“Getting ahead in a difficult profession requires avid faith in yourself.  That is why some people with mediocre talent but with great inner drive, go much further than people with vastly superior talent.”

Sophia Loren, Actress

When I was 25, I weighed 315 pounds and had failed on every diet in the book.

I remember feeling almost hopeless and kept wondering how I was going to drag my heavy body around another day. Clearly, popular diets weren’t the answer for me. That’s when I made the life-changing decision to begin exercising and I have never looked back. Today I can’t imagine my life without fitness. But sometimes it’s hard to get moving. Here are five tips to get you off of the couch:

Believe

You are entitled to look and feel better — what better time to invest in yourself than now? When you take care of yourself, it is much easier to take care of those who depend on you. Moving will help you have a positive attitude about life. That can help you become motivated to make it a part of your daily routine. Take a group fitness class, hire that personal trainer, try yoga or Pilates and incorporate meditation and relaxation. Go to a day spa. All will help you to connect with yourself.

Relax

A fitness program not only helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol and strengthens and tones muscles, studies show stress and depression can be improved with exercise. Aerobic activity releases endorphins, which make you feel great.

Achieve

One of the problems people encounter when starting a fitness program is having unrealistic goals. This also happens to dieters. We somehow think we can run a marathon before we walk a mile. Be persistent and things will happen. A good workout will instantly make you feel better, but results take at least a month or so of being steadfast and focused. A good way to achieve fitness goals is to write them down.

Connect

You will need to have support to make real changes. Find a class with an instructor who will be there to get you through your first workout without judgment. Find a group that will uplift you and make you feel valued as you work toward your goals. Hire a trainer who will take the time to identify your needs and goals and help you achieve them.

Persevere

Along your journey you will encounter many obstacles that might make you think it is time to give up. It is part of change. It is how you manage your roadblocks that will get you going. When it comes to exercising, it is important you have a clear understanding of how important this is for your life. In the end, aren’t you worth it?

Debra

“Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do.  Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.”

Ella Fitzgerald, Singer

“Dear Debra. You seem to be a dream come true. After going to your website I knew this was what I was looking for. Your personality came right through.

It was wonderful chatting with you recently.  I am so scared and so exhilarated at the same time.  You are truly so inspiring.  Your message was very loud and clear, because you spoke from your heart as only someone can when they have experienced obesity.  You said, “Dig deep inside yourself and you can become the you, you want to be”. Inspiring words.  So easily said. But those giant sized words take great action.  I am ready! Just hearing you talk about the virtues of fruits and vegetables. And the goodness of moving even for a simple 15 minutes.  It sounded like heaven - or was it hell?

How many times have I been at this point in a diet program?  At the start, standing on the top of a mountain and stretching for the stars, or at least a new slimmer body.  There were all those hopes, dreams and promises pinned on the Atkins low carbohydrate diet and the famed Scarsdale diet, Jennie Craig, Weight Watchers, or the diet pills, injections and the famous Oprah liquid diet.  My soul is crying for fairness and stamina. I’m chanting over and over again, “I will do this for me, this time and I will get to the finish line, and this time life will cooperate”. It is no wonder I am SCARED.

After my husband decided to reside at a different address, my life changed again and I ate my way into oblivion.  My mom and sister were concerned, so they made me see a surgeon about a by-pass procedure or a rubber band. I prayed day and night for an alternative knowing I did not want to do this but I was at the end of my rope.  There was no place else to go.  It was my last resort.  I could no longer live and carry all this
ugly fat around anymore. My obesity put my health in danger. Sometime in July my husband and I reached a settlement and after a year of indecisions, my attitude seemed to revert back to the place were I was safe and secure.  In a cocoon of positivity that brought me the success I enjoy in helping my clients feel as beautiful as they look.  My passion
returned.  I felt rejuvenated.  I needed to be in that place badly. Then, call it divine intervention, Debbie Nigro walked into the salon and the sun shone brighter that day because hope was on the horizon.  She offers an alternative to surgery; her name is Debra Mazda.

That was a few weeks ago and after our initial meeting at the taping last week, I am exhilarated.  Armed with a new food plan and the “Mazda Method” this truly is the first day of the rest of my new slimmer life. My mantra is simple.  I will be my perfect weight.”

Elle (New York)

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“Debra, it was such a wonderful serendipity to meet you yesterday!  I feel as though a major connection occurred between my soul and my body.  I have always loved working out, but felt that I’d never be good enough until I looked like a size 3 with NO CURVES!  I woke up sore this morning- and it made my day!!!  That’s how I know I did more than I usually do!  I so want to take your classes, but it’s hard to come from S.Jersey in the evenings, and I am usually at my nursing job until 10 pm and my art job before then.  So, thanks again for yesterday.  Seldom in life do people take the time to thank others for anything; you really gave my soul a major boost; and I thought I was happy already!!!!  Hope your day is as awesome as you!”

Lyn  (New Jersey)

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“Hi Debra. Thanks for being so cordial and welcoming today. I really had a great time. If this is how fun you are to a complete stranger, I can’t imagine how fun it is when people REALLY get to know you all. I’ll be there next Saturday for sure!”

Kate (Philadelphia)

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“I just wanted to thank you for all your help and support that you giving me through this whole  expreience.I never in a million years thought that i will be able to do the broard street run.But with your dedication to your group i was able to do it and finish. So I just want to thank you for all your support. Just taking your classes has help me a whole bunch in my daily life struggles.I feel so good,and relieved. So if there is anybody out there who think they can’t do it come out to Debra Mazda class and you will believe that all things are possible.”

Ronsheba (Philadelphia)

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 “Debra, I saw you at the end of the run this morning-(I was on the bike)   I should have said more—it was great you were there coaching and motivating along getting your people through to the end.   BRAVO!!   I attended classes with you when you had a studio  (2nd floor)  on 8th Street below Washington Ave. (  15–20 years ago?) You were an awesome motivator then and I see you’re still at it.”

Molly  (Philadelphia)

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“Dear Debra, I was inspired and impressed by your story. As an obesity researcher and clinician helping patients to lose weight, your leadership to overweight women who want to be fit is a great story to motivate all of us. All the best.”

Adam Gilden Tsai, MD
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

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“I just wanted to email you and say thank you first of all for the wonderful dinner we had last night. I also wanted to thank you most importantly for giving me this opportunity to do something that I have always wanted to do and never knew where to begin. You have showed me where to begin and opened a door for me which I never thought would be opened. I love you for this. I can not wait for tomorrow even though I am scared to death I know this will be a great success.”

Rosina (Philadelphia)

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“Thank you for answering my question about the difference between the new DVD and your original one.  I can’t tell you how much you have changed my life. Until your first DVD there wasn’t anything available that I could keep up with and see results. I’ve been on Nutrisystem for a few months and between that program and your work-out, I’m losing weight and seeing changes in my body that I never thought possible. I’m physically stronger and getting more fit each week. There is a population out there that needs you and doesn’t know about you. It would be great if you could create more publicity for yourself, if you can handle it. I’m sure you’re very busy with all the attention you’ve been getting but we need more Debra!!!”

Robin (Philadelphia)

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”

Sally Berger, Businesswoman