Are you taking the steps you need to improve your health?

There was another article in today's paper about obesity in America. "More than half in 39 states will be obese, group says".  That is INSANE! 

I meet many people who want to lose weight to make their clothes fit better or to look good in a bikini but the real people who need help are usually the ones who aren't asking for it!  So many people don't realize the health risks of being obese!  Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease... you often don't know you have these unless you are exhibiting symptoms or unless you get tested!  There are free screenings in many communities - just do a google search!

There are some simple steps you can take to help reduce your risk factors!  Cutting our processed foods (this can be done slowly), adding more whole fruits and veggies to your meal plan, drink lots of water (and cut the soda and juice), and hold the extra salt and sugar!

I was an overweight teenager... I never learned the importance of eating healthy foods and portion control!  When I was 15 and getting ready to play highschool basketball I couldn't wear the shorts for the girls team, I had to wear the boys XL shorts... and they were tight.  I loved playing basketball, I was 6' tall, I realized I needed to make a change, so I did!  I started going to a fitness class at 6am before school started, I cut my calories and made better food choices.  In my senior year of high school I still wasn't skinny but I was healthy and I was able to enjoy a great year of basketball.  Despite these steps, it wasn't until I was 34 that I learned how important good eating is to maintaining a healthy weight.  Part of that learning was having my own children and not wanting them to go through the same weight issues I did.  I am teaching them how to make healthy food choices, how to enjoy treats in moderation (as treats are inevitable) and how to enjoy exercise as part of your regular lifestyle. 

I am a role model for my family and I strive hard to be a role model for my friends and community.  I teach Group exercise, Turbo Kick, at a local gym, I am a Beachbody coach and help people achieve impressive results with DVD fitness programs (P90X, Insanity, Les Mills PUMP, TurboFire, Power 90, 10 minute trainer, etc) and nutrition (including meals planners and Shakeology).  I have decided to take this one step further and offer a FREE boot camp at a local park 2 mornings a week to help people get rolling with their fitness and push it forward. 

If you are overweight you didn't get there over night!  Therefore you will not lose that weight over night!  There are no magic pills but there are some potions that might seem like a magic fix... trust me when I say that magic fixes are not going to stick.  You need to make changes to your lifestyle and your diet.  Adding fitness and changing what you eat.  It isn't about "dieting", it is about making life long changes that you can stick with!  Let me help you work out a plan to make that happen.  You can say, "I will start tomorrow", but I bet you have said that before!!!  Make it happen today - you will thank yourself next year!  www.GetFitWithNicola.com

Does Sugar rule you?

I am all about eating healthy and encouraging others to do the same but I do love a slice of birthday cake, a small bowl of ice cream or a hunk of chocolate on occasion.  Sometimes I have it as a treat, sometimes I have it because I am really craving it, sometimes I just have it because it is there and I know I will enjoy it.
Trick one to avoiding treats I love... Don't have them readily available to pick up and eat- set yourself up for success!  Trick two ... have a treat every so often, just don't have one every day!  Its about moderation, self control and will power... we all have some, give your self a little credit... now USE IT!

My kids LOVE sugar.  They manage quite well when they don't get sweets but when given a choice between fruit or cupcake they will usually choose a cupcake... but they do both love my homemade, low sugar zucchini bread!

Where isn't there sugar?  Look in most of the foods you eat and check out all of the added sugar, especially in the low fat products!  How many people drink coffee without sugar or a flavored creamer (which is sweetened)?  Sugar is addictive.  Sugar gives you a quick burst of energy, but can often lead to a "sugar hangover" as the energy is short lived!  Sugar is known to feed cancer cells, trigger weight gain and promote premature aging (Mercola).  Artificial sweeteners are no better!

Most mornings I set my children up for a successful day with oatmeal, raisins and yogurt with a small slice of homemade zucchini bread.  Their bellies are full, their brains are fed, their bodies are nourished.  As I dropped them off at school last week I saw boxes of donuts waiting to be carried into a neighboring classroom to celebrate a teacher's birthday.  How sweet, her gift was 25 sugared up little first graders... YIKES!  Our school allows birthdays to be celebrated and it usually involves a lot of sweets.  Do your schools still allow this?  The bigger the treat does not mean the more you love your child or the more money you have... but that seems to be where we are at right now!  I am thinking dipped, frozen bananas or fruit kabobs with a marshmallow or two thrown in might be suitable this year!

My goals?

• To help my kids understand the value of healthy eating... it is not about being skinny, it is about being healthy... not just now but long term! 
• To help my friends and family understand the value of healthy eating for the same reasons.
• To share this forward to help "End the Trend" of obesity.

Tiny changes, baby steps, healthier options... we all can get there, it is just going to take time!
I would love to help you make changes, just give me a shout and we will see what we can do.  I would love some help as I am only one person and there are a lot of people who need help!  Learn a little more about the Beachbody Challenges in the video below! and find me a www.GetFitWithNicola.com