I'm thankful

As we approach Thanksgiving and the Christmas season, I pause to reflect on how truly grateful I am:

-For my health and the freedom to improve it each day
-For my family who loves me despite my flaws and quirks
-For my fur kids who remind me of simple pleasures
-For friends who have taken time to get to know me and include me in their circle
-For the ability to work...it really is a blessing
-For the opportunity to improve the quality of people's lives
-For God's mercy and grace.

What are you appreciating today?

Happy Thanksgiving!

The American Dream or Nightmare?

When I climbed the ladder hard and fast in corporate America and reached upper management, I couldn't have been more disappointed. What I had been sold was a complete lie! You don't "enjoy" your job but rather get eye-ball deep into the red tape, politics and everything BUT what you love to do. I often think the American Dream has become many people's nightmares. Our pursuit of happiness has caused us blood, sweat, tears, pain, confusion and lots of stress. Am I saying the dream is dead? Absolutely not! Hear me out...

I believe each person should dream their own dream, not one sold or pushed upon them by our society. For me, a corporate job was not my dream. Once I understood that and created my own business, I have lived my dream. Others may find owning a home sheer work...then don't! Even obtaining "perfect" health and fitness may be overwhelming to some...so settle for "good enough."

My point, CHOOSE your own dream. Go after it with zest and quit living what someone else told you to pursue, which can become your nightmare.

Exercising in the heat

Although the American Pediatrics Association is correct in stating that youth can exercise in heat, let us NOT forget that the part of the brain which houses discernment does not fully develop until one is in his or her 20s. That means as parents, YOU need to monitor their exertion for them. And the answer "fine" in reply to how they are doing shouldn't cut it. Ask kids "on a scale of 1 to 10, where are you?" In extreme heat, they shouldn't be above an 8. Check their coloring, ensuring they aren't going pale or white. Make mandatory water breaks a norm. And if your child is overweight, they will overheat faster. Also know that everyone is different. Some people have excellent cooling mechanisms while others do not. So yes, exercising in the heat is "okay" but watch carefully and help them understand their limits.

The Vault

If someone told you that behind a steel store was 50 million dollars in which you could claim with the only condition being you had to open the vault, would you? Let me sweeten the deal...you are allowed to hire experts and use any tools you wish. Would you do it?

In my opinion, our health is worth far more than 50 million...it's priceless. Poor health will cost you much much more. Yet, so many people are NOT taking advantage of the experts (personal trainers, life coaches) and utilizing tools (exercise, eating right) to open their vault to good health.

If you wouldn't walk away from 50 million, then certainly don't stand by and let your good health fade away. DO SOMETHING! It's yours for the taking.

DEFINITELY!

One of the songs I run to is trance song that repeats the word "definitely." I always feel inspired and fired up after hearing it. The word is powerful, meaning: unequivocally, without a doubt, strong affirmation and positively. Use it!

When you question whether you will exercise today, say DEFINITELY! When asked if you will reach your financial goals this year, exclaim DEFINITELY! To me, the word feels like a contract, binding us to our intentions.

Are you going to add this word to your daily vocabulary? Your answer is...

To Receive, BE!

If you were looking for a great friend, would you pick yourself? Would you consider yourself the ideal mate?

Knowing what we want is not a bad thing, but when we fixate on it, we can sometimes forget to look at "what and who we are." Are you thoughtful? Kind? Giving? Do you honor your commitments? Do you reach out to people for no reason other than to ask "how are you?"?

If you are longing for a good friend, start by being one. If you want a loving mate, BE loving.

See it!

As a personal trainer and life coach, I help people reach their goals. I adapt and customize my approach to each individual, but the ones who truly obtain success are the ones who SEE it.

As I was running yesterday, I saw the exact exercises I was going to do when I returned. I saw myself doing one-armed bicep curls and overhead triceps. I saw each and every one to their completion. Seeing it helped me plan it, and my plan helped me execute it. Seeing myself accomplish what I wanted to do also gave me energy and boosted my confidence that I could and WOULD do it. And by the way, I did.

What do you see? If you focus on the distractions, hurdles and obstacles, then you will fall prey to them. Try seeing yourself DO what you want to do. See yourself enjoying it, and see how great you feel because you did it! See yourself as a winner, and you will be one.