This is a Live Video that I filmed for Facebook but wanted to share here on my blog for everyone to see! I hope you enjoy!
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Friday, February 17, 2017
A Healthy Addiction
If you read my other blog post, Food Addiction, you know that I believe food is the most abused drug these days. As I go about my journey of being a health and fitness coach, I often hear words such as "Fanatic", "Health Nut", "Obsessed"... and such, so I wanted to tackle this subject and enlighten those that use such words and phrases in regards to people who REALLY enjoy being healthy and working out. Now, people who DON'T workout or eat healthy or live a healthy lifestyle tend to look at those who do as just as I state... obsessed. I would LOVE to explain why, so that maybe, just maybe, you can become a fanatical health nut as well.
First off, and I say this a lot, it takes 2 weeks to make or break a habit, scientifically speaking, according to research into brain chemistry. So, if you eat sugared donuts every morning for breakfast, you're likely to develop a habit of doing so, not to mention the addiction it will create. If you smoke everyday for 2 week, the same will happen. Ask yourself... why would you expect it to be any different with healthy habits? Ready for a not so secret bombshell? It's not any different! However, it is SO MUCH BETTER. I'm not speaking better just in the fact that it's healthier for you, obviously, but I am referring to the way you will FEEL.
There is just no way you can tell anyone that they will be worse off for working out and eating healthy. As the photo above states, and I say this with personal experience even, once you see results, it easily becomes a healthy addiction. Just check out my before and after pics... The before pic is old simply because when I was "fluffy" I never wanted to take full body photos, so there aren't many to use. But, in actuality, it only took me 3 weeks to make this transformation! That's right my friends, in less than a month's time, I lost 20lbs! Now, I know the idea of doing that to yourself excites you, how could it not? But imagine how *I* felt?! Everyday, my clothes fitting better, some even seeming too large now. To see my formerly cellulite-ridden thighs become smooth and muscular. To see my once-jiggly triceps tighten and tone so I'm not self-conscious about wearing tank tops anymore.
Those were just the PHYSICAL changes... let's address the emotional and mental changes, now.
In case you are NOT familiar with the film Legally Blonde, the above gif is Elle Woods, and the quote just gets funnier from there... "Happy people just don't shoot their husbands, they just don't." Now, here's some more science for you: when you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins. These endorphins interact with the receptors in your brain that reduce your perception of pain. Endorphins also trigger a positive feeling in the body, similar to that of morphine. Did you read that? Maybe you need to read it again... IT REDUCES PAIN AND TRIGGERS A POSITIVE FEELING SIMILAR TO MORPHINE. People don't call it a workout high because they are trying to be cute. They say that because it's true people!
Again, dear friend, I speak from personal experience.. to catch up on my backstory, check out my youtube vid, A Little About Me. There, you will find out that I have had my own personal battles with depression and more. I'm only telling you this because I want you to know that I am sincere and genuine and not feeding you lines of bullsh!t. I promise. Everything I do and say is to help you, yes YOU, reading this. Even if I've never met you, I hope my Blog posts, Facebook posts, Instagram posts help motivate, educate, and inspire you to being the healthiest, happiest you, you can possibly be!
So, my suggestion to you is... next time your "health nut" friend talks about working out.... why not ask to join them next time? When you're fanatical in-law who eats ridiculously healthy offers you some bit of freaky sounding healthy food, give it a bite!
Why? Because, in the end, my dear friend... what will it hurt? Abso-freakin-lutely NOTHING.. In fact it will help you. Let us inspire everyone we know to be healthier and happier. That's my goal... in fact, let me share with you the real reason I try to inspire as many people as I can.. because the following quote is my daily mantra... if I can say I did this, on a daily basis, when I go to sleep, I got sleep soundly, knowing I have no regrets and I gave it my ALL! I leave you today with these words...
Thursday, February 9, 2017
Food Addiction
Most people's biggest fear about getting healthy is changing their eating habits. No one really wants to give up their favorite indulgences. My opinion on this, after diligent research, is simple... Food is a drug. We are not taught how addicting sugar can be, or how it sets off the same connections in our brains as heroin and morphine! We interpret this dopamine signal as “pleasure” and the programming in our brain changes to make us want to perform that behavior again. Is that not the very definition of an addictive substance?
And it's not just sugar, MANY foods and additives do this us.
Now, I'm not here to be a sugar sergeant... I told you all that so you know, I get it... I know how hard it is to cut back on some of the foods we eat that are not so healthy for us. Just like in my previous blog post, I believe in baby steps... Don't go all crazy and say you're cutting out all sugar... Because, while this is a wonderful endeavor, it is unrealistic. How many people are successful in quitting smoking cold turkey with no help? How many recovering addicts or alcoholics are successful in stopping immediately without help? Not many. We don't want to start a journey of fad dieting and deprivation... We want to create a lifelong healthy lifestyle.
So start small... Instead of that soda, get a flavored water... instead of that candy bar, grab some dried fruit.... instead of chips, nab a bag of salted nuts. I was WILDLY addicted to Cherry Coke and BBQ Chips and any candy I was craving that week. I did baby steps and cut back, only allowing myself 1 per week... then I switched to an all natural soda... then to a juice with low sugar.... now, the taste of Cherry Coke grosses me out... It TASTES like chemicals to me and I have no want of it. Same with Chips.... OR if I do have that feeling of wanting some, I take a small handful and put it in a bowl and put the bag away, so I don't OVER munch. And for the sweets... dried fruit...I started with dried fruits that were lightly sugared... then just dehydrated fruit with nothing added. And I LOVE salted cashews... now.
Another baby step is cutting back, as I mentioned above... If you can't find a healthier substitute and you just have to have it... it's ok... just cut back. Instead of two helpings, have one. Limit yourself... Not only will you become healthier, BUT it will be even more of a treat then, and that dopamine push you get from it will be even more potent. Just don't overdo it.
Everything in life is a choice. Love. Happiness. Fitness. Eating. What choices are you making? Are you making healthy choices to be the best version of you or are you letting the pressures of life overwhelm you and making excuses as to why you can't take care of yourself? Trust me, if you answered the last one, I was there with you. I made ALL KINDS of excuses. ESPECIALLY as a mom... I used my kids as an excuse to not take care of me... until I realized that by not taking care of me, I was doing a disservice to them. Now, they see me making healthy choices to take care of me, and not only does that make me a better mom, but its instilling in them to do the same as they grow.
Everything in life is a choice. Love. Happiness. Fitness. Eating. What choices are you making? Are you making healthy choices to be the best version of you or are you letting the pressures of life overwhelm you and making excuses as to why you can't take care of yourself? Trust me, if you answered the last one, I was there with you. I made ALL KINDS of excuses. ESPECIALLY as a mom... I used my kids as an excuse to not take care of me... until I realized that by not taking care of me, I was doing a disservice to them. Now, they see me making healthy choices to take care of me, and not only does that make me a better mom, but its instilling in them to do the same as they grow.
This is NOT about physical perfection... This is about being the best you inside and out.
Make your choice wisely!
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
How To Lose Weight Without Working Out
How to lose weight without working out.... isn't that every busy mom's dream? Every woman's dream? Because working out not only takes time, something it seems we ALL lack these days, but effort. Let's face it, after waking up, taking care of kids all day, or working all day, the last thing most people want to do is expend more energy. Not to mention, since it's an action that seems to only benefit ourselves, we often say it unnecessary. Frequently we tend to be so busy taking care of others, that we neglect to take the same kind of care and same quality of care of our own selves.
Well, that HAS to stop. You're going to hear me use the following analogy a lot, over time, because it's something that is so simple but so profound, I think it needs to be hammered into us. Imagine you're on an airplane. On a casual flight to anywhere... maybe your childhood home to see family, maybe to a business conference, maybe on vacation with your family. Suddenly, there's turbulence and before you know it, the oxygen masks fall from the ceiling. Now, if you grab that mask and put it on the person next to you, maybe your child, your spouse, or friend, or even a stranger.... what happens to you if there really is a lack of oxygen? By the time you get the mask on that person, IF you are even able to fully do so, you will probably pass out due to lack of oxygen, rendering you incapable of helping ANYONE, even yourself. HOWEVER, if you put the mask on yourself first, then you are able to help many others. Every person in your row, and perhaps the people in front of or behind you; your loved ones.
Life is like that flight. If you aren't taking time to take care of YOU, life will take it's toll. Physically, you will gain weight, which could lead to a plethora of other issues such as an inability to keep up with your friends and family, diabetes, high cholesterol and MANY more. Emotionally, life is draining, so you need to take time to recharge your batteries and find your center, whether that means meditating, praying, bible study, or spending time with your best friend. The worst penalty is the one you hardly notice; psychological... It's hard to love yourself and and keep your head in the right mindset when you're running low on fuel. Bottom line is that you can not give anything from an empty cup.
Now, on to what you really want to know... losing weight.... Abs are made in the kitchen. The best way to lose weight is to change your diet. HOWEVER, while 80% of your health and fitness derive from your diet, that does not mean exercise is not important. The thing is, most people associate exercise with misery, or some other lackluster feeling. If you want drastic, immediate results, the ONLY way to get that is with a combination of diet and exercise. That doesn't mean you have to be miserable and kill yourself though! I am all about Baby Steps! Because when you want to make a change, it should be a lifestyle. Because that is the most surefire way to ensure success. Short term yo-yo diets will only make you more miserable, depriving you of things you love. That's not what this is about. This is about overall happiness. That being said, let's move to those Baby Steps....
Baby Step #1: Raise your heartbeat for 20 minutes a day. That doesn't have to be a hardcore workout video or hitting the gym... go for a walk outside, go for a bike ride, do some jumping jacks or squats while you watch TV. ANYTHING. Just get those endorphins pumping! This is easier than you want to admit, ESPECIALLY if you have kids. It's a baby step, but it's still a choice that is up to you.
Baby Step #2: Make healthier eating choices... there's many ways to start this without being overwhelmed. Substitute grapes for your chocolates, eat a healthier cereal with less sugar, learn proper portion sizes. The easiest thing to do? Find a meal replacement that is healthy and nutritious. Don't just pick up some random protein bar at the store though; look for something stocked full of vitamins and nutrients. When your body is getting the nourishment it needs, it works more efficiently, it utilizes the food you are eating better and makes your body work FOR YOU, not against you. Shakeology can be made with water, milk, and can even be made into a smoothie with fruits for a meal that is jam-packed with nutrients your body is craving but best of all... it costs the same, if not less, than a fast food lunch option! AND it's just as quick and easy! (Click here to buy now!)
Baby Step #3: Get Support. Everything in life is easier with friends. I have three kids, and even being pregnant was so much easier and fun when friends of mine were pregnant at the same time. We could talk about and discuss all the new things that were happening to us and we all related and understood. When you're in school, you have study groups to help make sure you're doing the work punctually and properly. Everything in life is better with friends. So, click the link to my Beachbody website, my Facebook page, or my Instagram and let me help encourage you! It would be my pleasure and my honor!
Baby Step #4: Be Consistent. Even if you are having a bad day, if you totally fell off the wagon over the holidays, whatever it may be... just jump back on. Keep at it. Even if it doesn't feel like you're changing... It takes 2 weeks to make or break a habit. It usually takes 4-6 weeks for other people to notice a difference in you. Own that. Want it. Work for that. Nothing in life worth having comes easy. And of all the things you will do in your life, taking care of you is by far the most important thing you could choose to do.
So, I'm sorry if you feel misled by my title of how to lose weight without working out. But I wanted you to know, this is not just about working out. It's about something far, FAR more important. It's about you. Helping you become the best version of you, inside and out! Because you are SO worth it, my friend!
As I tell my kids: A stranger is just a friend you haven't met yet.
Meet me! Friend me! Until then, CHOOSE HAPPINESS!
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