I challenge you

Many of you have probably made resolutions for the New Year. Some may be small resolutions, others may be more profound, life changing resolutions. I think goals are great and should be set continually throughout the year, and throughout your life. The best way to stay on track with any health goal is challenge yourself to a realistic goal, and continually work toward conquering it. Never settle, and continually challenge yourself to be a better, healthier you. Each goal achieved is a stepping stone, leading you to your next accomplishment.

Now, what I hate more then anything when I work with my female clients, is the obsession with the scale. I hate hearing about what 150 pounds means to them. What is the obsession? What does this reflect? Does the number on the scale truly tell you how hard you have been working or not working? No. It reflects a meaningless number. The number on the scale fluctuates daily, weekly and hormonally. This is why your weight is an inaccurate measurement of your health. Now, put on your favorite pants. Are they loose? Tight? The size of your pants do not change. A size 10 is a size 10 at 7am and at 7pm. Your pants will tell you if you are working hard, or if you need to step it up.

I challenge you to start the New Year by not weighing yourself. Try on your favorite jeans, or buy jeans in the size you would realistically like to be in. You can always continue to buy new jeans once you meet your goal. :) Never stop working toward creating the "healthiest you".

Here are some healthy and realistic goals to make this year.

-Do not critisize yourself. This mean, no negative self talk. For example, "my butt looks huge," "my boobs are too small," "I'm not pretty," etc.

-Take your Vitamin D and Fish Oil daily.

-Wash your hands more often.

-Walk your dog. If you dog is fat, there's a good chance you could loose some weight too. Harsh, yes, but true. A healthy dog is a healthy you. Your dog deserves activity.

-STOP CALORIE COUNTING! Eat high quality foods (meat, veggies, fruit, nuts, seeds) that fuel your mind and body. Your 100 calorie pack of chips ahoy will not give you ideal health or an ideal body.

-Complete a 30 day Paleo Challenge.

-Get off the elliptical and get to the weight floor. Stop the cardio madness. You will get better results from lifting weights- and no, you will not get "bulky."

-If you want to measure your progress, take a before/during/after picture. Try your "skinny" jeans on before/during/after. Measure your body with a tape measure; measure right under your rib cage, around your butt, each thigh, and each arm.
These methods will tell your story, and will give you proper feedback.

-If you aren't happy with your current job, move on. Stop making excuses. Be proactive and stop under-achieving. No one likes a complainer. If you aren't happy, DO SOMETHING about it.

-Save $40 week, more if you can. That's one tank of gas, one excess meal out that you probably didn't need anyway. Put it in your savings account and put it toward your debt, or toward a vacation you have been wanting to take. In one month, you will have saved $160. It's not a lot, but it's a step in the right direction.

-Say I love you more often. Donate your old stuff. Buy an American flag and hang it outside your home. Wave to the cops and firemen. Buy from your local farmers market. Be kind to others, be kind to yourself.