Thinking of Spring

The weather here in the North Georgia Mountain area is challenging this time of year isn’t it? It is officially spring time, trees and flowers are blooming and the allergies have kicked in, yet we still have to layer our clothes or just end up inappropriately dressed for the weather on any given day.

I speak of spring because traditionally this time of year is when we all tend to break out the short sleeved shirts, shorts, and yes……the dreaded bathing suits. It is my job to help others to not only get ready for this time of year, physically and mentally but to learn to look forward to spring rather than dread it’s impending arrival. No, we can’t hide under our layers all year, unless of course we move to Alaska.

Anyone in their 40’s and above can attest that it takes much more commitment and diligence than it used to in our 20’s and 30’s, to have what would be a pleasant experience when we shed our layers  of clothing. This process should not be a similar situation to cramming for a final exam. I find that so many of us wait until March to decide to develop a fitness and nutritional plan in order to shed some excess weight. Though, it’s better late than never, I believe that for the long term health of the body, we must be more proactive and learn to develop new and lasting lifestyle habits and have them remain year round.

Here are a few tips on shedding the fat for Spring 2011:

• Find a friend or group of like-minded individuals who are also looking to live healthier lifestyles.
• Take the time each week to plan out your meals; it helps cut grocery costs as well.
• Minimize your intake of process food and complex carbohydrates; eat more protein, vegetables and fruit.
• Start moving; find a group class, personal trainer or a buddy who will hold you accountable. Start with 30 minutes 3 x week minimum.

Join us here on April 7^th at The Spa on Green Street for our “Shed the Fat” Seminar at 6pm. We will discuss the details and starting points to helping you change the way your live and transform your body permanently!!! Sign up soon as space is very limited. Call us today 678.450.1570

Snow and Sticky Buns…What resolution??

Well, here we are mid-January, how are you doing relative to your resolutions for the new year? If you are here in the N.Ga. area, we had quite a week of unusual weather that kept most of us locked away in our homes for several days.  This past week was a challenging time, and there were many lessons that I learned as I waited for the big thaw.

I realized, even being a fitness buff, how easy it was to make excuses regarding my diet and exercise. For some reason the “snow” equated to long couch sessions, movies, hot chocolate and sticky buns. Seriously? Now… I know if I went that route for a couple of days there were more of you who did the same. I made a decision to stop the madness by the third day as I got up off the couch and dusted the caramel and sugar off my lap. I realized  that I had to DO something and that I needed to reach out to my clients and help them as well. I went downstairs to my laundry room/ gym and decided to “get down to business”. I did some cardio on my treadmill, worked up a good sweat and then hit the weights. As much as I didn’t feel like doing any of that, I felt so much better afterwards. Do you realize how much exercise it takes to work off sticky buns? After my workout I went straight to my computer and challenged my clients to “get down to business” and was pleasantly surprised to receive thank you e-mails from ALL of them. They got up and did everything from shoveling their driveway to 30 minutes of dancing in the living room. I did discover that Wii Games will make you sweat! Try doing Thriller and Billy Jean a few times off the Michael Jackson Experience, a new Wii game.

Can you see the value in having friends or professionals who will take a stand for you? Do you know of anyone who could use a few motivational words to help them do the right thing relative to their health? I believe you don’t have to be a trainer to encourage and inspire others to live a healthy lifestyle, we can all model these things for others by our own behaviors. Let’s make sure that we stay conscious of our activities and what we eat, it is easy to fall back into ‘old habits” as the year goes on. Do you need to snap out of it and wipe the caramel and sugar off your lap? Do you know of someone who does? It is up to each one of us individually to create  widespread change in our society and to redirect the unfortunate path we have found ourselves on regarding our health. I encourage you to attend our Fitness in the Round Support group meetings that will start in January. We will meet the last Tuesday of every month at 6pm to support, discuss and encourage each other along the path to permanent lifestyle changes! See you there! Now, let’s  “ get down to business”.

New Years Resolution 2011

The New Year is fast approaching and it is time to look back upon 2010 and take an honest inventory of how we have lived our lives. This is the time we should check in with our resolutions gone by to see where we stand. What did we accomplish? How many of our goals were left to fall by the wayside? How many were accomplished? Are you sitting in the same place as this time last year? Are you waiting to begin eating healthy and exercising until after the new year? Unfortunately, the larger percentage of us,” pardon the pun” are the ones who were not able to keep what is the most common #1 New Year’s Resolution- eat healthier and lose weight; therefore we make the same resolution year after year. I have personally gone down this road in my life, but found a solution, I had to change my mind, and with that my behavior. It is time we stop this cycle and look at what it takes to be successful in your goals for better health and fitness. For some it will take more than just moving more and eating less, it will take an undertsanding of how their body reacts to food.

I want to encourage  you to not just make a new resolution, but to permanently change your lifestyle. This is a much more daunting task than to “quickly” lose 20 pounds, only to find it later when the weight comes right back. The key to permanent change is behavior modification, a courageous attempt to quell bad habits and create new “healthy” habits. This act takes many redeemable qualities that can serve you well in your life in all areas, so weight loss and lifestyle change is a journey into strengthening your character as well. I have seen lives change for the better in all areas with a simple victory in overcoming the weight-loss struggle.  Here are My top 10 Qualities needed for success in creating permanent lifestyle changes:

• Patience:             It takes at least 3 months to create a new habit.
• Appreciation:     Appreciate what is right about your body and your life, find the starting points.
• Diligence:            Staying on track and keeping your rhythm with your exercise routine and nutrition needs.
• Commitment:    Keeping your word to yourself, making good nutrition choices daily.
• Perseverance:   Pushing yourself beyond your own limitations, no quitting!
• Courage:              Face your fears, be willing to let change happen.
• Strength:             Standing strong against pressures to return to old habits.
• Forgiveness:      Each day is a clean sheet of paper, a new start.
• Truth:                    You are worth the effort and are valuable, your efforts can change others lives.
• Honesty:              Facing your own inner saboteur and taking responsibility.

So the point is, change your mind and your heart regarding your New Year’s Resolutions. Make your long-term health your priority. You will need help, this is not a challenge that can be accomplished alone, so reach out to a professional or to those around you who can support you on this most amazing journey. Make this year the start of a brand new life, one filled with vibrancy and health and enduring success!  Let us know your plans for the new year, we can help you on your journey to a long optimal life. Happy New Year to All!