Cheers to Your Health

Since recently moving out of my profession in the Health and Fitness industry (which has been an awfully painful 6 month transition) I have come to the realization just how many people don't incorporate healthy habits in their lifestyle. Not only that but how many people don't care to make healthy decisions to improve their life. This devastates me and at times makes me really frustrated. 

I work in an environment that, in my opinion, is by far full of the unhealthiest people on Earth (or it just seems that way to me!) I bring my lunch in everyday, I neglect the offerings of sugary-garbage foods and get scoffed at when I do so, and I get made fun of for what I eat and the hours I spend working out. Sorry folks, I am not going to change my lifestyle habits that make my life rich and fulfilled to make you happy. 

I am shocked and appalled everyday when I hear someone tell me how "weird" I am or that it's "gross" to Olympic lift and have calluses on my hands. It may not be the most lady-like look to have calluses, but I wouldn't trade them any day to give up the results I get and the way a healthy lifestyle makes me feel. It dawns on me also, that I feel sad for the people who do want a healthier life and who do fall trapped to the Negative-Nancy's of the World. Stick to your guard, hold your head high, and remember why you work out. I may not be wealthy, but with my health and happiness my life is rich. I won't let anyone take that away (and neither should you!)

Crossfit 101

Personally, I have avoided Crossfit due to a fear of the unknown. Honestly, I was also a little frightened to step not just a little out of my comfort zone, but ENTIRELY out of my comfort zone. (Don't we know this is where we get most result?) Either way, this is the journey I am on to become a more well-rounded athlete and person all together. So what is crossfit? With Constantly varied, high-intensity functional movements, it is a training philosophy that coaches people of all shapes and sizes to improve their physical well-being and cardiovascular fitness in a hardcore yet accepting and encouraging environment. Therefore, if you enjoy walking into the gym with your headphones plugged in for an hour of you and your favorite tunes, it might be time to switch it up a bit,

I have successfully completed my first week-ish in a Crossfit box, and I can honestly say I am hooked. I worked as hard as I could today and felt as though I could collapse after all was said and done. Between the calluses on my hands and finding more muscles that I didn't know even existed in my body, I am excited to begin this new chapter to my fitness.

Be an Example

I was working out with one of my dearest friends (another personal trainer) just the other day. She had recently returned from a trip to Disney World in Florida with her son. She told me how shocked she was to see how much of the population there was either overweight or obese. She mentioned to me how determined she was to make an impact on America's increasing rate of obesity and didn't know how she should get started or what to do. In response to assist her with her dilemma I said, "All you have to do is be an example. People will either respond to the energy that you put out there or they won't."

Obesity is a disease that one-third (34.9%) of Americans suffer from. Obesity related conditions consist of heart disease, stroke, diabetes (type 2), as well as certain types of cancer. Which could all possibly lead to a preventable death. Don't become a statistic.

So that's my challenge to all of you. Be an example. Figure out the type of person you want to be (not only in terms of health, but in qualities/morals/standards) and be an example of that person. Surround yourself with like-minded people who strive for success, are goal-oriented, and have similar values. (As they say misery loves company, well so do positive-healthy people.) Surrounding yourself with positive and staying positive, yields positive results. I challenge you to be an example of a person you admire, who you are proud to be. Be an example.