Author: YourFitness-411

Exercise isn’t an option, it’s a Lifestyle. Don’t allow anything to stop you.

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I have been an athlete my entire life. About four years ago, this 30-something mother of two signed up to run my first 5K. During training, I was very discouraged when I started having trouble breathing after running just a quarter mile. I felt out of shape, even though I knew I wasn’t. I was frustrated and discouraged. I brought up my struggles with breathing while exercising during my next doctor’s visit. I was diagnosed with EIB and given a rescue inhaler to use prior to exercise.  After starting treatment, I was thrilled that I could run without gasping for air and feeling as though I couldn’t get a deep breath into my lungs.  My training took off and I completed my first 5K, which led me to complete many more and to grow competitive as a runner. I decided to attempt my first half marathon in September of 2010.  The training was going well until a month before the race, when I came down with a head cold and experienced an asthma attack. I was put on steroids and some other medications and told I needed to see an asthma and allergy doctor right away.  This asthma attack forced me to take three weeks off of training, but I still completed my first half marathon!  It may have been slow, but it was steady, and my rescue inhaler was attached to my hip. My allergy and asthma doctor works with me to keep me active and doesn’t let EIB stop me from exercising. Exercising isn’t an option for me, it’s a lifestyle.

My most prized goal that EIB didn’t stop me from accomplishing? That’s easy…..my first marathon!  I ran a full marathon in Columbus, OH, on October 16, 2011 as a birthday gift to myself! I carried my inhaler with me and crossed the finish line with tears and a smile!  I am proud to say that I am a part of the small group of people who have finished a marathon and I feel like a good role model for my kids. Although that marathon was the most difficult journey of my life in regards to the wear and tear on my body, training time and mental toughness, it also taught my children that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. I know the symptoms of EIB can be exacerbated through many triggers, and for me, a head cold is one of them. Leading up to the marathon, I caught another cold. I took very good care of my body that week, which included lots of fluids, breathing treatments and rest. I also spent a lot of quiet time envisioning the race and my plan of attack.  With one of my running partners at my side, we crossed the finish line.  My running and fitness journey has continued to progress in many ways.  I even started my own online business a couple years ago as a way to teach others about their bodies & educate them on safe & effective weight loss strategies along with proper exercise techniques.

My marathon finish

(Us crossing the finish line.  I am on the left)

Lisa’s message about taking control:

Why are you going to allow a treatable diagnosis to stop you from living a full life or accomplishing personal goals and dreams?  Why allow symptoms to control how you live your life?  As a physical therapist assistant & fitness coach, I understand the importance of exercise. I encourage people to go to the doctor, get the tests, and work with their doctor to manage their EIB.  Decide. Commit. Succeed.

Peanut Butter Coconut Granola

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PB Coconut granola

I plan to incorporate some recipes into my blogs.  I’ve had a lot of requests for recipes!  I am typically a very basic meal planner.  I make some sort of meat (simply made) and then add a vegetable, salad, and some sort of pasta for the kids (every so often).  I typically stay away from casseroles and sauces because I find they have a lot of calories and ingredients that I do not want.

That being said, I found this delicious recipe for Peanut Butter Coconut Granola!  I LOVE home-made granola and often times eat it as a pre or post exercise (specifically run) energy booster or recovery meal.  I like to put a couple spoonfuls in a little bowl and add some fresh PB to it w/ a little honey, raisins, apples, bananas, protein powder and such (pretty much whatever I have in the house).  sometimes, I even sprinkle a bit of granola on my PB toast (that’s what I eat before every run that is 3+ miles.  It just works really well for me).

Anyways, I found this recipe on the facebook page of “I see Fit People” and love it.  Loved it so much….felt the need to blog it!

I liked the healthy mix of ingredients and I especially found the coconut sugar to be really tasty! I substituted walnuts for the peanuts because I wear braces (coming off soon!) and peanuts are too hard for my braces.   I can’t wait to try it frozen, such as ISFP suggests.  Here’s the recipe….ENJOY!!  (Oh….and it will make your house feel cozy and smell delicious!)

http://iseefitpeople-everywhere.blogspot.ca/2012/03/peanut-buttery-coconut-granola.html?showComment=1332189526446#

Finding & letting go of the past – Emotional Eating

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If you are following my blogs because you want some inspiration, motivation, healthy advice, or just like the way I write (awe)…. head’s up! Summer is on its way and it’s time to chin up and work dirty to get the summer body you want!
When you sweat, remember that is your fat crying because it’s LEAVING and NOT COMING BACK!!
I need some serious dedication from you this week. I need you to dig deep, get outside of your comfort zone, and mentally get prepared for change.  But, how can you truly prepare when you can’t let go of the past?
Much of our weight problems stem from our past experiences and emotions. Much of our emotional eating is the same way – we learned years ago that food makes us feel better. It comforted us during down/sad times and we celebrate with food too. However, we now know that the same food that comforts us, also ruins us. It hurts our bodies which lead to broken spirits and depression. Eating that dessert or second helping of gravy & potatoes may feel great while it’s happening, but I promise it will lead to feelings of guilt and frustration not including a possible upset stomach. Emotional eating is tough. WE ALL suffer from it and it takes discipline not to reach for the Girl Scout Cookies when feeling tired, sad, or giddy (I have felt a lot of giddy the past week).
Your challenge over the next 3 days is to do some self-examination. Nope…not the breast/testicular kind, although that is important, but the tough, deep kind. Spend a few minutes alone and really think about what drove you to eat poorly and turn to food for comfort. What happened in your life that caused you to gain weight? What stresses currently cause you to turn to food?  You didn’t gain weight because you just got lazy. There’s more to it than that and sometimes it can be painful to face. There is a deeper reason.

Let me explain my reason…… I have been an athlete ALL MY LIFE.  I had a lot of success in high school in Volleyball, played intramural in college and now on a co-ed league team.  I was the starting softball pitcher and played Basketball also.  I was always fit, had nice abs, and a strong build.  I love sports (Go UC) and am very competitive.  Then, I decided it was time to have a baby.

I had a premature baby (32 weeks) and spent the first 5 weeks of his life sitting beside his glass crib looking at him and praying he would live. I would grab a black raspberry smoothie from Zestos on my way home from the hospital and fast food because I was too tired to cook anything.  During that time, I also mildly dislocated my hip and was on crutches. Talk about bad luck!  Then, when my son came home, he was on heart rate monitors and all I wanted to do was hold him in my arms. I would hold him and eat quick foods just to fill my belly. After his first year, I got back on track again (to some degree) and then wanted another baby. CLASSIC, right?  I got pregnant 2 more times, and miscarried both of those babies. The second miscarriage was a partial molar pregnancy and I miscarried at 12 weeks. TALK ABOUT EMOTIONAL!! For the next 6 months, I had blood tests on a regular basis making sure that the D&C was successful and that no tissue was left behind that could turn to cancer inside my body. It was a long 6 months, but once I was cleared to get pregnant again….I easily got pregnant for the 4th time. Once again, I was high risk and placenta previa…..started symptoms of pre-term labor at 30 weeks, (I was terrified to say the least) but with the help of my doctors I was able to carry baby to 38 weeks. And, I now have a healthy boy and girl.  My youngest is 5 and I started working hard to get back on track about 3-4 years ago.  I wanted my body back. I began running and then needed more strengthening, but didn’t want to join the gym. I tried that when Jacob was 2 and wasn’t pleased with the daycare at the local gym. That’s when my friend said she was doing P90X and Shakeology and loved it. SO…I signed on as a coach because I didn’t want to pay full price for either product (they didn’t have challenge packs back then). I started the programs, found some success and people started asking me what I was doing. Then, I met a guy at a Christmas party, who was recovering from knee surgery and he wanted to lose weight also. We began challenging each other (we are a bit competitive) and before I knew it, I had lost 15 pounds and he lost 50. (Darn those men, always losing weight fast!) I started taking running more seriously, and being a PTA, I knew that I needed strengthening too (my knees and hips started to hurt) but was burnt out on P90X, so needed a new program. Thank goodness for nice discounts because that led me to Insanity > P90X2 > Les Mills Pump> Les Mills Combat!! I still have 10 pounds I want to lose. I’m on a mission before summer gets here! (I want my abs back!)
Anyways…that was/is my journey. I am WAY more educated about food choices now, so that helps me to make better decisions for myself and my family. When I think about those times, my bad food choices and the heartache during that time…my eyes leak. The pain of those miscarriages doesn’t go away. I pray for those babies daily and am grateful for the ones I am raising. I am working very hard at teaching my children the importance of health, fitness, and working hard to achieve goals all while making it fun.  I am now studying sports nutrition and will soon be certified (need to finish a few papers!). I coach others towards better health & fitness also…..and am a sponge when it comes to nutritional/exercise information, so I have plenty to offer.  If I don’t know the answer….I will find it.
Your goal is to deeply self-examine your past and recognize what it’s done to your body and then leave it in the past. It’s time to move forward and make a new you. You can’t move forward until you deal with the past. Otherwise, it will always be there….waiting on you.  And those bad habits will return, you will face those fears/worries again & make poor food choices all in hopes of finding comfort.  Then, you will look in the mirror and be angry at yourself. (Been there….done that).

I am physically stronger and can run longer than I could pre-children, even though I have yet to hit my personal goal.  But, I will hit it.  And I will rock those cute summer clothes.  It doesn’t matter that I’m a Mother – I can still look classy/cute in the summer….but this year I’m going to be the soccer/baseball Mom with the muscles too.  (Wink).

To learn more about emotional eating and techniques on how to cope, please look at this information from the Mayo Clinic. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/weight-loss/MH00025

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YourFitness-411's avatarYourFitness-411: Stronger Inside & out

PB Jelly
I was ill last week and had a hard time keeping much food down.  When I did get hungry, I found myself making a PB & Jelly sandwich.  It tasted wonderful and made me start to think about what a perfect combo it is.

When you think of a PB & Jelly sandwich, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?  For me, it’s the memory of being a kid and swimming at my Aunt or Grandma’s pond on a hot summer day.  After a couple of hours of swimming, we would come home and eat PB & Jelly sandwiches.  To this day, after swimming, I crave one of those gooey sandwiches on super soft bread.

PB & Jelly is a perfect combo.  The nutty, pasty goodness of creamy PB with the sweet, cold fruit spread on soft bread.  It’s a childhood staple (before all the PB allergies emerged).  It’s…

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Good Carbs/Bad Carbs = CONFUSING! YF-411 is here to help!

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Today’s LESSON: more info on food choices! Food is important to talk about because it’s 80% of your success or failure.
Have you heard of the 1-2-3 Nutritional Rule-of-Thumb?
It’s a nutritional guideline of approximately 1 part fats, 2 parts protein, and 3 parts carbohydrates is valid for most people who are weight training, and exercising to lose weight. If you follow this simple rule you will maintain a diet that is low in fat, moderate in protein, and high in carbohydrates. The lesson of the 1-2-3 rule is to have an easy way to prioritize your nutritional thinking when purchasing foods, preparing meals, and eating out.
When training for specific events…athletes require different diet plans. Such as, a body builder require a diet high in protein and low in carbs to provide quick bursts of energy, and repair the muscles after it has been damaged by lifting heavy weights. A marathoner, on the other hand, will require more carbs and less protein because they need to carbs sustain energy for a long period of time.
(Side note to help you understand) – Carbohydrates are arguably the most important source of energy for athletes. Carbs help to fuel muscle contraction.  Once eaten, carbohydrates are broken down into smaller sugars (glucose, fructose and galactose) that get absorbed and used as energy. Any glucose not needed right away gets stored in the muscles and the liver in the form of glycogen. Once these glycogen stores are filled up, any extra gets stored as fat.
Glycogen (carbs) is the source of energy most often used for exercise. It is needed for any short, intense bouts of exercise from sprinting to weight lifting because it is immediately accessible. Glycogen also supplies energy during the first few minutes of any sport. During long, slow duration exercise, fat can help fuel activity, but glycogen is still needed to help breakdown the fat into something the muscles can use.
Adequate carbohydrate intake also helps prevent protein from being used as energy. If the body doesn’t have enough carbs, protein is broken down to make glucose for energy. Because the primary role of protein is as the building blocks for muscles, bone, skin, hair, and other tissues, relying on protein for energy (by failing to take in adequate carbohydrate) can limit your ability to build and maintain tissues. Additionally, this stresses the kidneys because they have to work harder to eliminate the byproducts of this protein breakdown.
See the science behind food choices, especially for athletes?  🙂
Don’t fear carbs. Know the difference between healthy carbs (complex carbs like veggies, whole grains, nuts, seeds, etc.) and those that aren’t so healthy (pastries, chips, soda, cookies, boxed foods). Use google for more info on a list of good/bad carbs.

I have told you that high protein is good and important. There is such a thing as TOO high of protein, but to be honest, it’s really difficult to get that high. Protein takes longer to digest, makes the body work harder to digest, repairs muscle, and much more. It’s good to have protein w/ every meal and make the body process it. But, you cannot eat protein by itself all day long! That would be boring…yuck. Most of your other foods are carbs! So….keeping proteins and healthy (complex) carbs on your plates is the best bet. Healthy fats such as nuts, seeds, avocadoes, certain oils…..are all needed by the body too….but in moderation!! Healthy fats should only be about 25% of your food intake.
Confused? Ask me questions so I can help you learn more about how to feed your body for health! Find me on facebook at www.facebook.com/YourFitnessInfo

Back to the Basics Never hurt Anyone! – Strengthening w/ free weights 411

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Strength train!  Build Muscle!  Muscle burns more calories than fat! Yadda Yadda….you all have heard this before. You know what it means, but do you know how to do it? Do you know where to begin? Most don’t….so here’s the 411 on the basics of muscle-building.

I do not like the machines at the gym. (My opinion!) They work 1-2 muscles at a time in one direction. I don’t have time for that. I need to be able to work many muscles at one time and get on with my day. I also like to work them in functional patterns and movements which I use on a daily basis. Free weights allow that. For beginners, I recommend getting some free weights. Start w/ 5 lbs. It’s not a bad idea to get some 7-10 pounders too. The exercises should be done slowly so that your muscle is carrying you through the movement, not the momentum carrying you through. Do reps of 8-12. The last 3 of each should be difficult. If it’s not…increase the weight or go up to 15 reps. Repeat the exercise & reps 2-3 rounds. Do not compensate with other muscles….keep the rest of the body still (this uses core strength) and there are always ways to make the exercise harder. =) That’s what therapists do to patients…..always make it more difficult to showing progress! Stay within your pain-free range of motion with all exercises.
You can also do these without free weights too, or use objects around the house as weights.
I will give you 3 exercises for your butt and thighs to start. Back to the basics. It never hurts to re-examine basic form.  Stay tuned for more exercises!

SQUATS: free weight in each hand. Stand about 1-2 feet in-front of the couch. Slowly bend knees, and stick butt out until butt touches couch and then stand up. Having knee pain? Don’t go so deep. Important facts: to avoid future knee pain, keep knees behind toes at all times! Weight should be through heels. Do not allow knees to lean towards each other!! Keep knees apart and it works the butt more.

LUNGES: Free weight in each hand. Stand w/ feet shoulder width apart and take a LARGE step forward w/ one leg. Slowly bring pelvis straight down towards floor keeping back straight. Slowly raise up. This is a balance exercise also. No need to go lower than 90 degrees of knee flexion (bending) for knees. Weight should be on front heel and back toes. As with the squats, if it hurts, don’t go so deep. Stay within your pain-free range of motion.

DIAGONAL: stand feet shoulder width apart. Put a weight by your left foot. Without moving your feet, tighten your core and slowly squat down and pick up the weight with both hands and act as though you are going to transfer it to a shelf above your head on the right side of your body. Return weight to left foot. Your feet should not move, this is an overall strengthener into a PNF (diagonal) pattern. Do 8-12 reps and repeat on the other side. You will want a heavier weight for this exercise.

Remember….going until the muscle fatigues is key!! Then, eat protein post workout to supply muscles with the ability to heal faster so you are ready for tomorrow’s workout.

If you are looking for ways to advance these exercises, contact me on facebook at www.facebook.com/YourFitnessInfo or my website at http://www.YourFitness-411.com.

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Do you need a VISION for 2013?

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2013 is a New Year…which means that it’s a fresh beginning for YOU!  Question is, do you want to make that change?  How badly?

Resolutions typically are forgotten by the end of January.  But, goals aren’t forgotten, they are always being attempted and then once achieved, a new goal takes its place.  So, do you have some large goals for 2013?  Do they seem overwhelming? Here are some tips to keep it simple.

It’s much easier to accomplish small goals that lead to the large one.  And, while doing so, you cont. to have a sense of accomplishment which keeps one motivated!

  • Example:  Instead of thinking, “I want to lose 20 pounds.” Think of it like this: “I want to lose 2 pounds, 10 times.”  That seems much more doable and less stressful.  Take the pressure off and stay focused.  Starting to lose that focus and motivation?  Then, it’s time to contact YourFitness-411 (that’s me!) to get back on track.

Create a Vision Board and place it where you will see it daily. 

  • Your vision board will consist of a poster board covered with pictures, words, places and phrases which have special meaning to you. It can be as big as you like.  Get into a quiet thinking mood while you put your board together.  Focus your thoughts on how you want your life to be. Imagine yourself living that life. What do you want it to look and feel like? Who do you want in it? By identifying the people, places, situations, and things you want in your life; you will be consciously presenting your desires to God and the universe. This activates the power of the vision board. – Christine Parrish
  • Focus on that vision board a little each day and by doing so, you may see those objects on the vision board become reality!  To learn more, check out this website:  www.myultimatelifevision.com

Find an accountability partner. 

  • Whether your goals pertain to business, spirituality, fitness, healthy eating, education, etc…having someone in your corner to chat with and continue to push you towards your goals is important. Did you know that accountability is the #1 thing that pushes people to succeed in weight loss?  Finding the right accountability partner may be challenging.  I can help with that.  I mentor many online fitness groups and it seems as though people seem to pair up in those groups and help one another.  An accountability partner does NOT need to be physically in your life…you can be held accountable via social media and fitness groups online too!

Remember…goals.  Keep them simple, envision accomplishing them daily, and have someone there to push you on the weak days and celebrate your successes.

Weight loss is the #1 ‘New Year’s Resolution’ each year.  And, unfortunately, Americans are flubbing it up.  Obesity continues to be on the rise, and now CHILDREN are becoming obese and having shorter life spans.  This is uncalled for and 100% unnecessary/preventative.  Americans are used to getting whatever they want and quickly.  How can we teach our kids patience when society is all about ‘the faster the better’ in regards to EVERYTHING?  The best accomplishments in life didn’t come overnight.  They took work, dedication, discipline, patience, and time.  Remember that if one of your goals is weight loss…..you didn’t get that way overnight, so don’t expect to lose it overnight either.   The journey will make you stronger and more appreciative.  New year, New You in 2013!

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Activate your motivation button

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Confession:  I do not always eat healthy and I definitely have my food weaknesses. (I even sometimes experience emotional eating! GASP!)  But, want to know what keeps me mostly on track and motivated?  My workouts.  I’m always telling you that your food choices are 80% of your success, and I believe this is true.  BUT, before you roll your eyes, try thinking of it this way…… My workout is the thing that helps me make good food choices.
* What I eat effects my workouts & how well I complete them.
* What I eat AFTER a workout effects my muscle recovery and how I feel the rest of the day.
*  If I’m going to bust my ass in a workout, I don’t want to ruin it with poor food choices.
*  Less pounds on my joints, makes my workouts better.
So, even though your food choices account for 80% of your success, I use my workout to help me stay motivated with food choices.  I’ve eaten the wrong things before a run before and had HORRIBLE runs, then I’m angry at myself.  And, if I don’t eat/drink well enough post workout, then I get hour long headaches and my joints/body aches.
Once again, proving that EXERCISE + NUTRITION = SUCCESS.
They work work together to help the body achieve goals.
PEOPLE: I think about you guys all the time and how I can motivate you and keep you healthy!!!  I am constantly thinking of new ways to explain things to you.  And, by doing this for YOU, I’m doing it for ME too.  It helps keep me on track.  So…..THANK YOU! 🙂

I’m sorry you feel that way.

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Yes, I am a Team Beachbody Coach.

Does that scare you away?  Intimidate you?  Make you roll your eyes?  If so, I’m sorry you feel that way.  It’s brought me great joy in helping others (which I often do for FREE) and has helped me lose 15 pounds, meet fitness goals, and cont. to be held accountable.

Two years ago, I was chatting with a highly educated and respected co-worker (physical therapist) and she told me she was a Team Beachbody Coach.  At that time, I was working minimal hours as a therapist because I was staying home and raising 2 children, and was finding the desire to coach a team or somehow help others.  Being a Team Beachbody coach seemed to fit that need, yet I was concerned with marketing, pyramid schemes, and didn’t want to fail or embarrass myself.  After praying about it for almost 2 months and educating myself on the company, I signed on in October 2010.

Within months, I climbed the ladder to ’emerald’ status and hope to cont. climbing, but for now, I’m feeling pretty comfortable with where I am.  Do I make a lot of $$ every month?  Nope.  I make extra to pay for fun things for myself and the family.  It has paid for a new grill, my Sports Nutrition Class, some bills, etc.  But, even though the cash is helpful, I’m more interested in actually ‘helping’ people get started in the right direction.  As a coach, you do not HAVE to start your own business, assist others, or let it be known that you are a rep for Team Beachbody.  I chose to take this path with the title.

I mentor FREE 30 day challenge groups to help educate people on starting to lose weight, get stronger, start a running program, and much more.  I started a facebook accountability page that has taken on a life of its own, and I recently started a running group that is EXTREMELY supportive of one another (did you know that runners are comedians?  I seem to have a few in this group 🙂 .  I receive texts and emails almost daily from friends/clients (all over the world) telling me of their small and large successes and it pleases my heart.  Seeing someone smile because they are in a smaller jean size….honestly, is better than that $30.00.  I REALLY enjoy it.

Team Beachbody coaches (reps for the company) often get a bad reputation, or for some reason are just not well liked by some.  You will often times hear false statements about us from other company reps.  I’ve heard many myself and try to set the record straight.  We are not pushing a product…..we are sharing what has worked for us and hundreds of other people.  It’s proof positive.  I mentor people and DO NOT require them to use ANY Beachbody products.  I really don’t care…I just want you off the couch, moving your body, and stop drinking soda. 🙂   I want to see you succeed. 

Coaching has been a blessing to me, personally.  I found a product, Shakeology, that has helped me control my diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis.  I have pride in saying I have completed P90X and the INSANITY program (2x!).  Since becoming a coach, my running skills have gotten stronger and I have completed 3 half marathons, a full marathon, and numerous 10K & 5K races.  Talk about checking things off the bucket list!  I have lost 15 pounds and am working on losing another 10…..never to see again!!  My eating habits have changed for the better and I am MUCH more educated on proper choices for my family (kids) and myself.  I want my children to live healthy lives without the worry of weight gain, sore joints, disease, and fatigue…and what better way for them to learn that to watch me and live it!

So, you can smirk, roll your eyes, sigh, etc. as much as you want about the fact that I am a Team Beachbody Coach.  You can ‘dislike’ my facebook business page if you must.  But, I hope you realize that my page, my mission, and my desires go beyond a title, they are about personal accomplishments for you and for me.  They are about getting into that smaller jean size, chasing your kids to the bus stop, crossing the finish line of your first 5K, not taking medication for disease that can be controlled through diet/exercise, and being able to look at yourself naked in the mirror without grimacing.  (Who doesn’t want to look good naked?)

Team Beachbody has done wonders for me personally and professionally.  I have found support through other coaches on personal levels….including spiritually.  Having the title of “Beachbody Coach” makes me want to ‘look’ more fit…….so that I can cont. to be proud of owning that title.  It’s my accountability.  It’s a part of what cont. to push me forward.  And, I WILL meet my personal and professional goals….one day at a time.

I don’t know where this title will lead me in the future, but right this very moment, it’s allowing me to help others.  And, isn’t that what we are on Earth to do?  Help others and bring them joy which developes joy within ourselves?  Whoa…is that getting deep or what? Ha! 

Decide.  Commit.  Succeed.

For more information (411)….you can find me at www.facebook.com/YourFitnessInfo or my website at www.YourFitness-411.com