Celebrate Your Independence!

First of all, I need to apologize to you, my loyal customers. The month of June has been a trying time for me, and I did not make the opportunity to keep up with the emails to you. Well, I received some very "hot" emails from a few of you, basically telling me that the mid week motivations from me are seriously missed. I'm sorry for not being there when you needed me, and I pray that this will not happen again. You all are important to me, and I really do want to see you change your health and your lives for the better. If I can do anything else to encourage you or get you excited about what your future holds, please let me know.

Now, on with the motivation!

As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day, please do NOT allow that to be an excuse to "be free" from the healthy habits that you are making. You have come too far to take a whole weekend off! I am not saying that you cannot have your favorites - not at all! Personally, I am going to enjoy my slice of pound cake with strawberries and Reddi Whip. However, I know that with enjoying the foods that are not so healthy, I am going to have to work that much more to maintain my weight loss.

Instead, find new ways to eat old meals. How about taking a pork tenderloin, putting it in the crockpot and slow cooking until fork tender, then shredding it and adding your favorite barbecue sauce? Or enjoying a beautiful light slaw recipe instead of the heavy mayonnaise version we are used to having? Even dessert can be a treat - puree some mangoes or watermelons, add water, and put in ice cube containers to freeze? YUM!

With your exercise routine, how about you and the kids go swimming for a hour or two? Can you get in an extra walk in the morning, before the heat of the day hits like a ton of bricks (or is that just here in Birmingham, Alabama??)? If you are going out of town, take a Beachbody DVD with you and work out wherever you go.

Celebrate the freedom to get healthy and the freedom to change your life for the better! You are amazing and so worth it!

Remember, have a Happy Fourth, and keep doing it BIG!

Enjoy this cool treat I mentioned in the motivation today:

Fruity Ice Cubes
1 cup mangoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup cane sugar

Place mangoes, water, and sugar in saucepan. Bring to a boil, then turn down to medium low and simmer for about 8 minutes. Pour mixture into blender and puree. Add to empty ice cube containers, then freeze until solid. If you like, after about 1 hour, put popsicle sticks into each cube. So good!!

Live Today for a Healthy Tomorrow

I have been contemplating last night and today about the passings of Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson - all happening this week. Michael was preparing to go on his comeback tour in late July. Makes me thankful about the days that we have been given. What precious little time we have on this earth, and we really don't know when our time will come.

Since we do not know when we are going to take our last breath, it behooves us to make sure that every breath we are given is full of life, health, and wellness. I look back over my life, and right now, I have never been healthier. I eat foods that energize me, I get exercise as much as possible, and I love helping others to see their healthier future.

I pray that you will stop and take a moment to get back to the basics. Renew your commitment to yourself and your fitness goals. Make them a priority. Take charge of what you eat every day. Enjoy the time that you exercise - make it fun. Find something new to try, like a new recipe or a new activity, and take action. You may find something you really enjoy. Eliminate as much stress as you can from your life - no use being anxious or worried. (That's something I personally need to take time to do; get rid of the stress!!) Spend time helping your family get fit as well. Ensure a legacy of good health for years to come.

Live today so fully, so completely that at the end of the day, you fall into bed exhausted with the joys of your accomplishments, and the determination to start again tomorrow! Your healthier tomorrow starts right now, because tomorrow is not promised to anyone.

Be blessed, and keep doing it BIG!! :-)

You are Capable of Greatness!!

Hi all!!

If you do not know already, I am getting married THIS SATURDAY, April 25!! I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off the past few weeks, but I wanted to make sure I got this motivational message out before I leave. I am hoping to be back to normal in the next two weeks or so, after the honeymoon, and moving to his house.

Now, on to the motivation!


You are Capable of Greatness!!

I was reading an article the other day (link is here - http://magichundred.blogspot.com/2009/04/think-your-goals-are-too-big-watch-this.html), and I was thinking about my goals and what I want to accomplish as far as my continued health is concerned. I had fallen off the fitness track during this month because of upcoming wedding and stresses at the job. My WOWY calendar for April is seriously sad. My eating has not been the best, either. I had gained a few pounds back, and was feeling bad about things. But reading this article and watching the video made me see that even though I had gotten off track, I was still capable of being GREAT!

My message to you today - you are also capable of greatness! Do not get frustrated and give up completely because life has you in a stranglehold. Do not give in because you missed your workouts or have not been eating clean meals. You are not a failure if you mess up; you become one if you let that messup stop you from succeeding. If you have been given one more day of life, that means that you have another chance to do better. Take advantage of the opportunities to be great each day! The things you do to be great do not have to be spectacular - little things mean a great deal! Get a quick walk around the block. Fix a healthy green salad with the dressing on the side. Sign in to WOWY and invite your friends and family to join you. Find a new recipe to try with your family. Look at yourself in the mirror and say positive and affirming things to yourself. What one thing can you do to create the greatness you know is supposed to be yours?

I want you to see a future full of health, vitality, and ENDLESS possibilities! Choose GREATNESS!! It is already inside of each of you, so let it SHINE! You are so worth that!

Don't Be FOOLED - Nutrition Is VITAL To Your Healthy Lifestyle

It's April Fool's Day, the day when people try to fool others with their words, making things seem like they are true. There are those who go all out in creating the best April Fool's joke. Some are good, some are a waste of time and energy.



One thing that really is no joke, however, is that in order to see results in your weight loss or your toning regimen, you absolutely MUST change what you eat. You can do Hip Hop Abs, P90X, Turbo Jam, or ChaLEAN Extreme for months. You can run miles daily. You can do all these things, but if you are still eating junk, then your body will not change. Period. Think about a car - if you keep it clean on the outside, but never take care of the inside, eventually it will stop working.



Everything you put into your mouth is going to bring results - either good or bad. Let's start today and focus on getting GOOD RESULTS!



Start by opening up that refrigerator and pantry. What kinds of things do you have in there to nourish your body? Are you looking at whole grain breads, pastas, and cereals? Do you see fish, chicken, lean beef, and turkey? Are the drawers full of carrots, salad greens, and other fruits and vegetables? Are your oils promoting health, like grapeseed, olive, and canola? Do you keep other herbs and spices to help flavor your food?



Remove those cakes, cookies, breads, and things made with white flour. Remove the fatty cuts of meat in your refrigerator. Remove the unhealthy potato chips and white crackers. Remove the junk foods that you enjoy so much. This is a process, so don't feel you have to remove everything overnight. However, the more you remove, the better things will go!

End of the Year - NO COMPROMISES!!

We all made it! It's the first week of the LAST MONTH of 2008!! Time seems to have flown by. You know, only a couple of years ago, I would have used this holiday season as an excuse to do whatever I wanted. Thanksgiving came first, followed by the week of my birthday, then Christmas parties started happening, then Christmas Day lunch was HUGE, then New Years parties. So by the time the new year came, I was working harder to get all the weight back off. It was frustrating to do year after year. How many of you feel the same way??

As we come into the holiday season this year, I encourage YOU to not compromise your healthy goals just because of the season. You are worth the effort that you have put into yourself this year! Keep up the work that you started on your health and weight loss this year! I have kept up with each of your stories, and I am just totally amazed at the progress of my team! I am proud to say that you have lost weight, lowered your blood pressure, lowered your cholesterol level, and a few of you have reduced the amount of medication that you are taking!!! That is EXCELLENT news!

All of this from nothing more than eating healthier and exercising! WOW!!! See, it CAN BE DONE!!!

Here are a few quick tips to help keep this holiday season HEALTHY:

* Carry healthy snacks with you in the car, like granola bars, grapes, bananas, or carrot sticks. It will help curb the cravings for the not-so-healthy foods.

* Take an extra lap around the inside of the mall while shopping - to get that extra walk in for the day.

* If you are shopping online this year, bend over in your chair and stretch your back a few times. Stretching is very good for flexibility.

* Find a healthier alternative for your favorite holiday recipes.

* Have a salad with light dressing instead of a burger and fries for lunch.

* Take your own healthy appetizer to the Christmas party! Pita chips and hummus, a veggie tray with light ranch dipping sauce, or a big fruit bowl are all great options for the party season!!


Do not allow the busyness of the holidays to keep you from your best health EVER! NO COMPROMISES!!!