Before I begin a discussion on nutrition… I really want to speak with you - heart to heart.  Remember where I was at -  just a couple of years ago… between a health scare and alcoholism… I had really hit bottom.  Unless I started changing my life and health decisions - at the least, my lifestyle would be pretty crappy - at the most… my family was at risk - my very life was at risk.  I say in every episode - that I hope that you are not at the depth of issues that I was at… but the encouragement from me is that you can work your way out of any health issue… health situation.  

But it starts with you… with your desire to change… to move towards a healthy and energetic life.  My mission is to help… but I can’t drag you to start with MAGIC strategies or even my own success story.  It takes a commitment from you to start… start that one thing… exercise - nutrition - whatever that starting point is for you.  

You may not want to hear this… but it is not going to be easy.  Change never is.  It will mean that you may be uncomfortable as you begin this journey.  But over time - this processes becomes a routine that allows you to feel better about yourself and generates the motivation to stick with it.  Even right now… for me, there are mornings where I really have to kick myself in the butt to work out. Or the weather is crappy, and I think that I deserve to skip a workout.  What gets me going is the goals that I have centered on my continued life improvements.  

Goals are an absolute must.  “I will lose X amount of pounds or inches” in the next 30 days is a great goal.  I will run a 5 K race in May is a great goal… I will drop 2 pant sizes in 60 days is another great goal.  Goals are usually future based… with a specific result in a specific timeframe.  While you certainly should have YOUR health goals… I believe that Goals are tougher to accomplish without established standards in our life that we must follow - every day - in our life journey.

Think of these standards as “I will” statements.  For me, “I will start my day at 4:30 am”.  “I will work out every day at 5 am”.   “I will walk outside for 30 minutes during lunch breaks during the school week”. “I will cut out sugar”.  “I will eat real, wholesome food”.   “I will have a 45 + minute, outside workout every day”.  “I will be in bed by 9:30 pm every night”.  Again, these are some of my standards.  I would encourage you - to establish standards - YOUR personal standards centered on your journey to better health. Please dedicate a few minutes to create a couple of “I will” statements that will drive you towards change. Write those down… review them daily… heck, post them somewhere where you will see them every morning… every night.  Trust me - Goals are really nothing without established standards in your life.  

Changing life habits is not easy.  We all tend to procrastinate - waiting until the time is just right… the weather is better… when I feel physically ready… when I find that perfect program or mentor.  In my experience… there is seldom a perfect scenario to start anything new.  Those “I will” statements will keep you going past the obstacles in your journey… past the pain… the discomfort… the inconvenience.  Just focus on one day at a time.  Have a win every day.  

As much as I would love to tell you that you will see immediate results in the mirror or on the scale… That just isn’t reality.  What is reality is that having a win every day… focusing on one day at a time is what it takes to affect real change.  All of your commitment and work WILL be visible over time.  That’s why I will tell you another strategy… On day one, weigh yourself - take the obligatory “Before” photo… Then… hide the scale!!  What??  Yes, hide the scale.  Weigh yourself once a week… on the same day… at the same time.  Progress takes time and this eliminates getting freaked from not seeing immediate, daily results.  After all… change will take time… but it will come!!  It’s those daily victories… wins… that add up to weekly and monthly results that you are seeking.

I promised that in this episode, I would touch on nutrition.  As far as plans go… there are a ton of options.  First - My recommendation is to follow those basic guidelines that I mentioned…

Fill up on whole, nutrient-dense foods, and find what works best for you and for where you are at in your health journey.  

Thank you for being here!  

Until next time… please know… I am here for you - and I believe in you!!