Tag Archives: motivation

Challenges, Obstacles and Hugs

Posted on March 7, 2013 | 1 Comment

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We all have those days…the days when you are just not feelin’ it. 

There could be things going on in your life that make you feel unhappy, unmotivated or just down right sad.

It could be as simple as not enough sleep, rushing around to pick up the kids, not having groceries for dinner, someone said something to you and it wasn’t what they said but the tone in which they said it, a work deadline or a crappy boss.

How these things play out is really up to you. You’re either a cup half empty or cup half full kind of thinker.  

You have to make a conscious decision everyday to be excited!  If you can’t be excited, then the decision is to not let those things weigh you down.  You have to take what life gives you in stride.  Control what you can control, manage what you can manage and overcome the obstacles that life throws in your path.  It’s a decision and a mind set…you control both!

So you all know that I am not a big fan of eating out…kinda weird with people touching my food and not knowing exactly what is going in said food gives me the hee-bee-jee-bees, BUT, I want you to watch this video. Anything is possible and this video shows you just that.  No matter what your challenges are, you can be amazed and inspired by people who make our problems a little less gigantic.

I definitely want to go to this restaurant to eat and get some hugs.

Click here -> Tim’s Place

Done watching?  Now go out and kick some a#*

Don’t tell people how tough your problems are…tell your problems how tough YOU are!

 
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What’s your theme?

Posted on January 3, 2013 | 1 Comment

motivation2013 is here!! I like the thought of a new year. What I don’t like is that so many people give up on their goals in October/November and tell themselves they will get after it in January. I think everyone should look back over 2012 and take an inventory of what happened. Did you meet any of your goals? was it a good year? what would have made it better?

In typical Type A fashion, I like to have a plan. I have seen over and over in my life if I don’t have a plan then my focus drifts–just like a “to do” list.

So what’s your plan for 2013?

One of my girls said that one of her goals for 2013 was to smile more,  ”so that other people will see her smile and hopefully it will make them smile.”  What a great goal–I am totally taking that one for me too!!!

First…set some goals…make your plan. Make some serious plans, get a new job, go for a raise, start a reno project at home, save a certain amount each month so you can take a vacation, exercise daily and prepare healthy food.

Next, make some fun plans: vacation, take cooking classes, get a hobby, start a new activity with your kids/family.

Just make sure that you a writing them down! A goal not written down is just a wish.

Onto your theme…what is 2013 going to be for you? A year of change?  A year of improvement?  A year of fun? My beloved Disney does this…each year they have a theme. Last year was “The Year of More Magic”.. and now this year is “The year Limited Time Magic“

So why have a theme? Simple…when you claim it you will own it. Why not have a theme?  It’s fun. It gives that plan or your to do list a little more sparkle! This could be your year that your dreams come true.  How amazing is that!!!!!

So what will your theme be?

I will suggest that some of you (you know who you are) you declare and claim this the year of YOU!  So many of you have neglected your needs and put everyone first. You have sacrificed your workouts to make it to a hockey arena. You have sacrificed eating healthy because you had to make sure everyone else was taken care of.

The year of “YOU” does not mean you have to turn your back on things but it does mean that you do have to schedule time to take care of you.  Without you, I am sure that your families would fall apart. It means that you schedule certain days or hours that you are not the chauffeur and that your partner is the one that is in the lead.  You take turns so that you both get some time to take care of yourselves. This means going for that long overdue massage, going to see your friend for a coffee, taking time to pursue your hobby/passion oh and of course carving out that time to show up to boot camp!!!!!!

It’s time to kick that guilt to the curb and make yourself a happier person.  I know that if you lost those extra pounds that have been weighing you down you would be a different person.  Proof positive is at boot camp!!!

So many of you are devoted to other people, and there is certainly an element of that as a parent. I will promise you that if you carve out that “me time” you will feel better and you will be a better parent/spouse.

Still unsure of what your theme should be? Pick three words that will inspire you or pick just one word. Make that word or those words your daily motivation/inspiration.

Here are a few words to help you build your theme:
joy
energy
strength
positive
fortitude
happiness
success
change
boldness
courage
determination
gratitude
fearlessness
grit
gutsiness
patience
perseverance
spirit/ spunk

Share your theme below in the comments. Claim it and own it. Inspire and motivate others to have a theme. Be bold…put it out there. If you are looking for some support, post your theme below, you know darn well that I will follow-up with you!!!!

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Its Friday Fitness Funny Time!

Posted on November 9, 2012 | Leave a comment

Hope you all have a great weekend.  Don’t lose sight of your goals, eat for energy and have fun!

Premeditation

Some are on their 3rd dozen

But, does he get up and keep going…commitment

 

 

 

 

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Happy Motivation Monday!!

Posted on October 22, 2012 | Leave a comment

 

Here is a simple question….do you have goals? I mean real, legit goals…no wishy washy ones.  Definable achievements that you are going to attain with a date or time associated to them that are realistic and worthy of your focus?
When did you make these goals?

Write it down

Monday is a great time to re-set. Re-set your long-term and short-term goals. How did you do on the previous week?  Did you commit to your goals or did you ignore what you really want by giving into short-term pleasures and distractions.
Did real life issues get in the way that kept you from going after your goals>  I know that happens to all of us.  That doesn’t mean you failed in your goal achievement UNLESS you don’t return to focusing on your goals…then you fail.
Plan and prepare for your week ahead.
If you have lost your focus, fallen off the wagon, or given up…..this is the time to restart.
Today is the day you write down what you want to achieve this week.
For example…this is what I want for all of you:
-start your day with a healthy breakfast
-pack your lunches
-plan your dinners so you aren’t scrambling
-show up to boot camp at least 3x this week
-drink 3L of water daily
-go to bed early
Goal setting is a “to-do” list and you can check things off day by day….that is a sense of accomplishment.
If your goal is to lose 40lbs well that won’t happen this week, but you can set small goals to get you through this week and then re-set those goals on Sunday so you can tackle the following week.
Start your week off strong. 
Have a plan. Stop using wishy-washy words. Commit to change and experience how awesome if feels to be prepared and see the results of your work.
Fail to plan….plan to fail.
Set your goals…get your fitness/health “to do” list started right now and start checking things off.
PS: 63 days until Christmas…are you going to go into 2013 the same or ahead of the game. Small changes can change your life-I promise!

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Yesterday you said tomorrow.

Posted on October 19, 2012 | 4 Comments

I hear that A LOT.
I receive emails regularly to the effect of…

“Carrie, I am going to get started tomorrow”

“Carrie, missed you and boot camp last night, will be back next week”

I have heard them all (many times) and of course if you have been away or fallen off the wagon I want to help and I will be there for you and for your sake I always want you back

BUT….

you need to put up or shut up.

Talking will not get you into your skinny jeans.

Talking yourself out of not working out is the issue you need to deal with.  I am always here to help, but you have to and need to have a goal.  If you have your goal, then you need to focus on it.  If you can’t focus on it and your goal doesn’t drive you to winning, then you’ve set the wrong goal.

Motivation is what gets you going, habit is what keeps you going.

I really have been where you are. I have fallen off that wagon a few times…and pulling myself up was friggin tough…BUT SO WORTH IT!!

When I finally figured out I was worth it and food will never make me feel better, I had my “a-ha moment”.

You are not a dog – so don’t reward yourself with food! Remember that one!!

You might not be where you want to be (in terms of your health/fitness) but you are closer than you were yesterday–that is if you show up to boot camp.

You’ve heard me say it at boot camp many times…when you are feeling out of sorts or teetering of the edge….“You dig deep!”

This is what I know for a fact:
You don’t get the body you want by hoping for it;
You don’t get the body you want by wishing for it;
You don’t get the body you want by taking it easy and not pushing yourself;
You don’t get the body you want by making excuses.

You get the body you want by getting off your butt and working for it.

Losing weight is hard–I know…been there; done that,  so start listening to me!
Maintaining weight can be hard (again, refer to above).
Staying fat is hard (again refer to above).

You choose the hard you want.

  • Hard to stay healthy
  • Hard to stay fit
  • Hard to feel younger
  • Hard to look better.

or…

  • Hard to breath
  • Hard to walk
  • Hard to find clothes
  • Hard to play with your children
I know you can get fit….but will you?

Gimme me a “oh hell yeah”

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Your excuse… not accepted.

Posted on September 12, 2012 | Leave a comment

I am fortunate to get a lot of WOW moments doing what I do.  I get to cheer and celebrate all of your wins and successes big and small.  I get to go on these life changing journeys with you and it is incredible!

I am the first to do a back flip because you lost 5lbs…well, metaphorically, I am a boot camper, not a gymnast.  I love celebrating (celebrating with hi-5′s that is)  that you made it through the week without cheating and eating junk food.

I am lucky you share with me great things that are happening with your family and how you are all on a road to healthy eating.

Yesterday was another banner day.  I had heard from a fellow boot camper that she had lost 10lbs in her first month of boot camp and she is so close to her pre pregnancy weight.  This is a big deal because Megan started boot camp 6 weeks postpartum–booo yaah!!!  I will be honest, when I was six weeks postpartum I wasnt able to string a sentence together!!!  She has her goal insight and nothing will set her back now…that is awesome. She won’t be carrying around “baby weight” or use it as an excuse.

I hear that one a lot…”I need to lose the baby weight“.  I reply, “How old is the baby” and the usual answer is “my baby is X yrs old!” Not months…YEARS!Last evening class Rob and Janine, (husband and wife boot campers) PROVED that you can still make time for boot camp.  They are also new parents.  They just had their 3rd bundle of joy! Janine, the rock star that she is showed up once she got the all clear from her Dr.  So these parents (who are tired, hungry, tired, exhausted, tired etc) showed up to boot camp last night even though they couldn’t find a sitter for the baby.  They showed up anyway!

They took turns Boot Camping hard and modifying the exercises with the stroller.  They both still managed to workout for the hour.  AMAZING! Most people would’ve thrown in the towel.  They showed up.  Me = prouder than proud!!!! They just proved that no matter what is going on, excuses or “reasons”  you can still somehow manage to get your workout in…and they worked as a team…fantastic!

To all of you that make the effort, I raise my water bottle to you!

I know its tough and some days are worse than others but the fact you have put your health as a priority is incredible!

To those of you that are struggling, I beg of you to make the effort. Don’t let excuses get the best of you.  You invest one hour a day I promise you will feel so much better that you’ll soon feel like you will be able to take on the world!!!

You are in charge of how you look and feel….you get to decide.

Yes, it really is that easy.

Now, go drink some water, eat healthy-real food and kick Wednesday in the a$&!!!

See you at boot camp!!!!

I’m sorry, you were saying?

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Find your greatness

Posted on August 10, 2012 | 4 Comments
We’re in the final stretch of the Olympics and I still have Olympic fever. I will likely have withdrawal when the games are over.  I love that these games not only showcase international skill, talent, hard work, determination, dedication but they give us hope and motivation.
It makes us see the potential of who we could be when we commit ourselves to our goals. So many are stuck in the routine of life or the routine of excuses of why they can’t (exercise/eat healthy). The Olympics show us that you NEED to make your health a priority and that with commitment anything is possible.
Watch this video and listen to the words…really listen to them.
I want to give a shout out to the boot campers who showed up last night in the rain. I know it would’ve been easier to stay home, sit on the couch, relax, etc but you guys showed up.
Yes it rained, but it was just some rain-NBD (no big deal) You could’ve stayed home and stayed dry but instead you showed up and burned over 800cal. You made your health a priority–you kicked those excuses to the curb.  If you keep looking for excuses as to why you “can’t” you will NEVER achieve your goals.
So proud of you guys that tough it out in the rain, the heat, the cold and yes the snow. I think that its easier that we do it together -”we’re all in this together” cue High School Musical (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbrbUfYSt0E)
So proud of our group–proud to be a part of your journey!!

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Why you need an Olympic mentality for fitness.

Posted on August 8, 2012 | 2 Comments

Only the best compete here

Like so many people right now, I am glued to the Olympics.  My children have been subjected to the only thing on the TV is one sport or another.  My husband is in heaven since it means no reality shows on either.

I really love everything about the Olympics.  Athlete’s have to be at their best every time they show up.  They can’t take a minute off.  They can’t lose focus for a moment.  Everything about the last several years of their lives, if not their entire lives, has been in preparation for the moment on the Olympic stage.

Besides the sports, I also love watching the filler stories about the athlete’s themselves.  Their training, their diet, their commitment.  In Canada, we get all the coverage live (sorry NBC watcher’s) and they have had a doctor that explains what happens during an event in terms of the muscles, blood flow, lungs and how the incredible exertion of energy for the sports like rowing, cycling and running impact the body.  It’s really neat.

You don’t get these unless you have…

We can learn a lot from our Olympic athlete’s.

Goal setting

Every athlete has a goal.  It may be a personal best, a set qualifying time, or a podium finish. They set them, write them down, live them and don’t let anyone tell them they can’t do it.

Focus

Athletes’ keep their eyes on their goal in preparation and their focus is laser sharp during their event.  They don’t hear the crowds, negative people or get distracted by outside influence.  (Look no further than the men’s 100m and no one flinched when a bottle bounced on the ground just behind them while they were waiting in the blocks.)

Determination

The only thing that deters an athlete is a better one, but even then, they go out there knowing that on any given day, someone can fall, stumble or rise to the top.

Commitment

You won’t see an Olympian taking a day off of training because it’s too hot or too cold.  They won’t complain about not being able to see the latest movie or stay up to date with their favourite TV show.  They won’t be eating crap because they have a craving.  They are committed to being their best and they know that they have to be committed to everything that will help them get to their goal.

Desire

We all have a desire to be great in our own way and our own vocation.  The difference between most of us and the people who accomplish their goals is their desire.  But, all the desire in the world won’t mean anything unless you put commitment, determination, focus and goals where they belong…on the top of the podium.

You might not have the natural ability to be an Olympian or maybe you are just a little to old to be at the top of your athletic game, but when it comes to your fitness, you sure can have all the attributes above to achieve your potential.

Size, weight, strength or endurance are your goals to be had. Set them, focus there and don’t let anything or anyone deter you from reaching your goals.

Put yourself in the best position to achieve your own Olympic glory.

Position yourself to win.

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Friday Fitness Funny Time

Posted on July 20, 2012 | Leave a comment

Goals…they need to be real

And supermodels would eat

Planking or sleeping?

Well, Kardashian got it to move to her butt, maybe there’s hope.

There’s people that would still think that’s too expensive for their health.

I don’t even know where to begin….

Don’t worry, some people are trying to re-create Vatican City in their bodies

But the clean up is so easy right?

Dear Doctors….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Summertime is Sangria Time!

Posted on July 4, 2012 | Leave a comment

I love when friends, clients and strangers look for advice on losing weight, maintaining their success or reaching those last few milestones on their journey to better health.   One really overlooked, but essential tool to take your results to the next level or get your journey going right is simple.  Write it down!

To make your results happen just that much faster you need to journal your food intake daily.

Many of you know, that when you come to me and ask for help, I will tell you right away to start sending me your food journals.  When you write it down and see what you are putting in your mouth it makes you accountable.  Doing a food journal is not complicated. Write it down, start a spread sheet, email it to yourself, start a calendar and post it.
When your results aren’t happening or have stalled this is one tactic that will help you get to the next level.  The secret to the journal is being honest about what you are putting in your mouth.  It’s amazing how many people actually don’t realize how much, or in some cases, how little they are actually eating.
It can be eating too much, skipping meals, going too long in between meals, bad choices, not drinking water, skipping boot camp (had to throw that in) the list goes on.
Be accountable to yourself and actually look at what you are eating.

Write it, see it, adjust it

OK, here’s the reason I know you’re all reading this….The slightest chance that I would mention a forbidden beverage has piqued your curiosity, right?!

Well, here it is…..boot camp sangria (thank me later)
 -pitcher of water
-your favourite fruit chopped up
-another option is to add frozen fruit to your water
Place it in the fridge and let the fruit kick up that water……
**Shazam……boot camp sangria
Here are some other great combinations to try.
-strawberries and pineapple
-lime, mint (this is my mojito water)
-grapefruit
-cucumber, lemon, mint
-mixed citrus (orange, lemon, lime)
-mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
-cucumber / melon
 If you have any of your own great flavour flav combinations, post them in the comments section here.  AS LONG AS THEY ARE VIRGIN AND HEALTHY!!!
I know you don’t need me to keep telling you how important water is because I tell you all.the.time–so PLEASE believe me! Drink water!

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