Hey friends! 👩🏻
So it's been a while, but lately I am feeling pulled to share some things with you. As many of you know, I celebrated my 50th birthday this past May, and although I feel very blessed and priveleged for a number of reasons, I am definitely feeling and seeing some of the not-so-desirable effects of shifting hormones, chronic stress, and a half century of lifestyle choices, both good and bad.
As many of you also know, I am raising a now 10-year-old son with several special needs, along with a husband who is loving and supportive- but also travels frequently on business. With everything that entails, things like adequate sleep, self-care and social life are consistently on the back burner. My thoughts are scattered, my house is a mess, my body is blowing up like a balloon, and my mind is cluttered with intentions and ideas that I am just too exhausted to follow through with.
It is incredibly hard for me just to type these words, let alone put them out there for the world to see. But I think it is important to be honest and authentic about my own very real challenges, so that I will be better able to help and serve YOU. Besides, I truly believe that every trial in my life is God's way of setting me up for my next assignment, which benefits not only me, but everyone I have the privelege of connecting with from here on out.
Back in grade school I played the title role in "Annie." During a critical scene in the show when all seemed lost, I belted out "Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya, tomorrow; you're only a day away!" Naive? Perhaps. But even if things don't suddenly look clear and bright "tomorrow," it's still another day closer to a time that they will be. In the meantime, I promise to share with all of you the things I learn and discover along the way- and I hope you will share with me, too!
So who's with me? Please comment below and share!💕💕💕
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Tis the season to be HEALTHY!!!
Ah, the holidays. Time for giving, sharing, connecting with others.. and oh yes, EATING!
With all of the proverbial hustle and bustle associated with this time of the year, it is very easy for us to push our own health onto the back burner of our priorities. Our schedules are jam-packed with family gatherings, kids' plays and concerts, office parties, and seasonal parades and events-- not to mention all of the shopping, traveling, and preparation that goes into said activities. Finding time to exercise can seem daunting, at the very least.
And then there is the FOOD. Here in the United States, we have an entire holiday that essentially revolves around eating. And it falls right between a holiday in which kids collect a year's worth of candy in one night and another in which food may not be the biggest thing, but it's still a pretty major player.
Did you know that a traditional Thanksgiving dinner is estimated to contain between 2400 and 4500 calories- and that's just one meal!!!
Have you ever wondered how much weight people actually gain during the holiday season? Most researchers say between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the average person gains between 5 and 10 pounds, but loses most of it shortly afterwards.
The problem is the one or two pounds that stick around long after the holidays are over.
It may not seem like much at the time, but over time 1-2 pounds per year adds up to an unhealthy weight. And because it is so gradual, most people tend not to notice the weight creeping up until "suddenly" their clothes don't fit. And for those who are already overweight or obese, those numbers can be up to five times higher! And yet, so many people say, "I'll focus on exercising and eating well after the holidays; this is not a good time to start."
But I say, this is the best time to start!
The time to get started on your new healthy lifestyle is RIGHT NOW! Take charge of your life NOW and by the time the holidays roll around, you will already be looking and feeling STRONGER, HEALTHIER and MORE CONFIDENT! Not to mention the fact that your new healthy habits will be so internalized that you will naturally eat less junk and crave more movement-- which will help you avoid the awful "holiday hangover" that comes after several days (or even weeks!) of overindulgence.
Contact me today for my FREE "Top Ten Tips for a Healthier Holiday Season" and I will include a personalized online fitness consultation-- also FREE!!!
Cheers!
Sources:
https://bewell.stanford.edu/avoiding-holiday-weight-gain%20
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/timi-gustafson/holiday-health-tips_b_2132928.html
With all of the proverbial hustle and bustle associated with this time of the year, it is very easy for us to push our own health onto the back burner of our priorities. Our schedules are jam-packed with family gatherings, kids' plays and concerts, office parties, and seasonal parades and events-- not to mention all of the shopping, traveling, and preparation that goes into said activities. Finding time to exercise can seem daunting, at the very least.
And then there is the FOOD. Here in the United States, we have an entire holiday that essentially revolves around eating. And it falls right between a holiday in which kids collect a year's worth of candy in one night and another in which food may not be the biggest thing, but it's still a pretty major player.
Did you know that a traditional Thanksgiving dinner is estimated to contain between 2400 and 4500 calories- and that's just one meal!!!
Have you ever wondered how much weight people actually gain during the holiday season? Most researchers say between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the average person gains between 5 and 10 pounds, but loses most of it shortly afterwards.
The problem is the one or two pounds that stick around long after the holidays are over.
It may not seem like much at the time, but over time 1-2 pounds per year adds up to an unhealthy weight. And because it is so gradual, most people tend not to notice the weight creeping up until "suddenly" their clothes don't fit. And for those who are already overweight or obese, those numbers can be up to five times higher! And yet, so many people say, "I'll focus on exercising and eating well after the holidays; this is not a good time to start."
But I say, this is the best time to start!
The time to get started on your new healthy lifestyle is RIGHT NOW! Take charge of your life NOW and by the time the holidays roll around, you will already be looking and feeling STRONGER, HEALTHIER and MORE CONFIDENT! Not to mention the fact that your new healthy habits will be so internalized that you will naturally eat less junk and crave more movement-- which will help you avoid the awful "holiday hangover" that comes after several days (or even weeks!) of overindulgence.
Contact me today for my FREE "Top Ten Tips for a Healthier Holiday Season" and I will include a personalized online fitness consultation-- also FREE!!!
Cheers!
Sources:
https://bewell.stanford.edu/avoiding-holiday-weight-gain%20
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/timi-gustafson/holiday-health-tips_b_2132928.html
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/heart/prevention/nutrition/weight-management/steps-to-prevent-holiday-weight-gain
Thursday, July 9, 2015
The Power of Purpose!
If you read my last post, you know my beef (no pun intended) with the term "clean eating." In a nutshell, my biggest problem with the term is that there are so many opinions as to what it means that the term is too vague to be useful for a lot of people. Same goes for cute little clichés such as "Everything in moderation!" and "It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle!"
By now you are probably wondering what the heck I do believe in. Wonder no more, friends, because my philosophy for fitness (and life in general) is this:
Eat, train, and live with PURPOSE!
When you have a specific purpose and plan behind every choice you make, whether in the kitchen or in the gym, you are much more likely to get the results you want-- roughly 300% more likely, in fact, according to the Harvard Business Review (https://hbr.org/2011/02/nine-things-successful-people)!
Remember in my previous posts when I talked about finding your "why" and "how" for getting fit? (Are you noticing a recurring theme in these posts)?!
Do you remember the old Tony Robbins infomercial for "Personal Power?" It was an audio program (on cassette- that's how long ago it was!) that promised dramatic changes in your life if you followed his secrets of success. Well I bought that program at a particularly challenging time in my life, and I listened to it over and over again. (While I never became a millionaire, it definitely had a positive impact in getting me through that rough patch).
Anyway, Tony dedicated one chapter of the program to purpose, and how it makes you think every time you make a choice or take an action. Whether you have eggs with turkey sausage and fruit for breakfast, or bagel with cream cheese and a latte, think about why you are making that choice. Likewise, whether you take a walk after dinner or watch Wheel of Fortune, what is causing you to do one versus the other? Even if your reason for choosing the bagel and latte is simply "because it tastes good and I can eat it in my car," then fine-- this is not a judgment as to whether it is "good" or "bad," rather, it is an evaluation of whether it is bringing you closer to or farther away from what you want in your life. Make sense?
Purpose can make simple, everyday activities more meaningful and rewarding. For example, suppose you are playing with your child, or going to visit a friend. Think about what you want to accomplish--maybe it's simply to reconnect or to make that person feel cared about.
There is power in purpose. Even though it has been several years since I last heard Tony say those words through my Walkman, this is one little piece of wisdom that still sticks with me today.
By now you are probably wondering what the heck I do believe in. Wonder no more, friends, because my philosophy for fitness (and life in general) is this:
Eat, train, and live with PURPOSE!
When you have a specific purpose and plan behind every choice you make, whether in the kitchen or in the gym, you are much more likely to get the results you want-- roughly 300% more likely, in fact, according to the Harvard Business Review (https://hbr.org/2011/02/nine-things-successful-people)!
Remember in my previous posts when I talked about finding your "why" and "how" for getting fit? (Are you noticing a recurring theme in these posts)?!
Do you remember the old Tony Robbins infomercial for "Personal Power?" It was an audio program (on cassette- that's how long ago it was!) that promised dramatic changes in your life if you followed his secrets of success. Well I bought that program at a particularly challenging time in my life, and I listened to it over and over again. (While I never became a millionaire, it definitely had a positive impact in getting me through that rough patch).
Anyway, Tony dedicated one chapter of the program to purpose, and how it makes you think every time you make a choice or take an action. Whether you have eggs with turkey sausage and fruit for breakfast, or bagel with cream cheese and a latte, think about why you are making that choice. Likewise, whether you take a walk after dinner or watch Wheel of Fortune, what is causing you to do one versus the other? Even if your reason for choosing the bagel and latte is simply "because it tastes good and I can eat it in my car," then fine-- this is not a judgment as to whether it is "good" or "bad," rather, it is an evaluation of whether it is bringing you closer to or farther away from what you want in your life. Make sense?
Purpose can make simple, everyday activities more meaningful and rewarding. For example, suppose you are playing with your child, or going to visit a friend. Think about what you want to accomplish--maybe it's simply to reconnect or to make that person feel cared about.
There is power in purpose. Even though it has been several years since I last heard Tony say those words through my Walkman, this is one little piece of wisdom that still sticks with me today.
Saturday, July 4, 2015
Why I Can't Stand "Clean Eating"
Did that get your attention?
I should be more specific: I can't stand the term "clean eating." (As opposed to what, "dirty eating?")
I suppose if you are talking about "clean" foods in a biblical context that's one thing. But in a contemporary context, what the heck is it, really?
Unless you have been living in a cave, you know that "clean eating" have become huge buzzwords in health and fitness circles in recent years. There are a lot of fitness gurus who claim to have the "correct" definition of clean eating (and one in particular tried-- unsuccessfully-- to have the term copyrighted and credited to her). But the truth is, if you ask ten different trainers what clean eating is, you will likely get ten different answers (unless of course they are of the sort that regurgitates back whatever their employer tells them- and in that case, I would suggest you find another trainer).
Most of them will start out by saying it consists of "whole, unprocessed, natural foods that come from the earth." That's fine (in fact it's great!), but then they continue with a restrictive set of rules regarding what and (mostly) what not to eat. On one side you've got your Paleo (latest repackaging of low-carb) camp that insists grains and starches should be avoided like the plague; on the other you've got hardcore vegans stating that meat, milk, and even honey are not meant for human consumption. Then you've got more extreme protocols, such as raw foodists who will not cook anything above a certain (very low) temperature, and fruitarians who will only eat "what nature gives up" such as fruit that has already fallen from the tree or vine (I am not sure how they feel about eating animals that die of old age). There is even one guy who claims that all plant foods are poisonous and only eats raw meat- I don't even know what to say about that one.
Even the term "processed" is subject to debate when it comes to food. Sure, most of us think of colorful boxes with characters on them when we hear "processed" food. Some of us would also consider things such as flour, sugar, cheese, tofu, and yogurt to be "processed." But guess what? If we're going to get technical about it, cooked food is "processed." Juices, oils and nut butters are "processed." Soaked and sprouted grains and seeds are "processed." Even fresh fruits and vegetables become "processed" once they are cut or peeled. So the seemingly simple advice to avoid "processed" food can be subject to interpretation.
But what really bothers me is the implication that there is one particular way of eating that is best for everyone-- and that simply isn't true. When I was studying for my first personal training certification, one of the instructors told me that when it comes to nutrition, any plan is better than no plan. (I don't think she knew about raw meat guy at the time, but I digress). But you don't want any plan, do you?
You want the best plan for helping you to achieve your health and fitness goals!
Here's the thing: what works best for someone else is not necessarily going to work best for you. Some people do just fine eating grains and legumes; others feel better without them. Same goes for dairy, eggs, peanuts, bananas, and just about any other food that is frequently tagged "bad for you." In other cases it's a simple matter of preference: some people never met a vegetable they didn't like; others wouldn't touch a veggie unless it were blended undetectably into a sauce, meatball, or smoothie.
I chose the name Your Personal Best for my business because it is about just that: YOUR (not mine- or anyone else's) PERSONAL (according to your goals, preferences and lifestyle) BEST!
Likewise, one of the main reasons I chose to affiliate with Beachbody was because of the sheer number and variety of comprehensive fitness programs they offer, each one with different fitness levels and goals in mind-- all of which can be done in the privacy of your own home! Check out my Beachbody site at www.beachbodycoach.com/YOURPERSONALBESTLKN and have a look at what they have to offer!
Whether you need to start taking charge of your health or want to take your fitness to the next level, I would love to help you! Visit me at https://www.facebook.com/YourPersonalBestLKN and post a comment or send me a message and I'll help you get started on your way to becoming YOUR PERSONAL BEST!
I should be more specific: I can't stand the term "clean eating." (As opposed to what, "dirty eating?")
I suppose if you are talking about "clean" foods in a biblical context that's one thing. But in a contemporary context, what the heck is it, really?
Unless you have been living in a cave, you know that "clean eating" have become huge buzzwords in health and fitness circles in recent years. There are a lot of fitness gurus who claim to have the "correct" definition of clean eating (and one in particular tried-- unsuccessfully-- to have the term copyrighted and credited to her). But the truth is, if you ask ten different trainers what clean eating is, you will likely get ten different answers (unless of course they are of the sort that regurgitates back whatever their employer tells them- and in that case, I would suggest you find another trainer).
Most of them will start out by saying it consists of "whole, unprocessed, natural foods that come from the earth." That's fine (in fact it's great!), but then they continue with a restrictive set of rules regarding what and (mostly) what not to eat. On one side you've got your Paleo (latest repackaging of low-carb) camp that insists grains and starches should be avoided like the plague; on the other you've got hardcore vegans stating that meat, milk, and even honey are not meant for human consumption. Then you've got more extreme protocols, such as raw foodists who will not cook anything above a certain (very low) temperature, and fruitarians who will only eat "what nature gives up" such as fruit that has already fallen from the tree or vine (I am not sure how they feel about eating animals that die of old age). There is even one guy who claims that all plant foods are poisonous and only eats raw meat- I don't even know what to say about that one.
Even the term "processed" is subject to debate when it comes to food. Sure, most of us think of colorful boxes with characters on them when we hear "processed" food. Some of us would also consider things such as flour, sugar, cheese, tofu, and yogurt to be "processed." But guess what? If we're going to get technical about it, cooked food is "processed." Juices, oils and nut butters are "processed." Soaked and sprouted grains and seeds are "processed." Even fresh fruits and vegetables become "processed" once they are cut or peeled. So the seemingly simple advice to avoid "processed" food can be subject to interpretation.
But what really bothers me is the implication that there is one particular way of eating that is best for everyone-- and that simply isn't true. When I was studying for my first personal training certification, one of the instructors told me that when it comes to nutrition, any plan is better than no plan. (I don't think she knew about raw meat guy at the time, but I digress). But you don't want any plan, do you?
You want the best plan for helping you to achieve your health and fitness goals!
Here's the thing: what works best for someone else is not necessarily going to work best for you. Some people do just fine eating grains and legumes; others feel better without them. Same goes for dairy, eggs, peanuts, bananas, and just about any other food that is frequently tagged "bad for you." In other cases it's a simple matter of preference: some people never met a vegetable they didn't like; others wouldn't touch a veggie unless it were blended undetectably into a sauce, meatball, or smoothie.
I chose the name Your Personal Best for my business because it is about just that: YOUR (not mine- or anyone else's) PERSONAL (according to your goals, preferences and lifestyle) BEST!
Likewise, one of the main reasons I chose to affiliate with Beachbody was because of the sheer number and variety of comprehensive fitness programs they offer, each one with different fitness levels and goals in mind-- all of which can be done in the privacy of your own home! Check out my Beachbody site at www.beachbodycoach.com/YOURPERSONALBESTLKN and have a look at what they have to offer!
Whether you need to start taking charge of your health or want to take your fitness to the next level, I would love to help you! Visit me at https://www.facebook.com/YourPersonalBestLKN and post a comment or send me a message and I'll help you get started on your way to becoming YOUR PERSONAL BEST!
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Be prepared!
So it's been a while since my last entry, but I'm back today to help you along your health and fitness journey! But before I do, I wanted to share some insights that have become especially clear to me recently.
Remember last time, when we discussed the contemplation stage? This is when you are kinda-sorta-maybe thinking about making a change, but you're not ready to pull the trigger just yet. We asked the question of why you want to make that change, and took it a step further by elaborating in detail what that would mean to you.
Now let's assume you have already established why you want to make this change, and you have firmly planted it into your mind and heart by visualizing what your life will look like as a result. At this point, the burning question is, what's next?
This leads me to the next step toward behavior change: the preparation stage. The main question to be answered in this phase is "when?"
Have you been looking at specific fitness programs and found one or more that sound interesting and fun to you? Have you been actively investigating local fitness groups or clubs? Are you seriously considering purchasing an exercise program and/or equipment? If you answered "yes" to any of these, this stage applies to you.
You are starting to feel more confidence in your ability to make this change a reality, and getting a little excited about it! However, you may feel some anxiety when it comes to taking action. Perhaps you are intimidated at the prospect of exercising around people, or afraid you might get injured, or simply unsure about spending the money.
If this sounds like you, then I would suggest the following tips to push yourself over the fence and moving forward into greener pastures!
This will set you up for success when the time comes to act on it, which we will talk about next time!
Remember last time, when we discussed the contemplation stage? This is when you are kinda-sorta-maybe thinking about making a change, but you're not ready to pull the trigger just yet. We asked the question of why you want to make that change, and took it a step further by elaborating in detail what that would mean to you.
Now let's assume you have already established why you want to make this change, and you have firmly planted it into your mind and heart by visualizing what your life will look like as a result. At this point, the burning question is, what's next?
This leads me to the next step toward behavior change: the preparation stage. The main question to be answered in this phase is "when?"
Have you been looking at specific fitness programs and found one or more that sound interesting and fun to you? Have you been actively investigating local fitness groups or clubs? Are you seriously considering purchasing an exercise program and/or equipment? If you answered "yes" to any of these, this stage applies to you.
You are starting to feel more confidence in your ability to make this change a reality, and getting a little excited about it! However, you may feel some anxiety when it comes to taking action. Perhaps you are intimidated at the prospect of exercising around people, or afraid you might get injured, or simply unsure about spending the money.
If this sounds like you, then I would suggest the following tips to push yourself over the fence and moving forward into greener pastures!
- Set specific goals. I recommend setting one appearance goal (losing 20 pounds, for example) and one performance goal (such as completing a 5k). If you have a long way to go to reach your ultimate goal- such as losing 50 pounds or more- then be sure to set "stepping-stone" goals along the way to keep your motivation and momentum strong!
- Set a start date- and make it public. Tell your family and friends that you are starting a program, and ask for their support. Post it on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media. Find a fitness support or challenge group to plug into for motivation, ideas, and encouragement (P.S.-- I can help you with this- just let me know!)
- Plan and prepare. Make an appointment with yourself to do those workouts. Set aside time to make a meal plan, shop for and prepare your meals. I like to cook healthy meals in advance and store or freeze them. The more you can do in advance, the better able you will be to set yourself up for success, as you won't be as tempted to give in to unhealthy choices when healthy ones are already right there at your fingertips!
- Make a financial investment- even a small one. You can attend a Weight Watchers meeting or purchase a day pass at a fitness facility for as little as $10. If you are nervous about being around other people, you can purchase a small set of fitness bands or hand weights for about the same amount, and purchase a home-based fitness program on DVD.
- Go to www.beachbodycoach.com/YOURPERSONALBESTLKN and set up an account with me, so you can sign up for 30 days of access to Beachbody's streaming fitness video programs for FREE! This will give you access to literally hundreds of workouts-- we're talking WELL-KNOWN WORLD CLASS programs that you have already heard of- from the beginner-friendly Slim in 6, 10 Minute Trainer, Hip Hop Abs and Yoga Booty Ballet to the intermediate Brazil Butt Lift, Turbo Jam and Turbo Fire, to the super-advanced P90X series, Insanity, The Asylum, and Chalean Extreme! You even get sneak-peek preview workouts from Beachbody's latest and greatest programs, including 21 Day Fix, Body Beast, PiYo, and even CIZE, the latest offering by Shaun T, that is NOT YET RELEASED!! And did I mention that it is FREE???!
This will set you up for success when the time comes to act on it, which we will talk about next time!
Monday, June 15, 2015
Are you ready for this?
If you are like me, those five words conjure up memories of "Jock Jams" from back in the 90's. (And now that song will be playing in the back of your head for the rest of the day... so sorry about that).
But seriously, the point I want to address today is this: according to a 2014 Gallup poll, 51% of American adults say they want or need to lose weight; however, only half of them reported making a conscious effort to do so. There is a good bit of speculation as to why that is, but looking at weight loss in the following context might shed some light on the matter.
A bit of psychobabble (but not too much)
The Stage Theory (also known as Transtheoretical Model) was developed in the 1980's by three researchers named Proschaska, Norcross, and Diclemente. They conducted a massive study of over 30,000 people who had successfully lost weight, quit smoking, or made some other major lifestyle change on their own without professional help. Their findings led them to create a continuum of stages that people go through on the path to successful change. For the sake of time and sanity I'm going to focus on the most relevant ones for the topic at hand.
Are you thinking about starting a fitness program? Maybe you are doing research, or asking questions, or discussing it with friends and family. You are thinking about it a lot, but still not quite ready to pull the trigger just yet. Maybe you are waiting for "the right time," or feel uncertain as to whether you can really do it. If this is where you are, then you are in the contemplation stage.
If this is where you are right now, I would suggest you think about the reasons why you want to start a fitness program. Do you want to have more energy and be more active? Are you concerned with health issues? Perhaps you just want to feel more comfortable in your own skin?
Once you've identified the general reason, then elaborate on what it will mean to you. For example, if you want more energy, think about how it will feel to run around and play with your kids (or grandkids!), as opposed to watching from the sidelines. What would it be like to spend weekends playing tennis or going for a hike with your spouse, rather than sitting in front of the TV? Imagine going shopping for a new outfit, finding something fabulous in your size, trying it on and LOVING what you see in the mirror? These are just a few examples- come up with your own ideas that get YOU excited!
Your "WHY" has to be powerful and compelling enough to push you through the tough times, so that in the end, all the hard work and sacrifice will be WORTH IT!
Next time we will look at the Preparation stage, and the next best steps you can take to push yourself into Action!!!!
Want to learn more about Beachbody's world class fitness products? Check out my website:
www.beachbodycoach.com/YOURPERSONALBESTLKN
But seriously, the point I want to address today is this: according to a 2014 Gallup poll, 51% of American adults say they want or need to lose weight; however, only half of them reported making a conscious effort to do so. There is a good bit of speculation as to why that is, but looking at weight loss in the following context might shed some light on the matter.
A bit of psychobabble (but not too much)
The Stage Theory (also known as Transtheoretical Model) was developed in the 1980's by three researchers named Proschaska, Norcross, and Diclemente. They conducted a massive study of over 30,000 people who had successfully lost weight, quit smoking, or made some other major lifestyle change on their own without professional help. Their findings led them to create a continuum of stages that people go through on the path to successful change. For the sake of time and sanity I'm going to focus on the most relevant ones for the topic at hand.
Are you thinking about starting a fitness program? Maybe you are doing research, or asking questions, or discussing it with friends and family. You are thinking about it a lot, but still not quite ready to pull the trigger just yet. Maybe you are waiting for "the right time," or feel uncertain as to whether you can really do it. If this is where you are, then you are in the contemplation stage.
If this is where you are right now, I would suggest you think about the reasons why you want to start a fitness program. Do you want to have more energy and be more active? Are you concerned with health issues? Perhaps you just want to feel more comfortable in your own skin?
Once you've identified the general reason, then elaborate on what it will mean to you. For example, if you want more energy, think about how it will feel to run around and play with your kids (or grandkids!), as opposed to watching from the sidelines. What would it be like to spend weekends playing tennis or going for a hike with your spouse, rather than sitting in front of the TV? Imagine going shopping for a new outfit, finding something fabulous in your size, trying it on and LOVING what you see in the mirror? These are just a few examples- come up with your own ideas that get YOU excited!
Your "WHY" has to be powerful and compelling enough to push you through the tough times, so that in the end, all the hard work and sacrifice will be WORTH IT!
Next time we will look at the Preparation stage, and the next best steps you can take to push yourself into Action!!!!
Want to learn more about Beachbody's world class fitness products? Check out my website:
www.beachbodycoach.com/YOURPERSONALBESTLKN
Saturday, June 13, 2015
A blog? Seriously???!
That's what popped into my head when my brother first made the suggestion right after I graduated from Appalachian State University with my bachelor's degree in Health Promotion.
Sure, it seems like everyone has a blog these days. For every hobby, interest, lifestyle, and political or religious belief there are dedicated bloggers. Some are incredibly insightful and thought-provoking; others are frivolous and pithy. Some are inspiring and uplifting; others are mean-spirited and hateful. But me?? Why would anyone want to read a blog from me? Isn't it just a bit arrogant to think anyone would care about what I have to say about anything?
I will acknowledge that after spending over a quarter century studying, teaching, and applying principles of fitness and nutrition, it's safe to say I probably have something to say that would be helpful to someone. And I am frequently one of the first people my friends and family turn to when they have questions about their latest diet or fitness endeavor. But there is already a glut of self-proclaimed fitness "experts" out there, passing on the latest information (and in many cases, unfortunately, misinformation).
But then I thought about it. People do have questions. There is a lot of misinformation circulating out there. Maybe- just maybe- I may have a tidbit or insight that could really help someone. And it would be downright wrong not to share it with them.
So here is my background- the short version.
My studies at ASU were not at all my first foray into this arena. I first got interested in health and fitness as an overweight adolescent with aspirations of becoming a cheerleader in high school. My plan was pretty basic: I ate pretty much the same foods, but only half as much as usual. I also started exercising every night to my mother's Cathy Rigby workout routine, on a vinyl record that she got free with proofs of purchase from Stayfree maxi pads.
By the middle of 8th grade I had lost enough weight that people at school were starting to notice. I had also discovered that exercise actually felt good, so in the spring I joined the track team. I wasn't fast or competitive back then, but I did love to run. More than that, I loved what running did for me-- inside and out. Long story short, I ended up making cheerleader every year of high school, and was head cheerleader my senior year.
My college years were full of ups, downs, and major detours- but that is another story for another day. It was during this time that Jane Fonda burst onto the scene, and group aerobics became all the rage. Many of us girls in our dorm would gather in the common room every evening, where we would pop Jane into the cassette player and grapevine, pony, and leg lift our hearts out. Inspired, I eventually became a certified aerobics instructor; later, a personal trainer. I taught and trained clients day in and day out for 10 years before moving to North Carolina with my husband, having my son, and pursuing my Health Promotion degree.
So that's enough about me. I could tell you more, but I'm tired and sick (literally, I have been fighting off a sinus infection for the past few days).
So I'll give this blog thinga go and see what happens. At best, I can really help someone who needs it. At worst, nobody gives a flip. (And if that's the case, so what???!)
I will acknowledge that after spending over a quarter century studying, teaching, and applying principles of fitness and nutrition, it's safe to say I probably have something to say that would be helpful to someone. And I am frequently one of the first people my friends and family turn to when they have questions about their latest diet or fitness endeavor. But there is already a glut of self-proclaimed fitness "experts" out there, passing on the latest information (and in many cases, unfortunately, misinformation).
But then I thought about it. People do have questions. There is a lot of misinformation circulating out there. Maybe- just maybe- I may have a tidbit or insight that could really help someone. And it would be downright wrong not to share it with them.
So here is my background- the short version.
My studies at ASU were not at all my first foray into this arena. I first got interested in health and fitness as an overweight adolescent with aspirations of becoming a cheerleader in high school. My plan was pretty basic: I ate pretty much the same foods, but only half as much as usual. I also started exercising every night to my mother's Cathy Rigby workout routine, on a vinyl record that she got free with proofs of purchase from Stayfree maxi pads.
By the middle of 8th grade I had lost enough weight that people at school were starting to notice. I had also discovered that exercise actually felt good, so in the spring I joined the track team. I wasn't fast or competitive back then, but I did love to run. More than that, I loved what running did for me-- inside and out. Long story short, I ended up making cheerleader every year of high school, and was head cheerleader my senior year.
My college years were full of ups, downs, and major detours- but that is another story for another day. It was during this time that Jane Fonda burst onto the scene, and group aerobics became all the rage. Many of us girls in our dorm would gather in the common room every evening, where we would pop Jane into the cassette player and grapevine, pony, and leg lift our hearts out. Inspired, I eventually became a certified aerobics instructor; later, a personal trainer. I taught and trained clients day in and day out for 10 years before moving to North Carolina with my husband, having my son, and pursuing my Health Promotion degree.
So that's enough about me. I could tell you more, but I'm tired and sick (literally, I have been fighting off a sinus infection for the past few days).
So I'll give this blog thinga go and see what happens. At best, I can really help someone who needs it. At worst, nobody gives a flip. (And if that's the case, so what???!)
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