When you find yourself reaching for something to eat, ask yourself if you’re just B.L.A.S.T.ing off!

• B * Bored – If you’re not actively engaged in your own life, you’ll fall for any cue to eat, whether that’s a television commercial, a store window, or someone else’s snack. Food doesn’t bring personal fulfillment.
• L * Lonely – Food is not intended to be a companion in life. It cannot fill the void of friendship. Build connections with other people instead of your refrigerator, and get through the rough spots in life with their support.
• A * Angry – While you can get some calming benefits from food, you can also get them from exercise, from writing about your feelings, and from therapy. Don’t eat your emotions.
• S * Starving – This is a reason to eat. If you are truly hungry – then eat. But eat something good for you. Sabotage comes when we grab the first available food, and not the best available food.
• T * Tired – Obviously, if you’re tired, you need sleep, not food. Sometimes you can’t go to bed right away, but that doesn’t mean food will keep you awake. Refresh yourself with a cool glass of water, not a sandwich.

Not every Monday is crazy, but every Monday feels like an opportunity for a fresh start. Get today – and the whole week – even the month – off to a great start.

Dance.Run.Walk.Bike.Skate.Surf.Move.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Photo by Aron Kremer

Water is the driver of Nature.

~ Leonardo da Vinci

Dear Diary ~ 12 for 12 begins Monday, August 10. Challenge yourself in twelve ways – and be accountable for 12 days. It’s a great way to build healthy habits for a lifetime. Become a Member Now – Subscribe to the Marilu.com Members Area!

You choose twelve personal healthy habits you want to develop or strengthen from a much longer list. They can be as simple as drinking the right amount of water (we’ll help you figure out what that is), or flossing your teeth. They can be a little more challenging, like eating five servings of vegetables each day, or going vegan. Your life. Your choice. What YOU need to get healthy now.

“Dear Diary” is your daily accountability to yourself. Join the group to offer and receive support you strive to meet those 12 habits each day. for. By faithfully posting a diary entry each day of class, and participating in our daily activities, you’ll stay focused on your health, no matter where you are or what you’re doing. Take this class, learn to make your health a daily priority, and your body will love you for it!

Spend twelve days with us in a unique internet-based program here at Marilu.com that we call an Online Class. Class starts Monday, August 10, and runs through Friday, August 21. Participate each day at your convenience. On our private Members-only message board, you’ll be coached by an experienced Total Health Makeover® coach. You’ll chat live with Marilu Henner in our private chat room, and she’ll be writing in her Diary right along with us. You’ll receive daily assignments by email to help you establish your 12 healthy habits!

Classes at Marilu.com are free to all Members. Not a Member? Join today! Only $9.95 a month – for recipes, tips, and personal coaching to help you meet your goals.

Love for yourself, that is.

Love yourself enough to eat a little bit less.

Imagine hunger and fullness on a continuous line, where painfully hungry is a 1, and that horrid full-to-the-back-of-your-throat/unbutton-your-pants feeling is a 10.

If you eat slowly – taking 20-30 minutes for a simple meal, rather than the 5 minutes you might be used to – your body will get the “full” signal in time for you to acknowledge it. You’ll find that being aware of how full you are help you stop at a “7″ or “8.” You aren’t hungry anymore. You’re pleasantly satisfied and mostly full. It’s enough.

Eating at a pace that lets you pay attention to how full you are can help you lose weight – even up to 20 lbs in a year. Isn’t that worth a few extra minutes for each meal?

Photo by Thomas Rola