Dear Kathleen,

My high school reunion is coming up in three weeks. I want to look my best. I've been under a lot of stress lately. I skip breakfast and have been eating too much at night. I'm tired all the time. I work full time. My kids are driving me crazy. I know I can't lose 25 pounds but what can I do? I feel so bad about my weight I don't even want to go.

Malaysia


Dear Malaysia,

Beauty is on the inside and I'm guessing you're a rock solid 10. You can look your absolute best by feeling your absolute best. The quickest way to dissolve any huge problem is to face it and chase it down. Repeat after me, action weakens weakness. In my humble opinion, a lot of your stress may be that you're nervous about seeing your high school chums. This is normal. To feel your best and look your best, focus your energy on raising your confidence level.

To make the three weeks really count and to get yourself back into princess warrior mode—the place where you feel your sexiest, happiest, most productive, most creative and most powerful, follow this super fun, super empowering and super easy plan:

1. Line up babysitters ASAP. Take the help. You deserve it. You will be a calmer, happier, more sane mama if you follow this game plan. The results will carry you well beyond the big reunion night.
   
   
2. Work out your body, heal your soul. Consider signing up for a few sessions with a trainer. The payoff will be instant. After one workout, your body will respond. You'll stand taller, you'll carry yourself more confidentially, you'll feel more in control, you'll see the possibilities for a fitter you. The trainer can be for weight training, pilates, yoga or any exercise you have an interest in or better, a passion for. Alternatively—sign up for 3 week gym, yoga or pilates class. Find a class on your way to or from work and sign up. You're committing to three weeks of hard work. Not a lifetime. Keep your eye on the high-school reunion prize. You can do anything for three weeks.
   
   
3. Work in more veggies and salad meals. Before you think, 'who has time?'—get out your pocket book. You have a 3 week goal—spend some cash on yourself right now. Stop at that totally expensive gourmet-to-go near you and stock up on the days it will mean going without because your schedule is too full to "cook veggies from scratch." This is a must, must, must! You will feel lighter because you'll drop some water. And you just might lose a pound or two by switching out some of the higher calorie foods you've been eating for some lower calorie, very filling, and totally good for you, veggies and salads.
   
   
4. Breakfast eaters lose more weight and maintain the weight they lose more than breakfast skippers. Period. End of story. Eat breakfast. My favorite breakfast is oatmeal made with old fashioned oats and water in the microwave topped with fruit. I stay away from mini packages of oatmeal because one is not enough and they contain too much salt and sugar. My second favorite breakfast is Kashi cereal topped with yogurt and fruit instead of milk. These two breakfasts are guaranteed to fill you up and fuel your body with good clean energy. A sugary start to your day will spike insulin levels and leave your body in an exhausted sugar high wake craving more sugar. A cycle you don't need to deal with.
   
   
5. Need a boost? Eat! Keep your metabolism stoked by eating 5-6 meals a day. Be sure each meal includes at least one good carb and a serving of lean protein. You will feel more energized, you will think clearer, you will feel more in control and your late night hunger will disappear into the sunset. Tip: Dinner leftovers make great snacks.
   
   
6. Clothes Don't Make the Woman. But they can make a woman feel pretty darn confident. Sift through your wardrobe and figure out what you have that will work. If there's nothing that makes you feel date-night gorgeous, splurge! Don't buy something that's too tight, too short or the wrong color just because it's on sale. Don't settle. Don't buy something you can't afford, it will only add to your stress. And don't leave this decision to the last minute. Carve out the time to shop and have fun!
   
   
7. Diva Day Must Do's. All good work must be rewarded. To keep yourself motivated throughout the next three weeks, make an appointment to have your hair, nails and makeup done for the big day. If money is tight, skimp on a cheap mani, pedi or get a friend to help. Make friends with someone at a cosmetic counter and explain to them that you're on a budget but need some beauty tips.

Finally, have fun, Malaysia! You deserve to feel beautiful every single day of your life. No one can take this right away from you and no one can give it to you but you. You have the power. You have the means. And you have the ability, Malaysia, to feel beautiful. Celebrate your good fortune by embracing your good fortune!

Kathleen

kd@chefkathleen.com