I’m Debbie Zimmerman. Thank you for stopping by my blog. If you’re looking for more information about PhytoFit, LLC, you’ve come to the right place.

Are you looking to enhance your corporate wellness activities or improve your return-on-investment? With 30 years of successful corporate wellness management and strategic planning, I have developed award-winning wellness and disease management programs, saving millions in health care costs. I can do the same for you!

“It’s like being pecked to death by ducks!” This is how Manny, one of my old wellness colleagues from New Jersey, would describe the constant torment of sometimes small, but stressful events that hit us from all angles. I’ve parroted the phrase many times in my day, especially now!

Everyone is too familiar with the stressors of Covid 19. Over the last two years, we all have experienced social distancing, nationwide shut downs, a healthcare crisis and annoying, individual protective equipment (masks). We have lived through toilet paper shortages, online education and Zoom meetings, to name just a few.

I’m Debbie Zimmerman, the proud owner of PhytoFit, LLC. I look forward to sharing my story with you as a way for you to get to know me better.

February can be a very expensive month! For celebrating football fans, Super Bowl represents spending of $17.2 billion (2020). Saint Valentine’s Day tallies $27.4 billion in cards, chocolates, dining, balloons, and bouquets. Then there is the American Heart Month, where the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Heart Association, and other public health officials recognize the nation’s most deadly and devastating disease—heart disease. Not only does heart disease cost $363 billion, but it also claims the lives of 659,000 Americans each year. By the way, that is 1,805 people dying every day or the equivalent of having six (6) jumbo jets falling from the sky—one every four hours! Not only is that a tremendous burden on the health care system, think of the physical and emotional costs.

January is traditionally a time for reflection and a time to think about a fresh, new year. The process typically involves looking back over the prior year at things we did well (or not), thinking about new possibilities/opportunities for the coming year, and committing to some behavioral changes to make those possibilities a reality.

Many of us take the time to complete a list of New Year’s resolutions and “improving health” is usually high on the list with ideas of weight loss, exercise and healthier eating. Everyone has their own perspective of what that means, what it might look like for them, and have some ideas about how to improve their health. Even scientific researchers approach it in various ways.

We are delighted to announce the launch of our new website!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! As Andy Williams’ 1963 song states, “There will be parties for hosting,

“Let’s Beat Breast Cancer Together” was the theme of my Food for Life classes during October. Throughout the month, I

You may recall over the last several months, I have highlighted many of the Six Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine. Remember, Lifestyle Medicine

"Let's Beat Breast Cancer Together" I want you to be the first to know about my upcoming Food for Life events as

Take a Deep Breath…and Relax I admit it! These articles on stress management have made me…well, STRESSED! Let me explain.

What Doesn’t Kill Us, Makes Us Stronger…Well, Maybe! When it comes to being stressed, we all have stories to share.

“Early to bed, early to rise, makes one healthy, wealthy and wise.” We’ve all heard it before, and the importance

In the 1968 film, Funny Girl, Barbara Streisand made popular the song, “People.” The opening lyrics are timeless and as

Lifestyle Medicine VS Diet-de-Jour Have you read the US News “Best Diets 2021” report? If you haven’t heard of this annual publication, let

I began thinking of Mother’s Day and what special meal I will prepare to honor my Mom. The meals Mom

Sandy struggled with an extra 50 pounds most of her life. It wasn’t until she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure that she realized she needed some help. She knew that her past efforts with diets and exercise programs were short term and had led her to where she was today, facing serious life-altering diseases. Sandy decided it was time for the help of a health coach and perhaps, a personal trainer.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics celebrate March as National Nutrition Month. This year’s theme is Personalize Your Plate. To emphasize the importance of Nutrition Month, I have been posting daily on social media different fruits, vegetables, legumes or grains to highlight the vast health benefits of each. The variety of plant-based foods is so plentiful that I have had to be very selective in my featured choices. Did you know that there are 300,000 plant species in the world that are edible? Can you count the number of foods that you eat each day, week or even a year? If you are like most creatures of habit, chances are the variety of plants that you consume needs to be expanded and diversified!

For more than 30 years, I have insisted, “Good Health is a Lifetime Choice… Choose Wisely!” Every day we make hundreds of choices that ultimately impact our health. When the “opportunity clock” wakes you (this is Zig Ziglar’s positive psychology, most believe it is an “alarm” clock), do you press snooze or do you jump out of the bed, into your exercise clothes and take off for the gym? Do you choose a healthy breakfast such as a bowl of hot oatmeal with raisins and walnuts? Or do you opt for the “two egg & muffin sandwiches for just $2” under the golden arches? (Spoiler alert, there is nothing healthy about “two for $2” at any fast-food drive-thru!) Then there is Starbucks where you have your choice of 50 different coffee options, from decaf to full lead, cappuccino or Frappuccino? What about caramel drizzle, chocolate drizzle or just plain whipped cream? Choices…we have so many choices and those are all before we begin our workday!

Valentine’s Day is upon us! Everywhere you go, you see fabulous displays of heart-shaped candy boxes to treat your favorite Valentine. It is estimated that 58 million pounds of chocolate will be sold just this week leading up to Valentine’s Day. That represents estimated sales of over $345 million!