Summer's Over...

..... and it's time to get back on the health train!

Put down the budlight iced tea and the ridiculous Shades of Grey, stop with the 'I'm on vacation/it's summer time' excuse for every single bad food choice and missed workout. Let me tell you, if you are going to eat bad everytime there is something to celebrate, well, there is something to celebrate everyday so why not just eat whatever you want, whenever you want? Feel good about yourself? Seriously. Smarten up. This year we are going to make some changes and do this right.

When was your last workout? Did you accomplish your goal and finished it feeling great?

What was your last meal? Was it a healthy protein and carb combo leaving you feeling good?

I sure do hope so because then my job it done here and I'm going to take the winter off.....

Oh but wait.... We didn't both end up on the same page? Alright, business time, where do we begin.

We begin by setting goals. Goals have to be specific, realistic, and measureable to be achievable. This make sense? Grab a notebook (just for you to read) and write down:

• 1 ultimate goal,
• 2 goals you want to accomplish this week,
• 3 goals you want to accomplish this month, and
• 4 goals you want to accomplish this year!

Everyday jot down what you ate, what you did for exercise, and how you are feeling. Most of my clients use an app on their phones (myfitnesspal or mynetdiary), easy way to track your food and exercise as you go.

You just have to start! Don't get excited and try to follow every rule ever written about health, this relationship is one guaranteed to fail. Just try to start making good decisions, one at a time, consistently.

"Will power is a muscle, every time you use it, you strengthen it"

After you begin making each good decision, you will begin achieving your goals, and you will begin to feel good, in control. Your success is in your hands alone. Allow yourself room to change, fail, and then make another good decision. BOOM! We are learning. We are human.

Over the summer my personal goals have changed as well, fall brings a new exciting lifestyle after a chaotic summer of preparation for it. I am focused more on my 'day job' career as a financial planner, working with young professionals and their (often neglected) retirement and risk planning as well as working with businesses and their group benefits programs. I love it. Talking with and helping people everyday (sound familiar to the health field?.....no coincidence here). 

That being said, I mostly work from home and visit my clients (finance and fitness) during the days, making a flexible schedule for workouts and meal preparation time. No excuses for me now.

A little reflection on the year goals I set in January for 2012:

Professional goal - expand FuelFit? Yes sir. Added bonus, finance career growth.

Training goals - run a full marathon? No, knee injury in Feb, surgery in Nov. Back handspring? Still working... :) Try crossfit? YES!! And LOVE IT! Compete in a fitness competition? Well...we shall see, possibly in Nov if it works pre-surgery.

Personal - proper sleep pattern? Yes. Move? Yes.

September goals:

Professional - raise awareness of the finance field to help more young professionals, start finance blog ( check it out, almost done: http://sarahalstead.wordpress.com/ ). New health blog every Wednesday.

Training - crossfit x 3/week, run 10 miles/week (everything according to how the knee feels...boo to injuries)

Personal - attend one of my closest friends, Stephanie's, wedding in Vegas. Couldn't be happier for her and Curt so truly excited for this!

Okay, this is where I leave you with one of my favorite quotes, it's go time! Notebook, goals, and good decisions......consistency.

"If you are tired of starting over, stop giving up."