Spring Cleansing

Spring is here!
Time to do some cleaning…..Inside!

Spring is the perfect time for a dietary cleanse, that is why I am offering a 5-day Jumpstart to a healthier lifestyle.
Utilizing RESET a 5-day high fiber cleanse you will
-Lose Weight
-Gain Energy
-Reset How your body utilizes sugar for energy!
-Decrease or eliminate sugar/carb cravings
-Learn dietary and eating habits that will support living at a health weight for YOU!

All support is done via pre-recorded phone calls with Health experts Dr. Deborah Kern, and Dr. Karen Wolfe, Authors of the book Create the Body Your Soul Desires”
(an e-copy of the book is included too).

Live support calls/emails with me are also available and encouraged!

We will begin on Monday May 7th, orders must be placed by midnight Friday April 28th to ensure the receipt of your RESET Kit in time.

 

Special Information Session: If you or someone you know is interested in learning more please attend a special conference call on Thursday April 27, 2012,
9PM EST entitled: Understanding the Glycemic Index and the Effect it Has Over Your Food Choices.

If you would like to be on the conference call, or are ready to jump in, please contact me @ plevenson@wolehealthyfamily.com for more inforrmation.

Yours in health,

Perry

PS- You might not be interested in this program, but if you know someone who struggles with weight issues, or just wants to release that last 10 pounds, or spring clean, please share this notice.  Thank you!

Balance is a dynamic state!

One result of the Self Love Revolution is that I have adopted, and stuck to, an exercise/self care routine.  Last week I attended a Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah.  The days were packed with informative lectures and motivational speakers.  In honoring my new workout schedule one day I opted to do yoga in my hotel room rather than go to the fitness center.  I felt in need of a workout that would strengthen me but also give me a good stretch.

I had done a series of Asanas including up dog, down dog, cobra, triangle pose, and side stretch pose.  I stood on my head for about 90 seconds.  I then decided that I wanted to try a balancing pose.  I chose Tree Pose.  Balancing has been a particular challenge for me over the years, and this effort was proving no easier.  I was standing on my left leg with my right foot tucked into my left inner thigh.  I was wobbling like crazy.  I was trying desperately to balance and find stillness.  Then I heard it, the voice in my head that said, “Relax.  You can’t fight for balance, you have to feel it.”  The voice went on to say, “Don’t expect to be still. Balance is a dynamic state!  In order to achieve balance you have to let go of your perceptions about balance and be willing to move.”

Future Posts: Look for a new series of posts “Voices from the Front of the Self Love Revolution”

Self-Love Revolution Update

Tomorrow marks two weeks since I began my Self-Love Revolution.  Five beautiful souls joined me on this journey of self-exploration and  discovery.  I have lost six pounds in the past two weeks.  To me this shows slow steady progress toward my ultimate goal of a healthy, vibrant personification of my abundant and glorious spirit.  I have said before, and it bears repeating, a number on the scale is not my ultimate goal.  The “LBs” on a scale are  guideposts for me, a mile marker, or better yet, like grid lines on a map.  If you know you are the type of person who lives more vibrantly south of the 32nd parallel then it would be in your best interest, and a definite expression of self-love to set-up your life somewhere on or slightly south of this latitudinal line. (FYI-In the U.S. this corresponds to Arizona, New Mexico, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and parts of Texas).  Now it may well be a mistake to shoot to live at the equator!  This can turn your well-intentioned self-love into an unbalanced state.  Likewise there is a weight range in which I know I feel my best.  I know that when my body is between 158-165 pounds I have more energy, more enjoyment, and I think more clearly and make consistently more loving choices.   How do I know this? Well, I remember the 5th grade!

I could not resist that little joke, but as I laugh at my cleverness, I know that  there is also truth in it.  I have struggled my entire life with weight issues, body image issues, and issues of self-worth, and self-love.  I spent many years searching for acceptance from those around me, but could never quite receive their praise or love without somewhere inside of myself mistrusting it.  I did not feel praiseworthy, or worthy of love, so how could I accept others feeling that way toward me?  I am happy to say that this is also changing.  The opening to self-love and my movement toward appreciating my SELF as I am, is what inspired me to invite others to join me in the 5-day RESET Cleanse and to chronicle my journey here.

Here is a quick recap of what I have done in the past two weeks

Week 1- 5-Day Reset-Sugar Detox and Cleanse (high fiber protein shakes and bars with fresh fruits and veggies and plenty of water). Light exercise, walking, short easy swim, if I gave more than 1 hour massage in a day that was my exercise for the day, weekly Iyengar Yoga class.  I felt it important to start my exercise light, not only because I had not been exercising regularly for a while, but because my body was also adjusting to a lower caloric intake.

Week 2- I am in the “Transform Phase”  I am actively seeking weight loss so I am taking 2 shakes a day, 1 high fiber protein bar, and a low glycemic snack and meal.  I returned to my martial arts training with two classes this week, continued walking, swimming, and added light and longer aerobic exercise.  I am exercising 3-4 days per week no matter how many massages I do.  I am also included carrying around some raw almonds and a small apple or pear (both low glycemic fruits by the way) so If I do get hungry I eat, just something that I know won’t spike my blood sugar.

Over the weekend my family got together at my mother’s house.  This can be a big trigger for me.  I did overeat a bit, but what did I over eat?  I ate protein! I was very  hungry when I arrived so I snacked on two chicken wings.  During dinner I skipped the corn and had some cucumber salad, three bean salad (careful with these because store brands often contain added sugar), brocoli, and (gulp, here it comes), two hot dogs (sans bun), and a turkey burger on 1/2 a whole wheat bun).  Later, as the rest of the family ate Ice Cream, I enjoyed about 3/4 of a cup of fresh fruit salad.  I did not miss the ice cream, nor was I tempted.  Two funny things happened here:

1- I was very conscious of the choices I was making.  I put my first hot dog on a bun, took a bite and the bun tasted horrible, so I pulled the hot dog off.  This marks a huge change for me, in the past I would have eaten the bun whether it tasted good or not!

2- The second funny thing is that during  dessert my sister turned to me and said, “Look at you sitting there all proud of yourself because you’re not eating ice cream!”  I smiled and in my sweetest and most condescending tone ( I am her younger brother after all and old habits are hard to break) said, “That comment says more about how you feel about yourself than about how I feel about me.”  (This by the way is the 40-something version of “I’m rubber you’re glue…” )  I then did go on to admit that I was proud for having moved myself to a place where I was making (mostly) conscious choices in the area of food in an effort to free my soul to live fully inside my body.  Much to my sister’s credit, and due to the work she has been doing on herself, she understood this.

Last night we went out for sushi.  I have to admit I did over eat again.  This is something I am still at work on.  This is why I chose to continue using shakes and bars in my weight loss plan.  They help me with portion control as I work to adjust my inner food thermostat.  Some people do not need this help, and after the 5-Day RESET are up and flying, I do.  I also enjoyed a glass of Pinot Grigio.

So here I am beginning the third week of my journey. Today I added weight training to the other workouts I have been doing.  I will increase my exercise to 4-5 days per week as my body feels well acclimated to the new low glycemic lifestyle.

As for the 5 souls who joined me?  4 of them are going strong (not every program or leader is right for every person).  They are discovering a new relationship to food.  They are also learning how taking the time to prepare what you need to nourish yourself throughout the day can be an affirming act of self-love.

 

 

Declare Your Independence From Sugar Addiction

I have been on the weight gain/loss/gain/loss roller coaster for most of my life.  I attended my first Weight Watchers meeting at age 11.  This has been a life long pattern for me, and it has caused me physical discomfort and emotional pain.  About two years ago I discovered, what I believe is the answer to my fervent desire to create a balanced lifestyle and eating plan that supports and nourishes me physically, spiritually and emotionally. The answer for me was understanding the glycemic index, and what effect ingesting processed sugar in its various forms (sweets and treats, bread, pasta and processed carbohydrates to name a few) did to my body.  Now I am in a place to share this information.

Two years ago I used RESET by Usana Health Sciences to change the way my body metabolizes sugar.  I was able to curtail sugar cravings and create an eating plan that supported my life all in FIVE DAYS!  I lost 15 pounds in six weeks and lowered my cholesterol about 70 points.  Not to mention I felt better and more energized.  And, a  first for me,  I kept the weight off for over a year!  Then I encountered some personal stressors and fell back on old habits.  I found the weight I had lost and then some.  I have grown more easily tired and don’t feel nearly as well as I know it is my birthright to feel.  In a talk called “Why Diets Don’t Work,” given by Dr. Ray Strand, I heard Dr. Strand say, “ you should give up the idea of losing weight.  When we lose something we eventually try to find it!  Instead create a situation where your release the fat.”  “release the fat,” that is an idea tha empowers me.  I do not want to lose weight only to find it.  I do not want to lose sugar cravings only to find them again (hint-they ARE ALWAYS in the last place you look).  As we approach the celebration of our nation’s independence, I thought it was time that I declare myself free from the tyranny of processed sugar!  I decided to re-write the Declaration Of Independence to reflect the declaring of myself independent of processed sugar.  Of course we cannot be free from all sugars, glucose is the primary energy molecule used by our bodies, but we can be free and independent of the mood swings, binge eating, and seemingly out of our control overeating that ingesting processed sugar may induce.  We can  drastically reduce our chances of developing many degenerative disease like heart disease and diabetes.

I am also certain that I can make a lasting change.  How?  It is really quite simple, once I reach my goal of a healthy weight, balanced blood chemistry, and more energy, I will MAKE IT AN ON-GOING GOAL TO MAINTAIN IT!  Not having a goal to live into, not having the declaration below is what allowed me to slip back to familiar (one could say “familial”) territory and old habits.  Now I am prepared with knowledge, conviction, and a solid tool to help me keep my growth in this area on solid footing!

Today I am declaring my freedom from the tyranny of processed sugar!  A copy of my Declaration of Independence- From Processed Sugar Addiction is included below.  The Self-Love Revolution begins on July 5th 2011 with a 5-day Self-Love Revolution RESET and I am inviting 15 people to join me.  If this seems like a good idea for you please contact me at plevenson@wholehealthyfamily.com before Friday 6/17/11 to discuss the details.

As always I remain

Yours in Health,

Perry

The Declaration of Independence- From Sugar Addiction

(you may “sign” this declaration by leaving your name as a comment below)

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IN OUR HEARTS,July 5, 2011

The unanimous Declaration of the undersigned,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one person to join together with a group of like-minded people, to assume the powers of Self Love and Kindness to which the Laws of Nature and The Higher Power of their belief entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of humankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to make this life altering change.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all people are created PERFECT, that We are endowed by our Creator with wholeness, love, and generosity of spirit towards SELF and others. This Love of Self and others leads to the pursuit of Happiness, and a balanced and healthy lifestyle that will nourish and sustain us and our relationships.—For we recognize that relationships founded on love, respect, and mutual consideration are above all.  Further we recognize that in order to create a more perfect union of mind, body, and spirit, we must seek opportunities to express our love of self in healthful ways that our lights may shine ever brighter illuminating the path further ahead for ourselves and those we serve in truth and love.

We recognize to secure our health and longevity with vibrancy we must eat to nourish our bodies, and that whenever any Form of Food becomes destructive of these ends, it is the OUR Right, privilege, and duty to alter our relationship to it or to abolish it, and to institute a new Eating Plan, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in our Self Love, Best Interest, an in accordance with Our Beliefs.

Experience will show that yet we continue to suffer due to the continued eating of certain food we know, or feel in our bodies to cause harm, and whose harmful effects have since been long-established, experience hath shown, that we are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right ourselves by abolishing the eating habits to which we are accustomed. But when the evidence of deleterious effects becomes so overwhelming, both scientifically and in our personal experience, it is our right, it is our duty, to throw off such Foods, Habits, and Addictions, and to provide a new understanding and Way of Being for our future health, wealth, and relationships.–Such has been the sufferance of the undersigned in relation to the tyranny and uncaring effects  on the body chemistry of Processed SUGAR!; and such is now the necessity which constrains Us to alter Our former eating habits and declare our independence from SUGAR, its’ cravings, its’ mood swings, its’ palpitations and  uncontrollable eating binges which act to hinder other expressions of our own SELF LOVE. The history of Sugar is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over our bodies. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

Sugar intake leads to spikes in insulin which lead to low blood sugar and repeated sugar cravings
Sugar, by the action listed above, leads to binge eating and erratic food intake and weight gain.
Sugar creates a more inflammatory state in our bodies that may lead to serious degenerative diseases such as Diabetes Mellitus, and Heart Disease (and others).
In many stages of these Oppressions We have moaned, groaned and felt powerless over the hold that Sugar has had on us. Sugar cares not and will continue (in excess amounts and improper forms) to exact an enormous toll on our bodies.

We, therefore, the Owners and Parties Responsible for our own HEALTH and WELL-BEING, do, in the Name, and by Authority of OURSELVES, solemnly publish and declare, That these BODIES are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent from Processed SUGAR; that they participate in a “5-day SELF-LOVE REVOLUTION RESET” and continue, with support, beyond the 5 days if necessary to express the full Power we have to choose what goes into our BODIES, and to AFFIRM our LIVES, and LOVES WITH EVERY CHOICE!  With a firm reliance on truth or our divine spirits, we mutually pledge to each other our kindness, love, and support.

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The signatures below belong to those warriors of self-love and personal freedom who will participate in the “5-Day SELF LOVE REVOLUTION RESET” Taking place Tuesday July 5,2011 through Saturday July 9^th (with an option to continue)

Support phone calls included are Sunday July 3^rd  (set up, review RESET KIT, and set intention to move forward powerfully)

Thursday July 7^{th (mid-week check in)}

Saturday July 9^{th (completion and “Whats next)”}

(Calls are 7:7:30PM Eastern Time and will be recorded)

SIGNATURES  (you may add your signature as a comment)

Perry A Levenson

An Invitation to Create Your Life

 

Over the past eight years my practice has been passionately devoted to naturally enhancing male and female fertility and women’s health.  What I have learned is that our fertility is our power to create.  In order to create a human life you must live life.  Invite life to fill you up and flow through you!  This will serve whether you are trying to conceive a child, launch a business, or transition from one career to the next.  Ask yourself, “Where am I in a holding pattern?”  “What am I holding on to? Can I give it up?” “What do I have to know in order to move forward?”  “What am I doing to express my vitality and joy in this moment even though it doesn’t look exactly as I want it to?”  My friend and colleague Dr. Deborah Kern once said, “We have to become pleasure seeking missiles!”  I agree wholeheartedly.  Don’t wait until your life looks like you think it should, or how you want it to, get out there today and find the things that give you pleasure and joy now.  You deserve it, and your creativity, your life will flourish!