Wonderful Quality of Life

While at IHRSA 2013, International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association, I was talking to my bff Terrell about what is behind my passion for fitness. Having a wonderful quality of life was among my 10 reasons for being passionate about health and fitness. My dad died less than a year ago at the age of 55. I remember my dad being vibrant, athletic, funny, patient, loving, talkative, and extremely outgoing! He always seemed to enjoy life and not worry about too much of anything. The only time I recall him being sad was when his mom and dad died. He lived his life fully and out loud. He often traveled to visit his friends and family in Greenwood, Kansas City, and Toledo. He never missed a funeral or class reunion or homecoming. He loved his children, and he had many - Fifteen! In the last five years of his life, there was a dramatic decline in his health. My dad went from a strong and athletic to morbidly obese. As his weight went up his quality of life declined. He never talked to me about his inner thoughts, always keeping his persona of strength, but I knew things were not as they seemed. He often confined himself to one area of the house, because climbing the stairs were too much of an obstacle. I would often encourage him to stick to eating a healthy diet, and take a walk down the block. I would acknowledge his strength and ensure him he could turn things around. It was hard living over 2,000 miles away. I felt helpless. Eventually, health complications and an overworked heart took my dad out. I was devastated. I spend my days supporting people as they are on their journeys to better health and my own dad dies from unhealthy living. Life can be so ironic. I had to come to the realization, that we are given the gift of life and choices of how to live. Every choice has it's effects. We can support our fellow brothers and sisters in this life but the ultimate choice belongs to each of us. I value having a wonderful quality of life. Because it is in my value system, do things to increase my chances of having a wonderful quality of life. I want to have the energy, courage, and capacity to do whatever I want in life. I went skydiving because I thought it would be fun! I hike regularly because I enjoy being in nature and I find it soothes my soul. I am eager to learn to prepare vegan and raw foods. I love taking random fitness classes and attending workshops and conferences to learn new things and meet new people. I enjoy traveling the world and experiencing different cultures. My dad's life has affected me in such a way that I have no desire to be ordinary or conventional, I am more than inspired to do whatever it takes to live life, my way, led by the spirit God has placed in me.

Just BE Happy?

All I ever remember wanting is happiness. When I was a child, I wanted to be, do and have many, many things, but the driving force was always happiness. The adolescent version of me thought having things would bring happiness, a pair of Nike Air Jordans and being popular were at the top of my list. I've still not owned a pair of Jordans and I never became popular. I'd like to say I made it through high school happy, but I was always sad about something, feeling like a victim to my circumstances. I've spent years delaying happiness, thinking when I have or accomplish this or that, i'll be happy. As an adult, I was challenged to a new way of thinking. Just be happy. Could it be so simple? Just be happy? Choose to be happy? Is it a choice? Absolutely! Life is all about choices, regardless of circumstances we have a choice of how we are BEING. Now that I am older I realize things can't make me truly happy. Sure things are enjoyable and fun to have, but I am so grateful to know being happy is a choice. I've spent years delaying happiness, thinking when I have or accomplish this or that, i'll be happy.

This way of thinking spills over to all facets of our life. Taking action toward what we want is the key to getting it -happiness, health, love, etc. If you want happiness, wanting happiness does not bring happiness, however, choosing to be happy brings more happiness. Replace this with anything you find yourself wanting. Stop wanting and just be. Let's use weight loss as an example. Weight loss is a result of being healthy. Though one may want to lose weight, the more efficient way of losing weight is to just be healthy. Healthy people make certain lifestyle choices. Those choices will lead to weight loss. I realize this is a simplistic way of looking at life. But things are never as complicated as we make them out to be.

Passion!

I thought it was obvious that I am committed and passionate about fitness, after all I teach spin and yoga classes and I am a personal trainer and I've created an active detox program (Kristie's Natural Active 10 Day Detox) and a superfood supplement (THIS Green). All of which because I am passionate about fitness. I'm currently at IHRSA, International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association and one of my bff's, Terrell L. McTyer, self-proclaimed marketing monster, asked me what are my concerns? In other words what is behind this fitness passion of mine. After thinking about it, I insist on living a certain way and health and fitness is a major player of my being. I can't help but think many others want the exact thing I do. I have 10 concerns:

1. Happiness
2. Wonderful Quality of Life
3. Fun and Adventure
4. Longevity
5. Courage
6. High self-esteem
7. Trust
8. Love
9. Gratitude
10. Acceptance

Being dedicated to fitness has definitely helped in every aspect listed above. I will share more on all of my areas of concern in the coming days!

Eat This!

Clementines are sweet, delicious and in season right now. What a great grab and go snack! The best part is two of these tiny delicious citrus fruits provide a days worth of vitamin C for adults. Packed with nutrients, clementines are only 35 calories per fruit and tout a low glycemic index. Clementines are truly a superfood!

6 Golden Rules to Fabulous Health

I like to have guideposts to help me along the way. Sometimes there are so many social events and life gets busy. This is not a bad thing, but it can make it harder to stay on the straight and narrow path of Fit and Fabulousity. Here are my golden rules to fitness, health and of course fabulousness! (i love creating new fab words. :p)

Sunfare

I am always looking for ways to make the lives of my clients easier. There is no excuse to be unhealthy! Lack of time is an infamous excuse. If you are looking for sympathy due to your busy life, don't come to me. Lack of time is an opportunity and challenge to become more efficient. Are you up for the challenge? Will you take this opportunity to fine tune your life and create time for the important things in life?

So, we've already established the importance of good nutrition. The way I see it, you have a few choices to achieve your nutrition goals.
1. Plan and prepare your meals.
2. Hire someone to plan your meals, like a nutritionist. OR
3. Hire someone to plan and prepare your meals.

You can hire a nutritionist and a chef which may be surprisingly affordable, check around. You may find better deals with new graduates or ask around. We often find what we are looking for, just put it out there.

I recently had a meeting with Sunfare, healthy meal delivery service. I met Carl, the very charismatic, energetic, and involved owner of Sunfare. Sunfare delivers fresh, healthy meals in Southern California as well as Phoenix, Arizona.

I met Carl at the Southern California location and was greeted with fresh fruit and a bottle of water. I toured the facility, hair net and all! The facility was beyond clean, the employees looked happy and the food was being delivered and prepared right there. They get daily produce deliveries and prepare everything with a homemade flair. The meals are customized, and there is a lot of variety. You choose how many meals, ingredients you like, and there are vegetarian options. I even got a day of meals and I must admit, it was indeed delicious. Here's a peek at my meals for the day.

Breakfast: Quesadilla w/ Salsa and Cantaloupe

Lunch: Tuscan Chicken Salad w/ Watermelon

Afternoon Snack: Prociutto Wrapped Caprese Kabobs (I ate this before I took the pic, I was hungry! :-))

Dinner: Mediterranean Salad

Dinner: Herb Grilled Salmon

Evening Snack: Roast Beef w/ Chipotle Mayo and Grapes






One of the best things about Sunfare, besides the outstanding customer service is the packaging is made from corn and potatoes, totally biodegradable! I think this is a great solution for the lack of time excuse!

New Beginnings

It's funny how things come full circle. Not haha funny, but ironic. Nine months ago I stopped working for a boot camp and now I am starting my own. It's an outdoor adult fitness boot camp. I am excited about it. I knew I wanted to be apart of this because the business model works with the synergy of other trainers. We all work together yet put the work into building our own camp. Good thing I live in LA, the weather is mild and people love to exercise. Okay, maybe I am reaching, but people are willing to workout. It's apart of the budget and something that gets a spot on the to-do list. It's a great start. Good enough for me!

Perhaps I should clarify "stopped working for." I was fired...yeah, for being too ambitious. Being an independent contractor should never be mistaken as an employee and I run my business as such. Long story short, took a gig to teach an indoor fitness class and it was perceived as a threat to the boot camp so I got the boot. I was bitter after, I knew I was a great trainer and I just didn't get this idea of my class being a conflict or threat. I am always looking for the silver lining and I do believe things happen for a reason, so I let it go and took it as a sign to work on my own fitness business. I have never been happy to have a "boss."

What we do when the window of opportunity opens determines whether we lose, maintain, or gain position. Whenever things get tough and scary, I think about my true passions in life. I tell myself to proceed in love, not fear. I write what I want in life. I visualize what I want in life. I believe, even if i have to pretend to believe, I believe I can have the life of my dreams. And I repeat this process until it becomes real. This is what I tell my clients who hit the wall and don't think they can lose the weight, or don't think they can change their eating habits, or don't think they can stop smoking, or don't think they are worthy of being in a healthy body. The list goes on. I firmly believe we can be, do and have the desires of our heart. Sometimes we have to give ourselves permission to have a new beginning...a fresh start...a do-over. It may not be easy but all things are possible.