As we've been reporting in this column, Dr. Alvin has been steadily losing weight since we started working together virtually in late Jan.  I've never met Alvin in person, but we speak once a week to review his exercise/eating plan.  He keeps a detailed chart of his daily workouts and menu plans, as well as his weekly weigh-in.

Today we celebrated his success in losing the first 50 pounds – 50 more to go!  He told me that this has been the best thing he's ever done in terms of discipline and evaluating things,  that he's now looking at the totality of his whole life and sees that it's changing before him.  In these past five months, he's been the most proud of who he is as a person. In fact, these five months have been the best five months of his life!

It's thrilling to me to be a small part of his success.  Of course he's done all the hard work that it takes to achieve his goals.  My thrill comes both from his accomplishment and from the remarkable effect it is having on his mental disposition.  Healthy body, healthy mind!!

What is it that makes some people have the resolve to eat right and exercise, while others are continually challenged?  Is it a personality characteristic or can we train ourselves by developing the right mind-set?

I like to think that we can strengthen our resolve with mental training.  We are able to develop a hardy attitude and perseverance to overcome obstacles and take on new challenges.  When we are using our mental muscle, we don't allow fatigue, inconvenience or apathy to discourage us from achieving our goals. 

The New Year is the traditional time to take stock and re-evaluate.  Compare your level of physical fitness to where you were a year ago at this time.  How are you doing?  Have you been able to maintain your weight or have the pounds been creeping up?  Do you have the same stamina and energy you had or is the couch looking more inviting?  When you wake up in the morning, do you spring out of bed or do you have to slowly ease the stiffness out of your body?

 I'm so proud of my husband's resolve to lose weight.  He's lost 23#'s since last July and he lost it very gradually simply by giving up desserts and continuing his normal exercise routine of running and performing calisthenics (push-ups, planks, and crunches).   He knew that desserts were a weakness of his and if he even had one bite, he would eat the whole thing.  So he went cold turkey – walked away from the table when desserts were served at Thanksgiving dinner, politely refused to taste a home made truffle his friend had made and did not indulge in our sister's incredible gourmet desserts at Christmas.

Think ahead:  how will you feel in a month if you continue your present habits?  Exercise your mental muscle to stay rested, eat one less dessert or one less bite, and take an extra 2000 steps every day, even if it's indoors at the mall.

Have a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!!

Running has always helped me go forward, literally and figuratively.  When I started running years ago little did I know that it was just the first step on a path that was unfolding before me, one that would lead to more personal growth and a blossoming career.

A sound body and a sound mind go hand in hand.  I've been in training this past month in more ways than one. While I've been participating in a training course to prepare me to be media-ready, I've simultaneously been training my body to look and feel my best.  Next week is the big event, the National Publicity Summit, where I'll have the opportunity to meet major TV and radio producers and journalists.  I need to look good and have the stamina to stay sharp on demand for three long days. 

Being fit translates to other areas of life.  A positive body image gives us confidence, builds self-esteem and makes us attractive to others.  I'm proud of myself for sticking with my program and being ready for the race!