5 Ways to Get Fit & Stay Fit in 2011

Well, the New Year is just a hop, skip, and a jump away.  Before we know it 2010 will be behind us and the dawn of a brand New Year will be upon us. 

New Years Eve is often the time people re-evaluate and re-determine to get fit and make healthy changes in their lifestyles.  Studies show however that many who make resolutions or re-commitments regarding health and fitness often times fall off by spring.

Have you ever been guilty of this?  I have to admit- I have!  So, here's some tips that have worked for me and that I'd like to share with you to help keep the fire under you and keep you focused and consistent this year.

1. Create a "New Year-New You" Goal Poster or Vision Board-  Cut out images, find pictures of yourself at your ideal weight, search magazines for words and pictures that depict the vision you have for yourself.  Paste or glue them on a large piece of oak tag or poster board. 
2. Write down your Health & Fitness Goals.  Set long term goals and short term goals.  Share them with someone you trust.  Read them daily and acknowledge and reward yourself as you achieve them.
3. Get an accountability partner or workout buddy.  This is someone who is really going to encourage you and even push you on those days you feel like slacking off. 
4. Join a fitness forum, support group, or fit club.  There's strength in numbers. Surrounding yourself with like minded people will be pivotal to your success not only in fitness but in other areas of your life as well.
5. Prepare ahead.  Schedule in your workouts on your smart phone or physical calendar.  Just as you schedule your important appointments i.e. doctors, work, and children's activities you need to schedule and pencil in the time you will set aside for fitness.  Also, planning and preparing meals ahead of time will help you avoid binges and fast food drive by's.  "Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail"

Do you have any tips that have worked for you to help you stay the course in your health & wellness journey?  Feel free to leave a comment and let us hear about it.

Happy Holidays!

 

Thanks for following.

I appreciate you.

Looking foward to Sharing with you more in the New Year.

Be a Difference Maker!

The closet in my home office has been deemed as the "coat closet".  Last week when I opened the closet door I was quite annoyed at the limited space in there due to the amount of coats that my darling angels had literally shoved in there. (sarcasm intended)  I started removing them and observed these coats were in great condition.  They weren't discarding them because they were ruined but because they'd either outgrown them or no longer found them fashionable. I decided to gather them all up in my car and delivered them to a community organization that provides them to children in need.

Small acts of kindness truly go a long way in the lives of others.  This past year I know some reading this may have been laid off or loss their employment due to downsizing.  Undoubtedly you are experiencing financial difficulty. If you have a desire to give but are having a financial hardship be encouraged!  Often times we can bless others without it costing us a dime when we give with our heart.

My challenge to you reading this is to search your home or apartment.  Look around to see what you can find to donate/give to be a blessing to someone this holiday season.  Remember, you can donate your time or talent as well.  A few years ago during the holidays I contacted a local women's domestic violence shelter and gave all the young ladies a pampering session.  I can tell it meant a lot to those young ladies. It also blessed me tremendously by doing it.  There are lots of community organizations that need volunteers.  Be Creative.  It really is more blessed to give than to receive!

I would love to hear about it what you come up with.  Post a comment back here and let me know what your doing to make a difference.

Let's Do it For the Kids!

I'm always amazed when I go to my children's high school at the amount of teens who are clearly overweight.  This troubles me considering the health risks & self esteem issues that are inevitable for these youth as a result of their unhealthy lifestyles.

The statistics available that prove child obesity in America is at epidemic levels are alarming.  Statistics show that approximately 1/3 of the nation's children are carrying too much weight. There are lots of reasons why child obesity in America is on the rise. 


One of the main contributing factors is young people are not eating the right foods.  They're eating diets filled with sugar, processed foods, and empty calories-food with little to no nutritional value.   Also, the average American child is getting significantly less exercise on a daily basis. Many of our young people are spending an insane amount of time watching television, surfing the net, and texting and less time involved in physical activities.  I know my children definitely spend more time idle then I ever did as a child!  The combination of processed, fast food diets along with sedentary lifestyles is creating a generation of children who are facing chronic adult health issues such as diabetes, high cholesterol & heart disease.

It's heart breaking because young people who are obese also carry emotional baggage along with the additional weight. Overweight children often have low self-esteem. Teen eating disorders like bulimia & anorexia develop as a result of feelings of inadequacy.  Many obese children are often bullied, ridiculed and made to feel inferior by their peers. 

I believe a large responsibility falls on the adults in these young people's lives to begin to do things differently so we can turn this epidemic around. 

What you as a parent/mentor can do:

1. Exercise with your child.  This will provide support & encouragement.  Your child will less likely feel singled out.
2. Commit to buying healthier foods, read labels, avoid processed foods.  Limit junk food at home
3. Join a YMCA or Fit Club that the entire family can get involved in.
4. Take Walks together.  This will provide great bonding time as well as exercise.
5. Buy Games like WiFit or xBox-Kinnect that encourage movement
6. Reinforce to your child that they are beautiful and you love them and want them to be healthy
7. Consult a Nutritionist or Wellness Coach for assistance for support