5 Ways to Get More out of Your Fitness Classes

A good friend of mine always says February is the time of year when amnesia runs rampant.
She forgets that she isn't supposed to have that extra piece of cake. And the concept of working out on a daily basis has completely slipped her mind. But somehow she has no problem remembering what time her favorite TV show comes on.

If you're anything like her, you might think a new and improved you is something that, once again, wont take place until next year.

But, its not too late to change 2012 into your best year yet. So try these 5 tips to get more out of your fitness classes.

Set goals . Be creative in visualizing what can be. Don't rely on the past to determine the future. Banish those limiting thoughts "I don't have enough time or I cant possibly." Sure you might not be able to do the Flying Insect pose within your first two weeks of yoga class, but set realistic goals that you can reach and feel proud when you've accomplished them.

Create a really big vision of your ideal life . Be specific. Write it down. Make sure you set it in the future. Make your vision concise with all of the major domains of your life included. Your vision should make you excited when you read it. Use the present tense and write it as though it is. Whether you want to lose 15 pounds or run a marathon 6 months from now, know what it is!

Make sure you are balanced . Your vision needs to include all of the major areas of your life: personal, health, professional, financial, spiritual. Create your vision and set goals to include everything you want in life. Otherwise you'll feel out of balance and unfulfilled.

Sure yoga is fun, but if you hate your job, you're still going to be miserable in that area. Focusing on one goal at a time is the best way achieve what you want, but don't forget the other avenues that have a huge impact on your overall happiness.

Be really, really audacious . Think big and boldly. Set goals that are a stretch and require you to be a little uncomfortable. Its your life. You want it to be fulfilling, exciting and energizing. So be audacious and authentic in visualizing your future. Whether that's signing up for a fitness program that you never saw yourself taking, or pushing yourself to the extra limit in your fitness classes, you'll be glad you did

Make sure you can measure it . Goals and vision without a time line or a measure of completion is procrastination waiting to happen. Make sure that you set a "by when" date. Include what you want, not just what you don't want. Use concise words that specifically describe what you want. Instead of Sign up for fitness classes try something like Sign up for and attend 3 fitness classes per week

Get the support you need, whether it is more knowledge, acknowledgement or accountability.

Share your vision with friends, colleagues or anyone who will help to keep you focused. Track your fitness progress on a daily or weekly basis. Make sure to celebrate your successes while never beating yourself up for the stumbling you are bound to do.

Take ownership of your life and the way you want to live. Authentically identifying your vision and taking daily action towards achieving will help you succeed in making your vision reality.

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There Are No Cookie Cutters For Kids

If you’re like most parents, you want your kids to eat healthy. For some of us, that involves planning and prepping meals ahead of time. Doctors stress the importance of a healthy balanced meal, and often criticize us when our kids show up to a doctor’s appointment a few pounds overweight. We sometimes leave the appointment feeling like we’ve missed the mark. While keeping up with what the doctor orders is ideal for some, for others it may be a bit unrealistic.

All children are not created equal. There are some that can eat tons of food a day and not gain an ounce. Others may have a bag of chips and gain ten pounds. The idea, as with any weight loss plan or lifestyle change, is moderation, and obsession is not moderation. There is a big difference between counting calories and placing an electronic tether on your child that beeps when they are in possession of a candy bar! The prize is in the balance. Your children should have a moderate amount of healthy foods and a moderate amount of unhealthy foods. With proper exercise, they will be fine. Now, there are some who have a medical condition that causes weight gain, and those situations are best dealt with by following the doctor’s orders. But for everyone else, chill out and don’t have a cow if your 10 year old want to have Skittles every once in a while. And if your 7 year old is ten pounds overweight, don’t make a big deal out of it. Help them out by giving them a few more activities to do. You don’t want to create panic and give your kid a complex.

The point is to make you, as the parent, understand that your child will not fit into every category and physical label that professionals have created. Don’t bring on their misery by trying to make into them something that they may not be meant to me. Make sure they get exercise and feed them a balanced diet of healthy foods and some of the not so healthy foods (if they so choose). You will be much happier and so will they.