10 things that are affecting your weight loss

Lee and I, Awards Dinner 2011

Dieting is a multi-billion dollar industry. The problem with most diets is that they provide temporary solutions to weight problems. Another ongoing issue is that many diets may require you to drop out of life, while you fulfill the requirements of a strange new, fad diet, that is unrealistic and that you cannot incorporate into your daily life. So, once again you have only a temporary solution. To maintain a healthy weight loss, you absolutely must adopt a healthy nutrition program, improve your metabolism, and rid your body of excess toxins.


Here are 10 things that could be affecting your weight loss success given to me by Lee Causey, founder of FirstFitness Nutrition. 

1. Motivation. If you’re not mentally motivated to look and feel better, with a vision of what you want to accomplish, your weight loss will never happen.  Get some friends and do it together!
2. Stress. Research has proven that stress is the number one cause of not only illness, but also the inability to lose weight.
3. Small Meals. Small meals keep your body’s metabolism moving. It is always much better to eat 4-5 small meals per day than 2 or 3 large meals.
4. Water. Many of us retain a lot of water, and the only way to release the excess water is to drink more water.
5. Fiber. As with drinking lots of water, you must also have plenty of fiber in your diet while on a weight loss program.
6. Candida. This fungus is the villain which is the root cause for many individuals who are unable to lose weight.
7. Cleanse and Detoxify. The importance of cleansing and detoxification to maintain excellent health and weight loss can never be overstated.
8. Fat Burner. As we age, the body’s ability to burn fat is significantly reduced. Adding the right fat burning supplement can make all the difference in your weight loss program.
9. Mustard. Recent research has revealed that mustard can be very powerful as both an anti-inflammatory and also to increase the body’s metabolism.
10. Sweat and Exercise. To get the full benefit from your exercise regimen, it is important to get to the point where you are producing sweat.

Let me help you reach your goals! Register here to receive my 10 Day Ultimate Body Jump Start guide!

Yes! This is all about me!

I got to spend some time on the phone mentoring my mentor this morning.

This lady is a business whiz and one of the most successful women I know, so I was honored to be able to give her some advice that she could use as she is usually the one pouring her wisdom into me!

It had been a while since she and I have had a chance to chat so our conversation was all over the place. Like most women, one thing we got into was weight loss and stress.

I found myself talking about my time in the gym and how it had really changed my life. Not because of the muscle I'm gaining or the fat I'm burning but because I'm taking an hour every day just for me! Just for me! No one else! It's my time!

At first I felt really guilty about it. I mean my schedule is already crazy hectic with work, my business, my church, my family, etc and most of the time there just aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done. Going to the gym every day after work means I don't get home until 6:00 pm or later and dinner's not done sometimes until after 8:00 pm. Sometimes, I go to bed with dirty dishes in the sink (please don't tell the FlyLady).

But... 

I feel so good! When I'm home, my mind is clear, my attention is more focused on my family and I don't feel like everyone else is sucking me dry.

Yes, I admit it, I have felt animosity towards my family and friends because they always needed something from me! Some days I just wanted to scream "WHAT ABOUT ME?"! Now you all know I have the dearest family and friends and this was never their intention or their fault. I was putting the pressure on myself.

For two or three years now I've heard people like Staci Wallace talk about "securing your own mask" but it wasn't until I was sharing this with my mentor this morning that I realized that's exactly what my gym time is for me - "securing my own mask".

Being successful takes time, it takes energy and it often takes your focus off of something very important - YOU!

Today I want to challenge you to find something to call "yours". Take time for yourself and don't feel guilty about it! Everyone that depends on you will reap the benefits! You deserve it and so do they!

The gym is my "thing" right now - what is your "thing"?

Free Gift: Baby steps to a new you

Happy New You friends!  Its that time of year when everyone vows to "do something better".

The top resolutions are always the same:

Lose weight
Get organized
Manage Stress
Save more, spend less

I believe making resolutions is healthy.  It means we know we have room for improvement and haven't given up hope.  Problem is, by now many have already given up, just 5 or 6 days into the new year!

Why is that? 

Perfectionism.
Perhaps you're trying to change too much too soon, you're going at it with the "all or nothing" mindset.  This works for some people, but for many, perfectionism gets in the way. One blunder, one small mistake, one step off of the new plan and we tell ourselves we "can't do it".

Been there and done that. 
I've struggled with organization and time management my whole life.  Now, I don't have it totally under control, but in the last several months, I seen more consistent improvement than ever before. I had to accept that I couldn't change habits I've had my entire life over-night.  It takes baby steps, one foot in front of the other.

Free Gift!
Knowing you've probably vowed to one of these popular resolutions, I want to offer you a baby-step plan developed to help you renew your mind, body and soul for 2012.  Now is the time, you were meant for greatness! Believe in yourself and don't give up!  Click here, enter your name and e-mail address and get instant access to my step-by-step daily guide to jump start what I believe is going to be the very best year of your life!

Subscribe and share.
My goal this year is to help more people reach their goals of getting healthy, losing weight and becoming debt-free. Exciting things are in the works! I hope you will subscribe my blog, my mailing list and my Facebook page so that I can continue to share them with you.

Fitness Friday: Stress relieving stretches

I sit at my desk in front of my computer for eight hours a day and sit riding in my car for at least two hours everyday and its killing me. I found these great stress relieving stretches that you can do right at your desk. Do yourself a favor and try them right now.  She's on the floor, but you can sit up straight in your chair and do them. 

Now, don't you feel better? 

Eat to be Stress-Free

Lake Desoto Farmers' Market, Lake City, FL

Stress can take a toll on your body, your mind and your life. Insomnia, hypertension, headaches, fatigue, and stomach pains are clues that you are under too much stress. Chronic stress can lead to more serious mental disorders such as anxiety and depression as well as physical illness.

A 2010 study by the American Psychological Association found that twenty-nine percent of obese adults reported they experience a great deal of stress. Obese adults are highly likely to report poor eating habits as a result of their stress.

Healthy eating can help combat stress.  A healthy diet should include lots of fruits and vegetables, lean meats, fish and poultry, and low-glycemic (or complex) carbohydrates.  When eating to combat stress, stay away from trans fats, typically found in cakes, margarine and fried foods, salts and added sugars, like those found in sodas and breakfast cereals just to mention a few. 

Low-glycemic carbohydrates are great for combating stress because they release serotonin, a “feel good” chemical in the brain. These are found in leafy, green vegetables as well as whole grain foods. Vitamin C, found in broccoli, green bell pepper, strawberries, kiwis and oranges, also plays a role in combating stress, giving your immune system a boot and helping relieve fatigue.  

When making a decision to incorporate healthier eating habits, consider choosing fresh foods first (then frozen or canned).  Local farmers’ markets or locally owned super markets and produce stands tend to have the freshest in-season items, as well as fresh meats.  There is also a considerable cost savings available when shopping locally.

Local favorites:  Norman’s Roadside Produce in Starke, FL, KCs Produce in Lake City, FL, Lake Desoto Farmers’ Market in Lake City, FL

Nearby favorites:  Ward’s Supermarket, Union Street Farmers’ Market

 

It's coming...

Via: MedicalBillingAndCoding.org

Got Stress?

Thanksgiving menus, Christmas lists, shopping, parties, plays, dinners, your in-laws.... AAUGH!!

These are just a few things that could be stressing you out as the holidays draw nearer. This stress combined with all of the 'comfort' foods that will be available over the next month can easily lead to that seven pounds we talked about last week.

Take a look at this Q&A from Edward T. Creagan, M.D. and the Mayo Clinic.

Q: How do you control stress-induced weight gain?

A: When you're under stress, you may find it harder to keep up healthy-eating habits. Also, during particularly stressful times, you may eat in an attempt to fulfill emotional needs, which is sometimes called stress eating. And you may be especially likely to eat high-calorie foods during times of stress, even when you're not hungry.

To combat weight problems during stress and reduce the risk of obesity, you need to get a handle on your stress. When you feel less stressed and more in control of your life, you may find it easier to stick to healthy-eating and exercise habits. Try these stress management techniques to combat stress-related weight gain:

1. Recognize the warning signs of stress, such as anxiety, irritability and muscle tension.
2. Before eating, ask yourself why you're eating — are you truly hungry or do you feel stressed or anxious?
3. If you're tempted to eat when you're not hungry, find a distraction.
4. Don't skip meals, especially breakfast.
5. Identify comfort foods and keep them out of your house or office.
6. Keep a record of your behavior and eating habits so that you can look for patterns and connections — and then overcome them.
7. Learn problem-solving skills so that you can anticipate challenges and cope with setbacks.
8. Practice relaxation skills, such as yoga, massage or meditation.
9. Engage in regular physical activity or exercise.
10. Get adequate sleep.
11. Get encouragement from supportive friends and family.

What are your stressors during the holidays and how do you overcome them?