Kim Musikant

Studies show that when people journal their food intake, they are more likely to succeed with fat loss goals. When it comes to keeping a food log, though, most people are not sold. So, what's holding you back?   When we ask clients to share their journals with us, we don't care whether or not you have been "perfect".  Our job is to help, not judge. W e don't go home at night, and then entertain ourselves reading about the 26.2 cookies you ate last week. Helping you is our life's work, and we want you to succeed.   People tend to think they should hand in an exemplary journal with pristine line items of strictly portioned meals. Yes, we want to see the good, but we also want to see the bad and the ugly. No perfect people allowed! Together we can make little changes that add up to big successes. I recently had a conversation with an ALF member who confessed to attacking a bag of trail mix the night before. I told her that she can still attack the trail mix but m

The Siblings Who Refused to Go to Bed: Leptin and Ghrelin Leptin and Ghrelin are hormones. These cute little guys are from the neuroendocrine system. The neuroendocrine system is the system in our bodies responsible for controlling our appetites! That is worth repeating. The neuroendocrine system is responsible for managing our appetites. (Ever notice that when you are sleep deprived, you crave carbs? Read on...) Leptin tells our brain, "Ok, I am good to go. I am full. I don't need any more food right now." Leptin tells us when we are satisfied - commonly called the satiety factor. However, when we are sleep deprived, Leptin is decreased. In short, less sleep equals a decrease in food being able to satisfy us, which leads to overeating and weight gain. Ghrelin signals our caloric needs. Ghrelin tells us when to eat and how much to eat. Lack of sleep increases Ghrelin, thereby increasing the need to eat more. Decreases in Leptin and increases in Ghrelin, caused by sleep lo

Before an airplane takes off, during the safety instructions, the flight attendant will explain that if the cabin loses pressure, the oxygen masks will automatically drop down. Why do they always insist that you put yours on first before you place one on your child? Because if you are passed out, you will be useless to those who depend on you! In my post,  Are You Taking Care of You?  I wrote about how sometimes the love for our families and devotion to them gets in the way of taking the time to love ourselves too. I mentioned how we often sacrifice our own needs for the needs of those we love. So put your oxygen mask on first! Do not become  unconscious about your health. Here are two truths: Without our health, we have nothing. Time is precious. Yet, time is often the missing link between living a somewhat healthy lifestyle and living a lifestyle that makes a difference in our long-term health. Have you ever heard yourself say any of the following statements? I d