How is this possible?

So, more and more, we see things in the news about obesity and the diseases associated with it. How NYC is trying to rid the city of the sugary drinks for sale. How the Texas government wants to press for more activity. It"s all over the place and we see it every day.
The US obesity rate is nearing 50% now. How is that possible with all the great fitness facilities, the parks, the availability of good food....I truly believe that it really goes back to the fact we as Americans have gotten lazy, too lazy to cook, too lazy to walk anywhere. Our diets are high in carbohydrates, and low in the good stuff, fruits, veggies, and quality fish/meat. Because we go out to eat...and the bread basket arrives...

Here is the kicker for me. I am a nurse. I work in a place where the nurses are some of the least healthy people. Back in my hospital days, if you looked around, the nurses were for the most part, thin. But we all ate junk, mainly because we had little time to get food. One would think, that in a hospital, there would be healthy food, because of the people that are sick. No, one look at the cafeteria line....fried, deep fried, and loaded with butter...AMAZING.

As a nurse, I counsel people every day on the value of health, as a fitness instructor, I do the same. I have had to change alot of things that I previously did, for my own health. And they were not easy. But I DID IT.
Because, how can I discuss things with the patients if I do exactly what I am saying not to.
A recent study came out that Dr's who are overweight, are much less likely to discuss weight loss with their patients. They know the dangers that long term obesity causes, but how can they say anything, if they themselves don't practice what they preach?

Exactly.
Like everyone else, I have enjoyed fatty food, it's tastes good. But when you cleanse your body from it, all of a sudden, when you eat it, it makes you feel awful. Our bodies are highly adaptable and will crave the junk if that is what you feed it.  If you feed it healthy stuff, it stops craving the bad stuff. And more than anything, starts working more efficiently.

With the election coming in November, and the thought of Obama care...not knowing what it contains...we need to make sure we are healthy NOW. Because, as change occurs, availability of treatment may become more scarce.....Take care of the body you have now....

Have a blessed week...B

Is it choices or is it priorities?

People who work in the fitness industry work out all the time. It's their livelihood, job, paycheck. it's not the norm, although we think it should be...haha. SO how much is the average person supposed to work out?
Our governing body, basically says that we should be active every day, but engage in Cardio exercise for 20-60 min 3-5 times per week. HMMMMM, what about weight training? Where does that fit in. If you ask 10 trainers, you will get 10 answers.

There is no magic prescription, the key is staying active and exercising for health. I have said before it's about choices. People choose everything, their cars, their food, their home....but more and more I am realizing it's about both choices and PRIORITIES.

I talk to people about coming to class, but they have something going on, they have other priorities. Many of these people will work out at times that fit in their schedule, and make time to do it. Which means they are doing it, just not in my class...Which is a good thing (mostly) But many others, that I know, just haven't started it. I am not judging, just stating the facts. If you say you want to, but always find other important things to do, you will never work on getting fit. It HAS to be a priority, it has to come before the fun stuff. You have to MAKE the time. HMMM, a quick 15 min body weight workout instead of cruising your facebook page???

Just like the food thing. Eating healthy should be a priority, not to say you can't enjoy a meal out or a cheat day....but when the cheat days become cheat weeks.....and months. Instead of moving towards healthy, the needle is moving to illness.
I joke about facebook, but I love it too. I like keeping up with everyone....here's what I don't like....I don't like seeing my friends, the ones who tell me they want to get in shape, lose weight, whatever it is they want, yet they POST all over the choices and priorities they make, that are the furthest from what they keep saying.

In these cases I LIVE AND LET LIVE....none of my words are going to change their minds. People don't let others change them, they have to find it from within first. It has to be their first step....

So, yes, I get it guys...no posting will make you join me in class, want to lose weight, want to increase health....the only thing that will...is seeing me and others doing and wanting to join in. So, I will keep posting, I will keep working out and I will keep hoping I see you there with me....

have a blessed day.

What's your edge?

I am naturally competitive and I am driven to succeed. I want more, I want to be better at what I do. I want to strive to be a better parent, better instructor, better nurse, better wife. I am not happy being mediocre. I want to be remembered.
I have passion and drive. Do you? Think about what makes you get to the next level? Are you pushing for the daily grind or do you want to SOAR???
I teach on average, 5 classes a week and work full time plus have my three kids and husband. Busy, right? Absolutely.
So, after looking in the mirror one day, realizing I a 41 nearing 42, I am not happy. I am lean, but still have fluff in the middle, my body is not fat but it's not what I want. I took the next step and re-started my Advocare products. Bought a distributorship, as it was cheap, and a great vehicle to get where I wanted. Safe and effective and not a bunch of harmful chemicals, great core nutrition that my body lacked. Even I had Vitamin deficiencies, with how well  I thought I ate.

Then the change began. I took baseline measurements, weight, and bodyfat. My workouts remained the same, and I cut out refined foods. And I took my products.
3 mons later, people started telling me how great I looked, and wow, I did, and felt great too! Energy levels soared. People noticed.
Fast forward to today, down 19lbs, 4% body fat and my pants are all too big. I am very happy but I am not done. The fire has spread and I want to tell everyone, that they can do it too!!

I want to drive people to make that change! How can I help them?

It's not about selling product, it's about making friends and helping them! Coaching, encouraging, sometimes raising the eyebrows?? Making a bit of cash helps, but is not the driver. It's about changing lives!!

Most fitness instructors use some sort of products, there are thousands out there. I still with Advocare for many reasons. SAFE AND EFFECTIVE!! It's a 20 yr old company with a superb research team and the medical advisory board keeps you safe. There are a lot of products on the market that are not safe for people with diabetes, hypertension, and other conditions, and your rep at GNC probably has no idea about these things. I am a medically trained professional and yes, I will ask you about your other medical problems.

So my question to you is, what are you prepared to do? Are you happy where you are or do you want more??? Are you driven to succeed? How are you going to get there? You can get a better version of you.

Ask yourself these questions and if you want more...you know where to find me.

Do you have your plan?

It was a great trip to Las Vegas, great people to hang out with and we had so much fun. Just being whoever we wanted to be. Goofy, silly and just plain stupid!

Seeing all the people in Vegas spending SO MUCH money, on food, drink, shows, shopping and of course GAMBLING, made me think about the economy. People are spending as much they were when the economy is good. At least that is what it looked like, with all the $100’s people were dropping. Heck, some guy at the pool was literally throwing money away!  We got a couple of one’s…J

It simply amazes me how much people will spend on luxury in their life but won’t spend the money to be healthy and fit! Yes, fruits and veggies are more expensive than chips and soda. A gym membership costs a mere $35 a month, some even less.  Much less than your average cholesterol prescription.  But the best thing, is although the gym and classes/machines do work when you use them, but truly you don’t need a membership. We walked a TON in Vegas, and I managed to splurge a bit on the food/drink intake and still managed to keep the pounds down. Yes, walking program and weights, but you can always use your body weight, squats, lunges, push ups…

Fast forward to today, I am home, a little more broke than when I left for Vegas, but still fine financially. I know several people today that are fearful for their future at their jobs. What would happen if they lost them? Not only would the paycheck cease, the health insurance would also. So, if they no longer have a paycheck and no health coverage, what would happen if they were suddenly faced with a health crisis? Our bodies  need TLC and there are literally thousands of people who don’t care for their bodies and it will catch up with them eventually. Don’t let this happen. Life changes can be made one at a time and all for the better. It takes time, work and commitment. Like a marriage, like a child.

Back to Vegas….it was evident about our nations obesity crisis, can’t tell you how many people are carrying around an extra 50, 100 lbs.  

And I can’t tell you how many of these people can’t even walk, using a scooter to get around. They opened a “Heart attack Grill”, and if you weigh 350# or more, you eat FREE!! For someone like me, I just have to shake my head, reward people for being Morbidly obese. As a nurse…this is not even FUNNY!  You can order your own level of “bypass”. Heckm they warn you ahead of time that it’s bad for you. It is highly ironic because those who partake, will someday get that bypass, however they won’t be able to choose it.

So, what is your plan to make a step towards health? Walk? Eat better? Get off the couch, and MOVE!!