The Freedom of (Self-Imposed) Chains

Most of us are under the misconception that fit people work hard and spend most of their lives deprived in order to achieve their amazing bodies.

Nothing could be farther from the truth.

I’ll let you in on a little secret…It’s not hard to get and stay fit. It’s not about hard work and deprivation.

It’s all about boundaries.

Let me explain…

When you were a child your parents set boundaries around you. They were the authority on what was or wasn’t acceptable behavior. You had to complete your chores before dinner. You had to finish your homework before going out to play. You had to eat all your vegetables before dessert.

If you failed to comply with these boundaries then you knew that there would be consequences.

As an adult you, and only you, are the authority on what is or isn’t acceptable behavior. You are in the position to set boundaries around yourself. These boundaries serve as a framework of order around you – a rock of support in an otherwise chaotic world.

With self-imposed boundaries you can assure your success in anything…specifically with weight loss.

Your fitness boundaries have to be self-imposed—no one is going to do it for you. Don’t look at this as a bad thing! Self-imposed boundaries are self-empowering.

Let’s face it, you’ve been living life without fitness boundaries.

• You eat whatever you want, whenever you want it.
• You use any excuse to avoid exercise.
• You indulge whenever it feels good.

Your Fitness Boundaries

It’s time to introduce boundaries back into your life. These boundaries are the key to unleashing your ideal fit and healthy body.

1. Fitness Boundary One: What you eat

If you were to be perfectly honest with me, you could list off the foods that are unhealthy and fattening. So why are you still eating them? You know that refined, fried, processed and sugary foods are not good for you.

Place boundaries around what you will allow yourself to eat. Acceptable food items include whole foods, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean meats.

2. Fitness Boundary Two: How you exercise

I know that you’re not an Olympic athlete, but that doesn’t mean that you can simply pass on exercise. By now you are well aware of the host of benefits that exercise provides. With regular exercise you’ll look great, feel amazing and have more energy than ever.

Place boundaries around how often you must exercise. Choose exercise that is challenging and fun – don’t be afraid to try new activities that improve your strength and endurance.

3. Fitness Boundary Three: When you indulge

Let’s face it, we live in a world where indulging has become the norm, rather than the exception. When you live life without fitness boundaries, everyday is an opportunity to indulge. These indulgences all add up quickly, causing your clothes to become tight and your energy levels to drop.

Place boundaries around when you can indulge. You’ll find that by limiting your indulgences you’ll end up enjoying them even more.

Putting It In Action

Sit down and take a long, hard look at your lifestyle. Are you eating as healthy as you could be? Are you exercising 3-5 times each week? Are you indulging too often? Answer the following questions:

1. What 3 food items can I eliminate from my daily diet? (These should be nutritionally void items like high-calories beverages, fast food, packaged snacks, high-fat food, candy or desserts.)
2. When can I schedule exercise into my week? (Pick 3-5 days, and select a specific timeframe. Example: I’m going to exercise on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 5am-6am.)
3. When will I allow myself to indulge? (Don’t go overboard here, especially if you need to lose weight. Enjoy a treat a couple times each month, and do so guilt-free knowing that you’ve maintained healthy food boundaries the rest of the time.

Remember that self-imposed boundaries are self-empowering.

Fitness boundaries put your fitness results on autopilot. If you know what constitutes an acceptable meal, then choosing what to eat just got a whole lot easier. If you’re committed to exercising 3 times a week, soon it becomes second nature.

Need help setting up your fitness boundaries? I am here to help – contact me now!

Kristy Lee Wilson

kristyleefitness@me.com

www.kristy-leewilson.com

Your New Favorite Thing

We all have a list of our favorite things. It may not be written down anywhere, but you know the things that make you happy.

The list holds your favorite foods, music, TV shows, movies and even people in your life that you can’t get enough of. This is the stuff that you really enjoy. It’s the stuff that makes your life worth living.

Somewhere on the list is your health and appearance. You know that looking and feeling great make a good life even better.

The interesting thing about your list is that without fail you’ll always make time for it.

• When your TV show airs, you watch it or record it to watch later.
• When your favorite actor stars in a new movie, you do your part by going to the theatre.
• When you’re hungry, you turn to your favorite foods.
• When the weekend rolls around, you do everything you can to spend time with the special people in your life.

Yet when it comes to exercise you automatically say, “I don’t have time.”

Time for TV, but no time for exercise… We live in an age where life is full. You don’t have extra time anymore.

You no longer have time. You make time.

• You make time for your TV show.
• You make time for your hobby.
• You make time for your friends.

It’s time to drop the charade of “I don’t have time to exercise” and call it what it really is.

An excuse.

You know how to make time for your favorite things. You know you want good health. You know you want to look great. You know you want more energy.

Exercise delivers all those benefits – and more.

I believe that exercise belongs on your list of favorite things.

Make It A Favorite: How do you turn something that you’ve dreaded into something that you enjoy?

1. Block the Negative: Your thoughts play a big part in determining your favorite things. Block out any negative thoughts you may have about exercise. Focus your energy on creating a positive attitude that will get you excited about hitting the gym, rather than dreading it.
2. Focus on the Benefits: With exercise you have so much to gain and nothing to lose. Exercise makes you stronger, sexier, happier, and gives you more energy. Pick the benefit that moves you the most and fixate on it.
3. Get Guidance: The easiest way to put exercise on your list of favorite things is to experience it at its best. Get onboard with one of my personal training programs and I’ll show you the most effective and enjoyable techniques that will get you into the best shape of your life.

Kristy Lee Wilson

http://www.kristy-leewilson.com

kristyleefitness@me.com

The New Year’s Resolution Trap

New Year’s day…it never fails to evoke feelings of hope and renewal, but is it really a trap?

You’ve been handed a proverbial clean slate – another chance to shrug off your bad habits and reach for your dreams.

In an attempt to bottle that New Year’s vigor, you’ll make a few New Year’s Resolutions. But before you put pen to paper, you ought to know this:

It has been reported that 92 % of all New Year’s Resolutions end in failure.

That means that less than 1 out of every 10 people will successful accomplish their resolutions in 2009.

Ouch – those statistics are brutal. Who in their right mind would take the time to make resolutions when failure is that imminent?

As your trusted source for fitness advice, I’d like to coach you though this sticky situation. Yes, most people fail to achieve their New Year’s Resolutions. However, I am going to clue you in on what the 92% do wrong and teach you what the 8% who succeed do right.

First up, the 92% who failed. These well meaning folks shared a common mistake that put the nail in their coffin before they’d even begun.

They bit off more than they could chew.

In all the excitement of becoming a better person and changing their life in the New Year they made the crucial mistake of committing to do too much. But reality set in, a few weeks or even days into their reformed life, and they gave up.

The 92% gave themselves an easy way out. They approached their resolution with an ‘all or nothing’ attitude. Once the ‘all’ became too tough they opted for ‘nothing’. And just like that another resolution ended in failure – end of story.

Now let’s examine the 8% who succeed with their resolutions year after year. The key to their success is quite simple (you may have even guessed it by now).

They set realistic goals.

I’ll repeat that… they set REALISTIC goals.

• Instead of resolving to lose 50 pounds by June, they commit to exercise 3-4 times each week.
• Instead of resolving to give up all carbs, they commit to bring healthy snacks to work instead eating from the vending machine.
• Instead of resolving to drop 3 sizes in 3 months, they commit to losing 1 pound each week until they reach their desired size.
• Instead of resolving to never eat out again, they commit to eating healthy all week and rewarding themselves with one meal out on the weekends.

Did you see the difference?

If you want your resolution to stick then think of something simple and realistic. Sure, it certainly won’t sound as cool as the resolutions that the 92% make – but they aren’t going to keep theirs anyway.

Remember that the whole point of making a New Year’s Resolution is to become a healthier, happier and more successful person. Small changes done consistently will make a big difference.

If your New Year’s Resolution has to do with losing weight and getting into great shape (and whose isn’t?) then guarantee your success by working with a fitness expert who can show you the ropes and guide you to success.

I’d love to team up with you – together we will transform your body in 2009!

Call or email to get started today.

Get Fit and Stay Fit!

Kristy Lee Wilson

Contact me

Can You Think Yourself Fit?

Wouldn’t it be great if we could attain the body of our dreams just by thinking about it? What if I told you that your mind actually plays the most important role in your success in getting fit? Sounds crazy, but it’s true…

Our subconscious mind has one all-important job, and it succeeds every time. What is this job? To prove that your beliefs are true. Note the wording here: To prove that YOUR BELIEFS are true. Not to point out what is actually true. Nope, though what a difference that would make.

Your beliefs are the truth for your life. It is that simple. Whether or not these beliefs are in fact true doesn’t matter. If you believe something to be true, then your subconscious mind will perceive the universe around you in such a way that makes this belief true.

Here’s an example, if you believe that in general people like you then when you meet a new person your subconscious will point out reasons why this person does indeed like you. You will interpret their smile and handshake in a different way than someone who has the belief that no one likes them.

So how does this relate to your fitness level?

If you have the belief that getting in shape is hard, that eating healthy is boring, or that weight loss is elusive then you will find getting in shape to be very difficult. If you think of yourself as a fat person, or an out-of-shape person, or just an average person then your subconscious mind will do everything in its power to keep you that way.

Wow – isn’t that amazing? Take a minute to let that sink in.

The great thing about our subconscious mind is that we can train it to work for us instead of against us. All we have to do is change our belief.

I’m sure you have heard the term “Believe and Achieve” – many schools have this painted on their walls and it is even printed on T-shirts. Well, the concept is absolutely true and when applied can bring success to your door faster than you thought possible.

It won’t help if you simply think that it ‘isn’t impossible’ or that ‘it could happen someday.’ These aren’t true beliefs.

In order to have your desired result you need to truly believe with every fiber of your being that you will achieve this goal. If you are overweight then close your eyes and picture yourself fit. If you have fifty pounds to lose then think of yourself as fifty pounds lighter.

You will always be what you believe yourself to be.

I have to admit something…I believe that everyone who comes to me can and will get into the best shape of their lives. This belief is so strong that most often my clients also begin to believe in themselves, and amazing results are achieved.

What proof? Contact me today to get started on a personalized fitness plan that will change your shape and improve your quality of life. I believe in you – now it’s your turn.

Take the first step by contacting me today – Because whether you believe you can or you can’t… you’ll always be right.

Get Motivated to Get in Shape and Lose Weight

The problem with losing weight is typically motivation. People are happy just sitting back on the couch and watching TV. How many times have you seen people stop their vehicle in front of the mailbox to get the mail through the window. Why not drive in and park then walk back to the mailbox instead. It all adds up. No, walking down your driveway will not get you in shape unless you live five miles from the main road. But you have to get motivated to shape up and it can start with the little things.

So how do you get motivated? Well, put a photo up of your goal on the bathroom mirror. Remind yourself every day why you need to workout, get in shape and eat properly. There is no reason for you to be overweight unless you just choose to be.

You can learn how to lose weight by listening to motivational CDs or even watching DVDs. One way to stay motivated is to go to a gym. They have exercise classes that will help you get fit. You will begin meeting people who have the same goals that can help you stay motivated. They will make you accountable for participating. Ideally the motivation to exercise should come from within. You should want to be in shape and not be overweight. You just have to want to do it.

The motivation to slim up should be simply to live a healthy life. No, it is not particularly easy or fun, especially if you are not accustomed to doing it. But are you going to be accustomed to having a heart attack? A Stroke? Diabetes? The health benefits of getting fit and losing weight far outweigh the inconvenience.

75% of Americans disagree though. They have no problem with being overweight. The medical community now believes that modern medicine has made it possible to stay alive longer and be obese. It makes people relax about losing the weight.

Why would someone want to be overweight and unfit? You can hear the overweight and out of shape coming a mile away. The huffing and puffing as they make their way down the hallway at work or climbing a set of stairs. They cannot move comfortably toting all that weight around. That alone should be motivation enough to get in shape and lose weight.

Get motivated and reduce your fat. Your life will be much better.

Need help? Contact me

Total Lifetime Fitness Interview

In our Total Lifetime Fitness Radio Network Interview, Kristy Lee talks about how people can stay motivated to follow-through on lifetime training programs and how people can realistically fit exercise into their day. She discusses the childhood obesity epidemic and the long-lasting benefits of sports participation for children. Importantly, Kristy Lee discusses how parents can help their children to become healthier and more active.

Listen to Kristy Lee’s interview here

Lose Weight the Healthy Way

Almost 108 million Americans were overweight or obese in 1999. Even now, obesity continues to be a serious problem and is predicted to reach epidemic levels by the year 2020.

One way to prevent this scenario is to make people aware of the risks of being overweight or obese.

Below are just some of the diseases that you are putting yourself at risk for if you are carrying around extra pounds.

• Heart diease
• Stroke
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Arthritis
• Hypertension

Losing weight helps to prevent and control these diseases.

The quick weight loss methods, which have spread like wildfire these days, do not provide lasting results. More often than not, dieting methods that involve dietary drinks, foods and supplements or pills do not work. If they do, the results are only temporary.

For your weight loss plan it is better to rely on a healthy weight loss option that will provide you with lifetime results. Successful weight loss is a process. You have to set realistic goals and not expect to lose a lot of weight in a short period of time.

Here are some tips on how you can lose those unwanted pounds the healthy way:

Tip #1: Do not starve yourself.

The key to a healthier way of losing weight is: Do not diet!

You may seem happy and feel that you are losing that unwanted flab on your belly and thighs by skipping meals, but remember that this would not last long. Your body cannot tolerate having insufficient food to fuel the energy that you use up on a daily basis.

If you get used to skipping one or two meals a day, your stored calories will be used up instead of the energy that should have been provided by your meals. So if you just eat one huge sandwich a day, it will end up going straight to your problem area (eg, thighs, buttocks, hips).

Tip #2: Start your day off right.

Remember your mom telling you that breakfast was the most important meal of the day? Well she was right! Make sure you have a healthy meal in the morning to jump-start your metabolism.

Your food intake after you wake up will be used to burn fat all day long.

Tip #3: Eat small, healthy meals frequently.

Five small-serving meals per day is better than having three hearty meals. Eating more frequently, and in small servings, not only prevents over-eating, but also increases your metabolism making calories burn faster.

Tip #4: Decide on how much weight you want to lose.

Keep your goals realistic. In the long run, it is virtually impossible for you to lose 40 pounds in 2 weeks and keep it off. Have a mindset that you want to eat healthy and stay healthy for the rest of your life.

Once you have decided on a weight loss plan or program, stick to it and make sure that you follow your own set of dieting rules.

Tip #5: Drink lots of water.

Your body needs sufficient water to burn fat and keep your cells hydrated and healthy.

Tip #6: Avoid consuming too much sugar.

Plan your meals around lots of fruits and vegetables, some bread (preferably whole grain), brown rice or whole wheat pasta, plus lean meat and protein-rich foods. Sweets, sodas and pastries should be indulgences only once-in-a-while.

Tip #7: Exercise.

Leave your car if you are only going a few blocks from home, take the stairs instead of the elevator, jog, cycle, or skate. Use these activities and other home chores if you are too lazy, or simply can’t make it to the gym for a workout or to take an exercise class. Make sure that you do this regularly and you will not even notice that you are already shedding pounds with these mundane activities.

It does not matter how much weight you plan or need to lose. What is important is that you set yourself realistic goals.

Go slow and be patient. Eat healthy, drink lots of water, and be sure to increase your activity level. This will give you a higher chance of losing weight and improving your health, which will result in a new and healthier you.

Get Fit and Stay Fit!

Kristy Lee Wilson

Fitness Tip: Forget the Clock

How often do you check the clock while doing cardio? Doesn’t time crawl when you’re busy staring down those last ten minutes? Instead of focusing on every remaining second think of how great it feels to get into shape. Here’s a great way to enjoy cardio: load an enjoyable audio book onto your iPod – you may even end up doing a longer workout!

Kristy Lee Wilson

Fitness Tip: Surround Yourself with Winners

One of the key qualities of all successful people is that they avoid negative people and they spend the majority of their time surrounded by those who have already achieved what they themselves seek to achieve. Hanging out with people who just talk about their goals, or getting in shape, but never take persistent action will ensure that you never reach your goal.

Get Fit and Stay Fit!

Kristy Lee Wilson

Fitness Tip: Know Your Outcome

Have specific goals. Get a photo (or several) of what you WILL look like when you reach your goal, and then focus only on that image. Quickly erase any negative beliefs or images that may enter into your mind during your day.

Get Fit and Stay Fit!

Kristy Lee Wilson

www.kristy-leewilson.com