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How is Simply...Woman! different than other weight loss programs?

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Women come in all shapes and sizes. The difference with this program is that the focus is not about being perfect but rather loving "who" you are and being comfortable in your own skin. I am all about women embracing and honouring themselves – not despising themselves the way so many other programs promote "self-loathing" to motivate sales; by telling us we are flawed or imperfect we desperately buy their products. True and lasting change only comes once we realize how special and magical we really are and that we deserve to have the body (and life) of our dreams.

I believe that for most women who struggle with their weight (or body image) there is something else also going on. The body is often the messenger, sending us warning signs when we are disconnected; weight gain is just one of them. A heart attack is an extreme warning that things are not working properly but significant yet small signs will tell you when something in your life is out of balance. The alignment of the body, mind and soul is the most essential component for permanent weight-loss and until we make that our focus we can eat all the broccoli and protein we want but may still battle with our weight.

Simply...Woman is specifically designed to gently integrate each of these areas through a systematic progression that will empower you to live your most authentic life;thin thighs are just a bi-product!

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Everything we eat either hurts us or heals us and as long as we misinterpret warning signs such as indigestion, weight gain, irritable bowels, allergies, headaches and PMS and bandage them over with antacids, acetaminophen, and antihistamines we won't ever experience the incredible changes we can make to our health; our bodies; even our lives when we nurture ourselves with the foods that we thrive on.

I call these healing foods "Green Light" foods! They give us energy, help us to stay lean and healthy, and nourish every single one of the 100 trillion cells in our body! Green Light foods are filled with antioxidants, vitamins, fibre, phytochemicals, the essential amino and fatty acids that our body requires. I have created an extensive list of Red Light, Yellow Light, and Green Light foods called the "Traffic Light Food System."

RED LIGHT FOODS = STOP; these are often foods we might not even realize are causing our cravings and making us fat: YELLOW LIGHT FOODS = PROCEED WITH CAUTION; sometimes healthy such as salmon and olive oil, they'll still pack on the pounds: GREEN LIGHT FOODS = GO! GO! GO! Not just the obvious choices such as salad and chicken breast, our GREEN LIGHT foods such as berries, pumpernickel bread, pork tenderloin, and sweet potatoes make weight loss easy and feeling good simple.

Divided into three categories; Carbohydrates, Protein, and Fats, the "Traffic Light Food System" is a simple plan that anyone can follow. Eating well doesn't have to be difficult and losing weight doesn't have to be hard!

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I developed Simply...Woman! The 12-Week Body/Mind/Soul Total Transformation Program over the past seven years. It came initially from my own journals and the process of taking back my own body, and subsequently my life. I then created a 230-page manual that I used with my own personal training clients, and eventually created a customized system to teach my philosophy and techniques to an entire team of Simply...Woman Accredited Trainers (S.W.A.T.)

All Simply...Woman! Accredited Trainers have been certified personally by me. Experts in nutrition, fitness and life-management, these life coaches are the guaranteed success to your Simply...Woman! journey.

We are currently in further development of our S.W.A.T. Personal Training System but by the summer of 2005 we are hoping to be in all major cities across the country. If you are interested in becoming a S.W.A.T., or in finding one in your area, please contact us and stay tuned for a city closest to you!

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Throughout the program I list my favourite "Simply...Supplements" to help you achieve your transformation goals with greater ease. We all know that there are many "magic" diet pills on the market, but the supplements listed are all ones that I have personally tried, had the greatest results with, and contain the most well-researched ingredients. Although these supplements work beautifully, along with Simply...Woman, to help you obtain ideal health and wellness, they are not intended to replace medical advice. Remember to inform your health care provider about all supplement use as drug interactions may occur and certain contraindications may apply.

All supplements recommended are available in Canada at any health food store and in the US (or internationally) by visiting www.genuinehealth.com. For more information click on the Genuine Health logo on my home page!

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Absolutely!! Although having a S.W.A.T. is an added bonus, as is supplementing your body with effective vitamins, minerals and herbs, PLEASE do not feel as though your success with this program is based on that. They are for added results. Everything you need to know is clearly outlined week-by-week, step-by-step, and by following Simply...Woman! and doing the Tight & Toned workout you will reach your goals!

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YOU ARE THE PERFECT CANDIDATE! Life with a baby is both exhilarating and exhausting. You have good days and bad. Sleepless nights and overwhelming emotions that can play mind games on our self-esteem, body image, attitude, and ability to take care of ourselves properly. When I tell women to start making themselves a priority, many feel as though I've added one more task to their already daunting to-do list. However, this one is necessary if you want a joyous and fulfilling life. It's like when the mask drops down if oxygen levels get too low on an airplane. We are instructed to put our own mask on first before helping our child. If we aren't okay, we are useless to everyone else. If you aren't living the life you want, eventually all the other things will fall apart anyway.  

There are a few things to bear in mind though before beginning this program:

1. Have your six week check up with your doctor before beginning the "Tight & Toned" workout.

2. While it is true that breast-feeding helps to burn off that extra weight, your increased appetite can have you reaching for the chips and ice-cream. Eat more Green Light Protein and Green Light Carbohydrates (try some of the recipes provided). Usually the equation of 12 X your current body weight (in pounds) is the ideal daily caloric intake i.e. if you are 165 pounds your daily calories would be roughly 12 X 165 = 1980 calories per day. As your baby grows and your breastfeeding demands lessen adjust this accordingly by taking it gradually down to 10 times your body weight.

3. Focus on increasing your calcium intake from a source that will not irritate you, or your baby (if nursing). The trouble is drinking tons of skim milk will only cause you (and your wee one) digestive and intestinal discomfort. I'd recommend getting your calcium needs by eating other Green Light Foods such as fat-free, sugar-free yogurt (one cup has 350 mg of calcium) and believe it or not a leafy green salad has about 250 mg. A half a cup of fat-free tofu (fortified with calcium sulfate) has an amazing 450 mg of calcium and my favourite choice, "proteins+ with calcium" (you get a full serving of your Green Light Protein as well) has a whopping 500 mg of calcium which comes from mineralized seaweed that your body will absorb and utilize perfectly without adverse intestinal reactions.

4. Start back slow ... cut yourself some slack ... and most importantly remember to enjoy this time with your baby as it truly is the most important "life-giving" celebration you will
ever undertake.

 

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I decided to create The Listening Collection because most of my personal clients who had extraordinary results claimed it was more than the weekly workouts that helped them - it was the motivation… my words...my voice.

The Simply Woman Listening Collection is very different than most that you will hear from other author’s. It is over 550 minutes of pure motivation, inspiration, and encouragement! Yes, well it is true that some of the information in the book is on The Listening Collection there are many more of my personal stories and those of my clients that are not. The Listening Collection has become the most sought-after complementary addition to the Simply...Woman! book. Funny enough, to this day, I still listen to these CDs when I'm out running or on a long trip (although I listen as though it were someone else talking) and they motivate, inspire, and often bring me to tears or laughter. To listen to Mary Kim's own voice as she tells her touching and life-changing testimonial in Week Three still touches me in such a profound way.

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Although I do believe that too many people are spending wasted hours on-line, I also know that our support system is the most important factor (outside of ourselves) to our success. Who we choose to spend the majority of our time with (and the advice they give us) can have a huge influence over our lives. The saying "birds of a feather flock together" is very true.

This is a new addition to our site and I am hoping that it becomes the component that unites us and helps you when you are having one of those "down and out days" or when you want to share your success with someone who understands, and is truly happy for you! Once you have registered please visit us often. Post your questions in our MESSAGE FORUM. I will try to log in as much as possible. Hopefully we can develop our own "Simply Woman Support Group!"
I urge you to be there for each other and to feel free to share your stories, struggles, and successes!