Holidays are Upon Us!

It's been a while since I've written a blog entry, but the holidays are here and we need some strategies.

We think the Holidays begin the moment those bags of Halloween candy appear in local stores. And they continue through Valentine's Day - and maybe even Easter! It's not one or two meals that gets us into trouble; it's the continual eating throughout the "season!"

Here are some tips that might help you when you approach the Holidays:

1. Think about what a specific holiday means to you. Is it the people you'll be seeing?
2. What are the non-food parts of holidays you really like, i.e. specific musical events?
3. If it's simply too difficult for you to attend a special meal during your Active Weight Loss Program, why not go for a while - or maybe after folks have eaten?
4. Be sure to exercise in some way on each holiday - even if it's a short walk.
5. Take care of yourself in any non-food way you can.
6. Drink plenty of water. Try a new herbal tea.
7. Get enough sleep.

With busy holidays, we may find ourselves more stressed, irritable: too much on our schedules and too little self-care.

Think about buying yourself a gift this year to celebrate your weight loss victories.

Do the very best you can with your Program. Forgive yourself if you have a slip, and get right back on Program. Remember, we are aiming for a lifetime of better health!

We're all in this together.
Linda Gromko, MD

Queen Anne Medical Weight Loss Ventures out on Lake Union Again

What's not to like about kayaking?

We've found kayaking to be a great form of urban exercise - particularly in Seattle, where our whole city centers around Lake Union. It's easy to get out, even for an hour or so. It's a wonderful form of exercise, and the scenery is gorgeous.

We set off on another kayaking event on September 11, 2011 - a somber day for the country. But why not stay active, and focus on life's gifts?

Here are some photographs of our most recent urban excursion:

  

Parallel Strokes in No Time at All!



Perfect Water!



Beautiful Smiles

Taking a Little Break



Photos by T. Tibbs

Kayaking under the Aurora Bridge

We're hoping to join NW Outdoor Center on their holiday carolling event in December!

Stay tuned, and remember:
We're all in this together!

Linda Gromko, MD

Thanks to Northwest Outdoor Center for a Great Event!

Queen Anne Medical Weight Loss ventured out on Lake Union in kayaks this morning. We had a group of nine, including Laurel - our guide from Northwest Outdoor Center. We took two double kayaks, and the rest singles. Our group had varying degrees of experience - but we all did great! Even the weather cooperated; it was a overcast and a little drizzly, but very comfortable.

We paddled around the periphery of the lake, gliding by houseboats - including the one from the film "Sleepless in Seattle."


Seaplanes took off and landed around us. But rather than moving toward the shore, one of our members took a picture with her cellphone! We're expanding our horizons as we're becoming more healthy...and brave.

Everyone had a good time. We're even hoping to sign up for NW Outdoor Center's Holiday Caroling event in December - paddling and caroling around the floating homes.

It was a great event - and another excellent example of how we can incorporate more physical activity into our lives!

Remember, we're all in this together.
Linda Gromko, MD

Congratulations to Johanna on Winning the National "New You" Award!

Seattle's Johanna Moody-Gatlin was one of three national winners in the Second Annual OPTIFAST "New You" Contest. announced May 31, 2011. Having lost nearly 100 pounds as a participant in the Queen Anne Medical Weight Loss program, Johanna's prize includes a luxury weekend trip to New York City, a make-over, and a shopping spree.

Johanna has served as a program advocate, sharing her experiences with participants at the Northwest Women's Show held in Seattle in March, 2011.

For full story, please visit http://www.optifast.com/, and click on the "New You Contest."

Johanna, you've made us all proud!

We're all in this together.
Linda Gromko, MD

Queen Anne Medical Weight Loss Donates 600 Pounds of Food!

Today, Brian Grev and I went to the Ballard Food Bank to deliver our Program's contribution of 600 pounds of food: cannned vegetables, cereal, soups, and other staples.

We started our Food Drive several months ago. We got the idea from one of our members who had lost over 100 pounds. She had a party in honor of her victory, and asked her neighbors to bring food for the food bank.

So, we invited our members to bring a pound of food for every pound they had lost through the program. Our goal was 600 pounds of food donations - to celebrate the first 600 pounds we'd lost.

It felt good to contribute to the community - especially since food banks tend to get fewer contributions at this time of year.

Read more about Queen Anne Medical Weight Loss' contribution:
http://www.ballardnewstribune.com/2011/05/26/news/local-weight-loss-clinic-donates-600-pounds-balla

Our plan is to continue the drive - that way, we'll continue to remind ourselves of our victories and help our community at the same time!

We're all in this together.
Linda Gromko, MD

A Sunny Day for Queen Anne Medical Weight Loss Rowing Experience!

With Seattle weather being so unpredictable lately, we felt extemely fortunate to have had a sunny day for our "Experience Rowing" event, held at Lake Washington Rowing Club May 1.

Under the guidance of Lake Washington Rowing Club's Mike Rucier and Andy Rees, and the assistance of Kim Biggs, six members of our Queen Anne Medical Weight Loss program set out to tour Lake Union - on the water.

We started with a brief didactic session to learn rowing terminology. Then, we moved to the "Ergs" for practice with on-land rowing machines.

The last half of our three-hour session was spent rowing around Lake Union. It was spectacular!

Even better, we all found that we all could do it! Nobody fell in; we got back to the dock intact!

Our boat had lost over 300 pounds total on OPTIFAST before this event - enough weight for two additional rowers!

Better yet, several members said they would want to pursue rowing as a fitness event; one committed to starting a rowing class with her husband.

Stay tuned for next month's activity: Kayaking at Northwest Outdoor Center on Sunday, June 12.

Members interested in the Kayak Event are urged to contact Brian Grev, Program Director for further details; refer to Home Page for Contact Information.

We're all in this together!
Linda Gromko, MD

Queen Anne Medical Weight Loss Announces Rowing Experience

Queen Anne Medical Weight Loss participants - past and present - are invited to attend a special "Experience Rowing" event!

Mark your calendar for Sunday, May 1, 2011. 10 am-1 pm at the Lake Washington Rowing Club.

Participants will attend a class to learn rowing terminology, then practice on the "Ergs," i.e. rowing machines. The session will be capped by an actual row in an "eight" on Lake Union.
Each boat will be crewed by experienced rowers in addition to our "newbie" participants.

Fee for the event is $35, but that fee can be applied to later "Learn to Row" classes at Lake Washington Rowing Club. Weight limit for participants is 275 pounds.

Rowing is my favorite activity. It works your whole body,  but doesn't put excessive strain on your joints. Plus, it's a great stress management tool. You have to concentrate to keep your balance! And it's great fun.

Join us on Sunday, May 1 for a great introduction to a sport you can do forever!

We're all in this together.
Linda Gromko, MD