Success Can Be Yours!

Why do people wait for the New Year to start over? Why wait? Why keep making excuses for your life? It’s time to wake up!!!! You aren’t guaranteed next year, next month, next week or tomorrow for that matter! What is a person to do? Here’s a start: 

Wake up each morning grateful to be alive! Take some deep breaths and start your day!

Exercise first thing in the morning, that way it’s out of the way and you won’t make excuses later on to not work out! 

Limit yourself to one; no more than two cups of coffee. Be mindful of what you put in it. Not all creamers are good for you! 

Eat healthy 85-90% of the time starting with breakfast daily. Yes, breakfast is the most important meal of the day! 

Eat every 3hrs or so. It keeps your metabolism going, keeps your energy levels up and regulates your blood sugars! 

Eat with the seasons! 

Stop eating when full. Don’t eat when bored, stressed, or angry. Get in touch with your emotions. Write in a journal. 

Try meditation. It helps reduce stress. Start with two minutes and work your way to 15minutes. It’s quite calming. 

Make sure you sleep! Each individual body is different. Try to get 6-8hrs if you can. Need a new mattress? If it’s been 10yrs since your last purchase, it’s time for a new one!

Those are just some of the things to do for health. Don’t wait another day to start getting healthy! So what if you had a burger, fries and a beer. You get to make a choice of making the next meal a healthy one! YOU make the CHOICES! Planning and preparation is the key to living a healthy lifestyle. You have to stop making excuses. Start living your life in a healthy way and you will have success in life! Don’t overhaul at once. Small changes add up! You can do this!

Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanza...Happy Holidays!

Tis the season! Hanukkah is kicking off this Holiday Season! Hanukkah started last night. For those of you celebrating: Happy Hanukkah! Enjoy these 8days and nights! My family is Catholic; we celebrate Christmas! Merry Christmas! I hope Santa is good to you! There are 12days of Christmas. For those that celebrate Kwanzaa..Happy Kwanzaa! I must admit, I don't know much about it. No matter what you celebrate, I hope you are celebrating in a deliciously healthy way!

Do you get offended if someone says Happy Holidays? If so, why? Do you expect a stranger to know what religion you are and what holiday you celibrate? Unless you wear the Star of David or a Cross on your neck, how is anyone to know? It's not like you can just look at someone and know automatically what religion, if any, a person practices. Happy Holidays is a nice way to include everyone without stereotyping and guessing. Wouldn't you rather someone acknowledge you in an inclusive way? I would. Personally, I don't find offense in it. I am grateful someone is thinking of me and wishing me a Happy Holiday. It's better than a Scrooge! The holidays are about being kind to one another and finding peace within oneself and with others. So, the next time someone says Happy Holiday to you, say thank you and pay it forward to someone else! You never know when you are uplifting a person with something as simple as an acknowledgement with a smile and a few simple words. Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanza...Happy Holidays! From my family to yours... I wish you love, peace, health and happiness!

Yes, You Can Have a Happy Healthy Holiday Season!

Tis the Season! Yep, they're here; the holidays! You know what that means?; parties and celebrations galore. How do you survive? How do you NOT gain weight? Try doing the following:

1. Exercise! Yes, get up and get moving! Go for a walk or run, go to the gym, use the home gym you put in years ago, or dance! Whatever you do, have fun and move! Like Nike says "Just Do It!"

2. Have parties to go to? Bring your own healthy dishes. Of course, call the host/hostess and offer to bring something. That way you know what you prepared and feel good about eating it.

3. Make sure you eat healthy most of the time so that you can enjoy the "fun stuff" on occassion. You should be eating healthy food every 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 hours anyway.

4. It's ok to say no! Meaning, if you are offered certain unhealthy foods, you can decline. You can also decline an invitation if you so choose. Don't feel pressured to do everything and be everything to everybody!

5. Before you head out to a party or get together, eat an apple or banana with peanut butter. It will satisfy your stomach. You won't arrive starving and eat the whole buffet table!!!

6. Between each alcoholic beverage, drink a glass of water. It's healthier and you won't get drunk as fast!

7. Snack on fruits and vegetables if they are an option at the gathering.

8. Don't stand near the food. It's to tempting! Engage yourself in conversation.

9. Drink Water! Keep hydrated!

10. Finally, HAVE FUN!!! Enjoy yourself and the people you are with! Let yourself be free!

Think of it from the Turkey's Point of View!!!

Gobble Gobble! It's turkey day tomorrow! No matter if you are hosting or going to someone else's home, try not to sweat the small stuff! Traffic is backed up for miles? Don't sweat it, turn up the music and sing! Uncle so and so is loud and obnoxious? Shove a turkey leg in his mouth.. just kidding! You can think it though and laugh! The point I'm trying to make here is, think of all the things you are thankful and grateful for! Look around you. Are you surrounded by family and friends? Feel the love! Embrace it! There is no room in anyone's life for jealousy, hatred, judgement, or anger. Let it go! Forgiveness is for you; not the other person! Free yourself starting today.

Are you running around like a turkey with it's head cut off preparing for tomorrow's feast? Try not to stress! If you are, take a moment, have a seat and take deep breathes. Everything will turn out fine! Think of it from the turkey's point of view.. at least you aren't getting stuffed from behind and getting shoved in an oven! Happy Turkey Day!