"I don't need to worry about what I look like, I'm married now" I have heard this over and over in passing and in direct conversations and it really ruffles my feathers. Although it's intended to be said in a light–hearted manner, I truly feel that there is some truth behind this statement for many people. It's ok to feel relaxed and be "comfortable" around the one you love. Being comfortable is one thing, but letting yourself go is another. It's important to maintain your mental, physical, and spiritual well-being after finding a spouse for multiple reasons.

Typically, people who crave sugar have poor fuel-burning capacity in their bodies. What they really need is minerals such as zinc and chromium. I'm not saying that this is the answer to a "no more chocolate in 2012 resolution", but it could level out the huge fluctuations in the day eliminating really high highs and very low lows. You may find these minerals at a health food store or even at some of the larger shopping centers.

I have written about F.E.A.R (False Evidence Appearing Real) on numerous occasions, but I feel compelled to share more. Many people experience fear. Fear of change, fear of rejection, fear of loss and fear of failure, but I have been coaching several clients lately that have the fear of success! For many, this seems to be the biggest fear of all. It's the thought of reaching the "unknown" and then what? People literally sabotage their own opportunity for success even if it's written in intricate detail on how to achieve the success they are seeking. This is more common than not and I feel that it's time to breakthrough the lies and press on to the success you deserve! I want to challenge you to ask yourself these three questions today.

Attitude…It makes a world of difference to the success in all areas of your life. Did you know that the word pessimist is from the Latin word: Pessimus meaning WORST? Pessimists believe that the world is bad and getting worse and that evil will triumph over good. They resign to defeat and expect the least favorable result in everything they do. They expect a bad day, failure, bad service, illness, and even bad hair days! Stay clear of them for they could drag you down with their negativity and energy draining mindset.

If there is one thing I could imprint into your mind today, it’s…consistency is key to success! As much as I appreciate the television show, The Biggest Loser, and how inspiring and motivational it is, it tends to leave the average audience member a bit jaded about reality. Actually, it has even left a few of The Biggest Loser participants jaded after they returned home and entered back into their daily lives. You see, the average person doesn’t have the entire day to workout and doesn’t have someone looking over their shoulder to see if they’ve been eating properly. 

Reality is…the average person is going in many different directions within the course of the day to find that they’re literally falling into bed at night with exhaustion. No wonder people are looking for speedy results; they don’t make enough time in their day for themselves and yet still desire to reach their wellness goals. 

I just talked with a friend/client and she was disappointed that she wasn't seeing the results she wanted in the time she wanted. I asked her if she had been journaling her wellness journey including her nutrition and Visibly Fit exercise regimen. She was following that suggestion, but when I read the journal I just about fell out of my chair. I found that her pattern of not eating enough food in her day and skipping workout days to be particularly strong during her work week. The weekends were actually back on track. Although she was eating healthy (for the most part) during the week, she wasn't consuming enough calories and wasn't eating 5-6 small meals a day as I had recommended for increasing her metabolism. The exercise was sporadic at best. On the weekends, it looked as though she was trying to play "catch up" from her lack of balance during the week.  Usually, I see it the other way around as people cut loose on the weekends then workout hard during the week. 

It’s that time of year again when we either reacquaint ourselves with last year’s swimsuit or brave the glare of dressing room lights to make friends with a new one. After all, we know summer apparel is not only about style; we have to feel good in our skimpy-wear too!

Two-piece halters, the classic one-piece, string bikinis, tankinis, boy shorts, low-rise, high-rise, even the unmistakable thong ... with so many styles to choose from, swimwear possibilities appear endless. The elements that make for a perfect suit, however, are as easy as 1, 2:  complimenting body types by accentuating positive features, and camouflaging areas we consider to be flaws. 

As the seemingly endless gray winter days begin to retreat to the north and yield to the warming winds of spring, new life begins to emerge around us. From budding flowers to lengthening sunny days, the gift of being alive blooms as well. After undergoing a “semi-hibernation” phase during the winter months, it’s time to take a big stretch along with a deep breath and open the door to nature’s playground – the Great Outdoors!

A recent study at the University of Michigan concluded that female athletes are eight times more likely to have knee injuries compared to men. When I first read this I was a bit shocked, but then it made sense because most women that I train have stronger quadriceps than hamstrings. The quadriceps muscle helps you straighten and extend your leg, and the hamstring helps you to bend your knee. If there is a muscular imbalance then it can cause stress to the knees which can cause injury.

The knee joint is made up of bone, ligaments, cartilage and fluids. Muscles and tendons help the knee joint move. A common injury is to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). ACL and other knee injuries are common sports injuries that typically occur due to stress, overuse, or overcompensation. Quick twisting movements can trigger this injury as well as weak hamstrings.

 

Are you consumed with the idea of staying as far away from fat as possible? Only purchasing foods that say low-fat, no-fat and skim. Take a look the next time you are at the grocery store and you will see that the "low-fat, no-fat" marketing plan is being used by just about every food manufacturer. You may not realize that your body actually requires a small amount of fat to be healthy and to create proper energy. If you do not consume fat then your body will not be able to transport vitamins throughout the body and regulate cholesterol levels effectively. Did you know that even the brain requires the fatty acids from fats to create the specialized cells that allow you to think and feel?