Have a Fitness Resolution? Resolve to Make it Work for You!

Hey you, the new year is here and like every new year exercise and eating right is at the top of your resolutions list. So what are you waiting for? You already know why your doing this. Your good health, your energy, your high spirits are needed. There is no better time than now. You ARE going to start that exercise program and you ARE going to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet.  Sure, you'll take it slow and steady making sure it becomes a part of your routine so it sticks. Change takes time, so don't forget that. You are going to have set backs, but your not going to beat yourself up about it. I mean, stuff happens, just don't use it as a an excuse. (You know what I mean!) You'll pick yourself back up and get back to it. It's a new year but never fret, the right time is always, NOW. You can do this.

I resolve to make it work for me.

No expectations, but to keep active.

Now get it done. 

Here's how:

• Budget for Fitness You do not need a lot of moolah, but you do need to budget for whatever gets you excited, keeps you motivated and accountable. Whether your buying equipment for an in home space, walking/jogging clothing or shoes, exercise gear, joining a gym, taking a class, buying a DVD or a Wii, or you want to work with a trainer you need to budget for exercise.

• Research Fitness Programs, Gyms, Classes, et al. Try out a variety of things- variety is the spice to life.  You need to mix it up between these three modes of exercise for optimal fitness results:
• CARDIO  (walking, jogging, kick boxing class, cycling class...)
• STRENGTH  (metabolic training using weights, body resistance training, Pilates)
• STRETCHING/MINDFULNESS (Yoga, Tai Chi) 

• Tell your family, friends and co-workers your exercise plans. Letting others know your plans will not only help you stay motivated, it lets others know your good health is important to you which in turn makes scheduling fitness a whole lot easier. People nowadays are way more understanding of time spent exercising than say taking several cigarette breaks throughout the day. An hour, hour and half spent doing your body and mind good helps everyone! Letting people know your starting an exercise regimen may even lead you to an exercise buddy to help keep your workouts fun and keep you accountable too.

• Get Started. Try out different times of day to exercise and see what works best for your schedule, your family, your personality. There is no right or wrong time of day to exercise.  Remember you do not have to do 60 minutes of exercise in one bout. 60 minutes accumulated throughout the day works. The goal is to try to exercise everyday or at least 3-4 days a week, alternating between cardio, strength training and stretching/mindfulness activities.

                                                                                                                Good luck and cheers,

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Fit Budgeting & Savings Tips for a Fit Life

Why an article about budgeting and saving tips in a blog about living an active and healthy lifestyle? As a mother, a small business owner and fitness advocate, I think healthy living and being active encompasses both striving for physical fitness, and emotional fitness.

I believe personal finance is wrapped-up in emotion. We make countless money spending and saving choices each day. The consequences of those choices (wise or folly) affects our emotional well-being, in turn impacting our physical well-being. When it comes to household finances, the "elephant in the room" for many families, or the cause of bickering and even all out warfare in others, can be a source of stress and even anguish which is no good. Whether your a saver, spender or somewhere in between, I think it's always good to be open and honest about finances with your partner and to evaluate and reevaluate your household finances at the minimum once a year. Working out household finance issues, having a good understanding and control of our finances as well as being able to prioritize spending helps to create less emotional stress- opening up new ways of living and empowering us to happier, active living. Since we're in yet another recession (some of us are pretty familiar with recessions at this point, remember when the dot.com bubble burst in 2000), I thought it was apropos to discuss fit budgeting and savings tips for a fit life. Specifically, how to budget and save, and still do what you want- get fit, stay fit and enjoy it (hopefully). I mean we could all use a financial tone-up every now and then.  Moreover, for lots of moms, when money is tight, our own well fare becomes secondary to that of our families. We make sure all the necessities are taken care of as best we can, but tend to let our own health and fitness fall by the wayside. I want to help you make fitness a priority in good and bad times, because when mama is fit, healthy and happy that's good for the whole family! You not only improve your quality and outlook on life, but most likely your new healthy habits (both physical and fiscal) will trickle down to your family.