The Reality of it.

Reality hit me tonight, like a brick in the face. So, the kids and I were out in the pool hanging, playing laughing, and working up a HUGE appetite. Teagan decided that burgers sounded good....had to agree, love a good burger, but short of going back to Kroger and getting it all, she convinced us to go to Five Guys. They do make a good burger. Not the healthiest, but it's good. A treat, not an every day thing.
Off we go, looking forward to a burger with some fresh pickles. NICE.
We are seated, waiting for the burgers to be ready, and there is a family next to us. They are all very large. Obese. Morbidly. The children are maybe 13 and 7? And the older girl outweighs me by at least 70# although I am much taller.
Their dad, is very tall, but pushing about 350 lbs, easily.
What is the reality? The amount of food they were consuming,not really knowing the details..
As many of you know, Five guys hamburger is TWO patties, unless you order the little burger, which is one sizeable one. An order of fries is to feed 2, although we feed 4 with one order.
So, as you can imagine, the servings are more than plentiful.
We ate, we talked, we chatted, it was nice. I only got the little burger, or one pattie. Still didn't quite finish it, and the belly is SO Full!!

The family I was referring to, each had a regular burger, AKA double meat, plus an extra burger, for someone and a hot dog, not to mention the TWO large orders of fries and drinks for all.
I came home and looked up the nutrition information. OMG what did I just eat?? Good thing I took a LONG challening class this am.
According to my calculations, and  I am being conservative here, on their table, there was about 6300 calories on the table, not including drinks, and 4 people consumed it.
Now, adding up what we ate , still kind of scary at about 4000, and made me go WOW....something to avoid....I get it, the fries are great! But the fat content,,,TOO MUCH.
On the way home, I am already trying to figure out how to burn some of that off, Teagan and I going for a walk or bike ride.

Here is what got me writing this. The family that was sitting next to us, that ate all their food, and that were large, did not walk to the car. The dad pulled up, and they all got in from the front door. You must understand that the parking lot at Five Guys is small, the difference would have been 100 ft? maybe 150.
That was the reality, that not only are we eating too much, we can't even walk to the car.
If I wasn't worried that one day, I will have to take care of this family in the ER or the hospital, and I won't be able to help them... I would LIVE AND LET LIVE....but one day, their paths may cross mine again, and it maybe because of this...
God gave me the knowledge and drive to be a medical professional and the talent to teach classes, so sometimes, I just can't let live...I feel like this is my calling....

It's so nice to see all my friends posting photos from the holiday weekend, everyone swimming, and boating and enjoying the sunshine. Stay active!

That being said, everywhere I went yesterday, there were kids, and teenagers, and I could not help notice, (tight clothes) just how many were already overweight or large in size. 

Teagan and I went grocery shopping yesterday, of course I was still in "costume" from class, dressed in workout wear, and of course, probably still in that mindset. We perused the aisles, looking for food for our weekend, fruit, veggies, meat, (Teagan wanted Ribs for dinner). As we went through aisles, there were people walking past us, these "children", were bigger than me, and it was scary how many were carrying weight around the belly. My eyes went down, looking at the cart, full of chips, soda and fried chicken. Not one fruit, or veggie, no milk, no water.  Ok, Barb, live and let live.....maybe they bought that stuff elsewhere...

Next, the cereal aisle. WOW, could barely find ONE that didn't have corn syrup as a sweetener, honey nut cheerios? Sounds healthy? Not so much. 

There were lots of people here, and all the kids, my own included, wanted the sweet stuff!

My mind reverts back to the video on 60 min about sugar and how it is addictive, releasing endorphins from the brain for that "feel good" high. Fast forward to a conversation with a friend on  how her teenager's friends, drink Monster, 2 at a time, just to get a sugar high. What are we doing??

According to the CDC, we have a childhood obesity rate, that is astounding, not only are our kids eating more, eating more sugar, they are hanging out in front of the TV or playstation. This creates the perfect environment for the development of blood pressure issues, high cholesterol and diabetes. If our children are developing this now, what is their future going to like? Fact- full of medications to combat these diseases, or worse.

As parents, we have the control about what food gets eaten in the house, as we are the ones doing the shopping. What are we doing to our kids? We love them, and are to nurture them into healthy, well adjusted grown ups, that's the job. We have to get better at this. Me included. We need to encourage that healthy lifestyle of activity and healthy eating...

Our children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way!! 

Memorial day

Happy Memorial day weekend! Time to enjoy the nice weather, and remember the veterans who fought for the freedom that we have...How are you spending this weekend?
Are you relaxing on the lake? By the pool?
Me, I am doing my usual....teaching classes to those who are on their fitness journey. Although, I am excited to say that Monday, will be a true "day off".
Our military personnel and veterans, who have fought for our country, (I know, I am Canadian) have performed acts of valor in order for us to live the lives we choose to live.
Valor-defined as bravery, boldness, determination in the face of danger, heroic, courage and bravery!

So, I am helping those on their fitness journey and I want to share, that the people who come to the gym, that have never worked out, maybe that are quite overweight, are also, acting in valor.
They are brave, and they have courage. It takes a lot to come to your first fitness class, or go into the cardio room, and see all the machines, not knowing which one to use for which exercise.
They become even more courageous when they ask how!
For me, I love when someone new comes to the fitness room, to take my class, and they tell me, it's their first time. And they are still there at the end, and I see them again, again, again.

According to google, a synonym for valor, is spirit!
Now we're talking!! A brave spirit! Hoping that is me...and wanting it to be you....

So, take a step out of your comfort zone and delve into the battle for health and well being! Our soldiers stepped out into a different battle and they did it with pride (maybe a bit of fear too).
Happy Memorial day everyone!

It's all about choices

It's all about choices. We choose our path, with every decision that we make on a daily basis. Are they good choices or bad? Who is someone else to decide. It is a personal choice, that's the joy of freedom.
My choice today will be to be positive and share my passion for fitness. Asking others if they want help, and being there to help. Coaching, motivating and listening, when needed. A colleague of mine, is always calling me the "Motivator". That is a huge compliment, especially because she is now making choices that will better her health, and it was because I provided an example.

Many people know I exercise a lot, I eat well and I use Advocare products. They see the difference. They may choose not try them. That is their decision. What gets me is the excuses. I don't have the money, I don't have time, well, in this instance you have a Coach purse and an IPhone in your hand. You chose that. You chose to spend what you have on things that you want, and although you say you want it, it's not evident. You budget for the luxuries in life, but is health and well being a luxury? No, it's something you do to make your life better.
If you are NOT healthy, you will spend more money on medications, DR visits, etc. So, invest in yourself.

How much time a day do we waste? On FB? On the Internet? Watching TV? time is valuable  and can't be gotten back. So, if you don't MAKE time to exercise in some fashion, then your time will be shortened.

This is not a sales pitch, I am not about that. I am about helping others meet their goals, if that happens to include Advocare, great, if not, great!!!!
What are you going to choose? Are you happy with your decision? If yes, great!!!
Barb

My mom gave me some advice this week. Apparently something that I need to work on. She said to me, Live and let live. In other words, if people don't want help, let them be....BOY, this is going to be a tough one for me. As a nurse, I work with people that need help, they are injured, or wounded and don't know what to do. So my job, is take care of that. Help them through their injury or illness on the road to recovery. As a fitness instructor, people come to my classes to help them get in shape. My job there is to make exercise fun!! Make it something to look forward to, something to put on the calendar...I want them there. I love having them there.

I am their coach, their motivator.
On the other hand, there are lots that say they want to do it, get healthier, lose that last 10 lbs or lose the first 50, but they haven't realized what that is going to take. A lot of people quit, or give up. These are the ones that I suppose I need to "let live". This is difficult for me because innately, I am a helper, a fixer. 

People make choices everyday that may in fact, undo what they have been trying to do. For example, a member comes to turbokick, and burns off 400 calories of exercise, but later, has a large Sonic drink...Ok, back to even ground, they reversed that calorie deficit. The class has been "undone". 

I have lots of people close to me, that I see making really bad choices, and it drives me crazy! Some of these people have had their warning sign, or Wake up call, and have essentially ignored it. I have to let them live their own life....We can splurge once in awhile, like every couple weeks on a treat, but the fact is, you have to work on good choices most every day and increase activity. Or there will be health consequences, this is a fact.

DIABETES, OVERWEIGHT/OBESITY, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, HEART DISEASE, CANCER

We have created a fast food society focused on value for the money, where a restaurant serving is enough for 2-3 people. This is why we have a nation of overweight people, diabetes and heart disease. Our manual labor jobs are mostly gone and we sit behind a desk. 

So, as I work on my Live and Let live saying.....I ask you to think about your choices..

Happy mothers day

Happy Mother's day! Being a mom is like no other job, long hours, the pay is terrible unless we can start paying the bills with love... It changes your life completely. There is no better thing in life as to watch  your babies grow up and become little people. 
They also change your body, your body is their home for 10mons, technically. And with that, comes the morning sickness, the big round belly and of course great skin and hair! Then the big day arrives and your life is changed forever. I remember looking at my post-pregnant body and thinking, how am I going to get back in shape. The belly, all sagging and fat. The extra layer of fat carried to nourish the baby through the pregnancy. The large breasts, ready to nourish.
Having a baby makes you alter your schedule, you are fatigued from the late night feedings and awakenings. Who wants to work out when you are so tired? 
They grow a bit, and we say, ok, now it's time to get in shape, but then they start having playdates, and then sports, and then school...we never seem to get time because we are so busy with everything that we do for our children. We love it..mostly. 

We must make time for ourselves, we must take care of our bodies even though we have a little belly bulge, AKA the Mommyhood badge of honor. Remember, you put the oxygen mask on yourself before you helps others. Take the time to take care of the temple that is your body. You only get one. 
Happy Mothers day to all the moms I know!! 

This has been a trying week. Very busy at work, exhausting to the mind. But, I still was able to teach all my classes and of course, enjoyed every minute of it.
A friend of a friend, passed away this week. She was 43. She struggled with her weight and didn't exercise. So young to lose her life. I am only one year younger. Wake up call.
But then, other conversations I hear, I am too busy to work out. No time for it. In reality, you have to make time for it! I was at the Y today, a lady was cancelling her membership because of the time factor. I wanted to scream...you don't have time to take care of yourself? I refrained..
So many people I know, have medical problems, although they may be minor today, they are sure to become major in the future. They can be reversed now, by dropping the excess weight! Exercise can be fun and produces endorphins, the feel good hormone. Protect your heart, your arteries, your veins, by getting the blood pumping through them. Lose those pounds, they are "weighing you down". They are causing knee problems, back problems, and are putting you at risk. Do you want to have that wake up call ? Or do you want to do it, NOW. This is my mission. This is my passion. Ask, no matter how busy I am...I will make time to help you change your life!
Barb

Ask your doctor.....

Saturday

Gary and I were out and around town, taking a stop into the Arlington Highland Scottish Festival, on a beautiful day. As we walked around, there were many things to look at, men in Kilts playing sports and throwing heavy weights. WOW, they were strong. 56 lb kettleweight over 15feet in the air.
As usual, Gary had to point out that I was a fitness instructor as people read his shirt...which has a perfectly sarcastic saying "eat right, exercise, die anyway". Growl from me.
What I couldn't help noticing, was people sitting around, watching, that were phenomenly large. Our nations crisis of obesity is continuing to grow. Young girls, in their teens, have large bellies that hang over their shorts. Women, of all ages, with arms as large as the competitors.
As someone who is into health and wellness, as a nurse, I cringe to think about what this will be like for them later, if they continue this path.
My favorite website is the CDC, which strongly co-relates obesity with diabetes. Diabetes will not be eradicated from the US until we make changes, in how we live, how we eat and how we move.
I see everyday how these conditions, lead to more medical issues, and cause true despair for those who want to make the change, but don't know where to start. There are some, that will never make the change for health, some that will never go to exercise, but so many need help and don't know where to turn. I want to be that person, to guide someone to start ACTING and stop letting this go.
I hate to think that friends and acquaintances, are just waiting until something happens. Being proactive is where it's at. Do it, and do it now.