Volume 4, Issue 11: November 2003
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." - Oliver Wendell Holmes
One of the most admirable qualities I see in parents is their willingness to do anything for their children. I notice, though, that this will often come at the expense of the parents' health or happiness. I know that being a parent requires sacrifices; anything worthwhile in life does (just ask anyone who is married!) It's just that I think this is sometimes taken to an extreme.
In the book The Road Less Traveled, M. Scott Peck states: "We cannot forsake self-discipline and at the same time be disciplined in our care for another. We cannot be a source of strength unless we nurture our own strength." Yet this is exactly what I see many people, especially women, do: put the needs of everyone else above their own.
When consulting with people on their fitness programs I will hear them say how important it is that they lose weight or how imperative it is to their health that they exercise. They are often emotional, even tearful. But when it comes to getting started I often notice a shift. Suddenly, moms say they don't have time because of carpooling and soccer games. Or, parents say it's the money - they will gladly invest money in their children but skimp when it comes to their own health or education.
Parents gladly make certain sacrifices for their children for the greater good. But when is it misplaced? Think of what the airlines tell us: put on your air mask first before putting it on your child. Can we really teach children the importance of taking care of their bodies with a "do as I say, not as I do" motto? The present state of our children's health tells us "no." What a wonderful lesson to teach children, that mom and dad are worth taking care of. Your children may be parents one day and be thankful for that lesson.
Message from the President
Do you look forward to the last Thursday in November, anticipating spending time with those people closest to you? Or, do you dread the meals and leftovers you feel you are bound to overeat?
I would guess that most of us are not in dire need of food but rather, we have an over abundance of it. Unfortunately, people I often talk to feel deprived and do not enjoy their food.
Approach the bounty
differently this year. Be thankful for the selection of food that you
have available to you and that you can eat anything you want. Be thankful
that the food will still be there tomorrow so that you don't have to overeat
today. Be thankful for elastic waistbands and that if you do overeat you
can choose to eat differently tomorrow. Happy Thanksgiving!
PeopleFit USA, President
Take the Pressure Off
It is well known that stress is the cause of many an ailment. With one of the busiest times of year on its way, why not take a little of the pressure off yourself. Here are some tips on how:
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Tone down self-criticism - when something goes wrong don't beat yourself up. Remove all "should have" and "have to" thoughts. Remind yourself that you are doing your best and make a plan to overcome the next time. For instance, if you oversleep and skip a workout you can always hit the gym at lunch or take a walk in the cool evening air. Or get to bed early and simply plan to exercise the next morning. The world did not (and will not) end because of one missed workout.
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Don't demand so much from yourself - you make it too hard to succeed. If you expect to keep up a five day a week exercise routine while your other commitments have increased dramatically, you might be setting yourself up to fail ("why do anything if I can't do it all" mentality). Know what you can expect to achieve during the holidays and aim for the realistic.
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Study cause/effect patterns - if at 3pm everyday you find yourself eating when you're not even hungry, identify what you're feeling at that time (boredom, stress?) and address the issue without food. You'll feel much better, physically and mentally.
PeopleFit USA Works! - Fitness by Phone® Client Testimonial:
Client: Raynes
White, Burlingame, CA
Biggest Challenge: Improving health without dieting
Goals: Healthy weight loss; exercise consistency
Her Story: "Eight years has passed since a horseback riding accident that left me with one seriously damaged ankle, limiting my mobility and causing arthritis pain nearly 24-7. The arthritis is exacerbated by a state of overweight that is life-threatening in itself. Being overweight isn't something new - I've been overweight nearly my entire life - with brief periods of extreme dieting in between. The challenge was this: I wanted to improve my health, yet I refused to go on another diet for the rest of my life. I knew I needed to improve my fitness, but I was so limited in choices because of my ankle and doctor's orders to choose a non-weight-bearing exercise plan.
When I first spoke with my Fitness by Phone® Coach I was a little skeptical (how can she coach me without meeting me in person?"), but I was thrilled that she felt she could work with my limitations. Even more exciting was that she's a fitness professional on the same wavelength as I am about weight loss and dieting! (Diets don't work - never have, never will!")
What's different about Fitness by Phone® is that I feel personally responsible for my improving fitness. While my Coach is there to make suggestions about how I might "raise the bar", it's me that decides when it's time to do so. And I don't have to feel like it's "all or nothing" in a focus of improving my fitness. She's helped get some perspective about fitting exercise into my hectic schedule. She's taught me how to get the most of my workout time. Now there always seems to be time for even a half-hour workout - even when I'm traveling.
One of my favorite parts of the Fitness by Phone® program has been the introduction of the heart-rate monitor. It keeps me honest and focused on getting the most value of workout time.
I whole-heartedly recommend Fitness by Phone® to anyone interested in finding a tailor-made solution to their own fitness challenges."
Raynes White, CPA,
cpaluvshorses@pacbell.net
For more client success stories go to www.peoplefitusa.com
Easy Gift Giving
Wondering what to get that friend, co-worker or spouse who is telling you they plan to get in shape this New Year? Here are a couple of things they will really love:
Training Fan - truly a fitness training guide. The compact fan shows photos and gives directions of exercises for each body part whether using no equipment (body weight), minimal equipment (bands and dumbbells) or gym machines.
Caltrac - your "personal activity coach" senses your movement and calculates the activity calories burned. It's a great weight loss tool, giving the wearer minute-by-minute results.
Email: info@peoplefitusa.com today for special holiday prices and other gift ideas.
