Self-acceptance and self-esteem are closely related…and arises as you learn that you are perfect with all your  accomplishments, victories, and … vices.  Self-acceptance is as essential to one’s well-being as water is to a blooming flower.   Have you ever re-framed your “inadequacies”  and lack of self-acceptance into a humor and candor….where laughter has a place in healing and well-being?

Move over Candace Bushnell… and meet Amy Cohen, a New York Times Best-selling author of “The Late Bloomer Revolution”.   Amy says it well here, “I like to think of myself as a late bloomer, one who will, however, late come into bloom.   Although when, and if, I bloom remain a mystery.   I wish I knew how to speak a foreign language fluently.  I wish I knew how to cook a simple roast chicken, or that I had read the Idiot whose main character sounds like someone I can relate to.

By 35, Amy learned to ride the bike of her life.    Click here to take the Late Bloomer’s Quiz and join “The Late Bloomer’s Revolution”.    And, try your guess on our last question of the Late Bloomer’s Quiz here to talk with us.

Speaking of living life on our terms…learn what’s going on “inside the beltway” and take control of your healthcare with our radio show’s Washington, DC correspondant, Robin Strongin.   A true woman’s advocate with the connections to make it happen, she reveals the knowledge that will empower us women to become our own best health and wellness advocates.

Robin is the founder of Disruptive Women in Healthcare, a thriving blogging community of high powered women who are driving innovation in healthcare with thought-provoking ideas and commentary on the nation’s challenges.   This week,  she’s disrupting the status quo with a grasp on why you can’t take clinical trial information at face value…what you need to ask your doctor to stay in control of your health and well-being.

Join Kelley, Cassie, Robin and Amy on Real Women on Health! live talk radio this Wednesday, May 5th at 8 pm – 9 pm EST on your computer at www.wstcwnlk.com streaming live or, if you live near Fairfield County, Connecticut  listen “on the AM dial” at 1350/1400.

Our show is sponsored by Zestra, essential arousal oils, a patented blend of botannicals that is clinically proven to improve desire, arousal and satisfaction for 70% of women.  Check this out and use promo code ZPASS5 at check out!

Are you hooked on diet sodas, thinking you can shed a few extra pounds by avoiding sugar? I’m sure your relationship can be quite addictive and I’d love to share this with you ….just saying:))

Here’s what Marcelle Pick, NP, Co-Founder of the Women-to-Women Clinic in Yarmouth, Maine has to say about diet sodas and how they affect women. “Companies have spent billions of dollars convincing all of us that diet soda is the healthier, lighter choice — that all we have to lose is the calories, ergo the weight. And since so many of us are struggling with weight gain, who can blame us if diet soda seems like a dream come true?

And while I admit that diet soda may have its uses in the short term — particularly if you are dealing with a sugar addiction — I encourage you to resist it as your default beverage, especially if you are trying to lose weight. Different studies have been flying around on this subject, but a majority show that diet soda may actually set you up to gain even more weight.”

Now a consumer advocacy group is questioning whether Coca-Cola should be allowed to sponsor a national heart health campaign. Granted Coca-Cola has 3.38 grams of sugar per ounce and Diet Coke has zero, but much controversy and scientific evidence swirls around the health risks of Diet Coke.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest has issued a letter to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute asking the agency to end its partnership with Coca-Cola in a program that raises awareness of heart disease among women. Diet Coke is the most prominent sponsor of the Heart Truth campaign, which includes heart graphics on Diet Coke cans and appearances by the model Heidi Klum as the “Diet Coke heart health ambassador.”

In a statement, the center’s executive director, Michael Jacobson, compared Coke’s corporate sponsorship with allowing a cigarette maker to fund a government anti-smoking campaign. The fact that the campaign is sponsored by Diet Coke, rather than a sugar-laden soda brand, is irrelevant, he said.

“Coca-Cola promotes heart disease by marketing drinks that contribute to obesity,” Mr. Jacobson wrote. “Coke has long sought to affiliate with or co-opt health groups and associate its brand with athletes and models. I fervently hope that N.H.L.B.I. officials understand that letting Coke bask in their agency’s good reputation does American hearts far more harm than good.”

Coca-Cola defended its participation in the Heart Truth program, saying in a statement:

We’ve used our communications and marketing expertise to reach millions of people with this important heart health message. We’ve made free heart health screenings available to thousands of people across the country. As a result of The Heart Truth campaign, awareness that heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death among women has risen to nearly 70 percent compared to 34 percent in 2000 when the campaign was first introduced. And since Diet Coke has been involved, awareness of The Heart Truth and our support of it has nearly doubled. We are extraordinarily proud of the work we’ve done in partnership with N.H.L.B.I. and Heidi Klum to have a positive impact on the lives of our consumers.

Since other food marketer, like the snack food company Snyder’s of Hanover and the Sara Lee Corporation, are co-sponsors of the campaign, we know corporate money is an essential partner in public health…but how do you balance it out with the fact that processed food is cheaper than whole food?

And, this is where the problem lies. Inside processed foods lie a cornucopia of ingredients best left outside the human body.

It’s not all in your head, it’s not a sign of age, nor is it even a lack of interest: About seventy million American men and women have problems in the bedroom. Join health psychologists Dr. Robert Fried and Dr. Lynn Nezin to learn about the eating plan for sexual vitality.

Sexual function requires an adequate arterial blood supply to the endothelium, or inner cell lining of arterial vessels. The endothelium produces the gas nitric oxide, or NO, that relaxes the blood vessels and increases blood flow not only in the heart but, importantly, in the sex organs.

Damaged endothelial tissue impairs blood flow during sexual arousal, and SAD (the Standard American Diet) is particularly damaging to the endothelium. Impaired blood flow is associated with sexual dysfunction in both men and women.

Tune in to hear more about cardiosexual nutrition as we discuss “Great Food, Great Sex: The Three Food Factors for Sexual Fitness.’’ Our plan focuses on three Food Factors that help supply the body with the ability to synthesize NO, as well as provide important sources of antioxidant-rich foods to help lower LDL, or “bad” cholesterol that can cause plaque to build up in vessel walls. Learn how to plan delicious, healthy meals that can take you from the kitchen to the bedroom.

Join Kelley and Cassie with Drs. Lynn Nezin and Bob Fried, this Wednesday, February 10th @8:30 pm EST. And, sign up to join our community on our home page, and get the top recipe that Lynn and Bob recommend you try out for this Valentine’s Day!

Robert Fried, Ph.D., is a New York State licensed clinical psychologist, professor of biopsychology and neuroscience at Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY), and Doctoral Faculty in Biopsychology and Neuroscience, CUNY. As the former director of the Stress and Biofeedback Clinic at the Albert Ellis Institute for Rational and Emotive Behavioral Therapy, NYC, Dr. Fried taught the stress-reduction techniques he developed to his private and corporate clients. In addition to University teaching duties and his clinical practice, Dr. Fried, as consultant to the “nutraceuticals” industry, has developed a number of widely sold sexual vitality-enhancing dietary health products.

He is the author of a number of book including his most recent, “Human Sexuality” (Whittier, 2010), and “Great Food, Great Sex” with Dr. Nezin (Random House, 2006), “The Arginine Solution” (Warner Books, 1999), and his popular stress-reduction book, “Breathe Well, Be Well” (John Wiley, 1999). In addition, he has authored several textbooks and more than fifty scientific journal articles.

Lynn Nezin, PhD, holds a doctorate in clinical health psychology. She is a senior strategic planner at Medicus Life Brands in New York City. She is the former assistant to the president of the American Health Foundation. Dr. Nezin’s research includes body image in older women, nutrition in diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and physician-patient interactions. She is a former marathon racewalker and certified personal trainer.

“Reinvention…Restoration…Relaxation..or Get Real!

Upcoming on-line radio show this Wednesday, February 3rd at 8:30 pm EST

The women-to-women on-line radio show will be dynamic conversation to help women de-code the meaning of Reinvention for their own personal and professional lives. The outcome of the show will be greater insights into how women can access and embrace their true self in attaining personal wellbeing.

We realize that women have many different ways of thinking about Reinvention…and we’re going to explore them all!

Join us live and online for our next RealWomen on Health! online health salon and radio show with Suzanne Douglas Harris, MBA, Personal and Professional Life Coach and Susan James, Co-Founder, Self-Discovery Group, LLC in a dynamic conversation with Kelley Connors, MPH, Women’s Wellness Coach and Cassie Holm, Women’s Advocate and Communications Strategist.

Suzanne brings a distinctive blend of expertise, solid experience and personal empathy, especially around career and life changes.  Susan brings a mastery of cutting edge techniques that put her at the forefront in the field of human consciousness evolution and “true self” facilitator of leaders around the world.   They’ll be the catalyst for you to explore “reinvention” in your own life.

Just dial in on Wednesday, February 3rd at 8:30 pm EST to www.blogtalkradio.com/realwomenonhealth. If you have not registered yet, please do so and you’ll receive a link that will allow you to listen through your computer. If you would rather use a phone to listen, just dial (646) 929-2625 and you’ll be connected to our conversation. You can choose to listen or talk!

Welcome to our on-line radio show and women’s health and wellness community where we give women the platform to share their voice, experience and professional expertise with women “like us”.

Our host and founder, Kelley Connors, is a women’s wellness coach and women’s health advocate who brings real women together with experts on health to create new conversations that are educational, inspirational and fun.   Cassie, the show’s co-host,  is a communications strategist who’s worked on the front lines of women’s health, diabetes, sexual health, breast cancer and more.  She adds commentary from the latest published women’s health research to help fuel the conversation, supporting women’s desires for credible information.

Together, they aim to transform the women’s health conversation to one that inspires not just “talk” but “action”.   We’re all about women becoming more proactive – no matter their health challenges.

OUR TOPICS: Our topics range from prevention to treatment, wellness to reinvention and re-vitalization.  There’s no topic that’s taboo and no topic we won’t consider important from a women’s perspective.  We’re here to bridge the gap between your life and your health and to encourage and support women in being their own best health and wellness advocates.  While the topics are health-oriented, Kelley, Cassie and their real women guests bring charisma, personality and pizzaz to create a fun, light atmosphere so women feel comfortable to share their stories.

HOW WE DO IT: Real Women on Health! is in tune with who the experts and advocates in areas of women’s health that women tell us are important to them, like sexuality and intimacy, cancer survivorship, environmental health, skin care, chronic pain, multiple sclerosis and other chronic conditions that affect women in ways that are not easy to discuss in a healthcare setting.

HOW WE’RE DIFFERENT: Most important to women is privacy.  We know where women prefer to remain anonymous in describing their issues and we respect their privacy.  That’s why we use both the telephone and the computer to create our live conversations – and women can, indeed remain completely “nameless” on our calls.  Also, we have content partnerships with the nation’s leading health organization, HealthyWomen, which grants us access to leading healthcare professionals and researchers who are on the front lines of women’s health issues – both treating women as patients and leading research trials that impact women’s health and healthcare.

So, we bring in healthcare experts that are world re-known and locally re-known to add credibility to our “candid conversations” among women.

Finally, we wrap up our conversations with a re-cap of action steps and post a call to action with resources on our blog.  So, if you miss a show, you can find out more on our blog on a page called Well-Care Tips.

Interested in joining us?

Here’s how you can participate in the community:

1.  Find out about our on-line radio shows first!   SIMPLY LISTEN RIGHT NOW THROUGH YOUR COMPUTER!

2.  Share Your Story: e-mail me kelley@kc-health.com and tell me about yourself and your health and wellness experience. Let’s discuss how you want to share your story with other women.

3. Receive Our Updates on Events and Stories:  email me at kelley@kc-health.com to receive our monthly Real Women on Health! updates, radio shows and events.

4.  Be an Expert or Advocate:  email me if you’re a women’s health advocacy group leader who would like to express your point of view on our show.   Or if you’re a researcher or healthcare professional,  you’re invited to share your expertise with others to spark dialogue and inspire action!

I recently spoke with Hillary and learned about her struggles, her triumphs and now, her determination to help others heal through personal transformation and self-empowerment.  Here is a sneak preview of her story that she will share with us live in our on-line radio show on October 8th at 7:30 pm EST.

The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis initially left Hillary feeling angry, as if she’d been “given a sentence.” But she had two choices—either to be proactive or let her illness control her life. She embraced the former.

With medical advancements in treatment and funding supporting access for more women, today, there are over 2.1 million U.S. women who are living with breast cancer as survivors. Yet, despite many advances, cancer still has a profound impact on a woman’s physical, cognitive and sexual function. Sexual dysfunction has been said to impact 21% – 39% of breast cancer survivors and may be higher for those on hormone treatments, and even higher for women diagnosed with gynecological cancers.

Combinations of the cancer treatments are dependent upon multiple factors like the tumor size and type of cancer but all cancer treatments have side effects and the possibility of impacting the sexual esteem and function of a woman. The impact of cancer and its treatments on a
woman’s sexuality are significant. Side effects like pain and fatigue often impact a woman’s sexual function, sexual identify and feelings of attractiveness.

Estrogen antagonist treatments (i.e. Tamoxifen) for women who are estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor positive complicate sexual function and a woman’s sexual esteem due to the medically induced menopause. Many of these physical side effects impact a woman’s sexuality both covertly and overtly, as seen in the expression of the sexual self. Lowered immunities, lack of energy, appetite changes, bone and muscle ache and changes in physical appearance can lead to changes in intimate relationships.

Women report feelings of guilt for not being able to maintain their many roles as mother, wife,
partner and employee. Partners are often timid about initiating sexual contact out of fear of hurting her or being perceived as selfish.

If you’re a breast cancer survivor, you’ll want to listen to our blogtalkradio show this Saturday, May 9th at 9:30 am EST.

This is a 30-minute radio show with on-line chatting feature that is on the internet and available by first registering on the blogtalkradio home page. You will be emailed a username and password. From there follow the instructions which will take you to the show page. You can either listen through your computer (audio) or you can just simply dial in to the phone number. The phone number is (646) 929-6265. The show will be available as a downloadable podcast immediately afterwards.

Please join us!

Nurse practitioners can often provide the same health care services as doctors. Because NPs are focused on prevention and education, they can provide insight to help you become an advocate of your own health and wellness.

The National Association for Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health is a great place to start. Recognizing women as the primary health care decision makers, NPWH is a credible source of information for any woman regarding her physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

Join Susan Wysocki, RN, NP, FAANP, and CEO of the National Association for Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health on the April 11th RealWomen on Health! internet radio show and ask your questions so we can support you in becoming your own best health and wellness advocate.

It sounds too good to be true but it really is possible!. Think power center…it’s all related to your pelvis. According to Missy Lavender, founder of the Women’s Health Foundation, the pelvis is “the very core of your body.” The intricate system of muscles, tissues and nerves keeps your pelvic organs in place, bears the weight of childbirth and includes the primary muscles engaged during sex. With that kind of workload, your pelvis needs to be strong and healthy. Heard of kegels? That’s just the tip of the pyramid.

Women’s Health Foundation focuses on bladder issues that keep women from enjoying life. Have you ever scheduled your day around toilet location? Incontinence can affect your self-esteem and, as a result, your sex life and your self-esteem (after all, they’re connected!).

Thankfully, incontinence can be prevented in approximately 80% of people who suffer. Let Missy Lavender introduce you to your levator ani muscles to get fit, get sexy and stay in control! No matter what your age, if you have bladder control problems, the Women’s Health Foundation can help.