Stay Committed

You recognized at some point you weren't where you wanted to be. You saw what things could be like. You made a decision to improve, and you may have taken some steps activity-wise that will help you get there. Now it's on you and your commitment to yourself. So how committed are you? One of the questions I ask all of my clients is somewhat of a multiple choice, and goes like this:

"Which of the following best describes your commitment to your goals?

 I wish to... I hope to... I'd like to... I'll try to... I want to... I'm committed to..."

So where do you stand? If you can't say "I'm committed to" without hesitation, it's time to analyze your motivations. Why do you want to reach your goal in the first place? Whatever that reason is, it should make you hunger for success. Then when you can truly commit, nothing will be able to stop you. This includes sacrificing many things, possibly even things you are doing on a daily basis. But you can't expect different results if you are doing the same things, right? That's enough from me today--check out this article by clicking here or on the title to this blog. This article is about your commitment level and is from my Daily Spark newsletter. Sign up for health and weight loss support at sparkpeople.com. Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Endless Rewards

When I began personal training, I admit that one reason was to have unlimited access to the gym for my own benefit as well, however, I have found it has been challenging to train myself the way I want to while making sure my clients are taken care of. I don't have an issue with it because it has been so rewarding to witness even so far some of the changes that my clients have undergone. Some of my clients have already been able to lose a bit of weight, become stronger, and have increased their endurance. Those are the physical changes, though. The changes that have been more profound and noteworthy are the internal, mental changes. Recently, one of my clients called me to postpone an appointment but told me what he had planned to do on the days we would not see each other. Another client has been seeing results by doing workouts and exercises that we had gone through, taking classes, and simply changing her habits. She is noticing results, and we are progressing, and she has stated her own realization that her mindset is evolving, even stating improvements in posture, lifestyle, and work performance. These people have made a true commitment to their health, and I am so excited to be a part of their lives and achievements.

Do you love what you do for your clients in your business? Do you love helping people? If so, you would agree that the sacrifices you find yourself making are easy decisions. It is well worth it to see someone else develop and be part of that development. Service to others leads to greatness, as paraphrased from so many leaders. We can do good for ourselves, which is fine, but when we help others and more importantly empower them with knowledge, self-confidence, and purpose, the rewards are endless. What can you do today to make a positive difference in someone else's life? You'd be surprised, but even a smile to a stranger on a crowded train, opening the door for someone, or helping a tourist find the way to his/her destination are a few small ways that make and "O.K." day into a great day. I hope you are excited for today; I know I am! You have a wonderful day, and thanks for reading!

2 Day Realizations

Today and yesterday I have been going through a Shakeology cleanse. This is a high-nutrient, low calorie 1-3 day cleanse which helps the body work the "junk" out of it and also gives a cleaner, lighter, less bloated feeling. For me, the nutrients I have been receiving through the Shakeology, fruit, and other allowed meals have been sufficient. The hardest part is the caffeine withdrawal. I feel sluggish, slow, and my mind has been drifting. I even fell asleep on the train a few times which I haven't done in a while. I've been getting enough sleep, but I know that my morning coffees have become quite a routine, and not such a non-healthy one either. I feel the caffeine keeps me alert and on my toes, and 9 times out of 10 I don't opt for an afternoon coffee so I'm not up late for no reason. The withdrawal from coffee for 2-3 days definitely helps to bring my tolerance back down and helps "reset" my system, but I find it has hindered my ability to work and perform at a high level. I am going to finish up tonight and go back to somewhat regular eating habits, including my morning coffee. The concern here is not for myself really, but more for my clients. They need me to be on my "A" game at all times, and I don't plan on letting them down because I want to challenge myself to deprive calories. Also, I am ready to continue putting the miles on to prepare for the marathon. 10-10-10 is the date...I can smell the finish!

Do you live on coffee and other processed foods? You may need a break, and I do suggest trying the Shakeology cleanse for at least 2 but no more than 3 days. Make sure you aren't working, though, as the withdrawal from coffee and other "energy" drinks as well as the severe calorie restriction may leave you tired, unfocused, and with a headache. You will definitely enjoy the day 4 breakfast, and you will feel lighter and more refreshed!  Let me know if you have any questions, and contact me for support. Thanks for making a commitment to your health and to yourself, and thanks for reading!

Lean Days

This Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, I am once again taking some time to "cleanse". I am utilizing Shakeology as 3 meals per day while fitting in a piece of fruit and a greens salad with lean protein for the other two meals. All in all I will be taking in somewhere between 800 and 1000 calories, much less than I am burning. The point of this is to get rid of the bloat and extra water weight and to "lean up". It is good to let your digestive system clear out every now and then while also eliminating other "junk" such as caffeine, sodium, and highly processed foods that gunk up our systems. The hardest part is getting through the day without caffeine, especially day one. I'm not going into much detail in this blog, but I highly encourage you to look into this version of the cleanse as it may help you jump-start a diet plan, break a plateau, or just get you "cleaned up" after a party weekend or simply years of unhealthy eating habits and poor diet choices. This is only 3 days and you will feel much better, especially when getting that day 4 breakfast in! Check out my previous blog post regarding the details of this cleanse here, and contact me with any questions. Learn more about Shakeology by clicking on the title to this blog. Have a great day, and thanks for reading!

Thank God

Today was the 40th anniversary of the church I grew up in, New Life Lutheran Church, in Bolingbrook, IL. I drove out yesterday morning to join my parents and brother for a special service and the luncheon that followed. It was awesome to see people I haven't seen in a long time, especially those I haven't seen since my age was a single digit number! I got to see the pastor that baptised me, my mom, and brother, and his wife who both were great influences on our early Christian lives. The luncheon and fellowship was fun as well, but the thing that was very special to me was being at this service and noticing the changes that abound. From music selection to bulletin layout, many things are similar and recognizable, but have evolved with the people and the church. Seeing my parents in the choir singing, I really appreciated all that they have done to raise my brother and me. They are a special couple and have their problems and obstacles like we all do. What has always been constant is their love for my brother and me, and their drive to give us the greatest life we could have asked for. I realize that it is not about having a whole lot of things or being able to afford everything monetarily. We got what we truly needed: love, care, and attention, and two parents committed to each other, a rarity these days. I want to thank God for them and for all of the opportunities that I've been given. I appreciate the hardships in my own life as well as all of the abundant blessings. Thank God, and thank you for reading!