Don't buy the snake oil!

2015 is less than a week away, which means a number of people are beginning to research the best ways to reach their health and fitness goals; All the while knee deep in continued holiday celebrations which include over eating, over drinking, over extending, and missing key workouts. Don't feel guilty...enjoy it, tis the season. But while you research please know: it is hard work that will bring you success for those desired goals.  

We don't have cable so I am not familiar with the present day advertisements, but I can confidently predict that they are preying on your wish to reach your goals quickly and easily. Heads up, it is total bull hockey (that means bullshit). There is not a 'supplement' that can specifically target upper thighs... There is not a single exercise routine that will ONLY flatten your tummy....There is no truth to dropping 10 pounds of fat in a week (discounting lipo). Do not be duped. Save your money. 

You certainly CAN reach your goals. It will take discipline, motivation, and hard work. 

To ensure you are successful, make adjustments/changes to your routine gradually. Going in full speed will likely burn you out before you can see progress. Slow and steady to start. You will gain momentum as your tweaks become habit. 

How:

Find an activity/exercise you enjoy doing, and schedule it into your planner. You are now accountable if you have it marked down in your calendar. For the first bit, schedule a few short time slots/week. As the weeks pass, block more time on more days (a popular routine is 3 days on, 1 day rest). 

As you get comfortable with the exercise, up the intensity (add more time/add more weights/add more repetitions). 

Add water. Set a goal of 2 litres daily, but reach this by increasing consumption weekly. 250 mls each day week 1, 500 mls daily week 2, and so on. 

Remove the junk. To get to 'clean' eating, slowly cull the crap that is derailing your healthy eating. If you enjoy a glass (or more) of wine nightly, decrease your serving size, and make it every other night, until you can make it a once in awhile indulgence. The same goes for the piece of chocolate, cookies, chips...

Get more sleep. Late night eating can often add calories to what has been a successful day of eating. Going to bed early will not only stop you from munching while watching tv, it will recharge your body. A tired body craves unhealthy foods. 

Finally, stay connected with Jo:Moma....2015 has more in store for all you lovelies. 

Stay happy and healthy 

www.jomoma.ca 

Mirror Mirror....

Imagine. 

Imagine being the fairest in all the land and your own mirror tells you this day in and day out. Your own personal groupie. 

I am going to be honest...I do not own such a mirror. And if I did, I likely wouldn't believe it since I have been programmed by the advertising world to see all my faults. 

Almost every morning I glance at my 'out-of-bed' reflexion (on route to pee) and think "really?! This is how I look?...wow". To be clear, I am not blown away by the beauty that is my image, but rather amazed that my own looks don't raise the children from their slumber immediately. 

It doesn't end there. Every washroom break, shower, and changing of my clothes, has me criticizing  my being. I see the unmanaged locks. I see the pores. I see the crows feet and the unsymmetrical aging of my left side and right side. I see the cellulite on my rear end and spreading to the back of my legs (this takes particular effort, since I have to get a mirror to view my backside). I see my thin eyebrows (passed down from my mom), my aging mouth, my lack of a six pack, and my nothing breasts (I don't want big breasts...but perky, round, and ...perky). I see it all. I look for it. I have been programmed to dislike my physical self. 

And then it dawns on me. I look back at photos of yesteryear....and I don't see what I loathed about myself back then. I can't help but wonder how much joy I have stolen from myself being concerned about bullshit. Stuff that doesn't matter when the years have passed. The little stuff. The lines creasing from my eyes as a photo captures my laugh in a single moment of time. A laugh. Not a before shot of plastic surgery. A laugh. 

I have enough things taken from me, without me hijacking my own happiness by fixating on stuff that only I see, or better yet, stuff I have been brainwashed to see. 

Mirror mirror on the wall...Shut up. I have LIFE to live. 

Stay happy and healthy

www.jomoma.ca.