24 Hour Commitment

My friend, Veronica, speaks of making a commitment this way: We all have 24 hours in a day. No matter how you slice it, there is only 24 hours for me and for you. It's fair to say somethings are more important to each of us. And usually what matters to us is where our priorities lie.

I speak with a lot of folks when I'm out and about speaking and cooking, here on my blog, and on my Facebook pages. As you know I'm a huge proponent of home cooked meals.The number one reason most people say they don't cook is simply because they don't have time.  Well as Veronica says, we all have the same 24 hours in a day so then it because a question of what's important to you.

What's important to me is to prepare and eat home cooked meals. So, I slice my 24 hours up accordingly. It was a long time coming for me, but tipping the scales at nearly 400 pounds required me to tackle the biggest obstacle -- food. Today, I'm fully committed to my health and I prepare about 99 percent of my meals at home. I'll be honest It takes time. But, I've made the time. I've made the commitment.

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Services

What Separates Us

It's no secret that I was off my workout game for a while, about six months. And it had been even longer since I worked out at 24 Hour Fitness. But, now that I'm back at it, at 24 Hour Fitness. I've noticed something.

I see the same familiar faces. The tiny, fierce lady who is always going hard on The StairMaster, the buffed guy, Marcus, who is always lifting, and the older couple who always team up side-by-side on the elliptical machines.

Working out had become a very big part of my life (it is a big part of my life) and I logged a lot of hours at the gym. I met a lot of people there. Recently, I ran into, Allen, a young energetic fella I used to joke around with. We chatted a little. I told him I was just now getting back at it, after a hiatus. Very nonchalantly, he said, "It makes no difference. You're here. We're here. That's what separates us."

Allen's right. It's a choice. It's a commitment. It's a lifestyle. It's not about once or twice. It's not about one day, one week, or one month. It's about doing it again and again and again. And If there's a bump in the road, which there will be. Adjust to the bump and continue down the road.

I'm far from being an athlete. Nor, am I the strongest gal in the gym. But,what I am is, committed. I realize that this get fit thing is a lifestyle. I also realize that I can't lose the weight or become fit if I quit. So, I continue on. I don't have to, but I choose to. It's not that I'm better or stronger. It's not that Allen is better or stronger. Okay, maybe he is. But, what separates us is our willingness, our commitment.

Repost: No!

I've been thinking, and I've come to the conclusion, I don't mind being told no. When someone tells me no it just adds fuel to my already ignited fire. Telling me no just means I dig deeper. I'd prefer to be told no ten times rather than told yes just once. I know, preposterous. Just think though if you were told yes all the time you would never find  the other gear.

When someone tells me no, I always think of the now, famous author J.K. Rowling. Her Harry Potter manuscript was rejected on numerous occasions. She was told no multiple times. If she's anything like me, every time she was told no, she went back to the drawing board and came up with another plan. She never gave up on herself. She believed in herself and Harry Potter. Look at her now, a successful author, film writer, and            multi-millionaire probably close to a billionaire. So here I am working really hard to get the one yes that is going to make the difference. In the meanwhile, tell me no again. I double dare you.
  

This was originally posted on September 28, 2011.

Start

When I started my weight loss and get fit journey. I guess this comes as no surprise, but my diet and exercise regimen were totally different than they are today.

Back then, my idea of healthy eats were frozen Lean Cuisine meals, Broccoli & Beef from the Panda Express menu, and if and when I ate raw vegetables, they had to be dipped in Ranch dressing. I've come along way.

Today, I'm repulsed at the idea of any store-bought frozen meal, anything from Panda Express, and I gladly eat my veggies dip-less. On a personal note: I have taken control of my health in my very own kitchen, by preparing 99 percent of my meals at home using fresh, whole ingredients. Not only do I eat healthfully, I've taken it a step further: I've authored two cookbooks and I've held numerous cooking classes around the community. Where I am today, wouldn't have been possible without me, starting.

My exercise routine used to consist of a 15 minute normal paced walk outdoors. You heard the saying, "You have to crawl before you walk." Everyone has to start somewhere.
Walking for me was a safe effective way to get me jump started. Once I became comfortable walking, I made my way to the gym. Today, my workout routine looks quite a bit different than it did in 2009.

So, the point of this all... Don't worry so much about where you want to be. Don't over-think it. Keep it simple. Start where you are. Where you are today will inevitably look different in a few weeks, a few months, a year.

No one starts out preparing 99 percent of their meals at home from scratch. No one runs a marathon without first running a mile. Keep in mind, there'll be twists and turns a long your journey to health and fitness, but keep going, you're worth it.

Start.

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