Tag: Gotham Volleyball

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3 Sure Fire Ways to Increase Your Sleep from Susan D’Addario

Did you know that restorative sleep is imperative to living healthier, happier and longer?

Certified Sleep Science Coach and  owner of Back-To-Sleep Susan D’Addario‘s advice to help you enjoy consistent, improved sleep:

3 Sure Fire Ways to Increase Your Sleep Tips

Morning and Lunchtime

1). Get strong light exposure for 1 hour daily. Try to get 30 min in by 8:30am (or as close to that as possible), and repeat at lunchtime, (between noon-2:30pm). You can either go outside without sunglasses or use a light box and/or Re-Timer Light Therapy Glasses. If using a light box, make sure it is close to your face – approximately 12-16” away – and do not look directly into the light.

8PM

2). Dim all lighting. Dim all your devices sufficiently by making sure the backlight display is turned down as far as possible while still allowing you to see what’s on the monitor. Also, don’t forget to dim the ambient room lighting. Purchasing extension cords with built-in dimmers for lamps is a great way to go dim!

3). Block all blue light. While in your devices’ settings, also make a point to activate blue-light blocking filters. Moreover, consider wearing blue light blocking glasses with AMBER/ORANGE lenses until you get into bed and the lights are out. Should you awaken during the night to use the restroom, put these glasses back on and avoid looking directly into any light source.

Susan D’Addario shares sleep tips on Gotham Volleyball’s Home Life virtual outreach event on Facebook Live.

https://www.facebook.com/GothamVolleyball/videos/2650250065191834/

Susan D’Addario, CSSC, (Certified Sleep Science Coach), loves to help people to heal and feel better about themselves! For the past 24 years, she has worked as a licensed psychotherapist helping adults with life struggles getting in their way of growth, self-esteem and inner happiness.

Approximately 8 years ago,  she opened her mental/emotional healing work to include the body. Susan is fascinated by the interactions amongst body, mind, spirit and well-being. This broader perspective came out of her own life experiences, explorations and passions into the worlds of wellness, nutrition and other holistic arenas. As part of this expansion, 2 years ago, Susan became a CSSC and created Back-To-Sleep!

For more great sleep information, and/or a 30-minute Breakthrough to a Great Night Sleep complimentary session, feel free to contact Certified Sleep Science Coach, Susan D’Addario, at susan@back-to-sleep.com.

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Andy Lost 40 lbs Using the Noom Weight Loss App

“I tell people that Noom isn’t a diet, it’s a lifestyle choice.”

I asked my friend, Andy, who isn’t living with diabetes, to share his 40 pound weight loss journey using the Noom Weight Loss App.
You can access Noom with a mobile device like a smartphone or tablet.  Since its inception in 2008, the Noom diet, or Noom, has quickly grown to become one of the most searched-for diets. According to Noom, people who use their program and adopt a healthy lifestyle can expect to lose 1–2 pounds (0.5–1 kg) per week. The app promotes low-calorie, nutrient-dense foods and encouraging healthy lifestyle changes according to their website. Noom uses an algorithm to estimate the number of calories you should eat per day to lose weight.
Here’s my interview with Andy:
Q: What inspired you to go on Noom?
 
Andy: I joined Noom the week of Thanksgiving 2019 – Doesn’t seem to be the best time to start a weight management program, but I guess there’s no perfect time to start something like this.
A few years prior to joining Noom I’d put on roughly 80lbs (286lbs at my heaviest) due to many factors, but primarily depression – I’d lost a job, was having relationship issues and my social network was falling apart.
I’d always been active and fit, although never considered to be a “jock” or “gym rat”, I played some sports, practiced yoga, and was working out 4-6 days a week during my most active years. I’d always been lean and in decent shape. Though it wasn’t until I’d put on the weight where I’d gone in for an annual physical that my cholesterol levels were for the first time, elevated. I wasn’t at risk nor needing medication, but seeing these numbers made it clear I had to start doing something.
I joined a gym, started running and swimming again, but now in my mid-30s I just wasn’t losing the weight like I had in the past. Fast forward a year and I am living in NYC, joined Gotham Volleyball as a way to meet people, but also as a method to get physical again. Though feeling great about all these new changes, I was definitely still out of shape and carrying the extra weight around.
By this time I kept hearing these commercials for a thing called “Noom” on the radio and finally decided to investigate.
Q: What’s the program like? Would you recommend it? Why? What did you like about the program? What was helpful in achieving your goal?
 
Andy: I tell people that Noom isn’t a diet, it’s a lifestyle choice. Using psychology, Noom helps to refocus your relationship to food through behavioral health awareness. The Noom app is an all-in-one tool that uses all the various clinical methods to manage weight – and expectations – like logging meals, daily weigh-ins, calorie counter, one-on-one personalized coaching, pedometer, recipes, and dedicated support group/chat, etc. The app is very user-friendly and the content is bright and colorful, the creators have a big sense of humor which makes it an enjoyable experience as well.
I find the daily weigh-ins, meal log, and pedometer are the three most essential tools on Noom. Yes, the info-quizzes and coaching are important too, but these are the tools that are most applicable to tracking and seeing your progress. Let’s say, for example, you weigh in one morning above your daily goal, then track to see your prior day activity levels, what and when you ate, etc. you may begin to realize that that late-night slice of pizza or take-out is probably not helping – for many of us this is common sense, but making informed decisions and taking decisive action to combat these habits doesn’t always come easy.
With that being said, Noom doesn’t eliminate any foods. You really can eat what you want (within moderation) and the food charting helps to better understand which foods to have more of and which ones to ease up on.
Overall, yes, I definitely recommend Noom. It can be more expensive than other apps or programs, but is well worth a four month investment. I joined on their two week pay-what-you-want trial (I lost 10lbs in my first month), though I know of others who have found amazing discounts elsewhere.
 
Q: What did you not like about the program? How much weight did you lose?
Andy: Not that I don’t like it (I’m still using Noom), but I do not take advantage of all the apps features, primarily all the readings and quizzes. However, in the beginning it is important to do all of the in-app activities and only takes 10 minutes out of the day.
I’ve still lost a considerable amount of weight (40lbs from initial weigh-in of 235lbs) so I can only imagine just how much more weight and fit I might be if I followed everything to a T. With that being said, this has been a personal decision, I wouldn’t want anyone to join Noom or any program with this mindset, not see results, then drop the program prematurely – you have to do the work.
Q: Does Noom help with weight loss maintenance? What’s it like managing your weight during the pandemic? Easy? Hard? Why? Or Why not?
 
Andy: Yes, Noom has absolutely helped with weight loss maintenance (or gain – depending on your personal goals). Although Noom comes with a recipe tool and meal plan ad-ons at extra cost, I’ve been using a food delivery service, Misfits Market (not a Noom product). I love cooking, though I hate grocery shopping, so at $26 every two weeks I get a box filled with fresh fruits and vegetables which helps with maintaining access to healthy foods, especially in this new Work From Home (WFH) world we’re living in.
I’m not much of a snacker, though I do love fresh baked chocolate chip cookies, I’ve since rediscovered healthy snacks from childhood like, celery sticks with peanut butter, and apple slices with cheddar cheese or cucumbers and hummus – I crave these things now. In addition, I (unofficially) practice intermittent fasting, this is something that my metabolism has simply adapted overtime. Everybody is different, so someone interested in intermittent fasting should gather more information or speak with their healthcare provider if intermittent fasting is something they might be considering.
As far as Nooming through the pandemic, like most of us, it has been challenging to keep physically active. Normally living in NYC, we’re constantly on the go, but with those daily movements and volleyball being postponed, I’ve been making an effort to take nightly walks or runs – especially now that it’s summer. Though challenges will always present themselves, you have to keep moving.
Q: How much does Noom cost? 
Noom offers a two-week introductory period, then costs $150 for a six-month subscription—you must enter your credit card up front to access the intro period. While that works out to $25 per month, you’ll have to pay that $150 up front.

We’re talking about ‘Diabetes & Pride’ on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with musical inspiration from Ricky Martin

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Our Fifth Day of Blue Christmas Gift Ideas from Susan D’Addario

On the fifth day of Blue Christmas my true friend and athlete, Susan D’Addario sent to me a Paderno Spiralizer to inspire me to do more home cooking.

Divabetic is celebrating a Blue Christmas to bring attention to the mental health issues related to living with diabetes.

You probably know better than we do how diabetes affects your holiday experience. You might feel the weight of diabetes more at this time, because you can’t let go and celebrate like everyone else. Or maybe you do let go and then beat yourself up over it.

That’s why we asked our panel of experts, friends and past Diabetes Late Nite podcast guests to spread some holiday cheer by sharing their favorite products to help keep you ‘happy and healthy’ all year long.

Susan’s pick: the Paderno 6-Blade Spiralizer allows you to quickly turn a wide variety of vegetables and fruit into healthy meals. Vegetable strands, shreds, and ribbons can be eaten both raw and cooked. Take the work out of salads and slaws, add textural appeal to vegetable platters, and create new flavors with ease.

“You can make noodles out of many types of veggies,” says Susan D’Addario aka ‘The HealthShrink’. “ I make zucchini or noodles frequently using zucchini and/or yellow squash. Get your veggies an forget the sugar raising pasta.”

Zoodles” is a nickname for zucchini noodles, or spaghetti-like strands made from spiralized, raw zucchini and other squash. They contain no flour or wheat whatsoever and are very low in both calories and carbs.

“You can eat approximately five cups or more of zoodles for the same number of calories that you’d get from just one cup of regular wheat-based noodles!,” states Dr. Axe on his Food & Medicine website.

“Zoodles’ provide a good dose of nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, B vitamins, potassium and a modest amount of fiber in every cup.

Did we mention zoodles are gluten-free?

 

 

While it’s possible to find pre-made zoodles in some grocery stores, most people prefer to make them fresh at home, especially considering they can take just a few quick minutes to prepare. 

My friend, Susan D’Addario, LCSW is the Founder of The HealthShrink program, and an avid health seeker and healer in both the mental/emotional and the physical health realms. Whether referred to as a diet coach, nutrition coach, or Eating Psychology Coach, she’s fascinated with people, emotions, health, and our relationship with eating, food, and our body.  As a nutrition coach, Susan looks forward to supporting you with counseling strategies and nutrition principles that are nourishing, doable and sustainable and yield long-lasting weight loss results.

Susan’s HealthShrink program emphasizes the inner root causes of weight issues, as an antidote to the superficial Band-Aids of fad dieting.

I have happily partnered with Susan D’Addario to present Health & Wellness programming for the members of the Gotham Volleyball League in New York. Together we have produced a series of popular Facebook Live videos focusing on healthy food and drink alternatives for people who enjoy sports. Susan has also presented several Health & Wellness programs for members interested in achieving optimum health. Susan’s a very thoughtful, intelligent woman with a passion for helping others. On and off-court, I’m happy to have Susan be a part of my team.

Wondering why physical activity is so important for managing diabetes?

Regular activity is a key part of managing diabetes along with proper meal planning, taking medications as prescribed, and stress management according to the American Diabetes Association. 

When you are active, your cells become more sensitive to insulin so it can work more efficiently. Your cells also remove glucose from the blood using a mechanism totally separate from insulin during exercise.

So, exercising consistently can lower blood glucose and improve your A1C. When you lower your A1C, you may be able to take fewer diabetes pills or less insulin.

Physical activity is also important for your overall well being, and can help with many other health conditions. READ MORE

Get Inspired to Move! 

Meet other women who swim, bike, and run for hours — with diabetes

WILD stands for Women Inspiring Life With Diabetes, and the organization demonstrates that having diabetes can be an inspiration rather than an obstacle to achieving one’s athletic and fitness goals.  Through the Red Riders and Team WILD, Mari Ruddy, a recreational triathlete with type 1 diabetes and a stage IIa breast cancer survivor, has found a way to contribute to the health and wellness of all people who live with the incredible challenge of diabetes, whether type 1 or type 2.

 

 

 

 

On December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast we’re celebrating a Blue Christmas. I chose this theme in December because ‘Blue’ is the color that I most closely associate with diabetes and I feel that the mental health issues related to diabetes are often overlooked and ignored. Some listeners may feel that talking about depression is depressing  which is understandable. However, I feel it is far more important to reach out to those coping with diabetes distress and burnout  and let them know they are not alone.  Please join us! 

TUNE IN! Don’t miss December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast featuring music by Elvis Presley on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, 6 PM, EST. We will be discussing ways to not let diabetes make you feel ‘blue’ during the holiday season with our panel of experts. Guests include ‘Walking With Peety’ Author Eric O’Grey, Chilbrook Kennels Breeder Author, Diabetes Alert Dog and Scent Detection Expert, Debby Kay, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Susan Weiner MS, RDN, CDE, CDN, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach featuring Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE and America’s #1 Energy Conductor, High Voltage. Throughout the podcast we will be featuring songs from the new “Christmas with Elvis and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” album courtesy of SONY Music. The album brings together Elvis Presley’s best-loved yuletide performances from “Elvis’ Christmas Album” (1957) and “Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas” (1971) re-imagined with sublime and exquisite new arrangements performed by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

NEED MORE INSPIRATION? Our panel of experts, Divabetic community members and past Diabetes Late Nite guests will be sharing more Blue Christmas Gift suggestions on this blog for the next twelve days to help you enjoy the festive spirit of the season without compromising your diabetes health!

Are you feeling ‘blue’ this holiday season?

You’re not alone.

While it’s true that sadness and/or depression at holiday time can be a reaction to the stresses and demands of the season, people with diabetes are more likely to be depressed than others states David Spero BSN, RN for Diabetes Self-Management.

Diabetes can cause complications and health problems that may worsen symptoms of depression. Depression can lead to poor lifestyle decisions, such as unhealthy eating, less exercise, smoking and weight gain — all of which are risk factors for diabetes.

The good news is that diabetes and depression can be treated together. And effectively managing one can have a positive effect on the other.

If you think you might be depressed, seek help right away. Your doctor or diabetes educator can refer you to a mental health professional.

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