Welcome back after a long and "hopefully" relaxing weekend. Did you enjoy your Thanksgiving? I sure did! I'm assuming that many of you joined me in a quest to find some great bargains on "Black Friday" – and can't wait to go shopping again this next upcoming weekend, right? Okay, so maybe you aren't looking forward to it that much, especially when you know that there are a few people who are extremely difficult to shop for; hey, YOU may just be one of those people! Well, if so, do I ever have some gift ideas for you!

Here we are... the start of the holiday season! It's time to "gear up" for Thanksgiving Day and the long weekend that follows – the perfect time for catching up on some much needed rest and relaxation! Are you ready for it? I sure hope so! If you're like me, you have been hustling and bustling around the house, trying to prepare for the big feast, making sure all is in place for when family members arrive. I know it will be a wonderful day for everyone, just as it is every year – and there is something else I'm aware of: I'll be exhausted the day after!

It doesn't happen often, but there are still times when I find myself in a conversation regarding weight loss and the person I'm talking with has no idea that I was ever overweight. They will explain how they have been dieting "all their lives" and just wish that there were a "perfect" solution to weight loss, which always makes me smile just a little bit... only because I can't wait to inform them of my personal weight-loss journey, in hopes of motivating them to try my idea of the "perfect" solution.

Welcome back to WalkyTalk and "thank you!" I truly appreciate that you take time out of your busy schedule to visit me here daily so that you can continue focusing on living a healthy lifestyle... a choice that only YOU can make! Believe me when I say that I'm thrilled that you are here every day, and I hope to keep you focused on a healthy style of living on a daily basis, even through this roughest time of year: the HOLIDAY SEASON!

What do you do when someone you care about doesn't seem to want to change their lifestyle or lose weight, even though they are putting themselves at risk? What if this person really wants the results of eating well and exercising regularly, but isn't willing to put forth the effort to make these things happen? How can you motivate someone to do what you know they need to do in order to live a healthy lifestyle; or is that not possible?

What is it going to take? I just shake my head in wonder as I look at the numbers... the rising obesity rates that continue to climb and climb – and CLIMB! Honestly, what IS it going to take for people to "get it" and realize that extra weight increases their risks of diabetes, heart disease, and many types of cancer (and costs Americans BILLIONS of dollars!). The more I think about it, the more I feel that Americans need to end the state of denial that they are in... and finally face some facts!

Well, I guess the official holiday season is almost upon us as Thanksgiving is only eight days away. I look forward to this time of year because I enjoy the time spent together with family members, especially my nieces and nephew who enjoy playing with all the toys that my children have outgrown. The smell of the turkey cooking in the oven, a kitchen full of people I love, listening to the children giggling in the family room, and anticipating the walk our entire family will take after we've enjoyed the feast. Yes, those "things" are all part of Thanksgiving Day, it's no wonder why I enjoy it so much!

Well, it looks as though the bright, sunny days are over for awhile now, but they sure were appreciated when they were here! I'm not complaining because I have a lot to do indoors to prepare for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and I'd rather work inside when it's cloudy and rainy instead of when its warm and sunny... I don't enjoy it when I can't utilize wonderful weather! As promised in yesterday's post, today I will add to the list of "6 Good-Health Superfoods" – information I found in an article from a popular women's magazine. I hope you're enjoying this information about these SUPER-foods... and making sure to add these items to your healthy shopping list!

Hello and good morning to you! It's a good morning for me... I'm enjoying my second cup of coffee, the dogs are resting quietly, and I just finished reading a very informative article in a popular women's magazine; the title, "6 Good-Health Superfoods." I know many of you would enjoy learning about these foods "just as much as I did" – foods that the latest research shows have super-nutrients!

Welcome to Walkytalk and another beautiful day here in the great state of Michigan! If you've lived here for many years like I have, most likely you're appreciating this gorgeous November weather also; thankful for each day that we can look outside to view green grass and enjoy temperatures in the 50s... a much better sight than what we normally see outside this time of year much, MUCH BETTER!

Good morning and welcome back to Walkytalk! I hope you had a nice Veterans Day yesterday, making sure to honor and thank American veterans for their willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good of the United States of America. It was a day of true appreciation... as I'm sure you will agree.

Today is Veterans Day – a celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of their country, and their willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good of the United States of America. First and foremost, I would like to say, "Thank you! I sincerely honor all who have served the U.S., along with the brave men and women who are prepared at any time to serve this great nation of ours."

So tell me: Have you started a new, healthier grocery list that you can follow when it's time for your next trip to the supermarket? I'm hoping that you have and, today, I want to focus on that grocery list a little bit more... specifically on the beverages.

Good morning and welcome to a brand new week! So tell me, did you think about the information in Friday's post during the weekend? I surely hope so because I want you to realize how important it is to take care of your one body – the only one you will ever have! Today I want to help you take care of it, and your family's bodies too!

What would your response be if you were informed that you were only allowed to own one vehicle, and it was the only vehicle you could ever have, or drive, for your entire life?

"Is there an easy way to increase my level of physical activity with 'little' activities throughout the day?" That is a wonderful question, one that was recently asked during my visit to Oakland University last week. If you stop and consider all the "little activities" that many of us once did by hand or foot every day, which have since been taken over by energy-saving devices, it may have something to do with the reason "why" obesity has doubled in American since 1900.

When I read the statistics on our nation's obesity epidemic, I just shake my head and wonder... I wonder if people really "are concerned," causing them to want to make the necessary lifestyle changes; or, if they feel this epidemic doesn't affect them, and simply "shrug off" this so-called problem? Unfortunately, I think the answer to that question is the one I don't want to hear...

Have you ever "put off" something that you know must be taken care of because you want to wait for someday, in other words – the perfect time to "start?" The perfect time: exactly WHEN is that?

Welcome back and happy November-Monday morning to you! I am still finding it difficult to accept the fact that it is now November, aren't you? The months sure pass by quickly, and I notice this more as I grow older... which sometimes isn't so bad!