The lifestyle of a Divabetic has its ups and downs, and the holidays were challenging this year for me. I love the visits and the dinners and the celebratoryu occasion of it all. I really try and keep that at the forefront of my mind. Enjoy the company not the calories. Didn’t work so well this year. My Italian inlaws visited for almost two months from November thru January, and although I get to practice my Italian everyday, because they don’t speak much English, I also get to practice my willpower because the food tends to be very high in carbs and sugar – think pasta and canolli and gelati!!!….I tried to stick to the insalata with a little oil and vinegar, but I found it extremely difficult. I didn’t feel guilty, just helpless in a way. Like I was slipping and and fully aware of it. I know that one of my secrets to maintaining my insulin resistant eating and exercising program is to just not have goodies and temptations around. I found myself getting angry and sullen, and had to really work on recharging my dedication, discipline and especially my directness when it came to explaining myself. Everyone thinks that the holidays are an excuse for over indulgence, but it became more challenging because I started to feel resentful and misunderstood. On the other hand, my inlaws are wonderful people, helpful and handworking. My father-in-law is an engineer and a handyman. His ability to fix, mount and restore anything is mind boggling. He loves to take on a project and is young enough and still strong enough to complete even the most cumbersome shelf hanging task. He even managed to reglaze my tub and sink! Everytime my resentment would well up, I’d take a look at that gleaming sink and thankfulness and gratitude would replace those feelings almost instantaneously. And, my husband absolutely LOVES having them around. I must admit, the warm cappuccino served to us on trays in the morning as part of our wake up regimen was absolutely, decadently delightful. See my dilemma??
I usually am asked to attend two model scouting conventions over the post Christmas and New Years weeks. One is in Miami, the other in Orlando. Because I am either judging, teaching or networking, I never have time to fully take advantage of the beautiful facilities. I try and make it to the gym in the morning or during a break in the afternoon, but sitting by the pool and languidly sunning myself midafternoon was out of the question. As my Christmas present to my husband and inlaws, I buy them plane tickets and they come along to partake of all the amenities. In Miami we stay at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa where the Villa rooms are magnificent and in Orlando, they put me up at the Gaylord Hotel. So, while I was working they were enjoying the weather and the wonderful accommodations. It’s a wonderful treat for them and they get a chance to see what I do in my career.
My birthday is on January 11th and this year it was minus four degrees, and I did not feel like having a birthday party. Last year it was 65 degrees on my birthday and I had a wonderful dinner at Quantum Leap, a gourmet vegetarian restaurant in the East Village. This year I decided to take the few hundred dollars instead and have a facial. What a great way to celebrate a birthday, anti aging pampering treatments!! One of the salons which we use for our Divabetic event in NYC is Bangz located in Montclair, New Jersey. The owner, Israel Cronk, is such a fabulous, generous and passionate guy. I decided that I was going to get this treatment anyway, so why not do a little “payback” and give the business to his wonderful salon. It was a delightful afternoon. Israel was there and he took me to lunch and then we went over to the new facility which he is renovating and opening in February. He showed me the whole renovation which is actually an old Masonic Temple which they are turning into a premiere salon and spa. What a treat!!! And my skin looked divine and still does. I had microdermabrasion, which I am going to keep up throughout the course of the year because the procedure made a huge process in the texture of my skin.
So, it is already the end of January and I am gearing up for ’09. The Inauguration was exciting, a brief glimmer of hope and improvement in the economy which started to take a nose dive for me mid December. I managed to book two morning shows and rekindle some client interest. My new co authored book, IMAGe POWER, is officially signed, sealed and delivered, and I am planning an official book launch hosted by Max Szadek of Divabetic on February 11th at the 40/40 Club at 6 West 25th Street from 6;30-9:30 PM. It promises to be another of our educational, entertainng and empowering evenings. Max and I are doing Heart Healthy Habits for diabetes care, with the focus being on the heart for Valentine’s Day…it’s a natural. We have alot of fun things planned. It looks like these kind of industry parties are going to be something I need to do on a regular basis, everyone is excited to have some events to attend that are positive and uplifting.
In the meantime, I am back to my vegetables, low carb entrees and my spin classes on a regular basis. I also joined a Symphony orchestra and chorus. One of my resolutions was to find some more creative outlets and especially find a creative musical endeavor. My friend, Cindy Ohanian, invited me to a Christmas concert and I loved it so much, I joined the group that night. It’s been a great mental exercise to read music, sing and play my violin once more. My overall mood has improved and I feel as though I am back on track and in the saddle once more. My inlaws left, we miss them, but it’s nice to have my apartment, my life and my routine back in control.
What were some of your holiday challenges that you may or may not have worked through by now. Somehow when I hear other peoples’ dilemmas, I don’t feel so alone in this 24/7 routine. I am glad I have my Diva’tude to get me through it all. Now if I can just do something about this haircut I don’t like!!
