Vacation

I haven't had a real vacation in years. To be sure, I've taken three-day weekends here and there, but ever since becoming Martha's Apprentice, and, before that, starting my own magazine, I've been too busy to really make time for myself. That changes next week, when I go on a real vacation to Aruba. As part of my apprenticeship at "Body + Soul" magazine, I've been working with life coach Cheryl Richardson, who has encouraged me to make this trip about relaxation -- and anything other than work. I'm going to try to follow her advice, but so you'll have something to read while I'm away, I've gone through the "Body + Soul" archives for some relaxation advice that you can follow too.

Balance: The myths and truths about finding balance in your own life.
20 Ways to Revitalize Your Life: The best suggestions for replenishing your physical, social, and spiritual energy.
It's the Little Things: Sometimes a seemingly small item can make all the difference.
Meditation: Two basic forms to get you started.
Second Wind: A quick-and-easy 20-minute rejuvenation routine you can do

You Can Do It!

Last week on the "Martha" show I helped an incredible woman, Jennifer, achieve her goals. Jennifer was first on "Martha" four months ago. She is a busy mother of two and an executive director at a New York City law firm. Jennifer has been struggling with her weight since she was a young girl. She had tried several fad diets, and, although she would lose a few pounds, she could never keep the weight off.

We hooked Jennifer up with a group of experts -- Dr. Jana Klauer, a metabolism expert; Paul Greenway, a personal trainer from Synergy Fitness Club; and Dr. Brent Ridge of Mount Sinai Hospital. Over the four months, Jennifer changed her eating habits and started to incorporate exercise into her weekly routine. She has lost 39 pounds so far and is on her way to reaching her goal weight.

Jennifer will be on my radio show, "Health and Fitness Talk," on Monday June 5 at 12 p.m. ET on Martha Stewart Living Radio Sirius 112. She will be talking about her experience during the past four months and what she did to finally lose weight.

Helping Jennifer achieve her weight-loss goal is the first in a new series I will be doing on the "Martha" show. Next season, I will host a series of segments called "You Can Do It! with Dawna Stone." Is there something you've always wanted to do but didn't have the courage or the skill to attempt? If you need an expert to help you achieve what you thought was impossible, like learning how to swim, running a marathon, climbing a mountain, losing weight or any other feat -- physical or not -- send us your story. Click on Be a Guest on the Martha show and tell us what you want to achieve and why. Who knows, I just may be coming to your town to help you achieve your goal.

With my help, you can do it!

Talk About ENERGY!

I think of myself as a very energetic person but I met someone that makes me look like the quietest person in the room.  I appeared on "Martha" yesterday and Richard Simmons was one of Martha’s guests.  I’ve always liked Richard.  I think he’s an inspiration to men and women who want to take control of their lives, lose weight and get in better shape.  And after meeting him in person, I know he’s the real thing.  He truly cares about all the people he has helped over the years.   It’s meeting people like Richard that makes my job as The Apprentice so much fun!

I just need to find out where he gets all that energy.

Positive Reinforcement

Last weekend I gave a motivational speech at Disney World. It was my first talk since I started my radio show, Health and Fitness Talk with Dawna Stone, and I realized why I'm not nervous standing on a podium and talking to large groups of people but why I was nervous doing my first few radio shows.

When you’re giving an in-person talk, you get immediate reinforcement. While giving the talk at Disney, there was laughter but heads were constantly moving up and down in agreement. The "I know what you mean" nod is always a sure sign that your talk is resonating with the audience. But with radio, the only nod I get is the one from my producer who's at the control panel. So it got me thinking, why is it that we need positive reinforcement to feel good about the job we're doing? Isn't it enough just knowing we're giving it our all?

What's Martha Like?

People are constantly asking me about my experience at MSLO. But the questions I get aren't typically about my new job. Almost always the questions are the same, "What’s Martha like?" and "Do you actually see Martha?" So I thought it would be a great idea to answer these questions here.

Martha has been incredible! There's no other way to describe it. When I was on the Martha show cooking, I thought I might burn down the studio, but somehow Martha made me feel comfortable. Who would have thought that I, the athlete who always burns herself in the kitchen, could have made a quick and healthy meal without a single scorched body part?

I really think of Martha as a mentor. She gives me advice on everything from my radio show to my TV appearances.

I really worried that when I won the apprenticeship I would never see Martha again or only see her on rare occasions. Which is what most people seem to think. But in reality, she has been extremely supportive of me and all that I hope to achieve at MSLO. Martha's probably not reading my blog--as she's a little busy--but if she were, I'd want to say "Thank you, Martha, for this great opportunity."

When Opportunity Knocks

I tend to think of myself as a person who usually asks for what she wants. However, I do at times hold back slightly for fear of being too forward, especially when I'm just getting to know people or, in my current case, starting a new job. But I learned the hard way yesterday that I shouldn't hold back--if you want something, you need to ask for it.

Last week my husband joked with me that I should ask Martha if I could go to the Emmys with her. I just laughed and said "Yeah, right!" I thought he was kidding, but I soon realized he was serious. But, why would Martha take me to the Emmys?

My husband, knowing my personality, was shocked that I wouldn't at least ask. While he would never do something that forward, he knew after 12 years together that I usually would.

Well, I have to say my husband was right. I should have asked. I ran into Martha yesterday and asked how her trip to California was (for the Emmys), and the first thing she said to me was, "We had an extra ticket. You should have come." I can't even begin to say how disappointed I was.

I think of this year with Martha as a tremendous opportunity--hopefully one that will last longer than a year--and I also look at it as a time to make some lifelong memories. Imagine 15 years from now being able to tell my children that I went to the Emmys with Martha Stewart! How amazing would that be?

I think Martha could tell how shocked I was. I told her that I would have loved to join her and that if any similar opportunities arise to please think of me.

I learned a valuable lesson. From now on, I'm going to ask! I'm sure there will be times when what I ask for doesn't come to fruition, but I'm going to at least take the initiative. When opportunity knocks the next time, I'm going to open the door.