Nurture Principles

Nicole Duran, Guest Blogger

Bernardo “Bernie” Salazar, last year’s “at home” winner of TV’s “The Biggest Loser,” has been bringing his message of healthful living to Capitol Hill. Since claiming the $100,000 prize last April, he has traveled to Washington, D.C. three times to promote the importance of exercise and government funding for fitness programs.

He first came last May to help the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports launch an adult version of the well-known fitness test for school children. Standing alongside at-home workout queen Denise Austin and Rep. Zack Wamp (R-Tenn.), who founded the Congressional Fitness Caucus, Salazar couldn’t help but think of the irony.

“I was the kid who couldn’t pass the physical fitness test in school and then I got to help launch the adult program?” marveled Salazar, who lost 130 pounds, almost 50 of which came after he was voted off the show.

Last month, he was part of a group assembled by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association that included former Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker and soccer star Mia Hamm.

“I’m a Midwest guy, so for me to actually be there and be in the presence of professional athletes, what a thrill,” Salazar said. As for the group’s efforts to support more physical education in schools, the former teacher said he is fully on board. “If I can save one kid from getting hit by a dodge ball because they’re out of shape, that’s my goal,” he laughed.

Earlier this month he was back, this time in support of the American Heart Association. Among the highlights for Salazar were telling his story to a very engaged Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), meeting Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) and chatting with staffers of Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), whom the Chicago native says he admires.

“I’m not trying to be a professional lobbyist, but if I can actually take my two minutes of TV celebrity and pay it forward, I really need to,” Salazar said.

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Hey Everyone, it’s Bernie! I am in celebration mode this week. First of all, I got to watch my brother receive his Doctor of Pharmacy degree. He was “hooded” and everything. Very cool. Then I got to crush my personal best record for a half marathon at the Indy Mini. I also got to celebrate mother’s day with my lovely mom.

The celebrations continue as I am headed to the Finale Show for The Biggest Loser! It’s hard to believe another season is coming to a close – even harder to believe that I have kept my weight off for over a year! I never thought a healthier life was possible for me at my 300+ pounds weight. I never would have believed you if you said I would be involved in coaching a contestant through the marathon — Mike, you did awesome buddy!

The Gang After The Biggest Loser Marathon

It has been one crazy journey and I am so grateful for my new lifestyle and everything I learned along the way. I am still transforming on the inside because it doesn’t end and frankly, I don’t want it to.

One thing that I tell myself and people looking for inspiration is… ENJOY THE JOURNEY

We talk about this in THE NURTURE PRINCIPLES because it is so important to staying focused on the big picture. You will have a lot of mini highs and lows and the point is to not beat yourself about it, look for the positives and use that energy to set yourself back on track.

There is something to learn from all your experiences so be open to finding it.

Today, I’ll celebrate with this season’s winners and contestants, former contestants, my old trainers, and many others involved with the show. As I congratulate them I’ll be celebrating my own journey, looking forward at what is next to come in my life. Wherever you are in your quest toward wellness, I am sure you have one or two accomplishments you can celebrate. So do it. Enjoy your journey. Celebrate you!

- Bernie

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Thanks to Brandi for letting me troll as a guest blogger at Diets In Review. Read an excerpt from my post below and then check out the full article!

Originally published at DietsInReview.com

If you’ve ever lost weight by cutting calories then you can understand the allure of restricting further to accelerate weight loss. But just because a little is good – more is not better. An eating plan that is too restrictive is a first-class ticket to sabotage. Find out if your current plan needs loosening up.

You cut out foods you love.
If your diet has you avoiding specific foods, especially ones you love, it is essentially setting you up for failure. There’s no reason that even the most “forbidden” food can’t be included in a healthy eating plan. You deserve to love the foods you eat. Include a small portion of something that satisfies – whether you crave sweet or salty foods.

Read the full post on DietsInReview.com

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Check out the latest nutrition newsletter compliments of us! Feel free to share this with your employees, friends or family members.

Get news, recipes and more in this issue.

Spring 2009 Nutrition 411 Newsletter

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Hey everyone! It’s Bernie Salazar. I just wanted to write a quick note to let y’all know I’m running in a half marathon on Saturday May 2^nd in Indianapolis – The Indy Mini.

It’s a family affair! My brother and mother will be joining me. When I was over 300 pounds, the only running I could imagine myself doing was running away from exercise. At that weight, the thought of a gym just made my skin crawl. But I learned that exercise is really about moving your body – at any size. So I wasn’t really running away from exercise, I was running away from myself – the person I was inside and the healthy person I could be.

Things are different now. After breaking down some of the “mental barriers” (which Becca and I teach in The Nurture Principles) I have learned to embrace the opportunities I get to move my body and challenge myself. For me, a big part of it is running.

My family and I are running to celebrate. We’re celebrating my brother’s life accomplishment of earning his Doctor of Pharmacy (wow, I can’t believe my brother is a doctor!) But I’m having a little personal celebration too. When I cross that finish line and get that medal, I’ll be celebrating the internal transformation that has taken shape and changed my life.

If you’re in Indianapolis, come out and cheer me on! If you can’t come out, I’ll be on WTHR-TV sharing my enthusiasm for the event, the day, and the ability to be healthy.

Bernie

You’re Worth It!

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Bernie Salazar and Rebecca Scritchfield proudly announce a new beginning. Together, they created The Nurture Principles a one-of-a-kind “edutainment” experience that can help you break down internal barriers to wellness – and make changes that can save your life!

What makes them the experts? Life experiences! (that’s where “nurture” comes from – the nature vs. nurture theory, where nurturists argue people learn behaviors from their environment).

Bernie and Rebecca have had their fair share of ups and downs with health and wellness. At an unhealthy 300 pounds, Bernie’s body-age was years older than his actual birth date. Being chosen as a contestant on NBC’s The Biggest Loser was his lifeline. Losing over 100 pounds on the show, Bernie went through a physical and mental transformation and hasn’t looked back. Rebecca’s health issues are “a family affair” – with most of the women in her family struggling in the high 200′s, smoking, and disengaged with wellness. Although she taught 9 aerobics classes a week, Rebecca weighed nearly 170 pounds, as she ignored the need for “balance and moderation” with her food and alcohol intake herself.

Now, Bernie and Rebecca stay fit and healthy by trying new things (like marathons and triathlons) and choosing nourishing foods - most of the time. The Nurture Principles represent the top mantras that drive their daily wellness decisions.

The duo has “book smarts” too. Becky is a registered dietitian (RD) and ACSM certified health fitness specialist. She has a master’s degree from The Johns Hopkins University. Bernie has a master’s in education and is currently studying to become a personal trainer through American College of Sports Medicine.

About Rebecca

Rebecca Scritchfield, RD is a nutrition and exercise expert specializing in weight management. Plagued with a family history of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity she realized at a young age that she needed to develop her own healthy behaviors or suffer the consequences. Life came along and she ended up gaining 40 pounds between college and her early career. One day while noshing on a muffin and building a website, she realized she was not where she needed to be physically, mentally, and emotionally. She eventually found her wellness through moving more and putting healthy foods first. Today, she regularly competes in marathons, half marathons, and triathlons. Passionate about the feel-good power of healthy habits, Rebecca now knows her true calling is in helping others reach within to achieve real change. A graduate of The Johns Hopkins University, Rebecca is a practicing dietitian and American College of Sports Medicine certified Health Fitness Specialist.

About Bernie

“Bernie” Bernardo Salazar is a loser! After a decade of eating his way to illness while his brother ran marathons, he decided having a cupcake named after him would not go down as his greatest life accomplishment. He was fortunate enough to be chosen as a contestant for NBC’s “The Biggest Loser”, where he took home the prize for most weight loss at home – in the real world! Bernie shed an amazing 130 pounds. He attributes losing nearly 46% of his body weight to four personal principals: motivation, information, perspiration and most importantly, self-appreciation”. Realizing that his experience on “The Ranch” saved his life, he is now dedicated to sharing his perspectives on wellness with others so  “we can all get healthy together”. Now a marathoner, Bernie stays fit by “playing more” and participating in dozens of races a year. He received a Masters degree in Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago and currently resides in Pleasant Hills, California.

www.nurtureprinciples.com

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