Week One

All I have to say is... My  "I Lost It" teams are amazing!!! I love that you have chosen to work with me and make a change in your life. The first step is the hardest....really....no matter what your thighs may be saying right now! :-)  This week I have seen people who have worked with me for several months being very supportive of those that are just starting out...Thank you...and those that have never worked out before, or at least with me....digging deep and putting forth a great amount of courage... I humbly bow to you and say Thank you for allowing me the privilege to help you along in your journey . Thank you all so very much for your trust. I hope you do trust me. It is my passion to help you achieve the goals you have set for yourself.
Okay.... so some of you will be feeling the workouts by now. Gooooood.  Some are more sore than others....
just know that it lessens and we'll work through the muscle soreness. If you are sore, it isn't an excuse to stay home....you need to come in and keep moving...it will help. We can talk about why and what you are feeling. We are starting fairly slow, and progressing to harder workouts. Remember, we are all at different levels. Pace yourself. I give options. Try what I show you...and if you need to, take one of the other options. We can always make it less difficult or MORE Difficult. I want to see you do what is right for you. DO NOT be embarrassed to ask for an option, and for goodness sake...ask questions, remind me of any injuries you have.... I want to know you inside and out.

Speaking of inside.  Most of us know that this isnt only a physical journey, it is emotional as well. When I look back at pictures along my journey I get emotional...not because of weight loss, but because I dont even know that person in the pictures anymore....something inside changes as you gain inner strength and start making yourself a priority. Be proud of even the smallest effort you are making in changing your life. Working out....parking further from the store door... better choices at meal and snack time...watching portions. You will notice as you are consciously thinking about what you are doing ( rather than just going through the motions) that you will start to feel more balanced in all aspects of your life. You will start enjoying the "science" of living a heathy life.
It is my firm testimony that as you live the life of who you want to be that the changes will happen. Not over night...not in just 8-weeks...but you will see those small changes. Those small changes will continue as you continue. Yes, my inner chubbiness raises her chins every once in awhile....and I have to regroup...but what is so cool, is that now I can go out and order an ice cream, and know that as I keep my workout routine and muscle mass lean and mean...that I dont have to worry too much. You will get there too!!! I want you to think balanced. Yes, This is a "competition" for "I Lost It" ... but more importantly, it is about you. What is good for you and no one else in the end. Tonight.... I am happy in my heart because I gave you a good workout and each of you did your best!
Let me know what I can do for you...
I am here for you...call me...if only just to talk.
Keep up the good Work... and OH!!!! TRY TRY TRY to be ON TIME!!!! I know there will be some exceptions and I have talked with people that have other situations...but it helps to get this going....if we are all ready to go!

Are You Ready for Change?

“Success is the maximum utilization of the ability that you have.”

I love this!   “Success is the maximum utilization of the ability that you have.”  Success is being your very best; it’s giving your all, to worthy goals.  It’s fully utilizing the unique talents and gifts that you have been given.

So the question is, “Are you going to succeed, are you going to give your very best?”  If you are, then success will be yours!

You hear all the time that to lose weight, you should track what you eat. A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine shows that keeping a "food diary" may double your weight loss efforts. To cut to the chase... The people who documented everything they ate, lost twice as much as those who didn't. (That is reason enough for me to keep a food diary!)

By tracking your food, you become more accountable: If you know you're going to have to record that candy bar on your food tracker, you might think twice before eating it. Keeping a food journal shows you exactly what you're putting into your mouth so you can make better, more informed choices. There are a couple of great sites online that are free you can use to keep track, or just a little notebook works great too. Show your Food Diary to your trainer (that would be ME!) to get some ideas on how to improve or even to just brag a bit about how consistent you are being!

MyFitnessPal.com    SparkPeople.com     LiveStrong.com

Let's talk about how to succeed for a moment:

1. Be Ready for Change

Take an honest look at what you see in the mirror. How you feel. If you can live with it, it will never change.  I don’t care if its 30 extra pounds around your waist, or a back-talking teenager…If you can put up with it, you will always have to.

2. Be Clear

“If you can’t see it, you can’t have it.”
It’s just as difficult to get to a place you can’t see, as it is to come back from a place you’ve never been.  You must get crystal clear on exactly what you want to accomplish.  You must see your vision throughout the day, you must dream about your goal throughout the night.  Charles De Gaulle said, “For glory gives herself only to those who have always dreamed of her.”

3. Have Faith

“Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you’re right.” – Henry Ford
You must be convinced of your success before you succeed.  You must know success is coming like you know next week is coming.  Only when you become convinced of it will you take the actions that will guarantee your success.  You must believe first, …then you will get to experience.

4. Make a Decision

“Decisions decide destinies.”
Success begins with a decision; it doesn’t begin with good luck, it doesn’t begin with chance, it begins with a decision.  Make the decision to succeed, and never turn back on that decision. In choosing to be part of " I Lost It" group or in hiring me as your personal trainer, you already have made a decision to change your life...and you are changing your life!
The decisions that you make in this life will ultimately determine your destiny.  Nothing is more crucial to your success than your daily decisions, so decide to succeed daily.

5. Change The Way You Think

“Nothing is more profound to me than the fact that a man can change his life by changing his thoughts.”
Your thoughts are seeds into your future; whatever you plant in the garden of your mind will surely blossom and bring forth fruit.  I suggest you plant seeds of hope, prosperity, success and faith.
Right thinking, causes right action; only when you’re thinking is right, will your actions be right.

6. Work Harder Than Anybody Else

“I do not have superior intelligence or faultless looks.  I do not captivate a room or run a mile under six minutes.  I only succeeded because I was still working after everyone else went to sleep.” – Greg Evans
Greatness requires great effort…so don’t get discouraged.  Keep your hand to the plow, and if your hand is steady, your harvest will surely come.  Emile Zola said, “The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work.”

7. Teach Somebody Else

“A good teacher is like a candle – it consumes itself to light the way for others.” – Anonymous
Create a legacy of success; change those around you, and your life will have improved the entire Earth.
My Motto for this Week is:   NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER SURRENDER!!!  ~ Galaxy Quest