When is enough, enough?   It wasn’t enough when I had to ask a stewardess for the seat belt extender.  It wasn’t enough when I couldn’t go through the turnstiles at Disney like everybody else.  It wasn’t enough when I was anemic and put on bed rest or when I was borderline diabetic.  I was sick and tired of how difficult my life was because of my weight, but I did nothing, I was tired of stopping and starting diets.  I was tired of losing weight and gaining more back.  I was tired of failing. I was unable to see that I was the only one that could change it all.

What we see depends on what we look for.  I was looking for someone to blame.  I finally had enough when fear was ruling my life. Fear of losing weight and the changes that will inevitably come.  Fear of not losing weight and giving up hope.  My being overweight was a symptom of my unhappiness. Taking responsibility for all that was wrong in my life was the first step.  Using food for sustenance and not a friend was next.  Changing my thought processes and replacing my bad habits with positive ones remains a work in progress.  But now when I wake up my first thought is of how grateful I am for the changes in my life.  I am the most grateful for hitting bottom, and knowing that I was finally ready to change!

Last week I began my quest for de-stressing and detoxing body and soul. I started with an amazing Wellness session and a promise to exercise 5 times per week.

So far: so good. (Although I decided that skiing was exercise, and that might be cheating a bit.)

This week, I am going to continue with the body cleanse by revisiting the infrared sauna, and sticking with the exercise. In addition, I have added two servings of green, leafy vegetables to my daily menu, and I am on the lookout for new supplements. I will report back on Thursday after I speak with a nutritionist.

I also plan to mediate for ten minutes each day, with the hope that I will be able to get up to thirty minutes by the end of the eight weeks.

Last but not least, I plan on cleaning out my closet, so that I will feel more organized and in control of my life.

I will let you know how it’s going on Thursday.
Have a beautiful day!
Jennifer

I booked a morning at The Oasis Wellness Center in Westlake Village to try to relax and rejuvenate.  I was the lucky owner of a groupon-type deal that provided me with a “Triple Treat”.  I had no idea what I was even getting, but for the amazing price of $29 (and the word massage in the description) I figured what did I have to lose?

Jason greeted me when I arrived.  He seemed to be exuding health.  His skin was fresh and dewy, and the smell of herbs and tea penetrated the air. (At least that’s what I think it was – it was a lovely smell that told me it was time for some relaxing!)

My first stop was what I refer to as the Astronaut vibrator.  (Real name: “TurboSonic Whole Body Enhancer”, a machine developed for Astronauts.)  I was informed that just 10 minutes on this thing was equivalent to a 45-minute workout. Darn – I had just finished at the gym.  Next time, I’ll just go there first.

TurboSonic Whole Body Enhancer

Anyway, I vibrated like crazy from head to toe while I watched a serene video with ocean scenes.  I am told my lymphatic system was being cleansed, and that this machine can increase my bone density 3-6% in 6 months.  I believe it! I really felt relaxed and loosy-goosy afterwards.

So, after being seriously exhausted from that super workout, I was led over to the Ceragem-RH massage table.  This table has jade rollers that start around the butt area and work their way up to the head area.  There is also a heated pad on top that makes you all cozy like a bug in a rug.  Anyway, it feels like you are being stretched and soothed, and you are almost asleep by the end.  Loved it!

So, at this point, I was really relaxed, and I couldn’t wait to get into the infrared sauna so I could lie down again.  This sauna works by using radiant energy to remove deeply lodged toxins, and it is supposed to be much more effective than a traditional sauna, and yet not too hot.  It also claims to reduce cellulite, improve cardiac performance, lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and the list goes on.

I really felt like I was accomplishing something in this sauna.  I’m not really a person who sweats much, and I sweated a lot!  I could just feel those Christmas cookies disappearing from my midsection.  It was awesome.

I will definitely be back – I felt wonderful for the rest of the day.  I am hoping to continue with these treatments throughout my 8 weeks.

So, what I accomplished this week:

1. Admitted I am a stress case who needs to RELAX.
2. Promised to workout 5 times per week.  (So far, on schedule.)
3. Found 3 great ways to detox at the Oasis Wellness Center.

Lately my life has been a jumble of people, places and work to be done.  I have been too busy to workout or attend to any of my own needs.  In the process, I have become a grumpy, stressed person that no one is particularly enjoying.  This week being Valentine’s, I decided it was time to feel the love.  Time to focus on how to fill the tank, so that I have something to give and a way to feel less stressed when I give it.

Time to slow down, and stop spinning in circles.  It seems that one minute I’m getting the kids ready for school,  the next I’m answering emails, cleaning and thinking about what I can make for dinner all the while feeling less than fulfilled.  I dream of a day when things go a bit more smoothly (hopefully before the kids leave for college).   At the very least, I want to organize my stress!

Mind, body, spirit.  It all needs detoxing.  Clean it out.  Start anew.

With that in mind, I have a plan.  I am giving myself 8 weeks to make it all better.  (Or at least improve!)  Mind, body, spirit.  Each week I will do something to detox and start fresh.  I will then report back to you. Living in California means that there are plenty of options, and I plan to try as many as I can and let you know what works, and what doesn’t.  Stay tuned. Tomorrow I take you to the Oasis Wellness center, where I worked on detoxing my body.  (There’s lots of jade, heat and vibration, so get ready!)

Oscar Wilde said, “To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”  I didn’t want to just exist anymore.

Looking back over the last 3 years, I am astounded by the domino effect of the decisions I made.   That night on May 1 that made me realize I wanted more, and I had to do more, started the ball rolling.  The dedication to exercise and eating right gave me the confidence to step outside my comfort zone.  Visiting Los Angeles multiple times made me fall in love with the city and feel like I belonged in its fast paced environment.  Moving to Los Angeles was a huge decision that would not have happened if I had not changed so dramatically.  Living in LA seemed to give me a new energy, and got me motivated to run my first 5K.  Soon after I did 2 in one day!  The next adventure was a 10K.  Pushing myself was hard and well worth how great I felt with each accomplishment.  I would have never thought about doing a half marathon if I had not been living in LA.  Each day I train I am faced with a challenge.  I have gotten sick, dehydrated, had 2 different foot injuries, but I keep going. I probably would have already quit if I didn’t belong to an amazing running club.  It helps that I respect and fear my trainer; he is able to push me harder than I could ever push myself. Surrounding myself with friends that support me is also so important.  I need people to believe in me even when I don’t.  All these choices had me moving forward and living my life well and making up for lost time. So now, I ask you, “Are you living life or are you just existing”?

Tony Robbins said, “By changing nothing, nothing changes”.  Change is not easy.  It requires stepping outside your comfort zone.  Deciding to diet and exercise was a big change in my lifestyle.  Eating whatever I wanted whenever I wanted was a choice.  A choice that did not take much effort.  Eating healthy and eating less takes planning and discipline.  It’s a great feeling not to recognize my old life.  I was complacent and dull.

The day I got the call that moving to California was a possibility, I felt sick.  The wheels were in motion and I knew things would never be the same.  It was time to “just do it”.  I knew I could not live with the regret of letting this opportunity pass me by.  I didn’t want to be living the “what if?” scenario forever.  Leaving behind life long friends and family was gut wrenching.  So, here I am, the picture of change.  Most people do it gradually, but I did it all in 3 years.  Making up for lost time has me reeling sometimes.
Training for a half marathon is my positive change for this year.  It is a change that comes with lots of self doubt and pain, but the elation I feel when I reach a new milestone reminds me I am on the right track.  I had not run more than 3 miles when this endeavor started.  The first time I ran 4 miles I had to dig deep and push myself so hard I cried when it was over.  I seriously considered quitting for about 5 minutes.  3 days later I ran 6.5 miles and it did not require the perseverance that running the 4 miles did.  The half marathon is 6 weeks away.  I know the drive to cross that finish line is going to be tough, but it is just another thing that will remind me that I can do anything I set my mind to. Today and everyday do what scares you.  Change is inevitable, so jump on board and make it positive.

Before...

I get asked all the time “how did you lose the weight”? Although I went with a commercial diet program, the truth is it doesn’t really matter what diet I used.  I am convinced that it is 100% mental.  I had been on every diet known to man, but this time I was really ready.  I made a deal with myself that I would do this diet for one month, without cheating, not once.  After that I would do something different if I felt like this diet was not for me.  The first 3 days were horrible.  My stomach was sloshing with so much acid.  My body was prepared to digest lots of food and I wasn’t delivering.  The large amount of acid in my stomach made me sick.  When my body finally adjusted it was still difficult, but not debilitating.  At the end of the first week I had lost 12 pounds and this motivated me to keep going.  12 pounds is nothing when I needed to lose well over a 100 lbs., but it was a great start.  At the end of the month I had lost 22lbs.   The key to being successful was the not cheating for one month.  They say 21 days makes a habit. This is paramount.

Training my mind and body to be in sync was not easy.  Eating only when I was hungry was the first hurdle.  Occupying my mind with reading helped to curb the emotional eating.  It took months but with lots of practice I figured out what worked for me.

My biggest challenge was my lack of drive when it came to exercise.  I was like everybody else with an excuse.  When I made the decision to follow it through to the finish it was a relief.  I am not saying that I don’t have days where I cheat, I do, but I always get right back on.  I eat healthy many more days than I do not, and I have taken up running.  I started a reward system for myself.  Every time I lose 25 pounds I buy myself a gift.  This keeps it fun and is motivational.

One of my proudest moments was stepping on the scale at the Beverly Hills Hotel when I was in LA for a visit.  I had lost 100 pounds.  I went straight over to Rodeo Drive and bought a pair of Gucci shoes that I had fallen in love with the day before.  I call them the “I lost 100 lbs Gucci shoes”.  When I wear them I remember how far I have come.  There have been highs and lows in this process, but I wouldn’t trade any of it! The journey has made me who I am now.  I remind myself when I am struggling that if it’s a goal worth attaining, it is worth fighting for – This is what dreams are made of.  There is nothing I can’t do!

After!

Welcome to our new site.

Welcome to our Blog!

Jennifer Koutouras

The GLO Bag

“If money was no object, what would you do”?  That question changed my life forever.  I did not have an answer, it was the moment I knew I did not have hopes and dreams for myself.  I had plenty for others but none for myself.

My story is not that different from many other wives and mothers.  I took care of everyone else but never myself.  I did not even realize how much I weighed.   I just didn’t see myself.  I didn’t want to. Eating was a source of comfort.  It helped me not to feel.  Everyone would tell you I was a happy person, that I was fun to be around.  I was, but inside I felt unfulfilled and lost.  If you eat until you are stuffed you don’t really feel anything else. I have worked very hard to cope in different ways now.  At first, I read when the urge to eat was overwhelming.  I found a great series of books and I took the time to escape in a story.  Now I run or work out to get rid of that pent up energy or the anxiety that comes from feeling real emotions for the first time in years.

The night I was asked that life changing question I had already begun my weight loss journey.  The journey did not include exercise and it lacked focus.  Thinking about what I was accomplishing and how I could help others gave me the focus and the goals to go the distance.  3 years later my life is almost unrecognizable. I run, workout, play tennis and have lost over 130 lbs. Loving life one day at a time.  So today I want to ask you “if money was no object, what would you do?”

By: Nadia Madias

Resident Nutritionist

Grocery shopping and eating healthy are often two phrases that are not synonymous with one another, especially with the wide variety of quick choices that are offered. Good nutrition starts with making wise decisions in the grocery store and knowing how to decipher between products that are actually healthy and ones that only claim to be. With a few easy tips on what to look for and where to go shopping, the task can be accomplished more easily.

1.     The best and most nutritious foods are usually located on the outer rim of the traditional grocery store – as you make a big circle around the store, you can usually hit these locations before diving “inside” to find packaged foods. Opting for fresh produce, and whole foods is the best option when shopping stores that don’t specialize in health foods.  A good rule of thumb is to eat foods that your great-grandmother would have recognized!  Money Saving Tip: Some of these stores now have their own organic lines and offer significant savings.

2.     If you live near a Trader Joes, Sprouts, or Whole Foods, consider yourself lucky! In these stores, you can relax a bit more, as healthy choices abound!  There are great to-go options for effortless cooking such as precut vegetables and marinated cuts of meats. Specialty items that I love are any of the Food for Life products,  Lifeway Kefir dairy products, and Synergy Kombucha teas.  Money saving tip: Start at Trader Joes where prices are lower, and save Whole Foods for produce and those specialty items that you can’t get anywhere else.

3.     Stay away from foods that contain “bad fats” such as saturated fatty acids, hydrogenated vegetable oils, trans-fats, and shortenings, which create free radical damage and destroy the natural process of metabolism. Manufacturers process these fats and oils to extend the shelf life of foods. Products that are notorious for “bad fats” are crackers, cakes, cookies, breads, and baked goods.  A product can claim to have zero trans fat when actually it has less than one gram.  Time Saving Tip: Quickly scan for the words “partially hydrogenated” when purchasing processed foods.  These words indicate the presence of trans fats.  Avoid!!