out there to make a buck. I wish I could say things have improved,but I can’t. I continue to see bad advice on Internet and TV daily. I am still going to continue to do my part to reach who I can with healthy alternatives that will last a life time. I hope this free audio will help you get started on the right foot. I know it stinks to hear this,but it took you awhile to gain the weight,it will take some time to build healthy habits and lose the weight,but once you do it you will never have to diet again. Aren’t you sick of losing weight just to gain it back? I also realize times are hard for many,so not all of my followers will be able to afford even a discounted price for my coaching,so I am working on something that will give you all the information you need at a very small price. I will have more to come on that later. For now,click the CD cover “6 Powerful Keys To Lose The Weight And Keep It Off”or go directly to the website “U Lose Weight Healthy”. As always,I want to help you. Please email me if you need anything or if there is information you would like me to get out to the public or share in my new product! karen@karenhummel.com. All the best! Karen
This is a hard time for so many in the US. We are bombarded daily with bad news about the unemployment rates and the flailing economy. Many have given up on finding work and for those that struggle daily life can bring on a great deal of stress. I know,I have been caught up in this depression and have friends in constant fear they will lose their jobs again. I feel lucky that I believe I can forge my own future in this down economy,but there are many that don’t believe they can do their own thing or want to. I would think by now we would have all learned that a job is not secure or safe,so why not try to do your own thing,especially if you are not working right now. I have been there,so caught in the stress I was frozen and could not do anything. I would lay in bed and watch TV all day,which just made things worse. Step one,if you are unemployed or under employed,turn off the TV. I know it’s hard,but do it. Think about your strong points,take a walk,read a book,do anything,but back away from the TV. Now,revisit your dreams and get excited about something. Believe me it will help! I am lucky,that I have always loved to write. I find things I have written at a younger age and I smile. It’s like past me is giving present me advice. Here is a poem that I wrote at about 14 or so. I noticed adults seemed to just be stuck in a rut and I did not want to end up like that. Every time I read it,I am reminded to hold fast to my dreams. I hope it will remind you of your dreams. Whether you are suffering physically,emotionally,or financially or with all three as I have had to in the past,there is still a dream inside of you,a spark of hope,a light waiting to shine to the world. From 14 year old Karen to you: Why do dreams fade with the passage of age Do we lose a little courage with each little life stage Is determination and optimism only held while in youth Then we let it fade away and lose sight of the truth Or is it the hardships of life that take there toll Knocking us down,causing us to lose sight of our goal I don’t know exactly what it could be But it is happening daily to you and to me So take the time to remember your dream And have faith no matter how impossible it may seem For I believe that dreams do come true Don’t give up,It can happen for you! - A Karen Hummel Original Just re-typing this got me going. No matter what is going on in your life,don’t lose site of your dream. Turn that dream into goals and actions and GO FOR IT! It may take time to reach,but you can be proud of each little step you take in the direction of your dream. Just as young Karen,believed in today’s Karen,I believe in you and know you have more inner strength then you might be giving yourself credit for right now. So get moving!
I had the joy of turning 40 at the end of last year. Being in the wellness industry for many years,I have always noticed the products marketed to those over 40,but until I hit 40,never thought it would happen to me. I think the worst part of turning 40 was being referred to as middle aged. I mean,you have to be kidding me. Me,middle aged? I don’t look like what I thought middle aged would be. My friends don’t either. So now we are 40 or over 40 and we are expected to weigh more,have less energy,and have some type of crisis. I chose to ignore what is expected of someone my age and live on my terms and so should you. I don’t care if you are 40,50,60,100 or more,this is your life and you can still be anything you want to be when you grow up! If your Mommy and Daddy didn’t tell you that growing up,well shame on them! I am telling you now. It’s not too late,keep your eye on what you want and GO FOR IT!! I wanted to write about being over 40 today as I recently got a Facebook message from a friend of mine asking about some advice she had seen on a commercial for women over 40. The commercial stated that women over 40 had to exercise at least one hour a day to not gain weight. My response was that I think everyone should be exercising at least an hour a day for their health. Women and Men over 40 really need to be serious about weight training. Both sexes metabolisms slow each decade starting at age 20. For men 2% to 6% and for women 6% to 12%. The best way to fight this is through weight training. You also want to keep up the cardiovascular exercise to keep your heart strong and as with any age and/or fitness goal,nutrition is critical! That being said,sometimes hormonal issues come into play and no matter how much you eat right and exercise the weight stays. Most people overestimate how much they are exercising and underestimate how much they are eating,so start by working with a professional,before you decide you have a hormone issue. And please,don’t be one of those over 40 people that say,“Well,I’m 40,I’m supposed to gain weight now.”That belief will keep the weight on you. You have to believe you be fit over 40 to accomplish the goal. I know in the US right now,many 40 and over are struggling not only with added weight gain,but financially from job loss. I have been through that,so I understand how stressful and debilitating it can be.It can also be a huge blow to your self confidence. I know I expected to have more on my 40th birthday,then I did on my 25th birthday and that just wasn’t the case. I eat right and exercise but the stress and uncertainty at that time caused me to start losing sleep. As a result of the stress and lack of sleep I gained a few pounds. I share this,because you or someone you know may be going through something similar. My heart goes out to all who find themselves in a time of uncertainty. I know it will pass,but when you are in the situation it seems never ending. If you know someone going through this,do your best to lift their spirits. So,we are over 40? What now? What is your goal? Whether you want to lose weight,change careers,go back to school,start a business,or anything,start working on it today! Little actions make progress over time. You can do it! If your goal is to lose weight,I would love to help! You can always reach me at karen@karenhummel.com. Now get out there and show the world how fabulous over 40 looks!
Hi All,those of you who have been following me from the beginning know my original intent with the BLOG was to help parents of overweight and obese children through educating them on nutrition,fitness and taking action to improve their own health. When I started my radio show I started writing about other preventative health topics that came up on my show and the BLOG grew to include more preventative health and wellness advice. While it is fun to have more diversity on things to talk about,the childhood obesity epidemic is what got me started writing this BLOG. I also created a coaching program to help parents of overweight kids and it did not receive the interest I had expected. While I was bummed I wasn’t able to help as many kids as I wanted,I was proud I was able to help two local families with severely obese children. I impacted the kids by working with their Mom’s who were also morbidly obese. I am grateful I at least touched their lives. Had I not made the attempt,I would not have helped anyone. And believe me,this is not a topic I plan to shut up about ever,so I will be attempting to support this group again,because I believe every child deserves the right to a healthy and happy future. When I moved from California to Texas,I saw something I had never seen before and I live in Austin,a very fit centric city! What did I see? Teenagers and twenty somethings using the electric machine (no idea what it is called) to get around the supermarket. Man,that broke my heart. I had refused to use that contraption when I could barely walk after breaking my back and here were kids that had to use it,because they are to heavy to make it around the market. Now I am sure this happens in all States,including CA. This childhood obesity epidemic is hitting the entire country,some states worse than others. Usually at this point I throw out some advice,but my goal with today’s post was to create awareness. I think if enough people write about this issue and do their part to help these kids we will make some progress. I could go on and on about fast food,soda,video games,companies marketing to children,etc…There are a lot of contributors to this epidemic,but the truth is parents need take a stand for the health of their children. While I don’t have my own children,I do have a cat I adopted. I took adopting her as serious. I owe it to her to protect her from harm,make sure she feels happy and loved,to feed her nutritiously and to play with her to keep her active. Pawsha,my cat,eats all natural food I have to get from a specialty pet store. There is nothing quick and easy about it. Since I recently relocated I have to drive 20 minute to and from the pet store to get it. Yes,I know I don’t have to cook it once it is here,but I do know people with pets that take the time to cook food for their pets. Now if we wouldn’t feed our furry friends junk,why are we feeding our children junk? I truly think it’s lack of knowledge. The latest research is showing the obesity rate will reach 50% for adults by 2030 if nothing is done. That’s because our current overweight children will more than likely become obese adults. So lets all do our part to educate parents on how to live a healthy lifestyle. I am hopeful we can make an impact and reduce the projected rate of obesity for 2030. Parents,if you have an overweight or obese child I would love to help you. You can email me directly at karen@karenhummel.com. Let everyone you know that September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Be part of making a difference!
Yesterday I wrote a bit about food addiction after catching one of the morning shows. I was bummed I could not remember which show to share the link to the segment. I don’t watch much TV anymore,so I considered myself very lucky when I turned on the TV last night and saw the same segment would be running later on Nightline. But I got hooked on the current segment about a 400 pound teen opting for gastric bypass surgery. This boy,Nick lives with his overweight Mom who had her stomach stapled years ago. I was saddened to see she had obviously learned nothing about eating right or exercising from her experience,which should always take place before going under the knife for weight loss. She had passed on her horrible eating habits and other poor lifestyle habits to her son. Her parents probably passed on their unhealthy habits to her. Lack of nutritional knowledge is moving from generation to generation and we have to put a STOP to it. I have had to have some serious conversations with obese clients that plan to have children. My main goal with the conversation is for them to realize if they don’t get healthy,their child is doomed to suffer from obesity as they have. 70% of children with overweight parents will become overweight adults. I believe most parents want what is best for their children and would spare their children from any pain possible. Being an obese child and adult is very painful. I don’t have to tell you about bullying,the lack of dates,the added health complications and sometimes very serious depression. It’s on a news show daily. So why aren’t parents taking this more serious? Why are they opting to put their children under the knife? Well,there are many reasons. Some parents don’t see their kids as fat until it’s too late. There are so many fat kids now that fat is the new average weight. This does not mean it is any less detrimental to their health and futures. Many of these parents also lack the education of what is healthy and/or nutrient dense. Lastly,people are still looking for a quick fix. Unfortunately,there is no quick fix. I was mortified when the mother opened her fridge last night. I did not see one fruit or vegetable. In fact neither mom or son had tasted Broccoli before! I would wager that means they have not tasted a lot of other vegetables. Then Cynthia McFadden from Nightline pulled out hot dogs and the mother responded,those are turkey hot dogs. Like,turkey hot dogs are super nutritional. Turkey or not,hot dogs are a processed food,which are fine once in awhile,but by the 400 pound weight issue of her son I would guess turkey hotdogs were a regular meal. Now I don’t want to seem like I am completely slamming the mom. I think it took great bravery and love for her son to be on Nightline and show the world that refrigerator and admit she too struggles. She had also started taking exercise classes with her son and was working on learning to eat better. I give her kudos for that and I pray her sons story really hits home for some families,so they can make healthy changes in their lives. Well I have wrote about surgery for weight loss before,so those of you that follow me know I am completely against it when it is obvious there was never work on the mind or the body. I am especially apposed when it is a teenager. Yes,now Nick is losing weight at a fast clip,but how is that going to affect his metabolism in the future? I will tell you,it’s going to slow down,so if he doesn’t learn to eat right and exercise for the rest of his life,he will gain the weight back,just as his mom did. I am glad for Nick though. He was so happy with his weight loss,I would be a real meany if I wasn’t cheering the kid on. I especially loved it when he said,“I want to be a chic magnet”. Go Nick! I hope he is and that he keeps the weight off the rest of his life. I loved the twitter talk about the whole thing last night too. You can follow it at #foodfight. A number of wellness professionals,including myself offered some free coaching for teens contemplating this surgery. Pretty cool! So what can we do? The childhood obesity epidemic is enormous. I have a few tips for people. 1. If you are thinking of having children,whether you are overweight or not,take a nutrition course and start making physical activity a priority. I know you want your future child to be healthy and happy. That child will emulate what you do,so prepare to be a role model now. For now,here is some free information to get you started. 2. If you are already dealing with weight issues in your family,it’s never to late to work for the better. You can do it! Take a nutrition course and get active now. Plan fun,physical activities for your family. 3. If you feel like you can’t do it on your own,seek assistance. You have to get your mind straight and believe you and your family can be healthy first. You may need a psychologist or a coach. You may also want to consider a weight loss coach and/or trainer. Just make sure you check their backgrounds thoroughly. Hopefully as Nightline and other media outlets continue to share these types of stories more and more lives will be touched and changed for the better. By the way,here is the Nighline story,400 Pound Teen Opts for Gastric Bypass! If you or your teen is contemplating gastric bypass surgery I would love to talk to you about other options to try first. You can reach me at karen@karenhummel.com. I know how painful you must feel right now if you are morbidly obese. You can get healthier and thinner. It will take some time,but you can do it! I believe in you! Karen
| About  With Karen's education and eighteen years experience in the preventative health,nutrition,and fitness fields and personal experience battling weight,she could not ignore the growing obesity epidemic,especially after the announcement by the surgeon general stating,this would be the first generation to die before their parents due to obesity. This is not a legacy Karen wants to leave behind. More...
|
