Ok, so it’s been awhile.. Things have been a bit CRAZY in my life and unfortunately blogging has fallen to the bottom of my list… But I am making time right now.. mostly because this topic has been haunting me for the past few weeks or so and I really want to blog about it..

How do you deal with stress? I shut down.. I retract and tend to go into “auto pilot”.. Which means I don’t really think about what I am eating or if I am really giving 100% when I workout.

So life has been hectic and I haven’t  been taking the time for me, to plan meals or to think about what I am eating.. I find myself eating on the run lately and that means that I am “guess-timating” my calories.. Guess what? That does not work.. Guessing is not the way to lose.. I end up eating way too many calories.. Yuck!! I have also been running alot.. Which again for some reason makes me think that that is a free pass to eat what I want (doesn’t work either!)  Which is contributing to my stress because I am not seeing the results I should be seeing on the scale.

So I am back to the basics.. I am going to just focus on going to class Mon-Fri, punching and kicking harder and higher, lifting heavier and logging my food.. I will continue to run, but keep it at a minimum and not try to replace my Ellipse workouts with running.  All of the things that have worked so well for me in the past that have just fallen aside this summer.

You know that sometimes I wonder when this whole weight loss thing is going to get  easy and I won’t have to think about it so much..

You can’t stop what you are doing to smell the roses, plan a healthy dinner, cook, exercise, etc. You are “way too busy for that.” Who will get the kids where they need to be, pay bills, cut the grass, put away the laundry. No one else is going to do it. Right? Of course they are not going to do it. You are absolutely correct. There are two key elements, or secrets even, to getting others to do more work so you don’t have to do it all. No one will do any work to help you unless YOU ASK THEM to do it. Want to know the other secret to getting those around you to work harder? Shhh…don’t tell anyone…ready? YOU HAVE TO STOP DOING IT! If you always do it, why would anyone else EVER do it? They don’t care how much you gripe and moan so long as it gets done.
Chances are you are doing work that is not yours to do. You are probably running yourself ragged so that your kids can play video games or watch tv “until it’s time to go.” You are most likely getting everything ready for everything so all anyone else has to do is pick up their fork or their car keys. What is that doing to your nutrition, fitness, stress levels, marriage, and overall wellness?  What is it doing to those around you?  You’re not really helping anyone.
A good business owner knows that training your staff must happen on a regular basis. It increases productivity, morale, and personal satisfaction. A good fitness instructor/trainer knows that training your body must happen on a regular basis as well. Working particular groups of muscles while others rest, repair, and gain strength. Don’t these traits apply to all individuals no matter their line of work, birth order, or marital status?
If you didn’t know it before, you know it now. Practice it. Train others. Set that example. We are all required to teach and share what we learn. It will increase your productivity, morale, personal satisfaction, and wellness.

“It’s supposed to be hard! If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard… is what makes it great!” Tom Hanks ~ A League of Their Own.

Research shows that stress levels are at an all time high. The economy, health insurance, job security, and family life are challenged each day. Depending on your attitude, point of view, or fate it may well be challenged each waking moment. It can be invigorating, aggravating, and at times infuriating. Each of these emotions are powerful, energetic, and necessary. Life is difficult. Pressing the “easy button” would only take away from the greatness.

Take the rush from you receive from love, happiness, frustration, and anger. Channel it into your daily activities. Food is not your only source of fuel.
Harness your emotions into your exercise routine. Energize every jab, cross, and elbow in your kickboxing class or every swing of the kettlebell with the rage you keep inside. Give it an outlet. Focus. Dive into your projects at work with a vigor that only comes from sheer frustration. Love your family. Embrace your family and enjoy every precious moment you have them.
You are not a blank slate going through the motions of life. Channel it. Express it. Wear your heart on your sleeve, it is beautiful!