Motivation Monday: It's Just Food

It's interesting to me how much importance we put around food through the holidays.  Our life is centered around food.  I don't know how many times I've heard, "after the first of the year I'm going to get started on...." whatever their next plan of action might be.  Sure it may seem harsh to criticize this statement.  After all, maybe they are just being realistic?  Isn't that what everyone does.  After all Christmas just wouldn't be the same without eating ___. 

I read a quote from Wynonna Judd after losing 60 pounds in US Weekly this morning that got me thinking.  She said something to the effect of "once I realized it's just food."  Isn't that the ticket?  Can't we be in denial about how food controls us to the max and that's why the weight isn't coming off?  Sure, we want  to lose the weight but aren't willing to give up x, y, and z.  Seriously, listen to your thought process and even the words that come out of your mouth.  Once we start noticing and realizing how we think through our rationalizations then we can begin to fix it.

I think it's damage control.  Once we figure out the right symphony of food and exercise that will keep us sane and on a healthy path everything fits together nicely.  It just requires more work than passively walking through life. 

Then since I'm rambling I think the other issue is all or nothing.  Instead of striving for a "balanced" symphony of food and exercise we think it needs to be an extreme.  Either we're totally on board or we're totally off board and that the in between doesn't matter.  Well the in between is where we need to live.  It's where I live.  It's the only way I would know how to survive.  I strive to be healthy, I strive to exercise regularly.  I don't beat myself up if I over do it with eating at a meal or skip a workout.  Those little things aren't what will make me unhealthy or overweight.  It's the small things I do every day.

So maybe if we try not to make such a big deal about the food and keep it in our heads that, "it's just food" life would be easier over the next few weeks?  It's worth a shot.  Change your mind frame.

Book 18: The Impact! Total Plan

I've been ranting about this book for quite some time now, The Impact! Body Plan  by Todd Durkin takes the prize for my favorite book this year. 


Why do I love this book so much?  Why does it get 1st place out of 20 books?  The reason is simple, it's the complete package.  Durkin is a world-class motivator and educator.  I am a motivator, my career requires me to feed myself inspiration to share with others.  He motivated a motivator.  I am an educator, my career requires me to educate my clients of the why.  He educated an educator. 
 
The book includes a very detailed 10 week workout plan.  One I'm chomping at the bit to get started as soon as I can.  It's also packed with quotes and education you'd get from a personal trainer course.  I've encouraged all my clients to read the book, buy the book and have it in your house as a reference.  I'd tell anyone the same.  Durkin created a must read!

Traded In...

Ever since I've had to trade in my running shoes for walking I've really been okay with it...really.  Sure at first I was in denial that I couldn't run anymore because in my mind and heart (cardiovascular conditioning) I could do it.  Although my pelvis told me something different so walking 12 miles per week it was.  Sure, it takes much longer but I've been okay with it until the other night when I was at the gym.  It was packed.  You would have thought it was a Monday evening in January and not December.  All the machines were being utilized with a waiting list.  So there I was, power walking my way to complete my 3 miles for the day when everyone, and I mean everyone around me was running on their treadmill.  All I wanted to do was crank that baby up and really get my heart rate going and oh yeah, get some sort of a sweat instead of just feeling a little "warm."  So walking just doesn't hack it for me but I know it'll have to, at least for the next month or so and I can sure handle it.  It was just so apparent to me Monday night how much I cherish the ability to be able to get my heart pumping, sweat and feel so alive in my running shoes.  Funny how we never fully appreciate something until we can do it anymore. 

So if you can, will you run a mile for me?    

Motivation Monday: Stay Inspired

Finish the year strong.  Read a book, watch a documentary, go to a class, or hang out with someone who lifts you up.  During crummy weather months I like to stay inside and read a good, motivating book.  I can't say it enough, go get this book.  I promise it will inspire you!

Astound Yourself!

If we did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves. -Thomas A. Edison

Motivation Monday: Get Your Mind Right

"Whether you think you can or think you cannot...you're right"- Henry Ford

I'm making my way through Todd Durkin's Impact! Body Plan.  I'll write my review on the book soon but in the meantime, go out and get this book!  It's one of the best books I've read in 2010 and one that's packed with motivation and ways to get your mind right.

Do the D!

Vitamin D that is!  The article here talks about how research is pointing towards a link between low vitamin D levels and an increase in gaining weight, especially around the belly in kids and adults.  Make an effort to go outside and take a supplement.