New Year...New Realities.

Ahh…a brand new year with big dreams, new goals, and bright visions for the months ahead.  It’s fun to plan and imagine all the great things that we hope to accomplish in the coming year.  That’s the only way that most of us can get from point A to point B.  Plan ahead and execute the plan.  Unfortunately, the execution part is where most of us lose enthusiasm as reality sets in.  We say to ourselves, “This is hard…wow, this really sucks!”  Then, we easily forget those once focused and visionary goals and dreams that we had for the year and go back to our old ways.

When it comes to losing weight and starting a new workout routine, it IS hard and it DOES suck sometimes.  You have to plan for that too.  If you get so focused on the potential outcome and don’t picture the true reality of the sacrifices, the sweat, and the out of breath hard work you will be putting into your vision, you’re setting yourself up for a big disappointment.  It’s all about the execution. 

Since it’s coming up on my two year fit and healthy anniversary, I know from experience what it takes to get here and the “realities” during the journey.  My dreams, visions, and plan gave me a path to get where I wanted to be, but my determination and focus forced me to execute that plan every day. 

Making a resolution?  Remember this…

Determination + Focus + Execution = A New You!  You need all these ingredients for your dreams to become a reality no matter what you do.

Thanks to everyone for reading and responding to my blog this year.  I look forward to exciting things in 2011, both personally and professionally.  Have a safe and Happy New Year!!

~  Some people dream of success…while others wake up and work hard at it.  ~

A bad name...

The other day I caught a doctor on TV plugging his new a “17-day” diet.  The host said that everyone was talking about it!  Hmm…17 days huh?  No wonder diet fads fail and crazy diet plans give the word DIET itself a bad name.  According to MiriamWebster.com, the definition of the word DIET means -

a:  food and drink regularly provided or consumed

b:  habitual nourishment

c:  the kind and amount of food prescribed for a person or animal for a special reason

d:  a regimen of eating and drinking sparingly so as to reduce one's weight <going on a diet>

Where does it say that diet means deprivation?  The word diet for me is a lifestyle.  When people ask me what I eat and I tell them that I eat clean (non-processed foods) they usually say, “Oh, you’re on a diet?”  I tell them that it’s a lifestyle.  It is a set diet with no deprivation.  It's really all about eating and WHAT you eat, not about what you don’t. 

Get over the word and just live the healthy and fit lifestyle with no deprivation.  Let’s call it a LIVET!

Get REAL!!

I have never tried to hide my hatred or total disgust for cigarettes.  Besides the terrible stench that they produce, and the fact that they ARE cancer sticks, it reveals the people who don’t value their own body, life, and the same for others around them.  Years ago, I saw a poster from the American Cancer Society with a photo of a woman smoking a cigarette. She had giant oozing sores all over her skin.  The poster said…Would you still smoke if the outside of your body looked the same as the inside?  It’s obvious that most smokers are in denial because they can’t SEE the actual damage that they’re doing to their lungs and the rest of their internal organs. 

The same thing is true for consuming fat and junk.  It definitely tastes good, but because you can’t see yellow fat blobs under your skin or what it’s actually doing to your insides, denial is there as well.  If I could design a new poster for healthy eating, it would say…Would you still eat junk food if your skin was transparent?  The photo would show an unhealthy overweight person with yellow fat surrounding their heart and organs.  Fat would be bulging under the skin and stretching it to full capacity. 

Whether you see a real smoker’s black lung or a real blob of human fat, that “reality” check actually does work to get some people to quit smoking or quit eating junk.  No matter what your crutch is, face reality and run from denial.  The truth really WILL set you free!  

Sugar in the bowl or on your thighs...what's your DESIRE?

It’s that time of year again…a plethora of holiday candy available everywhere.  I’ve noticed desks and cubicles with bowls filled with red and green Hershey’s Kisses, M&M’s, and peppermints.  My older sugarholic self would’ve been a user and supplier of these yummy holiday treats, but my new self is over the temptation, desire, and addiction to eat those beautiful blubber contributors. 

When, and if, it comes up in conversation that I no longer eat sugar and/or candy, people always say, “Oh, I could never do that.”  Well, I didn’t think I could either, but it depends on how bad you want it.  For me, this was something that I knew that I had to do for my health.  I had the desire to do it and I did it.  Was it easy?  Heck no!  It’s one of the hardest things that I have ever done.  The first month off the stuff, I was having real withdrawals!  I thought I was losing my mind and I wanted it so bad that’s all I thought about.  That feeling did go away shortly after and I’m so glad that I actually did it.  I’m off candy and sugar!  As I have stated before in other posts, I no longer have migraines, the added weight, and the feeling of constantly being tired. I had the desire to live truly “sugar-free” and have made it happen for almost two years now. 

If it doesn’t mean that much to you, you’re not going to do it…just like anything else in life.  You have to have the drive and desire.  It may not sound like much to those who don’t have weight issues or a real addiction to sugar like I did, but if you really want to give up the “white powder” decorated in pretty packaging, you absolutely can.  Do you have the DESIRE?

~ Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything. ~ Napoleon Hill

Comfort Foods. Really?

Since the holidays are coming fast and so is the cold weather, I’ve seen a lot of recipes in magazines and on TV that they’re calling “comfort foods”.  Just this morning a lady on the Today Show was making a dish that had 2 cups of heavy cream in it.  She called this a “comfort food” holiday dish.  Is the prerequisite for comfort food cream, sugar, butter, and any ingredient that is fattening?  I think the only person that is comfortable from this kind food is the person who is making it.

According to Wikipedia, the term "comfort food" refers to foods consumed to achieve some level of improved emotional status and food that brings some form or measure of comfort, sense of well-being, or easy satisfaction.

Shouldn’t it be called miserable food?  That’s how your going to feel after you’ve eaten it!  You’re not going to feel so comfortable having to unbutton your jeans because they’re too tight…not so comfortable feeling that extra roll of fat hanging over the top of your pants…and not so comfortable with your back boobs rolling out beneath your bra strap!

Beware of the so-called “comfort foods” this season that could leave you feeling miserable.

GOBBLE GOBBLE...Let the turkey do that!!

It's almost here...Thanksgiving!  Americans are getting ready for the big meal that represents this holiday, but let's keep things in perspective.  Before you sit down to the table, just take one minute, think, and analyze the situation before everyone starts shoving food at you.  Remind yourself of all the hard work you have put into your workouts and your vision of having a better body.  Are you going to let one afternoon of a room full of carbs and sugars take over your mind and freak you out?  NO!!  Be thoughtful of your choice process and think portion control.  Should we deprive ourselves?  No.  Just be aware that “this” is what got us out of shape in the first place.  If we all had good self-control in the past, we wouldn't be trying to transform our bodies now.  You might hear that little inner evil voice inside your head saying, "Get another piece of pie, big deal…it's Thanksgiving!"  Try my trick and say it out loud, "No, it tastes great, but I've already had a piece."  Yes, your family will think your nuts (they might anyway), but saying it out loud usually makes you walk into the other room or outside.  Do whatever it takes…start helping with the cleanup or just get the heck out of that kitchen and dining room!

If you do happen to freak out on Thanksgiving (and that little inner evil voice won), just start fresh on Friday.  Flick it off your shoulder and move forward.  Don't let it sidetrack your success just because of one crazy day. 

YOU are in charge of your body and what you choose to eat.  Make smart choices and leave all of the “gobbling” for the turkeys! 

Have a great Thanksgiving.  :)

Multi-tasking Gone Wild!

I don’t know about you, but I hate sitting for very long.  I really hate sitting in grey cubicles!  That’s why I love this idea!  It’s a treadmill desk from TrekDesk.  You can definitely multi-task if you have one of these.  If you walk around 5 miles per day, that could be a potential weight loss of 50-70 pounds a year!  Check it out…

Time - Get on Board!

I compare time to a speeding train that cannot be put into reverse or slowed down. You can’t see what’s up ahead, just what has passed. Looking back, you wish you could’ve seen yourself as a healthy and fit person that you always wanted to be. You can’t go back, but speed forward and hope the end of the ride is far into the future.


We all know by now what we should be doing to get fit and healthy, but are we doing it? The number one excuse to not get fit and healthy is, “I don’t have time.” Well, if you want it bad enough, you have to make time because time is not slowing down for you. Have you ever truly examined how much time you spend on useless non-activities? I made a deal with myself two years ago; if I want to watch TV, I need to be on the treadmill. Before, I would sit like a blob and waste an hour or two staring at the screen. I’m still trying to figure out how I can incorporate my laptop on a recumbent bike…?


Most of us feel that there are not enough hours in the day, but everyone on this earth shares the same 24 hours with their own individual responsibilities. (It’s too bad we have to sleep!) Some people make finding time to stay healthy and fit their number one responsibility and they MAKE IT WORK. Be honest with yourself about how much time you could be devoting to your body. Are their things that you could give up, multi-task, schedule for later, or even cut out? If you take a close look at each day and track your time, you might be surprised at what you will find.


So you don’t have to look back and imagine how your body should’ve, could’ve, or would’ve been, get onboard that speeding train and embrace every second you have now! Schedule those extra few minutes you find to plan your healthy meals, add some cardio, or crunch those abs. Then you can see what lies up ahead…a new fit and healthy body. You can become the conductor of your own speeding train through life and steer it where you want to go.

Eating Out without Freaking Out!

I love going out to restaurants and socializing with friends over lunch or dinner.  Unfortunately, I used to lose all self-control and order whatever looked or sounded good on the menu without giving it any real thought. Afterwards, I always had the same guilty feelings wondering…why did I eat that?  After four years of being on the road for my job, I had no other choice but to eat out almost every meal, so I eventually started packing on the pounds.  Snacking on candy while driving did not help the situation!

For a lot of people, eating out presents a huge challenge.  How can we dine out and still eat healthy?  Well, it takes some orchestrating, but it’s definitely doable.  You have to make it work for yourself.  You can’t depend on the chef, cook, or server to make YOUR healthy choices because it WON’T happen.  Since I only look at food now as “fuel”, it’s so much easier to find and order what I need at just about any restaurant.

The most IMPORTANT part of ordering is your communication with the waiter/waitress.  You have to convey how you “need” it…no extra sauces and everything on the side.  Most of the time, even if I don’t see what I need from the menu, I discuss with my server what I would like.  It’s never been a problem and I always get the food that I was looking for. 

I start with a basic protein like chicken, salmon, tilapia, turkey, etc.  Then I look for sides like steamed vegetables, asparagus, broccoli, brussel sprouts, etc., and I add a complex carb like brown rice, couscous, faro, or sweet potato.  If you're visiting a new restaurant and are not familiar with the menu, sometimes they’re available online so you can plan your choices ahead.  If not, then just take your time looking over the menu and ask for what YOU need so you can make a healthy and smart decision. 

Remember this when you’re looking over menu entrees and/or desserts:  “Yum, this looks really good, but will it look as good stuck to my thigh?”

EASY = Bad, HARD = Good!!

When you see someone (or yourself) who is physically fit, you’re looking at someone who has worked very HARD to get and stay that way.  When you see someone who is overweight, you assume that they have taken the easy road.  Let’s get real…it’s easy to stay fat and/or out of shape!  It’s easy to buy and eat junk food, it’s easy to eat crap just because it’s “there”, it’s easier NOT to work out, and it’s easy to sit and do nothing. 

Making the commitment to be healthy and fit is a big deal and it’s HARD.  Is it worth it?  ABSOLUTELY…100%!!  It’s hard to change your behaviors and routines, it’s hard to wake up early for morning workouts, it’s hard to push through one more set, it’s hard to sweat through cardio, and it’s hard to say no to sugar and desserts.  What’s NOT hard is looking at your new body in the mirror, feeling incredible, and knowing that your new decisions will take your future in a bright new direction. 

Most of us that have been on the weight roller coaster have always taken the EASY road.  So, the next time you’re working out and think about ending it early or taking it down to a lower level “because it’s easier", don’t do it.  Easy isn’t going to cut it anymore!  Make it hard and give it all your energy.  Hard = Good!  Your HARD workouts will pay off if you stick with your commitment to transform your life.  The rewards are fantastic!   

~ Some people dream of success...while others wake up and work hard at it. ~

I Do! Do you?

Why is it that most people are willing to make a commitment to be with another person when they haven’t made any kind of commitment to themselves for a healthy and fit life?  A lot of thought, time, money, and preparation goes into a wedding.  We should be planning our own healthy vow ceremony first.  Throughout life, people make promises, pledges, guarantees, and covenants.  For those of us that have made real commitments to our healthy selves, we’re probably in the minority.

Why don’t we respect our own bodies enough to commit to them before we’re willing to commit to anyone or anything else?  We’re worth it.  For some reason, we feel the need to discount our own health needs because of careers, relationships, families, and everything else that goes on in our lives.

We’re here now.  This (life) is NOT a dress rehearsal.  Don’t look back with regrets on not getting fit and healthy.  Personally, I have regrets in my life, but this is not one of them.  I only wish I had done it sooner.  If you have struggled with weight loss, eating, and being out of shape, I have to tell you that becoming fit and knowing “how” to eat healthy, is the best feeling in the world!  Commit to yourself.

No Tops Allowed!

I’m talkin'...muffin tops!  Thanks to low-rise pants, muffin tops had their coming out parties a few years ago and they’re everywhere.  Personally, I tried to hide any extra pooch or spillover in the past with jackets and loose clothing.  Now I don’t have to hide anything around my middle because instead of the lard, it’s rock hard…my abs!

I never thought that I would be able to see myself with defined abs, but after I experienced fantastic results on other parts of my body through eating clean and weight training, I began working specifically on my mid-section.  It’s not something that happens overnight, but it definitely can be done.  You have to melt the snow (fat) from the mountain before you can see the peaks and valleys show through.  AFTER I melted my snow, that’s when the real progress began for my abs.  It’s all about reverse crunches and regular crunches with WEIGHTS. 

I do 4 sets with 15 reps of reverse crunches on a flat bench with 25 lb. ankle weights (12.5 lbs) each leg.  (Google - reverse crunches for example videos and photos.)  This works my lower and upper abs and everything in between.  I hold a 35 or 40 lb. dumbbell on my chest for 4 sets of 15 reps on regular crunches. 

Don’t assume that your abs will never come out and play, you just have to get rid of the extra insulation first.  I’m happy to say that my muffin is gone for good.  I don’t eat them, so I won’t be wearing them!

~ You bought it.  You can eat it, but do you really want to wear it in the morning? ~  Post-it note on Bill Phillips’ refrigerator (Body for Life)

H-2-Oh…yeah!

By now, we all know the recommended amount of water that we should be drinking each day… eight 8oz. glasses.  In the past, I was lucky to drink one!  For us in the U.S., we have water at our disposal any time of any day.   So, why don’t we drink more of it?   Probably because compared to everything else that we drink, it has no “flavor”.  Waahh…

When your car says to use unleaded gas, would you put regular gas in it?  No, because you want it to run properly.  (Can you even get regular gas any more?)  Anyway, you get my point.  We want to run properly, don't we?  Because humans have no manual that comes with us when we’re born, we are at the mercy of adults to make wise decisions for us when we’re children, and hopefully we will make wise choices about our own health when we grow up.  The only instructions or manual that we have to go on is recommendations from doctors and results from health studies.  Still, most adults do NOT choose to drink nearly enough water. 

Since I changed my way of living (eating clean and weight training), I still have my morning cup of coffee, but have chosen only to drink water the rest of the day.  I drink around 3 liters a day and have no desire to go back to my diet sodas and juices.  I quickly got used to it. 

Here’s a link to a good article about WHY we should drink water:

 http://viewzone2.com/waterx.html

My skin is better than it’s ever been and I feel fantastic!  Is it from all of the water that I drink?  I'm sure it's from the combination of all of the healthy choices that I have incorporated into my life, but water never gets enough credit…so yes, it’s the water!

The weight that made me...

The weight that made me in the past came from simple carbs and tons of sugar! 
The weight that made me in the last 19 months is from...

...my Bowflex dumbbells and ankle weights, of course!  
For those of you who think that your only choice is to join a gym and use only machines, think again.  These dumbbells have been fantastic for me.  I use them to sculpt many different areas of my body.  I followed the Bowflex DVD that came with them and the results have been amazing.  I did recently add a few new pieces of equipment to my gym area (empty basement) like a leg press, knee raise tower, and a roman chair.
There are a few machines that I would definitely benefit from at the gym, but I'm very strange about working out in front of other people and I'm sort of a germ-aphobe!  It's not a social event for me, so I like to get down to business and get my workout done which is easier for me at home.  (Plus, I yell at myself during cardio and sound like a crazy person!)  Having said that, I do like nice gyms!  On a recent trip to Vegas, I had the chance to work out at a great gym at the JW Marriott.  I would love to work out there every day!  Hmm...
No matter where you work out, take advantage of every piece of equipment that you can.  
If you just have dumbbells and ankle weights, they can make a huge difference in your physique depending on how you use them.
Make it work!    

No BUTTS about it!

Unless you are a contortionist, our backsides are something that everyone else sees, but us.  We try to twist around in the mirror and get opinions from others..."Does this make my butt look big?"  Most of us want it to look good (meaning plump and round), not big, flat, and wide!
If you want to get started on that nice rump, start now!  Don't wait until next spring to start freaking out about it.  Be pro-active and do it now.  Even if you only have 15 extra minutes a day, you can shape your gluteus maximus into something that you will be proud of when you walk out of a room and not something that you try to hide. (Obviously, these women didn't care!) 
I always had a flat butt until now.  I started doing hip extensions/kickbacks with ankle weights.  Here's a good example video:  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG7p3avn10o  
I love what I (try) to see in the mirror now.  I started seeing results within a few months of incorporating this exercise along with my clean eating routine. 
While everyone else is laying around, eating junk, and getting fatter this winter, you'll be on your way to a better looking backside.  By the time it's bathing suit season, you can bet your butt that you'll be lookin' and feelin' good!  :)  


    

Fat = Cheap!

Let’s face it…it’s cheap to be fat!  I can pick up a box or bag of anything at the grocery store for only 99 cents like:  a box of caramel popcorn, a bag of cheese curls, cookies, orange slices, etc.  Actually, I don’t even have to get out of my car to get something for 99 cents at drive-thrus like:  burritos, burger/fry specials, roast beef sandwiches, chocolate shakes, etc.  I admit that I fell into that trap for a while.  It’s instant gratification because it tastes good and you don’t spend a lot, right?

Well, I’m always up for a good sale, but not when it comes to what I’m putting into my body.  I noticed that Wal-Mart’s tagline is Save money-Live better.  Does that mean healthier?  Have you seen people at Wal-Mart?  I have to take time, plan, and work hard at my food preparation and eating plan.  I often find myself shopping more often because of the fresh fruits and vegetables, but it’s not that big of an issue.  In the beginning, it seemed like I was spending more, but I’m actually spending around the same amount for healthy food.  (I guess I was buying a lot more snacks and junk than I realized!) 

As Tim McGraw says in a song, “Another supper from a sack, a 99 cent heart attack”...  Yes, you can save money when you buy that fast food meal or cheap snack, but how much will it cost you in the long run?  Could it cost you your health and cheat you out of a part of your life?  Would you give 99 cents to have your good health and live without fat?  

Giving Up & Getting!

Before I started my journey to become fit and healthy, my pantry was stocked with all kinds of 100-calorie packs of chips and snacks.  I thought that was my answer to snacking; just cut down on what I was already eating to one little bag.  We know how that works!  You eat an extra one here and there and go buy more.  My freezer was jammed with frozen boxes of diet meals and, of course, I always had my stash of candy!

I never could figure out why I wasn’t losing any weight…duh!

I became educated on PROPER nutrition from reading The Eat Clean Diet book.  Giving up sugar/candy was the first thing.  That truly was one of the hardest things that I have ever done!  The second thing was getting rid of those frozen boxes of sodium and actually cooking my own healthy meals with real protein, fresh vegetables, and complex carbohydrates.  The third thing is not buying any more 100-calorie packs of anything!  Am I that stupid that I can’t read labels and figure out a serving size?  There is no snacking any more.  I don’t even use the word snack.  If it’s not “fuel” for my body, then I don’t need it. 

What do you GET when you give up?...a healthy body and the experience of having no more cravings to eat junk.  I love my body now.  I have NEVER thought that before!  Since I’m so proud of what I have accomplished, that feeling overrides the taste of candy or a snack. 

Combine giving up with a great workout routine, and you’re guaranteed to get 100% MORE than you gave up.  Experience it for yourself!

Lovin' My New Cooler/Bag!

I’m so excited about this new cooler that I purchased.  For those of us on the go, this is the perfect way to make sure that you have all the proper food, drinks, and supplements for the day.  I used to pack a giant cooler with a large ice pack that took up most of the space.  My storage bags containing protein powder and supplements would fall to the bottom between my plastic food containers that were jammed in everywhere.  For the record, I’m not affiliated with this company.  I just like it so much that I had to share. 

It’s from 6 Pack Bags and it comes in small and large.  I have one of each.  Fair warning, the large is really large!  The small is fine for me for the day, but the large could be for a man or to use for a whole weekend.  It has adjustable shelves that include slide out meal containers.  There’s a place for supplements, drinks, ice packs, and 3 accessory pockets.  You can check it at: 

http://www.sixpackbags.com/

Ahh…finally, a product that I can really use!  

My Daily Meals & Workout Routine

After experimenting and adjusting the menus from Tosca Reno's Eat Clean Diet & EC Cookbook, along with Bill Phillips' Eating for Life recipes, I came up with food that actually works for me.  I eat a lot of protein, (chicken breasts, tuna, salmon, legumes) a vegetable, (brussel sprouts, broccoli, asparagus) and a complex carb, (sweet potatoes, couscous, quinoa, farro) with each meal.  I also try to squeeze in small amounts of fresh fruit.  I eat small every 2-3 hours; protein shakes after my workout and during the day; and I drink a lot of water - at least 3 liters a day.

Example day:

7-8am - Banana, oatmeal w/1/2 scoop of protein powder, flax, cinnamon, blue agave nectar (1 T) water & coffee

10:30am - Protein shake or bar

12pm - Chicken breast salad with hb egg white, spinach, flax, quinoa, (1/2 olive oil ½ red wine vinegar dressing) & water

2:30 - Protein shake or bar

5pm - Tuna, salmon, or turkey, hb egg white, brussel sprouts, sweet potato, water

7:30 – Greek yogurt w/blueberries or apple with almonds

Workouts - I rotate every day; upper body, lower body, cardio, and throw in abs as often as I can.

Shoulders - Shoulder press; Front raises; Lateral raises; Reverse flyes        

Biceps - Dumbbell curls; Hammer curls

Triceps - Triceps kickbacks; Bench dips

Chest - Dumbbell incline press; Dumbbell incline flyes; Push-ups

Back - Dumbbell rows; Back extensions; Pull-ups

Abs - Hanging knee raises; Floor crunches; Oblique floor crunches; V-ups

Hamstrings & Glutes  - Dumbbell lunges; Straight-leg deadlifts; Lying leg curls & weighted kickbacks.

Quadriceps - Leg presses; Leg extensions       

Calves - Standing calf raises

Cardio - 30 minute intervals  (treadmill or recumbent bike)

Halloween candy...trick, not treat!

Ok, it's here again…the Halloween candy!  We’ll all be passing it in the stores for the next month.  Those huge bags of "fun size" Snickers, Twix, Skittles, Kit Kat, M&M’s, etc!  Yum!  In the past, I would buy several bags so it would “look” like I was buying it early before it was all gone.  Right, you know what happened!  I would break into those bags and go back and buy more again and again.  After all, they are "fun size"!

Being a self-admitted sugarholic, it's not smart for me to buy any of it because I KNOW I will eat it!!  If any of you have ever read the book Sugar Busters, then you know what sugar really does to your system...gross!  But, the taste of candy used to be heaven to me.  I’m sure everyone has noticed that a lot of candy bags say "FAT-FREE” on them.  Yes, it IS fat-free because it's all sugar.  Sugar and fat are not the same.  Sugar turns into fat (cellulite, blubber, pounds, muffin-tops) once it's inside of you!  

If we stop and think about all the hard, sweaty workouts that we have endured because of those stupid decisions to eat candy in the past, (snickers, twix, skittles, etc.) hopefully you can STOP, DROP, & ROLL (or run) away from those candy bags that bombard us when walking into stores.  Yes, it tastes good, but do you really want to wear it under your skin?

I love Halloween, but I had to 100% stop the candy.  Fair warning…this year, watch out for the treats that really are the tricks!

Health...do you "have" it?

Have you ever heard people say, “Well if you have your health, you have everything.”  I have heard this so many times and after analyzing this quote, I asked myself, do we really just “have” our health?  No.  We earn our good health.  Having health doesn’t just mysteriously happen by itself.  Food and drug companies aren’t in charge of our GOOD health.  We are the ones that can make our own bodies the best that they can be.

There are very few people who are smokers, overweight, junk food junkies, and sugar-holics, who somehow scoot through life with virtually no major health issues.  For the most part, those of us who do care, we educate ourselves on proper nutrition and exercise to make our bodies look and feel the best that they can.  It takes a lot of work and we EARN our good health. 

Be proud of the fact that you have taken initiative to work hard at eating clean because that is the first piece of the puzzle.  After you conquer that initial change in your life, your beautiful new body will follow.  Make your good health happen, then you really can “have everything.”

~ Some people dream of success...while others wake up and work hard at it. ~

Mind Over Fatter...

After getting over sugar addictions and making the choice to change the way we eat and look, many innocent thoughts can change the direction of our journey.  As most of us have experienced, the biggest battle in a new healthy lifestyle is all in our minds.  It’s not that we don’t want it bad enough or that our intensions aren’t good…it’s that most people (including myself) sabotage all of the good efforts by letting that little pop-up evil inner voice convince us to eat junk again or skip workouts. 

What actually helps me fight the inner evil voice is saying my opposition out loud.  I know it sounds crazy, but it has worked for me for well over a year now.  When I find myself heading toward that candy or cookie isle that I feel magnetized to, I will say, “No…I like the way I look now better than that will taste” or “I know it tastes good but I don’t want to wear it.”  I figure I’ve had the opportunity to eat all of that junk for most of my life and it hasn’t gotten me anywhere but fat and sad!

It’s not rocket science, but it is a fact…eating clean and working out will get you in the best shape of your life.  Keep that vision of how you want to look and feel in your thoughts every day.  Stay strong and don’t play mind games with yourself.  

~ A man is but the product of his thoughts.  What he thinks, he becomes. ~
Mohandas Gandhi