home_bv.gif (3918 bytes)

about_bv.gif (4592 bytes)

book_bv.gif (4595 bytes)

schedule_bv.gif (4237 bytes)

where_bv.gif (4554 bytes)

review_bv.gif (4464 bytes)

contact_bv.gif (4464 bytes)

archives_bv.gif (4598 bytes)


Hello Everyone,

Welcome to The Quest, a newsletter intended to inspire and inform those interested in experiencing optimal well being in body, mind and spirit.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * September ~ 2002
In this issue of The Quest:

1. The Quest Quote
2. The Quest Q & A –
3. Article: Is your Attitude Keeping you Heavy?
4. News ~ Listen to Deborah’s new health bulletins on HALO.tv or
visit the Health Corner.
5. Save on mail orders. To inquire about new discount pricing, click here.
6. To find out about Deb’s Vancouver and Seattle events for
September, click here.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

1. Quote:
Taking good care of yourself is always the best way to take care of everything.
-- Taizan Maezumi in "Appreciate Your Life"

How can you be good to yourself in mind, body and spirit—today?

2. Question:
I have just started an exercise program. In your book you mention that it is important to find pleasure in being active. I have a hard time doing this. When will I find the joy in it?
- Claira from Seattle, WA

Answer:
You will find exercise pleasurable when:

1) You pick activities that you like
2) You work at an intensity that is safe and comfortable
And ultimately,
3) When you choose to find the joy in it.

Exercise, like all things in life, can be seen as a positive experience or a negative one; the choice is yours. Yes, we all have at least one bad memory of participating in P.E. class back in school, but ultimately how would you describe an activity that makes you healthy and fit, helps decrease the stress in your life, makes you feel and look better, and my favorite, can be combined with fresh air and nature (to name only a few positive things)? It’s all perspective.

3. Is Your Attitude Keeping you Heavy?

We live in a nation ripe with contradiction. The attitude we hold towards our own health is case in point. There has never been a time in history when American's have had more available information on nutrition and exercise, yet according to US government research, over 60% of the adult population is overweight and more than six million young people are considered overweight enough to endanger their health.
 
We are a society bombarded by contradictory messages. The very television shows which promote how we are supposed to look; be it thin, tall, strong, lean, petite, beautiful, etc., are paid for by Advertisers promoting the quick, affordable and calorie dense “supersized” mode of eating. Perhaps this is all designed to simplify our hectic lifestyles and put a smile on our children’s faces but at this rate, the smiles won’t last long.

We are a nation obsessed with our weight—fat or thin, and as superficial as this issue may at first appear, it effects us in every way imaginable: physically, emotionally, economically, socially, culturally and perhaps in the most damaging way, spiritually.

It’s time to face our present reality—Americans need an attitude adjustment. All the “quick-fix” diets, low-fat foods, pharmaceutical weight-loss drugs, potions and powders, supplements and artificial sweeteners have done little to nourish what’s really important: balance; positive self-esteem; health in body, mind and spirit.

Take this brief quiz to see if some of your beliefs are compromising your health, and waistline.

1)      I find pleasure being active; independent of how many calories I’m working to burn. Y/N

2)      I think losing weight will solve other problems in my life. Y/N

3)      I focus on self-acceptance verses appearance.  Y/N

4)      I am a drive-thru dieter, eating fast-food one day and punishing myself the next by going on a strict diet. Y/N

5)      I look in the mirror and cringe at the appearance of my thighs or stomach.   Y/N

6)      I will only feel successful if I lose a lot of weight. Y/N

Positive attitude answers are: YES to questions 1 and 3, NO to 2, 4, 5, and 6. Where could you make some adjustments?

In order to end our “war on weight” we need to start measuring our self-worth beyond the scale. We need to appreciate our physical body by feeding it with whole, natural foods. We need to reclaim responsibility for our lifestyle choices and start moving our bodies in the way they were intended. We need to be inspired. Inspired is to be in spirit, which is the intangible measurement of any health and fitness accomplishment. What inspires you to take care of your health?

4. News

Listen to Deborah’s new health bulletins on HALO.tv or visit HALO’s Health Corner.

5. Save on mail orders. To inquire about new discount pricing, click here.

6. To find out about Deb’s Vancouver and Seattle events for September, click here.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Quest for Peace, Love & a 24-Inch Waist
www.deborahlow.com