Holiday Smack Down
WHAT IS DIABETES AND DO I HAVE IT?
Hello subscribers, in the last issue I mentioned that your
family’s medical history is important on knowing what kind of ailments you may
have inherited. No one wants to hear
that they are prone to some kind of disease before life gets started. Knowing what kind of inherited diseases you
may see in the future will help you get a head start on preventing them or at
least lowering your risks.
The most common ailment I see in the Hispanic community is
“Diabetes”. What is the one thing that
crosses your mind when you hear the word “Diabetes?” “What is it and do I have it?”
What is “Diabetes?”
Well, in a nut shell, diabetes is a group of diseases characterized by
high blood glucose levels that result from defects in the body’s ability to
produce and/or use insulin. Insulin is
the hormone that helps convert all those sugars (glucose) into energy. Everything
you eat gets broken down into some form of glucose. Sometimes our body does not
or is not able to do this effectively.
Eating additional sugars like simple sugars, such as regular table
sugar, donuts, cookies, cakes, and sodas are all refined sugars and are harder
to break down into glucose than natural sugars. Fruits and vegetables are the
best forms of natural sugar. They are
grown naturally and your body can break them down much easier.
So, what happens when all these sugars are not used for
energy? Your body stores them for later use. Your body uses only what it needs
based on the activity endured during the day.
If your activity is not greater than your intake then you are left with
more fat stored. Ok, yeah, yeah,
yeah! So, what kinds of diabetes are
there? Well, there are several
types. I am only going to mention the two
most common.
Type 1 Diabetes is usually found in children and juveniles,
this is where the body cannot produce insulin. This type of diabetes can be
controlled with Insulin Therapy and exercise. Some of the symptoms for Type I
could include frequent urination, unusual weight loss, extreme hunger, unusual
thirst and extreme fatigue and irritability.
Type II Diabetes is the most common. Many people are unaware that they are on the
verge of Type II Diabetes. What happens
here is that the body can not produce enough insulin or the cells in your body
ignore the insulin. Insulin is the
vehicle or transportation of the blood to get the glucose to the cells in your
body for energy. When this doesn’t happen the glucose builds up in the blood
and can complicate your body’s ability to function in so many different
ways. It’s like a big traffic jam at the
light. If the lights all go out, then
cars get all jammed up and no where to go. A big chain reaction happens, if it
goes on long enough the traffic gets backed up so bad. Something will need to happen to fix it.
Same thing is going to happen to the body if your diabetes
is ignored? The build up of glucose is
going to be so bad that there are things that will happen to your body. You
could develop eye complications, foot complications, skin complications, heart
disease, kidney complications, and infections that don’t heal. The list can go on. Eventually, your body will break down.
Some of the symptoms for Type II would include any of type I symptoms,
frequent infections, blurred vision, cuts and bruises that are slow to heal,
tingling/numbness in the hands/feet, and recurring skin, gum or bladder
infections. It could possible be you have no symptoms.
That last paragraph should really hit you hard if you think
or may have symptoms of diabetes. What can
I do to prevent my body from breaking down?
First and foremost you should go see your doctor. I am in no way able to diagnosis you or give
you medical advice. I can inform you to
be aware of some things. Have a good medical team. Be in constant contact with your doctor and
have him/her give you a plan to help you lower your risk of any of the
complications I mentioned.
Second, I would like to see you start exercise. Get up and get moving. Do something fun.
Start gardening, take a line dancing class, walk with the dog, they need
exercise too. Join the “Step Out: Walk
to Stop Diabetes” http://stepout.diabetes.org Do some strength training, stretching; go
play some kickball, or come take a booty camp class with me. Remember to take baby steps in getting into a
program. This will be a life long
journey. It will not be a quick
fix. Diabetes did not happen overnight,
coping with it will be day by day.
Finally, start changing the way you eat. Limit yourself on the amount of refined sugars
you eat. Eliminate one thing at a time;
try not to do it all at once.
If you would like more information regarding Diabetes, check
out the American Diabetes Association.
In the next issue, the Facts about FAT!
By Penny Vieau
My Physique, Inc.
www.myphysiqueinc.com
Thanks to the readers
Need a Challenge?
Are you ready for this amazing new challenge. Shaun T never asists to amaze me with his workouts. OMG!
Take a look at this video. Click on the link below. Are you ready for the Challenge? Do you have what it takes?
Go ahead and order today. Get into Summer Shape, and show it off.
FAMILY HISTORY
Do you know your Family History? If you do, do you know exactly what you inherited?

I am not sure if I mentioned this, but I was adopted when I was 3. I was put in a foster home and stayed there for about 2 years when I was adopted. I was blessed with very loveable parents who had such good morales, they were school teachers and oddly enough I find myself as a college professor.
So, why am I explaining all of this? Well, I have always been an active girl. I really enjoy playing basketball, I enjoy playing volleyball, tennis, and doing fitness. I wanted to be a PE teacher and a coach. I went into the USAF and raised a family and during that time I was off and on about working out. I did bodybuilding back in the 80’s. I finally went to school and got my bachelors’ degree in Physical Education and went back to school and received my Masters in Fitness and Wellness.

It was during this time that my professors kept asking, “Do you know your family history?” I keep saying to myself “No” because I truly do not know my family history. I do not know what I inherited from my mother or father or grandparents.
The point is this, I exercise as a preventive measure. Since, I do not know my history I keep the diabetes and heart disease at bay with exercise and diet. Being part hispanic and native american, I am more susceptible to these diseases. I totally believe also that the environment that you are raised plays a big role. My mother always cooked a protein, veggies and something else. LOL
When you are conceived you are made f rom both DNA of your parents.

Unfortunately, you can not pick your parents, but what you can do is through exercise and a clean diet you can help prevent or keep off certian inherited diseases.
Research show that Heart Disease is the number killer for Americans. Heart disease is known as the silent killer.

If you are over weight you are certainly putting stress on your heart. You store fat around the heart and eventually make the heart sufficate.
So, lets get going people, let get off the couch and move your body. It is never too late, it will be too late when you are 6ft under.

“A Year From Now You’ll Wish You Had Started Today”
Mixin It Up
Hello everyone, I am back. (As I smile to myself) Sometimes, it takes a little push from the right person you get you going again.
Have you ever just been going along like the energizing bunny? The poor bunny just has one speed and he keeps going and going and his expressions never changes. HA The only time he really changes speed is when his battery starts to go dead. I feel like that sometimes, I must admit. 
I enjoy all kinds of workouts. I enjoy P90x, Chalean Extreme, Turbo Fire, Insanity, and Rev Abs. I have to be honest though, I get bored doing the programs. Even though I really, really like them I have to mix them up. Some days I really feel like Turbo Fire and other days, I feel like Rev ABS. I still do a weight lifting program which right now is Chalean Extreme. I do love to lift with dumbbells, however my cardio is much to be desired.
So, how Penny then do I make my cardio fun you ask? Well, you have to mix the cardio up. Just like with the lifting you are always challenging and overloading the muscle to make it change. Same goes with cardio. If you don’t like to run (which I depise it, plus not good for your feet), I love to do the gym style Turbo Kick (also by Chalene Johnson) to get my cardio. I also love to do indoor cycling. For some reason that hurts my knees, so i only do it occasionally. When, my body is fueled with the proper diet, I feel like a little Insanity.
No matter the desire, make it your workout. Do what your body likes to do and you will stick with a program longer. Make something up and mesh it all together, HA you never know you maybe the next Tony or Chalene or Shaun T.
The point is really just to keep active, move your body.
“A Year From Now, You’ll Wish You Had Started Today”
Where did the Year Go
Okay, so the title may not be all that great.
Sitting here outside waiting for trick or treaters. LOL
I have not written on here in a while. Just wanted to give you all the heads up on what my life has endured this year.
My post at the beginning of the year was about how this year was not going to be like last year. I have held true to my end.
This year I really dedicated myself to getting organized, working out hard and really pushing the beachbody biz.
I have gotten more organized eversince my truck got repoed last month. That point in my life really woke me up.
I have really enjoyed some new programs from Beachbody. I tried Insanity, I have tried TurboFire. I tried some of Tony Horton’s One on One. I tried Rev Abs. I am so excited about trying the new Body Gospel.
I tried some of the new supplements. OMG! The shakeology is awesome, the Recovery Drink is amazing.
I sat at coaches status until just last week of October 28th. I finally made it to Emerald Status. It is such a good feeling when you have worked hard and it pays off. So the next step is the Ruby Status. What a great company to work for, that it does not even feel like work.
I partnered up with a very good friend of mine and doing some great things. He is both amazing and an awesome athlete.
So, as the year closes out. I will have to get on this blog a little more to keep you all informed on what is going on with my life.
I started a Fitclub in late September after me and a few other coaches went to Summer of Success. Awesome turn out and great to see Carl, Donna, and met a whole bunch of awesome people.
Got to go see Tony Horton again in September. I was able to keep up with him alot better. So fun to be around him. He is very motivational. Love that guy.
See you soon.
check out my website if you are interested in making some money and enjoy fitness.
Best Shake
I am back to posting again. I know, where have I been. Well I have major computer issues for one. I had to pick up a laptop which I got a great deal on.
Then I had to be able to load all the stuff on to the laptop. College semesters started in the fall and spring and that really took up some time. The list just really goes on, but now I am back.
I have been doing more fitness and trying out new Beach Body programs. OMG! Do they have some awesome programs or what? I will get back to those later in a different article. But for now I want to concentrate on an amazing shake.
They call it Shakeology. It truly is amazing. I can not believe I have gone all this time and not drank it. Okay, it really was the color. I have gotten pass the color and I totally love it. It is on my addiction list. I have to have it in the morning and then sometimes in the evening.
Take a look at what the doctors are saying.
I just wanted to let you know that this shake is awesome. The best around.
If you would like to have more energy or lose weight and get all the nutrients that you miss during your day. You need to get this.
You can purchase this off my website at www.myshakeology.com.pkayfit02
I hope that I can become your coach.
Thanks a million for reading.
“A year from now you’ll wish you had started today”
“2010 Find The Strength Within”
This year is going to be an awesome year for my fitness makeover.
I am going to find the strength to complete any one of my beach body workouts. I have so many to choose from. I think I am going to try and fuse them all together and see what happens.
I have added a new class to my studio workout and i am totally excited. I am going to do a Fitness Line Dancing class. I think it is really going to be fun. No, I know it is going to be fun. I am going to make it fun.
I have also added just a regular boxing drill kind of class to go along with my Turbo Kick class. I know that class is going to be a hard workout.
Now, to find the time for me. I have four college classes to teach at one college and one class at another. I picked up 10 more classes at a treatment center which meets twice a day, plus my studio classes and special workshops that I am going to put on this year.
So, yep I need to find some strength to handle all of this plus do my own worth while workouts.
Hope you have set out your goals for the year and let’s stick to them. Find the strength to achieve those goals.
Are You Food FIT?
Been trying to figure out what to write. It is a little rough these days since I do so much anymore to try and make a living. Still coming up short but that is ok.
So, the question is Are you food FIT? With the holidays around the corner you definitely need to be sure that you are eating right. The holidays can really put a hammer down on the eating clean aspect. So, here are some things to think about.
1. Don’t think about skipping any meals because you are going out to dinner or going to a holiday get together. Eating regular meals and snacks will boost your metabolism and increase your concentration. Why not try a protein muffin? Skipping meals sends signals to your brain telling your body that it is starving. Since your body thinks it is going to starve to death it then holds on to all that you eat if you skip. You end losing more muscle tone then you do fat.
2. Eat slowly as your mind catches up with your stomach.
Feeling satisfied means you have had enough to eat. Feeling full means you have eaten too much. It generally takes your body 20 minutes to tell your brain your full.
3. Drink your water. Do not put anything extra in your drinks. Try not to drink the Diet drinks, they are loaded with other stuff that is not good for you.

4. Choose grilled, baked, broiled, or steamed items. Stay away from the deep fried, pan fried, or battered food items. If you have to have fried, use vegetable or canola oil.
5. Remove any visible fat or skin from meat. Choose fish, poultry, or cuts of lean beef. Remember no legs, 2 legs and then 4 legs for the protein.
6. Fill half of your dinner plate with non-starchy vegetables. Green-leafy lettuce, spinach, broccoli, and carrots are great choices. Think of potatoes, rice, and pasta as starch like foods.

7. Go High Fiber to increase fullness. Choose whole grain breads, cereals, rice, pasta, crackers, as well as light popcorn. Boost fruit and vegetables intake with meals and snacks.
8. Choose low-fat or fat free and even SOY milk, yogurt, cheese, salad dressings, mayo, sour cream, and cream cheese. I would have to say very minimum to not at all. Especially around the holidays, goodies are loaded with all these. Becareful and dodge these items are just eat one for the taste.
9. Cut restaurant portions in half. Here is the big one. OMG, restaurants load up the plate. I have lost 14 pounds since I just quit going out to lunch. I was watching what I was eating, but I kept eating the amount they gave me. Be careful here as you go out to lunch during these holiday times.

This is way tooooo much.
10. Pre-portion snacks. Finally you will eat less if you divide things up instead having the bag or box by your side. So true.
Okay, so with all that “Are you Food FIT?
I guess the finally thing should be, get out and do something active. Go to an exercise class, do some dancing. Set the example for your kids. Do something with them. Go throw a freesbee or take a walk in the park, it is a good time to talk.


