Support Systems?

I don’t normally get too personal in my blogs; I like to use them to give information, recipes, and workouts to help everyone. Today, however, I am getting a little personal and maybe at the same time I’ll help a few of you who are struggling with some things yourselves.

As most of you already know, this year has been a little rough for me personally – first my dad, then a very close friend, my aunt, and some other little things here and there. As a woman, a mother, a wife, a friend, and a businesswoman, I tend to worry about everything. Just as you do! I think most women worry more than men do. Why? I have no idea why! It is just the way it is. Now as the summer approaches and my loved ones are getting better and things seem to be going great, WHAM! Hit again!  Nothing crazy, just enough to hurt and make me worry again. So I did what I always do, called my husband to vent. He listened and then his words were few but strong, as usual.

“Things will work out the way they are supposed to; just keep doing what you’re doing, and move forward with your head up.”

These words bought tears to my eyes. Why, you ask? When I am upset, worried, or things are tough, these are the words he says to me when I can’t see past the worry, the pain, or the confusion. 

My husband is my ROCK! He is the reason I have pushed forward through everything thrown my way. When I am down he brings me up; when I doubt myself he gives me the confidence to believe in myself. 

So are you asking yourself what all this mushiness has to do with fitness?

You need a support system to move forward, get strong, lose weight, and in life to be successful at anything.

Seven years ago I had my own weight loss journey; I lost 52 pounds in 4 months. Without my support system it could not have happened. Five years ago I made a career change with the support of old and new friends.  Once again, three years ago I made another big change that could have only happened with the support of not only my family, but so many of you reading this now.

It started with some free classes in the park with some of you. I was testing the waters to see if this was something I could do, and after the first class I knew that this was what I wanted to do. I wanted to help people change their lives! 

4 Elements was born! I started 4 Elements to do just that – help people change their lives. Over the past three years the 4 Elements family has grown, and I want to thank everyone who’s been a part of it. If not for all of you, 4 Elements would not be here today. A special thank you goes to the ladies who started with me in the park and stuck with me through all the ups and downs and all the changes. Thank you for believing in me. 

As 4 Elements and I move forward and grow, I hope to continue changing not only your lives but the lives of new people I meet along the way.  We have seen each of the classes grow and change in dynamic; new members coming in and welcomed into the “family” by all the regulars. I look forward each day to coming to “work”, if you can call it that! 

As the 4 Elements family grows, so do I. I continue to learn new and fun ways to “torture” you, with a smile of course! I would also like to have a little get-together with current members at the end of this challenge. I have not planned anything yet but I am looking at Sunday June 10^th in the afternoon.  I will send out an invite soon but save the date for now.

Good Choices

We went over foods that are high volume and good choices for you to make to keep yourself from getting too hungry or too full. Now here are some foods that may confuse you – Carbohydrates! We have all heard about carb diets or the lack thereof, and protein diets or diets with way too much protein.  We see and hear many different articles or TV shows debating who is right and what you should do to reach your goals. It can become a bit confusing. 

So let’s clear up some things. About a month ago I was talking to a boot camper and I asked if she liked bananas, trying to figure out what could be a quick snack that could work for her. The response I thought was interesting: “Bananas are bad for you, aren’t they?” How can something grown and not processed be bad for you? Yes, it is on the high end of the glycemic index, so I normally say to eat it in the morning, not right before bed.  Carbohydrates in the diet are fine; the question is which ones?

Carbs can cause us to eat more and too much. Highly refined carbs causes blood sugar to go up and down suddenly, which makes your appetite go up and down like a roller coaster too.

Eating has a huge impact on weight loss and changing your body, so you need to figure out what your goals are, what you are willing to commit to. Eating a high protein diet with little or no carbs is great if you are building muscle, but you need carbs if you’re trying to build endurance. Body builders stick to that type of diet when “bulking up” and they don’t normally have much cardio in their workouts.  

Here are some GREAT choices when looking for good carbs:

Poor Choice                                              Great Choice

White Bread               Whole Wheat

Dehydrated Potato Flakes   ½ baked sweet potato 

Croutons                        Garbanzo Beans

White Rice                          Brown Rice 

Pastry                                  Whole Wheat Pancakes  

Apple Juice                         Apple with skin

White Pasta                      Whole Wheat Pasta 

Soda                                      Water