Demi Lovato calls out "diet culture vultures," and why I feel she went too far on this one.4/19/2021  Over the weekend, Demi Lovato called out an L.A. froyo shop for showcasing "sugar-free cookies" at their store. She grew frustrated with the shop, and called them out on Instagram Stories.  Lovato has officially coined the hashtag "dietculturevultures" as an attempt to call out brands and companies that enable "disordered eating." While I think it's great that Demi Lovato is encouraging body-positivity and free will, she is starting to go a little bit overboard. While sugar-free cookies are sometimes used as a treat alternative for those who are dieting, they are the only alternative for diabetics. As for other diets, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, and others, these are more about lifestyle wellness and keeping autoimmune disease in check. Speaking as someone who was diagnosed with autoimmune disease Celiac Disease over 11 years ago, I have no choice but to have gluten free foods. This is for life. Have people gone gluten free as a means to lose weight? Yes, and this is why us Celiacs are never taken seriously. This is not a weight loss program for us. This is our food plan for the rest of our lives, or until a cure is found. If we indulge in "regular" food, we put our bodies in a life-threatening situation. People have died from Celiac Disease (look up Kid Rock's late-friend Joe C). As for vegans and vegetarians, individuals in these communities have strong feelings about using animals as a food product. Don't shame them for loving our furry and scaly friends. Demi, not everything is diet culture. By singling out sugar-free cookies in a froyo shop, you are spitting on diabetics who like to indulge in those cookies. I'm a fan of yours, but I cannot stand behind you on this one. You went too far. You need to research and do better, before you single out foods that are SOMETIMES considered "diet food." #DemiLovato #dietculturevultures #dietculture #diets #lifestyle #healthyeating #food #diabetics
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 photo credit: postcrescent.com Revenge Body has become a popular term in pop culture. It's been made popular by KUWTK's Khloe Kardashian. Kardashian made a TV series about helping women across the country achieve a revenge body. While all of that is great and everything, it doesn't solve any problems. You can change the exterior as much as you'd like. If you haven't addressed the inner issues, the exterior will go back to what it was before. Here's how I know this: I've fucking lived it! I've battled my weight for most of my life. I was brutally made fun of for my appearance. I was the fat sister, the fat friend, and the girl no one wanted to date. I didn't take care of myself at all.
I had bad fashion sense, bad hair, bad teeth, bad hygiene (during most of middle school, I had horrible snarls and knots underneath my hair. I either didn't tend to them, or I cut them off), and I wished every night that when I went to sleep, I wouldn't wake up the next day. This lasted for decades. I figured my place was to be the punching bag. Sure, I tried losing weight, straightening my hair, changing my fashion sense, and changing my attitude to something I wasn't. In college, I befriended someone who gaslit me for 19 years after meeting her. I tried it all. Even though losing weight through the years gained a lot of attention and respect, it was all short-lived. When major life changes happened, I packed on the pounds. I was back to my old self: heavy, unhappy, and absolutely hopeless. After I had my son in 2018, I wanted to get into the best shape of my life. I lost the 40lbs I gained during pregnancy, within 6 months after delivery. Six months after that, I lost an additional 25lbs. I found myself wearing a size 4 for the first time ever, I was trying to become a personal trainer, and I was showing off my stomach in almost every pic on my (old) Instagram. I wanted to show my body off, so that every single motherfucker that made fun of me in high school and college could eat their fucking words. Some actually did. They overstuffed themselves with humble pie, and it felt amazing. I had my revenge body.
Sadly, that's all I had going for me. In the summer of 2020, another life change occurred: I ended a 19 year friendship with a gaslighter, I told off a dude I had been talking to for 3 months, I gave up man-made Christianity, and I made a solid commitment to abstain from alcohol for the rest of my life. These life changes would be enough to send anyone spiraling. The opposite happened. As soon as I ended that friendship, I was overwhelmed with the strength and love that poured into my spirit. This was all my doing. I started to respect myself. I started to love myself, and I decided to put myself first in life. When I started putting myself first, I saw an abundance of positive changes in all other areas of my life. I was a better mother, I was a better friend, I was a better daughter and grand-daughter, and I became a better human overall. I wasn't craving online attention like I had in the past. In fact, I deleted all of my personal social media profiles (I only have the ones attached to this website). I was craving my inner peace. I was craving more time with my son. I was craving more time to take pictures with my new camera. I was craving ideas on how to have a better garden than last season. I craved life, nature, happiness, peace, zen, tranquility. It's been 8 months since my life changed forever. It's been 8 months since I said goodbye to my ex best-friend, the guy I was falling head over heels for, alcohol, drama, etc. I never imagined in a millions years that I would be this person. I still crave my inner peace. I still crave taking pictures, gardening, more time with my little boy, and a few quality friends. I'm about 20lbs heavier than I was a year ago (well, 17lbs. I've lost a few pounds this week). Life isn't about achieving a revenge body. It's not about achieving a revenge makeover. Life is all about being your authentic self, living in peace and tranquility. It's about not being in competition with anyone. It's about not having the desire to prove yourself to other people. This year, I'm coming up on my 20 year high school reunion. For years, I had been counting down to June 2021. I wanted to prove to all those naysayers that I became hot, successful, and I still had all my hair. I look back on that mentality and laugh, because it's so ridiculous. Even if a reunion were to be held this year (which isn't looking likely), I wouldn't go. Why would I spend several hours in a stuffy banquet hall, with all the people who bullied me (some of them made up horrible rumors about me that nearly ruined my life)? I have better things to do with my time. I don't need to show off my body to anyone. I don't need to brag about being a self-published author, blogger, photographer, etc. I don't need to brag at all. People are going to think what they want. What matters to me is what I think about myself. I think I'm a strong as fuck warrior chick, who genuinely does not give two shits about what anyone thinks about her. I live my life by my rules. I'm healthy, happy, peaceful, content, zen, spiritual, and my son is my world. The moral of the story is: If you want to be healthy on the outside, you need to get to work on the inside. If you only change the outside, it won't be long until all the outside work is undone. You need to get to a place where your soul, heart, spirit, mind, etc are all in alignment. You need to be strong in all those areas, before you start on the cosmetics (weight loss, changing hair, make up, clothes, etc). There is no half-assing it. You can't be 50%, 70%, 95% ready to change. You have to be 100% ready to change and get to work on making over the inside. I'm telling you, it is so fucking worth it to work on you. No one can touch a genuinely strong and solid person, who is mind, spiritually, soulfully, and heartfully sound.  Me: no filter, absolutely content, and still needing more coffee (despite chugging 20oz of coffee this morning).  photo credit: me (Shauna) Over the last couple of years, I've noticed companies like "Flat Tummy Tea" saying that their products get rid of bloat, slim you down, and detox you. We've seen many reality TV stars, such as Nicole from 90 Day Fiancé, and Khloe Kardashian model these products. While I'm sure these products work, they are outrageously expensive! The average Joe or Jill cannot handle purchasing a 4 week supply of Flat Tummy Tea for $60-$100. Their 1 month supply of Flat Tummy gummies are $70+. It's crazy! I will admit, I was attracted to their teas and gummies. If it weren't for the fact that I'm a single mom and barely making ends meet, I would have bought their items. I needed to find another way...and I did! I have been reading about the benefits of apple cider vinegar for quite sometime. When I learned about its weight loss, bloat, and detox benefits, I was sold. I was able to find a 128oz bottle of ACV at Walmart for $4. I brought it home and looked up recipes for ACV shots. Drinking ACV raw is quite unpleasant. It's extremely potent and it makes you gag. It can also be tough on your stomach. My favorite recipe for ACV shots consist of 1 shot of ACV, 1 part water, a little bit of lemon (you can get bottled lemon juice in a 2 pack at Walmart for $6), and a little bit of pure honey (you can get an 80oz bottle of pure honey for $21 at Walmart). All of these elements together provide you with optimal benefits. Your bloat will go away, your body will detox from toxins, and you will feel healthier. I recommend taking this ACV shot in the morning, before you eat breakfast. I must warn you, you might be on the toilet more than you're used to. It's your body's way of eliminating the toxins from your body, and you're losing weight at the same time (if you're in there for a long time, download Toon Blast on your phone. It's highly addictive). To those who endorse Flat Tummy Tea, I'm not trying to shade you. I'm just trying to help my fellow commoners get the same results, but for less. Your teas run anywhere from $60 to $100. The items I use will last for at least a few months, and will cost less than $35 TOTAL. Aren't these detox programs all about wellness? People want to get results. With your program, they are buying your name only. They can get the same results for $35 every couple of months. Give it a (ACV) shot guys! #wellness #weightloss #detox #ACV #applecidervinegar #healthyliving #bloat #bloating
 photo credit: hellomagazine "Fat Amy" no more! Rebel Wilson has reached her goal weight! Her 'Year of Health' concluded on Saturday, and she excitedly shared the milestone with her fans on Insta-story.  photo credit: Rebel Wilson's Instagram, via ETOnline article. Back in May, Wilson revealed that her goal weight was 75kg, or 165lbs. Rebel 'with the revenge body' Wilson will be going live on Tuesday to thank everyone for their support, and to share even more info with us. Wilson has not shared plans to lose additional weight. She did mention on The Drew Barrymore Show that she loves her curves and that she doesn't want to get "too skinny." Rebel Wilson shared her secrets to her holistic transformation: "For the last few years I've been theme-ing my years. So I had the Year of Fun, last year I had the Year of Love, and this year it's gonna be the Year of Health because I turned 40 this year in March. I never really focused on my health, which was probably obvious. I was going all around the world jet-setting everywhere and eating a ton of sugar. That was kind of my vice. I have a very sweet tooth, I love desserts. I think what I really suffered from was emotional eating and dealing with the stress of becoming famous internationally. There is a lot of stress that comes with it and I guess my way of dealing with it was just eating donuts. So I was working on the mental side of things -- why was I not doing that? Why was I not valuing myself and having better self-worth? And then on the nutritional side, my diet was mainly all carbs. It was delicious, but for my body type, I needed to eat a lot more protein." Wilson has been using the Mayr Method to help with her food intake. The Mayr Method consists of high-alkaline foods, and making major life changes. The method also consists of cleanses, taking vitamins, and fasting when you first start. Milk is prohibited on the diet. One of the most widely-known aspects of the Mayr Method has to do with chewing. If you are doing the Mayr Method, you are told to chew your food 40-60 times before swallowing.  photo credit: MirrorUK Rebel Wilson, you are lovely, inspiring, and I'm so happy for you. Congratulations to Rebel for achieving her weight loss goal, and inspiring others to create their own 'Year of Health.'
You are a goddess, babe! #RebelWilson #YearofHealth #weightloss #weightlossjourney #Health #MayrMethod #Queen 
Well dayum! Following his recovery from coronavirus, Dwayne Johnson is back to life as usual! He is hittin the gym hard, and going even harder at cheat day.
On Sunday, Dwayne Johnson let us peep at his cheat day meal, while he watched the Eagles and 49ERS game on the telly. Johnson had a magnificent feast in front of him. He had a big ass bowl of Penne with Vodka Bolognese, 2 toasted bagels with garlic powder and butter, and a sexy bottle of tequila. I have a tendency to eat like this too (minus the tequila because I don't drink). I just forget to exercise that week. Baby steps, folks! I'll get there! Check out the sexy food porn below. 
Here's a little ditty about John Mellencamp's daughter Teddi...
Teddi Mellencamp has come under fire for her accountability program "All in." The program is being accused of encouraging eating disorder behavior. Mellencamp started the "All In" program after going through her own weight loss journey (she was overweight for a hot minute). She created the program to help others be accountable for their own weight loss journey. Basically, participants weigh themselves daily, take pics of themselves on the scale. They send pics of what they eat throughout the day, and then the coaches send their words of wisdom. Participants start with the 2-week jumpstart program, which is $599. You are only allowed to eat 500-1000 calories, and you MUST complete 1 hour of cardio per day. After you complete the Jumpstart program, you move on to the Monthly program. The monthly program costs $399 for 4 weeks. The same rules apply, but you get a slightly updated menu. 
Many people shared their horror stories about the program, some of the stories include abusive dialogue from the accountability coaches.
The "All In" program has exploded in popularity, due to Mellencamp's time on RHOBH. What people do not realize is, Mellancamp and her coaches do NOT hold certifications in health, medical, or fitness. They are just people who completed the program under Mellencamp's watch. 
Mellencamp addressed the backlash, saying that she is 100% confident in her program. She adds that the program has helped over 15,000 people.
My Two Cents I happen to hold a certification in Personal Training. The program I went through also trained us on meals. Having people eat 500-1000 calories per day is DANGEROUS. Unless you are 600lbs and under the watchful eye of a Bariatric doctor, you shouldn't be eating this little. Women should be NETTING at least 1200 calories a day. Men should be NETTING at least 1800-2000 calories a day. Netting anything under 1000 calories is STARVATION MODE. Your body will not burn fat. In fact, your body will be so hungry for food, it will feed on muscle. It's science! The "All In" program not only promotes physically unhealthy habits, it also promotes mentally and emotionally unhealthy habits. Coaches should not be verbally abusive to their clients. I really wanted to like Teddi, since I'm a huge fan of her dad's. Those of us with a brain, and an ACTUAL certification, are holding YOU responsible for your eating disorder program that also promotes abuse. Teddi wants to say that her program isn't about certifications. Honey, those of us that have certifications know our shit. We studied, interned, and took a very comprehensive exam to obtain our certifications. Do NOT downplay certifications. Readers: Who would you entrust your weight loss journey to? A Reality TV star with ZERO certifications, or someone who is certified in fitness, health, food, and CPR? Let me know here or on social media. Shame on you, Teddi! 
If you are like me and an avid follower of Dwayne “The Rock†Johnson’s cheat meal train instas, you were more than likely WOW’d by his latest nom-fest.
Last night, our favorite wrestler/actor/singer/muscle God/Jack of all effing trades, showcased two fatty double cheeseburgers with bacon and fries, his signature Tequila, and TWO PLATES of sugary goodness. We are talking brownies, blondies, cookies, and even cheesecake (Oh MYYY!). This meal took place at midnight as he watched Prohibition, a documentary by Ken Burns. He was the envy of all of his followers, including the social media staff behind his HBO series “Ballers.†They even requested that he bring in treats for everyone. Dude, those burgers and desserts got me licking my computer screen! 
No time for breakfast before work? Well, you may want to make some time.
According to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, skipping breakfast was associated with an increased risk of heart related death, especially stroke-related. Those who have never eaten breakfast in the morning had an 87% risk of a cardiovascular event occurring that resulted in death. Dr. Wei Bao, assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Iowa, released a statement about the study: "There are a few cardiovascular risk factors -- for example diabetes, hypertension and lipid disorders. Our findings are in line with and supported by previous studies that consistently showed that skipping breakfast is related to those strong risk factors for cardiovascular death." My Two Cents I am a busy adult myself. I am a single mom of a toddler, and I work. I start my day very early so I can have time to make myself coffee and oatmeal. Aside from the above study, if you don't start off your day with a balanced breakfast, it weakens your ability to function in every part of your life. Food is fuel, and in order for your body to work, you need to fuel it. By making time for breakfast, you will be starting your day off on a positive note, you will feel energized, and you will feel more confident in approaching what ever the day has in store for you. Not only that, eating a well-balanced breakfast can aid in weight loss. #breakfast #mondaymotivation #tuesdaythoughts #wednesdaywisdom #thursdaythoughts #friday #health #diet #wellness #worklife #weightloss #saturday #sundaymorning 
Looking to get fit in the new year? One of the most popular fitness techniques in gyms today are the strength machines. You have your Dual Pulley Rows, Chest Press, Tricep Dips, Hip Abduction and Adductions, Lat Pulldown, Ab machines, Leg presses, Calf extensions and more. All of these help an individual with toning and muscle gains.
If you are considering using a strength machine for the first time, you should know both the pros and cons. Pros:
Cons:
When it comes to strength training machines, you are only in one plane of motion. However, if you target certain muscles one day, and do others the next, it actually helps to use the weight machines. You can specifically target those muscle groups, while allowing other muscle groups (previously trained) to recover. Let's crush our goals together, and get into the best shape of our lives! Be sure to get permission from your doctor before you begin any fitness journey. #strengthtraining #training #fitness #musclegains #bodybuilding #health #wellness #legday #upperbody #strength #WCW
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Wellness from the inside out. All this and more will be discussed on this blog page.  Archives
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