Blog

Stress and Weight

Stress and Weight

Do you reach for the cookies or chips when you’re feeling stressed? You’re not alone. Eating foods high in sugar and salt is a common response to stress cravings. But many who live stressful lives are successful in managing their eating—and their weight. What’s their secret? They know that while they can’t always control the […]

Eating Well When Dining Out

Eating Well When Dining Out

Dining in restaurants when you’re trying to lose weight can be a real challenge. Even the most seemingly healthy entrées can become high-calorie mistakes thanks to oversized portions and hidden calories from sauces, dressings and preparation techniques. No one knows this better than Bruno Serato, master chef, entrepreneur and owner of The Anaheim White House. […]

The Heroes Next Door

The Heroes Next Door

There are all kinds of heroes. Some live bold, remarkable lives and end up becoming the subjects of best-selling books and movies. Others live more simply and quietly, yet in the process still make big differences in seemingly small ways. I was fortunate to celebrate both kinds of heroes recently at an event in Long […]

Getting “Smart” About Goal-Setting

Getting “Smart” About Goal-Setting

The holidays are behind us and the resolutions we made on New Year’s Day have either taken root—or died on the vine. Most of us begin the New Year with high hopes and the best of intentions. According to a 2014 University of Scranton survey published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, “lose weight” is […]

Cheating Ourselves

Cheating Ourselves

A trip to New York City is always energizing, but the visit I recently returned from was an especially exciting adventure. I went with the four winners of our “Mommy Movement Challenge”, a weight loss/lifestyle competition in which moms throughout Southern California were encouraged to form teams and lose weight following our Lean for Life […]

Creating “Chances To Change”

Creating “Chances To Change”

When people ask what I do for a living, I rarely say I run a company that offers a medically-supervised weight loss program. Instead, I tell them I’m blessed to be in the business of helping people improve their lives. That’s true because the changes that result when people lose weight and improve their health […]

Finding Inspiration

Finding Inspiration

When I recently attended the Orange County Business Journal Women in Business Awards, I expected to be inspired. As one of the judges for this year’s competition, I had already reviewed the nominations of 214 remarkable women. I struggled to narrow my selections down to a “top ten,” and when I saw the secret list […]

Everyday Superstars

Everyday Superstars

You’d think after 25 years of seeing people become Lean for Life, very little would surprise me. But there is something that does. I’m constantly amazed and impressed by the generosity of the many men and women who succeed on our program and then write or call us, offering to share their success stories in […]

Walking the Talk

Walking the Talk

“How many of you love your children?” I was speaking to a group of parents at a middle school about raising healthier kids, and the response to my question was predictable. Every parent in the room raised his or her hand. “Then why are you killing them?” I asked. The expressions on their faces changed […]

“Go and Make It So”

“Go and Make It So”

Success is rarely a random occurrence. Our thoughts—and what we visualize as possible for ourselves—are incredibly powerful. Last weekend, I attended a baby shower for my niece. The nautical-themed invitation suggested that instead of including a card with the gift, guests consider bringing a children’s book with a special message written to my niece’s soon-to-arrive […]