No more diets!

The new year is right around the corner and I've heard a few people talking about starting back on different types of diets.  One person has told me that they are going to cut out all carbs.  The problem with this?  One, our bodies DO need carbohydrates, and, two, what happens months from now when they begin introducing carbs back into their diet?  The likelihood that this person will drop carbs forever is slim.

Losing weight should not involve cutting things out.  The only way to have success that actually sticks is to make a life-style change....and the only way to change your lifestyle is to be sure you are realistic.

In the past year, I've lost 20 lbs....and I DON'T plan on gaining it back.  Why?  I didn't cut out everything that I love.  I started with Focus T25 as my workout, but I'll be honest...I didn't use the Nutrition Guide that came with the program.  I DID read it and I DID use it as a reference, but I have not seriously followed the nutrition guides in any of the programs I have used.  Why?  I like to have Oreos once in a while.  I may even have some chips or a piece of cake.  If I cut these things completey out of my diet, I would get to the point where I'd want an ENTIRE package of Oreos.  Do I try to eat mostly healthy?  Yes, but I've made SMALL changes over time in order to make it part of my life.

Am I ever going to be showing off six pack abs?  Probably not if I am not cutting out ALL of the crap that I eat, I may create them...but, I probably won't be able to SEE them...and I'm okay with that.

My point here....don't start a DIET!  If you want to lose weight, the key is in small nutritional changes over time and exercise.  What small changes will YOU make this new year?

What am I thankful for?

This time of year, we all should be stepping back and thinking about what it is we are thankful for.

What are ten things that I am thankful for this school year?

• I have a GREAT group of sixth graders that always keep me on my toes.
• Coworkers that feel the same stresses that I do and listen to me vent.
• Those little notes and emails every once in a while that reaffirm that I'm reaching SOMEBODY and they even appreciate it.
• Seeing the look on that one student's face who has been struggling all year, but now is FINALLY GETTING it!
• Hearing the kids yell, "No!  Don't stop!" when I put the book mark into my read-aloud book and close it.
• Hugs from the former students that walk by in the hallway.
• Hearing, "you're not old, your just older" from a former student that came by to pick up a sibling.
• Vacations....I won't lie....I enjoy them, too.
• My daily workout - I am in a MUCH better mood walking through those school doors after I have done this for myself.
• Carpooling every once in a while with a great coworker.

What are YOU thankful for this school year?

Results, Results, Results....

     When I began this blog, I started tracking my workouts doing P90X3, but daily accounts of my workouts were just....well, let's face it, BORING!  Maybe there was an interesting day here and there, but overall, who wants to read how every day's workout went for a person?

    Being a Beachbody Coach, however, I am asked about various programs and, the most common question, of course, is "What were your results?"  So.....instead of a daily account, I'm going to be posting brief overviews of the programs that I have completed.  I'll start with the first one that I actually completed from start to finish (Focus T25), then P90X3, Insanity, and end with PiYo (which I am currently just starting....).  My posts will include initial reactions, brief summaries of each workout, challenges, modifications, and, of course, results.  If there is something in particular that YOU'D like to see in my review, please let me know by commenting on this post.  These reviews are for YOU!