Leading the pack

As we start a new year, we all have a chance to make it better than the year before. It's starts with YOU.
To truly make a change, for the better, you have to do something different. As Einstein said, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results.

In a recent class I attended,we discussed in depth, about leadership and that there are many levels. Are you leader because you are a supervisor at work? Yes, you are a leader because of your title. But in all honesty, you are a leader because you have the title.
There is a big difference between a manager and a leader.

A true leader is based on principles and values, and what you really stand for. People follow great leaders because the leader themself believes in themselves and lives to show it and  to prove it.
I have had several excellent compliments this week, and the key words were "inspiring", "helping" and "showing".
Those people truly appreciate what I stand for and why I do, what I do.
Everyday I have an opportunity to help others become more than they were the day before. From my children, who need guidance and love and role model to follow, to my members at the YMCA, that need to be shown that fitness and healthy, is a way of life.

I surround myself with like-minded people and together, we can influence them to do, what they may not normally do. By stepping out and doing what is not normally you, you will find that there are others like you and you will make new friends. You will find a difference.
I believe that we dream within our comfort zone, limited by our family, friends and finances.
So, step out, dream bigger, fulfill your life.

We all  have things in our life that are scary, people that we avoid, maybe a job that's tough and we put it off. We stay in the "zone" where there is no stress but also no change.
So, as the new year approaches, and we have the chance to make a change, and be better, and more fulfilled, I challenge you to find that thing, that influences your life in a positive way, and embrace it. Make friends with scary things and they won't be so scary anymore.

Someone once told me, that they couldn't do something, now this person, is one of friendliest and caring people I know, and I am still stumped. I see her potential, I see how she is with her children, mentoring and leading them, and I know what she does for a living. And I cannot understand that she believes that she can't do something. She shines in so many ways....I know why, it's out of her comfort zone. She can do it, but will she step outside that place, putting risk on the line? I know she won't fail or fall, because as her friend, I will be there to catch her.
You can do anything you want, if you are willing to go out on a limb, and surround yourself with people who lift you up.

If I had never stepped out of my comfort zone, I would not have moved to Texas from Canada, I would not be teaching fitness classes, I would not be married to a wonderful man, I would not be successful in my career and I would not represent Advocare. These are all things that have made me who I am today.

In health, Barb

Choices..a new year coming...

The end of 2012 is nearly here, we are just a few days from Christmas, and another week will be 2013. Time for a new start, a chance to work on whatever it is that makes one happy!
Over the last couple of days, I have been shopping for gifts, and getting ready for Christmas, just like everyone else. People are out spending like crazy, getting gifts and food to celebrate. It's a happy time.
Stressful for many. For those who are tight on the budget, this is tough.

As I am out and about, watching others and getting ready for Christmas myself, I can't help but notice that our problem in society of obesity is just out of control. As I walk through the aisles at Kohls or Target, the children, are what catches my eyes. The children are not fit, not lean, not in shape, as  children should be. They are out of breath by running the aisle of the store. This saddens me, on a level that I cannot explain to just anyone.
There is no crystal ball, but there is a certainty in their future, the future that holds many problems, between just health or lack of it, but the stigma that goes with it. And there is one.
As parents, are we doing the right thing?
I don't  believe we are doing the best we can to raise healthy teens and adults. I see what we permit them to put in their bodies, fast food, candy, chips.
A recent visit to Costco proved just that. The line at the food bar was extremely long, and there were GIGANTIC slices of pizza being eaten by many. That one slice, is enough for 2, but no, we don't think that way.
My son plays basketball, and a recent game, there was a little girl, no more than 11, who ate non-stop, hot dogs, nachos, chips, popcorn and a coke, in the span of about 75min. She was very large, she had trouble getting down the steps, because it looked like her knees hurt. I know absolutely nothing about this girl, she might have some condition that contributes to her weight problem, but after watching her eat all that junk food, it is evident that the diet is a part of problem. The mom, kept handing her money.
Now that being said, as a mom, the one thing I can't stand to hear, is that my child is hungry. We feed them out of instinct. But if we permit them to eat that much bad food, are we nurturing them? No, as a nurse, I know we are actually hurting them. We would never hurt our child on purpose. So why do we feed them garbage?

I was complimented last night, by a girl from the YMCA, and she told me that I intimidate some guys, because I lift heavy weight in my Bodypump class. This is a compliment, because I didn't start where I am today, it's been a journey of constant attempt to get stronger and leaner.
And it's not easy.
I look at myself, I am 42 yrs old, I am in better shape than I have been in years. I can run, I can lift, I can do it!! I am better shape than alot of women half my age, I am in better condition than many teens. I wish this was not accurate, I wish that there were more out there like me, ones that value their bodies, and take care of it.
So as we come to the new year, do something for yourself and your family, get healthy, get fit, eat well, and that gift will keep giving....You have ONE body, and it's NEVER too late....

May you all have a very MERRY Christmas and best wishes for the New year....

Stay with the fight....Barb

It's been awhile...

There are tons of things I could sit here and comment on, with all that's going on around us. The tragedy in Connecticut, the war in Israel, the US financial cliff....
I will start by saying that the shooting in Newtown CT is horrific. It brought me to tears just thinking, if that was me, waiting for my child to come out....and waiting...and not knowing. Lives lost because of evilness.
That does not change my opinion that people should be able to carry a weapon. Yes, guns are dangerous, and in the hands of someone that wants to hurt someone, deadly.
People who do these things, are either evil or mentally ill. Morgan Freeman statement about making them famous, is quite true. And there are plenty of sociopathic and narcissistic that may see this and think, hmm.
The variable you can't change, no matter what, is people.

I can think of several examples, but here's an easy one. In 2010, 10,228 people were killed by Drunk drivers. So, do you ban alcohol? Or do you ban cars? No, people who made the choice to drive drunk are the culprits.
There are criminals out there, and they don't follow the rules. Many of them think they don't apply to them.
There are people, in my neighborhood, that steal. That's a crime. A simple one, people who are on welfare or food stamps, who have the means. There are kids in my child's school on the free lunch program, because they lied on the paperwork. They are stealing from others that are truly in need and they are stealing from us who pay for it.
It is serious? Not as  serious as guns, drunk drivers... but it's because SO many people in this country think that they are entitled to it.
Someone owes them.

How do we change this? We can't. You can't change people.
As I write this, I think of my own children, who are somewhat "entitled". They have what they want, the get what they ask for and I don't ask for much in return. But, they do know, that what they get, is because I work for it. After my divorce, I was broke and starting over. I am proud to say that I, singlehandedly, bought a house, furnished it, and the kids never really suffered. They had everything they needed. They know I work hard, at several jobs, to afford them. So, when they want money for something, they are  coming to the realization, that I am not giving it them, without work. I don't want them to feel entitled to get stuff for free.

There is evil in this world, and my heart goes out to the families in CT, because they had no control over the gunman's action, he is a person and took the lives of others, without regard.

That's all for now...folks!
Merry Christmas!
Barb

From the inside out....

The times are busy these days. As parents, as employees, as people, we are always on the go, squeezing things in that we must to, to the already busy day. We are stressed out, we are working harder, longer and spending every moment being busy.
I spend about an hour commuting to and from work every day and many times, I am stuck in a traffic jam. So, me being the people watcher that I am, I look around, and I see so many people doing other things while driving. On the phone, texting, putting on makeup and of course, eating.
Rarely do I see someone eating a healthy piece of fruit in the car. It's typically fast food. Mcdonalds, Burger King, something from the QT. Donuts.
I have to cringe at this because these types of foods are made with junk. Garbage. You may as well go dumpster diving if you eat this stuff.
The sad thing is that you can eat healthy on the road. A banana comes in a convenient package making it easy to grab and go. Same with an apple, minimal trash.

The average breakfast at Mcdonalds, is $5, and 1250 calories with 50% of that from fat. A banana, is about 35 cents, and has 100 calories, and has fiber, vitamins and to top it off, is easily digestible. Personally, combine that with a protein shake, and thats a great way to start the day.
Let's go to lunch.
At my office, I see lots that bring lunch every day, however it's frozen entrees, nuked up to eat. "Healthy choice".  Do you really believe that a frozen meal is a healthy choice. It's better than the burger you get at IN and Out, but it's lacking in so much.
With a little prep, you can take a healthy lunch to work, make the sandwich ahead of time, eat leftovers from your dinner before, especially if you make extra for the dinners, you have much better options.
Hard boil some eggs, grill extra chicken, eat raw veggies.
Not only will you save the calories, you will save money.

Eating out is expensive. An average dinner for a family of 4, is around $50-60, being on the low end. Even a dinner at fast food can get up in the $30-35 range. Most people I know, eat out 1-2 times a week. Do the math, $100 times 4, $400. That's alot of money that you could be enjoying elsewhere.
That's a lot of groceries too.
Food is getting expensive, and it's going to get higher and higher, so, get back to basics. Rice, healthy, cheap, use spices to flavor. Buy meat, like chicken when it's on sale. Cook extra when you are making ameal and put it aside in a container.

Because what you don't see, is the damage to the body that this fast food is doing. You can see waistlines expanding, but you can't see the clogging of arteries, causing high blood pressure, and heart disease. You can't see your blood glucose going up. You can't see the cells changing, possibly to cancer, and you can't see the residue that it leaves in the gut.

So, I urge you to spend your hard earned money on healthy stuff, omit the fast food. Look around, there are fast food places everywhere, and they are building more because they CAN!!! People will spend the money.
Treat your body like a temple, not  a trash can!!

Stay with the fight!!
Barb