We are never broken....Free Hugs - Queen St Mall, Brisbane 18.11.06

Beatles - Let It Be - Lyrics

Hugs: The Ultimate Antidepressant CAN I HUG YOU?

Hugs: The Ultimate Antidepressant

Consider yourself HUGGED!!

Just a thought....

When life feels like it's out of control remember that you are the only one in control of your healthy habits!

Cheer Yourself ON!!!

Be Your Own Cheerleader

12 Ways to Build a Support System--and Be Your Own!

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It can be tough to stay motivated when it comes to weight-loss and fitness goals. Why else do so many people make the same New Year's resolutions year after year? If motivation flits in and out of your life, don't worry—there are ways to make it a constant companion rather than a fickle friend. One of those ways is to have a solid network of friends and family that knows about your goals and supports you in all that you want to accomplish. But what if your network is in another state, on another coast, or even in another country? Or what if your loved ones just aren't supportive as you'd like them to be? The good news is that with a little know-how, you can put together a support system that will work for you—or become your own cheerleader! 12 Ways to Stay Motivated On Your Own Give yourself a pep talk. Remember Jessica, the self-affirming Internet sensation? Sure, her self-pep talk is silly and cute, but she's wise beyond her years and that positivity is infectious. Channel your inner Jessica and set aside a minute every day to let the positivity flow; write down (or say aloud) everything that you like about yourself and your life, and use that minute to reaffirm why you want to meet your goals. You may feel silly at first, but it's harder to feel unmotivated when you're literally cheering yourself on!   Find some virtual buddies. Technology makes it easier than ever to connect with like-minded people—and it doesn't matter where they live! Online communities (like SparkPeople) can be great resources for support and tips. Chat on message boards about topics from diet and nutrition to exercise and fitness. There's even a SparkPeople message board purely for discussing motivation. SparkTeamsnarrow down the focus even more, so click around and to find a good fit for you and your goals.   Surround yourself with success. It may be said that misery loves company, but it should be that success loves company. Why are weight-loss reality shows so popular? Because viewers can see that other people have overcome obstacles on the way to achieving their goals. Success stories can be great for lifting you up and revving up that motivation when it's lacking, and reading that someone else had the same problem and pushed through can help you push through the hard times, too. SparkPeople's ownsuccess gallery can provide a quick motivational pick-me-up and remind you of the reasons you're taking control of your health and fitness.   Pat yourself on the back. Even if no one else knows about your accomplishments, they shouldn't go unnoticed. Commemorate finishing a marathon by framing your bib or medal, or engrave the date of a huge accomplishment on a piece of jewelry. Not only does it feel good to celebrate the achievement, but it also serves as a visual reminder of your progress, which can help keep you pumped up on those less-than-motivated days.   Challenge yourself. A little competition can be good for you! Join a SparkChallenge for that extra push you need to meet your goals, as well as the support from others who are going after the same goal.   Commit to weekly check-ins. Just because you live alone or with people who don't support your goals, that doesn't mean you're doomed to fail! Unlimited cell phone minutes, email, and web chats can make checking in with a supportive friend or family member a breeze. Set a weekly date with your mom, sister or an uncle with similar goals to help you stay on track.   Get involved. If you're new to an area, it can be hard to make friends and find that support system that makes you feel at home. Join a gym, take healthy cooking classes, or join a local meetup to find like-minded people who share similar goals. You may not click with everyone you meet, but in no time you'll have found a key person or two who can be the foundation for your new support system and will help keep your goals a priority.   Use your pet as a workout partner. Dogs rarely turn down the opportunity to exercise. If you have a dog but have relied on the backyard for potty breaks, start taking a trip around the block with your new workout buddy! Or get out in the backyard with your pooch to play fetch or chase. You'll often find that once you're outside and moving, doing an extra block or two sounds better than another episode of reality TV anyway.   Call on your co-workers. They may not be part of your "inner circle", but if you see them every day, your co-workers can be great motivational support. Make weekly lunch dates (or better yet, walk during your lunch breaks) to check in with co-workers who may be trying to eat better and get or stay fit. You can also give co-workers permission to take away your quarters when they see you heading to the vending machine!   Journal. Writing down your goals, struggles, setbacks and successes can be a great way to support yourself even when no one else will. You can go the pen-and-paper route or take it online in a blog format, or even do a video blog. Sometimes just writing about your struggles and reminding yourself why you're working toward your goals is all you need to get going again.   Pay yourself.Don't do all of that hard work for free! Set up a reward system that works for you. Throw a dollar in a jar each time you work out or meet a healthy eating goal and watch both your health benefitsand your money grow! Use that money for a healthy treat after a few months—a massage, a new workout outfit or a gym membership are all awesome splurges.   Reward yourself for meeting weekly goals. If you don't have spare dollars to throw into your workout stash as mentioned above, reward yourself in other ways for meeting weekly goals. If you meet your goal of losing a pound or working out five times, pamper yourself. Whether it's a long bath or a day off from exercise with no guilt, have a reward in mind for meeting your weekly goal and stick with it.

Get some Protein today in your SWEET SPOT!!!

10 Perfect Protein Powder Recipes

It's Not Just for Shakes Anymore!

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Protein is an important component of any diet for satiety, muscle repair, and generating hormones and enzymes. Need a protein pick-me-up? These filling recipes are great for refueling after a workout--or anytime! High-Protein, Low-Sugar Blueberry Muffins Each muffin packs nearly nine grams of protein! Grab one of these sweet, moist and delicious treats for a post-workout snack. Power Up Almond Butter Dip This simple dip has just four ingredients and nearly nine grams of protein per serving! Whip it up in five minutes for a delicious dessert or snack. Mocha Protein Coffee Your morning cuppa joe will never be the same! This warm, chocolatey drink has almost 18 grams of protein per serving. Chocolate Protein Cake Have your cake and eat your protein, too! Just one serving of this moist and perfectly sweet cake contains 12 grams of protein. Chocolate Chunk Protein Granola Spruce up regular old granola with chocolate--and an extra seven grams of protein! Eat it with milk, use as a topping for yogurt, or snack on it plain. Chocolate Cheesecake Protein Pudding This dessert is to die for and can be made with so many different flavors. Try chocolate, vanilla, pistachio—the sky's the limit! Plus, it has 19 grams of protein in just one serving. Banana Walnut Protein Muffins These moist banana muffins are studded with crunchy walnuts—and serve up almost eight grams of protein each! No-Bake Peanut Butter Fudge Protein Bars These grab-and-go bars could not be simpler to make! At more than 15 grams of protein per bar, they would make a great breakfast or post-workout snack. French Vanilla Protein Crepes These delicate crepes are almost too pretty to eat—but they're a snap to make! They also deliver a whopping 33 grams of protein per serving. Pumpkin Protein Bread This filling bread packs a double whammy of five grams of fiber and almost nine grams of protein per serving!

Cellulite-busting workout

Cellulite-busting workout

LET'S START FLUSHING THE FAT OUT WITH H20!!!   .CHEERS BABY!!

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I LOVE TODAY!!

JUST A LITTLE THOUGHT.......I LIKE IT ATOT!!

Friday, May 10, 2013

We live in an appearance driven society. Many of us fret about toning up, getting the sexy abs, removing fat from areas that are not visually acceptable by societies standards. We focus on reducing our BMI (Body Mass Index) but overlook our AMI, our Attitude Mass Index.

As a society, we are far too external when it comes to combating our obesity. Don't believe it? Look at typical mainstream articles and advertising concerning weight loss, what do they focus on? Appearance and how fast results will come.

My journey has been far more internal than it has been external. The most crucial weight I have ever lost didn't come from my midsection, my face, or even my butt. The turning point in my journey came when I lost the spare tire in between my ears.

Obesity is not only something that kills you physically but it kills your spirit as well. Like a python, it wraps around your soul one coil at a time and slowly squeezes the life out of you until you quit struggling, until your entire life is defined by what you can't do, what you can't fit into, or how you can do some activity with the least amount of public embarrassment. When I was morbidly obese, I suffered the ultimate paradox. Living every day being so big you can't be missed yet at the same time be socially invisible where everyone notices you, yet, you are unnoticed. That destroyed me and made me want to live as low profile as possible.

We think that somehow simply losing the pounds will undo it all and our life will be punctuated with an "and he/she lived happily ever after". One of the biggest breakthroughs in reducing my AMI is the realization that life does not begin at goal weight. Life begins the day you decide you are worth it and commit to living your best life NOW, not 50 pounds from now.

Science has determined that by all the known laws of physics and aerodynamics, bumblebees should not fly. Fortunately bumblebees also cannot read these findings. All of the studies done has yet to convince a single one of them to pack it up and go home. What makes bumblebees inspiring is that they are Gods way of letting us know that we shouldn't let ourselves be defined by current thought.

One of the most memorable moments of my life is the day I believed in myself enough to wager my self esteem and male pride against my ability to finish my first race, a 10k. At 330 lbs, I was a bumblebee with a race number. Crossing the finishline was one of the most affirming I CAN moments of my life. After years of I can't, I earned my wings and flew. My life was no longer defined by my spare tire or a number, it was now defined by a sense of empowerment from meeting a challenge head on. My Attitude Mass Index started becoming more and more healthy every time I set a goal and met the challenge. A life unchallenged is no life at all.

The more my AMI fell, the less content I was to simply sit on the sidelines and watch others be happy and reach their goals. It may be easier to tune out and watch others live a fantasy life on TV but it is more fulfilling to carve out your own dream. It's hard work to push out of my comfort zone. It makes me sore, takes away some of my ''free'' time, and exacts a price everyday but the price I pay ensures that my comfort zone doesn't turn into a noose. From observing the process in others as well as myself, I am becoming convinced that the thing that separates those that succeed long term and those that yo-yo is attitude.

So what do I do to keep my AMI in check?

1) I push through my dislike of challenging workouts. I hate burpees, planks and other demanding moves just like the next person but I also know that after I'm all done being sore, I'll be even stronger. I had a very narrow comfort zone and didn't like being pushed. Being pushed meant I was no longer in control and not being in control is a scary place. I might fail or embarrass myself. Then again, life outside the comfort zone is good because it's the place where you learn how strong you are. Go there often enough and you'll never be satisfied with less. Try it.

2) I participate in date oriented activities. In my case, its running events or triathlon. I have a set time to pull out the stops and get ready. It's the habit of pushing aside my petty preferences to get the job done that makes me more able to withstand the pull of my personal whims and cravings. It's in obeying those whims that put me in such an unhappy place to begin with.

3) I view my workouts as something that makes me stronger. Some people treat exercise like a laxative. It is something to be endured to correct an unpleasant condition then discontinued once we're ''fixed''. Exercise is the tool that helps me forge my success, my commitment is for life because it brings me life.

4) When things are tough, I remember that my worst day changing my life is better than the best day when I was 385. Even if this is day 1, day 1 is better than your best day when you didn't care. Don't get frustrated about not doing everything perfectly. Patiently hammering out a routine makes you stronger than drifting in apathy. It will click eventually if you stick with it.

Look yourself in the eye and determine that TODAY you will work on your AMI, that you will live the life you deserve now, not at goal weight.

Just A thought....

“How often things occur by mere chance which we dared not even hope for."
-Terence

How to tone your arms naturally....Do you like Michelle Obama's Arms Too?

How to tone your arms naturally

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Just a thought....

“The aim of life is self-development. To realize one’s nature perfectly—that is what each of us is here for.”
-Oscar Wilde

Just a thought....

100 Reasons to Exercise Now 

1. Because it makes you feel confident
2. Because it helps you get stronger
3. Because exercise helps combat depression
4. Because you'll feel proud of yourself
5. Because you have goals you want to reach
6. Because you'll feel bad if you don't
7. Because you want to move forward, not backward
8. Because it burns more calories than not working out
9. Because it improves your heart health
10. Because you want a great butt
11. Because it prevents diabetes
12. Because you want to be a good example to your kids
13. Because you want to feel good in your clothes
14. Because it reduces your risk of cancer
15. Because your body was made to move
16. Because you want to be an athlete
17. Because you want to look better
18. Because it lifts your mood
19. Because you want to stand taller
20. Because it reduces back pain
21. Because it feels good
22. Because it makes you feel accomplished
23. Because you spend most of your day on your butt
24. Because swimsuit season is always coming
25. Because strong is the new skinny
26. Because dieting only works so much
27. Because it strengthens your bones, too
28. Because it helps you lose weight
29. Because it allows you to eat more food
30. Because it's the best way to spend "me" time
31. Because it helps you de-stress
32. Because it's cheaper than therapy
33. Because you want a strong core
34. Because you want to take care for yourself
35. Because you take pride in your body
36. Because it strengthens your legs
37. Because it helps your clothes fit better
38. Because you want to push yourself
39. Because you are capable of more than you ever imagined
40. Because moving your body feels good
41. Because it keeps your mind sharp
42. Because it helps you beat belly bloat
43. Because it helps you sleep better at night
44. Because it gives you energy
45. Because you want to stay healthy as you age
46. Because you want to look younger
47. Because you want toned arms
48. Because it improves your balance
49. Because it burns off last night's dessert
50. Because it boosts your immune system
51. Because sweat is sexy
52. Because you want to live longer
53. Because you want to get better at your game
54. Because you want to catch someone's eye
55. Because exercisers earn more money
56. Because you're more likely to eat better when you exercise
57. Because you want to shave time off your running pace
58. Because you want to breathe easier
59. Because you want to see the scale drop
60. Because exercise improves your sex life
61. Because you are worth it
62. Because being fit makes everything in life better
63. Because you promised yourself that you would
64. Because you deserve a better life
65. Because it'll help you drink more water
66. Because you want to do real push-ups
67. Because it reduces your health care costs
68. Because you'll miss fewer days of work
69. Because you want to create a new future for yourself
70. Because it'll help you like what you see in the mirror
71. Because it makes clothing shopping more fun
72. Because you want to look and feel incredible
73. Because exercising can be fun
74. Because it'll give your skin a glow
75. Because it's a good way to spend time with your friends
76. Because it'll help you prevent the middle-age spread
77. Because it reduces your blood pressure
78. Because you don't want to let yourself go
79. Because you don't want to squeeze into an airplane or rollercoaster seat
80. Because it strengthens your spirit
81. Because it's a cheap way to entertain yourself
82. Because you'll be able to reward yourself
83. Because you need a reason to wear those new workout clothes
84. Because you're tired of being tired
85. Because not working out is not going to get you very far
86. Because it's a great way to spend time outside
87. Because you made a commitment to yourself
88. Because you're tired of starting over
89. Because there will always be another wedding, vacation or reunion
90. Because you're not a quitter
91. Because it improves your cholesterol
92. Because it boosts your metabolism
93. Because it prevents age-related muscle loss
94. Because if you can do this, you can do anything
95. Because a fit body is a healthy body
96. Because it beats sitting on the couch
97. Because  everyone has at least 10 minutes to spare
98. Because you want to be stronger than your excuses
99. Because not working out isn't working out for you
100. Because the only workout you ever regret is the one you skip

 

Just a thought.....

Exercise is the best medicine.

How to tone your arms naturally

How to tone your arms naturally

Just a Thought....

“Quiet minds cannot be perplexed or frightened, but go on in fortune or misfortune at their own private pace, like a clock during a thunderstorm.”
-Robert Louis Stevenson