Alicia Mitchell’s Small Steps To Big Rewards

In October 2022, Graffiti Glamor makeup artist Alicia Mitchell injured her foot. And she wasn’t able to walk without a cane Her healthcare professionals mistreated her, blaming the injury on her weight. But a follow-up conversation with her doctor ignited a fire underneath her. Alicia’s doctor said she was on the verge of having type 2 diabetes. Alicia received a similar warning a few years before and made some lifestyle changes, but juggling multiple jobs caught up with her. The long days and late hours pushed her health to the side. She admits she wasn’t paying attention to her body, routinely ate late, and lost track of herself.

Looking back, she wishes she was taught about healthy lifestyle choices when she was younger. “No one showed me proper portion sizes or spoke to me about the importance of exercising.”

Although both of her parents have type 2 diabetes, as well as several of her relatives, food was a form of love in her home. The food is comfort mentality is why Alicia feels no one held her accountable as she began gaining weight. She was so focused on work that the weight started to creep on without realizing it. She wasn’t aware of how much she was eating or how it made it feel. At the time, her weight began to escalate.

In June 2023, Alicia decided it was time to turn her health around. Although her work was active, she didn’t have a workout routine, so she began working out at a gym First, she went to the gym once or twice a week before working out with a personal fitness trainer At the same time, she began changing her eating habits Alicia became mindful of her portion sizes and how certain foods made her feel, in addition to cutting back on added sugar in her diet For someone who admits to having a sweet tooth that meant cutting down on sugar-sweetened beverages, cakes, and cookies, she works out daily and practices portion control.

Since beginning her healthy lifestyle modifications a year ago, Alicia says she has dropped five dress sizes. Her advice to others is to ‘see yourself for where you are and take care of yourself now. Could you make a change to be a better you in the future? ‘ She also urges others to take care of one thing at a time. “Take your time, and little by little, you will see a change,” Alicia added.

Join us for our Luther Vandross: Never Too Much birthday celebration featuring a Music Panel, Fashion Show, Live Performances, Style and Tea Vendors, and DJ DAN. C.E. on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at THREAD Lounge in the Renaissance Hotel in New York City.

Come dressed in your Big 80s Bling!

Luther Vandross was known for wearing rhinestones, silk tuxedos, and tailcoats on stage and Versace, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, and Tom Ford off-stage! He wasn’t afraid of bright colors, animal prints, geometric patterns, and fringe. His style and incredible showmanship brought him legions of fans worldwide.

We’re celebrating the Glitz, Glamour, and Romantic Elegance that made his concerts memorable and set him apart from other entertainers.

MUSIC PANEL: Luther’s Vocalist, Cindy Mizelle, and Luther’s Choreographer, James Ervin, discuss working on his recordings and stage shows.

MAKEOVER: Graffiti Glamour Makeup Artistry Founder Alicia Mitchell demonstrates the power of beauty to transform your health. Hosted by Max Szadek.

FASHION SHOW: Designers showcase their gorgeous creations inspired by Luther Vandross’s romantic elegance. See the latest styles from Harlem Heaven’s Hats, S Designs, Dig Ferreira Kynetik Soundz, Teresa Marie Collection, JM Designs, LPF Collection, and Modafleur, among others! Hosted by Catherine Schuller.

LIVE PERFORMANCE: Luther’s most iconic songs by vocalists Keith Anthony Fluitt and Christopher Faison.

DJ DAN.C.E. has developed his style of open-format DJing, which he refers to as RetroFitted. He developed his style of open format DJing, RetroFitted, playing the family of R&B music (Funk, Soul, Disco, House, and Hip-Hop) across eras. He also leans heavily into spinning Hip-Hop/Lo-Fi instrumentals, which he calls “Spinning the Essence.”

SHOP VENDORS: Support a dazzling array of small entrepreneurs, including True Serenity Tea (For the Love Of Luther Tea blend), Power Pieces, and Harlem Heaven’s Hats.

COCKTAILS & LITE BITES: Enjoy signature cocktails and delicious appetizers are available for purchase.

01/03/202301/04/2023

Divabetic Mysteries: Tomorrow Is Not On The Menu, Part 1

Divabetic Mysteries podcast, Tomorrow Is Not On The Menu is packed with loads of diabetes information, and self-care tips wrapped up in a cozy mystery radio drama.

Brief Synopsis: The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic, lands his to-die-for job as a caterer for the nation’s hottest health guru, Wendy Wattage’s Wellness Retreat on the Jersey Shore. Everything seems low pressure and low calorie until the body of the nasty food critic, Marilyn Macaroni, is found stabbed to death with one of Max’s new chef knives. Now he’s the prime suspect in a big, fat murder investigation!

Can he and his team of friends, diabetes educators, and his nosey Italian mother, Mama Rose Marie, find the killer before the police arrive? Or will he be trading his fruit suit for coveralls with stripes?

Weight loss murder never tasted so good.

Starring Mr. Divabetic, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Mama Rose Marie, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Maryann Horst Nicolay MEd, NTDR, Kathie Dolgin aka ‘High Voltage,’ Seveda Williams, Dave Jones, Catherine Schuller, and Lorraine Brooks. Produced by Leisa Chester Weir. Special thanks to Wendy Radford.

12/16/2022

Divabetic Holiday Podcast Inspired by Harry Connick Jr.

We’re talking about ‘Eating Right, Being Bright’ during the Holidays with musical inspiration from Harry Connick Jr. and his 16-piece big band on this podcast.

The holiday season can present problems for those living with diabetes. Add a global pandemic, and it’s even more challenging. Continuous care and support are essential to staying on track with your diabetes wellness goals throughout the holidays.

https://youtu.be/cAdDA0zjLmA

Harry Connick, Jr. is among today’s most successful and multi-talented artists and has garnered acclaim in music and acting. He won both Grammy and Emmy awards, as well as received Tony nominations. His album, Harry for the Holidays, features some of Harry’s best Christmas music, including the Bourbon Street-inspired renditions of Frosty the Snowman and Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

Podcast guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Dan Houdeshell, Pendulum Glucose Control’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Orville Kolterman, and Diabetes Meal Planning Made Easy, Author Hope Warshaw, MMSc, RD, CDCES, and Mama Rose Marie.

Diabetes Meal Planning Made Easy is the go-to resource on why, what, and how much to eat for people with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Readers find cut-to-the-chase advice in three easy-to-digest sections. Section one is: Nutrition and Health Eating Basics. Section two is: Foods by Group, in-depth detail about each food group, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, sweets and desserts, and convenience foods. Section three is: Putting Healthy Eating for Diabetes Control into Action, covering how to preplan, supermarket shop, read food and nutrition labels, eat healthier restaurant meals, and much more.

This year Harry Connick Jr. released his fourth holiday album, Make It Merry, featuring Harry’s definitive take on Christmas classics, including Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas and Jingle Bells, as well as newly-recorded versions of his originals and fan favorites like (It Must’ve Been Ol’) Santa Claus and When My Heart Finds Christmas, alongside two brand-new, original songs. Make It Merry is the first of the original songs, along with On This Christmas Morning, set to be featured on the album.

Throughout the podcast, we feature music from Harry For The Holidays album courtesy of SONY Music. Harry Connick, Jr.’s second Christmas album, Harry for The Holidays, is as much a salute to his New Orleans musical roots as it is to the season.

05/23/2021

Revisit Your ‘Why’ If You’re Lacking Motivation

Our music inspiration, Alicia Keys’ make-up free movement, served as a self-empowerment tool for singer, songwriter, and maybe it can inspire you?

Alicia says,” I don’t want to cover up anymore. Not my face, not my mind, not my soul, not my thoughts, not my dreams, not my struggles, not my emotional growth. Nothing.”

Are you tired of hiding in disappointment from your inability to lose weight or keep it off?

“Motivation tends to lose its luster as we go forward (with goals). When you take the time to get in the right mindset. When you start losing your motivation to go to the gym or you start losing motivation for what you are eating then you go back to your ‘why.’ Your ‘why is crucial to your success,” says Dr. Lori L. Shemek, Ph.D., America’s #1 Fat Loss Expert and Author of ‘How to Fight FATflammation!. “When you revisit how you felt when you initially made your goal, that’s the key. When you attach that emotion to why you made that goal, then you’ve got it.”

People give up because they don’t have the confidence to pull it off,” continues Dr. Lori. “If you stop worrying about your behavior and focus more on your self-trust research shows that you will follow through. Be consistent with self-trust.”

02/24/2021

James Corden Says He’s Fed Up With Being Unhealthy

I’m fed up with the way I look, I’m fed up with being unhealthy. This is the year I’m doing it,” admitted late-night TV host James Corden who struggled with his weight for a long time.

The Emmy Award winning actor shared his weight loss goals in an emotional video posted to the WW YouTube Page.

“I’ve realized that every year for the past decade — probably even 15 years — on January the 1st I’ve told myself and anyone that would listen that I’m going on a diet, I’m going to lose a load of weight,” the new WW spokesperson said.

He said he hasn’t had much success with diets in the past. He’s hopeful that this time will be different. He said his son, Max, 9, is a major source of inspiration.

He goes on to mention that he believes that WW has the tools to make him fulfil his resolution for this year. With James Corden’s weight loss goal, the company is also giving away a hundred of thousands of memberships.

Five weeks after starting the program, James Corden said he’s lost 16 lbs.

“And I’ve been doing some exercise, which I hate. I just can’t bare it, so I’m using the word ‘hate’. But my wife is so good at it.”

During James Corden’s YouTube interview, Oprah Winfrey said, “WW is all about making yourself more aware of what you are eating and taking responsibility for that.”

Tune in To Divabetic’s popular Diabetes Late Nite podcast featuring Mila Clarke Buckley ‘The Hangry Woman’, Sex Therapist Janis Roszler, PhD, RD, LD/N, CDCES, FAND, and Bella Krueger and music from Celine Dion’s ‘Falling Into You’ album.

Love New Recipes?

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free Virtual Cooking Party with special guest, Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND on Zoom on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, 7-8 PM, EST. Jill shares her favorite quinoa recipes with us!

Tag: losing weight