If you or someone you know has an illness, do you (or they) feel as if people treat them like their disease? Recently there was a great article about Ann Romney who, like me, has Multiple Sclerosis. Aside from her husband’s politics, the article is filled with hope, admiration and energy. She defines her illness; not permitting it to lead her life. I act in the same manner; defining how MS plays a role in my life, not the other way around. And so many other people I know who face disease standing strong; energized; and filled with hope.

So if this is the case, why are so many treated as if they’re going to break? Loved ones treat us as if we’re extremely fragile and like we can control what happens to us. Sometimes I feel, as do others, that we’re being punished or penalized by being treated as “different” and “frail.”

When faced with illness, it is not a choice that you have it. The choice is how you deal with it. And if those around you cannot understand and support you when you show great courage, strength and optimism, perhaps you need to distance yourself from them. In my case, my family is always telling me to “stay healthy” as if I really have that choice. I live the best, balanced life I can but MS is an unpredictable beast with a mind of its own. A flare-up can happen when I least expect it and certainly not due to anything I did or didn’t do.

So how do you handle people who don’t understand what it’s like to have a chronic or serious illness? Simply explain to them that you cannot control what happens to you. Tell them that you wish they could truly understand that their worry only adds to your stress and theirs. Furthermore, point out how less stressful it would be for them if they would shift their thinking to the optimism and strength that you exemplify.

Most importantly, be sensitive to the fact that those who love you are worried; they just don’t know a way by which to express it positively to you. You may have to teach them.

Be Present, Be Purposeful, Be Well.

Last month I talked about your “primary” food. Today I’d like to discuss your “secondary” food. Secondary food is the actual food you put in your mouth. I would use the term “diet” although it has unfortunately earned a bad rap. People tend the think of “diet” in terms of deprivation in order to lose weight and may even equate it to a 4-letter word. In actuality, “diet” refers to a manner of living as applied to the food and drink we regularly consume for nourishment.

So what is the proper “diet” for one to have? Our government confuses us with first the Food Pyramid, then a revised version of it, and now My Plate. Neither shows the vast options of healthy eating depending on each individual’s needs. Both push whatever food the government is currently helping to subsidize, whether truly healthy or not. So how do you know what you should eat? The simple answer is talk to your doctor, a registered dietician or a certified nutritionist. They can review your habits and health history, taking into consideration your current health goals, and construct an eating plan that is customized to you.

It seems there is a current trend toward doing cleanses. It is very important to consult your physician before attempting any such thing. Keep in mind our bodies need a certain amount of bacteria in our guts to be healthy. Some of the popular cleanses out there remove everything, including the good stuff. And, although you may lose weight while on a cleanse, chances are you will gain it back immediately. So, in my opinion, this is not good a long-term weight loss/control strategy. You’re better off eating real, unprocessed foods with an emphasis on fresh (organic when possible) vegetables and fruit in addition to hormone-free, antibiotic-free protein.

There are so many quick-fixes offered to us for weight loss, muscle enhancement, increased energy, etc. The best is to find what works for you. There is no one, cookie-cutter system that will work for everyone. Take into consideration your weight, height, overall health, daily exercise regime, and anything else that influences your wellness before choosing a strategy that best fits your needs. List your goals and limitations; consult a professional; and if for any reason whatever you chose feels wrong to you, by all means stop! You know your body best so listen to it. When it’s right for you, you will enjoy a healthy, well-balanced diet that will have a positive influence on your life.

Be Present, Be Purposeful, Be Well.

On the morning news I heard a broadcaster say that he considered every day over 80 as borrowed time. He was making this remark in regard to Joe Paterno’s death at the age of 85. As a wellness coach and Baby Boomer about to turn 50, I found this remark to be completely inaccurate.

If we go through life thinking we’re on “borrowed” time, what kind of energy are we creating within our bodies and our world? To me “borrowed” is a type of scarcity. Living in scarcity is common to many. Examples of this type of thinking are “it’s never enough,” “it’s always a struggle,” and “everything has a price.” When it comes to our overall health, this type of attitude creates a tremendous amount of stress and stress can kill us.

Instead of being on “borrowed time,” what if every day (not just those after 80) was considered a “gift?” Envision that “it is enough” and you are grateful for what you have. What if instead of scarcity you had abundance? As Wayne Dyer once said, “Abundance is not something we acquire. It is something we tune into.” Imagine the effect on your health and wellbeing if you simply “tuned-in” to the gifts your life has to offer. Sound good?

It is easy to “tune into” the abundance of your life. All you have to do is choose it. That’s right. Simply shift your thoughts on how you view your life from the negative to the positive and notice how rich and well your life becomes.

Be Present, Be Purposeful, Be Well.

To your wellness!

When we talk about nutrition, most of us assume we’re talking about the food we put in our mouths. Have you ever considered lifestyle as part of your nutrition? In an integrative approach to nutrition, lifestyle is considered “primary” food while what you eat is considered “secondary” food. What constitutes primary food?

• Relationships – are they nurturing or do they cause you duress and/or leave you isolated?
• Physical activity – your body needs to move.  Do you exercise adequately for your health?
• Career – are you passionate about what you do and find joy in your daily work or are you in a stressful, toxic environment?
• Spirituality – most people do not have a regular spiritual practice which studies show promotes wellness. Do you have a regular spiritual practice?

Have you ever craved a certain food so much that you just had to have it a.s.a.p.? The body is a well-programmed computer and rarely makes mistakes. A craving is a wake-up call that something is out of balance. It is a signal to improve your primary food so as to be more in sync with what you need.

If you’re curious as to whether your life is in sync, fill out the Wellness Wheel of Life and see whether or not you are in balance. Email me if it’s not and I can help you get it back on track.

Be Present, Be Purposeful, Be Well

To your wellness!

We are well into the New Year and I am refreshed and excited for what lies ahead. Typically I use this time to reflect on my previous year; did I meet my goals, what exciting things happened and did anything unexpectedly prevent me from moving forward. Last year I set several goals for myself and actually accomplished many of them. Two of the major highlights of 2011 for me were meeting my idol, Dr. Andrew Weil, father of Integrative Medicine, and becoming a guest-lecturer at Canyon Ranch in Tucson, AZ. This past year was also one of continued stable and good health for me.

For the coming year I have set several intentions and goals for myself. One of which is to complete a one-year course on becoming certified in Integrative Nutrition. I believe that will afford me a plethora of valuable knowledge to pass onto you. I also aim to continue being an ambassador for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society so as to help educate people about MS and what they can do to help create a world free of it. Also stay tuned for new programs and products from Appelbaum Wellness LLC. This year is going to be full of many exciting projects that will directly help you learn to be an active participant in your life, health and wellness.

What will 2012 look like for you? Have you set aside some quiet time to reflect and plan? In order to make the most out of your life, you need to set goals and intentions. By doing so, it’s kind of like having a roadmap for where you want to go over the next year. Of course you can always detour, but with a plan in place you won’t get lost along your journey. And, as one my 25 Insider Secrets Everyone Should Know for Optimal Wellness states, “Remember life is a journey, not a race to be won or lost.” We are meant to experience joy, sorrow, love, abundance, scarcity, positives, negatives, etc. to bring meaning and understanding to our existence. Cherish your life lessons, learn from them, teach others and live a present, purposeful and well life.

Happy, healthy New Year!

To Your Wellness!!

2011 Holiday Wishes

“As you consider the arrival of this New Year, I encourage you to find something worth caring about – something remarkable, special and precious enough to light a fire in your heart. Find your wings and give yourself permission to soar. With passion, trust the power of pursuit. Suspend your disbelief and 2012 will become the year in which you realize the dreams you have been actively seeking.”

May the holiday season bring you and your family

health, peace and blessings for the coming year.

Be Present – Be Purposeful – Be Well

The holidays are supposed to be about being grateful, taking time off from work and relaxing with family. The reality is that can be far from the truth. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s you have more to do, increased year-end deadlines at work, people to see, places to go, etc. There’s a lot of pressure to get it all done in a short amount of time. And, you rarely find time for yourself.

Holiday stress typically stems from three main areas: relationships (family & friends), finances (spending too much money on entertaining and presents) as well as added demands such as attending parties, performing extra work at the office, shopping, etc. So how can you avoid overwhelm, weight gain, stress and actually find a way to enjoy the holiday season? Here are some tips:

1. Set intentions. By being intentional, you plan for what may occur and know how you want to respond.

2. Accept and acknowledge your feelings. If you stay realistic and don’t beat yourself up for not being “perfect” all will be a lot easier to handle.

3. Forgive. If someone or something upsets you, let it go. Remind yourself that no one is perfect and whatever happened, it wasn’t done with malice.

4. Be grateful. Remember how fortunate you are and count your blessings. There’s always someone else who has less.

5. Keep up your healthy habits. Remember to eat healthfully, exercise, get plenty of rest, and leave time for some meditation. All of this will help you stay happy, energetic and positive throughout the holiday season.

Enjoy a holiday season filled with blessings and good health!

Be Present, Be Purposeful, Be Well.

Do you behave as a victim? What makes you do that? Some of us are natural-born fighters. No matter what gets us down, we get back up. Some of us aren’t like that. We tend to wear our problems on our sleeves and feed off of other people’s sympathies. Without it, we can’t move forward. Yet, as a victim, do we ever move forward or do we just stay stuck? How would it feel to shift from catabolic or “victim” energy to anabolic or “winner” energy?

"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you did not do than by the things you did do. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

- Mark Twain

Yes, I am a Baby Boomer and among the thousands of Americans who’s worst fear is developing Alzheimer’s disease as I age. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia (memory loss) that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Typically, symptoms develop slowly and get worse over time. Eventually they interfere with your daily life. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease and is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. People with Alzheimer’s live an average of eight years after becoming symptomatic yet can live up to 20 years depending on their age and overall health. There is no cure at the moment but researchers are working hard to improve treatment options and find a cure.

Recently I read a report that suggests Alzheimer’s can be a form of diabetes of the brain. This discovery may lead to new disease-modifying treatments that could make a positive impact in the lives of those suffering from Alzheimer’s. It also leads me to wonder if what we eat can make an impact. Nutrition feeds our bodies and our brains so it only makes sense to do our best to eat right for life so as to hopefully stave off illnesses such as Alzheimer’s.

I also think that living in “fear” is not healthy. If you can be proactive by eating right, exercising and taking the best possible care of your body and brain, then you know you’ve done your best to hopefully avoid, or at least minimize, the impact of diseases like Alzheimer’s. So eat right for life, exercise daily (even if it’s as simple as taking a walk), meditate or pray daily and keep a positive attitude (that’s the most important).

Be Present, Be Purposeful, Be Well

Thanksgiving is tomorrow plus there are a multitude of holiday celebrations between now and the end of the year. It’s a time of celebration yet what many people don’t realize, it is also a time of challenge. You may find yourself challenged by a feeling of obligation to “have a good time” when you really are not. Or, you may find yourself tempted by all the delicious, fattening and unhealthy foods that keep appearing before you. The holidays are tough, I get that. So what can you do to ensure the holidays don’t get the best of you this year? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Participate only in those parties or activities that you want to. Stop doing things out of obligation unless you can find a way to be okay with it. Put yourself first. When you take care of yourself, you are better able to take care of others.
2. Focus on what is good in your life. Count your blessings and maybe even record them in a gratitude journal.
3. Eat a snack before going to a party. This will ensure you won’t arrive hungry and will make it easier not to over-indulge. And, I like to play a little trick with myself. I tell myself to “skip it now” and if I really want it tomorrow, I’ll go out and get it. Most of the time I don’t want it later therefore I saved unnecessary calories.
4. Choose drinks that are lower in calories like wine (fancy holiday drinks are loaded with sugar & calories) and drink a glass of water in between cocktails so you consume less alcohol. Not only will you save calories, you might save a life by not driving under the influence.

One more thought about this holiday season. If you want to be alone, do it. If you want to be surrounded by family and friends, seek them out. Remember to make this a time of choice and not necessity. You deserve to enjoy!

Be Present, Be Purposeful, Be Well.