It has finally arrived! The big three-day holiday weekend that "kicks off summer"... woo-hoo! Yes, I'm looking forward to it, can you tell? The majority of us are, I'm sure, especially because you know that you don't have to worry about going back to work until Tuesday! Ahhh yes, three full days of "lotsa" fun, sun, relaxation, friends, family, and a whole bunch of eating! Let's just hope we don't gain "lotsa" weight!

Well, one more day of work and then it's the holiday weekend... three days of relaxation, family gatherings, and summer fun! I'm sure you're looking forward to it just as much as I am; yes, Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial beginning of summer! Don't you just love it? I sure do; and, speaking of "loving it" ~ I want to tell you about something else I love: Western Michigan University's commitment to better health and wellness!

As you may know, I walk my dogs each and every day – not only because they love it, but also because I love them! I have seen too many dogs pass away early because of issues related to their size... yes, because they were overweight. Oh, don't think for a minute that it doesn't affect them also, it does! In fact, last week I happened to witness something at the vet's office that I will never forget: seeing the emotional distress on the face of the owner of an obese dog after being told that "it was time..."

Today I want you to listen to me, because I care about YOU: "It's time to really start focusing on becoming healthier – time to take care of that body that has basically been "begging" for help! No ifs, ands, or buts – do you understand? It's not hard, really it's not... and you honestly know that you've been putting it off for too long, haven't you? Yes, your "later" has arrived!

Good morning and welcome back to my favorite place on the "net!" Today I want to get right into something that really bothers me: why do people purchase items at the grocery store that they know are unhealthy and do NOT want to eat? Okay, that is a dumb question I guess, especially since I obviously know the answer to it: "because it tastes good!" It will take some effort, but I know you can do it: I'm giving you a new CHALLENGE – stop purchasing these items! If they aren't in your home, you can't eat them!

I want it now! I've heard this more times than I can remember; yes, a familiar statement made by many and one I made myself, for twenty-five years, when it came to wanting to be thin! I didn't want to wait to lose weight! I didn't want to give it time or commit to months of dieting! I wanted to be thin IMMEDIATELY my only thought was: I want it now!

Hello, its nice to see you back here on WalkyTalk today! It looks as though the weather is going to cooperate for us again; in fact, I think its about time to take out the summer shorts! I think I'm going to be brave and put away all the winter clothing this afternoon. I'm assuming that I won't be needing the coats and sweatshirts any longer but then, I DO live in Michigan I may have to find them next week if the temperatures drop to "near freezing again!

~ continued from Tuesdays post:

So many things that my aunt wished she would have done... that is what I think about when I look at this old photo today, just as I look at the smile on my aunt's face and I know that is was forced, it was "supposed" to be there for that photo.

Every once in a while I'll find myself flipping through old photographs from my past, something that I'm sure that you, yourself, do on occasion also. Have you ever noticed that as the years pass by, we look at the photos a little differently than we did when we were younger? I find myself focusing on the facial expressions of the individuals now, much more than I ever did before. I also take more time to think back to when the photos were taken and remember the conversations that took place during that particular day... and I will say that often these memories bring a few tears.

Happy Monday and welcome back! I hope each and every one of you enjoyed a fantastic weekend full of outdoor activities, which included a "walk or two"! You KNOW I was out there walking, with a dog leash in each hand and my daughter alongside me; it's a part of my day that I always look forward to and they do also!

"I really want to get in shape for summer!" That's a comment I overheard yesterday while shopping in the swimsuit section of my favorite store, and it took everything in me NOT to make a suggestion to the woman who said it. When I hear someone make a comment about wanting to lose weight or get into better shape, it's only natural for me to want to help them.

I hope all of you had the chance to watch NBC's "The Biggest Loser" this past Tuesday night. It was an episode that happened to bring back several memories for me; a few of them were not the best, but the majority of the memories were the kind that made me smile and cry at the same time. My first thought: "I wish EVERYONE could enjoy feelings like this!"

"I live a healthy lifestyle." It's funny, but when I look at that sentence I can't help but remember how I used to feel about a simple statement like that, often thinking to myself: "Whatever...." Sounds rude, yes, but honestly that is how I felt whenever I heard someone make a statement such as that, or if I happened to read those words in print. "Whatever... who cares. Seriously, get real."

Now that we are approaching the middle of May, I'm hoping that the weather will be warming up... and soon! But do you know what goes "right along" with the warmer weather and sunshine that we'll be enjoying the next few months? The summer parties, gatherings, and festivities will start up! Yes, before long, the graduation parties will begin, often resulting in more than one party per weekend.

Welcome back to WalkyTalk and a brand new Monday! I can't believe the weekend is over already, but at least I can say it was a very enjoyable one! Actually, the past three days – which began Friday afternoon in Grand Rapids at the 2010 Sports and Fitness Expo and concluded with a fun-filled Mother's Day on Sunday – were pretty wonderful. Yes, it was another weekend of "talking and walking" and I loved it!

As we know, this coming Sunday is when we take some time to really appreciate the "moms" in our lives. The special "mom" in your life could be your wife, your mother, your stepmother, your mother-in-law, your grandmother, or even your daughter who may have just become a mother herself. Mother's Day is the perfect time to truly realize how much you appreciate all Mom does for her family every day of the year, along with remembering all the years she has been there for her children, no matter what.

I want to dedicate today's blog post to an amazing person who touched the hearts of millions for decades: Ernie Harwell. Sadly, Ernie, at age 92, passed away Tuesday night after a nearly yearlong bout with cancer. I can truly say that it was an honor and a pleasure to "walk & talk" alongside Ernie Harwell, a Baseball Hall of Fame honoree and longtime broadcaster for the Detroit Tigers, as well as a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan health & fitness advocate since 2003, who was committed to fitness, exercise, and healthy living.

Happy Wednesday to you! It looks as though the weather may be cooling back down for a few days, but it sure was a nice one yesterday, wasn't it? I've been trying to incorporate a more-challenging walking routine these last few days, which has led me to our local beach and the dunes that surround it. With the temperature near 70 degrees, it surely makes these "soft-sandy walks" a little more enjoyable, but it has little effect on my leg muscles, as I've found that those that have been "sleeping" for awhile have just been awakened – wow!

What choice will you be making today at lunchtime? No, I'm not referring to what you will be eating, even though I truly do hope that your choice is a HEALTHY one! I'm actually wondering if you will be making the "walk at lunch" choice... and continuing to focus on incorporating daily, brisk walking into your workday! A "walk at lunch" choice is totally "do-able"... and beneficial, just ask my good friend Jon Stanton!

Good morning and Happy Monday to all of you! I hope everyone enjoyed a lovely weekend and that you are now ready to continue a new, daily routine that was "kicked off" last Friday while at the workplace – taking a walk at lunch! Yes, Friday was a great day for me as I celebrated "National Walk at Lunch Day" with numerous individuals in the Southfield area... it was surely a successful event, to say the least!