|
Healthy Reflections
IN THIS ISSUE A Note From Fran It's our anniversary!  Wow! It's hard to believe our Healthy Reflections newsletter has now been on 'webstands' for a full six months. I remember last November when I first contemplated the idea of writing a monthly column. Initially, it seemed like such a daunting task.
It's amazing what can happen when you make a declaration to do something and then follow it up with a lot of hard work, and perseverance. What often shows up is a great feeling of accomplishment…with a little success to boot. So please let me take a moment to say thank you to my staff, the Aerobodies Fitness Team, all of our clients, colleagues and friends - that means you too Nidge and Moobs! Your loyalty and support this year has been amazing! It only reconfirms to me how truly fortunate I am to what I do with the people I know, love and trust.
franb@aerobodiesfitness.com Executive Coach and CEO – Aerobodies Fitness, Inc. Featured Article Staying Motivated to Stay in Shape This year we've been taking a look at habits - instead of setting New Year's resolutions in January, I challenged you to acquire six new habits over the course of the year that are important to you. We are half-way through the year so let me ask you, how is the process coming along? One reason we take the time to check in with our goals, and where we are towards achieving them, is to know if we are on track or if we need to modify our plan. But another reason to check in with our goals is to see if they are still relevant. Are the habits that you made the decision to develop at the beginning of this year still applicable, still warranted? A good way to find out is to ask the question, "So what?" For example, if you have yet to develop the desired habit of eating breakfast five mornings per week, where currently you are eating breakfast only once per week, use this question. "So what if I eat breakfast five mornings per week?" Your answer might range from having more energy to not feeling ravenously hungry at lunch (and therefore not overeating). The answers you come up with must be strong enough to overcome "so what" in order for you to want to put forth the effort into developing the habit. What if the answer to "so what" surrounding one or more of your habit goals is not sufficient to motivate you? What if the response you hear back from yourself is, "Yeah, so what?" Then it is okay to let go of that goal and move on to something else. Trying to reach a goal or develop a habit that doesn't motivate you won't work, no matter how "good" or "healthy" the goal. Whatever your goals are, the greater a "case" you can build for achieving them, the more likely it is that you will. Picture yourself as a defense attorney, arguing your case before the jury. Why are your goals important? Health, energy, stress reduction, endurance, fitness, self-esteem and confidence… why are any of these things important? Why should your "case" win? How can you convince the jury inside of you to swing your way? Reassess the applicability of the habits you've had difficulty following through with this year. Dump those that are no longer motivating or important to you right now - you can always revisit them later. For all others, build the strongest case you can - and win! Three Keys to Protect your Life Did you know… …that grapefruit juice can be dangerous if you take certain medicines? Grapefruit juice is broken down in the digestive system by the same enzyme that breaks down over 50 prescription drugs. These drugs include some statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs), antidepressants, and antibiotics. Drinking grapefruit juice keeps the liver from processing the drugs as efficiently and the medicine does not work as well or the same as it was intended. Grapefruit juice can stay in your system for 48 hours. If you drink grapefruit juice, talk to your doctor about your medications to make sure it doesn't interfere with your prescription drugs. …that you may not have all of your recommended vaccines? Many people have not been given vaccinations since they were children, and the recommendations have changed. For example, the hepatitis B vaccination should be given to certain groups including healthcare workers, athletes, coaches, teachers, and anyone who may be exposed to bodily fluids and blood. For a complete list, check out www.cdc.gov. …that you should not leave cooked food outside in 90 degree or higher weather? This is especially important during the summer with all the picnics and outings we go to. When you are taking food on an outing, be sure to store it in a cooler at a temperature of least 40 degrees. To keep the food cold in the cooler, transport the cooler in your air-conditioned car instead of the trunk. And be sure to clean that cooler with soap and water after using it! Client Spotlight Fitness by Phone® Works! Client Testimonial: Prior to becoming a Fitness by Phone® (FBP) client, I didn't exercise. Then, due to some recent health issues, I finally decided to seriously focus on a program to help me lose weight and become fit. I was referred to my FBP Coach from another trainer. After talking with my Coach, I liked her personality and enthusiasm about the program. I felt the FBP program was what I needed to get on track to becoming healthy: the flexibility, the focus on activities I already enjoy (i.e. biking, kick-boxing), and the long-term goal of self-reliance. My Coach always makes sure I like the exercises we've selected. If there's something that's just not working for me, she comes up with alternatives that will provide the same type of benefit (i.e. cardio, strength training). FBP teaches me to be accountable for my activity level (or lack thereof). I am the type of person that once I make a commitment, especially to another person, I'm less likely to back out of the task. Because of the weekly phone call with my Coach, it forces me to perform the way I said I would. This is gradually lending itself to feeling less reliant on my Coach and more accountable to myself. I have two favorite aspects of the FBP program: my Coach and the results. My Coach is wonderful. She's supportive, focused, fun, and makes sure I am instructed in the proper form of stretching and exercising so that I don't injure myself. She genuinely cares about her clients and wants to see them succeed. And, in the short time I've been doing FPB, I can not only feel the difference but have also seen the difference: in five weeks, I've lost 7 lbs, have more energy and am not as out of breath in doing daily activities. I would definitely recommend FBP to another person - I think FBP is a great opportunity for people to take control of their fitness program and health.
Canandaigua, NY A Wonderful Summer Recipe! KALE-AVOCADO SALAD In a salad bowl throw in the kale leaves, lemon juice, and olive oil. Cut up the avocado and add it to the kale/lemon/olive oil mixture. Using your hands, mash the avocado into the kale leaves. Add the pumpkin seeds and stir them in. Then salt to taste and enjoy! It's delicious by itself as a side dish or on a veggie burger sandwich! Fed up with diets and exercise that don't work? You're not alone! Call (703) 642-8577 or email us For monthly fitness tips and strategies, sign up today for your complimentary subscription to Healthy Reflections (forward to a friend too!). Don't miss the next issue! Call (703) 642-8577 or email us today. |
|
Volume 1, Issue 7: July 2005 |