Laboring on Labor Day

The most pertinent topic for the day is the holiday that gives some Americans this day off from laboring at their jobs, Labor Day. Because I have been self-employed for so long, the idea of having Labor Day off always seemed like one of those things that I could just dream about, like the other national holidays that don’t pertain to me personally. This year though, I thought I’d do something different. Not only will I work, laboring over a computer for a few hours, but I want to take the time I’m spending working to give thanks to the fact that I am fruitful with labor…

I don’t think many of us contemplate the meaning of “Labor Day” and it’s origin..We hear political leaders speak of it on this day, thanking the workers who formed an official union more than 100 years ago. The only reason most people would know of the true meaning of “Labor Day”, is if they weren’t out of town, at the lake, or doing some other play-intensive activity.

In the midst of anything that you did over the weekend to celebrate, shop the great sales, eat at family BBQ’s, or skip out of town, I want to ask you to take a moment to assess what you bring to your community in the form of labor. For those of you working full-time, let’s just take a moment from the holidays happenings to be thankful that we are working, be thankful that we are contributing on a daily basis to the workforce, that we are even able to do so… Because let’s face it, 9.3 % of Americans are out of work, a really large chunk of our society. That said, I want to ask you not only to be thankful for the jobs that you have, but that when you go back to work tomorrow, that you give more of yourself than you did last week and the week before to the labor that you do.. There are plenty of over-qualified people who would love to be in the position that many of you are, being able to take a paid day off for having a job in the first place..That is a luxury.

This, the origin of Labor Day:

“Labor Day differs in every essential from the other holidays of the year in any country,” said Samuel Gompers, founder and longtime president of the American Federation of Labor. “All other holidays are in a more or less degree connected with conflicts and battles of man’s prowess over man, of strife and discord for greed and power, of glories achieved by one nation over another. Labor Day…is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race, or nation.”

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country.

As we are wandering about our days, playing or not, just take a moment to understand what it means to work and labor through your day. Reshaping your lives is work, day in, day out. Be thankful if you are working, and keep trying if you are not. You guys are awesome for sticking with Reshape The Nation, it’s really exciting to see! We are here for you, all of us at team Reshape… Let us know how we can work for you.

Notice the Daily Video?

Hey guys… Funny, I didn’t get any emails about the daily video this morning… Didn’t anyone notice?.... You would have thought that we did it as a test, but the daily video this morning was the wrong one, it was a workout video, not the motivational gem that Chris Powell usually provides.  Yes it was a technical glitch. No, it was not on purpose. And yes, it’s fixed, as you can see…

My question to all of you is… if you are supposed to be watching the daily video when you login to Reshape The Nation each morning, why didn’t I receive any feedback from any members? Is no one watching the video? Is anyone logging in? What is happening out there? Hello? ...

I’m just kidding…. I’m sure you all saw it, you just didn’t want to mention it for some reason.  You know, the Reshape Team is here to help!  If you ever see anything that looks wrong, odd, or doesn’t make any sense to you, you are welcome to bring it to our attention so that we may remedy the situation, whatever it is.

We are all here, daily, hourly, available to help in any way we can! We have plenty of areas where you can contact us, tell us what’s going on and what needs attention, we value the members, each one of you, at Reshape the Nation.

If you ever see anything in the future that is a glitch or otherwise, you can contact us at: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Cheers! Have a safe Labor Day weekend!

The Role of Structure in Reshape - New Video by Chris Powell

Reshape the Nation is about results by design…creating patterns and sticking with them…if you allow any flexibility, then you will allow destruction to that pattern and structure that is so delicate.  Watch Chris’s video to understand how sticking to a pattern creates the foundation for a better quality of life. Let that structure carry you through to the next day, allowing you to build upon it, one day at a time… building a history of a set pattern in order to break the old pattern that you had for so long, you know, the one that’s so easy to fall back on. 

Chris explains and stresses the importance of structure and setting new patterns, and how delicate they truly are.
When ABC 20/20 first aired Chris Powell and David Smith’s story, the inspiration they caused spread like wildfire.. And even though Chris and David are still forging ahead to “pay it forward” to anyone they can, sometimes you may think you can’t, or will forget to workout one morning or afternoon, and then before you know it, you’ve gotten out of your new routine just as quickly as when you started it! You are worth forging ahead for yourself, we are with you, Chris is with you. You can do it!

There’s More Bad Stuff In Food Than Calories!

Whenever I see a weight loss or healthy eating type of article pop up on a mainstream news site, I like to read it. I do, after all, work with Chris Powell and Reshape The Nation. It’s good to keep informed about these things, you know? Anyway, an article appeared on MSNBC this morning called “Eat This AND That”, and it billed itself as a lesson on good things to eat when you stray from your diet. “Oh great,” I thought, “this would be a horrible article to share with Reshapers because it’s going to give an excuse to cheat.”

I was kind of right. Still, the moral I took from the article was important enough to make it worth sharing. While I’d prepared myself to read about how certain foods can limit the unhealthiness of other foods weight-loss-wise, I wasn’t prepared for the many more instances of non-fat-related pointers. At least 50% of the list was made up of combinations that limited carcinogens and free radicals (i.e. things that cause cancer). “Oh yeah,” I thought to myself, “healthy eating isn’t only about weight loss… it’s also about protecting ourselves from a host of other harmful toxins we might be putting into our bodies.”

When people discuss diets, they tend to focus on weight loss. I admit that Reshape The Nation can be guilty of this as well. But let’s not forget that a healthy diet like the mealplan in Reshape The Nation is also important for achieving other health benefits, like a balanced intake of vitamins and minerals and limiting our intake of harmful carcinogens. So when you consider whether or not to follow Reshape The Nation, or any diet, remember that while being obese is certainly a health risk, so are many other things. A good nutrition program will try to protect you from more than just the calories!

Not Your Rabbits Food

Looks like rabbit food, not just for rabbits anymore… Now that we know it’s not always healthy to order a salad wherever you go, where there can be hidden caloric pit falls, let’s talk about all the benefits you can get by adding green leafy vegetables to each meal.

Low in calories, high in water content, fiber, and chock-full of nutrients, there is no limit Chris Powell puts on the amount of dark green leafy vegetables included in your meal plan. I’m not only talking salads here, you will be surprised how you can add these antioxidant power-houses to almost anything! Reshape the Nation promotes having as much as you want

As a vegetarian, getting creative with my meals has become a necessity. What, am I to have salads all-day, every-day? Boring…

Let me first break it down to you by which leafy greens I’m talking about, their health benefits, and then how to introduce them into other meals besides the age-old boring salad (not knocking salads, but, they can get a little flavorless sometimes) included under the umbrella of green leafy vegetables includes but is not limited to:

Arugula
Bok Choy
Broccoli
Broccoli Sprouts
Brussel Sprouts (trust me out on this one)
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Collard
Mustard Greens
Swiss Chard
Spinach
Turnip Greens

Here is what this amazing “rabbit food” can do for you:

1. Reduce the Risk of Cancer and Heart Disease- Leafy greens are low in fat, rich in folic acid, high in dietary fiber, vitamin C, potassium and magnesium, lutein, beta-cryptoxanthin, and beta-carotene. One serving daily significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and inflammation that causes cancer.

2. Lowers the Risk of Diabetes- Because of the high amounts of magnesium and low glycemic index, an increase of one serving per day lowers the risk of developing diabetes or helps to manage those that already have Type 2 diabetes.

3. Promotes Bone Density- High levels of vitamin K in green leafy vegetables promotes the production of osteocalcin, a protein essential for bone health. One or more servings per day decreases the risk of hip fracture by 45% compared to fewer servings.

4. Improves Immune Function- Beta-carotene converts into vitamin A in green leafy vegetables, which increases the body’s immune function, or ability to stave-off disease.

Now that you know that adding green leafy vegetables at every meal can have miraculous effects on your health, I’ll tell you how to add them so that they taste good! Young plants with small tender leaves usually have a mild flavor, so don’t be afraid to add them to your shakes, stir fry, and casseroles. I saw my sister once put 2 or more cups of spinach, a mild green, in her and her daughters shake, and although it definitely looked green, it didn’t taste “green” at all. Mature plants tend to be a little tougher and contain stronger flavors. Collards, Swiss Chard, and bok choy also have a mild taste, making them an easy addition to almost anything, add them to your sauces, rice, eggs, they will add to the texture and bring out the flavors without over powering the dish. Bok Choy stays crisp in stir-fries with chicken. Mustard greens have a peppery flavor, so adding them to protein dishes, salsas, and sauces suits them best! Remember to purchase vibrant and dark green vegetables in color where they are available, yellowing can signify age and off-flavor.

Check the “Veggie” group in My Community in the future for vegetarian recipes, or post your own!

Embrace the greens!

Having a Hard Time with the Movements? Check out Chris’s New Video!

Chris wants to give you your power back so you can take control of your fitness health. Some of you while on Reshape The Nation suffer from ankle, knee, and hip issues. Because of these physical limitations, you may find that doing some of the movements in your fitness section difficult or seemingly impossible at this time.

Check out Chris Powell’s new video, where he answers a Reshape members question about physical limitations when doing some exercises. He’ll explain how to work up to being able to do most, if not all of the movements in your fitness section!

Also, remember that mixing in yoga and other non-weight bearing stretches and exercises are great way to get moving! You can do this guys, at home, at the gym, in your pool, any movement is positive!

A little bit at a time goes a long way when you are moving, period, just do it for yourself!

Green Doesn’t Equal Healthy

The “green” movement is sweeping America. No, not that “green” movement… the one where we run our cars on water or the only kind of oil spill is the one where you tip over a bottle of canola in your pantry. I’m talking about the green salad movement… the one where every restaurant puts salads on the menu because all those calories counters out there just assume they’ll be healthier than, say, the burger or the pizza.

Ummm… not so fast. While Chris Powell and Reshape The Nation certainly encourage salad (and veggie) eating as a healthy habit, don’t be fooled into thinking the salad on the menu of your local fast food conglomerate is healthy just because it’s got lettuce on it. You know what also has lettuce on it? A Whopper. You wouldn’t be eating a whopper thinking about how great you’re following your diet, would you?

Here’s a great article about unhealthy salads from MSNBC. Did you know some salads have more calories than… well… just about anything you could order at McDonalds? Not so healthy, right?

Reward Days Feeling Too Rewarding? David Speaks Up!

Have you gone through your high and low carb days, only to find yourself patiently, or impatiently awaiting your reward day? Well you’re not alone, that’s for sure! We all want those days, those rewards, are inherently what keep us on track. I’m just waiting for that next one…

We cannot help it, there is a reason why it’s so hard to throw those things away from our offices and homes. They are high in fat, sugary, and/or high in calories; they satisfy us and calm our nerves. And why shouldn’t they? That’s what they were made to do, right? Even the most successful Reshapers go through this, craving foods that give us little to no nutritional value.

 

Don’t Dream It’s Over

Hey now, hey now, don’t dream it’s over

Whether you like the original Crowded House version, or the new Cardigans one, you are bound to get inspired and check your attitude at the door.

Upon reading Aaron’s blog about the Journey song, “Don’t Stop Believing”, he mentioned something about the hype being over after ABC aired the 20/20 special of David Smith, who was once obese…And all I wanted to say was…NOOOO, don’t dream it’s over!
The reason Chris Powell does what he does is for people like David, who could stand to lose 400 pounds, because he believes in them, he believes in me, and he believes in you! That’s why Reshape the Nation can Reshape the world, because he and David care. I do not doubt the success of other ways to lose weight through different diets and exercise, something works for everyone. What I know about Chris Powell and Reshape the Nation is that persistence is key, and Reshape promotes that. You see, we already know YOU can do it, you just have know you can.

Honestly, there is much to be said about the lyrics “don’t stop believing”, and “don’t dream it’s over” even though they are just from seemingly sappy songs. They are a good representation of what Chris Powell and David Smith want for each of you. You know it’s been over 5 years since Chris helped David lose all that weight? That’s quite a long road, full of ups and downs and bumps along the way. But what set David apart from all the other guys out there trying to manage their weight is that he was persistent and vigilant for the fight. When David thought he was done, was tired, and had failed, Chris believed in him, he knew it wasn’t over for David. Chris inspired David, giving him the courage to keep going and forge ahead!

For all of you who follow Reshape the Nation, keep going, persist, don’t stop believing, and don’t dream it’s over!

There has been a lot of progress in the confines of Reshape the Nation, I’ve seen it first-hand, you guys believe in something…maybe something bigger than you, maybe yourself; whatever it is, it’s working and big amounts of weight-loss are happening right now.
I would like to hear more from you, maybe create a “Reshaper” of the week… So, what’s your story? If it’s alright with you, I would love to share some of the successes you have experienced while on Reshape! You may contact me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Until then, “Don’t dream it’s Over”

Chris Powell is on the Case! New Video!

Hey Guys! Check out Chris’s new video as he answers a members question about extra skin from losing so much weight.

How can you differentiate the fat loss from the skin loss?

Chris will also explain how to best measure your progress when you have extra skin from losing weight.

Tune in! Reshape the Nation works, but you must stay the course in order to get past those plateaus!

Good luck Reshapers! You’ve got nothing to lose…But more weight!

Don’t Stop Believing

Since Chris Powell and David Smith appeared on ABC’s 20/20 a couple weeks ago talking about their personal struggles and helping morbidly obese people improve their lives, Reshape the Nation has had an expected outpouring of support. Lots of people were motivated by David’s story, and his weight loss success inspired others trying to achieve the same thing.

But now it’s over.

Well… it’s not technically over. Some people were truly inspired into action and are starting to change their lives. Then there’s everyone else—the vast majority of the people who saw Chris and David on 20/20, got inspired, then got distracted. Or they got discouraged. Or they never got started in the first place. At Reshape, we understand these struggles. It’s the biggest challenge we face. Getting people motivated is easy, but keeping people motivated is hard.

So today’s message… Don’t Stop Believing.

No… not the Journey song. Though if you need to sing a few bars to yourself right now, feel free to:

“Don’t stop… believing… hold onto that feeling!”

But once you’re done singing, remember the message. Successful weight loss—any successful transformation, really—requires a belief in the reason your losing weight and a belief in your ability to succeed. Yes, you can do it. David and Chris gave you the motivation, but now you have to keep believing. Believe in yourself and you will be successful!

Take Health into Your Own Hands

There are a lot of different ways to take responsibility for your own health. You can get regular check-ups with your physician, read about health in tried and true medical journals and books, and even look up new findings in medicine on the Internet.

It is and always has been extremely important to manage your own health. If you think about it, you are the only one who really knows whats going on with your body and health. You are the only one who really experiences your body, the way it feels, when something seems off, and when you are having abnormalities pertaining to that body, you body. Especially when you are not in homeostasis.  For example, if you are lactose intolerant, or sensitive to lactose, the reason you probably know that, is probably because you noticed a pattern of negative reactions after consuming cheese, milk, or the like. When you have these negative, or as some would say, “reactions” to the food items at hand, typically that’s your body’s way of telling you that you should probably avoid that certain food.  If you have had this experience, you may also know that sometimes it’s some of the tastiest foods that can cause such a reaction in your body… We’re talking upset stomach, diarrhea, and all of the other symptoms that relay information to you that you that you are sensitive, or have an intolerance to that food item or items.

When it comes to your health, knowledge is power. The more you know, not only about your own homeostasis, and how that feels, but about health in general, the more you can help yourself.

Have you ever had one of those moments when it seems like you have every symptom known to man, only to go to the doctor, tell him or her, and they end up treating you for one of the symptoms, disregarding the rest? That’s where you come into play my friend…Get down to the nitty gritty of your health and help a physician out! Now I’m not talking about diagnosing yourself and choosing your own form of treatment.. No, what I’m talking about is being proactive when it comes to your health because sometimes, that’s all you’ve got! Get to know your body better, listen to it, and take heed of the signals you receive…

You will be amazed and surprised by what you learn!

Loose Skin From Weight Loss?

Hey guys, as the emails pour in to ReshapetheNation.com, I want to make sure that some of the very important questions get answered that some of you have!  Chris Powell who helped David Smith lose 400lbs saw David go through the whole process, beginning to end.. When TLC aired the 650lb Virgin, questions about the aspects of Davids weight loss, and extent of it, got asked. When it airs across the world, some of the same questions keep coming up, here’s one of them:

Hi! I have a couple questions regarding weight and flab(excess skin).
A little background. I started out at 530/lbs (lots of middle body
fat) and I am now 461 (thank you) and I have noticed that although my
clothes are becoming a bit looser, my belly apron is actually starting
to sag (no longer as tight & high as it was) I am not dropping in
pounds that quickly. Can you please tell me how did you separate the
weight of the excess skin and David’s actual weight loss? Would
measurements alone be a better tool to use instead of scales at this
point in my journey? Thank you for your time and devotion

I submitted this question to Chris, and here is his response:

Hi there!

First and foremost, congratulations on your success so far!!  You bring up a very important question. You can expect to be left with approximately 20-35lbs of excess skin when your transformation is complete. David had 32lbs of skin removed! As you lose weight I always prefer to use both measurements AND weight as a gauge. 
They will both show the changes, but you can definitely subtract a good 20-35 lbs for when the skin is removed!

Keep up the amazing work!

Chris

I hope this answers anyone who has wondered the same thing, good luck to you guys! I know it’s hard and it takes a lot of work, but you can do it, keep forging ahead!

New Video - Which Foods Cause Bloat

Hi guys! Chris Powell, trainer from Reshape the Nation, answers a members question about a bloated stomach he cannot get rid of, no matter what he eats!
Here was the original letter:

I am 53 this year and I am trying so hard to lose my bloated stomach. I do not seem to be able to lose the weight even trying yours.
Where am I going wrong??? Can you help?

Tune into the video blog on the right that Chris filmed answering that question!

 

Exercise—The Activity Where Failure Is Still Success

Anyone who ever developed a semi-regular habit of exercise has experienced a “weak day.” Hopefully you know what I’m referring to. A “weak day” is the kind of day where you start your exercise routine—be it at the gym, at home, in the pool, on the street, or wherever you exercise—and simply can’t do as much as you’ve done before. You can’t lift as much weight, or you can’t run as far, or you can’t do as many push-ups, and you get frustrated. You feel like you’ve failed.

I had a weak day this morning. I sensed it as soon as my 6:00 AM alarm sounded. Normally, a few reps into my workout I can shake it off, but not this morning. I couldn’t lift as much weight as I normally do. I couldn’t push myself as hard during my run. Heck, I even feel like I’m about to fall asleep while writing this post! I just feel low on energy.

Weak days most often occur on “Low Days” (low carb days for those of you following the Chris Powell carb cycling program from Reshape The Nation), but they can also occur on High Days. Their causes can be as obvious as limiting your carb intake or over-exercising (yes… it is possible!), or as nebulous as stress, distractedness, and probably even the alignment of the stars (though I can’t be sure on this last one). Lucky for us, when these weak days occur—when we fail to exercise as successfully as we normally do—we’re actually still succeeding.

Exercise isn’t meant to be easy. If it were, I suppose it wouldn’t be called exercise because we wouldn’t be exerting ourselves… we’d call it “relaxercise,” and that just looks ridiculous! Instead, exercise is hard and hard things often lead to failure (perhaps the only lesson I still remember from my freshman year organic chemistry class). But in the case of exercise, the real goal isn’t numerical—to run a faster mile, to lift more weight, or even to lose pounds. The goal of exercising is to improve the overall health of our bodies. As a result, success isn’t determined by numbers, it’s determined by the act of exercising. When we “fail” to achieve numerical success while exercising, we’re still achieving the more important success of improved and sustained health and happiness.