BY DINAH MYERS
In my last article, I asked you a lot of questions, “When you look in the mirror, do you like what you see?”; “Do you use shapewear to attempt to smooth and squeeze in your mid-section?”; “Do you only wear long or ¾ length sleeves because you carry fat on your arms?”; “Do you always seek out stretchy pants so that you don’t have to go up a few sizes?.” I apologize if I put you on the spot or made you sad! But these are questions worth considering if you are serious about your health. Don’t put off taking care of YOU!
In May we have a chance to recognize our mothers and other ladies that have nurtured and helped us along in life. Moms don’t really get a day off and we never retire from motherhood, whether we are nurturing our own children or the children of others (including our “4-legged children”). Unfortunately, that means we often put ourselves last on the list when it comes to health. Are you a mom that never seems to have time to eat healthy or get in some exercise? Please don’t put it off any longer! One in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. There are many published clinical studies that establish the link between obesity and a risk of breast cancer. Within a year of being diagnosed myself, there were 8 women in my life that were also diagnosed with breast cancer. That is one of the main reasons I decided to be a Diet Center owner. If I can help just one woman avoid surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation treatments, then my investment has been worthwhile.
Whether a mother works outside the home or not, we are all “working moms.” Our work is never done either! It is easy to put off caring for ourselves because sometimes we just run out of hours in our days. After pregnancy and childbirth, our bodies change (as if you ladies needed to be reminded). It is especially important to stay on a healthy diet to prevent the pounds from creeping on year after year. Sooner than we would imagine, that “baby” is approaching 30 years old and we have added 30 pounds of fat through years of not managing our weight! And throw hormonal changes in with a poor diet, we could be carrying around 50 pounds of excess weight. Not only has a woman increased her risk of breast cancer (and other forms of cancer), but she has increased her risk of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, joint and muscle problems, as well as a host of other diseases. We cannot give others our best care if we are in poor health ourselves! Even losing 10 pounds (a dress size) can have a dramatic impact on your health.
So, what are you waiting on? Do you have 30 minutes a week that you could spend on yourself if it meant liking what you see in the mirror? We have programs to fit every lifestyle, including busy parents. Our programs don’t require you to take potentially harmful “diet pills” or “weight loss injections.” Diet Center has been a national brand for 45 years and here in Winston-Salem for 35 years. We have seen many competitors come into town and then vanish. We offer no miracles and no magic pills. We don’t push laxatives and diuretics. We promote healthy lifestyles based on sound nutrition and self-discipline. Our programs work because the weight loss is fat loss, not water loss. Yes, there are competitor programs that promise rapid weight loss, but what happens after these programs end? The weight loss is not sustainable. Diet Center guides you through stabilizing your ideal weight and has a plan that ensures the weight loss is maintained. Our success is measured in the vast number of clients that have lost weight on our programs and sustained that weight loss for many years.
As a working mom, breast cancer conqueror, and a “constantly on the go” woman, I truly understand the struggles of weight management. With the help of Diet Center programs, I have kept my extra 30 pounds off for 2 years now. It’s something I work at daily, but I would love to share my story with you and help you make changes for a healthy, happy you! Isn’t it time you became one of our weight loss winners?
