Having a positive attitude or outlook on life is not only important mentally, but physically as well. Those who always maintain a positive mindset seem to workout harder and attain the fitness results they want. They are always willing to try a new workout or give that extra punch to an existing workout.
For those of you who take classes on a regular basis, whether it's a spin, power or yoga, don't get caught up in someone else's negative drama. Keep your own positive energy don't let someone steal it!
Showing posts with label dieting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dieting. Show all posts
Friday, December 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
It's a Lifestyle Change!!
Magazines and commercials make losing weight seem effortless. If you really believed those infomercials you would be working out 10 minutes a day on a seemingly effortless piece of expensive equipment and "bam" you'd have perfect abs, drop 50 pounds in six weeks! IT DOESN'T HAPPEN THAT WAY!!
You have to realize it's a lifestyle change. Your lifestyle and your mindset are so important. Those are the things which help you to live your life. In other words what life choices you make and those choices include, but are not limited to: not smoking, being aware of what foods you eat and exercise. Take a moment and think about and then write down how much time you spend doing the following:
o Sitting at a desk
o Sitting in a car
o Sitting in front of the TV
o Sitting in front of a computer
o Smoking
o Eating out at restaurants
o Making bad food choices (eating fast food or junk food)
o Drinking alcohol
o Being sleep deprived.
Be honest, be aware. Now, think about how much time you spend:
o Being active (taking the stairs, walking instead of driving, cleaning, gardening).
o Doing some type of cardiovascular exercise.
o Strength training.
o Preparing your own meals and snacks (eating whole grains, fruits, and vegetables).
o Reading food labels.
o Dealing with stress in a healthy way. (Yoga, meditation, taking time for quite time, spending quality time with friends).
o Getting enough sleep.
o Taking time for YOU!
As humans we like routines...so much so we often keep doing the same things even when we know they aren't good for us. Changing bad habits is a difficult process and takes so much more effort than starting something new. But changing those habits is the first step on your road to a healthier lifestyle and a new you!
One of the first steps to this new lifestyle is changing your mindset. You have to "Want" to be healthier. And it's about being healthy! Getting that bikini or buff body is great but you must do it in a healthy way without crash diets or stimulants. One of the first steps is to make a daily food log; write down everything you eat or drink (no cheating)!! And at the end of a week carefully go through your log; you'll be surprised how many things on that log you will see which were not healthy choices.
There are many on line sites which can help you keep track of your caloric intake. You'll be surprised at how quickly those calories add up, especially if you're not working them off through exercise. Being aware of what you are putting into your body is your first step in creating a healthy lifestyle!
You have to realize it's a lifestyle change. Your lifestyle and your mindset are so important. Those are the things which help you to live your life. In other words what life choices you make and those choices include, but are not limited to: not smoking, being aware of what foods you eat and exercise. Take a moment and think about and then write down how much time you spend doing the following:
o Sitting at a desk
o Sitting in a car
o Sitting in front of the TV
o Sitting in front of a computer
o Smoking
o Eating out at restaurants
o Making bad food choices (eating fast food or junk food)
o Drinking alcohol
o Being sleep deprived.
Be honest, be aware. Now, think about how much time you spend:
o Being active (taking the stairs, walking instead of driving, cleaning, gardening).
o Doing some type of cardiovascular exercise.
o Strength training.
o Preparing your own meals and snacks (eating whole grains, fruits, and vegetables).
o Reading food labels.
o Dealing with stress in a healthy way. (Yoga, meditation, taking time for quite time, spending quality time with friends).
o Getting enough sleep.
o Taking time for YOU!
As humans we like routines...so much so we often keep doing the same things even when we know they aren't good for us. Changing bad habits is a difficult process and takes so much more effort than starting something new. But changing those habits is the first step on your road to a healthier lifestyle and a new you!
One of the first steps to this new lifestyle is changing your mindset. You have to "Want" to be healthier. And it's about being healthy! Getting that bikini or buff body is great but you must do it in a healthy way without crash diets or stimulants. One of the first steps is to make a daily food log; write down everything you eat or drink (no cheating)!! And at the end of a week carefully go through your log; you'll be surprised how many things on that log you will see which were not healthy choices.
There are many on line sites which can help you keep track of your caloric intake. You'll be surprised at how quickly those calories add up, especially if you're not working them off through exercise. Being aware of what you are putting into your body is your first step in creating a healthy lifestyle!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Healthy Snacks
Even those of us who regularly eat healthy and watch our calories sometimes get side tracked because of social functions, sporting events, vacations or we just want to splurge!
One of the fastest ways to get back on track is with some healthy snacks. If you find yourself in a car most of your day or have a long commute make sure you pack some snacks to keep your energy up and keep that boredom from setting in. In the car listen to the same type of music you love to work out with; it will keep you awake, inspired and make that drive more enjoyable. Fill small plastic snack bags with nuts and dried fruits. A bottle of water will help to keep the sleepiness away and, yes, even coffee is good for you! It's what you put in it that's bad so watch the sugars and creamers.
For those of you who bring lunch to work, salads with grilled chicken, raw veggies and walnuts is a high protein healthy way to go. Put your salad dressing on the side or go with vinegar and olive oil. Snacks for the office could include sliced apples dipped in natural peanut or almond butter. Fresh berries in season, walnuts, almonds (just a few), a rice cake, carrots with hummus, green tea and water. NO DIET DRINKS!
These are all easy to prepare and you will feel great at the end of the day. For the after dinner sweet tooth so many of us have try some nonfat Greek yogurt topped with fresh or frozen berries, slices of mango, peach or pineapple.
You can be creative with your snacks and be healthy as well!
One of the fastest ways to get back on track is with some healthy snacks. If you find yourself in a car most of your day or have a long commute make sure you pack some snacks to keep your energy up and keep that boredom from setting in. In the car listen to the same type of music you love to work out with; it will keep you awake, inspired and make that drive more enjoyable. Fill small plastic snack bags with nuts and dried fruits. A bottle of water will help to keep the sleepiness away and, yes, even coffee is good for you! It's what you put in it that's bad so watch the sugars and creamers.
For those of you who bring lunch to work, salads with grilled chicken, raw veggies and walnuts is a high protein healthy way to go. Put your salad dressing on the side or go with vinegar and olive oil. Snacks for the office could include sliced apples dipped in natural peanut or almond butter. Fresh berries in season, walnuts, almonds (just a few), a rice cake, carrots with hummus, green tea and water. NO DIET DRINKS!
These are all easy to prepare and you will feel great at the end of the day. For the after dinner sweet tooth so many of us have try some nonfat Greek yogurt topped with fresh or frozen berries, slices of mango, peach or pineapple.
You can be creative with your snacks and be healthy as well!
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Taking Time for You! Tips from Pat
Do not workout everyday...give yourself a day to recover. Your body needs that time off! Your mind needs it even more.
Working out everyday defeats the purpose and will lead to injuries and backsliding. Mix up those workouts and always make sure you take time for you. And by that I mean using some free time to quiet your mind from the pressures of daily life. Now with the weather improving, take a walk, leave the Ipod at home and just soak in the sounds of nature.
If you live in a city, try going to a park, or if you can't then download some nature sounds and just use those to relax and unwind. No matter what your job is, you need some "mind" time to let go.
And for those of you trying to lose weight, it's even more important to have that day to allow your body to rest and relax. We all know that stress kills, but it also affects the Cortisol levels in your body and that will cause you to retain fat, especially belly fat.
Working out everyday defeats the purpose and will lead to injuries and backsliding. Mix up those workouts and always make sure you take time for you. And by that I mean using some free time to quiet your mind from the pressures of daily life. Now with the weather improving, take a walk, leave the Ipod at home and just soak in the sounds of nature.
If you live in a city, try going to a park, or if you can't then download some nature sounds and just use those to relax and unwind. No matter what your job is, you need some "mind" time to let go.
And for those of you trying to lose weight, it's even more important to have that day to allow your body to rest and relax. We all know that stress kills, but it also affects the Cortisol levels in your body and that will cause you to retain fat, especially belly fat.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)