I've been so captivated by the Olympics the last few weeks that I haven't blogged. I know, slap my hand and let's move on.

The passion, dedication, determination and gifted abilities in each and every athlete left me lingering for more each night. It's exciting to see individuals with such drive. So much so that when I watched them compete, tears would well up in my eyes. Tears of joy and tears of sadness, depending on the event and the athlete. Track and Field has always been one of my favorite events, but I was moved by many events, more than ever before. Maybe it's the Micheal Phelps of the world that have the ability to attract me to a new sport or maybe it's just his vision, attitude, and winning spirit. What about Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser in the men's outdoor volleyball? Their final event was so much fun to watch and it made me realize that we are only as good as the person who sets us up (supports us) in the perfect position for a victory to follow. Dara Torres is so inspiring in the fact that it's her fifth Olympics, she's 41 years of age, a new mom, and a silver medal winner only by .01 of a second! She said it's all about believing and that the "The water doesn't know your age." This quote has resonated with me and the fact that she received a silver instead of a gold medal doesn't diminish her amazing talent in the least.

We all have the ability to breakthrough and reach our own personal goals to create victory and success. Find your why...Live it, breathe it, and reach it! It's all a choice and an attitude.

I hope you were equally inspired by the Beijing Olympic events. Feel free to share some of your feelings, emotions, and ways the games truly inspired you. Your story may inspire someone else.

-Wendie Pett, Fitness and Wellness Coach, www.wendiepett.com

I'm sure you have heard time and time again to write down or set personal goals. Do you ever really do this? You should! It's vital that you set short-term goals along with long-term goals in order to keep motivation and enthusiasm. I have a friend/client that recently just asked me to assist her in finding a new goal to reach. She has already accomplished more than many people do in her same situation because she made attainable goals along the way of her wellness journey. Goals assist with accountability and keep excuses at bay. It helps to choose a goal that is not only realistic, but fun as well. It also helps to surround yourself with like-minded individuals that have similar goals in order to keep yours alive. There is nothing that can match that feeling of exhilaration when you've accomplished a goal that you have worked so hard to attain. Trust me; it's a positive high than you'll want to feel again and again.

-Wendie Pett, Fitness and Wellness Coach, www.wendiepett.com

As many of us have witnessed, childhood obesity is growing in numbers. Whether you see these kids at the pool, the mall, or a restaurant it is obvious that many of these kids have been products of their environment. Parents are turning to doctors for drugs to treat and control type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and acid reflux–all of which were practically unheard of in children two decades ago. One of the main reasons the "quick fix" drugs are being sought out are because many parents find lifestyle changes too difficult to impose or enforce. This is a heartbreaking scenario in the sense that many are not willing to make the effort to change negative habits into positive ones. It takes anywhere from 21-28 days to create a new habit. This amount of time is nothing compared to the amount of time of suffering with obesity related illnesses if you don't take your lifestyle seriously.

-Wendie Pett, Fitness and Wellness Coach, www.wendiepett.com

When I was recently speaking at the Mall of America, I brought a chef along with me to demonstrate how easy it is to cook a healthy dinner. Chef Theo Petron owns Dinnerwhere and he is dedicated to cooking healthy foods for people on the go or those that are looking to hire a chef for an event. Chef Theo has been spotted on many local news stations and is featured in a program called Cook What You Catch. Many people that were at the Mall of America presentation were excited to see that dinner doesn't have to be a grueling or time and labor-intensive ordeal. Here is one of the simple recipes that Chef Theo demonstrated.

Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry (You may also substitute with chicken)

1 1/2 tablespoons               cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon                     salt

1/4 teaspoon                     black pepper

3/4 pound                         sirloin beef tips, sliced against the grain 1/8 inch thick

3 tablespoons                    vegetable oil (can be modified)

10 ounces                         fresh broccoli flowerets

3 cloves                           garlic - chopped

3 tablespoons                    low-sodium soy sauce

1/3 cup                            water

Toss together cornstarch, salt, pepper, and beef in a bowl until meat is coated.

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in wok over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then stir-fry beef until just cooked through, about 1 minute. Transfer with a slotted spoon to another bowl and keep warm, loosely covered with foil.

Add remaining tablespoon oil to wok along with broccoli and garlic and stir-fry over moderately high heat until broccoli is just tender and garlic is pale golden, about 2 minutes.

Add soy sauce and water and bring to a boil. Return meat to skillet and cook, stirring, until sauce is thickened, about 2 minutes.

ENJOY!

-Wendie Pett, Fitness and Wellness Coach, www.wendiepett.com

Well, I haven't blogged much lately but thought this would be a perfect blog after the 4th. A good friend of mine is involved with the Patriot Guard Riders that stand at attention at the funerals of fallen soldiers. I am always taken back by the effort of his journey to attend the funerals and the heartfelt feelings that he truly feels during each death experience, although there is no personal connection. I wanted to share this video with you to show you how amazing so many people are in this country and how the least likely can sometimes be the most likely to share love, support, and dedication in honoring of a life. Check out this link to see for yourself. You may have some "PGR" guys in your neighborhood that are making a world of difference to someone in your community.  patriot guard riders

-Wendie Pett, Fitness and Wellness Coach, www.wendiepett.com