Being Healthy on Your Tight Schedule

I love that comic… It’s one of those things that make you go hmmmm! Whenever I present a healthy living seminar regardless of the headlining topic of discussion I always start with this comic or the following questions: “How many of you play in traffic? How many of you juggle knives? OooooK how many of you sip on poison?” You can imagine the blank stares, the WTH looks, and the are you kidding, what the heck are you talking about??Expressions I get?

Finally after some coaching I get some people to answer no to all of those things. I follow that answer with another question…Why not? Eventually someone will say “because it will kill you duh!?!” I smile and I confirm their statement. Those things sure as heck will kill you.

Now let me as you another set of questions… How many of you eat something deep green and leafy with every meal? How many of you drink at least 8 glasses of water a day?? Better yet how many of you get at least 30 minutes of heart pumping activity a day? Furthermore, how many of you get AT LEAST 6 hours of sleep every night? 8 times out of 10 there is little to no yes answers to any of the proceeding questions. And if I were a betting lady I’d put my money on the fact that as you are reading this you have answered no to most or all of them as well. So I pose one more question… Why not play in traffic? You’re killing yourself anyway. IJS :0)

You see contrary to popular belief we are not meant to just shrivel up and die. The majority of people do so because they haven’t taken the time throughout their lives to implement  even the most basic healthy living practices; eat well, stay hydrated, and get active. And for more people their reason is the same…” I don’t have time.”

I am going to tackle some of the most common excuses I hear from clients and potential clients and offer  a few suggestions on how to include at the very less the healthy living basics into your life and counteract those self-destructing “reasons” we so cleverly come up with . They will leave you no room for further excuses, no time wasted, and best of all no regrets!  Fasten your seatbelts it’s going to be a bumpy ride ;0).

1. My schedule is too crazy to make it to the gym: First off, who in the world said you need a gym in order to work out? There’s these cool things called body resistance which is simply voluntarily flexing and releasing your muscles; jump training, and static strengthening like planking or standing on one leg. That you can do virtually ANYWHERE no equipment needed.  Second, participating in your resident facilities or workplace wellness program classes is a great gym membership free way of getting a workout in. Most classes are convenient for before or after work hours and are done ON SITE. So you don’t have to travel. If your residents or workplace does not have a wellness program send your information to getfit@myfitfusion.com and we’ll make it happen. (yep shameless plug)

2. I don’t have time to cook: When this is an issue it’s ALL about choices. Fresh to Order vs Five Guys; Side Salad vs Fries. Now there is a myth I would like to tackle here and now.  And that is healthy food taste like cardboard: Are you for real?? Do you know how many yummy things there are at Boston Market, Crispers, Whole Foods Lunch Buffet, Subway, and the like? Too many to put in one blog that’s how many. And now thanks to more people becoming health conscience, even the McDonalds and Burger Kings of the world have better food choices. So now it’s up to you, although I do not support ordering by numbers every day, if that is the hand you are dealt then it’s about time you start making better ordering decisions. Simple and plan  

3. My schedule varies so much I don’t have time to meet with a trainer: Although personal training is the VERY foundation of my health and fitness experience, I am wise and honest enough to tell the truth.  Personal Training is only one way to get into the grove of reaching our fitness and wellness goals, and it is perfect for those who need some outside motivation and expertise. BUT, funds being low is not your get out of work out free card. Just about EVERY health and fitness magazine out there has some kind of workout or fitness plan you can follow. My personal favorite is Self Magazine. Many of their sites have workout videos and online logs you can use to track your progress. You can also like my company page www.facebook.com/fitfusionatl or subscribe to our youtube channel www.youtube.com/fitfusionatl to get ever effective workout ideas. The point is, there are resources out there to help you along, many at little to know cost to you.

4. I have a family to take care of I don’t have time to work out: Now I have yet to give birth to a child but my boyfriend has a two year old and man can that boy run. And it doesn’t matter where he’s going nor if he has clothes on our not he is sprinting every chance he gets. So if you have little ones here’s an idea…CHASE THEM. They’ll feel like you’re paying some attention to them and you ‘ll get your heart pumping and revved up. Then when you’re done they’ll go to sleepy town and you can get some work done. J If you have older ones playing official games like basketball or football, teaching them to skate, playing soccer, pushing them on a swing, etc are all great ways to spend time with them and get your workout in. Planning Family Fit nights or Soccer Saturdays or something fun like that gives you and them something to look forward too. It’s time to get your whole family up and moving. You might get some resistance at the beginning. But dangit! You’re the boss so assert your authority. Soon it will feel like play (because it is) and they’ll anticipate it more and more. Tell your waist line it can thank me later :0)

5 Best Ways to Stay On Track During Your Vacation

Let Us Vaca!

When I was younger, after my mom would go back to work after a leave of absence, she’d always say “I need a vacation from my vacation.” I never really knew what the heck she was talking about until I got older and went on a vacation of my own. I came back tired and dehydrated and my stomach was less than happy with me. I began to think why in the world do we do this to ourselves? Vacations are supposed to be fun and relaxing. But yet many of us use them to pack as many “fun” things and food into our day as humanly possible and then pay the price for it later when we get home.

 And if I had a quarter for everyone who has told me, tweeted, facebooked, or emailed that they will restart their “diet” when they get back from vacation I could totally be a Dollar-aire. J If you know me at all you’ll know that I really don’t like that word diet. Because it is 9 times out of 10 unhealthy and useless. But, for the sake of argument… Let’s pretend that diet meant healthy way of eating. And if that is the case then no matter what the world says… Vacation is NOT an excuse to fall off the wagon.

To counter this myth I would like to offer you five ways to up hold your vow to healthy living and still enjoy the mess out of your vacation… Ready?? Let’s get started

1.               Get Physical More than likely your vacation destination either has one or more of the following: beautiful beaches, gorgeous mountains, breath taking tropics, and/or amazing views… So why not swim, climb, zip line, and hike your booty to them. You can truly stay in at home. Why do it in your hotel, cabin. Or villa? And you already know what the inside of a van, car, truck, and bus look like. So take the time to be a tourist and use your God-given vehicle (your feet duh LOL) to get to the next moment that will take your breath away. I mean isn’t that what vacationing is all about anyway? Doing things you cannot otherwise do at home. So get out! Get Up! & Get Moving! You can thank me later :0).

2.               Enjoy Local Cusine  Did I just suggest you eat? Yep I sure did. The diet gods won’t have to know. Scouts honor LOL. But it’s what you eat that matters. Contrary to popular belief ever vacation destination does not have a dish that is deep fried and laid to the side as their “all-time gotta try once you get there meal.” More than likely where you are headed has some kind of fruit you have never heard of, let alone tried. Or some kind of veggie, fish dish that smells like awesome and taste like heaven in your mouth. Back in the day they didn’t have deep fryers and peanut oil so when eating reach waaaayyyyy back in the history book of where you are and try something new.  

If it’s drinks you like I’m pretty sure they have drink one and your done type beverages you can try. And although it might cut your night short it will also cut your calories and sugary drink intake as well. IJS J

3.               Take It Easy (You Know Like Sunday Morning) Even if you are used to planning every moment of every day in your regular life, this is your vacation life we’re talking about. So you don’t have to get up at the butt crack of dawn or have a day’s agenda all mapped out. Mental breaks are essential to healthy living. Many studies have shown that taking time to disconnect helps reduce stress, irritability, headaches, regulates digestive system, and lowers heart rate.  All that just by taking it easy. Now I know this might be hard for you to believe. But the world will not collapse, stop and start spinning in the opposite direction, nor anything else of the sort if you spend a week or so away from your telephone, job, and computer.

4.               Just Wing It When is the last time you had unplanned fun? I mean like a really good time and at the end of the day you look back and say… “MAN today was awesome?” This vacation, I challenge you to ignite that happy part of your brain. Give it a jolt of spontaneity and pure joy whether you are traveling alone or with friends and family. Being able to travel is  a gift that should be cherished and used to the fullest possible extent. I mean isn’t that the very essence of living well anyway?

5.               Stay Hydrated Among all else do not forget your core basics. We all know the benefits of drinking water. But some places you go does not always provide the best options so if at all possible bring a few gallons of water along. Then if you incorperate it thoughout your trip, you won’t feel like your cells are shiveling away by the end of your trip.

HAPPY TRAVELING!

Healthy & Happy Living To You.