I started the Prep Schedule for the Turbo Fire program today. If I had started this back when I was working out almost every day I wouldn't even need the prep class, but alas, I am out of shape at the moment.
    A reminder about snacking to you all and for myself: Don't forget to eat healthy snacks, especially when working out. Right after my workout, I was working on my before stats at beachbody.com for the program and I should have gone to eat a snack first because I got a massive headache! Now I'm eating a salad with apple, romaine lettuce and raspberry vinaigrette. 
    I am not a big salad eater usually, but recently I've been in the mood for them (like a chili, southwestern salad or salad with apples). I am not one of those dieters that thinks you have to eat salad all of the time to lose weight. In fact, forcing yourself to eat salad all of the time can make you feel deprived. In fact, many salads do not have enough or have too many calories either because of the portion or the ingredients (like many of Chili's and other restaurant salads). 
    Vegetables can be served in many different ways, so don't feel obligated to eat salads. Just keep your calorie count down to lose weight. And in order to have  healthy body eat more whole grains, less saturated fat and a variety of fruits and vegetables.

    Almost everyone regardless of their shape or size have self-esteem issues. They may vary from little to big issues but one common theme among these thoughts is that we're always waiting for something better, waiting to change ourselves, waiting for the right time, waiting to truly live in the present. Below is a poetic article addressing what we may be missing out on when we're constantly thinking about the future.    http://blogs.psychcentral.com/weightless/2011/10/a-poor-body-image-the-moments-we-miss/
    Of course we must think about the future whether it be dreaming or planning, but often we don't take action in the present. Think about how many times people say they'll start something "on Monday" or "next month," like diets, fitness plans, reading more, learning to do something, studying or even relaxation and spending time with friends and family. We do this all of the time without even realizing that there probably isn't any rational reason why we're putting things off. 
    The New Years Resolution is the ultimate "I'll do it later" excuse. Instead of starting something on New Years Day, you can promise yourself that you'll continue what you've been doing for the next year (and hopefully, the rest of your life). The latter is the only kind of New Year's Resolutions I believe in making because there is history behind the promise to yourself, giving you more motivation to keep going.  
    You can start anything you want to accomplish right now; in the present. Even if you don't want to start, if you just take the first step, no matter how small it is, you'll already be on your way. This first step makes it harder to put it off any further. The rest of the steps will follow as you improve and learn and you'll gain more motivation along the way. All you have to do is to become committed and find inspiration that drives you. Visualizing what you want in the future can help inspire you now.
    Another thing to remember, is the only true failure is in completely giving up on yourself and never trying again. If you fall short of your goal, go backwards, take a break or stop completely, you can ALWAYS start it back up again. Even if you've given up on yourself for a really long time, you can STILL bounce back. Therefore, there is no failure if you don't want there to be.


Check out some inspirational stories and interesting articles below.

CDC article on Calories: http://success.orriant.com/success/index.php/2011/08/calories-matter/


USA article on Maintaining Weight Loss: http://yourlife.usatoday.com/fitness-food/weight-loss-challenge/story/2011-10-12/Analysis-finds-it-is-possible-to-maintain-weight-loss/50745306/1


Another Diet Blog: http://dietdon.com/weight-and-resolutions-picture-yourself-thin/


Free weight loss and blogging site: http://www.extrapounds.com/

Beach Body's has different programs and tools as well as success stories from people who have used their products: http://www.beachbody.com/

    Two years ago I started my weight loss journey and lost 50 pounds in 8 months. I did it the hard way with exercise and a reduced calorie diet. I learned a lot along the way and I'm confident about my life regarding weight maintenance. 
   However, I kind of fell of the wagon this past year, first starting with freshman weight gain and then I just stopped completely following all my good my good habits. I still know how to get results, I just haven't been motivated as much a I have been in the past. It's embarrasing gaining some of my weight back, but I'm not worried about it in the long run because I know I can do it and am determined to hold a healthy weight through out my life.
    So, this time around I decided that I'm going to use one of those fitness programs out there so that I don't really have to think about what exercise to do every day. I chose Turbo Fire and I can't wait to get it in the mail from Amazon! I'll also be swimming and lifting 5 pound weights as needed and when I feel like it. I'll let you know about my progress along the way.

     95% of all dieters gain their weight back. And even the percentage that doesn't gain it all back will often gain almost half back over time.
     I'll be talking a lot about this topic and the topic of getting back on track in the next few months. Below are some helpful, inspiring and interesting articles and blog posts that I found today.

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/15-tips-to-restart-the-exercise-habit-and-how-to-keep-it.html
http://zenhabits.net/how-to-get-back-on-exercise-train/

   
    Chow Down is a wonderful documentary about how heart disease is related mainly to diet. It shares the stories of one doctor trying to prove that a vegetarian or at least plant based diet can prevent and even reduce the amount of plaque in your arteries and heart disease overall.. 
    You can watch it for free on Hulu.com.

    Many people find it hard to continue losing weight for various reasons. The article below helps explain a few of the reason why our bodies might be working against us through our appetite and the way we feel when losing weight. It also gives some useful tips on how to deal with them.
http://www.shape.com/weight-loss/weight-loss-strategies/losing-weight-and-not-feeling-great-why-you-may-feel-lousy-you-lo

    Though we've always known exercise can help one's depression because of hormones released during and after activity, exercise can truly improve symptoms of the clinically depressed along with antidepressant drugs. Below is one of many articles on the subject: http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/exercise-powerful-enough-act-second-antidepressant-drug