Embrace and Just Be Yourself

Fears, doubts and insecurities are all around us, outside and inside of us. Sometimes it may even seem easier to “just want to be someone else” as we wrap ourselves up in these negative feelings. The grass may appear much greener on the other side based on our perceptions and ideas. Which may or may not be slanted in the right direction, based on the past or current experiences we have had. The reality is often the exact opposite and others are more afraid than we are.

What if the person you think has everything going for them looks in the mirror and hates the way they smile, or how large they think their eyes are? What if everyone else in their family has brown eyes and they are made to feel out of place for having blue ones? If the messages they have heard from family, friends or loved ones has always been negative regarding a certain characteristic or feature, their self-esteem will have taken solid hits from that.

It’s comical how others are envied for superficial beauty, wealth or relationships that people would fight to trade places with them because many of them are looking at us and thinking the same thing. You appear as the smartest person around and they wish they had the same people or conversation skills that you do. That feeling of quiet desperation to “be someone else” results in the lack of confidence, low self-esteem and any hope that we can ever improve our situations in life.

This is a perception and not your reality. Rather than spend your life wringing your hands about who you can’t be, or what you don’t have in it, concentrate on finding out how to make things better for yourself. Ask questions and find solutions to how to be a better person and to accept yourself for who you are. You can always learn new skills, ask trusted friends or advisers for areas they think you could improve in and how.

Just because that’s the way “you have always been” doesn’t mean that’s the way you must always remain. Taking steps to self-improvement can open up new doors of experiences and opportunities for you. Then you can, in turn, inspire and motivate others.

Get rid of the regrets in your conversations with yourself and focus on being a first class citizen in your own mind. Accept yourself for who you are, improve what and where you can and stop constantly comparing yourself to others. All of us will always be insecure at times but that doesn’t have to be a life sentence for being unhappy. Loving ourselves no matter what begins with the act of self-acceptance. Once we achieve that, contentment will follow.How To Use The Law of Attraction To Reduce Stress

As much as stress is witnessed in a large portion of our lives, is it important that we practice and appreciate some of the best possible ways to help us calm down the nerves. Stress can manifest itself in many ways causing physical, emotional, or even mental issues. It is therefore very critical for stress victims to recognize the source of anxiety and find the optimal approach to either minimize or end it.

The law of attraction together with stress management can help you achieve the much needed balance. And although most stress reduction techniques are subjective; meaning that what may work for you may not work for another, the law of attraction can work for almost anyone. The law basically uses the power of the mind to achieve a specific outcome where the conscious and subconscious thoughts are put into focus – It is simply using our thoughts to attract what we want.

There are four steps to be followed when using the law of attraction to reduce or end stress:

  1. Focus on what you want

This is achieved by focusing on your life and find out the main cause of stress. Is it your partner? Is it school? Is it work? Would you do a different job to have a piece of mind? – You should focus on what you really want and have a rough sketch of how you are going to achieve that.

  1. Ask what you want

Once your focus is on whatever it is that you want, it is now the time to put the power of your mind to work. Let the universe and the energy of your thoughts work together; Choose a different partner, apply for a better pay job, ask for a raise, or you can explore your talent. Let the people feel and know your desire.

  1. Visualize whatever you want

To visualize whatever you want is to feel, behave, and act as if you already have what you desire. Positive thinking is critical in the law of attraction; negativity and fear should not be within you. Your general outlook should be optimistic then relaxation will follow. Pessimism and doubt should be avoided to have the law work according to plan.

  1. Let go your preconceptions

You never know; there may be another way to reduce your stress level that you’ve never thought of. It is for this reason that you should always remain open for other outcomes to improve your life. This can mean extra cash from working overtime, getting another job, or even getting your superior’s job.

The law of attraction is often used together with other stress relief options in order to effectively gain the desired outcome. The power of positive thinking is indeed a very powerful option.

How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

Almost all of us have this one common destructive daily habit, that is, to compare ourselves to others. We compare houses, jobs, phones, cars, relationships, money, and social position and so on. What this habit does is creates negativity within us and this may also reflect in our behavior. So what should we do? How can we get rid of this habit of comparing? If this is what you are now thinking, then the three tips given below will surely prove to be of help.

  1. Understand that you never will win if you do not stop comparing

Even if you keep repeating this in your mind, and realize this consciously, it will help. Despite whatever you do, how much efforts you put in, how hard you strive, there always has to be someone who is better than you or has more than you.

Of course, you may feel nice if you buy a new smartphone which is better than the one your colleague has. But pretty soon you will find someone who has a phone better than yours. So, understand that comparing is futile.

  1. If at all, compare yourself only to yourself

Rather than comparing yourself with others, it will be better if you develop the habit of comparing yourself to your own self. Sit back and think how much you have progressed, how much you have grown, and how close you have reached towards your aims.

This habit will help develop kindness, appreciation, and gratitude towards yourself as you notice how much you have done, and all the hurdles you have crossed. So you will be feeling good about yourself without feeling less of others.

It will be a good idea to make this a habit, say by spending a few minutes every weekend to write down how much you have achieved, how closer you now are to your life goals, what you have learned, etc.

  1. Learn to be kind

Perhaps you never might have even imagined so, but the way you behave with others also has an impact on how you think about yourself. If you have this habit of always criticizing and judging others, chances are bright you will also criticize and judge yourself often, even if unconsciously. So, try to help others and be kinder to them and you automatically will learn to be kinder to yourself.

Just try to focus on the positive things in life, the positives in others, and the positives within yourself. The more you start seeing just the good things in others and in yourself, you gradually will stop comparing, and lead a happier and more satisfied life.

How To Stay Positive In Stressful Situations

Sometimes nothing seems to turn out the way you had planned, no matter how hard you attempt. Regardless of where the stress is stemming from, it is essential to equip yourself with resources to rise above the negativity and stay positive. Maintaining a positive attitude can help alleviate stress and assist in accomplishing your objectives. When you feel like you have hit a dead end, and start to sense any negativity, stop! Here are a few tips on how to remain positive even when you are in challenging situations.

Count your blessings

Regardless how rough things are, if you think about it, you have lots of things to be grateful for. Whether it’s having a job when a lot of people are jobless, having a supportive family, or simply being in a good health. By revisiting everything you have in your life, you can’t hold on to the negativities. You will feel confident, proud and positive. There are countless things in your life that you can be thankful about.

Reward yourself

When you achieve something, regardless of how little it is, pat yourself in the back for the job well done. The list of ways that you can reward yourself is endless. You can reward yourself with new opportunities to explore something new or to learn something new. You can even take your friends out for coffee. A positive attitude can hardly arise if you don’t even feel great about yourself.

Exercise regularly
Another great way to manage stress and remain positive is by exercising on a regular basis. If you don’t exercise, try to find something that you enjoy doing such as swimming, biking, playing golf, playing tennis, or going for a walk. Breathing exercise can also help alleviate stress. Breathing has been proven to help manage stress, and can help a lot in countless situations.

Take time out
If all you think about is work, you can easily be overwhelmed by stress. Be sure to give yourself time off and read a book, listen to music or do whatever it is that you find relaxing. You can also go out with your family and friends. This will help you remain focused and positive when you are on your work station. You will ultimately thank yourself for it.

There you have it! How to always stay positive in a challenging environment. While you will not alleviate stress overnight, following these simple steps will help you develop and maintain a good attitude about your family, your work and your life.

Why You Should Look At Mistakes as Lessons Instead of Regrets

“I wish I had put more effort in my classes, by now I would have risen many ranks higher. If only I could turn back time and avoided the mistakes that made my business go under. It’s because of not taking her seriously that she left and now is in the arms of another man.” These are but some examples of regrets that some of us are having now. Yes, you aren’t at the position you would have wished to be at. Yes, you are nearing 40 years and you still haven’t found your footing. But this doesn’t mean you have to keep beating up yourself for past failures and mistakes. And as Richard Branson once said, “You don’t learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing and by falling over”.

Robert Kiyosaki’s famous quote “Don’t waste a good mistake, learn from it” is aimed at encouraging people to not live on regrets but rather learn from their mistakes. These sentiments are supported by Albert Einstein who said that if you have never made a mistake then you have never tried something new. I mean, if you didn’t fail, how would you know you were ill-prepared? Or if you did get that job, how would you know that your skills are a bit behind?

The way you view a mistake will determine how fast you dust yourself and move on. The mistake is a doorway to learning about yourself better. Theory and practical are totally different, and by making mistakes you are able to know how knowledgeable you are and how far you can go. This helps you prepare yourself better just as Napoleon Hill said “every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed on an equal or greater benefit’.

Accepting you made a mistake and moving on is better than analyzing and re-analyzing your situation. Living on regret is same as insanity which Albert Einstein defined as doing the same thing over and over again, yet expecting different outcomes. Truth is that if you are wise you can never repeat the same mistake again. Would you continue driving while drunk after getting involved in a fatal accident? Would you run your business hands-off after winding up because you over depended on an incompetent person? Of course not!

“If you live for long, you’ll make mistakes. However if you understand and learn from the mistakes, you’ll be a better individual. It’s how you handle hardships, not how it has affected you. The key thing is never give up, and never quit.” – Bill Clinton. From this quote by the former US president, we see that no one is immune to mistakes. The difference between the wise and the ordinary person is that the former accepts and learns from it while the latter will be absorbed in it and live in regret. This is well brought out through this popular quote by Winston Churchill, one of the founding fathers of the US “All men make mistakes, but only wise men learn from their mistakes”. Mistakes should be viewed like stepping stones and an eye opener and not a barrier to success or happiness.

Yes you are living a life of regret. You are knee-deep in debt, your partner has issued you divorce papers, you just flanked your finals, your business is getting liquidated, or you are losing your home. However, nothing stays forever. Even the strongest storm eventually passes just like daylight eventually shines in the darkest of nights. Wipe your tears, dust yourself up, getup and face life. “Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.” – Oscar Wilde

And as I conclude, I would like to encourage you to press on and always fix your eyes on the goal. Remember, Bill Gates, the world’s richest man said “its fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure”.

Partner Up

I am very proud to announce the opening of my parents brand new Nutrition Shop. Heroes Nutrition in Acworth, GA. Heroes Nutrition sells Herbalife products specifically plant-based protein shakes and energy boosting teas.

What I love about this shop, (other than my parents own it) is that the name originated from the chaos of COVID-19. They saw that everyone was capable of being an hero. That included frontline workers, such as doctors, nurses and paramedics, to teachers, and our military personnel. So to honor that every hero (everyone) deserves good nutrition to continue their plight to saving the world!

The shakes are really good! I enjoy a good clean protein shake. I usually have one every morning for my breakfast. I add some MCT oil if I’m on my Keto diet. I also like the hot tea, lemon and cinnamon are my favorites.

If your in the area, please stop by and pick up a cup and give it a try. I may see you there, since I am the first employee LOL! Once they are officially open you can start your order by clicking the button below.

Weight Loss Method: Carb Backloading

A Useful Method for Losing Weight: Carb Backloading

There are many different schools of thought when it comes to losing weight and there are many different systems, diet plans and strategies that claim to be the most effective in the world. Of course not all of these can work equally though and so your job is to try and weed out the winners from the losers and to identify which strategies are most effective generally and also best suited to your specific lifestyle and biology.

For your consideration then: carb backloading!

What is Carb Backloading?

The basic idea behind backloading is that you are going to time your meals, or more specifically time your consumption of carbohydrates. You’ll do this in such a way as to eat carbs like bread, pasta and others only immediately after you have engaged in intensive cardiovascular training.

More specifically than that, you will be timing your consumption of simple carbs in order to follow HIIT workouts. That means that you’ll a low-carb or no-carb diet for the majority of the day and then when you’ve finished an intense training session, you’ll be able to permit yourself to have some pasta or a sandwich.

Why Does it Work?

The idea behind this system is to first empty the energy stored in the muscles (glycogen) before turning to carbohydrates. What this is thought to do is to create a demand on the body that will ensure that the new sugar influx is not stored as fat.

You see, the body only stores excess sugar as fat when it doesn’t have any use for it. If your blood sugar is low when you eat, then your body will use some of the incoming sugar rather than store it. Unfortunately, low blood sugar also stimulates the release of many hormones and it doesn’t take much to get a good supply back.

Conversely though, the body also stores a small amount of energy in the muscle cells as glycogen to allow us to run and fight when we have low blood sugar and we are burning energy too quickly to rely on fat stores.

When this is depleted, the first priority for the body (after powering basic functions) is to restore this energy. Thus, any carbohydrates that you eat within a short window of opportunity will be sent to the muscle and not the belly.

How to Get it Right

Before you try this system, it is important to note that it doesn’t work if you only use steady state cardiovascular exercise. A gentle jog will use up the blood sugar and then turn to fat stores. Conversely, if you sprint or go at 100% output, then your body will have no choice but to use glycogen (because burning fat is too slow).

We can only maintain max output for a short amount of time though and this is where HIIT comes in – as the perfect way to use up this form of energy and create that necessary demand. As always, Live, Love and Sweat Every day!

Exercise Move of the Day

Exercise Move of the Day

This is one of my favorite moves to target the glutes AKA the butt. 

 

Try 15 – 20 repetitions on each leg for 3 sets. Give it a try and add it to your next workout. 

Love, Live and Sweat Every Day!

Do your best

Fresh Produce Gone Bad?

How to keep your produce fresh

How many times have you gone to the grocery store or farmer’s market and bought organic fresh fruit and veggies only to bring them home and they go bad before you eat them? I can not count how many times I’ve had to throw away produce.

You want those raw healthy vitamins and minerals from your food, however, the downside of fresh organic produce is there is no shelf life.  If you don’t eat it within a certain amount of time (usually within 3 days or so) it begins to wither away. My solution is really very simple and I wish I’d thought of this before.

Freeze it! Unless its spinach or other green leafy vegetables that I want to eat fresh, I cut them up and freeze them.  You can even find some things already cut and frozen in your local grocery store.  It makes cooking and meal prep a breeze. The produce was bought fresh and once you dice them up, put them in a freezer safe bag, you’ve now added shelf life to your produce and you’ve done it without using any preservatives.

Frozen fruit and vegetables allow you to bulk up without the worry of them going bad, can cut your meal prep time down and prepare dinner for the family faster. I just got a bunch of organic carrots (fresh from someone’s garden) way too many for me to eat in one sitting that I washed, chopped up and put in the freezer for another day. You know those store bought carrots are peeled with chemicals? I’ve avoided all the toxic exposure with my fresh ones. I’ve been able to make all types of healthy meals by incorporating frozen ingredients.

Try it out and see how it works for you. You may not like some things frozen but you’ll have to figure out which ones don’t work well for you.

Live, Love & Sweat Everyday!

 

About Me

Hi there! Allow me to reintroduce myself.  Yes, reintroduce because this is not my first rodeo, meaning, this is not my first time blogging.  My name is Detra and I’ve had a blog before, used mostly to promote my fitness classes, however, I am coming back with a different perspective. I am a certified Personal Trainer and nutrition Coach. I am not a doctor and I do not claim to know everything about health and fitness, however, I am constantly learning and expanding my knowledge on the subject of health/fitness, beauty and life. I am a Wellness Coach. I provide information, tools, tips and techniques to help others improve their quality of life.

I have been passionate about health and fitness since high school. I was a cheerleader and ran track, being an athlete I was focused on improving times, staying hydrated, improving form and technique, etc. Oh and graduating so I could move out my parents house and go to college, LOL! After high school I attended college where I also ran track and very briefly danced with the band.  Once I graduated from college I continued to workout and found myself wanting to help others do the same.  

My initial approach was personal training at gyms/studios and after a while that became monotonous. Then I decided to go out on my own and freelance, I had my own boot camps, fitness classes and blog. Then that is when my life changed becoming a wife and mother with new responsibilities, life has become totally different and now I can understand the challenges most of my clients had to face every day. I put my personal training and blog to the side, to focus on the change in my life. 

Over the past 12 years I’ve learned a lot. Now I provide information, tools, tips and techniques to help others improve their quality of life. I would like to help someone improve or change the way they think, look and feel about their health, their life. You have to take care of yourself before you can take care of anyone or anything else. I know it sounds cliche’ – ish, but it is true.

I hope that something I share will help you Live, Love and Sweat Every day!

– Detra