A blog on Health and Fitness

whats the secret to being healthy and in shape you ask?

well...first of all...its not a secret....we just like to over complicate things and everyone always wants a short cut.  

1.  It takes discipline
2.  It takes planning
3. It takes commitment 

Once you've got those 3 down.  It's easy.  

No really, it is.  I promise I wouldn't lie to you :)

1.  Eat smart- eliminate all fake sugars and overly processed foods from your diet.  Cut out caffeine (people are addicted...it's OK I was too at one point, but just put the coffee down and walk away ;)).  Stop consuming so many calories by what you drink.  It's amazing how many empty calories people consume through foofy coffee drinks, alcohol and pop.  Choose foods in their most whole form. That means, the closer it is from coming out of the ground or a tree, etc. the better.  If someone had to "make it" in a building somewhere...run away.  Purchase lots of fresh produce, brown rice, sweet potatoes, lean meats, oh yeah all that good stuff.  If you want a healthy foods list I can send you one. Really your diet makes up, in my opinion at least 70% of your getting fit goals.  

2.  Exercise regularly.  Even if its just 30 minutes 3-4 times a week.  Get up and start moving!  We spend the majority of our day sitting, then we go home in front of the TV and sit some more.  Get up and move throughout the day, then make a commitment to go out and get some exercise.  Find something you enjoy and stick with it.  

3.  Have the long view in mind.  It didn't take you a month to get that size so don't expect it all to fall off in a month and stay off.  We have to make lifestyle changes and that takes TIME.  Don't give up, set long term, realistic goals.  Shoot for a 1-2lb fat loss per week and stick to making those changes.  

4.  Calories are your friend, not your enemy.  Your body needs them for fuel to survive.  Oh and by the way, carbohydrates are not bad for you.  THEY ARE GOOD FOR YOU the problem is in our typical american diet we consume far too many and all the wrong overly processed kinds.  View your body as a machine and in order for this machine to function properly it needs a healthy balance of fats, protein and carbohydrates.  Too much of one of those categories, long term is not good for overall health and fitness. 

I personally eat quite a bit during the day for as small as my frame is, but I eat the right types of food, I workout 4-6 times a week for 30-50 minutes (take my time seriously...you don't have to spend hours in the gym, nor should you) and I am committed.  Just on a side note, I recently went gluten and dairy free for the past 8 weeks and have seen some results from that as well. 

I'm Heather Douglas and this has been your health and fitness tip of the day.  If you have questions, let me know!  I'd love to help if I can.