However…

One particular activity RUNNING… is something that I have never been able to do, even as a child I used to hate the long hard agonising cross country runs during school PE sessions.  So… to keep me motivated and challenged I have set a plan taking advantage of what we have left of our summer… TO RUN!  On my second session (attempt) I actually found it a bit easier.  Not sure what it is, but the first five minutes of each run I think I will never be able to complete it and my breathing is heavy, then it somehow gets easier and even seems gentler.  The walk at the end is the BEST BIT; it is an unusual feeling, a buzz and warm feeling which streams through my body leaving me feeling completely energised. 

If there is an activity that you have had stored in the back of your mind and never managed to attempt then this is the best time to do it now.  From my past experience working with my clients losing weight is tougher during the autumn – the summer is the best time, so utilise the remaining few weeks that we have left and make a difference now!  Good luck.

Keep well,

Jackie x

You may be good at multitasking, however, are you managing to achieve everything that you need to do each week, or do some areas of your life slip to the bottom of the pile? It is all too easy to neglect exercise and not spend enough time on yourself.

Use this 3-stage checklist below to help you identify key areas of your life that you need to change. The end of January is often awash with broken new years resolutions but now is the ideal time to evaluate where you are and what you can do to get back on track:

1. Do you get energy slumps at a certain times of the day?
2. Do you find you don’t have time to exercise?
3. Would you love to lose a few pounds or simply have more energy?

If you have said yes to at least 2 of the options above then you could benefit from the tips below. These will help you to make some simple lifestyle changes during the month of February:

1. Keep a diary of your exercise/activities, what food you eat and what your emotions are for one week.  You will be surprised how this simple tool will help as it will highlight the key areas of your life that you feel you need to change (simply email Life In Balance for your FREE daily diary now info@lifeinbalance.co.uk).
2. Change the word exercise to activity and concentrate on one thing that you would enjoy doing.  It has to be something that you can fit in next week, now pencil it in your diary.  The second week do the same activity and so on until you feel ready to add a second activity. Your fitness and energy levels will soon improve!
3. We know diets can sometimes work for short-term weight loss but they are not sustainable. They can be detrimental to your health by depleting your energy levels.  As a busy woman wanting to achieve so much, you can’t afford to be tired and sluggish. If you want to feel alert and focused, take a look at typical day (for example yesterday) and identify one bad habit that you would like to change.  Then continue with this change for 3 weeks, it will then become a new, good habit.

Good luck and enjoy making some new healthy changes during the month of February!

Keep well,

Jackie x

The tendency in these uncertain times is to panic and concentrate on making decisive, financial changes.  However, taking into consideration the lipstick statistics, you seriously need to think about yourself too.  This could be an ideal time for you to take action and give you that added incentive to lose weight.  It will certainly help you to feel better just like the lipstick!

3 credit crunch weight loss tips to get you started:

1. Simple lifestyle analysis
   Take some time now to carry out a simple lifestyle analysis. You need to identify obvious bad habits and work to remove them from your routines; it’s amazing to see just how many changes you can make in one week! With continuing improvement in these areas, good healthy practices will become habitual and part of your everyday routines!
   
2. Your support network
   Create a support network of friends’ and family, find common interest and get moving.  Make it fun and lose weight at the same time, it will have a positive effect on how you feel.
   
3. Forward planning
   Forward planning is the key to weight loss, think ahead and identify difficult situations.  It will make them seem far less significant when they arrive. You will be able to cope and not get anxious about them! This reduces the stress in your life and keeps your healthy routines on track in tricky situations.

I had decided the night before that I wouldn’t take the car.  However, on awakening, I must admit the thought of getting wet before a meeting was not that appealing.  A few years ago I would have readily used this excuse to take the car.  But not now, not after losing 4 stone in weight and learning how to motivate myself to take the healthy options in life.  I grabbed the large black brolly in the hallway and stepped outside into the pouring rain.  Yes, it was very early and dull but the air smelt refreshing and full of energy.

My thoughts were positive and I felt invigorated.  If I had taken the car I would have been sitting in the traffic planning where I was going to park. Instead I was able to enjoy the early morning birdsong, prepare for my meeting and have some quality time for myself. During the walk women appeared walking at a brisk pace. This was definitely something they did regularly as their clothes were regulation walker gear! This was such an inspiring scene, two walking buddies with the determination and motivation to carry on their exercise even in the pouring rain. As they walked passed me I felt their laughter surround my thoughts

Further along I walked through a beautifully landscaped public garden in this lovely Oxfordshire town. The garden has a sculpted circular path in the middle and this is where I witnessed another inspiring duo!  There were two ladies, this time walking separately, both armed with umbrellas and walking at a brisk, fat burning pace acknowledging each other as they passed each other around the circle.  I was amazed and really impressed.  It was 7am and the rain had not stopped them from achieving their early activity. 

I took a sneaky look back over my shoulder and yes, the ladies were still vigorously walking around that circle enjoying losing weight in the rain.

So how would you love to be motivated enough to want to walk in the rain?  This may be a bit extreme for you at the moment but these ladies had to start somewhere…    Where do you feel that you could start?  What would you be able to do tomorrow?  Don’t spend too much time planning it just do it.  See how you feel immediately afterwards.  This could be your kick-start to lose weight and maybe one day you will be walking in the rain like others!

Keep well,

Jackie x

A story that the papers a currently running is that Gordon Brown has hired a personal trainer to help him get into shape this summer. (Possibly to replace above text) 

It has been suggested that he has a gym membership BUT he also works long hours behind a desk.  Does this sound familiar?
 
Let’s face it though; the most challenging part in accomplishing any goal is getting motivated.
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Secondly, once you do get motivated how do you then continue to maintain a healthy lifestyle?
 

Well it is all about you and your lifestyle, work with what you have and make very small changes that are sustainable. 

So… are you making the most of the remaining weeks of the summer? 

We know from personal experience and from thousands of unused gym memberships that simply having all the gear will not get you active! By taking action immediately and changing your mental state at the same time you WILL achieve more!

Here are 5 activity tips to help you get started to improve your health, self-esteem and concentration levels.

1. Think differently – don’t use the word ‘exercise’ replace it with ‘activity’
2. Get motivated – Team up with someone and suggest an activity to do together (this could be with a friend, your partner or even a work colleague)
3. Be different and have fun – maybe a dance class or an outdoor activity
4. Keep focused – use a weekly activity sheet to record measurable stats (type of activity, duration and how you are feeling) – contact me if you would like to receive your FREE sheet now
5. Be consistent – aim to achieve at least 3 activities a week

 Don’t forget to make the best of the remaining weeks of the summer!!