This month, "Client of the Month" is a little different. I'm honoring Karen and Mark, a married couple I've been training for over two years. Well, technically I've been training Karen for over two years. Mark came along a handful of months later. It's an ideal situation-I love that both Karen and Mark are on the same page with exercise and being healthy all-around. There's so many reasons this great couple is worthy of this award.
1. They are always willing to try a new exercise...as weird and awkward as it might seem.
2. The both complete their exercise assignments on their own. They are of the few people that exercise on their own regularly.
3. They are active together. When they aren't completing my "assignments" they rollerblade together when the weather is nice. How awesome is that!?
4. They are always working to improve. I think they are both in wonderful shape, however they both work hard at it and continue to challenge themselves.
5. Nope, they never complain!
6. They ask questions. I love this about them as they always want to learn more. Many times they stump me and I have to get back to them on whatever it is they are inquiring about. They are truly interested in this for the long haul.
7. They both have amazingly positive attitudes.
8. They are great listeners. When we meet I tweak little things here and there. They listen to the changes and work hard to implement them into the exercises they are doing.
9. They work hard and play hard. I love the fact that they vacation together and get away from "reality" on a regular basis. I think this balance is what it's all about.
10. They are about the nicest people ever! Along with a great work ethic, both Karen and Mark are genuinely nice. I am so lucky to get to work with such kind people.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
The Take Over
Last week I was watching Dr. Oz and somehow this very basic concept clicked for me. Only YOU can change your life. You are the one in control of everything. Thus the name of his best selling books...ah-ha!
Say you join a gym, hire a trainer (a good one at that), buy a new healthy cook book, and begin to plan your weekly workouts. Implementation is the key here, nothing changes unless YOU do it. The great trainer, the healthy cook book and the plans don't go far without follow through.
It's very easy to put the blame on someone or something else (why make excuses post). We all do it-why?
When I was pregnant and gained 50 pounds, no one shoved the late night snacks into my mouth. I wasn't tied up and forced to intake more calories throughout the day than my doctor suggested. I ate all the extra food and gained the weight all by myself:)
After I had my precious baby Jax, no one was to blame except me for the extra baby weight hanging around. It was all Mandy, and it was the consequence of my choices from the previous months. I just had way too many "eating parties." I would hold the paties most everyday for myself. (note to self: eating parties should be a post in the near future)
So the point here is we are all in control of our lives. Take over YOURS! Stop blaming everyone but you. However, at the same time realize what's going on and make the necessary changes. Be mindful.
I work (and will always) at brainstorming ways to get people motivated to stick with exercise and accomplish their goals of living healthy. To be honest, I probably take it to heart more than my client if I see them give up. It's really silly but I think almost each and every day I'm with my clients I see something in them that they might not see. Most every week I prove someone wrong...and I take great pleasure in that! It goes like this:
Me: "Now I want you to do this" (I show them the exercise.)
Client: "Uh, what? You want me to do that? I don't think so."
Me: "Yes, you're going to do it but I think it's cute you think you're going to get out of this exercise. Now try it."
Client: (Client tries the exercise)....and Succeeds!!!
Me: "See, I knew you could do it...told you so!!!"
Cheesy example, I know, but this literally happens on a bi-weekly basis. Why does this happen? I think it starts with FEAR (false reality appearing real). The false reality being the ability for my client to do a certain exercise. It appears real because when I demonstrate the exercise it might look tricky. Then my client might possibly begin negative self talk. However even if they try and get close but fall short....it's okay to fail! We've all failed at one time or another in life and that failing will bring us one step closer to victory. Failing at something always teaches us something (if we are willing to listen). Failing lets us know that way doesn't work so try another or keep at it because with continued practice you'll get it! I think we have to be willing to try even if failing is an option.
Wow that was hard for me...as is human nature-I HATE failing. I'll always have to work at this concept.
Say you join a gym, hire a trainer (a good one at that), buy a new healthy cook book, and begin to plan your weekly workouts. Implementation is the key here, nothing changes unless YOU do it. The great trainer, the healthy cook book and the plans don't go far without follow through.
It's very easy to put the blame on someone or something else (why make excuses post). We all do it-why?
When I was pregnant and gained 50 pounds, no one shoved the late night snacks into my mouth. I wasn't tied up and forced to intake more calories throughout the day than my doctor suggested. I ate all the extra food and gained the weight all by myself:)
After I had my precious baby Jax, no one was to blame except me for the extra baby weight hanging around. It was all Mandy, and it was the consequence of my choices from the previous months. I just had way too many "eating parties." I would hold the paties most everyday for myself. (note to self: eating parties should be a post in the near future)
So the point here is we are all in control of our lives. Take over YOURS! Stop blaming everyone but you. However, at the same time realize what's going on and make the necessary changes. Be mindful.
I work (and will always) at brainstorming ways to get people motivated to stick with exercise and accomplish their goals of living healthy. To be honest, I probably take it to heart more than my client if I see them give up. It's really silly but I think almost each and every day I'm with my clients I see something in them that they might not see. Most every week I prove someone wrong...and I take great pleasure in that! It goes like this:
Me: "Now I want you to do this" (I show them the exercise.)
Client: "Uh, what? You want me to do that? I don't think so."
Me: "Yes, you're going to do it but I think it's cute you think you're going to get out of this exercise. Now try it."
Client: (Client tries the exercise)....and Succeeds!!!
Me: "See, I knew you could do it...told you so!!!"
Cheesy example, I know, but this literally happens on a bi-weekly basis. Why does this happen? I think it starts with FEAR (false reality appearing real). The false reality being the ability for my client to do a certain exercise. It appears real because when I demonstrate the exercise it might look tricky. Then my client might possibly begin negative self talk. However even if they try and get close but fall short....it's okay to fail! We've all failed at one time or another in life and that failing will bring us one step closer to victory. Failing at something always teaches us something (if we are willing to listen). Failing lets us know that way doesn't work so try another or keep at it because with continued practice you'll get it! I think we have to be willing to try even if failing is an option.
Wow that was hard for me...as is human nature-I HATE failing. I'll always have to work at this concept.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Trotting Along
I'll start from the beginning. February 2nd, 2007 my baby boy, Jax was born. Oh I love Jax with all my heart, he's all I think about every single day. However, along with Jax, came 50 unwanted pounds. For some reason I was super duper hungry throughout the entire pregnancy:). I would eat a meal and 15 minutes later be ready for another. Since I didn't deliver a 50 pound baby the weight lingered and Jax was in my arms. I needed to lose quite a bit of weight and deifinitely felt overwelmed. Being the planner that I am, we scheduled a family trip to the Bahamas in early May, only 3 months after Jax was born-yikes!
Exercising my booty off and eating well was the only way I knew would get me the results I wanted. So that's what I did. I exercised VIGOROUSLY 6 days/week. I did this along with watching what I ate and skipping late-night snacks (something I became very good at the previous 9 months). Most of my exercise regimen came from running. I worked up to run around 4 miles 3-4 times per week in combination with strength training 3-4 times per week. I lost almost 40 of the 50 pounds in 3 months, just in time for our trip.
Of course that was a big victory but I had the last measly 10 pounds to go. That was tough. I actually didn't get my act together until March or April of this year and it all came off. A pound or two just wouldn't go. Although, I wasn't as concerned with the last 10 as I was with the first 40.
Since I was running as a means to lose weight, I accidentally fell in love with it. I loved the freedom it gave me to clear my head and think as well as time away to keep my life "balanced." So I decided last year that I would sign up for a couple of 5K races; the Kansas City marathon 5K in October and the Arthritis Jingle Bell 5K in November.
Then I got a crazy idea to complete an organized race every month in 2008 in order to stay accountable to myself. So far I'm on track to complete that goal-yay! As if 12 organized races in 2008 wasn't enough, I thought it would be nice to complete a half marathon and marathon as well.
Back at the beginning of 2008, I'm not sure if it was February or March when I decided I would work to complete the Nike Women's marathon in San Fransisco. The date for the marathon is just 4 short weeks away from yesterday; October 19th. When I decided to do the marathon, like every other decision in my life, I thought about it for quite some time. It wasn't a decision I made overnight. The first thought of the word, "marathon" entered the picture late 2007, probably around November. I went back and forth, back and forth. Should I or shouldn't I go for the marathon? The decision really weighed on me for quite some time. Alas, I decided to go for it.
So here I am 4 weeks away from my goal of completing a marathon. Right now has been the toughest part of all. I see the finish line but there's still so much to go. Gosh the 20 miles I need to complete this Saturday is just draining. You see, I have what's called exercise ADD. I love exercise but I've always had to mix it up. Even in my classes, I get super bored if we do the same thing over and over. I guess it's a good thing but right now the last thing I want to do is put on my running shoes. I'd rather go for a good bike ride or head to a pilates class. Just something to change up my routine. But the SWEET feeling of sticking with and accomplishing a goal I set for myself is what's getting me through....plus knowing that I'll get my fix of every other fitness-related activity when I'm done training for this race.
So there wasn't a ton of meaning to this post other than I have struggles too, even as a "trainer."
Exercising my booty off and eating well was the only way I knew would get me the results I wanted. So that's what I did. I exercised VIGOROUSLY 6 days/week. I did this along with watching what I ate and skipping late-night snacks (something I became very good at the previous 9 months). Most of my exercise regimen came from running. I worked up to run around 4 miles 3-4 times per week in combination with strength training 3-4 times per week. I lost almost 40 of the 50 pounds in 3 months, just in time for our trip.
Of course that was a big victory but I had the last measly 10 pounds to go. That was tough. I actually didn't get my act together until March or April of this year and it all came off. A pound or two just wouldn't go. Although, I wasn't as concerned with the last 10 as I was with the first 40.
Since I was running as a means to lose weight, I accidentally fell in love with it. I loved the freedom it gave me to clear my head and think as well as time away to keep my life "balanced." So I decided last year that I would sign up for a couple of 5K races; the Kansas City marathon 5K in October and the Arthritis Jingle Bell 5K in November.
Then I got a crazy idea to complete an organized race every month in 2008 in order to stay accountable to myself. So far I'm on track to complete that goal-yay! As if 12 organized races in 2008 wasn't enough, I thought it would be nice to complete a half marathon and marathon as well.
Back at the beginning of 2008, I'm not sure if it was February or March when I decided I would work to complete the Nike Women's marathon in San Fransisco. The date for the marathon is just 4 short weeks away from yesterday; October 19th. When I decided to do the marathon, like every other decision in my life, I thought about it for quite some time. It wasn't a decision I made overnight. The first thought of the word, "marathon" entered the picture late 2007, probably around November. I went back and forth, back and forth. Should I or shouldn't I go for the marathon? The decision really weighed on me for quite some time. Alas, I decided to go for it.
So here I am 4 weeks away from my goal of completing a marathon. Right now has been the toughest part of all. I see the finish line but there's still so much to go. Gosh the 20 miles I need to complete this Saturday is just draining. You see, I have what's called exercise ADD. I love exercise but I've always had to mix it up. Even in my classes, I get super bored if we do the same thing over and over. I guess it's a good thing but right now the last thing I want to do is put on my running shoes. I'd rather go for a good bike ride or head to a pilates class. Just something to change up my routine. But the SWEET feeling of sticking with and accomplishing a goal I set for myself is what's getting me through....plus knowing that I'll get my fix of every other fitness-related activity when I'm done training for this race.
So there wasn't a ton of meaning to this post other than I have struggles too, even as a "trainer."
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
I LOVE HIIT!!!
HIIT or High Intensity Interval Training is just about the best way to lose weight, increase metabolism and burn fat. My Group Training Classes for Women get weekly HIIT workouts as assignments to speed up their progress....so they understand my passion for this all too well. There's so many different flavors and varieties of HIIT as I have my favorites but the best way to always get results is to change up your routine frequently. Never do the same thing over and over as your body will build up a tolerance for the workout thus giving you nothing but a "plateau effect."
Here's a small sample of HIIT programs:
Beginner HIIT program A
Warm Up 5 minutes
30 seconds of a sprint
90 seconds of a recovery
Repeat sprint and recovery 6-8 times
Beginner HIIT program B
Warm Up 5 minutes
60 seconds of a sprint
120 seconds of a recovery
Repeat sprint and recovery 6-8 times
These workouts can be done by:
* Walking/Jogging/Running outside or on a treadmill
* Biking Outside
* On an Elliptical
* On a Recumbant or Upright Bike
* On a step machine
Here's a small sample of HIIT programs:
Beginner HIIT program A
Warm Up 5 minutes
30 seconds of a sprint
90 seconds of a recovery
Repeat sprint and recovery 6-8 times
Beginner HIIT program B
Warm Up 5 minutes
60 seconds of a sprint
120 seconds of a recovery
Repeat sprint and recovery 6-8 times
These workouts can be done by:
* Walking/Jogging/Running outside or on a treadmill
* Biking Outside
* On an Elliptical
* On a Recumbant or Upright Bike
* On a step machine
Monday, September 15, 2008
Why Make Excuses?
I really dislike excuses, however, that doesn't mean I don't make them. Just the other day I made up a whole list of excuses as to why I needed to shorten my run mileage. I went home last weekend to visit my parents and got up Saturday morning to participate in a 5K at my Alma mater.
So the original plan was to complete the 3 miles of the race and then run 10 more on my own. I completed the 5K and started on the 10. About mile 3 is when the enormous list of excuses began to flood my mind. "Mandy you did a solid 6 straight weeks of climbing, 7 miles, 10 miles, 12 miles, 14 miles, 16 miles, 18 miles...you need a break. 8 Miles is good enough for today. Next week you'll do more." By mile 4 I already turned back, I had my mind made up and the excuses won me over.
"He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else." (Benjamin Franklin)
Why does this happen? Why can we buy into the white lies our minds feed us? Why can't we always just stick to the original plan? Here's a short list of ways we can win against excuses:
1. Understand rationalization. Rationalization is the process of constructing a logical justification for a belief, decision, action or lack thereof that was originally arrived at through a different mental process. It is a defense mechanism in which unacceptable behaviors or feelings are explained in a rational or logical manner; this avoids the true explanation of the behavior or feeling in question. (Wikipedia) I think rationalization can be very dangerous as we might not realize we are doing it.
2. Examine your progress. Look at where you are at from where you have been and where you want to be.
3. When you make a mistake take time to learn from it. Don't repeat it but accept responsibility from the mistake. (although I don't ever believe mistakes are really mistakes, rather stepping stones to get us where we want to go by process of elimination)
4. Come to the realization that your successes or failures depend on you. The choices and attitude you have play a huge role in winning and losing.
Now I understand that from time to time excuses will happen. It's just the way life works out. This post doesn't apply to the random here and there excuse, rather the chronic excuses that stop us from getting what we want.
"Sometimes what we don't want to see is exactly what we need to see."(Mandy Froehlich)
So the original plan was to complete the 3 miles of the race and then run 10 more on my own. I completed the 5K and started on the 10. About mile 3 is when the enormous list of excuses began to flood my mind. "Mandy you did a solid 6 straight weeks of climbing, 7 miles, 10 miles, 12 miles, 14 miles, 16 miles, 18 miles...you need a break. 8 Miles is good enough for today. Next week you'll do more." By mile 4 I already turned back, I had my mind made up and the excuses won me over.
"He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else." (Benjamin Franklin)
Why does this happen? Why can we buy into the white lies our minds feed us? Why can't we always just stick to the original plan? Here's a short list of ways we can win against excuses:
1. Understand rationalization. Rationalization is the process of constructing a logical justification for a belief, decision, action or lack thereof that was originally arrived at through a different mental process. It is a defense mechanism in which unacceptable behaviors or feelings are explained in a rational or logical manner; this avoids the true explanation of the behavior or feeling in question. (Wikipedia) I think rationalization can be very dangerous as we might not realize we are doing it.
2. Examine your progress. Look at where you are at from where you have been and where you want to be.
3. When you make a mistake take time to learn from it. Don't repeat it but accept responsibility from the mistake. (although I don't ever believe mistakes are really mistakes, rather stepping stones to get us where we want to go by process of elimination)
4. Come to the realization that your successes or failures depend on you. The choices and attitude you have play a huge role in winning and losing.
Now I understand that from time to time excuses will happen. It's just the way life works out. This post doesn't apply to the random here and there excuse, rather the chronic excuses that stop us from getting what we want.
"Sometimes what we don't want to see is exactly what we need to see."(Mandy Froehlich)
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Weight Loss Musts
Try implementing these little things into your daily routine. I know they will make a big difference.
1. Avoid frequent use of soda. Read this interesting article about the facts that drinking even diet soda can increase your chance of getting or staying overweight.
2. Get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Our body's hormones, Ghrelin (tell us we are hungry) and Leptin (tell us when to stop eating) change when we don't get adequate amounts of sleep. Ghrelin levels go up (causing more hunger) and Leptin levels go down (causing less signals of feeling full).
Interesting Fact: 65% of Americans are overweight and 63% of Americans don't get 8 hours of sleep at night.
3. Eat Breakfast. This is a no-brainer...just do it to get your metabolism going for the day-even if you aren't hungry.
4. Skip Late Night Snacking. Oh my goodness, if we can all stay disciplined about this one it would make all the difference!
5. Make a long term plan, divided into small plans. I do this by making a yearly spreadsheet with my weekly micro goals listed and record of my weight. I weigh myself every Thursday morning and record it. Then I also check off each week to make sure I did the things I wanted to do during the week. I do that for a year at a time, barely changing my micro goals throughout the year. It's kind of interesting to see the progress through the year as well as the patterns I can pick out when I get into "crazy cycles." I think it's so important to plan like this because it will help out with sticking to something long-term. Even if there's not much progress for the first 3-6 months, later you might be happily surprised with a positive change because of your focused endurance.
Long term planning is also so important because we have to give our body reaction time. They don't automatically change overnight or even in one week. It's such a delayed reaction because of all the chemical changes that occur within our complex body. Give yourself time to catch up with what you are doing to it. Set realistic goals and stick with them!
When I want to slip up on something I always think to myself, "if I keep doing what I've been doing, I'll get what I've been getting" which is normally no results.
So start or continue to do different things to your body in order for it to react differently!
1. Avoid frequent use of soda. Read this interesting article about the facts that drinking even diet soda can increase your chance of getting or staying overweight.
2. Get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Our body's hormones, Ghrelin (tell us we are hungry) and Leptin (tell us when to stop eating) change when we don't get adequate amounts of sleep. Ghrelin levels go up (causing more hunger) and Leptin levels go down (causing less signals of feeling full).
Interesting Fact: 65% of Americans are overweight and 63% of Americans don't get 8 hours of sleep at night.
3. Eat Breakfast. This is a no-brainer...just do it to get your metabolism going for the day-even if you aren't hungry.
4. Skip Late Night Snacking. Oh my goodness, if we can all stay disciplined about this one it would make all the difference!
5. Make a long term plan, divided into small plans. I do this by making a yearly spreadsheet with my weekly micro goals listed and record of my weight. I weigh myself every Thursday morning and record it. Then I also check off each week to make sure I did the things I wanted to do during the week. I do that for a year at a time, barely changing my micro goals throughout the year. It's kind of interesting to see the progress through the year as well as the patterns I can pick out when I get into "crazy cycles." I think it's so important to plan like this because it will help out with sticking to something long-term. Even if there's not much progress for the first 3-6 months, later you might be happily surprised with a positive change because of your focused endurance.
Long term planning is also so important because we have to give our body reaction time. They don't automatically change overnight or even in one week. It's such a delayed reaction because of all the chemical changes that occur within our complex body. Give yourself time to catch up with what you are doing to it. Set realistic goals and stick with them!
When I want to slip up on something I always think to myself, "if I keep doing what I've been doing, I'll get what I've been getting" which is normally no results.
So start or continue to do different things to your body in order for it to react differently!
Monday, September 8, 2008
I HATE High Fructose Corn Syrup
Why, you may ask do I hate this chemical? Leptin, plus ghrelin, two of the key hormones responsible for reducing your hunger and increasing the feeling of fullness, also are the main hormones that control your overall fondness for food. People with a dysfunctional Leptin output, are constantly hungry and even go after bland food, anything edible.
This natural regulating substance, Leptin, is your primary appetite and food desire controlling hormone, is abated by several synthetic substances, best known, (but just one of several) HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP.
High Fructose Corn Syrup In Everything
You eat 88 pounds a year as an average American. Happens only in US because of corn subsidy to farmers ($2 a bushel) makes corn so cheap they chemically process (ferment it etc) and make this man made substance that is sweeter then sugar.
This is just a summary of the badness of HFCS. Here's a great link to explain everything you need to know about this horrible ingredient that's taking over grocery store shelves if you want to learn more.
http://cleanerplateclub.wordpress.com/2007/06/20/take-the-high-fructose-corn-syrup-challenge/
I would encourage you to take the challenge-give it up and feel the difference. Start looking at food labels. Put the item back if it lists HFCS as an ingredient. Such a small change will make all the difference.
Personally, it's one of the reasons I blame on my addiction to swiss cake rolls:)
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Inspire
As much as I try to motivate and encourage my clients, most of the time they are the ones that inspire me! Here's an email I got from one of my clients the other day. I couldn't resist sharing, and with her permission I am!
I have realized a big difference in my mind frame lately. Over the years, I have lost a significant amount of weight about 3 times, after different babies. When I was going through that, I would always think "just 3 more months of this lifestyle, then I'll be done, and I can eat what I want and maybe only exercise once or twice a week", which is mainly why I haven't ever kept it off for long, even though I got pregnant more times. The difference now is that I am seeing this getting healthy not just for weight loss, and not just short term, but so I can accomplish even more things, like a 5K or 10K or a bike race or bike trip or whatever other things I may want to do. I'm excited for the possibilities, and I am realizing how important this is for me to think this way, instead of how I previously had viewed weight loss.
I can't believe how different this is now, and I really think so much of it is your class. I am not only losing weight, but I am gaining so much strength and toning my body in a way that I never have before (for example, the push ups. Even when I weighed about 30 pounds less than right now, I could not do a "boy push-up"). So I feel like I have new possibilities that I didn't believe I had before (isn't that the "b" of your ABC's?).
I have realized a big difference in my mind frame lately. Over the years, I have lost a significant amount of weight about 3 times, after different babies. When I was going through that, I would always think "just 3 more months of this lifestyle, then I'll be done, and I can eat what I want and maybe only exercise once or twice a week", which is mainly why I haven't ever kept it off for long, even though I got pregnant more times. The difference now is that I am seeing this getting healthy not just for weight loss, and not just short term, but so I can accomplish even more things, like a 5K or 10K or a bike race or bike trip or whatever other things I may want to do. I'm excited for the possibilities, and I am realizing how important this is for me to think this way, instead of how I previously had viewed weight loss.
I can't believe how different this is now, and I really think so much of it is your class. I am not only losing weight, but I am gaining so much strength and toning my body in a way that I never have before (for example, the push ups. Even when I weighed about 30 pounds less than right now, I could not do a "boy push-up"). So I feel like I have new possibilities that I didn't believe I had before (isn't that the "b" of your ABC's?).
Friday, September 5, 2008
ABC's of Winning
A is for Attitude = A positive attitude is key to winning at weight loss. We all know this but sometimes it's just hard to execute. Have "attitude awareness." Try the glass half-full approach and see if it doesn't make a difference.
B is for Believing = I honestly think that if we believe in ourselves, we can do anything we want. If we don't believe that the seemingly impossible is possible then how can we reach our goals?
C is for Consistency = This one's the kicker. Sticking with something! One workout is not going to change our life. Actually one month of exercising isn't going to change our life. Think about it, we don't gain weight with one bad meal or even one month of bad meals. Get what I'm saying? So if we're thinking of throwing in the towel just because things aren't moving as quickly as we'd like, why would quitting get us there any faster?
B is for Believing = I honestly think that if we believe in ourselves, we can do anything we want. If we don't believe that the seemingly impossible is possible then how can we reach our goals?
C is for Consistency = This one's the kicker. Sticking with something! One workout is not going to change our life. Actually one month of exercising isn't going to change our life. Think about it, we don't gain weight with one bad meal or even one month of bad meals. Get what I'm saying? So if we're thinking of throwing in the towel just because things aren't moving as quickly as we'd like, why would quitting get us there any faster?
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Be the Tortoise
You know the story, the tortoise wins the race. Being the Hare doesn't typically pay off. I saw this theory hold true during the last two weeks of the Olympic games. Many would start out strong and take the lead during the majority of the race but in the end the people trailing would often keep their steady pace and have enough gas in the end to pull through for a medal.
I think the same can be said for the race of life, losing weight and working to live healthy. While the Hare is flashy and fast at first, later he normally loses gas. This can be paralleled to the energy and enthusiasm that starting a new exercise routine and/or new diet. After the new has worn off it typically becomes more "work" to live healthy and suddenly gets very easy to be defeated. Keeping things steady and constant will aid in staying the course.
I've been thinking a lot lately about the entire race, not just the finish line. It's way too easy to look ahead and plan for the future but what about right now? Sometimes it seems, good intentions aren't enough. For some silly reason the, "what I'm going to do" and what actually happens tends to be two different stories. I'm not trying to be cynical here it's just what I've found to be true from my experience.
So what's the secret ingredient? How can we all become tortoises? Why do some succeed and others give up? Here's a list of ways to help get us there:
1. Believe.
2. Don't be afraid to go after something you really want to do even if there is a chance you could fail.
3. Perservere through hard times and try to learn from them.
4. Control what you can control.
5. Make no excuses. Figure out a way to finish through with something no matter how hard it is-get and stay determined.
6. Be realistic in what changes you are making. Don't go crazy all in one week trying to lose 5 pounds but rather tackle what you can in a timely manner.
7. Create accountability. Find someone that will hold you accountable for your life (this has worked extremely well for me as I have a group of 3 friends that hold me accountable each week).
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