New Life’s Resolutions Ok folks, the holidays are over! So how did we all do?  

I myself did rather well, I stuck to all my healthy choices and mixed it up a bit with some Focus 28 recipes. I was very proud of myself.  I didn’t even give those yummy cream puffs that my aunt makes a second glance!   

I’m sure we are all going over our New Years resolutions with a fine toothcomb and figuring out if we will follow through. I know that I have never stuck to any of my resolutions.  Here’s another fast name change for you…New Life’s resolutions! Now that sounds so much more important. Lets stick to our New Life’s resolutions and make this year a healthy focused one. 

Kerry Timmins

Focus 28 Customer

kerrytimmins@yahoo.com

Two years it took me to reach my goal weight and Focus 28 was my best friend throughout. I simply followed the four pillars of success, used every tip I was offered, kept my journal, exercised and could not get enough of Focus 28’s online tools. I learned so much about myself over those two years and the one thing that has stuck out most is that I had the power to change my life! I never realized that until I found Focus. That’s the key! Once we all realize that we are the only ones who have the power to change our lives, everything will fall into place. I now control my life, it does not control me.

I was held back by my weight for my entire childhood, as well as most of my adult life. It controlled everything I did or did not do. When I was young and it came to summer, how I hated it! All my friends were thinner and headed off to the pools and beaches, but not me, no way. I was NOT wearing a swimsuit. Summer always meant fewer clothes and that meant more body would show. I could not allow that.

For me, simple things like going to school, trips to amusement parks, birthday parties or dances were nightmares and not something I looked forward to at all. I feel being overweight deprived me of a childhood. It was like I accepted that I was overweight and I was just going to live with it, even if it meant missing out.

I wish I knew and understood that I had the power to change back then. Why was I not taught this as a youngster? We need to let our children know that they control their lives and they can change their lives if they want. We should show them how to do it, be good examples, especially if they are not happy. We need to teach them that it is in their power to make life what they want!!!

Ashley Aronsen
Focus 28 Customer

Ok so you have had weight loss surgery and you reached your goal. Yahoo the battle has been won!!!

If that’s what you are telling yourself then you are in for a shocking discovery. It just does not end when all the weight is off and you feel great. This is an ongoing battle that you will fight everyday. It does get easier, but it does not just end.

Focus 28 will teach you how to make the healthy choices and to always stay on your toes. When we say “healthy choices” we don’t just mean food wise, we mean healthy choices in every aspect of your life. For instance: one choice can be to sit in front of a television for an hour or put the radio on and clean for an hour. Before your surgery you probably couldn’t have pryed yourself away from that television, now we’re sure you know that it would be better to listen to the radio and clean. This way you are moving and burning calories.

Each of us knows ourselves and what motivates us. So let’s keep our choices healthy and always follow through. Stay focused friends!

The Focus 28 Team
www.focus28wellness.com

We understand how hard it is to make even the slightest change from your normal routine. It is very important that you make a lifestyle change if you want to be successful in your weight loss success.

We have put together some simple ways for you to start making a difference. Remember, every little change is a change that will help you succeed. Every step you take, whether it be big or small is a step in the right direction.

Here are some simple changes that will help you with your daily battle:

1) Bake instead of fry.

2) Walk instead of drive, when convenient.

3) Whole wheat instead of white.

4) Water instead of sugary drinks.

5) Use a smaller plate at mealtime, you’ll eat less.

6) Use the stairs rather than the elevator.

We hope these simple changes can help you start to make your lifestyle change.

Good Luck!

The Focus 28 Team
www.focus28wellness.com

Weight gain during the holiday season seems to be an acceptable and average American experience. Although we are aware of the side affects of weight gain, and agree the number one New Year’s resolution is to lose weight, why does it still happen?   

Well, let’s first agree that an ounce of prevention is equal to a pound of cure. Meaning, as Pat Reilly would say “THE BEST OFFENSE IS A GOOD DEFENSE”. The last few days in New York have been cold and snowy, more than 6 inches total. So, instead of feeling stressed due to the lack of activity and being limited to the indoor, why not simply plan ahead.  

I suggest creating a section in your home that is specifically set up for exercise and stretching. Have your journal on hand to record your sets, repetitions and mini walk cycles. Instead of just catching up with friends on the phone, try using the speakerphone and marching in place or walking on the treadmill. There is actually a new treadmill called the Treaddesk that has been introduced to many offices to have their employees walk slowly while working at their desk.  

Of course, the other side of the equation is nutrition. So, plan ahead by having high quality, no sugar snacks in the house. Try pineapple, green apples or low calorie protein bars or soup. Let’s commit to indoor exercise, healthy snacking, hydration, meditation and goal setting during a snowstorm.  

Yes, breaking old habits can be difficult, but trying something new can be exciting. Instead of just baking, try creating a new dish that is low in calories and taste great too. My favorite dessert to prepare for my family is a healthy brownie. Instead of using sugar, I substitute a mashed banana and applesauce for the butter and sugar.  

So, the next time the weather man said a winter storm is on the way, be sure to stock up on the right ingredients for your new healthy baking and cooking, call old friends while exercising indoors and why not catch up on journaling too!  

Lisa Avellino

Focus 28 Fitness Expert

www.focus28wellness.com

Give me P! Give me an R! Give me an O…

PROTEIN. The single most important nutrient in your bariatric post-op care. Protein is the building blocks of overall health and holds the key to healing, repairing and bringing your body back to tip-top shape after surgery. The last thing you want to experience is protein deficiency (think muscle wasting and hair loss). But where there’s a will, there’s a way and Focus 28 will happily show you that way with their Baricare Post-Op Shakes.

You’ve got to stir it up

Usually, when I’m in need of a quick protein fix, I walk to my neighbourhood friendly Jugo Juice. Unfortunately, that may not be the healthiest alternative for bariatric patients. While doing your bariatric surgery homework and learning all the facts on proper nutrition, you may have stumbled on the importance of including the right amount of protein in your diet. According to the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), the daily intake of protein should be 70g for bariatric patients. But when your body is already riddle with an over abundance of numbers, body weight, body mass index, calories, servings, it may be a little difficult to keep in mind how much protein your body is getting. Why not grab a shake? But not just any shake, one of Focus 28’s bariatric post-op shake! Imagine indulging in a Creamy Custard Post-Op Shake and getting the energy and vitamins you need.

All for one, one for all

Honestly, young and old, we’re all creatures of habits. We stick to our own individual routines, trying not to deviate too much. We also share the common need to feed our bodies the proper nutrition and vitamins it requires. For bariatric patients, this need is also the difference between a successful weight loss surgery. Thanks to Baricare Post-Op Shakes, that road to recovery will be a tasty one.

Baricare Post-Op Shakes available from Focus 28

• Baricare Chocolate Post-Op Shake
• Baricare Creamy Custard Post-Op Shake
• Baricare Vanilla Post-Op Shake

Cheers,
Andy MacLellan

Snacks and meals and other sweet deals.

You’ve done your bariatric homework. You almost got to vitamin Z during your vitamin supplement research. You’re also aware of the different stages that your post-op diet and nutrition will go through. And yes, you know what will happen if you ignore the special guidelines that have been recommended by your nutritionist. As overwhelming as changing your lifelong eating habits can be, we can help to make this transition easier. Our products are geared specifically towards meeting the diet requirements of bariatric patients and are offered in such a wide variety that staying focused will come naturally.

Top of the morning to you!

Make sure you start off the day on the right foot with a good balanced breakfast. For the cereal lover, have your choice of cinnamon sprinkled hexagons and crispy nuggets or chocolate spheres with strawberry flavoured pieces of fruit. Both are packed with enough protein and fibre to face the morning events of traffic jams and spilt coffee. If you find yourself pressed for time, grab a Cinnamon Crisp ‘n Crunch Breakfast Bar and go.

No slurping please.

Take the time to enjoy a satisfying lunch without over-analysing the fine print on the label, making sure you’re following your calorie intake guidelines. Our low-calorie soups are offered in a variety of flavours such as Cream of Mushroom and good old fashion Chicken Noodle Soup. Pair up with one of our Cold Drinks and get your full dose of protein and nutrients.

Snacking for self-control

Long hours sitting in the office is enough to bring out the snacking demon in all of us. Instead of feeding the hallway vending machine the rest of your will power, why not take a bite in a Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Protein Bar or a handle of Crunch Cheddar Mix. We have a variety of light healthy snacks that will definitely get you through that last home stretch.

Celebrating a perfectly focused day

After a full day of being good to your body, there’s no reason to stop at the single mentioning of dessert. Our selection of puddings and desserts are packed with flavour and low in calorie, making that guilty pleasure not so guilty anymore. So go ahead, indulge in a spoonful of that Apple Custard Crunch with no strings attached.

Cheers,
Andy MacLellan

Lets talk about exercise for a minute. I know when some people hear that word they cringe. Whenever someone said exercise to me, it was as if they just spewed profanities at me. The mere thought of any type of physical activity was strenuous to me; I hated it, and tried my hardest to keep away from it. Going to a gym, that’s a silly thing. I used to tell myself “you are too fat to go to a gym!”

I now realize, how can you be too fat to be at a gym? Anyway, I finally realized I had to somehow incorporate exercise into my life if I was going to get healthy and stay healthy. The first thing I did was stop calling it exercise. I started calling it movement. Anything involving your body to move in ways it never has was exercise to me. Everyday I try to make my movements different, just to vary it up a bit and keep me going.

Here are just a couple of examples to get yourself started:

1. While cleaning (with music on), I would do some broom bends

2. When washing laundry, I would squeeze in jumping jacks

3. Vacuuming was like speed walking

4. When food shopping, my daughter would push the wagon and I would do can lifts for my arms (soup cans were my choice for weights). It’s funny now that I think about it, I never even cared what people thought when they saw me doing this. I must have looked insane!

That’s how I started, and as you go on doing something everyday, with every chore, it just becomes habit. Now I actually feel like a pro! Every morning I stand in front of the TV (with it off) and I move for 35 minutes. I have created my own movements that work for me and it’s in the privacy of my own home.

You have got to keep on moving! Nobody knows us better then ourselves so do your best to squeeze some movement into your daily routine.

Kerry Timmins
Focus 28 Customer
kerrytimmins@yahoo.com

The bells are ringing. The carollers are singing. Around us, the snow is softly drifting. But so is the temptation of the stuffed Christmas turkey and traditional eggnog. This holiday season, don’t lose sight of your weight loss goals. To make things a little easier, we are offering a 10% holiday discount on all online purchases! Simply use the coupon code THANKS08 when you check out! Imagine cuddling up with a warm cup of our Hot Chocolate or satisfying your sweet tooth with an Apple Custard Crunch Dessert. But you have to hurry, offer ends on December 31, 2008

This is also our way of showing our appreciation that you chose us to help you get through your bariatric surgery experience. Let’s welcome a New Year with new goals waiting to be achieved!

Happy Holidays!

Andy MacLellan
Focus 28

Shaking things up with your bariatric diet

Bariatric patient or not, protein plays an important role in a well-balance diet and overall health. Our bodies depend on protein to fight and resist diseases while maintaining healthy muscles, skin, hair and internal organs. Protein is specifically needed for bariatric patients as it helps to heal and repair injuries. The amount of protein that is recommended depends on a multitude of circumstances and desired goal; this should be discussed with your bariatric nutritionist. In order to get your daily fix of protein, Focus 28 has developed a line of protein-based shakes that will give your bariatric diet a good boost of energy.

Meal Replacements Shakes

If you have difficulty keeping track of portion sizes, calorie counts and sufficient protein intake, meal replacements can help you gain control over your bariatric diet. Studies have shown that meal replacements can be just as effective as traditional meals. Opting to grab a meal on the go is exceptionally convenient, taking away the added stress of eating smaller portions and chewing thoroughly. Remember that choosing a “meal-in-a-can” cannot teach you healthy eating habits. Allow no more than 2 meal replacements a day and make sure you take the time to prepare a healthy, well balance traditional meal. Meal replacements are only part of a successful bariatric weight loss program. Focus 28 Meal Replacement Shakes are designed to provide nutritional support for pre and post-operative bariatric patients.

Meal Replacement Shakes available from Focus 28

• Banana Crème Delight
• Sensational Chocolate Supreme
• World Class Vanilla

Soy & Whey Protein Shakes

Like meal replacements, grabbing a protein shake can be very beneficial to your overall weight loss success. Don’t live with misconception that protein shakes were developed to enhance sport performance or body building. Protein is one of the body’s main building blocks for maintaining healthy muscles, bones, skin; it’s an essential nutrient that everybody needs. Protein shakes contain different types of protein such as; Milk, Whey, Casein, Egg, and Soy.

Whey protein is found in milk and is typically sought out for those engaging in intense physical activity. This is due to the fact that whey protein is fast-absorbing and remains in the body for a shorter period of time. Derived from soy beans, soy protein is generally very low in or free of fat, cholesterol and lactose. Women usually benefit from soy protein’s benefit since it helps to reduce menopausal symptoms.

Soy & Whey Protein Shakes available from Focus 28

• Banana Crème Delight
• Sensational Chocolate Supreme
• World Class Vanilla

Achieving your weight loss goal, one sip at a time.

Choosing a protein shake designed for you depends on what you hope to achieve. Take the time to discuss the importance of protein and different types of protein shakes with your bariatric nutritionist. For ideas on how to kick start a good protein-based, bariatric weight loss program, explore Focus 28 great tasting Whey & Soy Protein Shakes. Don’t ignore your sweet tooth! Settle your craving for sweetness and discover Cold Drinks that are virtually sugar-free and high in protein. On those cold days, warm up to a steamy cappuccino or a hot chocolate. Is your new lifestyle keeping you on your toes? Grab a Ready-to-Drink shake and keep things going!