What's wrong with getting in SHAPE

We are back and ready for the spring.  The pollen is in the air.  I know the kids were out for Sring Break and you had to make plans for them and hopefully you maintained your workout schedule.  Remember we are involved in this change process for life, a lifestyle change.  I was asked over the past week, why do I have such passion for this working out and staying in shape.  I listed the benefits to overall health, vanity, stress relief and confidence that comes from overcoming obstacles.  I believe many of you share the same sentiments as me or even more.  I posed a question to the person who inquired about working out and fitness.  What's wrong with getting in shape?  She looked at me kinda funny and said, "Nothing".  Next, I couldn't resist asking her, What's holding you back?  She stated a list of things, cost, kids, time, gas prices, inconvenience, some people will look at me, on and on.  I finally stopped her list because it was getting to long for me to remember the question I asked.  I finally got the opportunity to say to her, You are holding you from getting the body, health, fitness,confidence and swag you want.  Have you ever held yourself back from something because of fear, excuses, apprehension, the unknown, lack of confidence,etc. When will you get out of your own way and allow change to happen.  How many times in life do we stop ourselves from reaching  goals in life.  How many convenient ways can we come up with to get out of doing what needs to be done. Eliminate the excuses and execute the plan.  What's the plan T, was her next question.  Body, Mind and Meals is the plan.  Let's get to it. 

Body

Our body is very complex with its many muscles, vessels, organs, bones, etc.  


If you look at the picture we can see many body parts, but the beauty of it is that it's neatly packed into one centralized unit.  The greatest thing is that each of us have the same parts of our body and the same opportunity to control it and what happens to it.  What's most important is how we take those parts and use them together to enhance our overall quality of life.  We have to continue to focus on both the inside and outside of our bodies to achieve our desired body or change.  For us that means the combination of strength training, cardio, core training, and mental focus.  Its essential that we put all of those components together to get to the point where we push even harder.  If you notice I didn't say satisfaction, why not, because satisfaction kills desire.  I was talking to De'con Bee right before I started this blog.  De'con has an incredible body and I complimented her on her body via text.  She was stating that she was sore from Saturday workout.  After I stated to her she has an incredible body, she replied, I WANT IT TO BE MORE INCREDIBLE.  I simply thought to myself. WOW.  But I was really thinking about my childhood hero the Incredible Hulk.  Keep it up De'con Bee.  You want to see someone go HAM, come in the Plex on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday and she in there.  Now, What's wrong with getting into great SHAPE?   ABSOLUTELY NOTHING in the words of Tommy Fair. 

MIND

I heard it on numerous occasions, if you want a better body, get your head right.  That's a very true statement for each of us on this journey to change.  It's not about the destination guys, it's the journey, the things we learn along the way that build us up and inspire us to seek out and obtain that next level of fitness or life.  Success starts with your thoughts or your MIND as we call it.  Before you ever get to the next level in life or fitness, you have to see what you want and exert that will power to get to it.  Will power, discipline, determination and perseverance are all concepts of the mind.  All of those are essential for performing at your highest level in our extreme fitness class.   Is it important that I get in shape?  What do I do when I face adversity?  How hard can I push myself today?  I'm uncomfortable during these exercises, but I see the comfort in knowing that I can wear my skinny jeans, or after 5 black dress, or muscle shirt and know that I'm in shape and over came many obstacles to look that darn good.  There will be many people out there that will know your story, about how you changed your lifestyle.  Are they willing to open themselves up to the things it takes to get to that point where you are.  I compare it to judging a book by its cover.  Many of us are only satisfied with picking up the book, looking at the cover and maybe the insert.  We never explore the information on the inside, that's were the meat is to feed and nourish our brain.  Someone will look at you and say that you are in shape, but are they really interested in what it took to get you to the point where you are now, they just a window shopper. BTW you're still not at your greatest point.  When it happens to you, act like a model for them, turn around, put your hands up and point to your head, then you can tell them in a "T" voice.  If you want to get in shape and go to that next level, YOU HAVE TO GET YOUR MIND RIGHT!!!!

MEAL PLAN

We all need a long term meal plan that we committed too on a daily basis.  I'm not talking about the strip down diet that sets you up for failure because you realize that you can't maintain it and your sanity simultaneously.  Discipline when it comes to a meal plan is very important.  You have to have a schedule time that you eat as well as prepare your food before time.  Once you get into a routine it does help.  Also, know what's good food and bad food.  We have to figure those things out.  During the early blogs, I explained daily values, portion size and serving size.  The need for a multi vitamin supplement.  I also talked about the meal intervals and calorie intake.  Believe it or not, not all calories are the same guys.  We have to learn good versus bad calories.  Good calories assist us with change, while bad calories make it 3 times harder to get results.  When you think about your meal, your plan should be high in protein, moderate in carbohydrates and low in fat.  This approach has show to suit the needs of active people and tends to promote fat loss.  

Example: 

Lean Protein:  white meat poultry, fish, egg whites, protein supplements are great especially after workout.  YOU SHOULD GET THAT PROTEIN IN AFTER YOU FINISH WORKOUT 

Carbohydrates:  yams, legumes, brown rice, whole grains,  Asparagus, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, lettuce, tomato, radish, spinach,  Apricot, berries, cantaloupe, grapefruit, guava, lemon, melon, mandarin, orange, peach, plums, watermelon

DON'T FORGET ABOUT INCREASING YOUR WATER, WEATHER IS HEATING UP AND WE ARE TOO.  I NEED YOU TO BE HYDRATED.  10 OZ PER MEAL IS A GREAT START

Finally try to avoid low nutrient density foods.  These are your junk foods such as: alcohol, sweets, sodas, sweet tea, kool aid, processed food and high fat foods.  Low-nutrient foods are easily converted to fat or, as in the case of alcohol, interrupts the body's ability to metabolize fat. 

Hopefully this helps you and gets you on a path to a healthier meal plan.  Take it from me, it helps in all those unwanted places, especially the stomach area.

I know those three areas we have are very broad and there's a lot of information.  This is all about refocusing on our goals and moving to that next level.  I know you can do it, keep believing in you, I won't stop BELIEVING.

As many of you may have heard, our first BODY CAMP (Get in your Zone) will kick of the summer.  Dates are May 30 to June 30, 2011.  Look up details on FB if you have any questions.  Make sure you let me know if you plan to attend.  This will be an experience, we are putting these bodies under construction.  I'm excited about this venture and I plan to bring more passion to it.  If you have been in class, when I get in that ZONE, ain't no stopping that change.  You guys have made this blog and the class a tremendous success, and we appreciate it very much.  LETS GET TO THAT NEXT LEVEL.  NO BOOTS ALLOWED

VIP's:

Carl, Chan, Toya, Sheka, Troy, Big C, Audria, Karen, Lisa, Lisa P, Wally, Derek, Jarvis, Tommy Fair, SS,

Angel, Anglia, TIffany, Jimmy, CG, De'con Bee, KRIS, Phil, Brother In Law, Preacher Rod, Glenn,

Wanda and baby are out right now, come holler at us

Erma, Leanis, Bridgett, Stacy/ sister Sandy SWEET and Zack

I don't think you guys understand how much it means to train you all and get you in your zone and you keep coming back, putting up with me.  Believe me, the experience is mutually beneficial.  Thanks

Did you figure out the answer to the question.  What's wrong with getting in SHAPE? 
Someone let me know.


At the end of the day, we are a small community of diverse people who come together visualizing the common goal of global change.   “T”