Life Only Better

Get Fit Fast

Is there such a thing?

Absolutely yes!  In the hustle & bustle of your busy day you can find ways to boost your metabolism, burn more calories, and be more fit.  And although the old advice of taking the stairs and parking your car farther away still definitely apply, most people aren't buying it.  They truly wonder how much of a difference doing those things will actually make a difference in how they look and feel.

ALL of our daily activities add up, including taking the stairs and parking the car farther away.  But honestly, they will not give you noticable results in how your pants fit.  If you give me 30 seconds of your time each day, I will show you how to make a difference in how your body looks and feels.  Will 30 seconds make a difference, YES!

Here's how you start. 

1.  Find a watch with a second hand.
2.  Begin your day by sitting in a chair (no, I'm not kidding).
3.  Stand up and down from the chair as many times as you can for 30 seconds.

If you become tired or short of breath, simply sit down and rest. 

I defy anyone of any age to try this activity and tell me that it doesn't work. 

Begin by doing this just once a day, then twice, and then three times (breakfast/lunch/dinner).  That equals just 1 1/2 minutes of concentrated activity each day.  After you do this for one week, I'll be back next week to give you another fast fix to getting fit!

Please feel free to email me with any questions:  Christine@LifeOnlyBetter.com

Law of Attraction

Here's an article written by my dear friend, The Juicy Woman, Andrea Amador.

Law of Attraction Increases Passive Weight loss Success

Are you barraged by negative thoughts about your body and your eating? When you look in a mirror do you hate what you see?

How would you feel if I told you that you create your own reality by the thoughts that you think. The Law of Attraction is not new. It’s been studied for hundreds of years in the West and for thousands of years in the East. It’s based on the premise that we create our own reality by the power of our thoughts. That means that if you hate where you are, you have to first change what you’re thinking.

Do you hate your body?

Are you consumed with obsessive thoughts about how ugly you look?

Are you beating up on yourself because you think you have no will power or control?

Believe it or not, the things that you think about your body are affecting it right now. That’s impossible you say and then head off, muttering, “I wish I were thinner”

You could be. You need to change your thinking. By clearing out your stinky thinking, you’ll be happier, lighter, more free, playful and resourceful

When you take time to focus on what you want, rather than what you don’t want, everything changes.

If you want to know more, you can get in on the secret. Join my Losing Weight Without Dieting Program and find out how you can eat the foods that you love and lose weight naturally. Sign up here:

http://www.thejuicywoman.com/en/news_events/bonanza/

Body & Soul 2007

Kick off the New Year rejuvenating your mind and body with a full day of exciting events at the Get Fit! Studio.  The entire day is absolutely FREE!  Donations for the Achievement Center for Children and Families (formerly the Community Child Care Center) will be accepted but not required for your participation. 

Sunday, January 21, 2007 from 10 am - 2:30 pm

Come all day or just stop in for one of our many classes.

Schedule of events:

10 am:  Rise & Shine Yoga

11 am:  Fab Abs Circuit

11:45 am:  Healthy Cooking Demonstration

12:15 pm:  Lunch is on us!

1:15 pm:  Let your angels help you exercise!

2 pm:  Guided Meditation

Mini Massages with Get Fit!:  10 am -12 pm & 1-2:30 pm

We will raffle off exciting prizes throughout the day.

Please RSVP for individual segments or the entire day:  561-272-6618

The Get Fit! Studio
1060 S. Federal Hwy., Ste. 100
Delray Beach, FL  33483
561-272-6618
www.LifeOnlyBetter.com

New Year's Resolutions

So what's a resolution?

A resolution is a solution to a problem. 

At the first of the year many of us review what we would like to improve in our lives.  We'd like to eat  better, exercise more, stop smoking, be a nicer person, etc., etc., etc.  So we resolve to improve these areas of our life during the New Year.

Let's return, however, to the definition of a resolution:  a solution to a problem.  As we're making our New Year's resolutions, we aren't thinking of our resolutions as solutions, we're thinking of them as improvements, and there is a difference.

Let me explain.  Let's take the resolution of eating better.  What problem does this solve?  Well, it's a little different for everyone, however, for most, is solves the problems of being overweight, feeling badly about yourself, not fitting into your clothes, and overall health issues.  Wow!  Just that one little resolution is the solution to so many problems!

Another example is resolving to exercise more this year.  What problems does this solve?  Lack of energy, self confidence, endurance, motivation and needing to buy larger sizes.  How cool is that.  Just one decision to be more active in 2007 can do all of this?  The answer is categorically YES!

So today, as you're making your list of solutions (resolutions), give some thought to the problems you're trying to solve.  Write down not only the resolutions, but also the problems they will solve in your life if you stick to them.

Refer back to this blog for lots of free resources to help you with your health and fitness goals this year.  And be sure to sign up for the free weekly teleconference The Fit Chat.  Every Monday we discuss a variety of health & fitness issues to help you achieve your goals. 

My best wishes to you for great success in 2007!

Ken Lay dead at 64

However difficult it may be, let's put aside everything to do about Ken Lay except his age and health condition.  When I see a 64 year old man die of a heart attack, I immediately think "wow, so young". 

As a matter of fact, I am working with a 62 year old man right now, with congestive heart failure and numerous other medical conditions.  Coincidentally, I am also working with another 62 year old man who is in great condition, surfs with his grandson, rides his bike around town, and is going to Gautemala on Saturday to build housing for children.

In the past 10 years of helping people to get fit and implement healthier lifestyles I have some observations.  Stress, poor lifestyle choices, and lack of physical activity are a recipe for disaster when it comes to longevity. 

Living in the moment, gratitude, fun, and a somewhat juevenille attitude breeds activity, a positive attitude, a desire to see and enjoy life now and in the future, and overall happiness as you age.

After being paralyzed from the waist down, I have learned how extremely important fitness is to me.  It is my goal for you not to realize a near tragic event (heart attack or trauma) for you to experience all of the benefits regular activity has to offer.

So I offer you a solution to your busy, hectic, overscheduled life, and that is, take 30 seconds at a time to do something for yourself.  Listen to the audio on this blog titled "How to get fit in 30 seconds", and start today to direct some of your energy toward health, vitality, enjoyment and anticipation of what tomorrow will bring. 

I know how difficult it is to take time out for you.  However, all I'm asking for is 30 seconds.  If you have to set your alarm clock 30 seconds earlier, I promise you, it will be worth it.

Do what you never thought possible.

Your Body Is Listening

What are you telling it?

Are you thinking positive thoughts about the way you look or the way you want to look, or do you have negative thoughts about your current appearance?  Your thoughts play a huge role in the success of your health and fitness goals. 

That which you focus on will multiply and reward you.

So if you keep telling yourself and your body that you are fat, overweight, or out of shape your mind and body will respond by keeping you in your current situation.  But, if you begin to send more postive messages like "I am beginning to lose weight", or "I feel great after exercising today", or "I am a lean, mean fat burning machine", you will be focusing on the positive, which will help to lead you to your ultimate goal.

And having a very clear vision of your ultimate goal is essential.  Take some time to sit down, close your eyes, and picture in your mind how you want to look and feel.  Make your vision as detailed as possible and imagine what it would feel like to be the ideal you. 

Every morning while brushing your teeth, recall that vision and those feelings.  This will help you to begin each morning sending positive thoughts and messages to your body.   Those positive messages will fester and multiply and before you know it, you'll find yourself making healthy choices, exercising more, and overall feeling better about yourself. 

You can create the ideal you both in mind and body.

Heathy Snacks

Here's a list of Healthy Snacks that are easy to prepare.

• Cut up fresh fruits & veggies
• Peanut butter with an apple or banana
• Veggies with Hummus or a healthy dip
  • Mix Good Seasons dry dip mix with fat free sour cream or fat free plain yogurt.
• Freeze grapes, cut up bananas, or blueberries (tastes like frozen candy!)
• Spread peanut butter over a whole wheat pita.  Slice your favorite apple over top, sprinkle with cinnamon, and broil for 3-5 minutes.

Here are some healthy alternatives to common snacks.

• Crackers:  Reduced fat triscuits, Ak-Mak whole wheat crackers, Barbara's cracked pepper crackers.  Serve with Hummus or healthy dip described above.
• Chips:  Any baked potato chip or corn chip.  My favorite is Kettle Krisps.  Serve with Salsa.
• Pretzels:  Pennysticks or Vitaspelt brand.  Serve with hummus or salsa.
• Goldfish:  Kashi TLC makes a great cheddar cracker

Some other ideas:

• Cook extra dinner for the following day's snacks
• Air popped pop corn
• Barbara's Puffins Cinnamon Cereal  (yummy snack)
• Hot wasabi green peas or dry roasted green peas
• Almonds
• Bell & Evans Chicken Nuggets:  serve plain or with chicken wing sauce
• Amy's Black Bean Enchilada
• Van's Whole Wheat Blueberry Waffles
• Whole wheat english muffin or pita bread, with marinara & low fat cheese.  Put in the toaster oven & you've got pizza!
• Turkey Roll ups:  take a slice of turkey breast, chop up your favorite fillings like avacado, tomatoes, cucumbers and shredded lettuce, put them in the middle of the turkey slice, and roll it up!
• Lettuce wraps:  dice up chicken, beef, turkey and the fillings of your choice and wrap it up with lettuce.

Happy Snacking!

Motivation: How would you like to look?

Decide.

We all have the power of making a decision.  You can decide how you want to look and feel.  It can be that simple.  Take some time and place a picture in your mind of what size you'd like to be, what shape, or what weight.  Create a vision.  In that vision, do you have more energy, are you smiling, do you fit into your clothes, are you standing up straighter?

This is an extremely powerful process.  Simply deciding to make a change in your life is an enormous step in the right direction.  Each day, all you have to do is keep taking small steps that will lead you towards your vision.  And I'm here to help you.  You don't have to go it alone.

I encourage you to listen to the audio recordings from The Fit Chat Call.  They're right here on this Blog.  The calls are packed with valuable tips you can implement into your daily life right away, that will help lead you towards how you want to look and feel.

You can also listen to The Fit Chat live, simply by signing up in the box to the left.  This gives you the opportunity to ask questions live and interact with other callers who have also decided to improve their health and quality of life.

You'll be so surpised at how this will change your life. 

If there's any topic you'd like to see covered on this Blog or on The Fit Chat Call, please feel free to email me at Christine@LifeOnlyBetter.com.  I'm here to help you in any way I can.

You can also post a comment or question on any of these articles on the Blog.  If you look below the article, there's a "comments" link.  Simply click on this link to type in your comment or question.  The answer to a question you have will not only help you, but also others who are reading this Blog.

Have a Healthy Week and Do What you Never Thought Possible!

Exercise: How To Get & Stay Motivated In Your Exercise Program

11 Tips To Keep You Motivated

1.  Create a vision in your mind of how you would like to look  and feel. Recall this vision several times a day. It will help you stick with your exercise program and make better food choices.

2.  Listen to The Fit Chat Call every Monday at 8 pm. Each week you’ll learn ways to keep motivated and improve your health.

3.  Hire a Professional Trainer. Learn what you should be doing and why. Even meeting with a trainer once or twice a month will help you to keep on track!

4.  Make an appointment with a friend or neighbor. Exercising  with a friend is fun, plus it forces you to be accountable. Remember too that your friend is counting on you to keep your date so they can keep up with their program.

5.  Set a goal.  Look in your community calendar and choose a  walk for charity. Commit to getting yourself in shape in time for the walk.

6.  Use music when you exercise. Music can be very motivating  and help you to keep up the pace. Choose something you love that makes you want to move.

7.  Be a role model for your family. Get them to join you in your exercise. Don’t leave anyone out…parents, children, and siblings!

8.  Money. Money can be a great motivator. Put a dollar in a jar every time you exercise. At the end of the month treat yourself to a massage. You’ll be at the gym more than the personal trainers!

9.  Buy some new exercise clothes or sneakers. You’ll be amazed at how a new outfit can change your work out habits.

10. Schedule exercise in your day planner. Treat it as an appointment, and don’t cross it off your calendar. It’s the most important appointment you have every day.

11. If you get off track don’t worry.  The important part of getting off track is being sure that you get back on track towards your vision.

Injury Prevention

April is National Injury Prevention Month

Seven Tips to Help You Stay Injury Free

 1. Warm up before golf and tennis
“Hitting Balls” is not a warm-up!

 2. Wear proper footwear
Sneakers should be replaced every 6 months!

 3. Stay hydrated
To prevent heat exhaustion / stroke.

 4. Eat before your activity
For maximum energy and to prevent dizziness from low blood sugar.

 5. Don’t play when you’re hurt
Let your body heal and prevent further injury.

 6. Listen to your body, don’t try and do too much too soon. 

 7. Make sure your workout is balanced. Just working select muscle groups can lead to injury.