The power of food and the awful reality we face as a country was perfectly said by Jamie Oliver in his speech on TED, as he stated that “the adults of the last four generations have blessed our children with the destiny of a shorter life span then their own parents”. He continues to go on to describe the very horrifying statistics of bad health and obesity that have become our reality with two thirds of America’s population being overweight or obese.  Exploring the various reasons for how we have lost our ability to prepare fresh nutritious meals, Oliver proposes that a solution can be found in food education.

Having had the opportunity to work with dozens of clients on their health and fitness goals, I can honestly say that eating healthy is no longer common sense.  With misleading food labels and deceiving nutrition facts I believe that learning to read ingredients is crucial when deciding what processed foods are not only nutritious but safe.  With tree bark being used as a source of fiber and diet drinks being worse for you than their regular version, I have become a very strong advocate for educating others on the dangers of processed foods and sugars.  Getting back to the basics of eating real food, food that goes bad, food in its natural form providing all of the essential nutrients that our bodies are longing for, is the foundation for taking back control of our health.  As consumers we have a right and we are voting with every purchase we make at the grocery store!  From supporting your local farmers to signing a petition for healthier school lunches, there are endless ways to get involved.  We are looking forward to interviewing the advocates in our communities like Galina and Ronald Denzel who are bringing the Food Revolution Day to Orange County!   To learn more about the day’s activities check out the event @ http://foodrevolutionday.com/public-event/506/FR-

Stay tuned for pictures and interviews form this weekends events

Article by Brooke Warner

   For those of you that may not know Kerri, she has been involved in media as an Emmy award-winning TV executive producer, writer, author, radio co-host and speaker for more than two decades. As an ambassador of healthy living for single moms, she hosts a health and fitness informational series for Long Beach’s Bikeable Communities (an advocacy group to assist communities find better strategies for sharing the road between cars and bikes).

   She is the co-host for Innerlight Radio’s international The Natural Healing and Natural Remedies show, sponsored by Mazu Gold.  Kerri has a degree in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica, she is a graduate of UCLA and has served as a TV and Film instructor at the school’s extension program. Kerri is a working member of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the Directors Guild of America and an ACE certified personal trainer and weight management consultant. The single mother of two daughters lives in Long Beach..

So after reading your biography, I must say you have an amazing resume. What inspired you to get into the health and wellness industry?

KZ: Health and wellness has been a passion my whole life. I started as a dancer, then a runner and ultimately a gym nut. It was a natural progression for me to become an ACE certified personal trainer several years ago.

You talk about going through a divorce and other difficulties in your personal life. What steps did you take to overcome them? 

KZ: I could not have overcome anything in my life were it not for my commitment to fitness. In fact, I tell people that fitness is my religion, and it is. There are myriad reasons that exercising is good in hard times. The endorphin high goes without saying. The self-confidence that I derive from being healthy and fit is paramount. And as a single mom I need to be healthy to support my children. Plus I want to be a positive role model for them.

You have accomplished so many things in the health and wellness community. Can you go over a few?

KZ: My greatest accomplishment to date is my new book, “It Takes All 5: A Single Mom’s Guide to Finding the real One.” It is designed to help the more than 10 million single moms in this country heal their insides and outsides after a divorce or death of a loved one so they can move on into a new relationship. Or as I call it, a REALationship, in a completely healthy way.

How do you teach your family to live a healthy and joyful lifestyle?

KZ: There is no other way to teach family and friends to live healthfully other than by example. I live what I preach every day of my life. I am committed to working out every single day – 60 minutes 7 days a week. Granted some days are tougher than others, but even just a walk in my neighborhood is a good day of fitness. I eat very healthfully, lots of protein, veggies and fruit but I also treat myself to dessert every night. To me the key is portion control.

For any of our single moms out there, please go to Kerrizane.com for tips on dating, beauty, and much more. 

   Why was Little Stylings Created?

MH:   I felt as though there was a need in the marketplace for high-end consignment clothes for kids.  Having two girls, a closet full of clothes and talking to other moms was inspiration to begin such a store.  I wanted to be conscious of finances and I liked the idea of recycling high-end clothing.  We offer children and maternity clothing.

MH:   I had a challenging experience with children’s consignment stores prior to opening my store.  I did not like the idea that I had to hound the store for a check.  I felt as though if I was consigning my child’s clothes at that particular store, I wanted to walk in, drop off a bag, get an itemized list from them and get a check in the mail. Prior to my store opening this did not exist.  So our theory here at Little Stylings is you do not have to have an appointment. You can come in any time and you will get a check in the mail between the 5th and the 10th of every month.  As a mom myself, I want to make it as easy as possible for other moms.

   When you opened the store and decided on high-end consignment, was it an eco-conscious decision?

MH:   It was an eco decision and a love for clothes.  I am passionate about children and women’s clothes and there was nothing in the market for high-end children’s consignment clothes.  Our motto at Little Stylings is “Reduce, Reuse, Rewear.”

   How did you come up with the name “Little Stylings”?

MH:   I have to credit my husband for coming up with the name. We went back and forth on the name because we did not want to use the word kid or children in the name.  Being that there are already a lot of consignment stores around and my whole point is that I am here to help you style your kid.  I am big on color and I tend to mix designers and textures.  I only carry top designers.

   It sounds as though you do more than just sell clothes. What else does your store offer?

MH:   Our services include putting outfits together as well as the option to come to your home and put outfits together right out of their child’s closets.  I can do a book for the client so the child can choose from 20 different outfits.  As a mom, I know one of the biggest challenges is getting out of the house in the morning.  I want to help fellow moms and make their job easier.  

MH:   Anyone can come into the store and we will assist in putting outfit’s together for their kids.  It’s exciting to see the kids get so enthusiastic about the clothes and it helps the child feel confident when they feel good.

   Do you have any suggestions for busy moms when it comes to getting out of the house on time every morning?

MH:   Having an outfit picked out the night before is very helpful.  Although, I do understand that this does not always happen.  The book that I can put together for the client is a helpful resource.

   Being an eco-conscious store, what else do you strive to do to be eco conscious?

MH:   I encourage the saying “be little lighter on the earth,” so I can say that one thing I do aside from my store, is I carpool everyday to work.

   With a place in Orange County to shop for designer clothes for children, Mrs. Hovee-Harlan is confident that you can have your kids look good without it costing too much and have you feeling good about your actions.

   Following this interview, I spent some time here shopping for my niece.  They had a great selection of sizes and the store was easy to navigate.  It was nice to have such a personable shopping experience as well.  I watched as a mom was dropping off her clothes and her daughter made herself comfortable taking a look through the toy box.  This was an enjoyable experience.  I encourage anyone to stop in the next time your child needs some new clothes, and you can make a difference on the environment by bringing some clothes with you to sell rather then throw them out.

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/Little-Stylings

HOURS: (Mon.,Tues. 9am-1pm; Wed., Thurs. 10am-4pm; Friday 11am-5pm; Sat. 12noon-3pm)

Article by: Sara Campbell

Hey Peggy, thank you for taking time to meet with Living Fit OC. I am so glad my writer was able to interview you at Willow Tree, you really opened up for our readers. We wanted to ask you a few more questions to help our readers know you on a more personal level.

Can you explain to us why you are no longer on The Real Housewives of Orange County?

PT:   I was asked to fight more this season which I felt did not portray my personality at all, and financially we couldn’t come to an agreement, so I felt it was time to move on and pursue more positive opportunities. I also have been a host for years and did not want to be typecast as a “housewife.”

Being in the public eye can be very negative for your health.  How did you stay healthy both physically and mentally?

PT:   Yes it can be negative. The stress of the show was causing my anxiety to flare up. I became thinner than ever so health-wise it was a good decision for me to leave.  Physically, I eat really healthy and organic as much as possible. I also walk a lot and try to do weights three times or more a week. Mentally, I stay healthy by reading, meditating, and taking the Ultra 5HTP (a synergistic combination of 5-HTP, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients designed to support mood and a sense of well-being), which I sell on www.peggytanous.com!

In our last interview, you mentioned writing a book on postpartum depression. Having dealt with PPD must have been one of the hardest things for you to experience. Did you find comfort and clarity when writing your book?

PT:   That is correct; I am writing a book on PPD and motherhood. Hopefully it will be released in June. It has been comforting at times, but also hard at times writing my experiences.  I am excited to share and help other women that are also going through what I’ve been through!

Do you see yourself as a “healthy” role model? If so why?

PT:   Yes, I think I’m a healthy role model for various reasons. One being my holistic lifestyle, I tend to stay away from using prescription medication.  Also, my fitness regimen, and the fact I do not tan in the sun. Instead I use airbrush or self-tan.  Also for the fact that I left the fame and fortune of a hit TV show to protect my family.

How do you teach your family to be healthy?

PT:   I teach them to be healthy by buying good food, setting an example with exercise, taking vitamins and drinking lots of water.  Also by doing yoga and deep breathing.

Do you and your husband work out together? If so, does the support system help you stay on your regiment?

PT:   I wish we did! My husband is not a big workout person. We do have a gym in our house, so from time to time I will get him to workout with me. We do like to do other activities together, like target shooting which clears our head and does give us exercise, just not at the gym!

However, I do think that working out with a partner does help you stay on a regime.  So I have a friend that I meet at the gym frequently, which is a great way to stay motivated.

Bathing suit season is near; do you have a favorite exercise you would like to share with our readers?

PT:  One of my favorite exercises to prepare for swimsuit season is using an ab wheel I have. It is especially great for the lower abs. I do two to three sets with 15 reps per set. It really works great!

What’s next for Peggy Tanous?

PT:   Lots! My book will hopefully be out in June, and I’m now thinking of some ideas for children’s books. I am working on a new show that I will be hosting. It’s a mom’s show. We are beginning filming in May. Plus my husband and I are just about to launch our own wine www.monarchywines.com! I would also love to have a health show that focuses on holistic living, so we will see!

Well readers, there you have it. We definitely have not seen the last of Peggy Tanous. She has much in store for us, her fans. You can have up to date info on her accomplishments by visiting her website at www.peggytanous.com

Chef Tim Kast of the Costa Mesa location took a few minutes to sit down with us and talk about his work at the restaurant.

For readers who are unfamiliar with Seasons 52, how can you best describe your restaurant?

We are best described as a fresh grill and wine bar.  What that means is all the items on the menu are made fresh every single day, and we have over 100 wines to choose from, 60 of which are available by the glass. Each wine is picked by Master sommelier George Miliotes.  Plus our fresh cuisine dishes are all under 475 calories.

Wow! Less then 475, does that compromise the taste?

Absolutely not, and the reason why is because our dishes are prepared with natural cooking techniques, such as using an oak and mesquite fire grill and a wood stone oven. Plus we use only items that are fresh and in season. When you use fresh food you don’t have to prepare your dish with a lot of cream, butter, or heavy sauces full of fat.  This is what sets us apart from other restaurants. 

How did you decide on the calorie count at 475?

Well, we wanted to be less than 500 calories. We pondered with 450 but felt as though it limited us a bit. So we thought a nice happy medium between 450 and 500 was 475. 

In combination with featuring a low calorie menu, you also offer alternative menus?

Yes! We have a low sodium, gluten free, garlic free, lactose free, vegetarian, and vegan menus. We try to accommodate all the high dietary restrictions that are out there.

Is that a hard thing to accomplish, meeting all the needs of consumers within one restaurant?

Well, before we put an item on the menu, we break it down and figure out where the allergens are in this dish. We also have a computer system, called Bacchus (A Greek God of Wine) available for all the servers to check on what is actually an allergen in a menu item for any of our guest.

What is the most popular item ordered on the menu?

Definitely the cedar plank roasted salmon.  Again, another way we infuse flavor without adding fat and calories is by cooking with the cedar planks. We then add our roasted asparagus, carrots and red bliss potatoes with a nice squeeze of lemon and it is absolutely phenomenal.

What is your favorite dish on the menu?

Right now it would be our arctic char. It’s served with a lemon grass sauce, spring pea vegetables, edamame, snow peas, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms and a nice lemon grass glaze. 

Last question, what do you do to live a fit lifestyle?

When I first joined the team and took a look at the menu, my first thought was; how can I replicate that at my house?  My solution when I got home was to get rid of everything processed in my pantry. So now rather than grocery shopping once a week, I realized the healthiness of grocery shopping on a daily basis.  Every day after work I like to get some fresh food that I am going to cook that night. If you get to know your favorite grocery store, it is easy to get in and out and home to cook up something fresh.

Chef, thank you for meeting with Living Fit OC. 

Chef Kast works at the Seasons 52 location in the South Coast Plaza just off Bristol street in Costa Mesa. With a full bar menu and live entertainment nightly, the restaurant guarantees a good, healthy time from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday). Most ingredients are purchased locally to ensure a fresh and crisp dining experience without many of the preservatives other national chains may hammer your bodies with.

  Jimi, thank you for meeting with Living Fit OC. What is CrossFit Ethos?

  JL: We are a constantly varied, high-intensity program. We train on functional movement, which are movements that are found in everyday life, e.g. picking things up, climbing up stairs, jumping, rowing, running, pulling, and throwing. These are typically the movements we find ourselves doing in everyday life.    

   Unlike the gym movements that you find at 24 hour fitness which are created for the gym,  our training is based on functional movement which is created through life. 

   That’s pretty cool! Now what type of shape do you need be in to train here?

JL: Well, what’s funny is that when you look at CrossFit online, it can seem intimidating. But the truth is that most of the people that walk into this gym are out of shape. We get people that have never worked out to athletes that have stopped training and would like to get back into shape. This program is structured so that anybody can do it.

   We are not a program where you’re greeted by a sales guy telling you how you can lose 15 pounds in one month. We are a lifestyle program and view fitness as a “distant horizon” and we go through it at a low trajectory. So in general, most of the people are not in shape when they get here, but they get in shape really quick through the movements and workouts.   

   How did you find CrossFit?

   JL: I was in the Military and I wrestled at the Naval Academy. I then became a Marine officer when I got into the Marine Corps. My competitive nature left because we were in the thick of things in Iraq and Afghanistan. Later on, I started looking for a fitness program that would keep me fit for the job and something that could offer me that competitive edge I used to have. One of my Marines told me about CrossFit, so I went on their website to check it out and I was amazed. The workouts looked very challenging and relative to what I could do at that time. Once I started, I found myself loving the workouts. They were fun, challenging, and very goal oriented. After that I decided that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, so I opened a gym. 

   Can you workout with injuries?

   JL: Absolutely, we at CrossFit Ethos always have your safety in mind. We’ll ask about injuries, what you’re doing for exercise, and then create a workout that is suitable for your needs. Every workout that we do is scalable; every single movement. For example, if you can’t run because of bad knees, you’ll either walk or row. Walking is a rehabilitating movement for running and rowing alleviates the pounding on the knee. Next we have pull-ups. If you can’t do a full pull-up, you can use a rubber band or you can do a jumping pull-up. All the movements are functional. They are perfect movements for rehabilitation, and a catch phrase that we like use “prehabilitation.” The movements that we do help prevent injury and can also rehabilitate yourself back to health.

   Prehabilitation, I like that.  Now are you one of the trainers here as well as an owner?

JL:Yes, I am one of the trainers too. 

   How many trainers do you have on staff?

   JL: We have eight trainers at Ethos.

   What type of programs are offered?

   JL: Because we have your safety in mind, you start off with our elements program. This is a two week intro to CrossFit. This covers the fundamentals of CrossFit which allows you to learn the proper form before going into a group setting. Then of course we have our group classes. We have private training, nutrition coaching, and even a stretching class which offers the movements of yoga. The most important aspect that we offer is community. We all know each other; you are part of a family when you train here.

   Hence the name Ethos.

 JL: Absolutely! That’s why we call ourselves CrossFit Ethos. We are a community, a family, with a solid foundation of principles built on integrity.

   Do you offer a kids program?

JL: Yes, our kids program is every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. It is great for kids; they learn the fundamentals of CrossFit in short sessions. We keep them short because they can’t keep attention as long as an adult. So, they train for 30 minutes and then they play some fun games. It gets them active and puts them in a good ethos.

  What are the ages?

   JL: We start at age four and go up. We also have a youth program and are currently working with different high school sport teams and other high school programs.

   Wow! So you guys are doing a lot here.

   JL: That’s our goal. We want CrossFit Ethos to be a part of the Community. We are not a gym, we are a family. If your goal is to workout with your headphones on and drift off into your own world, then we are not for you. We want you to come and be a part of our community. We want Ethos to be a hub for the community.

  What’s next for CrossFit Ethos?

JL: We have plans for a mobile department and possibly another facility. 

   Well Jimi, I am quite impressed with Crossfit Ethos. You guys are definitely living fit in OC.  

For more information on CrossFit Ethos go to www.crossfitethos.com

What inspired you to become a personal trainer?

I’ve always had a tremendous amount of energy. I think most kids do. I was very fortunate to find an outlet in dancing and basketball. These activities blessed me with mobility, flexibility, endurance, stamina, balance, strength and coordination. It also brought me joy, happiness, a positive outlook and clear mind. Amidst people with the same perspective, I observed a common theme present among most of them. Injuries prevented them from being at optimum performance or unable to perform their craft at all. Not wanting to compete or play through injury, seeking out a solution unexpectedly lead me into the world of personal training.  I believe a good trainer’s first objective is injury prevention.

Where do you train?

I am fortunate to have clients that value health and wellness which allows me to train them in the top training facilities across Orange County. I currently reside in Seal Beach which gives me a centralized area to allow me to be mobile throughout north Orange County and into parts of L.A. I also love to train clients on the beach and the privacy of their own home.

What makes your training unique?

I love to see my clients confident, clear and calm, yet still young, creative and energetic about life. In the absence of being hasty, nervous, confused or feeling stuck. This can be achieved by cultivating a solid foundation of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellness. I assist people in developing these pillars through daily self-regimen. I give thanks to my education from CNI College, Charter College, martial arts gurus, my spiritual advisor and my mom of course. Because of them my services entail a combination of fitness training, massage therapy, and lifestyle design.

What’s next for you?

I’m in the development of the Clean Heart Living facility in Long Beach. Designed and equipped with the tools and environment conducive to embodying wellness, it’s very exciting. Clean life of living and heart full of love. Please come visit.

How do you live a Fit Lifestyle?

Staying aligned and connected to the inner child. Physical activity is fun and not a chore. I used to adhere to the saying, “work hard, play hard.” Now it’s “work smarter, play more!” Get there through proactive daily positive habits, clarity and contemplation. If you’re not programming yourself, who is programming you?

If you are ready to strengthen your Mind, Body, and Soul, contact Jet Magat today!

Email: jmagat@gmail.com

Jack, what got you into personal training?

I struggled with weight my whole life and I know what it is like to not feel comfortable in my own skin.  Ever since I was a kid, I have always felt that I was put here to help people in some way.  I was never any good at sports, so on my 18th birthday, I bought myself a gym membership.  Working out was something I could do on my own with no competition except with myself.  I saw how much better my self-esteem and confidence became and I wanted to help other people see and feel the same changes in their confidence.

There are so many people out there that are unhappy with the way the look and feel.  Most people are that way because they don’t know what to do or simply don’t have the motivation to do what is needed on their own.  Those are the people I want to help – the ones who need the guidance and positive support the most.  I love what I do and if I won 50 million dollars in the lottery and I needed something to do to pass the rest of my time here, I would be doing exactly what I am doing today.  And I feel very blessed to be able to say that.

Tell us about Balanced Life Fitness?

Balanced Life Fitness was founded in 2005 to create a fun and effective fitness and nutrition program designed for everyday people trying to balance fitness with the rest of their busy, hectic lives. They are all about helping you reach your fitness goals in the quickest and most effective way possible, with 100% guaranteed results or your money back. And most importantly, they make getting there a lot of fun.

They combine the benefits of resistance training, using a fully equipped gym, with the cardio intensity of outdoor boot camp training; all in a fun encouraging environment – and every day is a different workout. With a unique group-training program that has proven over and over just how simple it can be to dramatically transform your body – in less time than you think.

If you are tired of feeling uncomfortable in your own skin or if previous personal trainers and dieting gimmicks have failed you, then Balanced Life Fitness will prove to you just what you are really capable of achieving. To contact, call (949) 203-9620 or email jack.kenefick@cox.net  and let him know how he can help you.

Hey Living Fit OC Fans, our very own Sara Campbell had the privilege to join Willow Tree Women’s Circle OC for the April meeting.  Willow Tree was founded by inspirational speaker Kim Somers. We took a minute before the meeting to get some insight into what Willow Tree is all about. Here is what she had to say:

Kim: Willow Tree is a place for women to connect with friendships and business relationships.  Here they can feel like their true self and just let go.  Here they can heal, grow and learn from inspirational and empowering celebrities, authors, experts and speakers. Willow Tree is held once a month in Orange County and Los Angeles.

This particular event included guest speakers Susie Feldman, Susie Singer Carter, Tiffany Hendra, Peggy Tanous, Ragina Russell, Kerri Zane and Sharon Jakubecy for a heart-warming and power-filled night.

Although we know you are dying for the latest scoop on these hot celebs, we will have to save that for when you can make it to a Willow Tree event.  But for your reading pleasure we’ll offer some exclusive info that these wonderful ladies wanted to share with Living Fit OC.

We caught up with Peggy Tanous, star of Real Housewives of Orange County, and asked us to dish out what her secret is to living a healthy lifestyle.

What brings you to Willow Tree tonight?

Peggy: I am working on a new show that will be coming out soon and Kim Somers is friends with the producer.  I came to support Kim and her Willow Tree event!

Is inspirational speaking something that you do besides attending Willow Tree events?

Peggy: I come from a public speaking background, so I am now begging to do more inspirational speaking.  Before I was on the OC House Wives, I did a great amount of speaking at conventions; Fortune 500 companies hired me to speak about their newest, latest and greatest product. So you can best describe my position as a hired presenter, narrator and public speaker. I am now coming out with a book that is about postpartum depression and I will be doing a lot of speaking on the subject.

Overcoming postpartum depression, filming OC Housewives, having two children and writing a new book, what are your tips and tricks to staying healthy?

 Peggy: I was known as the holistic girl on the show, also best described as “Glam Girl meets the Granola Girl.” Being healthy has always been one of my top priorities. I focus a lot on “organic.”  My mother-in-law is a naturopath [a belief that a natural energy called “vital energy” controls healthy living] so I get a lot of my healthy inspiration and advice from her.  Beginning at a young age, I have been into naturopathic living too.  My advice to others would be: eating organic, buying local such as purchasing from farmer’s markets.  Keeping your body alkalized by eating plenty of vegetables is a key factor. And of course working out is a contributing factor.  It’s all about being healthy, mind, body and spirit. Vitamins every day is an easy add in to your daily routine. Personally, I take DHA for my skin.

 Let me tell you, her physical appearance alone is proof that her fit tips are working and her skin was luminous. So if you are looking to have radiant skin this summer, she has given you her insider scoop for glowing skin!

I was able to steal some time from healthy living expert Kerri Zane and see what she was willing to share with us!  Zane, an Emmy award winning producer, author and radio host talks about her passion for inspiring moms, winning her Emmy award, her new books and her radio show that inspires wellness.

I can just imagine that your lifestyle is very busy given your many accomplishments as well as your new books, but your physical appearance is stunning! How do you manage to stay in shape and live healthy?

Kerri: I workout 60 minutes a day, every single day. I am constantly changing my workouts so I have something to look forward to and I love to workout outside as much as possible. We live in Orange County. How can you not take advantage of working out outside when the OC is our playground and there is so much opportunity.

Do you have fitness advice for our readers?

Kerri:  My moniker is short and sweet, “No gym. No equipment, No Excuses.” You can workout anytime, anywhere and get it done!

Being healthy is not just an appearance on the outside.  What are some exercises you do for your mind that you would suggest to others?

Kerri: The moment I wake up in the morning I set an intention for the day. For example: My life is about abundant joy. So I begin my day with a particular thought about what kind of joy I will bring into my life every day. Then at night, I pride myself for whatever it is that I have accomplished during the day. It is a great way to get your day started on a positive note. At night ending on a positive note will promote better sleep.

 Kerri was a phenomenal woman to catch up with and her advice is perfect for anyone looking to challenge themselves on living fit with no excuses.

Regina Russell, producer and director, is currently working on a documentary about the famous rock group, “Quiet Riot.” She has produced powerful videos for the Humane Society and her experiences as a filmmaker, actress and model are many talents that keep her busy. So you bet that we snagged an opportunity to see how she does it!

What are your secrets to success with weight loss?

Regina: I like to give 110 percent into everything I do, but unfortunately while working on my latest movie I put myself last and my work first. I ate whatever was fast and easy, not putting much thought into my meals. I began to put on weight and thought that it was something I could take care of once I was done with filming. It occurred to me that I could take some time to myself but also have a successful career. I tried Jenny Craig, which I was successful at losing some weight. I can now say no matter what I am doing, health is very important and not something to take for granted. I have become very conscious of eating the right things: raw vegetables, protein and drinking a lot of water. Cutting out sugar and white flour were also some contributing factors to a healthy diet. Since I changed my habits, I am happy to say that I have lost 16 pounds!

Since your significant weight loss, how has this affected you daily lifestyle?

Regina: I can say that I have noticed a change in my levels of stress. I don’t nearly get as stressed out as I used to. I sleep better, have more energy and am able to think more clearly.

 I am truly grateful for Regina opening up and sharing such personal information. It’s not easy to admit our faults and speak out about weight gain. Thank you Regina for being so personable, allowing for our readers to be inspired by your story.

 Although we did not get a chance to write about all the lovely ladies on the panel for Willow Tree, we will definitely try to catch them next time around.  I hope we inspired you to come and join this event that is safe, eye opening and fulfilling for the mind, body and soul.

For more information on Willow Tree go to www.kimlifecoach.com

We understand school can be stressful at sometimes, so we are offering a free chair massage to help you unwind. Now, if that’s not incentive enough to stop by, we will also be raffling off prizes every hour!  Don’t miss out, we will see you there! Until then, we would like to tell you more about how OCC came up with this year’s theme, here’s what they said:

The College Life Committee has celebrated various topics for awareness day over the last 12 years ranging from domestic violence to cancer.  This year, we have decided to raise awareness of stress in our event themed, “Be Stress Free at OCC” because now more than ever, due to the the current state of our economy and academic budget cuts, the students’ lack of sufficient jobs combined with classes and time for personal joys is detrimental to their well-being.

We look forward to helping students prevent long term stress-related health problems and become more successful in all aspects of life by creating awareness of how they can reduce and manage stress. After doing some group research and collaborating with Orange Coast College staff, we decided to show our peers and faculty how they can reduce and manage stress by doing activities such as exercising, listening to music, and participating in yoga or meditation, among many other activities.

Orange Coast College counselors have volunteered to give presentations on stress, and we have invited a comedian to let laughter be a form of stress management. We will host multiple activities – including an blowup obstacle course – for students and staff to get hands-on experience of how to relieve stress! Be Stress Free at OCC is brought to you by the Associated Students of Orange Coast College and the event coordinators, Christine Hixenbaugh and Shannon Benson.