Here are some pages that might interest you:

If I didn’t enjoy restaurants, cooking and eating as much as I do (and I really do) then maybe I would have never got fat in the first place.  But then again, who’s to say.  In retrospect I knew I was heading in that direction long before the 40 extra pounds plagued my body.  What’s crazy however is I now look back on those days when I was gaining the weight as a time of not fully appreciating food like I do these days.  Sure I lost the weight but never will I lose my passion for good food!  And if there’s anything I’ve learned on this healthy journey it is a tasty lean and green meal is key to both weight loss and weight maintenance. 

The basic guidelines for a lean and green meal while on the 5&1 is 5-7 ounces of lean meat (or protein source for vegetarians) plus a salad and/or vegetables.  Given that most meats are available in a relatively lean form, the possibilities are limitless.  Because I enjoy being in the kitchen, the lean and green meal presents a fun challenge; something akin to the TV show Top Chef.  Furthermore, what I’m looking for is maximum flavor with minimal effort.   

Below is a picture of a recent lean and green meal.  Grilled skirt steak with peppers and onions.  Check out the grill basket!  That thing is gold in my opine and cost only $5.99 at Bed, Bath and Beyond.  It is ideal for grilling vegetables and shrimp among other things.  The recipe for this meal is in our recipe section under “beef” and also under “vegetables”.

Helpful Hint:

• Cook multiple portions of lean and green foods on the weekend so you have some ready to go during those busy week nights.

I will be systematically adding to the Lean and Green recipe section my favorite meals.  If you’ve got a favorite lean and green meal that you want to share just reply with the recipe and a photo if you can.  That would be great.  We will ALL benefit!

Happy Tuesday to you and looking forward to another great week! There’s really a ton of positive energy buzzing around right now. 2010 is off to a fantastic start.

This week I want everyone to learn about the many Take Shape For Life tools that are available. There’s a whole myriad of valuable support options and information available to you. Probably more than you’ll ever need. But if you find just one tool that works great for you, and helps you create the authentic change you desire, that’s all you need.

What do I mean by “Tools”?

In addition to a health coach, Take Shape For Life provides a host of other support options. These include:

- The Support in Motion Website
- Discussion boards and Success Photos Central
- TSFL Support Center
- Virtual Clinic
- Weekly LIVE teleconference calls
- Nutritionist Hotline
- Dr. A’s Books

Any one of these could be what puts your mind in the right place. Who knows? There’s a lot of information up there, I know, so to make it easy we’re going to host a special online training event tonight.

On a LIVE webinar tonight, I’ve invited certified Health Coach and National Director Cheryl Tooke to share with us her presentation on the Take Shape For Life tools. And if there’s anyone who knows about using tools to get the job done, she’s it. Cheryl lost half her weight—126 pounds—on this program. She now pays it forward by teaching others her “secrets of success”.

Okay, TWO things

First, I know this is very short notice to attend a live event. Don’t worry because we’ll be recording tonight’s presentation. Tomorrow I can send a link where you can watch it on your own. Which is highly recommended.

Second, it’s a really cool presentation because you can actually see Cheryl’s computer screen as she shows you the online tools. The bonus for those who attend LIVE is after the initial presentation, it’ll be interactive and you can ask questions!

Please Register Now.  Click this Link:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/490028512  

Let’s have a fantastic week. Please call or email if your week needs a boost. With all this energy buzzing around, there’s no need to go it alone. I’m your conduit.

Hope to see you tonight!

Sincerely,

Eric Blanchard
Certified Health Coach
Take Shape For Life

In my keep on track last week I shared that I was turning 45 years old on Wednesday.  What came of that revelation was a number of pleasant birthday wishes and also some interesting comments from clients of all ages. What has always struck me as a phenomena is how some people in their 40’s look, feel, talk, think and act like they are getting old while others, well into their 70’s and beyond look, feel, talk, think and act young.

If you didn’t know your age, how old would you be?

Suppose you developed a very rare form of amnesia that wiped out just the memory of your own age.  Naturally, being very concerned about not knowing your age, you seek out a doctor who specializes in this rare condition.  He asks some questions and runs some tests and then comes back to you and, based on his expert analysis, tells you your age. What do you think he would say?

I can’t count the number of weight loss “before” and “after” photos I’ve seen over the past five years of coaching optimal health.  I’ve seen a lot.  But it probably won’t surprise you when I say in every single “after” photo the person looks much younger.  And for those who I have known personally along the way, and including my own story, not only do they look younger but also talk, think, act and feel younger.  Which begs the question, do we have the power to choose our age?  If the answer is yes, which I believe it is, it’s got to start with getting to your ideal weight.

Think and Grow Thin

The message of Take Shape For Life is that anyone can create optimal health in their life.  In the creation process, you are not trying to get away from something (like being overweight, on medications, etc.) but moving toward a vision of health that you have created in your own mind.  And by moving toward your vision, something that did not exist previously comes into existence.  Just this morning I heard this quote.  It’s by Lao Tzu, author of the Tao Te Ching.  He said:

“When you correct your mind, everything will fall into place”

I like this quote because it makes clear the secret to getting what you really want.  It’s in the way you think.  I’ll play devil’s advocate to make the point as it pertains to losing weight.  Let’s say I offered you $10,000 per month to strictly follow the plan until you hit your goal weight (a BMI of 25).  How do you think your body would react?  There’s no doubt you’d lose weight quickly and feel really good.  You would get healthy and look and feel younger too.  But so often people get pitted against themselves because their internal dialogue says otherwise; the mind is not correct in thinking you can’t; in thinking there is something preventing you from having what you really want.

Making 2010 YOUR Year

This is it!  This is your “second chance”; this is your hope for authentic change.  Losing weight is the easy part.  I believe that.  By following the plan specifically, you’ll lose quickly and safely with low-to-no hunger and good energy levels.

Eric Freemyer lost 130 lbs on the Medifast 5 an 1 Program

If you missed Good Morning America’s feature story on Eric Freemyer, who lost 130 lbs with our Medifast 5 & 1 Plan this morning, you still have a chance to read about it and watch the segment by clicking on the link below:

Huge Weight Loss Success Stories – ABC News.

On January 8, 2010, at approximately 8 a.m. Eastern, Medifast weight loss success story Eric Freemyer will be appearing on ABC’s “Good Morning America” as a featured health story.

Eric Freemyer lost 130 lbs with our Medifast 5 & 1 Plan, improved his cholesterol and blood pressure, and no longer is required to sleep with a CPAP machine because of sleep apnea.

We’ll be watching Good Morning America tomorrow.

It’s really great to see “one of our own” on the national stage!

His powerful story is a testament to our program and we’re fortunate enough to have him convey it on a national stage.

We hope you get a chance to see it also.

Joy and I have been coaching people on the Take Shape For Life program since 2005.

First it made a change in our lives and now we get to pay it forward.  So if the Eric Freemyer story inspires you to take action or to just get more information, please contact us or shoot us an email.

Health Coach Business Overview Webinar

Join us for a Webinar on January 7

Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at:

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/223024313

This webinar will cover the advantages and benefits of being a Health Coach with Take Shape for Life. Included in this presentation will be the following:  the background of the company, the market potential of the business, the solution we offer, the role of a Health Coach, how income is generated, and what is required to become a Health Coach.

Title: Health Coach Business Overview Webinar

Date: Thursday, January 7, 2010

Time: 9:00 PM – 9:30 PM EST

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

System Requirements

PC-based attendees

Required: Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista

Macintosh®-based attendees

Required: Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or newer