I had a client say to me once that I no longer had to worry about cheats or over eating because I was already there.
This statement baffled me a bit... already there? My fitness journey is no different than any of my clients and I would say that I am far from having arrived anywhere. I have to work hard to maintain my level of fitness but have learned to live my life with balance. The occasional opportunity to party like a rock star still does appeal to me from time to time. I am a REAL person. I like to enjoy a glass of wine with friends and love to let my hair down from time to time but it isn't a regular occurance. It has always been important to me that I practise what I preach but part of this is being honest with everyone who thinks I live in this perfect fitness bubble. I can assure you I do not.
Where I differ from many of you is that a weekend of good times does not bring a Monday morning filled with regret, self defeating talk and the attitude of "whats one more day... I can always start tomorrow". Fitness is my lifestyle, eating healthy is my choice and setting an example for those of you who look up to me for support, encouragement and inspiration is my passion.
So today I am suffering from a nasty food hangover, lack of sleep and an upset tummy but when my alarm when off at 5am I was up and ready to take on the world.

The point is that I am not perfect, I make mistakes and even I step outside of the "healthy zone" from time to time. Does this make me less of a trainer or less of a person? Absolutely not, it makes me just like any of you.

So if you are sitting there reading this thinking that you have to wait until the Christmas season is over to start an exercise program or get serious about learning the art of healthy eating you are just making excuses. Lets all just get through this crazy season the best we can and let the goal of the month to stay in a holding pattern of sorts... no movement up on the scale.. and no movement down. It does sound a bit funny doesn't it? But think about it.. how many of you remember hopping on the scale January 1st to find you had packed on 10lbs during the holidays??
Lets be reasonable here.. knowing that the goal is to hover still keeps us aware of avoiding bad foods but still allows some yummy slip ups. Now this of course is dependant on your activity levels remaining consistant with weight training and cardio... you do still need to move!
Think of how great you would feel starting the new year knowing that you conquered the hardest time of the year with NO WEIGHT GAIN! For many of you this is a HUGE goal and would give you that added boost of confidence going into 2008 to reach for and achieve the bigger picture.
So in the meantime I am putting my party shoes away and slipping on my Mizunos. The party was great, the company was better and the chocolate fondue was to die for but honestly I was happy to have my oatbran and egg whites for breakfast this morning and get back to normal!