What’s the #1 way to achieve a healthy lifestyle? Remove the obstacles that get in the way of your doing so. One of the main reasons I hear people say that they can’t lose weight and / or make healthy food choices is because they’re too busy. Truly, we lead busy lives and eating healthy […]
May 11 2015
This time of year I’m practically giddy every time I go to the grocery store. Just since my last trip, new produce has come into season and I can’t wait to get all those beautiful fruits and vegetables home. The delicious meals I plan around fresh strawberries or crisp asparagus practically make themselves. Over the […]
May 4 2015
There she is, crossing the finish line to the theme music from “Rocky.” Go mom! I called my mom this morning to find out how she was holding up after our race yesterday. “How are you feeling?” I asked. “Well, I won’t be doing much today, that’s for sure!” she answered with a groan. “But […]
Apr 23 2015
The other day I was scrolling through Instagram and came upon a post that stopped me in my tracks. If you’re not familiar with Instagram, it’s an online mobile photo-sharing, video-sharing and social networking service. The picture (above) caught my eye, but it was really the post that made me do a double take. The […]
Apr 16 2015
I’ve mentioned before that I eat from a formula (not a “diet”) that I call my “Food Blueprint.” It’s a blueprint in the sense that it’s a master plan for my food strategy. I devised it while I was losing weight, and it’s how I have kept off my 120-pound weight loss for the nearly […]
Apr 10 2015
We usually think of weight loss as a straight line, with a definitive starting point and a finish line. From my vantage point, now nearly eight years since I lost 120-lbs., it seems clear that it just doesn’t work that way. There’s a starting point, yes, at least in the sense that we make a […]
Mar 23 2015
From our adult vantage point we look back on our twelve year-old selves and think we had it made: no job, no bills, no responsibilities. We could sleep in on the weekends and take off on our bikes and hang out with our friends for hours. Sounds like our idea of heaven now, right? But […]
Mar 11 2015
I’m generally a pretty neat and tidy person, but stuff creeps into my house sometimes, cluttering things up. Sometimes that “stuff” is food that has no place in my healthy household. (Ahem, Girl Scout cookies!) What do I do when that happens??? Time for a little spring cleaning! Please click here to read more …
I get questions all the time – from the “Ask Marilyn” button on the website, at speaking engagements during the Q&A, sometimes at the grocery store – when people learn that I’ve lost a lot of weight. Though I’m not shy, I admit it caught me off-guard at first. But truthfully, I think it’s really […]
Mar 5 2015
The third of the three phases of the Eat Like It Matters Program is the Lean Phase. When you’re within ten pounds of your ideal body weight, the details of diet and exercise become critical. The truth is, there’s very little wiggle room when you’re so close to your goal weight. Really, everything matters if […]
Mar 2 2015
Could they be any cuter? Those adorable little Girl Scouts, proudly wearing their brown (for Brownies) and green (for Juniors) sashes and vests. They eagerly greet us at grocery stores, banks and discount store entries, waiting to sell us their delicious cookies. Dammit! I am such a sucker for these girls, too. Not only am I […]
Feb 26 2015
You know that expression, “sh*t happens”? Well, substitute the word “relapses” and you have an undeniably true statement. Relapses happen. How do I know? Cause I’m in the middle of one, right now. Well, hopefully I’m at the end of it, actually. How did I get here? If you’ve been reading my blog for any […]
Feb 19 2015
In an article recently published in the journal The Lancet: Diabetes and Endocrinology, which hit the popular media by way of The Los Angeles Times (“Diet and exercise alone are no cure for obesity, experts say”) four well-respected weight-management physicians (from Mount Sinai Hospital, the University of Colorado, Northwestern University and the University of Pennsylvania) challenge […]
A recently released Group Health Cooperative long-term study revealed that severely obese people who have weight-loss surgery are living longer, and with a higher quality of life. As the study reported, patients were able to reverse disease, and remarkably, their mortality rate went down a staggering 53 percent. I believe it’s time to stop stigmatizing […]
Love it or hate it, it’s almost Valentine’s Day. Count me among those who love it, but I don’t love the widespread practice of giving fattening foods to loved ones for this holiday. I just don’t understand how it shows love to give people things that are bad for them. Given that philosophy, I’m on […]
Feb 5 2015
TV host Stacy London (What Not to Wear) has a new show on TLC called Love Lust or Run. Her guests are women whose wardrobes are what most of us would consider garish, even bizarre. (One guest referred to herself as a “post-apocalyptic Amazonian warrior.” Wowzers.) The show’s premise is that we don’t always see […]
Feb 3 2015
The Gear Up Phase of the Eat Like It Matters Program is for those who would like to lose 10 – 30 pounds. This is the sexiest of the three phases of weight loss, as far as I’m concerned. It’s certainly the one that gets the most attention (shows like “The Biggest Loser” emphasize the […]
Jan 28 2015
As part of the detox I started last fall, I’ve been drinking this low-sugar, low-carb protein drink every morning. It’s packed with anti-oxidants and good-for-you protein. I add cinnamon for it’s anti-inflammatory properties (and it tastes good), but pumpkin pie spice works too. Make it with water or unsweetened almond milk for a powerful start […]
I realized a few months ago that I was suffering from an energy crisis. Starting first thing in the morning, I would begin jacking myself up on caffeine just to feel human. After a couple cups of coffee I’d be good to go for the morning, but by mid afternoon I was dragging again, barely able to […]
Jan 26 2015
A while ago I was on a panel of “patient success stories” at the clinic where I had my Lap-Band surgery. We were each asked to describe how our families reacted to our decision to lose weight. I went first and reported that my family was incredibly supportive, even though sometimes it’s difficult for them […]
You may have heard my podcast recently in which I told the story about being on the treadmill – where much good thinking happens – when I realized that my own weight loss journey evolved through three distinct phases. I’m not sure why it never occurred to me before that my own patterns, behaviors and habits changed […]
Jan 19 2015
For all our talk about eating more fruits and vegetables, Americans are still eating a dismal percentage of their diets from the produce aisle. In fact, even though we’re told to get nine servings of fruit and vegetables daily to meet the minimum RDA, most of us have a hard time getting in five. Nine […]
Jan 16 2015
A 20-something friend asked me the other day, “My social life pretty much revolves around going out for drinks with friends, watching football together and going out for brunch. All of our activities involve eating and drinking. How am I supposed to lose weight without giving up my normal hangouts? I’ve tried it before and […]
My dear friend Paige Green Dunn recently introduced me to the greatest invention since sliced Ezekel bread: home delivery of fresh, local, organic produce. She was telling me about it over lunch the other day, but then I discovered that she’d written about it on her own blog, “Mom Around Town.” The process couldn’t be […]
Jan 12 2015
There is absolutely no one-size-fits-all in the world of weight loss. What works for your BFF may not work for you. But the beauty of it is human beings are endlessly creative when it comes to problem solving. Two of those creative humans invented a “diet” (the word doesn’t even begin to cover the comprehensive […]
Jan 10 2015
‘Tis the season to take stock and possibly to change directions as we make improvements to our health. If you’re trying to do an about face in your own life there are some ideas from this week’s blogs you might find helpful. If you’re feeling indecisive about which weight loss path to follow, start with […]
Jan 10 2015
It’s the New Year and you’re ready for a new you! As a personal trainer, each January I see lots of new clients who are striving to reach new fitness goals – which is great! But while we often set out with good intentions and lofty goals, sometimes we fall short and give up. This year, […]
Jan 8 2015
I kinda feel sorry for that running back, about to be taken down by Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas (#29) and linebacker Bobby Wagner (#54). If you’re gonna get tackled I’m guessing you’d rather it be just about anybody but these guys. Fortunately for us, tackling problems in our own lives is generally a […]
Indeed, I had weight loss surgery. Because I know how hard I’ve worked to regain my health and break lifelong habits, I don’t see it as “cheating” at all. But I don’t talk about it very often so I think there may be an impression that I’m trying to hide it. In fact, I’m not. I […]
Jan 5 2015
Sometimes I lie awake tossing and turning, trying to figure out how to articulate a weight loss concept. I beat myself up, thinking I’m just not explaining it right. Occasionally I get frustrated because I see people relying on the same “expert advice” that I did for so many years. We figure, they should know, […]
Jan 3 2015
Jan 1 2015
I’ve made all the same resolutions in years past that you’ve made: 1. lose weight 2. eat healthy 3. get fit 4. stop driving like a NASCAR driver on I-405 (I may have a few vices I haven’t mentioned. Ahem.) I don’t know if anybody has ever made a major life change as a result of […]
The other day I posted this on Facebook: It’s only possible to transform your body when the reason you want to change is more compelling than the excuses you use to stay the same. The comments and emails I got called me out: “Okay, smarty-pants, what do you do when you know you need to […]
Dec 29 2014
“Where’s the food?!?” is a common question heard at my house on Sunday mornings. The reason they’re digging through the fridge and pantry in desperation is that, other than staples, I pretty much buy exactly enough food for one week. I shop on Sunday afternoons (during football season, it’s before or after the Seahawks game), […]
Dec 23 2014
This time last year I wrote a sweet, well-intentioned little blog about how you should try to slow down and enjoy these last couple of days before Christmas. “A Christmas gift to yourself” was good advice, but it’s just not terribly practical when most of use are still in overdrive right about now. This year […]
Dec 22 2014
I texted my daughters “Wanna make truffles this year?” “YESSSSSSS!!!!” they enthusiastically responded. Making homemade truffles was a Christmas tradition in our house throughout their childhood, but since my weight loss 7+ years ago I haven’t made truffles or any of the other McKenna family favorite holiday treats that I did for so many years. […]
Dec 19 2014
I walked into the Y this morning only to find – much to my delight and surprise – that, even though it’s mid-December – the place was packed! I walk through the lobby: it’s crowded with folks checking in and visiting with staff. I pass by the gym: it’s filled to the brim with women […]
Dec 18 2014
As far as I’m concerned, all of this crafts-y DIY holiday stuff can just stay on Pinterest. Don’t get me wrong, I love the photos. I collect ‘em too on my Deck the Halls! board, my Holiday Entertaining board, my Healthy Christmas Gifts board, and even my more practical Healthy Winter Recipes board. But these […]
“Would you like whip on your gingerbread latte?” “Ooooo, grandma brought her famous marshmallow sweet potato casserole!” “Everybody’s doing the neighborhood holiday cookie exchange, wanna join in?” From holiday office parties to buffet tables loaded with tempting treats to your Aunt Trudi’s to-die-for salted caramel cheesecake, there is no shortage of special foods readily […]
Dec 12 2014
Whether you’re wondering what to get the fitness lover on your list or thinking about adding a piece of equipment to your home gym for 2015, here are a few of my favorites, categorized by price. Low Cost Set of 3 resistance bands ($12): Bands come in light, medium, and heavy resistance and are a great way […]
Oh, goody, goody gumdrops! The beginners and intermediate holiday gift guides were a great start and will definitely fit the bill for those who are just starting on their path to wellness, but I’m betting there are the folks on your gift list who are very serious about healthy living and already commit themselves to […]
Dec 9 2014
Scratching your head about what to get that special someone who’s trying to live a healthier lifestyle? Here are some great, inexpensive gift ideas for a friend or loved one who’s ready to embark on a new fitness routine or wants to spend more time in the kitchen preparing healthy meals in 2015. Read more “Healthy […]
Dec 2 2014
Can the words you use affect your ability to make better food choices? Consider this: In a 2012 study published in the Journal of Consumer Research, researchers split 120 students in 2 groups. One group was trained to use “I can’t” while the other was trained to use “I don’t.” The results were stunning: The […]
Nov 29 2014
Nov 20 2014
That’s me with 3 out of 4 of my kids, November 2003. A few days ago a conversation unfolded on Facebook that became a lightning rod for a heated debate. The original poster had photographed a woman in an unattractive outfit and poked fun at her clothes. The woman was also obese. As immature as […]
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