10 Ways To Stay Mentally Healthy

Enjoying mental health means having a sense of well-being, being able to function during everyday life and feeling confident to rise to a challenge when the opportunity arises. Just like your physical health, there are actions you can take to increase your mental health.

BOOST YOUR WELL-BEING AND STAY MENTALLY HEALTHY BY FOLLOWING A FEW SIMPLE STEPS.

1. Connect with others. Develop and maintain strong relationships with people around you who will support and enrich your life. The quality of our personal relationships has a great effect on our well-being. Putting time and effort intobuilding strong relationships can bring great rewards.

2. Take time to enjoy. Set aside time for activities, hobbies and projects you enjoy. Let yourself be spontaneous and creative when the urge takes you. Do a crossword; take a walk in your local park; read a book; sew a quilt; draw pictures with your kids; play with your pets – whatever tickles your fancy.

3. Participate and share interests. Join a club or group of people who share your interests. Being part of a group of people with a common interest provides a sense of belonging and is good for your mental health. Join a sports club; a band; an evening walking group; a dance class; a theater or choir group; a book or car club.

4. Contribute to your community. Volunteer your time for a cause or issue that you care about. Help out a neighbor, work in a garden or do something nice for a friend. There are many great ways to contribute that can help you feel good about yourself and your place in the world. An effort to improve the lives of others is sure to improve your life too.

5. Take care of yourself. Be active and eat well – these help maintain a healthy body. Physical and mental health are closely linked; it’s easier to feel good about life if your body feels good. You don’t have to go to the gym to exercise – home workouts, gardening, vacuuming, and dancing all count. Combine physical activity with a balanced diet to nourish your body and mind and keep you feeling good, inside and out.

6. Challenge yourself. Learn a new skill or take on a challenge to meet a goal. You could take on something different at work; commit to a fitness goal or learn to cook a new recipe. Learning improves your mental fitness, while striving to meet your own goals builds skills and confidence and gives you a sense of progress and achievement.

7. Deal with stress. Be aware of what triggers your stress and how you react. You may be able to avoid some of the triggers and learn to prepare for or manage others. Stress is a part of life and affects people in different ways. It only becomes a problem when it makes you feel uncomfortable or distressed. A balanced lifestyle can help you manage stress better. If you have trouble winding down, you may find that relaxation breathing, yoga or meditation can help.

8. Rest and refresh. Get plenty of sleep. Go to bed at a regular time each day and practice good habits to get better sleep. Sleep restores both your mind and body. However, feelings of fatigue can still set in if you feel constantly rushed and overwhelmed when you are awake. Allow yourself some unfocussed time each day to refresh; for example, let your mind wander, daydream or simply watch the clouds go by for a while. It’s OK to add ‘do nothing’ to your to-do list!

9. Notice the here and now. Take a moment to notice each of your senses each day. Simply ‘be’ in the moment – feel the sun and wind on your face and notice the air you are breathing. It’s easy to be caught up thinking about the past or planning for the future instead of experiencing the present. Practicing mindfulness, by focusing your attention on being in the moment, is a good way to do this. Making a conscious effort to be aware of your inner and outer world is important for your mental health.

10. Ask for help. This can be as simple as asking a friend to babysit while you have some time out or speaking to your doctor (GP) about where to find a counselor or community mental health service. The perfect, worry-free life does not exist. Everyone’s life journey has bumpy bits and the people around you can help. If you don’t get the help you need first off, keep asking until you do.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR HEALTH COACHING PROGRAMS HERE

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5 Steps To Building Habits

ONE OF THE UNFORTUNATE FACTS OF LIFE IS IT IS MUCH EASIER TO CREATE AND STICK TO A BAD HABIT THAN IT IS TO CREATE AND STICK TO A GOOD ONE. THE WHYS OF THIS GO BACK TO THE ORIGINS OF HUMAN NATURE. SUFFICE TO SAY THAT WHEN IT COMES TO CREATING HEALTHY HABITS, IT PAYS TO FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE.

While it’s difficult to try to change old bad habits, it is far more effective to focus on creating new good ones. Doing so actually creates healthier pathways in your brain and makes you more creative.

Creating habits helps alleviate decision-making fatigue by decreasing the number of decisions we have to make. Do things regularly and you won’t have to fret about whether you will or you won’t.  One less decision to stress you out. Bonus: Improving your life.

While conventional wisdom says creating a new habit takes 21-28 days, the UK Health Behavior Research Center’s study that showed it took 66 days on average to form a new habit. Habits are hard to create and harder still to maintain.

SO WHAT ARE SOME EFFECTIVE WAYS TO FOSTER HEALTHY HABITS THAT YOU CAN IMPLEMENT IN THE NEXT 66 DAYS? 

1. BE CLEAR ABOUT YOUR GOAL.

Know exactly what you want. Commit to it.  Make it specific. Write it down. Make it public. Type it in italics to show importance.

2. STRIVE FOR CONSISTENCY OVER PERFORMANCE.

It matters more how often you do something than how well you do it. So keep doing it.

A great tool to help you get into a routine is to record your progress. It will keep you honest about doing it and keep you focused on your goal.  In the process, most people discover that tracking progress can be a lot of fun.

3. MAINTAIN POSITIVITY.

This is easier said than done but there are some basics that will help:

~ Get support. Whether it’s a workout buddy, a coach, or just someone who can talk you out of a funk, you need people like this for encouragement and especially when the going gets tough.  And it will. It doesn’t have to be an individual either. Some people like support groups or prefer to join a team.
~ Use “but” when you start to think negative thoughts or want to give up.  Be aware when your mind is engaging in self-defeating chatter, and find ways to detach from it.
~ Don’t worry if you slide a little. Everyone does. Just acknowledge the trigger that threw you off then get back on the proverbial horse. You have a destination.

4. RECOMMIT…RECOMMIT…RECOMMIT…

Finding ways to bring your focus back to your goal will help you to keep that positive mindset and stick to your routine. Why not:

~ Put up post-its or signs in key places.
~ Send yourself email reminders.
~ Set your written goal as your desktop background.
~ Recommit each Monday.  That way you have 52 chances a year to get remotivated if you get off track or your resolve falters. You can even check out Healthy Monday, a non-profit national public health campaign that encourages people to use Monday as the day for all things healthy.

5. REWARD YOURSELF IN A WAY THAT WORKS FOR YOU.

Although it’s debatable whether external incentives and rewards actually help motivate people to take on healthier habits, the intrinsic rewards do the trick.

When long-term exercisers (who had been working out for an average of 13 years) were asked what motivated them to keep up their workouts, the primary reasons had to do with feeling good- the reward was the health benefit they reaped.

Even if you are offering yourself an external or extrinsic reward when you reach a milestone, it may just be the intrinsic rewards that will keep you going.

You can use your tracking method to record where you are in the process and how far you’ve come.  You can track the benefits gained and the pain avoided in addition to the actual quantifiable increases in performance.  Make sure to take note because this knowledge of your success is a reward in and of itself.

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Tips For Fitness Success

Whether you’re following a routine for the first time (or for the first time in a long time) or just refocusing your efforts in the New Year, here are some of my favorite tips on what to keep in mind as you get started. These tips will help you stick with it when you’re feeling grumpy or tired or frustrated or hungry.

DO: BEFORE YOU START, LOG YOUR WEIGHT, YOUR MEASUREMENTS, AND TAKE YOUR PHOTOS.
DON’T: FREAK OUT OVER WHAT YOU SEE.

No one likes their Day 1 photos or measurements. But, by capturing all of the basic information (how much you weigh, how big your waist is, what you look like shirtless or in a bikini), you’ll establish a starting place. Then, when you take down all this information again (we usually recommend taking them every 30 days), you’ll see how much you’ve changed.

“I can’t tell you how many times one of our Success Stories has told me that their ‘before’ picture on the fridge saved them at some point along the way,” says Steve Edwards, Beachbody’s VP of Fitness & Nutrition.


Need some motivation and adivce for how to take your photos and measurements? Check out these videos:


How to take your Before & After Measurements


How to take your Before & After Photos

DO: WEIGH YOURSELF ONCE OR EVERY OTHER WEEK
DON’T: WEIGH YOURSELF EVERY DAY

Your weight can fluctuate every day based on how much sodium you consumed the day before, how much you sweated during your workout, whether you went to the bathroom, what time of the month it is, etc.

If you’re the type who could get discouraged from seeing your weight go up a pound or two (or more) in 24 hours, then I recommend weighing in approximately the same time each week. It’ll give you a better overall sense of the trend your weight is heading in. Just keep in mind you might gain a few pounds during the first few weeks of beginning a program. We explain why – and when you should see the numbers drop – here.

DO: EAT FOR THE BODY YOU WANT – NOT THE ONE YOU HAVE
DON’T: CUT OUT ALL OF YOUR FAVORITE FOODS

If you really want to be miserable and set yourself up for failure, cut out everything you like to eat. If your diet is really bad, a lot of stuff you like might have to go. Soda, fried food, super sugary coffee drinks…Think of this new journey as a boot camp. You’re training for the body you’ve always wanted. So feed that body with the food it needs. Lean proteins, complex carbs, and lots of nutrient-packed vegetables.

Think about your diet as an 80/20 split. 80% of the time, eat “clean.” The other 20% of the time, don’t stress about it. If you really want that beer or that cookie, have it. One cookie or one beer, isn’t going to be your downfall. If you need help tuning up your diet, consider joining one of our health programs

DO: PLAN YOUR MEALS AND ORGANIZE YOUR KITCHEN
DON’T: WAIT UNTIL THE DAY OF TO FIGURE IT OUT.

By planning your meals, you make it easier to eat healthier because you don’t have to think about it every day. You just grab your breakfast and/or your lunch and go.

DO: PUSH THROUGH THE SORENESS
DON’T: PUSH YOURSELF TO THE POINT OF INJURY

Whenever I start a new fitness program, I assume I’m going to be sore for the first two weeks. Even if the soreness doesn’t last that long, it helps my mind get in the right zone. Soreness is a right of passage, but it’s still difficult to deal with. Don’t go 100% on day one, and ramp things up each day based on how you feel. If you do get sore, back off but don’t stop. Doing a workout at 50% is a lot better than nothing. It will also help your soreness fade quicker.

DO: EXPECT TO BE A LITTLE HUNGRY AND MAYBE A LITTLE GRUMPY IN THE BEGINNING.
DON’T: FALL BACK INTO OLD BAD HABITS.

No matter what change you’re making – whether it’s a new fitness routine or a cross-country move – there are bound to be growing pains. Change is uncomfortable. Prepare to feel a little out of sorts – you might be hungry, you might feel sore, you might be a little grumpy in response – and it’s more likely you’ll have an easier transition into your new lifestyle. Soreness and hunger go hand in hand. When you’re sore you’re broken down and that incites hunger to repair your body. They’ll subside together. To speed things up, consider targeted nutrition or supplementation. The right food and the right time will minimize your desire to over eat.

DO: FOLLOW YOUR WORKOUT CALENDAR
DON’T: DON’T WAIT UNTIL MONDAY TO START AGAIN IF YOU MISS A WORKOUT.

If you missed a workout because of sickness or travel or you just didn’t feel like doing it, don’t worry. Just get back to it.

DO: GET BACK ON PROGRAM IF YOU FALL OFF.
DON’T: DON’T BEAT YOURSELF UP, FEEL LIKE YOU’VE FAILED, OR WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT DAY/WEEK/MONTH TO START OVER.

No one is perfect. Not me, not you, and not our trainers. Everyone has an unhealthy meal sometimes or misses a workout. Don’t let that define your day, your week, or your month. Just get right back on track. You’re on a journey and along the way, there are going to be a few misses. If you pick yourself right back up and keep going, you’ll get there.

DO: SHARE WHAT YOU’RE DOING AND FIND PEOPLE WHO WILL KEEP YOU ACCOUNTABLE
DON’T: LISTEN TO THE HATERS.

If you share what you’re doing with those around you, there’s a greater likelihood you’ll succeed because you’re creating a social support system that you’re accountable to. There might be people who pooh-pooh your journey, but ignore them. They have their reasons for doing so (usually the reasons stem from jealousy or fear), so just stay positive and reach out to your support system when you need help. We’re here for you, so don’t hesitate to reach out!

In fact, we have an on-going support group for people who've done a program with us that you can interact with on a daily basis to help keep you feeling motivated and posiitve

HERE’S WHERE TO GET EVEN MORE SUPPORT DURING YOUR JOURNEY.

* If you have questions for our fitness and nutrition experts, schedule a consultation so you can get some one-on-one support, all first time clients get a FREE 30 minute phone consultation to find out if working with us is right for you

* If you need more peer support, consider joining our next health and fitness challenge to be a part of a group of others working on their fitness journey. You get access to our nutrition expert as well as our private online support group.

* Josey Fish Fitness can also be sound on our social channels on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram* If you need a little extra motivation that day, tag me in your photo on Instagram (I’m @JoseyFishHealth).


Good luck and I can’t wait to see your after photos!

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The Secret to Belly Fat Loss

Just an FYI… Everyone has some belly fat, even people who have flat abs. It is when we have too much belly fat that it has an effect on our health. When this is the case, it is time to say enough! It is time for Belly Fat Loss!

There are different kinds of fat. Some fat is right under your skin, and other fat is deeper inside, around your heart, lungs, liver, and other organs. The deeper fat is called “visceral” fat. This fat may be the bigger problem, even for thin people.

There are four key factors you need to take into consideration in Belly Fat Loss: exercise; diet; sleep; and stress management. If any of these four are out of balance you will gain weight. When your weight gets excessive, your body starts to store your fat in unusual places and deep around your Visceral Organs.

How much belly fat do you have?

The most precise way to measure it, is to have a CT scan or MRI. This obviously will cost a ton of money so most people opt for a much simpler, low-cost method for monitoring belly fat. The tools most commonly used are measuring tape, body fat calipers, or body fat measurement machines. A measuring tape is the simplest do-it-yourself method. Body fat calipers and body fat weight machine with feet and handle sensors are somewhat more accurate. If using a machine make sure that you use a machine that has both hand and foot sensors for the most accurate results.

Let’s start with the least expensive method, a tape. This way you can get started on that Belly Fat Loss, and then look to do another measurement method later. Simply take a measuring tape, wrap it around your waist at your belly button, and check your girth. Do it while you’re standing up, and make sure the tape measure is level all the way around. Your waist size should be less than 35 inches if you’re a woman and less than 40 inches if you’re a man. If this is not the case you know things need to change.

The best things you can do for Belly Fat loss:

• Exercise: In combination with the other factors, vigorous exercise creates great belly fat loss, including visceral fat. Participating in 30 minutes of vigorous exercise at least six days a week will raise your heart rate and burn fat. Vigorous exercise includes running, plyometric and agility training, hiking up steep inclines, and other types of fast moving exercise and training. Of course you can always use Beachbody programs like P90X3, 21 Day Fix, Insanity Max30, and others that provide 30 minutes of vigorous training, which you can do in the comfort of your own home. Another great thing about Beachbody programs is that you can take them to the gym or outdoors by streaming those programs with the Beachbody On-Demand. If you can only do moderate exercise, then you need 45-60 minutes, 6 days per week.

Just remember that once you get your fitness levels up, it is important to hit the vigorous exercises so you can torch visceral fat. Moderate exercise can include jogging, stair climbing at a moderate pace, and fast walking. You can also use Programs like PiYo, P90, TurboJam, or TurboFire to start seeing results while doing moderate exercise. Plus these programs are always changing your workouts and how they are scheduled, which also helps with fat burn.

• Nutrition: There is no magic diet for belly fat loss. Diets alone typically results in more muscle and water weight loss than fat loss. If you want your belly fat gone, you need to have proper nutrition. When you have balanced nutrition that encompasses clean whole foods, portion control, and proper caloric intake for your activity levels, the belly fat is usually the first to go, though this can vary with genetics. Most people struggle with balance since the media and society has skewed the view on what balanced real nutrition looks like. The best program to teach you all that is needed for proper nutrition is the Portion Fix Nutrition plan. This plan is the easiest to implement and use. You can get it on its own, or it comes with the 21 Day Fix, 21 Day Fix Extreme, or Insanity Max30 Workout programs. 

Other aspects of nutrition that are key to belly fat loss are fiber and supplementation with a total nutrition supplement. 50% of Americans are nutrient and fiber deficient. It is nearly impossible with today’s food supply to get the fiber and total nutrients that we need on a daily basis. It also has been shown that people who have low nutrient and fiber levels have a tendency to store more visceral fat. If you are eating a clean nutrition plan with the proper servings of fruits and vegetables, plus supplementing with a total nutrition shake like Shakeology, you will be well on your way to having proper fiber and nutrient levels. Your body will thank you, and you will see belly fat loss.

• Sleep : Getting the right amount of sleep is incredibly important for belly fat loss. Studies have shown that people who got 6 to 8 hours of sleep per night gained less visceral fat over 5 years versus those who got 5 or fewer hours of sleep per night. The same study showed those who slept longer than 8 hours, gained more belly fat. Sleep is your time to recover which is why you need the rest, but too much causes your body to be more sedentary. Again it’s all about balance.

• Stress: Everyone has stress. How you handle your stress is what really matters. If you don’t handle stress well, or you have too much stress, you will struggle with belly fat loss. The best way to combat stress is through exercise. Proper sleep also helps combat stress. Other things you can do to help combat stress are relaxing with friends and family, meditating, and counseling if stress levels become too much to handle. How you react to stressful situations can cause additional stress. So work on finding the balance in how you react to stress and how you cope with stress. Knowing your options for combating stress will also help create a healthier lifestyle and aid in making good choices.

Belly Fat Loss is possible and can be achieved with ease if you take the right steps. It won’t be immediate. Your Belly Fat Loss will happen if you stay consistent and remember that you didn’t put your belly fat on overnight, so it will take time to shed that weight. Now that you know what to do, start by setting goals, and begin your journey...and don't forget to reach out to me for help if you need it!

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Music May Help Your Exercise Results

Music May Help Your Exercise Results because it has a very powerful effect on the brain. Studies have found that certain songs can stimulate memory and emotions. The studies have also found that both  reactions may also be directly linked to the lyrics.

If music can make you feel certain emotions, is it possible that Music May Help Your Exercise Results? Absolutely! 

A study done at Fairleigh Dickinson University followed a group of moderately obese women for six months. Half could choose their music when working out, and half could not listen to music. The women that listened to music lost an average of 16 pounds, and were much more likely to adhere to their workouts. The women who could not listen to music lost an average of 8 pounds, and were only 68% (as compared to 98%) adherent to their exercise routine. Though the numbers aren’t dramatic, the results are still significant.

From this study you can say Music May Help Your Exercise Results. We also may say that music is effective at distracting the participants from the negative elements of exercise, such as muscle fatigue, heavy breathing, and sweating. Music also helps the time go by. Since music is typically associated as pleasurable, listening to music when you exercise may stimulate the brain onto pleasurable thoughts.

Another study, published in the Scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports, studied a small group of male cyclists and found that the degree of effort they exerted correlated with the speed of the music to which they listened. You may have noticed this when you are taking a spin class, or biking and running outside.

The correct Music May Help Your Exercise Results by setting the pace, and making you push yourself a little harder without even noticing.

Since Music May Help Your Exercise Results, here are some music suggestions when doing cardio, lifting weights, or practicing yoga.

CARDIO EXERCISE

Brunel University professor Dr. Coastas Karageoghis discovered that when runners listened to music they liked, their performance increased up to 15%.

What type of Music May Help Your Exercise Results when doing cardio? 

Cyclers could start with songs with 100–120 beats per minute (bpm). Runners could start with songs 150–170 bpm depending on your pace. Dial the tempo up or down to find what works best for you. That is why CIZE It Up is such a great program. You are exercising and don’t even really think about it because of the music and the moves. Your brain is engaged and you are moving and grooving.

WEIGHT LIFTING

When weight lifting you want music that’s more intense and invigorating. Another key factor in your choice is to choose music with lyrics that get you and keep you pumped up. A study from York St. John University found that when listening to music with uplifting lyrics, participants were able to hold a 2.4-lb. weight out in front of them for 10% longer. P90X and other weight training programs often have music that is set to 128 bpm. This type of music will keep you in a rhythm for lifting.  You also don’t want music that is too fast either. This could cause you to move too quickly, and the distraction could cause injury.

STRETCHING, BALANCE WORK, AND YOGA

Cool downs or programs like yoga call for slower music. This more moderate rate allows the heart rate to sync with the body for proper stretching. When you are trying to relax, you want to decrease the amount of beats in the music below 120 bpm. When doing meditative type yoga or stretching, you want to bring it down even more and use songs that are between 60–90 bpm.

No matter what songs, genres, decade, or source of music you select, just remember Music May Help Your Exercise Results if you choose well. So find your favorite songs that fit each style of exercise and bring on better results

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Tips to Leave the High Calorie Holidays Behind

Okay, the holidays are about over. It is time to leave the high-calorie holiday world behind. Here are Tips to Leave the High Calorie Holidays Behind and get back on track to fat loss and a healthy body.

These Tips to Leave the High Calorie Holidays Behind will help you get on the fast-track to results, but in a way you can use for the entire year as you implement all your health and fitness strategies to a healthier lifestyle.

Plan, Shop, and Prepare a Meal Plan

Plan, shop, and prepare is a MUST. I don’t just mean planning what you are going to eat for dinner. I mean planning what you are going to eat for every meal for the next 2 weeks.

Your schedule might go like this:

• Pre-exercise – Energize
• Breakfast – 2-3 eggs, 1 apple, Green Tea or coffee (if you do a post workout recovery drink use half an apple and only two eggs)
• Snack – 1 oz raw almonds, 1 pear, Green Tea or Shakeology
• Lunch – Grilled chicken, fish, or black beans with a spinach salad, onions, peppers, etc., a banana or bowl of cherries, 2 cups unsweetened iced tea with lemon
• Snack – Raw vegetables and hummus
• Dinner – Protein, vegetables and fruit… Steak, chicken or fish, a sweet potato, your favorite vegetables, and a bowl of your favorite fruit for dessert.

Once per week you can have a slightly larger meal of your favorite foods – whatever you want. Just remember there is NO binging or eating into a food coma.

Sticking to this for 14 days could cause weight loss of 5-11 pounds in 14 days.

Use High Intensity Workouts

You really have everything you need to get started. Most programs don’t need any equipment, or they need something as easy as a resistance band. Check out INSANITY Max30 for workouts that are only 30 minutes. Yes, done in 30 minutes.

Let nothing stand in the way of your workouts except real emergencies! Switching to High Intensity Workouts will burn more fat than the usual walking,  jogging, or elliptical sessions.

Be sure to check out On-Demand Fitness for the best workouts available for at home use.

Write Your Way to Fat Loss

Writing and journaling about what you are doing is good for the mind, body, and soul.

You must also carve out 15 minutes to write out two outcome goals and three process goals for the next 2 weeks. Write down EXACTLY what you want to accomplish for the outcome goals (i.e. lose 6 pounds), and then three process goals (action steps) so you can achieve your outcome goal (i.e. drink Shakeology each day, do all 21 Day Fix Workouts per the Calendar, and drink 10 cups of water each day).

Next write a letter to yourself how you will do these action goals every day or else. Each day before you start in your journal write the action goals for that day (i.e. drink my Shakeology, do 21 Day Fix Dirty 30, Drink 10 glasses of water). At the end of the day, journal how your day went, how the exercise and nutrition went, and whether you completed your goals.

Recruit an Accountability Partner

Research has shown that recording your nutrition in a food journal, and having someone review and or do it with you increases your chances of reaching your goals. A third study found that even having an accountability coach online increased your chances of success by 70%. This is why I'm dedicated to being your coach because I can help you reach your goals, and you can participate in a Challenge Groups to work with a group and get results faster.

Journal Check-In and Cheat Meal

When you have made it seven days and can truly go into your journal and say I accomplished seven days with success. You can have a cheat meal (meal, not day). Be honest. If you truly didn’t do what you needed to do, then be honest.

This cheat meal doesn’t mean gorging. It simply means having a normal meal of your favorite foods to give you a mental break from your plan. When the meal is over, don’t go back for seconds. Get right back on track.

Mental Performance Review

Since you will be reviewing your journal you may want to take a weekly Mental Performance Review. Write down all obstacles that are still in your way of success, and then develop two solutions that can help you overcome each of them. Get some help from your accountability partner, coach, or challenge group. The more you and your group shares solutions, the more weight loss you will all accomplish.  

Using these Tips to Leave the High Calorie Holidays Behind should be used on a two-week basis. Once you have completed two weeks’ review and start the process again. In the first two weeks if you use a coach, sound nutrition plan, and a high quality workout program, I bet you will lose 5-10 pounds of fat, have a good start on developing healthy habits that you could stick to for life.

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Day 24 Macro Meal Plan update

I'm starting to feel frustrated a bit.

Somedays I feel like I've made progress, my skin feel tighter, I don't feel like I have as much fat in certain areas, but then some of the major areas I'm trying to get at (my lat's) haven't changed at all.

My husband says he's noticed a difference mostly in my lower abdomen area, which is one of the areas I've been concerned about, so that's good, but I haven't seen any change in my numbers or in my photos.

I've been really good about tracking everything I eat in the MyFitnessPal app, but I think it's not the best way to do things...there are so many different options for the foods that who knows if I'm actually sticking to the macros laid out for me.

As far as workouts go, I've been very consistent with daily workouts, but not in the exact format given to me. I've typically been doing some kind of T25 workout for cardio, perhaps with the lifts worked in that I'm supposed to do, or I'll do them right after, and then take my dog for a walk.

Last night I started to feel like this whole thing was taking over my life and that it wasn't worth it, I was stressed and all I wanted was a glass of wine or something else to help me feel more calm, not the 20 more grams of protein I was supposed to eat.

If I'm being totally honest with myself, even though I've made lots of changes to how I eat, I haven't been following the plan as it was laid out for me, and I think it's why I'm not seeing the results I want.
I like doing two workouts in a day, if I have the time, but things have been so busy this time of year with work that in the evenings I always have something I have to do, so a second workout wasn't an option.

However this next week I have less to do and I'm going to focus more and get to following the designated meal plan instead of the DIY style I've been doing to see if it makes a difference.

As silly as it is, I feel like the meal prep containers would be really helpful to get me mentally prepared because then I wouldn't have to measure and portion everyday, but I have SO MANY containers that I can't justify buying more...and especially plastic ones...I hate plastic :(

So long story short, I haven't been sticking to the plan as much as I probably thought I was, so it's time to get back to it.

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Thanksgiving Macro Counting (Day 11)

Super excited to check in today because even though yesterday was Thanksgiving I feel like I did really well staying on track. I got up in the morning, did some cardio and some lifting, then ate two small meals before leaving to go to the first dinner at 3pm.

The only things I could eat at the first dinner was the ham and the sauteed greens my sister had cooked, so it was easy enough to not over do it on all the different dishes. I had made my own dessert and put it in the MyFitnessPal app and calculated it out so I was able to keep pretty good track of what I was eating. I did end up have two glasses of some really good expensive scotch that my dad's friend had bought, so the no alcohol thing went down the tube, but it was totally worth it this day.

At the second dinner I was sad because there were literally no vegetables and it's the only thing I wanted at that point in time, so I ended up with potato chips and coffee...kinda the opposite but I was hungry!

Overall, because of the limited food choices I didn't really go crazy, but I do know that it was likely more fat than my current macros allow for but that's the way of things on Turky Day.

This morning I woke late after getting home at 1am and did not in anyway feel like doing a fasted workout, but I drank more coffee and got it in anyways since I knew it would make me feel better about my potato chip binge the day before.

Today's meals have been spot on and super easy because of the leftovers I got to take home.

I'm thinking I want to switch up my workout plan a bit and just do some fasted cardio in the morning and then do my lifting later on, doing both in the morning feels like it may be too much on an empty stomach...perhaps it's why I've been feeling so unmotivated to workout at all in the morning when I'm usually excited about it.

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Day 6 Macro plan update

DAY 6 THOUGHTS

Yesterday was a tough day.

I felt like I didn't sleep well again and had a really hard time motivating to workout. My quads were really sore and it made doing leg lifts really tough, so I coped out a bit and did some Brazil Butt Lift exercises instead. Overall my workout was very sub-par. I also could not motivate to do my workout fasted, so I had my morning shake first and then exercised, which helped...I think I was just feeling really run down.

My eating was spot on otherwise though! I like using the MyFitnessPal app a lot, though I'd prefer if I just got my shit together and did a big meal prep day and got everything laid out for the week...such is the life on an entrepreneur! No days off to do such things :)

But despite that I'm still finding myself staying within the guideline because I know how important the nutrition part is.

Eating all the carbs and reducing the fat is still messing with me mentally a bit, I can tell I'm craving more fat but I'm not sure if it's just mental.

I am loving how much vegetables this is making me eat...I always eat veggies at every meal but now that I'm including more dense sources of them to help reach my carbs it is more than I would be eating otherwise.

I didn't enjoy eating the 4oz of smoked salmon all that much, I normally LOVE smoked salmon but somehow that one day it felt like WAY too much salt for me so I may sub that one out for some other things.

This morning I'm having my coffee black for the first time since starting...I'm supposed to drink it this way but I didn't want to give up my coconut milk (which I started to measure on day 1 and have been using 1tsp. in each 12oz I have...which turns out is the perfect amount). Yesterday I got some coffee from a coffee shop and had it black and it tasted WAY better than what I make at home so I think I need to clean my coffee pot and get some better coffee.

I'm going skiing on Monday and I'm a bit nervous about how I'm going to bring all the food I need for the day but it will be a good test!!

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Giving The Gift of Health and Fitness

Finding the perfect holiday gift for your friends, family, and loved ones is paramount. Giving the Gift of Health and Fitness can be popular since many people have self-imposed deadlines of January 1st as the unofficial day of fitness redemption. Whether the recipient is a diehard fitness enthusiast, a novice exerciser, or a weekend warrior, Giving the Gift of Health and Fitnesscan be exciting to see when gifts are exchanged.

Check out the suggestions below to help you with your search for the perfect fitness gift that will bring Joy to the recipient, but also you for Giving the Gift of Health and Fitness.

Workout Clothes

You can’t go wrong with fitness clothes, just make sure you get the size right. Fitness clothing has come a long way. There are hundreds of options offering their unique twist on comfort, technology, and convenience. A lot of the clothing also offers options for carrying phones, cash, and keys.

At Home Fitness Programs

Time is the biggest excuse as to why people don’t workout. Using at-home fitness programs can take away the time factor and make it possible. Especially if you are using high quality programs like P90X3, 21 Day Fix, Insanity Max30, 21 Day Fix Extreme and more. These programs provide workouts that can be completed in 30 minutes or less, and provide guaranteed results.

On-Demand Fitness Programming

Again going back to time. With on-demand programs you can work out anywhere and anytime. The best value for On-Demand Fitness is Beachbody On-Demand. For only $12 a month you get over $3,000 worth of fitness programing, nutrition plans, workout and nutrition tracking, and so much more. Plus, it gives the recipient the ability to save 10% on all other product that they decide to purchase.

Trigger Point Roller

Trigger Point Rollers are great therapy for people who work out frequently or are just starting out. It will help them to massage their muscles enabling them to move more freely and efficiently, while improving overall performance.

Performance Nutrition Supplements

Having performance nutrition products will aid in getting the best results from each workout, and a lot of times helps keep people going by reducing soreness. Using high quality performance nutrition can help people get through the toughest workouts and crush their goals. The Beachbody Performance Nutrition Line is taking the supplement industry by storm…and turning it on its head. If you want to give the very best performance nutrition this holiday season you will want to give Beachbody Performance Nutrition.

Wireless Bluetooth Headphones

This is a super cool gift for the novice to the experienced exerciser. No more wires running down your side or back as you are trying to be active. Plus, all wireless headphones sync to android and iPhones, as well as other mp3 devices. This is a great gift idea for all fitness levels.

Shakeology

Not everyone is ready to hit the New Year running with exercise. Some people you have on your list will want to start with just some simple nutrition changes. Shakeology is a total nutrition shake that has been clinically proven to aid in weight loss, lowering cholesterol, lowering blood sugar levels and more. It is not only for people who need to lose weight. This shake is everyone’s daily dose of dense nutrition. Give the gift of total nutrition with Shakeology, which comes in four flavors, and two vegan flavors.

Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Stocking Stuffer ideas can include athletic socks, water bottles, shaker cups, lip balm, headbands, yoga mats, sports bags, gift cards and so much more. Remember, little things mean a lot.

Giving the Gift of Health and Fitness is not only just about giving gifts, it is about giving what’s really the most important thing you could give… Health. Without our health we don’t have anything. Plus, you can always start a family and friends’ accountability group to keep everyone going all year long.

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Five Rules of Holiday Fitness

Don’t be that person who puts fitness goals on the back burner this holiday season. You can enjoy the holidays and crush your goals by following the Five Rules of Holiday Fitness!

Everyone always seems to have the same concerns when the holidays come around. We all want to attend as many events, dinners, and ugly-sweater parties as possible, but we don’t want our health and fitness to suffer as a result.

You would think that through the years people would have figured out how to have their cake and health and fitness, too. The reality is that some of us have, but too many of us have not. The answer should not be about desperately doing everything you can do from January to November for your health and fitness and then just see what happens in November and December. You need a new approach.

The Five Rules of Holiday Fitness could single-handedly be your turning point and finally teach you to learn to love the holidays and maintain your health and fitness levels throughout!

So, let’s take a look at the old way most people do things and the new rules that will help.

OLD WAY: Try (AND FAIL) to stick to a split program through the holidays

NEW RULE #1: Do Full-Body Workouts during the holiday season.

Things come up during the holiday season all of the time.  If you are doing split workouts, you will be so scattered that you will be missing some body parts and over-working others.

A few missed workouts does not mean you should throw in the towel until next week or next month. Instead, consider following a program of full-body workouts that use resistance, cardio, and yoga or stretching will keep you moving forward even if you miss a day or two.

Since time is valued this time of year, it’s a great time to look at At-Home Workouts. Working out at home saves time and money because you won’t have to drive to the gym. At-Home Workouts doesn’t mean your workouts will be easy. If anything, they may feel harder! Many At-Home Workout Programs incorporate supersets, cardio bursts, or other compound movements to elevate your heart rate and maximize your time. Trust me: you won’t lose any ground. Honestly you will more likely gain ground and see results, and the gym may be something you do once in a while after the holidays.

OLD WAY: Allowing Events and Workouts to Compete for Your Time

NEW RULE #2: Good Morning Workout!

The holiday season typically makes everyone’s schedules more jam-packed with events after work. This can also be a time that many plan to workout. So which do you do? During the holiday season the holiday events typically win.  There’s no reason to waste time figuring this out. The decision is “Good Morning Workout”.  

Doing your workout first thing in the morning keeps you on track and never missing a beat. Plus it lowers your stress because you are not thinking about having a workout when the unexpected event comes up, because yours is already done.  If you are gym person, then load up your gym bag the night before to save time and give yourself enough time to eat, get to the gym, clean up, and off to work. This again is where At-Home Programs can ease the stress of time. It can save you 45-60 minutes of time in the morning which could be used for extra sleep.

OLD WAY: Don’t consume all the decadent treats and sweets

NEW RULE #3: Try to eat only the treats and sweets new and appealing, don’t just gobble all the old favorites. Have a small portion of your favorite seasonal treats, and skip the things you can get anytime of the year.

Most people fail miserably at this one, so set yourself up with an incentive. Maybe it’s money in a jar for every time you skip something you can have anytime or have already had this season. Whatever incentive works for you, try it and do it.

Keep in mind that sugary treats can be found everywhere you look, so be mindful. Mindful means if you want the pumpkin pie or egg nog, scrap the Oreo cookies in the breakroom or a cafe mocha on the way home. You don’t want to ride the blood-sugar high all New Year’s and have to make resolutions that you would have never needed to make.

OLD WAY: Try to resist the urge even if you are starving.

NEW RULE #4: Plain and simple… Don’t let yourself get to the point you are starving!

Planning ahead becomes crucial and staying hydrated is important. Being prepared for the unexpected during the holiday season (or anytime) is important. Pack protein bars, raw almonds, apples or other fruit, or packets of total nutrition Shakeology.

Having these extra healthy snack options will help get through the day and are necessary before going to an unexpected holiday event. A healthy snack prior to your event will help you stick to the plan of not eating whatever throughout the night.

Drinking a 12-16-ounce glass of water prior to going to the event will also help you feel full when you arrive. Keep drinking water throughout the event.

OLD WAY: Training all year with hopes that people notice during the holidays

NEW RULE #5:  Invite friends and family to join you for your workouts, whether at home or the gym.

The holidays are often times when you see people you haven’t seen for a while.

It’s normal to secretly want to shock those people, and have them give you the “Wow” compliment! Or the “What have you been doing?” “You look great!” So instead of being secret and looking for your compliment, why not help inspire them to embrace the fit life. It is always better to give and inspire.

Make a workout date with a friend, family member, or coworker this holiday season. It will help hold both of you accountable for getting your workouts completed and provide a more natural platform for fitness questions and conversation, should any arise. Give the gift of health by inviting them and giving them an At-Home Fitness Challenge Pack to keep them going after the holidays.

Also remember to go for walks after big dinners and do things as a family like skiing, snowshoeing, hitting the beach, or going for a hike, depending on your climate.

Whatever you do, do it with friends and family. Inspire versus go for the compliment. Give the gift of health and fitness.

The bottom line is the holidays come once a year, but they still occur every year. So lower your stress and stay healthy and fit through the holidays by dumping the old ways and implementing these Five Rules for Holiday Fitness.

Finish the year strong!

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