I am thinking about what keeps me making my steps. For me it isn’t just about my business and professional life but my personal life as well. When I practice moving forward in every aspect of my life, it becomes natural to always think “is this decision getting me closer to my goal?”  are my actions making me better, happier, healthier, stronger etc. I also find that even a lateral movement is better than no movement at all. It must be that momentum idea, keep moving no matter how small, big, laterally or forward, that momentum keeps my flywheel turning!

Some get stuck doing the exact same thing for years (repeatedly neglecting steps) but if you get used to making changes, it is just easier and more comfortable to do on a regular basis.  Stagnation or failure are just are not in my line of sight!! 

I have been looking over my posts, diary and blogs lately and have discovered things that I have changed, modified or have improved over the years.

 For instance, I started eating oatmeal for breakfast about 3 years ago, the rolled and flat kind that take 10 minutes to cook. I thought that was awesome and it was, but through research and talking to my fitness friends I discovered steel cut oats. I have since then replaced my rolled oats with steel cut. They take 20 minutes to cook but talking to my friend Carrie, she makes a few days worth at one time and then just places the individual servings in her fridge, microwaves it in the morning and voila!! fast and easy oats for a few days. Brilliant!! Even when I cook the oats in the morning, I take my timer with me while I get ready for work, the oats are simmering away and I am efficiently getting my self ready for the day! I still add my 1 egg white, ground flax and hemp hearts, raisins, organic skim milk and walnuts (pumpkin or almonds).  I have even taken some oatmeal that I haven’t finished, saved it for a snack added cottage cheese or yogurt and another healthy snack that is fast and easy.

I have also decided about 2 years ago to make some organic choices. I drink lots of milk, regularly eat peanut butter and yogurt and try to always have those organic. Also when possible I chose fruits and vegetables as well, eggs are free range Omega 3 kind.  My location inEdmontonmakes this somewhat of a challenge but come Farmers Market season, it gets very easy. 

 When you look back at your workout diary or food diary it helps you realize the positive changes. It is often easy to become frustrated and lose focus, sometimes we need to remind ourselves how far we have some and celebrate the small successes!!

 Stronger Faster Better….. One day at a time!

Great information about magnesium oil, benefits and why oral magnesium isn’t cutting it!

I have been using this for about 1 year …. first thing noticed is better sleep!!

Holiday Inertia……

I recently spend 10 days in the beautiful island of St Thomas USVI. I have a very hectic and active life so during this vacation I wanted to turnoff my BlackBerry and planned rest, relaxation, fun, good healthy eating, a few trips to the hotel gym and of course enjoy a few local rum drinks.  After a few days of lazing at the beach and doing exactly that, I started to realize even the very long flight of steps from the beach up to the hotel my legs were more and more fatigued each day. These stairs in my regular world where I opt for the stairs when possible, train at the gym, practice yoga, run outside all year round, cross country ski etc, would be a good quick energizer. I came to realize that want I have been saying for years “inactivity breads inactivity” happens very quickly. No wonder we lose the energy to exercise if we do not keep a regular schedule for activity. It also speaks to the old adage of “if you want something done, give it to someone who is busy”, because if you are not busy it takes 10X the effort to get motivated and started on anything.

This validates the need and benefit of daily/weekly activity. Activity can just to be conscious of what we can do to keep active like walking the dog, taking the stairs instead of elevator/escalator (every time after a long flight, people take the escalator when taking the stairs will move your tired legs and btw…. you have just been sitting for 4 + hours), going for a walk at lunch or my favorite, turning off the TV and getting to the gym.  As the years go by and our bodies do not get the regular exercise it needs to work properly, the one day when we need our bodies to respond quickly, it may not have the ability.

Our bodies thrive on activity, fresh air, physical challenges just like our mind, if you don’t use it you lose it! Challenge yourself today, tomorrow and so on …….  You are 30 days from a new good habit!!

Small fun challenges to try at the gym… keep it fun and exciting!!

Have you thought of adopting a personal mantra??

I was at the gym the other day and I saw this woman working on one of the machines. She had on a smart outfit that was gym specific, but she had on all this jewelry…. bracelets, big earrings, rings and a WATCH!!! Now, I beleive in dressing for your purpose, if I were at a business meeting, I would be in business dress attire with my watch and jewelry. However, at the gym, you get sweaty (those necklaces will need cleaning weekly), there are CLOCKS everywhere (if you need a timer for those tabatas etc, download it to your smartphone or iPod)!!!! and if you are really serious about your results those rings will eventually warp…. Also if you take off your wedding rings, your husband/wife will still love you, I promise. 

When I started to train with kettle-bells, heavier weights and got very serious about my training time at the gym, I took off all jewelry as it gets in the way, hurts your hands, lessens your grip, creates bigger callouses and doesn’t give the image of being serious, just like if your wore jeans and a t shirt to your meeting, would you take yourself seriously?? Much of the motivation and drive in the gym is how you present yourself to YOU, look in the mirror and see a dedicated person living a fit and healthy lifestyle with purpose….