Its been one month in my new fitness studio and I can’t believe it.   What I can and can’t believe is that I’m actually living my dream.  Just one year ago I was still training at a corporate gym and only doing classes on the side twice a week.  TODAY I have my very own space, offer over 10 classes a week, and I’m my OWN BOSS

I’m so happy and very grateful to those who encouraged and supported me along the way.  Even with all the support and people believing in me…NONE of this happened until I set my fears aside and decided this was something I wanted and could do.

When I decided to make the jump…everything happened for me.

I’m sharing this with you today to encourage you to LIVE YOUR DREAMs.  Don’t let fear keep you from anything. If you believe strongly in something and your heart agrees…then do it.  Don’t think about the how’s or why’s.  Make the decision and it will happen for you. Trust me

If you are in Seattle, come stop by my Open House on Feb 8th. I’m giving away tons of great prizes.  5:30 – 7:30, 4519 SW California Ave Unit I.

Here are some photos of my studio:

The Paradox of Our Age

By Dr. Bob Moorehead

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, yet more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We’ve done larger things, but not better things.

We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; big men and small character; steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce; fancier houses but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever

Remember to say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side

Remember to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn’t cost a cent.

Remember to say “I love you” to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

No one’s perfect. We all make mistakes. We all come up short.

Learn to love who you are as you take active steps to improve your

health and fitness level. Loving yourself means taking good care

of your body through healthy eating and regular exercise.

Take what you have been given and take care of it!

Go for what you want in life. Don’t sweat the small stuff, and it’s all small stuff. When you can’t fight and you can’t flee, then flow, says Dr. Robert Eliot, author and director of the Institute of Stress Medicine in Denver. Become aware of the connection between your own values and interactions with others, and feeling good about yourself. Forgive yourself when you don’t measure up and forgive others when they need it. The ability to find the humor in the human situation is a definite plus. Hearty laughter gives a sense of deep relaxation, and tends to soften your perspective on problems. It also eases pain.

I’ve made a January calendar for you and I’m calling it “inspire me”  Its more than just exercise, but rather taking time for yourself and being grateful for life.  I believe this is the first and most important step before any positive change can happen in your life.

feel free to share this calendar with anyone.

here ya go:

January “Inspire ME” Challenge

Looking forward to motivating and inspiring you to a new level this year!

Bob Hope                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?

Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol:                                                                                                                                                                                      I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.

Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen. ~Author unknown, attributed to a 7-year-old named Bobby

May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope;                                                                                                                                                                     The spirit of Christmas which is peace;                                                                                                                                                                                              The heart of Christmas which is love.                                                                                                                                                                                                ~Ada V. Hendricks

Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas  –Calvin Coolidge

Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it’s Christmas. –Dale Evans Rogers

One of my favorites from www.zenhabits.net

Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,

If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something

For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.

During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations

Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge

Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes

They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary

Because it means you’ve made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.

A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are

also thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles

and they can become your blessings.

~ Author Unknown ~

Is this you?  do you decide to “let yourself go” and you will “get back on track” Jan 2nd?  This is a very common scene with so many people when it comes to this time of year.  People decide to indulge and eat whatever they want because they know January is coming and they can set a resolution to lose the holiday weight.

As a fitness professional in the field for over 10 years now, I see it happen with so many people every year…… they let themself go and decide to get back on track in January. 

Maybe this is you, maybe not.   If it is….Lets make this year DIFFERENT! 

I don’t encourage anyone to try and lose weight over the holiday season, but I do encourage and support maintaining your weight. Even though it’s hard to resist temptations all around you, there are simple steps you can take that can keep the extra holiday pounds off. 

Here are 7 of my “surviving the holiday bulge” tips:

1) ALWAYS eat breakfast.  Even if you wake up full from the night before, you need to eat something to get your metabolism fired up.  Fruit and protein are your best sources.

2) Drink at least 80 ounces of water daily.  This will help flush out the toxins and raise your metabolism which helps in digestion.

3) Stick to a regular workout routine and get plenty of rest.

4) Aim for 7 servings of fruits and veggies a day.  Making sure you eat seven or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day is a great way to help fill-up your stomach but not your calorie level.

5) Always plan ahead – Never go to a party hungry.  Before you go to a holiday party, eat a healthy snack such as a serving of nuts, two glasses of water and a piece of fruit, or a few slices of cheese with whole grain crackers.  This way, when you arrive at the party, you won’t be craving all the junk in front of you.

6) Stick to a 2 drink limit. Not only does alcohol add extra calories, but it can also stimulate your appetite and reduce your willpower. Whatever your limit, stick to it (I recommend 2).  Don’t let getting drunk ruin your commitment to everything mentioned above.

7) Always remain positive. If you do have a “bad” day, don’t worry or stress about it. Just get back on track the next day.

IF you have other tips not mentioned here, please leave a comment for us !  Also,  I will be posting and sending out my “Holiday Maintain don’t Gain” challenge calendar the day after Thanksgiving.  Stay tuned…