It’s that time again — National Women’s Health Week, a week-long health observance coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health. This year’s theme is “It’s Your Time.” This week empowers women to make their health a top priority. With that said, here are five things you can start doing to get healthier!

1. Trade in your soda for water. Water is good for your body; it detoxifies, protects your vital organs and helps with metabolism, among other things.
2. Try eating healthy foods as much as possible. This means using appropriate serving sizes and eating lots of fruits and vegetables. Additionally, try eating more throughout the day with smaller portions: breakfast, lunch, dinner and healthy snacks between meals.
3. Exercise your heart. Add in some cardiovascular activities, like walking, jogging or biking, to your weekly routine.
4. Create a routine. You know how you get up in the morning and shower, brush your teeth and prepare for work? Well, you need to incorporate your health into your routine as well. For example, if you say you’re going to work out three days per week, put it on your schedule, and stick to it.
5. Use the buddy system. Find a friend or family member who wants to get healthier too and work towards getting there together.

Need more tips? Check out 10 Easy Ways to Live a Healthy Lifestyle. What’s one thing you’ll start to do for a healthier lifestyle?

[Photo Credit]

Get on the path to living your most Fabulous life! 

Today, I’m thankful for…

1. God allowing me to see the age of 26 this week : )
2. Spending time with my family on Mother’s Day.
3. My book being available in paperback!
4. Having an awesome Twitter book launch party.
5. Launching my new e-course.

Now it’s your turn; what are you thankful for today?

- Barbara DeAngelis

Have you met Shelly King, the beautiful, always smiling and seriously well-dressed fashion model? If not, you will soon get your chance! On May 29, 2012, Shelly, along with other beautiful plus-sized ladies will be featured on TLC’s Big Brooklyn Style, a mega production from What Not to Wear’s Stacy London.

Shelly is not just another pretty face with a gorgeous smile, though. She also holds an MBA in Business Administration, participates in professional organizations and does community service work. Big Brooklyn Style is centered around Lee Lee Valise, a boutique that offers unique, fashion-forward pieces created by some of today’s most exciting plus-size designers. The show will deal with all aspects of dressing plus-sized women, from the foundation to the “top it off” accessories.

Fortunately, none of Shelly’s accomplishments have gone to her head; she is as humble and as grateful as they come. She attributes it all to her higher power, God, and knows that without him, none of it would be possible or taking place.

Be it unique footwear, soft pastels, shocking lingerie or basic “Sunday go-to meeting” church clothes, Shelly steps to the beat of a sophisticated drummer, trendsetting, remaining a positive influence and role model and certainly looking quite good doing so! Be sure to check her out on Big Brooklyn Style on TLC, May 29th at 10 PM Eastern! (Check your local listing for channel information). Also, check Shelly out on leeleevalise.com.

I have some Fabulous news, dolls! I’m excited to announce the launch of my new e-course, Create Your Fab Vision! It’s a four week, online course, beginning on June 4! The topics covered are:

1. What is Vision, and Why It Matters?
2. Creating Your Mission + Vision Statements
3. Creating Positive Affirmations + Your Vision Board
4. Creating Your Plan of Action

In addition to the content, you also get weekly assignments, a 30-minute chat session, every week, with me for extra assistance (via phone or email) plus I’ll send you an audio of 30 fabulous and effective affirmations! And by taking part in the premium course, you’ll get an added bonus!

For more info about the e-course and to get started creating the life you desire and deserve, click here.

Clinical depression is different from the blues in two main ways:

• Severity: The symptoms are so hard to deal with that they hinder daily life.
• Duration: The symptoms are present almost all the time and last for more than two weeks.

Since May is Mental Health Month, here are signs indicating that a person is dealing with depression and not normal, temporary emotions. Keep in mind that symptoms vary by individual; a depressed person likely won’t have all the symptoms at one time, and the severity may shift. Additionally, depression can be mild or major; regardless, if many symptoms are present and last longer than two weeks, you, or your loved one, may need medical assistance.

1. Constant sad, anxious or “empty” feelings. This particular symptom looks like a low mood but continues even after some time has gone by and the cause of the bad mood has been resolved or gone away. Things to look for include blank stares, a loss of interest in life, the inability to feel or show happiness or other emotions. Also, you may say you just feel “empty” or “numb.” Something else to keep in mind: Many times, if a person is depressed, he or she isn’t totally aware of this symptom. So, try asking, “When is the last time you were happy?”
2. Feeling hopeless, worthless or helpless. Similar to Winnie the Pooh character, Eeyore, a person who’s depressed can’t help but feel that everything is wrong and that it’s his or her fault (rather than the fault of the situation or illness itself). That’s a telltale sign of major depression. In mild depression, there are similar feelings, but they are less extreme. Things to look for include the individual doesn’t seem to be able to see the positive side of things or light at the end of the tunnel and feels little sense of control over decisions or events; the person speaks and acts like he or she has no options, can’t see a different way, is useless and meaningless. He or she might focus on past mistakes, mulling over them and expressing guilt and self-blame. Something else to keep in mind: Be on the lookout for comments like the following: “It’s hopeless.” “I don’t have a choice.” “I can’t do anything about it.” “No one cares.” “I’m stuck.” ” I should have/could have/if only…”
3. Common crying episodes. This crying might not seem to have a direct or noticeable trigger, and it often comes “out of nowhere.” However, it’s not normal to cry daily (although a depressed person might not realize this). Things to look for: In between episodes you see, you might notice sniffles, red eyes, cracking voice, crumpled tissues and other signs of tears. Something else to keep in mind: All depressed people do not cry; some never do. According to research, women are more likely to cry when depressed than men. And a 2001 University of San Francisco study discovered that crying isn’t related to the severity of depression and that those who cry more may have shorter depressive episodes.

For more signs of depression to be aware of, check out 11 Warning Signs of Depression.

Learn how to live your most Fabulous life with my book! 

[Photo Credit]

- Laurelle Adrian 

Job Title: Creator of Project P.U.S.H.

What is Project P.U.S.H.?
Project PUSH is an organization that is dedicated to promoting, educating and INSTIGATING Entrepreneur Success! We are in the business of supporting others on their Success journey. We support and promote others by offering FREE YouTube promo videos, an online magazine, webinars, ebooks, online networking community and speaking events.

How did you become interested in this area?
I have been a business owner since 2005 and naturally wanted to help and support others on their entrepreneurial journey. My biggest pet peeve is to see an individual with potential who refuses to utilize their talent.

Why did you create this business?
Educating, Promoting and Instigating (Stirring Up, Motivating) are things I naturally like to do. Creating a business around my passion was the next step.

What do you love most about what you do?
I love INSTIGATING Success in others. It’s fulfilling and exciting to see the light bulb go off!

What’s the most stressful aspect of your job?
It saddens me to know that people will not take advantage of the FREE resources we provide. We offer FREE YouTube videos so your business/service/product has a visual online presence…it costs nothing but a couple of minutes to submit a request form.

What’s a typical day like for you?
There is no 9-5 for me. I may start at 7 AM, stop at 10 AM, then start again at 3PM and finally stop at 11 PM. There is no typical day for an Entrepreneur. I never have the same day twice.

What advice or tips would you give someone who wants to do what you do?
Research, then research again. Ask lots of questions and gain an experienced mentor. Never try to do it alone!! The most important thing to remember comes in four letters: P.U.S.H. … Pursue Until Success Happens.

Finish this sentence: This career is for you if ______
This career is for you if you don’t mind giving more than you receive.

21-and-over and single? Recent college graduate and single? Take a deep breath, inhale, exhale and…smile!

At this almost quarter-life crisis age of 24, I find myself surrounded by friends from high school or college who are now engaged or even married and have started a family. I found myself scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed and watching the relationship hearts pop up, the profile pictures of the engagement rings or the wedding day kisses.

These constant reminders began to make me ask myself, “Why am I STILL single?” It’s a negative way of thinking that creates the question. I might even call it self-doubt or losing my confidence. This mindset views singleness as a curse or sickness that you have to find a cure for.

About a year ago, I began a blog to record my adventures of having fun by myself. Going out to eat, exploring the city, going to a MLB game, etc. Once I started meeting people and dating, I stopped writing, and I stopped taking myself out. Now, I’m trying to get back to that place where I enjoy going out on my own, where I can go out to eat alone and not feel uncomfortable.

This is my story, but what is yours? Are you the woman who always has a date? Are you the woman who is upset and tired of being alone? Are you the woman who has neglected her friends or herself for her current “boo”?

Maybe you have a few dates a week. Is it time for a dating break? Find yourself juggling dates? Do you still make time for a date with yourself? Sometimes, once you get a few dates, it gets exciting, but don’t go looking for dates. Do things you enjoy, and dates find you.

What about your friends? Remember that song? Makes me think about how once we begin dating, we can begin neglecting our friends. Don’t forget to make time to see them or just call and check on them. Do something that brings you together, like a 5K race for a charity.

The main idea here is to make sure you are not neglecting yourself or your friends. Continue to spend time with yourself and friends as you are dating. For me, I’m taking a dating break until I reach the point where I’m comfortable with going out on my own again. Here are a few tips for spending time with yourself or your friends.

1. Make a list of things you want to do but haven’t made the time to. Go outside of your comfort zone.
2. Strengthen or gain new skills, take a class at a community college or recreation center. For example, take a photography class or learn a new language.
3. Take away the sting of loneliness, and give some of that time, energy and love to people in need. Do some volunteer work.
4. Schedule a ladies night out once a month.

Lesson Learned: Don’t stop making time for yourself and/or those close to you.

Check out my old blog entries if you need some more ideas. Hopefully, I will begin to update it with new adventures. 

Learn how to create a more positive mindset so you can live your most Fabulous life!

[Photo Credit]

- Roy D. Chapin Jr.