Category Archives: Inspiration

The secret of success is you!

Remember that girl who gave up… yeah, no one else does either.

We have had a lot of people come through our boot camp program over the last few years.  I can now spot almost immediately who will be able to tough it out and who will give up.  I firmly believe that like attracts like.

Your everyday, overall attitude and also the attitude you show how you view specific things is what will determine your success. It’s like people who play poker poorly…they often have a “tell” that gives away their odds on success.   Poker players don’t want to give away what their holding.  You’re can’t be a poker player with your health.  You should be giving away your positive attitude in everything you do! Let other’s see it.

Exercise is a reward not a punishment.  One hour a day for your overall health is a very small investment.

You might spend hours and hours AND hours in your garden/yard for the few short months of nice weather we have here in Canada, but you won’t invest an hour into your life long health.  Crazy right?  You’ll do everything you can to beautify your property which only a few people will see, but you won’t make that same investment of time in yourself which everyone will see.

The difference of fit vs fat, strong vs weak, longevity vs shorter life span is as simple as the difference between being able to tend to your garden in your 80′s or sitting in a wheelchair watching others do what you used to take for granted.

Is our boot camp program hard?  Hells yes it’s hard, but it works.
It is fun and always changing.  You can’t get that from a bunch of machines.
The support I see everyday from your fellow boot campers encouraging each other is something that I am in awe of.

Think it’s not for you or it’s too tough?  You do what you can and you get stronger! Are you going to get stronger, healthier, fitter, faster doing what you’re doing now?

You need to start, set daily goals and not quit even when “life” gets in the way.

Stop settling for status quo. Stop beating yourself up in your mind. You have been through a lot harder in your life and there is no doubt you can tough out an hour of exercise.

Be stronger than your excuses.

There will always be an excuse or “reason” why you can’t.  Make your reasons why you can stronger than your excuses.

Limitations only exist when you let them.

When you are tired and I have you heading up that hill or stairs or I say 10 more burpees, dig deep, push through.  Show yourself, me and the world that you can do it. I know you can do it.  You just have to know you can do it. I have said it, well, yelled it 100x – you don’t walk to the finish line. You summon up that strength and you fight on!!

I refuse to give up on you!

Boot Campers are too busy getting better to have time for excuses!

Who loves ya’?

Don’t you dare…

Excuses…we all have them and most of the time we can justify them to ourselves.  Excuses are how we justify not doing things.  Most people run into trouble when they try to use excuses to avoid tasks, challenges or change.

Here is a video that will slap any excuses you might have right out of your head.

Where you are now and where you want to be with your health and fitness is totally within your control.

Don’t you dare complain if you aren’t going to do something to change it! The reality is that you have to make the decision and dedicate yourself to the changes you want for yourself.

If you want to be fit, if you want to be healthier than you are or you want to be a certain size, you have to do something to get there.

  • You have to move your body
  • You have to go beyond your comfort zone.
  • You have to STOP with the excuses.

I can introduce you to a number of people who have it much worse than you do.

  • I can show you people who are in pain but show up.
  • I can point out to you people who work 80+ hours a week and still show up
  • I can introduce you to people who have kids who have sports and activities and they manage to show up.

There will never be a perfect time.  If you decide that you want to try to wait for the perfect time, you will run out of time.

When are you going to show up for your health??

Think you have it bad?  You might want to re-think that!  There is always someone who has it worse.  There is always someone who has challenges that you and I can’t imagine living with.

Never underestimate what you can accomplish.

Never give up!  Never make excuses…they’re just like                   , everyone has one.

The rules of fat loss

There are rules.

There are rules in life.  There are rules in every aspect in life.

It is just understood that you *should* follow the rules.  Rules help ensure that everyone plays on a level field and everyone ahs the same opportunity for success.  This becomes especially important if you want a particular outcome.

There are rules for a reason.

Just like there are rules for life, there are rules to fat loss and the rules are universal. If you have to lose 5lbs or 50lbs there are rules to follow and following those rules guarantees your success.

If you decide that you are only going to occasionally follow the rules you won’t get the results you are looking for.

Doing half of the work will get you less than half of the results.  The rules of fat loss work to your benefit.  The better you follow them, the results become exponential.

One healthy meal or one good choice throughout your day will not help you move forward.  They will help you maintain, or slow the negative results of your poor choices, but moving forward will not be part of your overall success.

The rules are simple.  The choices are yours.

  • Yes vs no
  • Good vs bad
  • Right vs wrong

When you dive into a meal that you know that is not healthy and decide to wash it all down with alcohol; you have to ask yourself, “Did I break the rules?”  Your answer will be either yes or no comment.

You’ll make excuses for your behavior or you’ll make excuses for breaking the rules.

You can’t get to your weight loss goals by half-assin’ the plan.

When a meal or drink wins out over your common sense then YOUR EXCUSES ARE STRONGER THAN YOUR REASON

THIS:

 If you want fat loss results: Follow the rules!

Here are the rules (simplified)

  1. MOVE: exercise is essential FYI: lolly-gagging on a treadmill is not real exercise
  2. EAT: real food only-non processed food (green face)
  3. DRINK: you need to drink water NOT ALCOHOL

Don’t give in to your excuses or you will never see the results that you want.

Life happens.  There are rules in life.

Follow the rules and experience the life that you actually want.

You win with you


I do not totally support any Gatorade product but I say, “Well done on a great motivational commercial!!”

Look beyond the product placement and make sure you are hearing and seeing the real message.

It’s up to you…

  1. How hard you work will dictate your results…truth!
  2. What you put into your workouts is what you get out of them…truth!

Your results are all about you.  You DO win from within.  There are no gadgets, no technologies, no pretty clothes or any amount of Gatorade that will get you to your goal.  It is always your drive, your desire and your commitment.

You win with you.

Excuses we make for gaining weight and the real reason you need to control

I saw this poster and needed to share it.
The truth hurts, but sometimes, we all need a wake up call.  Excuses are like belly buttons…every body has one!

Your April Promise:

  • I will become who I should have been all along
  • I will give 110% when I workout
  • I will try something new
  • I will put my health first
  • I will remind myself that my goal is to be fit
  • I will eat right-No excuses
  • I will be stronger today than I was yesterday
  1. Start with doing what is necessary (show up to boot camp);
  2. Then do what is possible (push yourself) and;
  3. Suddenly you are doing the impossible!!

I was inspired by the snow last night (not really inspired but ugly about the snow) and decided to make a treat for the family.  It’s a twist on the classic “Snowballs” recipe that we always see around Christmas…yummy and healthy!

Protein Snow Balls:

  • 2 -3 scoops of vanilla boot camp protein
  • 1-2 cups of natural peanut butter
  • 1 cup of unsweetened coconut

Mix protein and pb together, (if it is too sticky add more protein / too dry add more pb.)
Make into little balls then roll in coconut–place in the fridge for 30 min to firm up.  You can moisten the balls with a little bit of water to help the coconut to stick.

*note* I made these with two 7 yr olds fighting over who could roll them--hence the non round shape

Mango Coconut Protein Shake

  • 1 scoop vanilla boot camp protein
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or unsweetened coconut milk
  • 1/2 frozen banana
  • 1/2-3/4 cup of frozen mango
  • couple of drops of coconut extract

Blend and enjoy!!!!!!!!

Motivation to keep you moving!

Here are a few motivational / inspirational posters to keep your head in the game.  When you think about giving up, or slowing down…read these…print them out- remember them!

Happy FriYAY everyone!

 

What are your reasons for a healthy life?

Everyone has their reasons for getting and staying fit/healthy.

Some people do it to lose weight, some because they have had a health scare (diabetes, high blood pressure/cholesterol), some do it for protection/prevention.

Whatever your reason, congratulations. I know some days it can be a real struggle to drum up the energy to show up to boot camp (or whatever your fitness program is).

It is key to keep your goals in the forefront of your mind to help you stay focused and on track.

Here are the reasons why I take care of my health:
Health – I want to stay healthy not only for me but for my family!
Strength – I like being able to push myself.  I like being able to know that I am working towards a longer/stronger life.  I like being able to do 50/50/50 x 50 :)
Pride – I am proud of how far I have come – losing over 200lbs was hard but I did it…and I never want to have to do it again!
My Family -  I want to run, jump and play with my kids and their kids.  I want to be a great role model for them when they are adults.  I want them to take care of their health.
Happiness – Being fit makes me happy – being overweight made me miserable– I choose to be happy, healthy and fit
Me – I am doing this for me.  Spending an hour a day to make myself better is better for everyone that I’m involved with.

If things in your life aren’t the way you want them, then change it.  YOU HAVE THE POWER WITHIN YOU TO CHANGE!

You and your health are a priority. If you put everyone’s needs before yours that doesn’t make you a martyr in the name of family first, it makes you unhealthy.  If you’re not healthy, what good are you to them?

As parents we have self-induced guilt the moment our children are born. We don’t want to miss a minute of their lives. We put our lives on the back burner to take care of our families.  Imagine the guilt if you get sick or incapacitated and you must have your kids/family take care of you.  When it comes to health issues that you can control, you are insulting everyone who didn’t have that control.  Try to look at someone who’s health and wellness was taken from them and couldn’t control it when you can prevent your poor health issues.  Our health is precious just as our family is.

Pitty Party for 1

I want everyone to read this and post it in a place that you can look at it.  Use it as a reminder that everyone has a story to help them feel sorry for themselves and we all have something to complain about.  Don’t be that person. Be the person who rises above the problems of day to day life and kick your them to the curb and yell at the top of your lungs, “NEXT!”


We all have problems/issues.

Things aren’t always perfect but more than anything you are in a better position than most people. If you can’t change your situation then work with what you have.

You complain about your weight but remember that you can fix that.  It’s in your control.  You can make the change…but will you??

I find it amazing and awful at the same time that people are so quick to tell you what is wrong in their life other than to speak of what is good in their life.
We all have more good than bad going on.  Attitude of gratitude people...get it!
If you start to focus on positive things then more positive things will happen and you will be grateful for what you have.  Not miserable for what you don’t.

Your attitude and mood is all controlled by you.

Be thankful you have your health.   If you are not in good health, YOU NEED TO CHANGE THAT!

  • Be thankful for the family you have.
  • Be thankful if you have a job and a roof over your head.
  • Be thankful for your spouse and your kids—many don’t have either.

Yes, at times they are the people that can drive you from zero to crazy in 30 seconds–but be thankful that you have them!

It isn’t hard to change your attitude.

Smile more, be helpful, appreciate what you have.

(Insert cliche here, “Take time to smell the roses.”)

There will be bad days but there is something good in each and everyday.  So pull your head out of your &$# and start living a happier life….it really is that easy.

Never say you “can’t” when you really can!

If nothing changes……nothing changes.

Everyone knows what they “should” be doing but only very few actually do it, and by “it” I mean exercise and eat properly.

It’s time to make changes.

  • Time to plan your meals and COOK THEM
  • Time to schedule in your workouts

Things will come up that will derail your from your plan, but you need to dial into your ninja stealth moves and be able to recover and stay on track.
(Oh yes, I just said ninja stealth moves! LOL)

Meetings come up, kids get sick, traffic happens, you forgot your lunch.  The list of “didn’t plan on this happening goes and on and on…

Bumps in the road are bumps in the road.  They do not give you a  licence to eat whatever is quick or easy.  It’s not permission for you to skip exercise.  You really need to be stronger than your excuses.

Being healthy is not a punishment…it is a reward!

Exercise and eat smart.  That’s all I’m asking for.  It’s prevention.  It is going to help you live a longer, happier and healthier life.

Think about this for a sec.  How many people do you know that have health issues and for them, it’s now too late.  TOO LATE.  Don’t become that person or statistic.  Not when you have the ability and wherewithal to take control.

You get through one day at a time. You set goals, real goals (specifics please!), not fluffy, obscure goals (i.e. I will lose weight).  You say, “I will lose 10 pounds by April 1st, be able to do 10 more pushups”…etc.

Those days you just aren’t feeling up for a workout.  Show up to boot camp.  I guarantee that you will leave feeling happy and proud of yourself that you did it!

Have your resolutions given way to your excuses?

It’s almost March….3 months into a the New Year and where are you?

Did you start the year all gung-ho and saying that this was the year you were going to kick that body fat to the curb??

Where are you now?? Have you given up or are you staying strong??

Have you been using one of these 3 excuses?  The three excuses get me absolutely  fired up.  These are literally about the worst excuses anyone can come up with!

  1. My ____(insert body part) is not good. When it’s better I’ll start
  2. I don’t have the time
  3. I just can’t put the money together

ALL 3 excuses are bull. Here’s how I see it.

*My ___hurts:  everyone has something that hurts.  We can always work with you and your hurt and you’ll still have the benefit of exercising, safely. Your heart will hurt if you keep carrying any extra weight.

Yeah, your excuse is so invalid!

 

 

 

 

 

 

*I don’t have the time:  TOTAL LIE.  There are people who are busier than you that manage to “fit” in fitness. You have enough time to make excuses, so how about you redirect that time and get your butt moving!! I can guarantee that  watching TV is going to do nothing for your health.

 

 

 

 

 

 

*I don’t have the money.  Fair enough, but if you break it down and look at what you spend money on (Starbucks, eating out, movies, entertainment, etc) I think you could probably find a way.  If it’s worth it to you, you’ll find a way, otherwise you will find an excuse.  Is it worth it to you to be healthy?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trust me, I have heard just about every excuse.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is one of my favourite kick your excuses to the curb videos.  If you “think” you can’t …YOU NEED TO WATCH THIS