Staying Motivated

Well, January is in the record books. The Super bowl is over. Winter is here in full force. Are you ready to make this your best year ever?

Here are just a few steps to think about and hopefully help you to your best year(s) ever!

1. Decide to be Happy. Ignore and forget the inevitable stuff that gets in your way. Put those negative thoughts and feelings aside as soon as you start to experience them. Turn them into a positive. Find something better - or more pleasant - to focus on! You're in control. Decide to choose a happier life!

2. Get at least 30 minutes of exercise - of your choosing - every day. Even if it's just a nice walk with your favorite loved one(s). Want to lose some weight, enjoy life more or achieve a better level of fitness? Kick it up to 45 minutes a day!

3. Turn off the TV for 30 minutes every day and read something positive. Or go to bed a little earlier and get a great night's sleep! The point is - enjoy that TV a little less and all that life has to offer a little more. You can always hear about the news tomorrow - or who won the latest round of your favorite talent show!

4. Get outside - connect with nature. Breathe in some of that fresh air and contemplate the all the beauty nature has to offer!

5. Choose to eat healthy foods. Enough said. You know!

6. Set reasonable goals - and write them down. Experts suggest that written goals - have a better chance. While you're at it write down the steps you plan to take in order to reach those written goals.

7. Evaluate your progress and decide to adapt your goals or the steps you need to take to reach them. Take a few minutes each evening to decide what your priorities are for the following day. Every weekend or so - take an honest look at where you are. What's working and what maybe isn't worling so well?

8. Enjoy the Journey. Share some time with those you love. Or find someone new to enjoy this great life with. Try something new. Pick up a new sport or pasttime. Get out there and enjoy life. Life is short - don't we owe to ourselves to make the most of this brief time we have?

9. Forgive yourself if you falter. Everyone who accomplishes anything meaningful has to overcome obstacles. If you fall down or fail. No Worries! Get back up! Persist!

10. Laugh more! Find something funny to read or watch on the tube. What have you got to lose? Except that frown on your face or the worrisome thought which get in everyone's way from time to time! Take the advice of that master songwriter back in the 80s - Don't Worry - Be Happy!

And just 1 final thought - or bonus step. Learn to Love yourself and share your love with as many others as you can. Practice random acts of kindness as often as you can. Share your Love.

And Have Your Best Year Ever!

Persistence Pays!

He pulled his starting five - ALL 5 of them!

I haven't seen this happen for a couple of decades. Coach Dean Smith - the legendary mentor of countless basketball greats once pulled his entire starting line-up and sat them on the bench. Not many college coaches have the luxury of being able to substitute an entirely fresh crew. Basketball dynasties - like North Carolina and Duke often have practice squads who could make it into the NCAA Round of 16!

The current coach at North Carolina - Roy Williams - must have been really pissed. He used that same tactic yesterday during the Tar-Heels game against Miami. No one who follows college basketball - even casually - would have expected Miami to have much of a chance against the mighty North Carolina team.

That is the beauty of college basketball - on any given night, any team can have what it takes to knock off even the highest-rated teams in the land!

One must wonder what kind of tongue lashing those young athletes heard when they sat on the bench! Coach Roy must have really laid it on the line. He Looked Really , Really PISSED!

Well, you probably already know the rest of the story - The Tar Heels pulled off one of those rare, almost incredible comebacks. With less than 10 minutes to go in the game they erased a 19 point deficit and won the game with a last second shot! Their only lead - was the 2 point lead they earned at the end of the game!

They never gave up. Another win for the ages - another success earned the hard way. They kept after it. And when the outlook was dim - they persisted. They kept their eyes on the goal and worked toward achieving what many thought impossible.

What is your goal? Do you ever wonder if you can EVER reach your goal? Take heart. You can - if you set your focus - and your actions - on reaching your mark. Hang in there, it may not always be easy. And, you CAN do it. Just ask anyone who saw or read about the game North Carolina wasn't supposed to win!

Think and Get Fit

Around a 100 years ago a famous author quipped "What your mind can conceive - you can achieve.". He had studied numerous successful and wealthy people. His findings were published in that widely read motivational work - "Think and Grow Rich".

If you want better health and a better life filled with more energy and even happiness - you really can achieve what you set your sights on!

Success is in the blood. There are men whom fate can never keep down—they march forward in a jaunty manner, and take by divine right the best of everything that the earth affords. But their success is not attained by means of  some political policy. They do not lie in wait, nor scheme, nor fawn, nor seek to adapt their sails to catch the breeze of popular favor. Still, they are ever alert and alive to any good that may come their way, and when it comes they simply appropriate it, and tarrying not, move steadily on.

Good health! Whenever you go out of doors, draw the chin in, carry the crown of the head high, and fill the lungs to the utmost; drink in the sunshine; greet your friends with a smile, and put soul into every hand-clasp.

Do not fear being misunderstood; and never waste a moment thinking about your failures or enemies. Try to fix firmly in your own mind what you would like to do, and then with proper focus and action you will move straight to the goal. Take action. Massive, focused action will lead you to your greatest desires!

Fear is the rock on which we split, and hate the shoal on which many a barque is stranded. When we become fearful, the judgment is as unreliable as the compass of a ship whose hold is full of iron ore; when we hate, we have unshipped the rudder; and if ever we stop to meditate on what the gossips say, we have allowed a hawser to foul the screw.

Keep your mind on the kind of life you want. Think about the type of body and fitness level you would like  and then, as the days go gliding by, you will find yourself unconsciously seizing the opportunities that are required for the fulfillment of your desire, just as the coral insect takes from the running tide the elements that it needs. Picture in your mind the happy, contented, able, earnest, useful person you desire to be, and the thought that you hold is hourly transforming you into that particular individual you so admire.

You must seize every opportunity to act upon your desires - embrace and adopt healthy habits. Exercise every day. Work your body hard and you can see results in a matter of weeks. 

Nothing Beats Persistence

Believe you were made for the place you fill, and that no one else can fill it quite as well.

Getting in shape often requires incredible persistence. Never ever give up and you'll likely amaze even yourself!

Identify a goal and put forth your whole energies towards it. Be awake, electrify yourself; go forth to the task. Only once learn to carry a thing through in all its completeness and proportion, and you will become a hero.

Exercise daily - or at least most days of every week. You will feel better and think better of yourself. Your family and friends will think better of you. The world in its very heart admires the stern, determined doer.

"I like the man who faces what he must
With step triumphant and a heart of cheer;
Who fights the daily battle without fear;
Sees his hopes fail, yet keeps unfaltering trust
That God is God; that somehow, true and just,
His plans work out for mortals; not a tear
Is shed when fortune, which the world holds dear,
Falls from his grasp; better, with love, a crust
Than living in dishonor; envies not,
Nor loses faith in man; but does his best,
Nor even murmurs at his humbler lot;
But with a smile and words of hope, gives zest
To every toiler; he alone is great,
Who by a life heroic conquers fate."

Keep Your Eye on the Goal

Chiseled upon the tomb of a disappointed, heart-broken king, Joseph II. of Austria, in the Royal Cemetery at Vienna, a traveler tells us, is this epitaph: "Here lies a monarch who, with the best of intentions, never carried out a single plan."

Sir James Mackintosh was a man of remarkable ability. He excited in every one who knew him the greatest expectations. Many watched his career with much interest, expecting that he would dazzle the world. But there was no purpose in his life. He had intermittent attacks of enthusiasm for doing great things, but his zeal all evaporated before he could decide what to do. This fatal defect in his character kept him balancing between conflicting motives; and his whole life was almost thrown away.

Stick to your goal. Persevere!

Mere energy is not enough, it must be concentrated on some steady, unwavering aim.

There is no grander sight in the world than that of a young man fired with a great purpose, dominated by one unwavering aim. He is bound to win; the world stands one side and lets him pass; it always makes way for the man with a will in him.

What a sublime spectacle it is to see a youth going straight to his goal, cutting his way through difficulties, and surmounting obstacles, which dishearten others, as though they were but stepping-stones! Defeat, like a gymnasium, only gives him new power; opposition only doubles his exertions, dangers only increase his courage. No matter what comes to him, sickness, poverty, disaster, he never turns his eye from his goal.

If better fitness is one of your goals this year, Congratulations! You are choosing perhaps the single best journey anyone can embark upon. Pick up some home fitness gear and workout right in the comfort of home!

If you want a great whole body workout try the Indoor Rowing Machine preferred by more health clubs and hotels than any other. You'll burn more calories - in less time and reach your fitness goals sooner. Enjoy the journey.

Keep your eye on the prize!

You Get to Choose

Would you like to sculpt your body into a slimmer, more toned body type? Do you ever wish you had just a few more minutes each day and the energy to enjoy them? Would you enjoy having more fun and maybe a lot less stress?

The Choice is yours. We each get to choose our paths and our actions. We even get to choose the outcomes. The right steps will lead to any goal we set out to reach!

What do you want to change? Do you want tighter abs perhaps? Maybe you'd settle for just slimming your body some?

Decide what you want. Write it down. Get a picture of what you want? See yourself reaching your goal. Imagine yourself having loads more energy. Visualize your outcome. Picture yourself walking on the soft wet sand of your favorite beach this Winter - wearing that hot looking outfit to show off your slimmer body.

Now, start taking action. Depending on the seize of your goal - or how much it will take to reach your goal - you may need to start big! Be reasonable with yourself. No one loses 20 pounds in one week and starts looking great in a tiny little swimsuit in one week.

Take stock of where you are today and where you want to get to. Make a good faith estimate of what you need to do to get there. Then get going. Write down your goal and the steps you take to reach it.

Evaluate your progress every week or two. Are you on the right path? Are you seeing progress? If you start seeing results, great. If you don't - maybe its time to reevaluate your action plan. Maybe you need to alter your plan and adjust your action steps.

Remember the words of the late Winston Churchill - Never, ever give up. If you aren't seeing fast results - try a different route. Take more action. Vary your approach. Just keep moving in the direction of your goal!

You can have a slimmer, sexier body. You can enjoy life more in a leaner and more energized physique! You can reduce your stress and have more fun. Be stingy - invest in yourself first. Schedule a little time just for you each day. Make the choice to have life your way. On your terms. You get to choose!

How to Build Self Esteem

Do you ever find yourself wishing you were better at life? That you could be more like someone you admire? More like that girl or guy down the street who "has it made".

Do you ever wish you were more cool? More at ease? Maybe you'd like to have more confidence in yourself - like those other people who appear to always be calm cool and able to handle anything life throws at them.

One ingredient to better self esteem and greater self confidence is your health. If you strive to attain better health and fitness, you will start seeing an improvement in your self esteem. Your self confidence will begin to grow. Not only will you feel better physically, you'll soon notice a greater sense of accomplishment and self worth.

If you are feeling a little blue or just plain down in the dumps one of the best actions you can take is get outside and exercise in the fresh air. Nature has a certain calming effect on us. It soothes your soul! And exercise will kick in some chemical reactions in your brain that give your spirits a real boost.

Why not start today? Set a goal for yourself to make one little step towards a new and better life. Write it down. I don't know why - but they say if you write your goals down you are far more likely to achieve them. Make it a simple goal to start with. "I will enjoy life a little more each day with a 30 minute walk in the park".

Then do it! Take action! When you accomplish your new goal - you are on the road to better self esteem. You can reach goals! You can enjoy life more. Keep it simple at first. Reach your new goal. Then set new ones. Lift the bar a little. " I will ride my bike for five miles three times a week" ( Or whatever you think you'll like. ) Set yourself up for success. Reach a little and you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish!

Do you have a journal? Write down not only your goals but how you feel when you achieve them. Make little entry each day before and after your exercise time. Take a little time for you each day. Capture your thoughts and feelings. Some people even write down everything they eat! And how they feel.

You can build self esteem - exercise a little each day! Exercise and your mental health are closely related.

A New You

Would you like to have more energy? Maybe have more fun and worry a little less? ( Or even a whole lot less? ) Do you ever feel like you're not getting anywhere - or maybe your goals and dreams are simply never going to happen? Are you wanting to shed some unwanted extra pounds? Maybe you'd simply like to change your life for the better?

The good news is, you can overcome whatever challenges come your way! You can emerge from your current situation even better than before! You can enjoy life more. You can lose those extra pounds. You can start having fun again and feel years younger. You can overcome your obstacle(s). Whatever life brings your way - use it to build a better life for yourself and your family or loved ones!

Meet your challenges head on and use them to build more strength and a better life. If you're like me and you've been laid off. Seize this time as an opportunity to build a new, better you! Get out and find some new interests. Get some exercise. ( Lots of exercise will help ward off the blues and keep you mentally sharp! ) Try something new!

Forget the past and start making a plan to move or get to where you want to be. The past is over. We can't reverse the misfortunes caused by economic forces out of our control. Whatever happened yesterday or last week is over. Last year's mistakes and meltdowns are in the history books. Learn from and then forget the past. Why bother fretting over those situations we can't control?

Choose instead to focus on where you want to be. Take this opportunity to do some self evaluation and decide what you'd really like to do with the rest of your life. Make a plan. Then set out taking steps to reach your new goal(s).

Any plan you decide upon will happen much sooner if you set out with a written goal and plan. People just like you and I who reach their goals or attain great measures of success more often than not have their goals written down on paper.

Why not start today. Make better health and fitness a key part of your future! You really can fell and look years younger when you enjoy a variety of healthy pursuits. Play as many sports as you would like to. Try a new sport or anything that gets your body moving! Stretch your mind and your body enjoying new interests.

Tennis is great fun at any age.

Yoga has, for centuries, helped millions of healthy people maintain healthier minds and bodies!

Swimming is easy on your joints and still gives you a great workout!

Your options are nearly endless. Find better balance throughout your life enjoying a healthy variety of interests. Head out to your local library and learn something totally new. Try a new recipe - and enjoy the time making your meal with someone you love!

If you find yourself in a bit of a fitness rut or aren't seeing the results you hoped for try these easy body slimming tips to help you tone up and start getting back into better shape!

Simple Changes Lead to Big Results

The Journey to better health and fitness can bring about many lasting benefits - in addition to losing weight. Not only will you get rid of that belly - you will realize more energy! Fitness is to your body what fine tuning is to an engine. It enables you to perform up to your potential. Fitness helps us look, feel and do our best!

Do you ever find yourself wishing you had more energy as your day progresses? Do you ever wish you could have more fun - maybe enjoy life more?

Get out your planner or even just a plain notebook. Write down one goal for this week - keep it simple. Something you feel confident you can get done. Like walk around the block 4 times or walk for 15 minutes at lunch. Then do it. As many days as you can, while leaving at least one day a week to rest your body, find some time for exercise.

As you reach your initial goal - write down another, new goal. Remember - keep it simple and be realistic. Maybe preparing your own healthy lunch or dinner rather than hitting the fat-food drive up window. Or doing some resistance exercises every other day. You don't need anything fancy at first. Simple steps help you get the ball rolling! Help your fitness journey gain some momentum with simple, daily efforts.

Small, simple changes every day can lead to big results over the long run! Kobe didn't just start lighting up the nets this year. He practices his art every day. And keeps his body in top physical form to handle the grueling demands of an NBA season. That Guy on TV who lost 150 pounds in one year walked every day and changed his eating habits. Change takes time!

At the end of every week - look at the goals you wrote down. Evaluate your progress and decide what new goal(s) you want to tackle! Reward yourself for your success! You deserve it! Buy yourself a new pair of really comfortable walking shorts. Recognize when you're meeting your goals and be proud of your progress!

Then, keep moving. Capitalize on the progress you've made and build upon your success! If weight loss is one of your desires - the quickest way to lose weight is with consistent vigorous exercise and eating healthy foods! You can feel better. You can have more energy and enjoy life more!

Keep setting (and reaching) small, simple goals. Gradually build your exercise time and intensity each week. Enjoy eating more healthy foods in moderation. Dieting is Easier When You Love the Food. Delicious meals shipped to your door. It's a proven strategy that works!


You can live longer and have more fun along the way if you start with small, simple changes!

Happy New Year! Get Healthy and Start Saving Money!

The New Year is upon us - what a great opportunity to start fresh - with a new set of goals and objectives. Whatever you seek - you can surely accomplish. Millions before us have reached goals they never dreamed possible. We can too. Today is the perfect day to make the pledge to ourselves. Make the choice to succeed at any goal you desire - and commit to it.

Just about every Success story has an underlying tale of hardships and challenges. Its reported that Abraham Lincoln had experienced bankruptcy several times before winning the presidency. Henry Ford, Walt Disney, Donald Trump - all incredibly successful and all overcame huge financial challenges. The road to success - in whatever goals we seek - is often filled with speed-bumps in the form of huge challenges.

The good news is - the lessons from history all point to a few immutable truths. Hard work and persistence can indeed pay huge dividends. Setting goals and crafting a plan to reach our objectives leads to success beyond one's wildest dreams. Action - in the form of lots of concentrated, hard work is critical. Without hard work and persistence even the best laid plans often fall short.

Commit to yourself. Decide what you want and make the commitment to take the steps to get it. Eliminate fear and worry - they are useless in terms of your goal. Stay positive and seek out positive minded friends and supporters. Avoid negative people and naysayers. The choice is yours. You own it. No one can take away your power to choose! Choose to succeed! And do whatever it takes to get there.

Do you need a mentor? Or support group? Maybe the advice of others who have reached a measure of success could help you along the way. Why re-invent the wheel? Take counsel from those who have been there. Learn the lesson history offers us all. Libraries are filled with the autobiographies and success stories of others. Use that free knowledge to your advantage.

Focus on what you want every day. Make time to work towards your goal each day. You get to choose! You can join the winners club. You can have more fun. More money. Better health. Better relationships. A better looking body. Improved fitness. Get healthy and start saving money. The choice is up to each of us.

Happy New Year. May all your years be Happy, Healthy and filled with Success!

Visualize your fitness goals - Start Getting in Shape Fast

Years ago the Russian Olympics Team ran away with the Gold. They won more gold medals - hands down - than any other country. The Russian athletes walked away with the Gold in events that no one even imagined they would win.

What was their secret? How did they achieve such incredible results? The power of visualization is an incredible - and proven - boost to achieving any goal you set out for.

Many fitness experts agree that visualization can be a great help in achieving your fitness goals. Believing in yourself—believing that you can leap barriers and achieve your goals—is the ticket to success in just about any endeavor. One of the most powerful tools for building self-confidence is visualization.

This easy technique involves imagining the accomplishment of the changes or goals you're working to achieve. It is a process of "training" purely within the mind. By visualizing in detail your successful execution of each step in a given activity, you create, modify, or strengthen brain pathways that are important in coordinating your muscles for the visualized activity. This prepares you to perform the activity itself.

Visualize hitting that perfect backhand. Or watch your drive hit the middle of the fairway. See yourself running that extra half mile. Try to remember how great you felt when you finished your last run. Or hit that perfect serve. Or picture yourself walking off the track - after you've just ran those few extra laps. Feel that exhilarating sense of power you get upon completing your workout. Feel the tired - yet refreshing - condition you're sure to enjoy after a great, strenuous workout.

Setting realistic goals and taking action will boost your efforts toward getting in shape fast - or any goal you set out to accomplish! Believe you can!