But I have no time for... (Part 2 of 3)

Thanks for commenting on last week’s topic, “But I have no time for eating right.” I’ve posted a comment to answer all of your questions. And remember, even with the new topic being posted today, we can still discuss this topic and past topics by leaving a comment under the posting.

On to this week’s topic, “But I have no time for exercise.” Let’s start with how I found myself interested in fitness. After a long day at the office, I had so much pent-up energy! I used the gym as a “healthy” happy hour; a buffer between work and home. Whatever was on my mind came out at the gym and I was able to avoid bringing my work home with me. I now encourage my clients to do the same. Use the gym as a place for your own private time. Do you find yourself always saying, “I’ll go tomorrow?” Make an appointment to yourself to take at least 30 minutes a day for cardio and an hour every other day to include strength training. Just as you made the appointment to yourself to plan your meals, you’ll find it easier to work exercise into your schedule and you’ll be less likely to shrug it off. (Sometimes guilt can be a good thing!)
Maybe today you just could not find the time to walk, jog, or run. Well then break it up. Studies show that 15 minutes of cardio twice a day can be just as effective as 30 minutes once a day. And as for strength training, it goes without saying that I encourage all of you to get one-on-one direction from a professional, whether it be a personal trainer or yoga or pilates instructor. DVDs and at-home equipment are great, but only if you use proper form.
Now it’s your turn to tell me what’s stopping you from exercising as often as you should. Is it time, lack of knowledge, lack of energy? Do you hate gyms but find you don’t work out at home, even though you have the equipment? Do you belong to a gym but find yourself socializing more than working out? Take time now to think about what’s getting in your way. Let me and the “Body by Kelly” community help you overcome these obstacles.
Before I go, I wanted to pass on a link to another blog that I believe will be of help to all of my moms out there. www.becomingawake1.blogspot.com was created by Rita Desnoyers-Garcia, founder of Meditating Moms. Although geared towards mothers, I’ve found this site to be perfect for anyone looking for inspiration to become spiritually bigger than they are today. I encourage you to take a look and read some of her experiences.

But I have no time for... (Part 1 of 3)

Welcome to Part 1 of a three part series based on complaints that we have no time for eating right, exercise, or proper stretching.
This week's topic is based on the theory that we have no time to eat right.
Time and again I hear my clients tell me that their typical day starts off with a healthy breakfast, an okay lunch, followed by snacking and whatever they can get on their plate for dinner. My first response: planning! Make an appointment to yourself for an hour a week to plan out your meals for the week. And guess what? It's okay to have a day where we eat a few things we're not supposed to! If you've eaten right all week, you won't feel guilty when ordering that second glass of wine on Saturday night or sharing a dessert with your friend. So write down what you plan to eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks throughout the week.
Can't find time to cook every night of the week? Not many of us can. So find a day where you can cook enough for at least 2 days. For example, I love my Foreman grill! So while I'm grilling some chicken cutlets or fish filets for tonight's dinner, I'll thrown on some more for tomorrow's dinner. Boiling water for some brown rice? Why not make another cup and then heat it up for tomorrow's dinner when you expect to be rushed.
Now, what to do when the unexpected occurs. Going out for lunch or dinner? Most menus in the past year have changed to accommodate those of us who don't want to ingest trans fats or oils. I know how good it tastes and the smell can be tempting, but be strong and keep your eye on your goal.
A client recently introduced me to www.hungrygirl.com. I encourage all of you to take a look. This link in particular, http://www.hungry-girl.com/week/weeklydetails.php?isid=1550, will be especially helpful in making the right choices at your local fast food eatery.

Now it's your turn! What's stopping you from eating healthier? Time, money, or just plain tired at the end of the day? Let me and the "Body by Kelly" community help you!

Traumatic Experiences and Their Negative Effects

When was the last time you let a traumatic experience affect your goals for becoming a healthier, more fit individual? When did you realize you had lost sight of your goals and what steps did you take to get back into the routine?
This does not have to be a life-changing event, sometimes it is the smallest things that knock us off course. And please keep in mind that you do not have to share your identity or even tell us what happened. We all have had something out of our control come between us and our goals and have found a way to overcome it. The key is finding out what still remains in our control, and how we use that to get our power back.