Ask yourself this question..."What's stopping you from being your best, healthiest, fittest self?" Is your answer fear of failure, loss of control or not knowing how to do everything correctly? Can it be that you are a perfectionist and you don't want to start something you are not confident you can be 100 percent successful? Maybe it is time to think differently.

I heard this quote from a client of mine today, "Don't let perfect get in the way of better". That quote spoke volumes to me. Each week I come in contact with people that are over achievers in their business life, family life and social life, but lead a physical life that is  unfit and unhealthy. They struggle with their weight, high blood pressure, stress and there is not much thought to what and how they are eating. Its not that these people aren't capable of learning the rules of the road to health & fitness, but that they don't want to engage in something that they can't get the A+, the 100%, the Blue Ribbon or whatever that they perceive to be "perfection". When it comes to health, wellness & fitness the journey is not about perfection, but simply about being better. Better at the journey that doesn't necessarily have a finish line, as it is more of a way of life. And life, simply isn't perfect for anyone, but it can be better! So don't let those "perfection" ideas get in your way of being better. Think differently.

The second thing I learned about this week was how control plays a role in holding you back. Sometimes it is fear of losing control that keeps someone from being their "healthiest, fitness, best self".
This quote is from Dr. Jade Teta: "Control is a symptom of fear and  insecurity. It can push goals further away making change harder not easier to  achieve. The idea that we "know better" can lead to blindness by ignorance. A  better approach is to put aside control and become the student not the teacher.  Don't force or try to control change, but instead immerse yourself in the  process learning as you go." 
As a fitness professional, I see this in my clients, but I can also see this in myself. I truly  relate to this as I like being in control...but I also know that because of that, there have been times when I didn't grow physically, emotionally or spiritually because I thought "I knew better". Sometimes, I need to "Think Differently".

So as I ask you "What's stopping you?...Think Differently", I will do also. I will begin to let go of fear of not being "perfect"  and try to live my life to be "better". And as for control, I will embrace the positive changes that can happen through the learning process as I set aside control.
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Gobble Gobble! The Thanksgiving Holiday is right around the corner. And it is at Thanksgiving that people think about their lives and tend to articulate what it is that they are thankful. Instead, don't wait until Thursday, November 25. I encourage you to take time daily during the month of November to think about the things you have in your life to be thankful. With so much negativity in the world and every day stresses, it can be overwhelming and easy to get caught up and forget about all the good in our lives. So think of it as an exercise that is “Fitness for the Soul.” Pull out a calendar and each day write down one thing that makes you feel thankful. At the end of the month you will have 30 things to reflect upon that are “good” in your life. I believe that if you begin this exercise, and you find a moment each day to associate with the good, you’ll find a positive strength within to handle the hurdles that may come your way.

“All that is best and highest in me greets/salutes all that is best and highest in you." - Namaste

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Post Title. 09/18/2010
 
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FAT vs MUSCLE
Have you ever heard "Muscle weighs more than fat"?  Well, its not true. 5 lbs of feathers weighs 5 lbs. A 5 lb weight weight s 5 lbs. A 5 lb bag of sugar weighs...you guessed it - 5 lbs!  So at any given weight, fat and muscle weigh the same amount. The issue is size and density of the weight. A 5 lb bag of feathers might be able to fill a 30 gallon trash bag and a 5 lb bag of sugar might fit in a 1/2 gallon bag.  So, what should be stated is this: Fat takes up twice as much room as muscle. AND....for another blog....muscle can not turn into fat....more on that later!

Although the scale is an important tool for monitoring weight, so is monitoring your clothes and how they fit! If you have  been working out, doing weight training, eating clean....but the scale hasn't budged but your clothes are obviously more loose, you may have lost fat and replaced that fat weight loss with muscle gain. It is subtle on the scale, but obvious in how you feel.

So keep this in mind with eating and exercising. Keep this "visual" in your head. And think....eat clean/great for 6 days, cheat one. Go hard & tough 5/6 days on your exercise...active/light exercise 2 /1 days.


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Commitment 07/22/2010
 
"There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re  interested in doing something, you do it only when it’s convenient. When you’recommitted to something, you accept no excuses; only results.”

I came across this quote on SparkPeople.com and the truth behind the words and how it applies to everything we do in our lives really struckme. But for this article, I want to “analyze” how it relates to fitness.

After being in the business for over 15 years, I’ve seen those that are committed to making a change in their fitness and wellness and those who have simply shown interest. Now I have to give credit to those that have shown interest…they do take the first step. They typically make a personal training appointment, say they are going to start Weight Watchers or follow a new healthy eating plan, attend a group exercise class - and their intentions are good. Some of those who are “interested” in fitness and wellness actually come to the gym several times a week even – but the lack of effort keeps them from reaching their potential.

However, just as in school, you may pay the tuition and show up for class, but that doesn’t give you the “A”! Those that are “interested” talk about wanting change, but have an excuse waiting that keeps them from seeing the results they are seeking. You’ve either heard them before or used the excuse yourself – “I had to go out of town”, “but it is the holidays”, “the weather is just so awful”, “but I don’t like the treadmill”, “I have bad knees”, “I don’t have time to cook healthy”, “I don’t’ like to sweat”, “I work to much to fit it in” (this is just a few of the MANY!).

So what is it that separates the “Committed” from the “Interested”? There are books written on this, but here are a few things that get people to transition into commitment:
1. Letting go of the fear. You can do it – it’s the voice inside your head that tells you can’t or that you don’t know how. If it’s not knowing how, you can count a fitness professional (like me!) to help you learn. Becoming committed means pushing past your comfort zone…. trusting in your ability.

2. “Just Do It’, “Yes I Can”, “Be all that I can Be” – just a few phrases that the “committed” use while on their journey for results. Focusing on the positive, not the negative.

3. Realistic Goal Setting. Results are possible when you have a plan and an approach to achieve the goals that you have set.

4. Those that are committed may have had a life altering change – a diagnosis from their doctor, a family or friend health crisis or simply a wake up call that they could no longer ignore or “hit snooze”.
The desire for change is greater than the excuse.

5. Scheduled. Those that are committed to fitness schedule it into their day. They do it while traveling, during the holidays, before, during or after work.

6. Those that are committed to healthy eating educate themselves and put what they learn to practice. The choices don’t have to be complicated and you don’t have to cook! The information out there is free and in abundance – and very simple.

Commitment to fitness and wellness doesn’t have to be hard. What you will find is joy and fulfillment in a healthier body, mind and spirit. It’s your own personal health care reform. Stop wanting results –  start achieving them. The resources and tools are available to you. No excuses. YES YOU CAN!
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