Tanner's Blog

We set goals when we are motivated. We take action when we are ready. We fizzle because we become discouraged when we aren't living up to our expectations. What to do: make your NUMBER ONE priority to stay motivated. If you can stay motivated you will succeed because you can only fail it you quit. Along your journey to healthier living you will learn what works for you and what doesn't. Become a student of yourself. Goggle how to stay motivated first.

Many people do the following. Why don't you give it a try? Pick a date. March 31st. Scratch that. I pick today. Pick a physical activity goal. To break a sweat and then do 10 more minutes. Pick a nutrition modification. Drink a measured amount of water that is way more than I usually drink. Behaviorally, I will stick to this plan for today because the sense of empowerment and energy I will get from it will help me reach my long-term goal. Plan. Do. Learn. Plan. Do. Learn. Plan. Do. Learn.

Hi Folks, I'm still here. Things are good relatively speaking. In fact, can't we only speak in relative terms. Did you know our perception is very influential? I have noticed that when I surround myself with or listen to positive people I tend to be more positive. It helps me stay focused on my goals and keep things in perspective. That said, today is going to be a great day. Give us a call to set-up a fitness consultation. We are excited to meet you.

1) Start drinking plain old water (min 60oz/day). Shrunken fat cells are sluggish and resistant to utilization. 2) Take a 4 or 5-star multivitamin rated by a 3rd party review (NutriSearch Comparative Guide). Otherwise, you'll be wasting your money. Optimally, prepared cells serve as a catalyst for all metabolic reactions. 3) Take a similar quality and trusted fish oil (again it doesn't have to be my brand and it does need to be a quality brand). This will specifically help mobilize fat cells to be used as energy and also has many other proven health benefits. 4) Lastly, you need to move. 30 minutes per day however you can get it done is fine. Drink, take vitamins, and move.

Come on people! A favorite quote of mine, "people who don't WRITE down their goals, work for people who do". It works. Here are a few more tips: have goals in a visible place, put a deadline date on them, focus on what you have to do to meet your goal and not the goal itself, make it achievable and reframe or lower your goal if necessary. It's your game so you can make the rules and change them whenever you want. If you don't have a clue as to what is realistic, guess. You NEED to have goals. Ps) I apologize for past, current, and future typos/misspells. Hopefully these things don't matter as much when you're blogging at 5 something in the morning.

Why do we do the things we don't want to do and don't do the things that we want to do? One reason is that humans are analytical by nature and analysis is not action. Why is choice, change and action so hard. Why do we get stuck? To change we must fully accept and submit to the fact that we were wrong. The choices we've made have led us and continue to lead us to where we are. In a culture where submission to anything carries a strong negative connotation, it's no wonder that this is so hard. How open to change are we really? A better question is how motivated are we really? Maybe the best question is, can we fall to our knees time and time again and submit ourselves fully to try something else despite all fear?

I often try to remind clients that in the area of health and wellness it is okay to be extremely driven and motivated but if you never relax and enjoy life, if you are so motivated that it controls your every move all the time, then you are playing with fire or inevitable disaster and besides that, what's the point. Sorry for the run-on sentence. As cliche as it sounds, improved fitness is like any other self betterment endeavors, it is a journey with ups and downs, swerves and curves. Focus on where your going and why. "Deep health does not come from a bottle or pill. It comes from a diet of fresh whole foods. It comes from sufficient exercise combined with genuine rest. It comes from clean air and clean water. And it comes from living with purpose and joy." -PN

Done. Please check it out at www.fitdupage.com. We still have tweaks to make but as one of our clients stated, "it is 11 times better". What do you think?

2012 goal to become more flexible.  You betcha. Definitely. Check.  Beware the common misperception that resolutions don't work. They often do.

Other: Better nutrition habits for me and my family. Check. I am a student, not just a teacher.  Fitness is more than exercise. Education and application helps me to help others.

Lastly, more action and less fear to leave something good for something better. Yep. What will you risk leaving and gaining this year?

Many of my clients have a morning routine of exercises. Whether it is a 10 minute walking video, a 20 minute yoga routine, or simply just a few exercises to help get them moving. Come to think of it, my dog even has a routine. Anyway, these clients claim, along with several research studies, that it is extremely beneficial to have a go to exercise. Something that you do everyday. So, for my 3D December (see website) Challenge #2, I have decided to do 10 minutes of stretching for the hamstrings, hips, and low back. It has been so nice to have increased ease of movement by 7am instead of 10. I highly recommend you try a morning stretch routine.