If this is your first experience with the Total Health Makeover® you may be wondering where to begin. Many people begin with one of my books and that's an excellent way to start. Others have seen or heard me discussing the program on television or radio. That is also a good way to begin.
But what if you've heard good things about "Marilu's program" but you don't know anything at all about the specifics? Well, that's why this website is here. This is your place to get more information - and the very best support from my coaches. Are you ready for your total health makeover?
I just celebrated my 55th birthday January 21st, and I feel fabulous! I am now older than my parents when they each had their first heart attacks in t .... read more
Before I learned of THM in 1998, I was the type of person who needed a pot of coffee to be brewing before I could muster the energy to get out of bed. .... read more
Smoking is “the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Smoking…
Is 2 to 6 times more likely to suffer a heart attack than non-smoking women (risk varies by number of cigarettes smoked per day)
Shortens your lifespan – smokers get heart disease at a younger age than non-smokers, and that affects the total lifespan
Increases risk of stroke
Increases risk of lung cancer – death rate from lung cancer for women is now higher than the death rate for breast cancer
Increases risk of other types of cancer – mouth, urinary tract, kidney, and cervix
Causes most cases of chronic obstructive lung disease – includes bronchitis and emphysema
Endangers people around you for all the same things through secondhand smoke – a risk if you smoke indoors or in your car
Harms infants and children – causes breathing problems, ear infections, asthma attacks, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) – that’s from secondhand smoke
Interferes with lung growth, causes respiratory illness, increases risk of heart disease and cancer in young smokers
If the health concerns don’t scare you, maybe the vanity concerns will stop you.
Bad breath
Bad taste – it’s true – kissing a smoker is like licking an ashtray
Yellow teeth
Smelly clothes
Smelly house and furniture
Greasy windows in your car
There is simply no safe way to smoke. Low-tar and low-nicotine cigarettes do not lessen the risks of heart disease or other smoking-related diseases. The only safe and healthful course is not to smoke at all.
We have excellent coaches here at Marilu.com – real people like you who have made incredible changes in their health, weight, energy levels, fitness levels, and appearance just by following Marilu’s Total Health Makeover® program. Whenever you take a class here, you’ll get amazing personal support from our coaches and members.
Since today is Super Bowl Sunday, we wanted to share some wisdom from some more well-known coaches. Football coaches. You may not know their names, if you don’t follow football. That’s okay. They’re still pretty smart when it comes to the game of life.
When all is said and done, more is said than done. ~Lou Holtz
It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up. ~Vince Lombardi
Never quit. It is the easiest cop-out in the world. Set a goal and don’t quit until you attain it. When you do attain it, set another goal, and don’t quit until you reach it. Never quit. ~Bear Bryant
The secret to winning is constant, consistent management. ~Tom Landry
Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan. ~Tom Landry
The will to win is important, but the will to prepare is vital. ~Joe Paterno
These guys are used to demanding hard work and commitment from their players in order to win games.
Do you require that kind of commitment from yourself in meeting your goals?
Do you learn from past mistakes, and then focus on the future – always moving forward toward your goal?
Do you walk the walk, or just talk the talk when it comes to your health?
Do you set yourself and your environment up to win, and to make progress toward your goals?
Do you head for the fridge when you get angry or frustrated?
Is the vending machine your BFF at work?
If you’re shopping, and nothing fits right, do you head for the Food Court?
Is every celebration defined by food?
Are you afraid to look sexy?
Emotional eating and self-sabotage are two of the most common causes for being overweight and unhealthy. Come face-to-face with what’s holding you back from meeting your inTENtions. Learn to manage your triggers, lay on a coat of Teflon®, and make your own life easier and healthier.
*NEW start date* Class starts Monday, February 15, and runs for 10 weekdays. Don’t miss out! Sign up today. Members are automatically enrolled in every class.
Consumers (that’s you) need to know the facts about chemicals, additives, and preservatives. An educated eater is a healthy eater. Usually. Because the thought of eating nitrate, sodium stearyl lactylate, and monocalcium phosphate for lunch isn’t really appealing, is it? That’s what you’re eating in a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread, with potato chips. For many of the foods we eat, food = chemicals.
Additives are “any substance the intended use of which results or may reasonably be expected to result in affecting the characteristics of the food.” Hmmm. Sounds like the whole intent is to change the food into something it’s not.
Of course, that’s not always bad. Herbs and spices are added to change flavors. Salt is a preservative, and has been for years (anyone who’s eaten lutefisk might say that’s not such a good thing, but we’ll keep that as the exception that proves the rule).
ASSIGNMENT – For every meal you eat today, pay attention to how much of the food is just the way it grew, and how much has been “enhanced” with chemicals, additives, or preservatives.
During this year’s Super Bowl extravaganza (it’s not just a football game anymore), plan to be a bit more active. Spend the pregame time playing touch football outside.
Divide into two evenly matched teams. Have one person “hike” the ball to someone who can throw it to another team member. The defending team tries to catch the ball, or tags the receiver to end the play. It’s not very complicated, but it moves fast – and that’s the point! Break a sweat with some touch football before the game.
Snow and rain are not an excuse – wear appropriate clothing and enjoy the fresh air. (Seriously, there’s nothing like touch football in a couple of feet of snow – exercise plus fun!)
Having guests for the game? Invite them to dress for touch football. Don’t think you like football? Pretend you’re a Kennedy, and play with heart.
The theft of millions of dollars worth of jewels during the broadcast of an awards show thrusts the team into the spotlight. An old case is preying on Don (Rob Morrow), while Larry (Peter MacNicol) returns from his adventure in the desert. Marilu Henner and William Katt guest star in the new episode. (10 PM Eastern, CBS)
Wear Red is a campaign to raise awareness about the number one killer of women – heart disease. They’re working hard to change the perception that heart disease is a “man’s disease.” And it’s working! By teaching more and more women how to talk to their doctors about heart disease, thousands of lives can be saved every year. Because the good news is that heart disease is often preventable!
Help make an impact on Friday, February 5. Bring attention to the issue of women’s heart health. Start by wearing red.
Everyone likes dip. Dip for chips, dip for veggies, dip for wings or grilled tofu or chicken, and dip for breads (think pita, naan, baguette slices, sourdough cubes…).
Dairy-free dips are easy, and they can taste as good as (or better than) the dairy ones. Here are a few of our favorites. Enjoy!
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ Ranch Dip Green * Makes about 2 cups
1/2 box Morinu firm silken tofu
3 heaping Tablespoons Vegenaise or Nayonnaise
1 large garlic clove
1 Tablespoon dried parsley (or 2 Tablespoons fresh)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
a few shakes of salt-free veggie seasoning (try Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute or Spike)
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
Blend in food processor then add in enough soy or rice milk to thin to desired consistency.
Honey Mustard Dip Yellow * Makes about 2 cups
1/2 box Morinu firm silken tofu
2 to 3 Tablespoons of honey mustard dressing (I use Kozlowski Farms, no sugar)
1 6-inch length of celery, cut into chunks
freshly ground pepper to taste
Blend in processor until smooth and then add a little soy or rice milk to thin to desired consistency. Add a touch more honey if you like it sweeter.
Artichoke Hummus Green * Makes about 2 cups
1 14-ounce can artichoke hearts
1 cup chick peas, drained and rinsed
1/3 cup tahini
1/2 cup parsley
1 clove garlic, coarsely chopped
2 teaspoons lemon juice
Cut artichoke hearts into pieces. Combine all ingredients in bowl of food processor and pulse to blend to desired consistency.
Peanut Sauce Yellow * Makes about 2 cups
2 cups soy milk
1/2 cup sweetened coconut
1 teaspoon crushed red chile flakes
1/2 teaspoon caraway
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon coriander
2 anchovies (option)
4 cloves garlic, crushed
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 Tablespoons peanut butter
1-2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the “movie heart attack,” where no one doubts what’s happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren’t sure what’s wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:
Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness.
As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.
Learn the signs, but remember this: Even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, have it checked out (tell a doctor about your symptoms). Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives — maybe your own. Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 911 or your emergency response number.
Calling 911 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services (EMS) staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. EMS staff are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too. It is best to call EMS for rapid transport to the emergency room.
If you’re out somewhere – the gym, your place of worship, school, even your office – tell someone right away. Lots of places have defibrulators and people trained to use them. A quick response is the best response if you even remotely suspect a heart attack.
Marilu Henner is a well-known actress and the author of New York Times and national bestselling books, Marilu Henner's Total Health Makeover and The 30-Day Total Health Makeover, I Refuse to Raise a Brat, Healthy Life Kitchen, Healthy Kids, Healthy Holidays, Wear Your Life Well, and By All Means Keep on Moving. For more than twenty years she has championed a vigorous, healthy lifestyle and has inspired millions of people along the way. Read More
