Phit-N-Phat...Making Fitness and Weightloss a Lifestyle

Do You Need Exercise Accountability?

Losing weight is hard enough, but add onto that trainers like me who actually expect you to go from the couch to exercising on a consistent basis makes some people think we must be smoking dope. I understand it because when I weighed 250lbs exercise sucked. It hurt, I was always sore, I didn't like making time for it, and for years and years I saw myself find ANY REASON to quit.

I was obese for a long time. From nine until thirty I weighed anywhere from 175lbs to 250lbs. There were times I got my act together for a bit. But, it seemed it never took long for me to...

Get sick - fall off the wagon.
Work late one night - three weeks before I thought about the gym.
Someone "need me" in their moment of crisis - dinner out and bam - why try after a plate of nachos.
My kid not feeling me being away - I'm a mom and he needs me so another couple of months of half-assed efforts.

I finally decided to do something about it and started exercising. Granted, my only accountability seven years ago was crying to my husband in a bad moment "I have to do this." My life was miserable and I was not a good mom or wife feeling drained, tired, lazy, and bad about myself.

My husband is the kind of man who stepped UP and said, "I will watch Logan (after a long day at work), you NEED this." This makes me one blessed girl.

I'm not a superwoman but timing just happened to be right for me. For most people it doesn't work that way. You aren't strong enough to MAKE YOURSELF do it. Hell, I had years and years I wasn't strong enough.

Looking at the women I work with now on Phit-N-Phat.com and the Happy Healthy Holy Ladies at our school, I see all kinds of terrific accountability measures being put in place. I LOVE IT. They have things I didn't have but was fortunate enough to overcome.

Texting
On PNP my private clients really get to know and support each other as "online friends." We have one challenge group this month called the Five Times a Week Exercisers. They've committed to showing up and getting their workouts done. It's so cute how they decided to start a morning text chain. Each person has a buddy and when you get your text it's virtural go TIME. They meet back in the forums later to report what they did. I LOVE READING their cheering each other on to fat loss glory!

Friends Doing Contests
I am co-leading a Biggest Loser challenge of nearly 50 women at our school and church. Many are walking their first half-marathon at the end of the contest. Led by me, they rely on each to show up for training and my motivational speech and lesson each week.

When they pass each other in the hall they have lots of eyes and voices keeping them focused on their goals. It's been a beauitful thing to watch as we progress together to month two. It all started because one teacher, my friend Jennie, cared enough about them to ask me if I could help. 

Challenge Groups
Each month I lead Facebook Challenge Groups for Beachbody clients of mine. They all work together, post motivation, and have a coach like me to get them moving and answering their training and nutrition questions.

I also lead small groups of people who have 8-10 friends who all want to lose weight and don't know where to start. Well, I do, and if you have the friends, I have the time and Beachbody videos  and plans y'all can all use TOGETHER. 

And, I think that's the key in this day and age. There are so many ways to find and get accountability. If you look around and don't have it in your "real" life you can find it online. But, sometimes it is right in front of your face. The question is are you willing to use it?

Always feel free to post questions or ask me to help you lead your small groups. I've got ways. Muwahahahah!!!! We just have to find the one that you can use. 

 

PNP Site Membership Changes

This message went out to all members registered on the site but I also wanted to post here for everyone's information!

A message to all members of Phit-N-Phat

Startng today, Jan. 30, 2012, I am taking the PNP website to a private, exclusive member community. If you are a free member of the www.phit-n-phat.com fitness and healthy lifestyle community, your member status will be on hold (but not deleted). You will only be able to view the main page but none of the forums, videos, or other resources.  If you would like more information on what a private member receives, please visit this link. Membership is only $9.95 a month. You will have the tools you have seen along with books, training plans, menus, and more.  Should you not want to a be a member you can continue to read my blog or follow me on Facebook. Both of these places you can hear my message and ask questions.   For my CURRENT PRIVATE MEMBERS, you may or may not have a time this week where you can't log in. DON'T PANIC! Just email me at corinne@phit-n-phat.com so I can flip a switch for you. It's where I couldn't match up a record or something technically silly. Thanks for following me and supporting me as we transition the site to a more exclusive and private place on the internet.   Thanks, Corinne Crabtree

 

Women's Tough Mudder Training

As you know I recently did the Janurary Tough Mudder in Phoenix (and a 1/2 marathon the next day with my crazy friend Kathy). While it's fresh in my head, I wanted to blog how I trained to get in some of the strongest shape of my life!

The idea was to train as functional as I could because most of the race you are running to an obstacle, completing it, then running again. I'll put down what I did and how I am tweaking that for my next one in September.

I set up a three month plan starting mid-October. Each month I trained a little different leading up to the race weekend.

Month One: I used this month to focus on running and strength. Using Chalene Extreme (I was in the middle so I was in the PUSH phase) for my heavy lifting, I lifted M-W-F. I liked her program a lot but really like it because her strength focuses a lot on single leg moves, core and legs. T, Th, and S I would run. One day was sprints, then a 4-6 mile tempo style run, and a long run each week.

Each short run I would end with some kind of bodyweight circuit that had jump roping in it for 20 min., or a routine 3-4x8 sets of Barbell Complexes with 6 exercises (Deadlift, Upright Row, Push Press, Squat, Bentover Row, Push Ups).

On my strength days I almost always did an additional circuit video or ab video from the series (I was testing stuff for my clients).

Workouts were about an hour long except for the long runs which are normally 6-10 miles.

Month Two: I finished the Chalene Extreme series this month. This month was the LEAN stage and it was quite the workout with more bodyweight moves and core work. Again, I did these M-W-F.

I changed my runs this month to be on M and W after the strength workout and I just did 2-3 mile smaller but faster runs.

T and Th I changed to doing a mix of either Insanity or Asylum from Shaun T. These videos focus more on plyometrics and Asylum, especially, has tons of sports drills. He also adds pull ups to the mix.

During my long run this month, I started adding in my own obstacles. For a few miles in the middle I would hop of the treadmill and do 1-2 minutes of a portion of Asylum's Game Time. I'd run and watch the video and when they did something that looked Tough Mudder good, I hopped off and did it with them, then back on running.

Month Three: I started P90X2 Foundation Phase. This backs off the strength and adds in a ton of functional movement. The foundation phase works core, push ups, pull ups, stability ball, and plyometrics. I went with the training as is written except I didn't take but one off day.

I also kept the long run with Game Time from Asylum. On the more recovery type days from X2 I put in my runs. M-W-F was the more functional strength videos (Full Body, Plyometrics, Balance and Power) with misc. stretching DVDs I have), T-Th was Core and Yoga/Mobility and Recovery with running, and S was always long run day with Asylum.

The next TM I will do more long runs with some Barbell Complexes. I will probably group 3 exercises and do those (1 body weight like a pull up or push up variation, 1 compound barbell move, 1 moving plank style exercise). Most of the obstacles have you crawling or climbing.

I will also have one day a week where I do some sprints but also mix in leaping type work. Maybe some long stride work and bounding. You need this! LOL.

This next race I will also train for just 8 weeks as long as my running base for a long run is 6-8 miles.

I hope that helps and feel free to ask questions if you are thinking of doing one these.

Do I Need A Custom Program to Lose Weight?

Last night I spoke to a group of women about how to start making healthier choices with their food. I shared my own weight loss story and how I didn't go from "Big Mac to Broccoli" over night. Through the years I have lost 110lbs, kept it off, and the whole time (even today) had to learn tricks and techniques to make me happier and healthier.

I also talked with them about how everyone needs a "custom" program. It's not what you think, though. :) I'm not talking about spending a lot of money with trainers, even geniuses like myself, but figuring out what is REALLY going to fit in your life. 

That's why I run two businesses now: my PHABULOUS PNP support and lifestyle community and Beachbody Coaching (a mix of PNP and NON PNP).

I have two types of clients: the ones who can take my programs and run with it in their gym or home and people who want to follow a video SYSTEM yet have support from me and/or PNP. Believe it or not, I now coach people who don't even know who I am!!! LOL 

See, I have never thought my way or the highway. If everyone would do like I tell them 100% of the time then sure, I would be a millionaire by now. But, we all have families, work, school, travel, pot lucks, holidays, kids parties, and the candy dish at work that doesn't have the Queen's face emblazoned on them.

Hey, maybe I should come up with a sticker of my "WHAT YOU DOING" face to stick everywhere????

 

Back to the meeting as I admire that beautiful MAC makeup above...I got SEVERAL questions as you can imagine.

- What do you eat? 

- Do you journal your food?

- How do you make your Shakeology  and when do you drink it?

- If I drink Shakeology will I lose weight?

- What do you think of Weight Watchers?

- Do you take vitamins?

I can seriously go for days talking about each of these topics! So I chose question one...what do I eat? I thought it would help everyone to hear how I started and where I am now so I shot a video. As usual I look fabulous without makeup and I finger combed my hair. No one can accuse me of not being real! Real NORMAL!

 

In the end my point with the ladies was that no shake, video, trainer's custom program or sacrificial chicken in the backyard is going to work until you stop looking for the magic fix and start looking at your life. Examine where you go wrong and what it takes for you to be successful and then put that in place.

I told the group last night, I love Weight Watchers! I love Nutri System. Clean Eating is great! Shakeology is a livesaver. THEY ALL WILL WORK FOR SOME OF YOU but only you know if it fits. 

We all have to find what works so that most of the time we are on our plan and very rarely do we have to go with the flow. So, yes, we all need a custom program that fits with our lifestyle and needs. Keep looking or ask me to help but never think you can't find the right fit.

How Many Calories Should I Eat?

I get this question a lot. In my custom training programs I give women their calories and guidelines for menus and in my PNP purchaseable training programs like In and Out the Gym I give standard guidelines.

Women still will ask me and often people find me frustrated because they seem to blow their "diets" or calorie ranges often. Some people will tell you that's just a matter of weakness, etc. I agree if you are on a deadline to lose weight that is the case. You can't afford to "blow it" and often must be hungry, etc.

But, my average client doesn't have a sporting event they are getting super lean for. My clients are in this to be healthier and feel good. Feeling good means not obsessing about the next meal because they are starving. It also means having control over their impulses so that they aren't feeling horrible the next day over a bad sugar binge.

I'm giving you an answer to one of my www.phit-n-phat.com members who emailed. She weighs a little over 200lbs and has not been able to lose weight for a long time. She's very active doing videos, running, etc., but has a problem with "doing good all day then it coming apart in the afternoon/evening." Sound familiar.

Before I post my answer I want to note the following things:

• You are probably not allowing yourself enough calories each day.
• You might be WAY undereating the first half the day when you are distracted and busy.
• When you get home to loads of food options, your adrenaline will release, and the hunger kicks in feeling UNCONTROLLABLE.

Babe, you have been hungry all day. You were just too busy to listen to the subtle clues your body gave you. When you get home the body decides to scream and toss a tantrum like a three year old because we ALL know that will get your attention and cause you to do anything to shut them up!

Now for my answer.

If you weigh over 200lbs and you are eating 1500 calories then you are eating what someone who weighs 150 should eat to lose and feel mildly hungry. You should eat based on what you CURRENTLY weigh; not what you want to weigh. The body doesn't respond well to that. It still has organs and functions to carry out and needs the fuel to do it. It will also have nowhere to go when you get smaller because you already ate in the low end of "dieting."

At your weight if you were a client I would multiply your weight by 9-12. That would be your range and you would follow menus for that based on hunger levels each day.

Body Weight (BW) x9 are the days you are busy, sleep late, go to bed early, or just so full of veggies you don't need more.

 

BWx10 is your wheelhouse. Pretty much eat this most days and re-do the x10 every 10lbs you lose.

 

BWx11 is when you need that extra snack. You might be PMS'ing, having a special day, tired, munchy, salt is low, etc. It's your guilt free way of having something extra WHEN YOU NEED IT.

 

BWx12 is your super active and super hungry days. You don't eat here very often. It's really for days that are high in activity or a day where you know you will just eat your arm off and staying at 12 will save you.

 

AS you get smaller, move to 10-12 and around 160lbs stop x9 anymore. The goal is always to eat as much as you can and lose. Not the other way around. I like girls to eat more, exercise hard, and settle for a solid pound or 1.5lb of FAT each week (not muscle and fat and be in the 2lb range every week). 

The big thing is get in your range. Eat it faithfully with HARD execise and see what happens after TWO weeks. You should lose. If you don't lose, drop the all ranges by 100 calories and try again for two weeks.

If you have to drop the range after four weeks I would examine how hard you are working out. You might need more intensity and heavier weights.

One important thing to remember, though, you must be 95% in your range and 95% with your exercise for two weeks. If you are less than 95% then the problem isn't the calorie range; the problem is you are not working your plan. I see too many people blame the exercise schedule and the calorie range when they need to examine their habits.

I hope this helps you find a calorie range that allows you to keep those habits clean and strong.

Tell Me About Shakeology

I had three people ask me just yesterday about Shakeology in my journal. I’ve been drinking this shake for a good month as my post-workout protein shake and Chris has it for breakfast DAILY. No joke, we love it. I can say I can recommend it to you and feel confident you will enjoy the product from Beachbody. This blog will break it all down for you and feel free to comment here or email me for more information. And, we are taking it to Vegas for all of you who ask me what can I take that is easy…THIS. LOL

What We Love…

1. It’s thick and creamy. I use the Magic Bullet, ice, water, and 2-3 ounces of Unsweetened Almond Milk and I get a “Wendy’s” type frosty.

2. Super healthy! When dieting for a competition I really get concerned that overall nutrition takes a dip. Shakeology fills a lot of nutrient gaps for me and keeps me REGULAR! This link takes you to the nutritional information, ingredients, and more.

3. FILLING. I use it as a post-workout shake and it’s very filling. You can blend it with banana for extra punch but on it’s own it does the trick.

4. It just tastes good. Plain enough there! A lot of shakes don’t but the Chocolate is reallllyyy good.

 

What We Don’t Love…

1. The cost. It’s expensive so don’t think it’s like buying your usual protein powder. But, because it has more than just whey in it you are going to pay for it.

2. The Greenberry – blech. Just being honest here. The first shipment I ordered the wrong flavor. It tasted like greens to me. Chris liked it with OJ, a banana, and berries. I know my girls and most of you wouldn’t drink the Greenberry. If the Queen can’t do it then 90% of you can’t either. LOL.

 

So far we’ve covered it tastes good, I gave you a link to the nutritional PDF, and now I have me talking about it. I shot this post-workout, so excuse the “look.”

Why Shakeology

 

How Can You Get It?

There are two ways.

1. You can order from my Beachbody site. Be sure to create a free account listing me as your coach and that way I can notify you of any specials that might happen throughout the year on any Beachbody product like the new Asylum coming out from Shaun T. It’s $119.00 plus shipping.

2. You can become a coach for $39.99 and then you pay a monthly fee of $14.95 for your two free websites (Shakeology and Beachbody). You get the websites in case you want to share the products with others. BUT, you do get 25% off your products so that makes your Shakeology $89.96 plus 9.90 for shipping and then your state’s tax rate. If you go on auto-ship each month for your 30-day bag your shipping is waived.

 

Video Information

And, for those who want more information on Shakeology, Beachbody has some great videos about the product. Use the links below to watch on anything that interests you.

Is It Worth the Money?

Where do the ingredients come from?

How Many Veggies Are In It?

 

Now…post any questions you have!

Home Challenge (Metabolic) Workout

So many of my clients are stuck at home during this winter storm without good weights, videos, and such to get in what they consider a great workout.

You know what? I'm feeling extra giving today so I'm giving you a workout all of you can do at home or away from home. A couple of exercises have a dumbbell option so if you have weights then use that. If not, bodyweight for you Missy!

The way this works is simple. You will do exercise #1, rest 10-20 seconds. Do exercise #1 and then exercise #2, rest 10-20 seconds. Do exercise 1, 2, 3, rest 10-20 seconds. You keep adding on the exercises until you do ALL eight exercises. Should be pretty hard but enough to keep you going through the weather or even while on vacation.

1. Step Ups (per leg):10 reps

2. Pike Walks or DB Punches: 5-8 reps or pike walks or 20-30 total DB Punches

3. Pushups (knees or toes): 10-15 reps

4. DB Deadlift to Rows or Bearcrawls: 15-20 reps

5. Mountain climbers or Rock Climbers: 40-60 reps

6. Dips: 15-30 reps

7. Plie Jumps or regular squats: 20 reps

8. Scoot and Move: 20 reps and move a DB for added intensity

 

This is the type of full body cardio routines I design for my private member programs and for my online personal clients. With ALL of my programs I work hard to push you outside of your comfort zone but I also provide a wide range of exercises to suit your physical needs. So, if you try this and it's not hard enough, I can amp it up in the comments. If you try it and you can't do certain things, ask me and I'll give you a watered down exercise to get you ready for this level.

This is also the kind of cardio I like to do. It's not always just about being on a treadmill. Bootcamps, body weight cardio, and metabolic challenges are great ways to exercise and reshape your body.

The key is keep moving!!! Y'all it's the 2nd week of the year and the gyms are already emptying because our first big roadblock came in the form of ice and snow. No excuses ladies. No excuses!

Weight Watchers New Points Plus Plan

I started up the meetings again and Monday I'll go to my second one. Although I am actively gaining weight to build some muscle (which almost caused a heart attack by the leader at my meeting), I do want to go to the meetings in the initial weeks to see the questions, concerns, etc. presented by the women in the room. Nothing like "hearing" it to understand it better.

My first week of discussing the materials with current PNP girls and online I have come up with some thoughts. These are random but important to get out to my readers since MANY of you found me originally through the online site.

1. This is about a healthier lifestyle so eat up the POWER FOODS.

I like that Weight Watchers is now rewarding you for choosing fresh fruits and vegetables by making them zero points. Many of you will FINALLY believe me when I say fruit never made you fat.You'll be fuller as long as you lean on them.

2. Activity Points are too vague.

They encourage ACTIVITY but STILL DO NOT PUT EMPHASIS ON THE ACTIVITY ABOVE A BEGINNER. I understand the WW's demographic. A lot of people who aren't lifting weights, running, walking half marathons, taking spin classes, and doing P90X. BUT, they barely touch on activity and how to account for it in the materials. Hopefully one of the weeks will be more inclusive of this material.

If they aren't, you can join PNP for free, then join the Weight Watcher Group for free and we are talking about it. My goal is like it was when I was trying to do WW while losing weight and increasing my activity: teach people how to lose FAT and still fuel workouts so you look PHAT when you are at goal. I am happy to answer any questions you have AND you can start support groups for your interest on my WW discussion board. I'm there all the dang time. :)

3. This is not Atkins, high protein and the like.

For some reason, many people think this is slanted to a low carb/high protein diet. LET ME BE YOUR AUTHORITY HERE. It is not. These people who say that are used to all the sugar filled, high fiber, CHEAT foods being 1 point and are now mad they cost more.

Those were not good carbs to begin with. I saw someone post on Facebook about how mad they were that their precious Vitamuffin was now 3 points instead of 1 and now she had to eat fruit and that would be "bad for her sugar". Dear Lord. I'm all about you mixing in the fun foods and I think Vitamuffins are great. We eat them. I just think you don't eat them at the EXPENSE of whole food. They are added in as fun food.

Meat is not exactly low in points either. I eat a bunch of protein a day. I tell my girls to eat 4-5 oz of protein per meal and that is 4-6 pts each time. Granted I am adding weight, but my own menu comes in at 61pts a day. I talk about it on the site and break it all down for you.

The deal is that they are now focusing on you eating the RIGHT carbs rather than filling up on processed carbs. Healthy carbs are good for you. Enjoy them and lose weight.

4. I'm not sure about the 29 points.

Seems like it's a blanket number for people in all sorts of situations. I get 29 points a day and so does someone losing weight. My advice this week is like I start my own private training clients: let's start with a base, follow it and then make changes if warranted.

I do say everyone should never eat below 29. If so, you are asking for metabolic damage.

 

I want to know your thoughts, comments,and questions. I'll be happy to answer them and I totally invite you to join our group on PNP and get some support. I'll show you how to make it work for you and I applaud WW for this refreshing change.

Weight Restrictions in Youth Football

I have several moms on my site and this topic has come up a bunch this fall. Honestly, I can understand several sides of the argument, but let me tell you what I know about it in case you haven't heard.

Teams set a weight limit and players "weigh in". If they are over the limit (and often the limit is high so that the largest players are involved) they are not allowed to play or they are not allowed to carry the ball, etc.

From what I understand they've put this rule into place to keep injury down in smaller players which has been de-bunked by a Mayo Clinic survey. Another reason is to "force" parents into getting their kids' weight into a healthier range.

I think the idea isn't a bad one but the implementation is almost always POOR. If the parents are doing a good job feeding their kids healthy foods with plenty of activity they may not have the weight problem to begin with. Some kids will still be larger regardless so this isn't a blanket accusation that big kid = poor parenting. Some of the healthiest clients I have carry a lot of extra weight. There are some of us that just have a little more battle on our hands than others genetically. It's not an excuse but it is a valid point that needs a plan.

In my opinion, I think we need more education at the parent and kid's level on what healthful nutrition looks like. We don't need to teach kids how to crash diet for an event, make them self-conscious because they weigh more, etc. I mean, if you read my blog you know how this all starts and now we are taking the same crappy ideas and putting it on the boys. Please don't let this original idea come from a woman! Oh it just stinks of stuff we do to our daughters and now we are doing it to our sons a different way.

I've spoke to the football players at my son's school about sports nutrition; not dieting but how to really fuel your body. Each time I've talked to YOUR kids I'm really saddened and PANICKED by the questions and comments they relay to me. The kids have no clue what healthy eating is in general. But why would I surprised when so many of you are paranoid and confused about food??? See yesterday's blog.

Here's a few things I've noticed:

1. 80% of the kids DON'T eat breakfast and if they do it's a bar. They say, "I don't have time." What 11 year old doesn't have time for breakfast? Ummmm...I think they've heard YOU say that and think it applies to them. I would also bet the kids that don't eat breakfast have MOMS and DADS who don't either.

2. Several have told me their parents don't offer vegetables because they don't like them. Holy crap are you kidding me? Again, some of you probably don't realize what you messages you send to your kids.

3. A lot of the kids are given so much easy, convenient foods that they really don't like real food anymore. They tell me it tastes funny in their mouth. That's the taste buds being dumb down over time. Kids tastes change as fast as their likes. You have to keep pushing.

I want to know what you think. There are loads of opinions. One thing I do know is that I love my son's school because they took the initiative to find a parent who knows food and asked them to donate some time to speak. You can't tell me that almost every school doesn't have one parent or a local trainer who is willing to speak to kids. It doesn't have to fall on teachers and it doesn't have to stop with our kids. ALL OF US need to focus more on how to be healthy and we will see the obesity epidemic come down.

Times Can Be Tough

I think there is too much emphasis placed on the distinction between the people in the front and the people in the back. I happen to feel that the sensations are exactly the same for all of us.

Losing weight is not complicated at all. Let me repeat: IT IS NOT COMPLICATED. We all try to make it so much more technical than it is because our brain tells us it has to be EXACT to do it.

Then we let our emotions tell us that when it isn't perfect we must be a failure so go belly-up to the fridge and have at it girl! My clients who have 5lbs to 100+ lbs to lose all suffer the same way.

Honestly, I've coached the girls mentally more than anything else over the past few years and it dawned on me that how much we weigh has nothing to do with how we feel about ourselves.

The strangest part is that most girls who are the happiest are the ones working hard, losing, but still have some weight to lose. They start seeing themselves as beautiful, fit, noticing physical changes they haven't seen in a long time. Then, for some reason, WE hit a point where we convince ourselves that we are the same girl with all that weight to lose.

I mention this today because the hardest part of my job is to get girls to appreciate where they are in this journey. Especially my girls who are so FIT, EAT so HEALTHY, and look pretty darn good. They let the aspirations for just a few more pounds, a little bit less booty, or a tummy that is flat be the definition of their happiness.

It's very easy for me to JUDGE them for this because it is my cross to shoulder, too. I was NEVER the pretty girl, stopped playing sports so I wouldn't have to wear shorts, avoided social situations that made me noticeable. Now that I am athletic, participate in "adult" sports, and have no problems getting myself noticed I still too often look at myself and focus on what I HATE.

When will it be enough? I've lost 110lbs and NEVER dreamed I could wear a size 4-8 (yes I have pants in that range and fit - thanks fashion industry), had all kinds of plastic surgery to fix what I ruined over the years, and have a husband who still gets worked up if I get near him.

Even with all this I struggle with diet, thinking, and motivation. I'm like a drunk with being fat. It is too easy to let things slip in my life that will take me back to that girl.

Some days I try to out run a bad diet. In my head when I let some of the "treats" back in I have somehow failed. Several reasons bring me to this silly type of eating: competing in figure holds you to a high diet standard and it's hard to switch those gears, being the Queen of a weightloss site makes you feel like you HAVE TO LEAD a perfect life or others will fall off the wagon, and I still have the looming thought of when will the thin ride end.

Today there are foods I can't have my in house. It's been six years in this lifestyle and I still argue with myself in the grocery store if this is the week I can be responsible with a jar of peanut butter.

There are day I don't want to exercise. I do love it but man, some days I need a break. Easier said than done. I work harder at taking time off than doing the activities. A day off used to mean a month or two. That still is my knee jerk reaction when I am just too tired to do it.

So, no matter where you are in the journey it is hard. Getting started is hard. Fighting your personal demons is hard. What isn't is what you do. You walk, you move, you eat better than you did yesterday, you eat more fruits and veggies each day, and you start reading up on what a HEALTHY lifestyle is...not what is the best diet to follow.

Next week I will open my new PNP site to everyone. Many of you have been on the waiting list a long time. Before you decide to join us, though, I want you to understand that this blog is what we are about. We are about changing how we think, working harder than we give ourselves credit for, educating our members on eating to live a healthy life (that doesn't always mean a SKINNY LIFE), and doing all this to inspire others around us. If you have questions on what the new site is about feel free to post a comment or just wait until next week when we launch.