"Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things . . . I am tempted to think there are no little things."
~~ Bruce Barton

Nothing of worth comes quickly or easily (okay, there is the occasional lottery winner…). Think about the important things, what you value in life: faith, family, wealth, health. Are any of these things easy to attain and once you've attained them, easy to keep? Most people would say no. Then why bother? Because if you're like me, the alternative of not having those things in my life is unacceptable.

But life gets in the way - the ringing phone, sick children, the laundry, your boss. Unless we focus on our values we will never live those values, only long for them from afar. So what are your top values? Is health and fitness among the top or does it at least support your top values? If so, what do you let get in the way? What do you not do on a daily basis that would let you be the fit and healthy person you want to be and make you more successful in every facet of your life? Are you willing to change it? If you're reading this newsletter my gut tells me you are willing.

Several months ago I heard Tom Wood speak on his 21 Secrets of Marketing Millionaires. #13 was "Live on the slight edge." He says that the same thing created over time creates massive success or failure. It's not something you see today. One missed workout will not be the end of you, nor will just one workout cause one pound of weight loss. It all adds up. He says to focus on what you can do everyday to be excellent.

No I haven't reverted to the all or nothing principle. That doesn't work. When you focus daily on what you can do it may simply be a 12-minute workout in your living room or to walk the dog an extra block when that's all that is feasible. Your daily focus on your values and what you want in life is the key to living the life you want. Live on the slight edge and look forward to success!

Message from the President

I read something recently that is a perfect fit for this issue: "How often it is said that there are only two certainties in life: death and taxes. Not true. There are three: death, taxes and change." - Warren Stell.

We're changing seasons soon. Kids are going back to school and maybe you are too. The days are getting shorter. Of course we each have personal changes that have nothing to do with the time of year - marriage, birth, death, career moves…

As things are always changing, don't let your fitness habits fall victim to these changes. Can you imagine - you would never exercise! If you keep putting off starting a program until "things get back to normal," guess what? They are normal! Work with what you have. Don't expect perfection (it doesn't exist.) As the well-known sportswear company says, just do it!

To your health,

Heather Lynn Moreno
PeopleFit USA, President

Enjoy the following teleseminars from the comfort of your own phone.

Click here for more details!

Tuesday, September 9
6 pm PST

Tuesday, October 14
6 pm PST

Tuesday, November 11
6 pm PST

Got Deadlines? Pressures?
You’re Not Alone.

Many of you know I’m a self-described CPA escapee. After working in that hectic environment and spending the last nine years in the fitness industry I have discovered the simple keys to keeping on track regardless of your schedule.

This month the Journal of Accountancy published my article, “To Your Health.” The article, although geared towards CPAs, is an excellent guide for any professional or business owner looking for sensible self-care to help maintain stamina during crunch time. For the full article click here: http://preview2.aicpa.org/pubs/jofa/sep2003/johnson.htm

Got Stress?

Silly question. We all have stress. Its source can be positive or negative and it helps us to meet the challenges we face in life. If you don't balance stress with relaxation, you run into a myriad of health problems from tension headaches and skin irritations to heart disease and stomach problems. It can also worsen current conditions you already have.

Throughout time many methods of relaxation have been practiced: acupuncture, prayer, hypnosis, massage (my personal favorite!) and meditation to name a few. Exercise is undeniably a very effective method of relaxation.

"What? I wouldn't call that Stairmaster workout relaxing!" I can hear you saying. But think back and you likely remember feeling refreshed after your workout and yes, even relaxed. It makes sense. Most relaxation techniques focus on breathing. Exercise produces a rhythm of breathing which can divert attention from the stress that disrupted your breathing pattern. Voila - relaxation!

As always, find an activity that you enjoy. Your colleague may insist yoga is best for relaxation but if you find it more stressful than relaxing to hold those poses, forget it. Think of the concept of play or what best suits your personality. If you find running a 10K relaxing or T'ai Chi is your thing, great. The more enjoyable the exercise, the more effective. But whatever you do, just do it.

PeopleFit USA Works! - Fitness by Phone® Client Testimonial:

Client: Rosemary Smith--Richmond, VA
Biggest Challenge: Sticking with exercise and making time for it--no matter what comes along.
Goals: To improve her health and try something new.

Her Story: "I always knew exercise was important to my health; I just did not know what "would work for me." I was introduced to Fitness by Phone® a few years ago and it really made a change in my life. Now I know that for exercise to work for me I need accountability, I must do what I enjoy and see a health benefit from it, and I must be guided by an expert with the proper knowledge and understanding.

I keep weekly diaries to set goals and plan my exercise strategies. I call my Coach on a weekly basis. This accountability helps me to stay on track. I do the exercise that I have set out to do and if I change it, or do another exercise in its place, that's okay. My Coach is very patient and understanding and a good listener, which helps me to succeed and feel good about myself. This positive coaching relationship is very important to me as there are times I have felt like quitting. My Coach just encourages me and lets me modify my goals - even if I have to 'back up' for a bit. She wants the best for me: to have a healthy life through an active lifestyle. I know this is true because while being a Fitness by Phone® client I had a work-related lower back injury and experienced job changes and other stress-related issues. She guided me through all of these and taught me that if you recover and take care of your body, you will feel mentally 'fit' also!

If I don't enjoy exercise I won't do it! I have added new activities - like yoga classes and working on a fitness ball - and also continued with my favorite activities, like walking. I even learned how to vary my walking to get my heart rate up and burn more calories, if that is my goal for a certain week. My Coach often suggested and encouraged new activities. All of this keeps my fitness routine new and interesting. I understand the benefits of cross training and see what a difference exercise makes. I feel better. I see the personal benefits of making exercise a regular part of my lifestyle.

I enjoy the connection with my Fitness by Phone® Coach although we are on a maintenance program now. It has helped me through difficult times during the last few years. I plan to continue with it because it makes me feel better, eat healthier and have a better attitude - even on days when the sun isn't shining outside!"

Rosemary Smith - rosiesmith@comcast.net