Just because you're not sick doesn't mean you're healthy!

Too many times we ignore signs that our bodies tell us that something is wrong! Are you getting routine doctors check-ups? More improtantly are you listening to your body and are you taking proactive steps to live a long healthy life. Your health status can change in the blink of an eye. We tend to think all is well because we don't "feel" sick. This may not be the case that's why regular health screenings are so important. Things like blood pressure, diet and exercise play a critical role in our health and these are things you can control. If you have the power why not use it? Sounds simple enough but so many people don't for whatever reason. Take control of what you have power over. You have control over every fork full that goes in your mouth! You decided when to get up and exercise or whether or not you are going to sit on the couch with some chips. Make a conscious decision to make whatever changes you need to make for a happier, healthier you. Even though your weight plays a major role don't be fooled to think that just because you aren't overweight that you are automatically healthy. Not true! So many people that look slim have the worst eating habits and may be in worse shape than some overweight people. Today is Halloween and Lord know I love any piece of candy with peanut butter in it. I really have to make an effort to stay away from the treat bag tonight! I won't even allow myself one piece becasuse it will lead to piece number two. I have to tell myself I already know what it tastes like so why eat it? Thanksgiving is around the corner and so is Christmas. That means food food food. Make your plan now to avoid overindulging! Just take care of YOU!

You are in control!

No more excuses. Plan to succeed in your weight and fitness goals. Treat it just like you would a job...because it is!!! If being fit and losing weight were easy everyone would be at their ideal weight and companies selling lies in a bottle wouldn't be making billions a year in brainwashing folks into thinking they don't have to put in any work. The good thing is so much of the work is outlined for you. Find what works best for you and stick with it! You can't be "good" for a week and workout once and then get mad because the scale hasn't budged and you throw in the towel. Nope you'll never succeed! Be patient and set short goals with realistic expectations! Trust me if you stay consistent you will see results and you will surprise yourself! So as you all know I'm always looking for a new fitness challenge and I have found yet another one. I'm in week 3 of a fitness boot camp and loving it! It's Saturday mornings at 6am and I look forward to it! I still do my regular gym work outs at the gym and I have found myself incorporating some of he same routines. The great part is it's so hard and that's what I love about it. It is 100% hard work the entire hour and it's never the same thing twice, maybe the same types of exercises but always switched up in a way that makes it more and more challenging. The first week I could barely do burpies and mountain climbers. If you don't know what these are go to You Tube and put them in the search box. Dozens of demos and they are no joke. I'm already so much better at them already in week 3. Burpies are the #1 fat burning exercise you can do and trust me you will know why when you do them. Notice how I said "When" not "If"? I'm expecting you all to try them. Don't give up! You are in control!!

WE are not alone!

So I discovered a new blog today and quickly signed up to become a follower, the blog is Fat Girl Dives In just reading her blog I could so relate and it was refreshing! So many of us struggle with weight it's no secret but it's harder I think to keep it all bottled up inside. Sometimes it helps just to share your insecurities, your victories and defeats and know that you aren't the only one going through it. So as the days start to get a little shorter and the breezes are getting cooler in the morning I'm thinking of how much I dread fall and winter. Not to worry gonna stay on my A game and try not to beat myself up over everything. I am too hard on myself and I have to learn to congratulate myself for reaching small goals which I tell people all the time to set for themselves. Everyone wants to look at the broad picture but you'll find the short-term goals are so much easier and less stressful. What are your short-term goal? Now that I'm thinking, what are mine? I actually want to cut back on my gym time! It really is time consuming but it also increases my appetite so I think I want to go back to 3 or 4 days a week verses the 5 or 6 I'm doing now. Especially since school is back in and the kids are going to have more activities. Of course I need my "ME" time but I have to keep that balance. So good luck with your short term goals and by all means please share with me and remember we are not alone!

A Serious Consideration

As I have blogged about before, I get many requests from friends and strangers alike who request my services to help them get on the weight loss train. It's part of the reason I started this blog because I was so tired of repeating myself (although it excites me every time) and I am so inspired by others success. I can truly say that I am passionate about what I say about my journey but it's just that...my journey. Although I tell people all the time "If it worked for me it can work for you too!" I think I need to add a caveat to that statement. You must be mentally ready to commit to yourself. Commit time, finances, and all the strength physically and mentally you can muster. You also have to be selfish and not make excuses. So I say all this to say I am really considering doing some consulting for weight loss and exercise. I have been turning down money to do what I love! What the hell is wrong with me? I asked my Biggest Loser team at work all the time, "Do you know how much people pay for the results you are getting for listening to me?" They were getting it free! LOL but it was because I believed in them and they were committed and that dedication showed in their weight loss. Anyway I digress...let me know what you think, this may take off, it may not, the point is I am considering!

Quit is a four letter word!

So I'm sitting here at my daughters double Dutch practice itching to get to the gym as I always am when I take her to practice and I'm so motivated by their energy! They are jumping around and sweating and having fun! So I ask when did exercise stop being fun and start being work? The short answer is it didn't! Theses little girls don't know they are exercising they think they are jumping rope and having fun! Fun is the key word! Don't think you have to do dull boring exercises to achieve your desired results! Make it fun find something you love! Part of loving exercise for me is building up to it I look at it ad something I get to do like it's a privilege and to me it is because I do have the luxury of making time for it! I look forward to it and anticipate it at every turn down to my Golds Gym app! I hit the motivation button everyday for inspiration! I'm sitting here flipping through my new Shape magazine dog earring some new weight moves and leg exercises I can't wait to use. Hey but that's just me if you love to dance do it more often and dance a little harder, if you love to shop park st the far end of the parking lot, if you have small kids race them down the block or walk to the park and run around with them! Before you know it you'll be incorporating more and more activity! Give it a try what have you got to lose...oh yeah inches!!!!

Your skinny Jeans aren't getting any bigger...

I am a clothes fanatic! I love to shop and my taste in fashion is very distinct. Now that I have a body that I love and I treat right and in return treats me right right, I wear pretty much whatever I want to and it's a great feeling! There was a time when a dressing room mirror would send me home in tears mocking me the whole way. Not any more and never again! Some people equate their goals in inches versus pounds and that is fine, whatever works for you. I did both. When there were times the scale didn't move but the pants I wore last week could no longer stay up with a safety pin I counted that as success! Do whatever you have to do to stay motivated. If the scale isn't treating you right, buy a goal piece of clothing. Something that may be a little too snug now or you see too much of a bulge in but with time eating right and exercising you know one day will fit you like a glove! Keep it hanging right in sight, don't put it in the back of the closet because you can't wear it right now! Hang it in your bathroom or on your bedroom door as a reminder of the near future and what you want. It's not impossible and it WILL happen. Once I started losing weight and got to the point where clothes weren't fitting anymore I started buying clothes at least two sizes down thinking there is no way this is ever going to fit and then when those clothes got too big I just laughed and kept on shopping! Let me tell you it's the best feeling in the world! Get that bathing suit, those skinny jeans, that cute dress, whatever it is you want, get moving and get out of your own way!

I won't know if you skip your workout...but you will!

Accountability! Yeah yeah I know you have heard that word a dozen or more times as it applies to almost everything we do in our lives but it means the most when it comes to your health and lifestyle. I like that word because we tend to lie to ourselves and make deals and then wonder why the scale isn't moving or that nemesis of a fat roll is still there when we look in the mirror. The bottom line is you have to stop the excuses and for goodness sakes stop putting off to tomorrow what you can do today! You have to be consistent to see results period! You can't go hard for a week and expect to reach your goal and go back to your bad habits. Also you gotta make it hurt. I know you have heard "NO PAIN NO GAIN" well believe it or not it's true. Don't make your workout "comfortable" if it's easy or relaxing WHILE you are doing it, you aren't working hard enough. Sure any movement is good for the body but for real results push yourself, you'll be pleased you did...you can thank me later! BTW so many of you have and I really appreciate it and I am happy to offer my sometimes crass opinions. I love it! Stay moving and get motivated!