We all like the comfortable and the known.  We think we know what we are capable of and often we underestimate what we can do.  In the almost 3.5 years I have been a Beachbody Coach I have thought about how I would like to do P90X and felt it was too advanced and hard for me.

This past Sunday morning I woke up about 3:30 AM and when I can’t sleep I start channel surfing for Beachbody Infomercials. I never get tired of watching them, seeing who I know and getting inspired. I clicked onto the new P90X and watched the whole thing for about the 100th time. This time I “heard” something new. One of the success stories (who I met this past Saturday) said when he began he could only do 20% of the work out. That info combined with the Tony Horton Interview I am sending to everyone convinced me no matter how not ready I was, I could begin and see what happens. Last night I did Core Synergystics with my good friend and coach Kristen Scott and moved the whole time and according to Kristen did at least 15% of the workout.

In the beginning of the work out manual for P90X there is a letter from Carl, the Founder of Beachbody about the program called Embrace the Struggle.  One of his comments really had a big impact on me.

“My, oh my…I just started week 2 of P90X and in my personal frustration with feeling uncoordinated with much of the program, I spoke to Jon Congdon, President of Beachbody about “my issues.”

In other words, he felt just like I did last night.  My goal today is to do Cardio X which is the second workout in the Lean Version of the program.  I am still working my way up to doing it and wanted to remind you and me, if something is easy, we are not stretching enough.

Decide, Commit, Succeed

Team Beachbody Founding Coach,

Judi Finneran

“Of course, the biggest problem with the “Blame Game” is that everyone loses.”

Blaming others for our excess weight or inability to lose weight is so self-defeating.  If it is not our fault, how can we be expected to make any changes?  We have the power to change only ourselves, not others.

Get out of the Blame Game and accept responsibility for your actions.  A client was sharing some info yesterday about a weight loss plan and one of the topics was dessert.  It said if you find yourself, under duress, where you have to eat dessert, do this…

Hmmmmm, interesting.  I don’t recall ever having anyone holding a gun to my head forcing me to eat a bite of chocolate cake.  Has it happened to you?  Really?  As an adult we really do get to choose what we eat.

The gift of accepting responsibility for our actions gives us the POWER to make our own choices and decisions.  You get to decide and be the boss of what you eat or don’t.  YOU ARE IN CHARGE.

Take Charge Now!

Decide, Commit, Succeed

Team Beachbody Founding Coach,

Judi Finneran

I know, most of us hate to exercise or at least that is what we say.  However, all (not some, all) research shows to reach a healthy body weight and maintain it we have to move our booties!

You don’t need an expensive gym membership or pay for a personal trainer.  You don’t need to own a treadmill, exercise bike or home gym (aka clothes racks) in order to get more exercise.  All you need to do is move.

Again, small steps literally and figuratively.  A pedometer is a great idea and is very inexpensive.  Start seeing how many steps you take each day on average for a week.  Then commit to increasing by 50, 100 or 500 steps each day for the next week and then up it again.

If you watch the Biggest Loser, walk during the commercials.  Jillian said there are three 10 minutes commercial breaks which totals 30 minutes.  Get up and walk during every advertising break and that gives you 30 minutes walking!!!

How many minutes have you worked out today?

Decide, Commit, Succeed

Team Beachbody Founding Coach,

Judi Finneran

You truly do not have to accomplish everything in one day, month or year.  One day at a time.  Find something you can improve in what you eat and make the change.  Start with the easiest changes to build up your confidence and create success.  Here are some examples:

1.  Switch from full fat dairy to low fat to non fat and do it at a pace which works for you.

2.  Begin substituting brown rice every where you would normally have white rice.

3. Instead of using white or whole wheat bread, purchase only whole grain.

4.  Substitute Equal, Splenda and Sweet N Low with Stevia.

5.  Add one additional fruit or vegetable to your meals daily.

6.  Increase the amount of water you’re drinking daily by just 8 ounces.

7.  Eliminate instant oatmeal and use long cooking instead.

8.  Buy unsweetened plain yogurt and add your own fruits and stevia to sweeten.

9.  Try Braggs Liquid Aminos instead of Soy Sauce.

10. Stick with firsts and give up seconds.

Decide, Commit, Succeed

Team Beachbody Founding Coach,

Judi Finneran

According to the New England Journal of Medicine, people consistently underestimate the number of calories they consume and overestimate the number of minutes they exercise on a daily basis.

It is so important when you are building a healthy life to know exactly what you are doing. So often I hear from clients what a pain it is to weigh and measure food or how much trouble it is to keep a food diary.  My question is how much pain in there in your life by being overweight?

Weighing and tracking your food daily will take no more than 15 minutes and often much less.  There are all sorts of journals and diaries to use both online and off line.  Do you experience more than 15 minutes of angst each day about your weight and not being as healthy as you would like?  Why not trade the pain of being overweight for the bother of tracking your food?  It is a great trade off to make, I promise.

Just as a thought:

1.  How many ounces of water have you consumed today?

2.  How many calories have you consumed so far?

3.  How many minutes of exercise have you logged?

Decide, Commit, Succeed

Team Beachbody Founding Coach,

Judi Finneran

Self Sabotage

One way we have of defeating ourselves is “not believing” we are in control.  The scary part of taking responsibility for our actions is we have no one else to blame for where we are.  The great part of taking responsibility is we are in charge.  We are the ones making the choices of when, what and how much we will eat.  We are deciding what type of exercise works best for us and what time of the day fits our schedule.  We can’t take control of our lives until and without accepting full responsibility.

Decide, Commit, Succeed

Team Beachbody Founding Coach,

Judi Finneran

Get Comfortable With Fear

As you are making changes to create a more healthy life, there will be times when you are afraid.  All change can be scary and fear of the unknown is pretty normal.  If you are not ever afraid, you aren’t growing.

I listened to a great interview with Tony Horton, Creator of P90X yesterday and Tony gave an example I loved.  Tony said if you choose a new work out program and aren’t worried you may not be able to do it; it is not a good one for you.  We must consistently challenge ourselves every day.  That is only if you want to improve your life, that is.

P.S.  If you would like a link to Tony’s interview, send me an email to judi@shakethefatoff.com with Tony Horton in the subject line.

Go ahead, do something which frightens you.

Decide, Commit, Succeed

Team Beachbody Founding Coach,

Judi Finneran

Get Your “Buts” Out of the Way

Does any of this sound familiar?

You look like you lost weight.  Yeah, but it is because I am wearing black.

Your jeans are getting loose.  Yeah, but I have had them on a couple of hours and they have stretched out.

You are doing great on building your healthy life.  Yeah, but I have never been able to keep the weight off.

For long term success, you need to get your “buts” out of the way.  Progress deserves recognition.  Every small accomplishment takes you one step closer.  Allow people in your life to support you.  Don’t deflect praise or compliments which come your way because you don’t feel like you deserve them.  You do!

Decide, Commit, Succeed

Team Beachbody Founding Coach,

Judi Finneran

Uniquely You!

Don’t spend any time comparing yourself to others.  Each of us is unique and will build our healthy life in our perfect time frame.  If you judge yourself by how others are doing, you will often fall short in your own mind.  You are doing this for you and it is only about you.  Honor your individuality.

Decide, Commit, Succeed

Team Beachbody Founding Coach,

Judi Finneran

Catch Enough Zzzzzzz’s

Getting enough sleep is another important tool to achieve and maintain your healthy weight.  You body repairs and restores itself when you are sleeping.  Make sure you are getting at least 7.5 to 8 hours of high quality sleep nightly.

Decide, Commit, Succeed

Team Beachbody Founding Coach,

Judi Finneran