Monday, February 28, 2011

Inventory!

We are two months into 2011...where do you stand in your health and fitness quest?

Are you losing the weight you want to?

Are you able to run walk or lift more?

After two months if you are making progress you should be able to sustain if you keep your focus!

If you have fallen off the wagon jump back on make February 28th your new start.

If you have success stories share your comments with the group....it is GO time!

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Stages in Life

I was at a Junior High youth function at my church last night.

My wife and I run the groupand the kids are great.

We have fun activities and tons of snacks.  It is amazing to watch these skinny kids pack away the cookies and soft drinks.  They weight about 100 lbs but they can eat cookie after cookie.  I am 42 now and it isnot the case....I and another dad were discussing this and just how cognizant we need to be of the changes in our body as we age.

Your metabolism will slow down and you muscle production will decrease dramatically as you age.  Once you are over 35 it is imperative that you do some weight training and you need to watch your diet a bit more.

I was reading an article on Friday night and it said after the age of 35 your body fat will go up 15% every decade without resistance training and control of your diet!

Seems like as we get older it is not just the joy of our youth that gets taken away!  :):)

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Is there anything you can't do if you set your mind to it?

I have to admit with the invention of the DVR I am able to watch some shows like American Idol, Biggest Loser, Survivor and the others that I just did not have time for in the past.

I am always amazed at some of the stories on these shows!

American Idol tries to pull you in with their contestants by painting pictures of their lives and there are always a few that make me realize how many things we can accomplish if we truly want to.

Much of our discussion here is in relation to weight loss or working out....how simple those things are when you read in the paper that a dad was taking his college daughter back to college from dinner when he got in a car accident she died and he lived.

Think of the journey ahead of him....or the guy on Idol who was engaged and his fiance got hurt so severely that she is practically unable to do anything but he wakes up every day and takes care of her just as he loved and cared for her when healthy.

These people need to wake up every day and face tremendous challenges...how tough is it to put down the Twinkie or get on the treadmill.....sometimes we make our situations much bigger and complex than they really are.....stay focused and share some good news or victories with the folks here on this site if you want to...it is encouraging!

Friday, February 25, 2011

TGIF

Another Friday and we head toward a weekend!

We are getting belted with a nasty winter storm today....school is cancelled just about everywhere and for once the hype that they laid into us last night was spot on....the weather hit about 6:00 AM and now it is a mess.

Message today is learn to anticipate the curve balls life may bring you!  I had a real good feeling the kids would be off school today so I thought ahead and planned out my morning and I am all over my schedule....Iusually walk for 45 minutes eat breakfast work out for 15 mnutes with weights and I am ready to go at 7:50.

Here it is 7:38 and I am ready to go...I knew if the kids were off I was going to shovel the drive way so i planned that into my morning in place of the walk and .................... bang .........................right back on track!

Think ahead and you will find yourself right where you want to be instead of reacting to what life throws at you all day!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Take a step back!

A week or so ago we discussed the importance of nutrition over fitness.

I want to explain the point of that message one more time.....both are key components to a healthy happy life but diet is a controllable when you are injured or as the back or knees go bad.

Fitness is something we can do as long as the Lord allows and if we are hit with a procedure that limits us or if we are sick diet is the ultimate constant.

I was speaking to my dad yesterday and he had quadruple by pass about ten years ago.  He had been very good with diet for a few years but he fell off the wagon.  At the ripe old age of 70 he is riding a bike 45 minutes a day three days a week and he is starting to feel better but he doesn't know how long he will be able to do it.

I explained that if he would lay off the Mac and Cheese and all the other junk he would not need to worry about the bike he just needs to mix in some walks.....no amount of cardio at the age of 70 will help a recovering heart patient if they don't watch theri food intake.

Just a quick thought!

Exercise daily does not entitle you to eat whatever you want but eating healthy will entitle you to rest and relaxation for a long time!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Knowledge is Power!

Here are some things to think about today:

Calories provide a measure of how much energy you get from a serving of this food. Many Americans consume more calories than they need without meeting recommended intakes for a number of nutrients. The calorie section of the label can help you manage your weight (i.e., gain, lose, or maintain.) Remember: the number of servings you consume determines the number of calories you actually eat (your portion amount).
Calories from Fat section of label, also showing total calories. (#2 on sample label):
In the example, there are 250 calories in one serving of this macaroni and cheese. How many calories from fat are there in ONE serving? Answer: 110 calories, which means almost half the calories in a single serving come from fat. What if you ate the whole package content? Then, you would consume two servings, or 500 calories, and 220 would come from fat.
General Guide to Calories
  • 40 Calories is low
  • 100 Calories is moderate
  • 400 Calories or more is high
The General Guide to Calories provides a general reference for calories when you look at a Nutrition Facts label. This guide is based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Eating too many calories per day is linked to overweight and obesity.
It is good to have a reference in your mind as to what is too many calories!

Look at the top of the nutrient section in the sample label. It shows you some key nutrients that impact on your health and separates them into two main groups:

   Limit These Nutrients

Label section showing Total Fat, Saturated Fat, Cholesterol, and Sodium, with quantities and % daily values. (#3 on sample label):
The nutrients listed first are the ones Americans generally eat in adequate amounts, or even too much. They are identified in yellow as Limit these Nutrients. Eating too much fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, or sodium may increase your risk of certain chronic diseases, like heart disease, some cancers, or high blood pressure.
 Important: Health experts recommend that you keep your intake of saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol as low as possible as part of a nutritionally balanced diet.

   Get Enough of These

Label sections showing Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium, and Iron, with % daily values and quantity of dietary fiber. (#4 on sample label):
Most Americans don't get enough dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron in their diets. They are identified in blue as Get Enough of these Nutrients. Eating enough of these nutrients can improve your health and help reduce the risk of some diseases and conditions. For example, getting enough calcium may reduce the risk of osteoporosis, a condition that results in brittle bones as one ages (see calcium section below). Eating a diet high in dietary fiber promotes healthy bowel function. Additionally, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and grain products that contain dietary fiber, particularly soluble fiber, and low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease.
Remember: You can use the Nutrition Facts label not only to help limit those nutrients you want to cut back on but also to increase those nutrients you need to consume in greater amounts.

These can and may be different needs for everyone so get to know what your needs are!

Foootnote section of label, indicating values for 2000 and 2500 calorie diets highlighting the statement: * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.(#5 on sample label)
Note the * used after the heading "%Daily Value" on the Nutrition Facts label. It refers to the Footnote in the lower part of the nutrition label, which tells you "%DVs are based on a 2,000 calorie diet". This statement must be on all food labels. But the remaining information in the full footnote may not be on the package if the size of the label is too small. When the full footnote does appear, it will always be the same. It doesn't change from product to product, because it shows recommended dietary advice for all Americans--it is not about a specific food product.
Look at the amounts circled in red in the footnote--these are the Daily Values (DV) for each nutrient listed and are based on public health experts' advice. DVs are recommended levels of intakes. DVs in the footnote are based on a 2,000 or 2,500 calorie diet. Note how the DVs for some nutrients change, while others (for cholesterol and sodium) remain the same for both calorie amounts.

 How the Daily Values Relate to the %DVs

Look at the example below for another way to see how the Daily Values (DVs) relate to the %DVs and dietary guidance. For each nutrient listed there is a DV, a %DV, and dietary advice or a goal. If you follow this dietary advice, you will stay within public health experts' recommended upper or lower limits for the nutrients listed, based on a 2,000 calorie daily diet.

Examples of DVs versus %DVs
Based on a 2,000 Calorie Diet

NutrientDV%DVGoal
Total Fat65g= 100%DVLess than
    Sat Fat20g= 100%DVLess than
Cholesterol300mg= 100%DVLess than
Sodium2400mg= 100%DVLess than
Total Carbohydrate300g= 100%DVAt least
    Dietary Fiber25g= 100%DVAt least

Upper Limit - Eat "Less than"...

The nutrients that have "upper daily limits" are listed first on the footnote of larger labels and on the example above. Upper limits means it is recommended that you stay below - eat "less than" - the Daily Value nutrient amounts listed per day. For example, the DV for Saturated fat (in the yellow section) is 20g. This amount is 100% DV for this nutrient. What is the goal or dietary advice? To eat "less than" 20 g or 100%DV for the day.<

Lower Limit - Eat "At least"...

Now look at the section in blue where dietary fiber is listed. The DV for dietary fiber is 25g, which is 100% DV. This means it is recommended that you eat "at least" this amount of dietary fiber per day.
The DV for Total Carbohydrate (section in white) is 300g or 100%DV. This amount is recommended for a balanced daily diet that is based on 2,000 calories, but can vary, depending on your daily intake of fat and protein.
Enough reading on a Wednesday but I am hoping you are starting to get the picture on how complex these topics can be and how much you thought you knew that you may need to bone up on?

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Did you do it??????

Did you get on that scale....were you pleasantly surprised....disgusted?  Just about where you thought you should be?

It is all good wherever you were because you woke up this morning breathing....waking up and breathing is a good thing?   From that point it can only get better!

Now here are a few things to ponder as you begin to stay on the weigh in thing daily.....you truly need to understand your individual goal.

Is your goal to lose weight to gain muscle mass or just to stay within a certain 10 lb window......all of those things are very fair goals.

First, remember that muscle gains more than fat so if you are going after it with the weights your number on the scale will go up and it is OK your waist size won't.  :):)

Day by day depending on the density of the food you eat or your sodium intake the numbers will fluctuate....remember you get on daily for a few months to learn how your body processes foods and it will teach you when your trigger points for weight gain or loss are if you are an emotional eater or non eater...maybe there is a time in the month where your weight naturally spikes you will learn these things if you stick with it......this dedication will help you tremendously.

If you do it for about a year you won't need a scale ever again, you will learn your body and you will know your weight situation by the way your clothes fit which is the true essence of healthy happiness!

When I lost my weight I went from 288 to 134 and 54% body fat to 7.2%....which was unhealthy....I needed to gain muscle mass back but I was worried about how the weight would come back.....I am living proof that it is all good.

I went froma 44 waist to a 31 at my lowest weight.....I have gained 30 lbs and guess what....I am still in a 31!

Stick to this and you can be whatever you want to be!

Monday, February 21, 2011

Who is your partner?

Accountability and Support are two of the keys that kept me laser focused in my quest to lose over 100lbs in six months!

I was very blessed to have a supportive wife and family all around that helped me on my journey.

Not all of us have that luxury....if you don't I will give you the key ingredient to achieving your goal.

You need a good scale and the willingness to step on it daily.  Yes I said daily not weekly or monthly.

To stay in shape or to make sure you don't careen off the rails of just plain getting older.....weekly or monthly will work but if you are truly trying to lose weight and shape your body....daily weigh ins are the way to go.

You may have eaten a ton of food or you feel bloated and you don't want to get on the scale....I will tell you ...... you are whatyou are get on the scale and see where you are at...you will learn that food processes and metabolizes at different rates so the numbers will fluctuate daily but if you stay accountable and you weigh in daily you will learn your trends....this is a critical component to success and it is very painful for many....try it for a month ...... get on the scale every day I bet you see HUGE results.....you may be a bit grumpy though!  :):)

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Are all foods created equal?

When I was 288 lbs. and 54% body fat I had no understanding of calories or nutrients within different foods...I ate when I was hungry and I ate until I was full and then when I got hungry again I started the cycle over!  Seemed simple....in my early 20's it was simple and I stayed right around 170 lbs. eating that way...as I have matured I have realized I need to be very careful.

You need to understand the different values of food on a day to day basis!

You can eat a plate of steamed broccoli and cauliflower and feel as full as you do if you eat two Krispy Kreme galzed donuts but what that food is doing for you is very different.

My wife is very good at trying to have our family eat balanced food groups at meals....balanced meaning a carb a protein and fruits and vegetables.......dairy is built in wherever possible.

When you start thinking about balanced meals you will naturally start to eat a bit better.

Try and think about the type of food you eat...how "clean" is it....meaning how close to a farmed resource is it?

The farther you get from natural the less your body is getting out of it and the odds are the tighter your pants are getting!

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Is cardio created equal?

As I fought to lose 150 lbs I learned many different things about fitness....some things made sense some things worked others made no sense and worked and many things made perfect sense but did not work!  Did that make sense?  :):)

An example of this is the steady state cardio vs. interval cardio debate.  Steady State means you work out at the same level for 30 minutes and interval means you go as hard as you can for a minute and then light for 2 and you repeat that ten times for 30 minutes.

I am a firm believer in interval training and I think I gathered the results to back it up.

I was reading an awesome article yesterday by Rachel Cosgrove and it landed in the same place my belief has been.  Rachel did a ton of training to get ready for an Iron Man event and she was doing 20 hours a week of endurance training so she could compete while keeping her daily calorie intake at 2000-2500 calories.  After a certain point her body adjusted to that level of activity and fat did not burn away she just built tremendous cardiovascular strength.  She did this for seven months and if you do the math that was a 224,000 calorie deficit which if the theory of a calorie is a calorie is correct she should have lost 64 lbs. she lost 5.
This leads to my belief that steady state cardio is great for your heart and for endurance training but for fat loss it is not the best use of your time.

After the iron man she decided to lose fat and she went to interval training with her cardio as well as weights.  She opted for 5 to 6 hours a week instead of the previous 20 hours!

The transformation in her body was amazing and only one thing can lead to that.....when you work out steady state you may burn 150 calories and you are done....if you go with intervals and you burn 200 calories it is not over when the workout ends....after intervals you get your metabolism firing and it can burn calories at a higher rate for as much as a day........intrigued?

Stick with me and we will have your body working like a calorie burning furnace in no time!

Tune in this afternoon!

I am putting a few last numbers together that will blow your mind on exercise and fat loss vs. weight loss!

I was reading an article yesterday and it is amazing what the different effects on the body can be in relation to the type of exercise we are doing....stop back in later toady and it may blow your mind!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Welcome!

Many people have jumped aboard over the last day or so and it is great to have some new folks with us!

This is a place where you can check in daily for a tip a trick or two and sometimes just a thought to reflect on!

For those of you that don't know my whole story here is the link to the USA Today article that ran in January:
http://www.usatoday.com/yourlife/fitness/weight-loss-challenge/2010-12-30-WLCtom30_ST_N.htm


I have made a committment to update this page daily and I have stuck to it...so join us as a follower or just check in whenever you can and give me your thoughts and feedback or ask questions through the comments field.

We are all in this together so stick with it and great things are right around the corner!

Resolutions can be daily!

A resolution does not need to be an annual deal.

You can choose to make a decision or change your goal any day of the year.  They just ran a story on the local news station in reference to people quitting on their resolutions and I was asked why it happens.

I explained that many people put a goal in place that is simply not going to happen as a lifestyle change.  If you don't set goals that you can live with for the rest of your life you will ultimately fail....it is human nature.

Check out the story from the news clip.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

A few basics....

Yesterday the thought was introduced in regard to what is your knowledge level on nutrition fitness etc.!

The premise was mental fitness at times trumping physical fitness and nutrition.  Here are a few building blocks....these are guidelines and there are many different guidelines but these are a few basics.

Try to eat Daily:

Fruits and Vegetables    At least 4.5 Cups
Fiber Rich Whole Grain     At least three one ounce servings

Try to eat Weekly:

Fish (Preferably oily fish like salmon or tuna)       At least two 3.5 ounce servings
Nuts and Seeds                    At least four one ounce servings

Limit These Items:

SALT     less than 1500 mg of sodium a day
Sugar      No more than 36 ounces (450 calories) of sugary beverages a week
Processed Meat     Limit to two servings a week

Again these are simply guidelines but do a quick analysis and see hwere you fall in regard to these guidelines......if you are way off you may need to make a few little tweaks to see some results!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

What don't you know?

We all think we know alot and most of the time we think we are right in our opinion or position.

On the topics of fitness and nutrition......what do you know.....what is your knowledge level.

If your car or computer break down would you fix it?  The answers will probably vary in relation to that question depending on your level of knowledge in the specific area.

Nutrition and Fitness are much like cars, computers or anything else....the more you know of the topic the easier it is to fix an issue if it arises.  If you have no knowledge base in an area you have virtually no way of fixing it.

This is your challenge for the day if your knowledge levels in the nutrition and fitness areas are lacking jump on google and start learning things...grab a magazine ............. do something and the results will follow!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

February 15th!

Hopefully you all had an enjoyable day yesterday!

I had some goodies and some great times with my family......if you took my urging yesterday and enjoyed some rest or some sweet treats today is the day to make sure you teach your body that that is an exception/reward not the norm.

The more often you can treat yourself to different foods or opportunities for R&R and then get right back to your routine the easier it will be to make this a lifetime committment instead of a short term event.

If you keep in mind that any plan for health and wellness must be a process not an event your success rate will sky rocket!

Monday, February 14, 2011

Happy Valentine's Day!

Part of being happy and healthy is being mentally happy and positive without mental wellness there will be no health or happiness.

Enjoy yourself today and have a treat......today is a special day so make it so by relaxing a bit and having something yummy to eat!

With the 80/20 rule there are 365 days in the year....that gives you 73 days to make the "not so right decision" if you want to make today one of those days......if not save the day and enjoy it another time but remember to enjoy yourself!

Enjoyment is part of happy healthiness!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Mind Set?

What is yours in regard to eating better and moving a little bit more?

Are you doing it to achieve a short term goal or are you doing it to make a meaningful lifetime change.

This is the difference as to whether or not your committment to the process will die off or whether you can stick with it.

If you want to lose 10 50 or 100 lbs to me that is easy very very hard but easy!  The real hard thing is achieveing the goal and then being OK with the work you now need to put in to remain at your goal weight or fitness level.

I can work with and teach anyone to lose mass quantities of weight very quickly if that is what the person needs.  The challenge is once we meet the goal why did we do it?  If you are checking it off as a box required for a task the weight will come back on and the exercise will get shelved.

You must make a lifestyle change a committment to better things for you and your loved ones will enable you to make a meaningful change all other things are OK for short term fixes and they could be good for you but to really benefit long term you need to get your mind right!

Happy Sunday....let me know if I can help!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Valentine's Day Options!

Many of us have wonderful family friends or loved ones we may want to do something for this Valentine's Day!  Being happy and healthy are two things that can last a lot longer than a few pieces of candy or a cupcake!

That being said it is nice to enjoy sweets around Valentine's Day!

This is one of those times you can enjoy a cheat and feel good about it....it is healthy and natural to enjoy food treats or a work out holiday from time to time...take a day off and enjoy what you like....it will keep you happy and you will truly remain healthy!

A few suggestions I have is spread out a few little sncks over a few days or times....that way you don't go crazy on a HUGE cheat and you have a bunch of little things to look forward to....the other idea is to get a treat that is portion controlled...get a cookie or a cupcake don't buy the tin of twelve!

Enjoy your indulgences around Valentine's Day just don't get de railed for the year!

Friday, February 11, 2011

Little Things Count

There are some tips and tricks I learned as i lost all of my weight.  Activity does not need to happen in the gym or a fitness room.  You can be more active and get the metabolism going in many different ways.

If you are stuck in meetings all day pick a spot near the back of the room and stand....standing does a lot more for you than sitting.  If you must sitdo some leg lifts.  Whenever you have a chance stand and shift your weight from side to side.  That activity is almost like you a re taking a walk.

Drink cold water....when you drink cold water your metabolism has to kick in to get your body warm.

Just a couple little things but they help when you only have so much time in the day!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Where do you stand?

Here we are a few days from Valentine's Day 2011!

Are you still motivated to become a happy healthy person or have the Winter Blah's got to you.  These may be the most important few weeks in your life.....if you have chosen to make a change in your life this year it will take you through the end of February to make a quick change into a life change.

Takes a long time to break a bad habit but you are almost there.  We started this journey with a little inventory of what is going on in our lives...if you were honest with yourself hopefully you figured a few things out....now that you have are you ready to keep on fighting the fight.

Make a challenge to yourself daily and you will be shocked at the results you get but don't give in to the excuses!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Dogs

This is just a funny story.....I have two dogs....Kacey and Brady....Kacey is the girl Brady is the boy!

Every morning that I am at home I take them for a walk around 6:30 so I get home to see my daughter go to school.

This morning it was 7 degrees and Brady and I were ready....I bundled up for the 45 minute journey but no Kacey.

She must have seen the temperature because she would not leave the upstairs.....Brady and I went solo but there you have a K-9 testimony to gilrs being a little wiser than boys!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Things Happen

Don't give up or give in!

A day without your exercise routine or giving into a few cookies is expected and it is nothing to get bummed about!

You need to remember that we are all mere mortals and we will have ups and downs the key is to bounce back don't spiral.

Identify that a decision you made may not have been optimal and move on!

I will tell you that I ran into this last week.

I started eating some ginormous cookies at an off site meeting I attended and I didn't stop until I had six....about 4000 calories or so.

At that point I could have said whoa is me I have lost all my will power and given in or I could realize that I had a moment or half hour of weakness and it is time to get back to it!

I chose the latter and all is fine....remember most of the time no matter what you do or don't do...the sun will come up!

Monday, February 7, 2011

Stick-to-it-tive-ness!

The word that defines the Packer's and needs to be our focus!

The team had every excuse in the world to pack it in last night....all season they were injured they lost Woodson early had issues with Driver the Steeler's gained their world champion poise in the second half.....it did not look good even though they clung to a small lead!

They showed their character made no excuses and battled adversity all year so when the going got tough they did not give in they fought through it and they got the belt Aaron Rodgers cherished!

What a great story and it can be a great motivator for each and every one of us.  Every day the excuse is going to be there do you use the excuse or do you fight on toward whatever goals and task you need to achieve that day?

Those choices when faced with adversity are what will make or break your journey.

If you are going to do cardio for 30 minutes but at the 18 minute mark you are feeling tired.....press on...once you quit the first time it will become easy as you carry on.

If you have pledged no sweets or only one cookie instead of six stick to your guns once you take an inch the rest of the inches will start creeping around that waistline of yours!

Hang in there gang and don't give in!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Super Bowl Sunday

The big day is here and it has been much anticipated for Steeler's and Packer's fans...as a Clevelander I am sure you know where I stand on this one!

A day like today makes you think about the long hard journey the player's and coaching staffs have been on most of their careers in some fashion and here it is their big day.

I would argue that most of us will never play in the Super Bowl or the World Series but we all can have our own prsonal Super Bowl...mine is not a game or an event but a group of things.

My Super Bowl is seeing my kids graduate from college get married have grand kids grow old with my wife.

These are all things that make my journey worth while and they help me strive to make it there.

What is your personal Super Bowl....is it an event a goal?

If you don't have your own Super Bowl think about establishing one!

GO PACKER's!  GO PACK GO!

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Fond Memories

Take today and reflect on a good time in your life!

When was it who were you with what were you doing?

All those type questions should help you identify some good times you have had....think about the people that were in your life atthose times and try and connect in some way shape or form with one of them today....maybe they have passed on but they have a family member...maybe it was a park or school you can drive to and think about those great feelings and times....use those emotions to guide you in your quest for health and happiness!

If you have felt the great emotions at any time you can harness them and bring them back....never hurts to take some fond memories and create a new focus going forward!

Friday, February 4, 2011

ICE

I hate the ice.....snow isn't bad but ice is horrible!  I was walkng the dogs in the dark this morning in a balmy 3 degree wind and as we made it around the neighborhood I was stunned at how many people cleard their drive way but not the sidewalk in front of their house.

As I walked around the neighborhood I started to think about the statement this made on our society and what we are teaching our kids and others around us.

No other statement can be made in my estimation that says any louder I will take care of what I have to to get me by but who cares about anyone else.  I am a mere dog walker......I choose to walk my dogs so if I end up out in the road so be it but the poor kids that have to walk to the bus in the cold have no option.

Think about your life and seize any opportunity to show others that it is not only about you ....... do waht you can to impact others in a positive light whenever possible......in the long term and short term you will gain rewards you never dreamed of!

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Happy Thursday!

I hope all of you are having a great week!

What did you do different this week.......focus as you head into Friday and down the home stretch....I have been with numerous people this week that have challenged themselves as they head into 2011!

Most of them are still very focused a few are already struggling...if you can keep your focus to the end of the month you will find this becoming a lifestyle change not just an event!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Rise and Shine

Nothing like a bed at a nice resort!

For a few hours......now it is up and ataom and time to get a good healthy walk in and some weight training before a long day of sitting!

Life is all about adjustments and you need to know what your days will entail.....once you truly begin to understand what you will be doing each and every day and what it takes to be fit in each environment you will have this thing allfigured out!

Focus on what you can control and enjoy life to the fullest!

If you are in the middle of the nasty Groundhog Day storm of 2011 be careful out there today!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

What a day!

One of those days where you could just give in and throw the towel over the wall or stay focused and keep a positive attitude.

It was a brutal day for travel by plane but good things happen to those who stay positive...eventually.

You need to make your opportunities when faced with trying situations...I was traveling to Orlando today and the biggest storm of the year roared into Cleveland.

Just when I thought all hope was lost I hung in there and everything went great....I got to see friends from other areas and get caught up on work.

Every day you will get a curve ball thrown at you...if you habg in there it will all turn around just stay focused and stay positive in the face of adversity.