This is a sponsored post by veterinarian Elizabeth Arguelles, owner of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza. She writes weekly on Reston Now.

Do you know somebody who suffers from arthritis? Chances are that you have a friend or relative with joint problems. But what about your cat? Senior cats are at risk for developing arthritis and it is relatively common. Luckily there are a wide variety of treatment options that can help alleviate your cat’s discomfort from laser therapy to supplements.

Just like us, cats often suffer from progressive and degenerative joint ailments like osteoarthritis (OA) as they age. The disorder is marked by a deterioration of the cartilage that cushions the cat’s joints. This results in inflammation, pain, worsening damage, and changes in and around the affected joint.

There are two types of OA: primary and secondary. Primary means that the cause is typically normal wear and tear on the joints as a result of the aging process. Secondary means that the OA is the result of injuries or abnormalities such tumors.

Unfortunately, many cat parents and vets are not aware that kitties can come down with OA, making the disorder one of the most underdiagnosed feline diseases. Cats older than 10 years of age are at increased risk.

What causes osteoarthritis?

It is not entirely clear what causes primary OA in cats. Some breeds just seem to be more genetically predisposed to having joint problems. For example, Maine Coons, Persians and Siamese are more likely to suffer from abnormal development of the hip joints (also known as hip dysplasia). Similarly, Abyssinians and Devon Rexes are at greater risk of having patella luxation or dislocation of the kneecap.

Read More

This is a sponsored column by Jessica Storm, ACSM Health/Fitness Specialist and NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist. This week’s post is from trainer Genevieve from the Storm Fitness team.

According to research at the University of Scranton, only 8 percent of Americans who make a New Year’s resolution stick to it.

Seems bleak, right? I thought that. Then I pondered it. We typically pick a weakness and plan to kick that habit or lack of habit.

When I think of a New Year’s resolution, I think of advertisements for Weight Watchers and LA Fitness. The definition of a resolution is the firm decision to do something or not do something. So leave your lofty goals in 2014. It’s 2015!

I realize that this article is coming from someone who lives, eats, and breathes a healthy lifestyle. How could I possibly understand the weight roller coaster you have been on or your relationship with food? Well I can, because I have a resolution of every day until the day I die to treat my body kindly. I crave sugar, cheese, wine, and I sometimes loathe the idea of a workout.

Here are my tips to sticking to your goals in the New Year.

Get Specific: When you set loose goals like “work out more” or “eat healthy,” there is a lot of room to cheat and barely make a change in your lifestyle. I am specific with myself. I tell myself what food is off limits and my workout schedule is prescheduled down to the activity and time of day.

Start Small: You can make a small change that can catapult your motivation when you realize you are capable. For example, if your weakness is snacking,  cut out all your usual junk and replace it with fruit, veggies and hummus, etc. When you get into this healthy habit you may find yourself making smarter choices all around.

Move: Get a fitness tracker that encourages you to move. Being sedentary is exhausting. It is easier to get up off your butt when you are not on it in the first place.

Try Something New: Don’t punish yourself on a treadmill day after day. There are so many exercise styles out there. Boredom can be avoided in your workout and in your diet! Hunt for some delicious healthy recipes and try something new.

Reach Out: You are human, and it is hard to commit to a fitness program, especially if you have not had your own routine in a while. Find workout buddies or hire a trainer.

Be Realistic: It is impossible to follow a perfect diet and exercise regimen. When life happens you have to be able to fall off the wagon and hop right back on. Don’t have a handful of chips and decide to eat the whole bag. Don’t quit the gym after you get a cold. There is always tomorrow and there is always room to grow.

To read more about Trainer Genevieve visit her profile page on the Storm Fitness website. Happy New Year!

Reston Now is trying something new for the new year. We will now have pets available for adoption as our Pets of the Week. If the pets find a new home after our posting, the new owners will win prizes and treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care.

This week’s Reston Pet of the week is tabby cat Bernetta. Here is what her foster parents have to say about her.

Bernetta is very cute, 1-2 year old Domestic Medium Haired orange tabby BEAUTY!

She has a huge, puffy tail that is feather-like and soooo soft! She is currently fostered with both cats and dogs — she tolerates the cats but doesn’t interact much. Sometimes she will try to play with them, but they just ignore her. She does interact with the dogs and will play with them often.

She’s very good at entertaining herself — she loves to play, is very curious and is not afraid of anything. She likes to hide and swipe at your legs and hands as you walk by to get your attention. She doesn’t use her claws, and it’s pretty cute. She usually comes when called and enjoys being petted. She does seek out attention occasionally, but she’s pretty independent. She likes to be in the same room with her people.

Bernetta doesn’t mind being picked up, but only for short periods and then she’s off to do her own thing again! Bernetta would be great for someone who wants companionship but doesn’t necessarily want a cat who will be all over them all the time, or someone who has other pets with whom she can be friends.

See more info on Bernetta on Homeward Trails Animal Rescue’s Petfinder page.

Are you involved with a pet rescue group and would like to post a pet here? Contact us at [email protected]. Send along a few paragraphs of info about the pet, 2-3 horizontally oriented photos and contact info for interested adopters.

This is a sponsored post from Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.

The year 2014 was an one in Reston real estate.

It was a year marked by rapid changes that made it tricky to get listings properly positioned in the marketplace. We had a protracted winter. When the spring finally came, houses were moving fast. Then suddenly in late May and early June, it was like the air sputtered out of the balloon and things started dragging along slower and slower.

It’s not that things were not selling — they were — but there was no sense of urgency in the market. By late July, it seemed that all the buyers had left for vacation.

The year-end numbers reflect this sluggishness — we sold 13 percent fewer homes in Reston than in the previous year. In 2013, 1,138 residential properties sold in Reston compared to 1,005 in 2014.

Overall appreciation for 2014 was up slightly, but when you dig into the numbers by different housing types you see that some segments of the market saw significant appreciation.

For example, small townhouses (attached two bedrooms or fewer) were up 10 percent in value as were large townhouses (attached four  or more bedrooms) up an average of more than 8 percent.

The smaller (three bedrooms or fewer) detached single family homes sold for an average of 8.15 percent more than last year, while the larger (four or more bedrooms) were up an average 4.13 percent.

The median sold price for a property in Reston in 2014 was $423,000, up 3.4 percent over last year.

So what does the future hold for Reston real estate? Low gas prices, good job numbers and vastly improved consumer confidence should translate into strong sales. The market is in the neutral zone — not overtly favoring buyers or sellers.

Mortgage rates are low allowing qualified buyers get more house than they may have in the past. Reston continues to be a great community with a wide range of options available to home buyers.

My Magic 8 Ball says “The Outlook is Go” for 2015.

This is a sponsored post by veterinarian Elizabeth Arguelles, owner of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza. She writes weekly on Reston Now.

Anemia can be a serious concern for feline patients, and typically is indicative of a much larger issue.  The causes of feline anemia vary in origin, but it is essential to determine the root cause in order to effectively treat the anemia. If you notice symptoms of anemia in your furry friend, always contact your veterinarian immediately — don’t wait!

What is anemia?

Though not a disease in and of itself, anemia is a very serious condition that results from any of a number of different underlying disorders. A cat with anemia has fewer circulating red blood cells (RBCs), less hemoglobin (HB) or in some cases, reduced quantities of both. The condition ultimately deprives the kitty’s body of oxygen, because RBCs and HB are responsible for delivering oxygen to its cells and tissues.

Anemia can occur either due to a more rapid loss of existing RBCs and HB or the decreased production of new ones. As a result, anemia is generally classified as either regenerative or non-regenerative. In the first case, RBCs deplete too quickly or die too soon. In the second, the bone marrow does not produce a sufficient amount of replacement RBCs.

What causes anemia?

Because anemia is more of a secondary condition than a primary disease, the causes of it are diverse. In general, the diseases that cause anemia can be grouped into three distinct categories:

1. Those that cause blood loss. Said bleeding can result from trauma or injury to the cat’s blood vessels or internal organs, severe infestations by fleas, ticks or other parasites, tumors in the kitty’s intestinal tract, kidneys or bladder, or diseases that inhibit blood clotting.

2. Those that cause the breakdown and destruction of RBCs. This process, which is known as hemolysis, can be caused by autoimmune diseases, feline leukemia, the ingestion of chemicals or toxins, or neoplasia. Read More

This week’s Pet of the Week is Baci, a chocolate lab with a long list of nicknames.

Here is what owner Nic has to say about him:

Baci, a 6-year-old chocolate lab affectionately known as Pumpkin, Bubs, Noodle, VP Joe ‘Bitin’,  or Joey, is a subdued lover of naps and lounging who also knows how to have fun when the time is right.

He loves all things except vacuums, and his favorite food is apples.

He came into the Querolo household at the tender age of 12 weeks and was the runt of his litter. Against all odds, he has made his way to a healthy 90 pounds and is comfortable with the way he looks.

In his free time, Baci enjoys trips to his mom’s barn to see whats going on with her horses and cats. He is infamous for once finding the first aid kit in the back of the car and ingesting the package of TUMS, tampon and battery that were inside. There were no consequences.

His life goals include once taking a 24-hour nap, and one day being able to ride a horse. He also would like to meet more people. His claim to fame is his ability to find his collar wherever it is in the house so long as somebody gives him hints. He’s a real champion.

We need Pets of the Week for 2015! Want your pet to be considered for the Reston Pet of the Week? Here is how to play.

Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet.

Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks. Becky’s Pet Care, the winner of three Angie’s List Super Service Awards and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year, provides professional dog walking and pet sitting services in Reston and Northern Virginia.

This is a sponsored post by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.

I don’t typically believe that one time of year is better for selling your home verses another.

For as long as I’ve been selling real estate, I have always had at least a couple of transactions around the winter holidays, but conventional wisdom says that there is something magical about spring.

It is nearly the new year, which means the spring market is just around the corner. If you are thinking of putting your home on the market soon, pay attention to the “To Do” list to get it into top shape.

The first place to start is by cleaning. I don’t the mean the vacuum and dusting kind of cleaning; I mean the scrub the grout with a tooth brush kind of cleaning. I mean you do your best imitation of your crazy Aunt Sadie with the obsessive-compulsive cleaning disorder kind of cleaning.

Some clients opt for hiring a cleaning crew. If you’re going to do that, you should de-clutter your house before bringing in a cleaning professional. If your “To Do” list includes painting, save the professional cleaning for the last item on your list.

So what does the typical seller “To Do” list look like?

• Reduce contents of all closets by half. Stuffed closets speak to prospective buyers — they say “this house doesn’t have enough storage.” This may not be the case; maybe you’re just really bad about getting rid of the excess we all seem to accumulate.
• Neutralize your home: Pre-pack most of your personal items like family photos, your ceramic frog collection and other things that can distract buyers from seeing the house.
• Be prepared to put furniture and other items in storage.
• 50 percent of the houses I see prior to listing need to be painted — go neutral.
• Clean everything — every, nook, cranny, light switch cover, door jamb, door knobs, everything.
• Do not overlook the utility areas of your home, they should be thoroughly cleaned and organized including the area around the furnace, and water heater including the area around the furnace, and water heater

A super clean and orderly home says “I have been well maintained.” A clean house reduces buyer anxiety.

One of the first things I do for clients after signing a listing agreement is to drop off 100 office-sized boxes to be used to de-clutter, or as we like to call it, pre-packing. A home that is free of clutter makes room for the prospective buyer to mentally picture themselves with their own possessions in that home; which in turn helps to move the buyer from thinking to acting … writing a contract.

The more you can do to clean, organize, neutralize, paint, upgrade, the faster your home will go from being on the market to being sold.

This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Reston Town Center that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement, and private sector employee matters. They write biweekly on RestonNow.

In the past, the Department of Justice (DOJ) had often sought to dismiss gender identity and transgender discrimination cases since it asserted that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act’s prohibition of discrimination based on sex did not include gender identity.  However, on December 15, 2014, the DOJ issued a memorandum regarding a new policy on the treatment of transgender workplace discrimination claims.

The new policy means that the DOJ will now include gender identity, including transgender discrimination, in the prohibition of sex discrimination in the workplace. In defending lawsuits, according to the memorandum, the federal government has also evolved and will no longer take the legal position that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 does not protect against workplace discrimination on the basis of gender status.

The DOJ’s new policy follow on the heels of a revised Executive Order issued by the President in July 2014 which provides protection for gay and transgender individuals who are employed by the federal government and government contractors.

Our law firm represents and advises individuals and private sector employers on employment-related matters. If you need legal assistance, please contact our office at (703) 668-0070 or at www.berrylegal.com to schedule a consultation.  Please also visit and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BerryBerryPllc

This is a sponsored column by Cindy Beyer, ASID,NCIDQ. Beyer is a Reston-based interior designer and Reston Now Best Reston Business Award winner. Find her online at www.CindyLBeyer.com.

With the New Year approaching, it is time to think about your home projects for upcoming year.  Even I have a list of design improvements to make in my house. Let me share some ideas with you.

Floors: Give your floors a new lift. First, clean your carpets. Cleaning your carpeting on an annual basis not only helps to preserve the fibers, it is good to apply a fresh coat of Stainmaster to prevent stain and soil build up.

Research your carpet cleaner before to make sure it is safe for your children and pets. Also, if you have hard surface floors such as wood, you can have them sanded and refinished. My floors are almost 30 years old and have been refinished at least two times. If you decide to refurnish your floors consider repositioning your furniture. Feel free to shake it up for a new look.

Walls: Try a new coat of paint on an accent wall, ceiling or a small powder room. Next year’s paint trends are a variation of warm grey, soft greens, aqua as well as plums. Benjamin Moore’s 2015 color of the year is HC-116 Guildford Green. Farrow and Ball’s are Ella, Ginko and Cornbread. Kelly Moore’s suggestions are: KM-5049 Swagger (teal) , 5823-City Tower (warm grey), and 4967 Coastal surf ( dark blue).

Remember to always buy a small sample of the paint to test out on a board or on the wall before you commit to the color.

Accessories: After packing up the Christmas tree and all of the greens, your home may suddenly appear bare. Maybe it is time to recycle your old accessories for exciting new ones. Try switching them to different rooms and combining with new ones. If you are bored with some of your old ones, think about trading with a friend or packing them up for a family member. Trends for 2015 include stone, metal (don’t be afraid to mix) and glass. Indoor water features, such as small fountains, are hot and can make your space more relaxing.

Bedding: Try investing in a new set of sheets. If your budget allow,s there is nothing like a crisp, white duvet. Try out some new colors and enjoy some added art to your bedroom.

Kitchen Remodel:  Upgrading your cabinets, or a new design can make a world of difference to your home. Since you spend the most time in your kitchen, why not enjoy your living space and add value to your home? You will be surprised at how a kitchen project can impact other rooms of the house. It would be a good idea to use a professional designer with skills beyond just kitchens and cabinets. I use a software program to design, which is aligned to my cabinet shop sources.

Lower Level Remodel: It is not impossible to move existing walls and to enjoy a new floor plan for your lower level. When drawing floor plans, I spend considerable time understanding how my clients want to use their newly designed area. Depending on the support columns, it is a good idea to have one large area for pool playing and a good size sitting or conversation area. A sitting area is a good place to add a gas fireplace with a direct vent to the outside. Not only does this add a nice focal point to the room, it also keeps you toasty on those damp winter nights.

Video rooms or entertainment rooms can be a luxurious as your purse strings will allow. No man cave is complete without a video room.

This is a sponsored post by veterinarian Elizabeth Arguelles, owner of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza. She writes weekly on Reston Now.

Have your ever heard your cat sneeze and noticed watery eyes, a runny nose or even congestion? While it may appear that your cat has caught a cold, there are actually several possibilities that make up feline upper respiratory issues. One of the most common causes is feline herpes, or feline viral rhinopnumonitis or FVR.

The virus is a leading cause of upper respiratory diseases, conjunctivitis, and inflammation of the eyes. FVR is very common and affects a large percentage of cats, but it’s important to remember herpes is not always the cause of your kitty’s upper respiratory symptoms.

 How does a cat get feline herpes?

FVR is caused by the Type 1 feline herpes virus, which like most of its peers, is species-specific. Also like other viruses, feline herpes is passed through direct contact with viral cells that are secreted in an infected cat’s saliva, nasal discharge and tears.

A previously healthy cat can get infected when it shares a litter box, food or water dishes with other felines. The virus can also be passed through mutual grooming or even through contact with viral cells shed onto an inanimate object. One of the most common means of transmission is from pregnant cat to the kittens in her womb.

Once a cat is infected with feline herpes, an incubation period of up to five days usually passes before the kitty starts showing symptoms.

Just like the human form of the virus, feline herpes will remain in the cat’s body forever. Though it largely remains dormant, the virus will become active from time to time, leading to the symptoms mentioned below for about 10-20 days. The cause is most often stress, which is why frequently these symptoms appear during boarding, traveling, moving, or even introducing a new family member or pet into the house.

What are the symptoms of feline herpes?

Unfortunately, many of the symptoms of feline herpes can also indicate other diseases. Some common feline herpes symptoms are:

• Frequent and repeated sneezing
• Discharge from the nose and eyes
• Conjunctivitis and/or lesions around the eyes
• Chest and nasal congestion
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Drooling

These symptoms can also turn into an upper respiratory infection if left untreated. If you notice fever, loss of appetite, drooling, or colored discharge from the eyes or nose, please see your veterinarian immediately.

How is feline herpes treated?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for feline herpes, and the virus stays in the cat’s body forever. The good news, however, is that the disease’s symptoms can be treated easily. Once your veterinarian has determined that they are not caused by other issues, he or she can prescribe oral antibiotics or antiviral medications if needed.

For mild flare ups, lysine treats or paste can help control symptoms and even reduce the number of flare ups. Eye creams can also reduce any inflammation and irritation of the lining. As with any medical issue, please do not administer any medication to your cat unless you have discussed it with your veterinarian.

Christmas may be over, but we are still giving gifts away at Reston Now.

Today is the last day of our Gift Local sweepstakes.

To enter the contest, free of charge, all you need to do is sign up for our daily email newsletter. The newsletter delivers Reston Now headlines to your inbox on weekday (and some weekend) afternoons. No spam, we promise.

If you’re one of our more than 1,000 existing newsletter subscribers, you’re automatically eligible to win. See our official contest rules for an alternate means of entry and other sweepstakes details.

We’ve drawn winners each Friday through December. Winners of our prizes, including  an Apple iPad Air 16GB from RestonNow.com, one month of free swim lessons from Goldfish Swim School, a gift card for artisan flower arrangements from Bloompop and two seats on a public winery tour from Reston Limousine, have been notified via email.

Earlier in the month, we gave away a $50 gift certificate to Kalypso’s Sports Tavern, a $50 gift card to Michael’s from Cindy Beyer Design, an Adult Sonicare toothbrush from Reston Serenity Smiles and a personal training session from Storm Fitness.

This Friday we are giving away:

• Exercise class from The Harrison Apartments
• $150 donation to Cornerstones on your behalf from Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate

Thanks to all our advertisers and sponsors for such great gifts. Please join us in supporting them all year round.

This is a sponsored post from Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.

The holiday season will be winding down shortly. As I make my final Christmas preparations, I’m already thinking ahead to what I want to do this New Year’s Eve. Here are some ideas for celebrating New Years’ Eve in and around Reston.

Cocoa and Ice Skating

I do love watching the children skate while I sip a cup of hot cocoa. And you don’t have to leave Reston for this one; just head down to the Reston Town Center Pavilion. The rink is open New Year’s Eve until 8 p.m.

First Night Celebrations

Family friendly first night celebrations are among my favorites. Falls Church has a wonderful (free) one called Watch Night featuring live entertainment, activities for the kids and great vendors.

Holiday Lights

One of my favorite things to do is enjoy holiday lights. We’re lucky in this area to have two wonderful displays to visit: the regionally renowned Bull Run Festival of Lights or the extraordinarily breathtaking Meadowlark Garden’s Winter Walk of Lights. Both are open through Jan. 4.

Whatever you decide to do on New Year’s Eve this year, have fun and be safe.

Happy Holidays!

This is a sponsored post by Elizabeth Argeulles, veterinarian and owner of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza.

As a cat owner, one of the most important things to pay attention to in your cat is how much and how often they eat. It can be very indicative of your cat’s overall health and how they are feeling in general. When cats don’t eat enough, it can lead to serious liver disease and other complications. Hepatic lipidosis (HL) or fatty liver disease can be very dangerous in cats of all ages if not treated quickly.

What is hepatic lipidosis?

When a cat stops or drastically reduces its food intake, the body starts breaking down fat reserves to make up for the lost energy and nutrients. Unfortunately, the kitty’s liver is not designed to process so much fat so quickly. As a result, the fat gets stored in the areas surrounding the liver and compromises the liver’s natural functions.

Yellow pigments then collect in the cat’s blood and tissues, leading to a jaundiced appearance. When cats begin to have a jaundiced appearance, it is very important to have them examined and treated as soon as possible because it can be a life-threatening condition.

What causes hepatic lipidosis?

Typically, a drastic drop in food intake is the most common cause of fatty liver disease, but it’s important to remember it’s only secondary to the bigger question of why did your kitty stop eating. In some cases, it can be due to environmental stresses like a change in diet, a recent move, or introducing a new baby or pet in the house. Talk to your vet about any potential stresses that could have occurred in house.

In addition to stress and changes, there are several disorders that can lead to fatty liver disease, such as liver disease, cancer, diabetes, pancreatitis, and chronic kidney disease.

What are the signs and symptoms?

HL is a somewhat unique condition, in that the most important signs manifest themselves before the onset of the disease itself. Those signs include things like a refusal to eat, rapid weight loss, consuming less food than normal, or suddenly becoming a finicky eater. You should also notate other behaviors that could be contributing like vomiting, diarrhea, or even constipation.

Always schedule an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as you realize your cat is not eating enough. Once you start to see symptoms like yellowing of the eyes, drooling, and/or tilting of the head or neck, it is important to get to a veterinarian right away. These symptoms are considered potentially life threatening and require treatment immediately.

How is hepatic lipidosis diagnosed?

If you notice any of the symptoms associated with this disorder, please bring your cat to the veterinarian immediately. He or she will determine your cat’s liver functions based on blood tests and in some cases, through a biopsy or fine needle aspiration. The latter is typically done by inserting a needle into the liver through the skin. The liver sample is then sent to a veterinary pathologist to be analyzed. A cat with HL will have a large quantity of fat in and around the liver cells.

How is hepatic lipidosis treated?

Fortunately, HL is not fatal if the disease is treated with aggressive nutritional support until the cat’s appetite returns to normal. A consistent and continuous high level of nutrition is required before the liver can resume its normal function and mobilize the excess fat. This process could take up to 6-8 weeks.

You can also treat your cat at home using a feeding tube. Your veterinarian will place the tube into your cat so that you can syringe-feed a special diet directly into your cat multiple times a day. While feeding tubes can seem like a scary step, most cats respond very well to the tubes and it can be extremely helpful for them as they heal.

While many cats do recover from HL, it’s important to remember that if the HL is the result of another underlying condition, it’s crucial to treat that disorder as well.

Have you entered Reston Now’s Gift Local Contest?

The holidays are a time for giving, and we’re giving you a weekly chance to win some great gifts from local businesses this month. Keep them for yourself or gift them to a friend, coworker or family member.

To enter the contest, free of charge, all you need to do is sign up for our daily email newsletter. The newsletter delivers Reston Now headlines to your inbox on weekday (and some weekend) afternoons. No spam, we promise.

If you’re one of our more than 1,000 existing newsletter subscribers, you’re automatically eligible to win. See our official contest rules for an alternate means of entry and other sweepstakes details.

We’ll conduct a drawing every Friday through the end of December. Today’s drawing features some of our best prizes. Among them:

• Apple iPad Air 16GB from RestonNow.com
• One month of free swim lessons from Goldfish Swim School
• $109 gift card for artisan flower arrangements from Bloompop
• Two seats on a public winery tour from Reston Limousine

Next week (Dec. 26) we will give away:

• Exercise class from The Harrison Apartments
• $150 donation to Cornerstones on your behalf from Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate

Please join us in supporting these and other local businesses when making your holiday shopping plans and New Year’s resolutions.

This is a sponsored column by Jessica Storm, ACSM Health/Fitness Specialist and NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist and owner of Storm Fitness – A Personal Training and Nutrition Company based in Reston.

Yes, losing weight without dieting is possible. In fact, it’s how I help my clients achieve their weight loss goals.  Just the mention of the word “diet” can send the brain and body into a frenzy mode.

First, you begin think of all the things you will need to deny yourself of in order to achieve your weight loss and you immediately swear off ever having any of those bad foods ever again. Then the cravings set in and the brain goes to work constantly thinking about all the food that you must deny yourself. This can really get depressing fast — who wants to live their life feeling this way?

Did you realize that the word diet has the word “die” in it? When we diet, we deprive ourselves. When we drastically overhaul how we have been living it is not sustainable.

I want my clients to live a full and happy life. I teach them how to be successful while not denying themselves of fun times and yummy foods. It is possible. It doesn’t need to be a struggle and it shouldn’t be. I have listed below a few tips that you can start to implement into your lifestyle right now. Read More