What Are You Afraid Of?

Fear of change can keep you in a job you hate, a bad relationship, or a physically destructive lifestyle. Ask yourself: Are you living your full potiential? Is your life making you happy? When you look in the mirroe are you happy with what you see? If you answered no to either of those questions, WHAT do you have to lose by embracing change?

The truth is, things should change — your body goes through changes, your habits change( almost daily), your attitude is changing. This might be the point where, change is well needed and you start to freak out a little bit. You might be asking yourself, What will all this change mean — to my life's direction, my relationships, my identity?

I can't stress enough how important it is to resist any pressure you may be feeling from others to stop improving your habits or to remain a certain size. And don't worry if your spouse, family members, or friends aren't on board with your plans. You can't control them. They'll change if and when they want to change. Take care of yourself FIRST!

Maybe you're afraid you won't know how to love yourself if you're not a certain size. Many people are buried in their weight, not knowing who they would be without it. This is especially a risk if you've never identified yourself as "skinny", or "healthy." Don't be afraid of what you'll be like when you're thinner and in shape. inbrace the fear and keep it moving! Don't sabotage your efforts because you don't deem yourself worthy — you are SO deserving of achieving your weight-loss goals and living the life you deserve! Let's dig deep, get our hands dirty, and do this. What is there to be afraid of when you're healthy — besides living the life you're supposed to lead? When you're overweight and uncomfortable, there is so much less you can do, and you always live with the threat of having a stroke, developing type 2 diabetes, or getting cancer. Obviously, a lot more risks are involved if you give up and stay stuck instead of making changes.

The only thing that's holding you back from achieving your dreams is YOU. Believe in yourself, and stop letting your excuses keep you from living. Screw surviving — it's time to thrive!

Eliminate Energy-Sappers From Your Diet

Not enough alkaline-forming foods in your diet - Foods that are alkaline-forming include figs, molasses, green leafy vegetables, almonds, beets, dates, celery, cantaloupe, and parsley

Excess sugar - Excess sugar causes fluctuations in blood sugar, which can result in plummeting energy levels. Try to decrease all forms of refined sugar. Watch out for low-fat foods -- many have forms of sugar, such as high-fructose corn syrup, added to make the food more palatable.

Insufficient protein - With high-protein, low-carb diets being so popular, it's hard to believe it but insufficient protein is a common reason for fatigue. Pack some almonds and nuts for a quick and convenient protein snack.

Too much coffee - Although coffee initially raises stress hormones and gives a rush of energy, consuming several cups or more of coffee per day can promote burnout. Try to gradually cut back to one cup a day. If you like the taste of coffee, you may want to try one of these top coffee substitutes:

Ø  Roastaroma - This tea is a blend of roasted barley, roasted chicory root, and roasted carob, with spices cinnamon, allspice, and star anise added for a full-bodied taste. Barley malt adds sweetness

Ø  Genmaicha - green tea with roasted brown rice. It has a nutty, mellow flavor

Ø  Teechino - made from roasted carob, roasted barley, and roasted chicory. It also contains figs, almonds, and dates for sweetness and a nutty flavor. Different flavors, including vanilla nut, hazelnut, and java. Must be brewed in a coffee maker or espresso machine.

Ø  Cafix - a freeze-dried grain drink made from barley and chicory. It is non-acidic and does not contain caffeine. Comes in convenient crystal or powder form.

Ø  Pero - a coffee substitute from Switzerland. It is made from made from malted barley, chicory, and rye. An instant beverage.

Not enough water - One of the most common reasons for low energy is not drinking enough water.

Take 20 Minutes Every Day Just For You - Create a daily ritual where you take 20 to 30 minutes for yourself just relaxing and doing nothing (no watching tv or surfing the net). Pick up a book, listen to music, meditate, have a cup of tea, or try a new yoga pose.

 Consider a Stress-Formula Multivitamin - People who are under chronic stress require more B vitamins. A stress formula multivitamin often has more B vitamins than standard multis. B-50 B supplements are also available as a supplement to a standard multivitamin. The B-2 in a B complex can turn urine a bright yellow color.

Valentine's and Your Diet... Yes You Can Enjoy Both!

Valentine's Day can add some pressure to your diet and jeopardize your hard work. But with some minor changes, and being just a little prepared, you will find that you can enjoy the holiday.

1. Pick a Lower Calorie Treat for Your Loved One With a Sweet Tooth

What is Valentine's Day without chocolate? In fact, it seems that this is the holiday that celebrates terrific chocolate. But overeating this traditional delicacy is certainly not to kind to your waistline. Check out Eat Well for some great Healthy low- calorie options

2. Indulge in a Sweet, Red Treat

What is more romantic than feeding your sweetie a juicy red strawberry dipped in chocolate? Why is this necessary? Strawberries are naturally sweet enough on their own, loaded with anti-oxidants and vitamin C, and low in calories!

3. Buy That New Dress!

Wear clothes that you really feel good and you may find that it is far easier to stick to you guns when you're faced with all things sweet on Valentine's Day! You may actually find that you are more focused on how great you look rather than how quickly you can unwrap that chocolate truffle. Also, by wearing slightly tighter fitting clothes to dinner, you may find that you feel satisfied with less food than if you are wearing, say, the famous stretchy pants or something similar!

4. Cook a Romantic Meal at Home

Eating out naturally brings about the temptation to indulge in an overly fattening, high calorie, large meal. So, why not spark a little heat with your sweetie over your own stove at home? This way, you have control over what foods you eat on the blissful day. Perhaps begin with a fresh salad such as spinach salad with nectarines and balsamic vinegar. Follow it with a lean salmon with citrus-cilantro salsa. Finish off the meal with a bowl of fresh strawberries and milk chocolate chip pudding.

5. Eat Slowly!

It is true! Eating slowly will allow you to feel satisfied with less food! It takes a little time for you stomach to inform you brain that you are satisfied, so by eating slower, your brain will get the message before you have overeaten. Besides, eating more slowly will allow for better conversation between you and your sweetheart, and will allow time for a little more romantic eye-gazing.

6. Split an Entree

Split an entree with your loved one! Most restaurant meals offer portion sizes that can easily feed 2-3 people! Spike up the romance by sharing a plate to save yourself a few calories and dollars!  Grilled or broiled chicken or fish accompanied with a fresh salad with dressing on the side can be a delicious, and low calorie choice.

7. Take the Focus Off of Food

Your Valentine's Day festivities don't have to be centered around food at all. Try something different,perhaps your main entertainment can come from something like dancing instead, followed by a light dinner. This way, you can enjoy the evening with your sweetie, while burning calories instead of gorging on them.

Fitness Convention

This past weekend myself and several trainers went to SCW Mania in Philadelphia and I was both humbled and inspired. Humbled because I was expecting instant results and the opportunity door to fly open with my fitness business! Man did I receive a BIG reality check. 95% of the presenters have been in the industry for at least 15-20 years and have plenty of horror stories of the days before and how the road was along one to get to where they are today and hearing that hard work,dedication and persistence will pay off. I had the opportunity to brainstorm with a few of them and found that I am on the right track to see my vision grow and become all that I see it being. I was inspired to know that there is light at the end of this long tunnel just keep the faith , stay hungry and most importantly never loose my confidence and always stand for something important. Money will come focus on integrity and giving back  . Art Fitness is my vision and enjoying the journey is the bast part of the path that I am on. Talking to several industry leaders made me understand that I still have allot of dues to pay  and the fun is just beginning! My biggest goal is helping others take back there life and stop putting limitations on the Quality of life they are meant to live.

Motivation

Have your daily workouts begun to slip? Has your food intake gotten way out of hand ? These are just some of  the problems is with setting New Year's resolutions . If you've already blown them, then they probably weren't realistic to begin with. Don't give up hope just yet! Think about what went wrong and then work and work backwards and find ways you can fix it. Chances are you need to break  down your big resolutions   into several smaller goals with milestones and treat yourself when you have reached it.

A good strategy to staying motivated is visualization. Take 5-10 minutes a day and in vision the body you have always wanted, find a picture of the perfect you ( staying realistic ) and carry it around with you, post it up, and every time you think about giving up refer back to that picture.

Don't let yourself get stuck before you barely even start. Trust me — there is a light at the end of every tunnel (no matter how dark or how long), and the quicker you start moving, the faster you'll reach it. You won't regret it when the pounds come off and the results of your hard work pay off.