I love music... it sets the mood for the moment and can whisk me away to great memories and always put a smile on my face.

These are the tunes I am grooving to in the studio this week so you can download them from itunes and rock your workout!

Artist	Song Name	Time	Link
Eminem	Love the Way You Lie (feat. Rihanna)	4:23
Katy Perry	California Gurls (feat. Snoop Dogg)	3:56
Justin Bieber	Somebody to Love	3:40
Maroon 5	Misery	3:36
Mike Posner	Cooler Than Me (Single Mix)	3:34
Enrique	I Like It (feat. Pitbull)	3:51
B.o.B	Airplanes (feat. Hayley Williams of Paramore)	3:01
Madonna	Sorry	4:41
Timbaland	If We Ever Meet Again (feat. Katy Perry)	4:52
Alicia Keys	Put It In a Love Song (feat. Beyoncé Knowles)	3:15
Adam Lambert	Fever	3:26
Taio Cruz	Break Your Heart	3:06
Eminem	Not Afraid	4:08

Enjoy!

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Things that make me go hhmmmm

 

I wanted to share something I read on a box of microwave popcorn today.  This is the kind of crap that makes me CRAZY and is why I am so passionate about teaching all who will let me about the in's and out's of label reading.

" Whole Grain Goodness!  Brand X's popcorn is whole grain and a source of fibre!  Canada's Food Guide advises Canadians to make at least half of their grain products whole grain each day."

Hmmm almost makes you think this is good for you huh?!

Lets review the nutrition label now

per 1/2 sac (buttery flavor) approx 6 cups popped

Fat 12 grams

Last time I checked whole grains are very low in fat....

So please eat your whole grains but DON'T be deceived by misleading claims.  Yes you need whole grains BUT you DO NOT need the added fat (half of which is saturated) from a product like this. 

This is the kind of marketing that drives me crazy.  Please remember that manufactures are not trying to make you a healthier person, they are simply trying to get you to BUY their products. 

Shop smart and if you are confused about how to maneuver the aisles and want to learn about healthy nutrition keep your eyes peeled for my next BUC nutrition course starting in September 2010.

Off to watch a movie with my family and my bowl of air popped corn.  6 cups and only 2.2 grams of fat!

-L

One of the things I love about the environment at the studio is the open dialogue that takes place.  Doesn't matter what trainer or client is on the floor everyone chirps in with their 2 cents around any topic that comes up.  The other day we had a spirited one.

I want to lose weight but I want to have a life... who wants to live a life where you can't eat anything or drink anything fun or go out and share a drink and be social with friends? 

WOW... this statement is pretty powerful.  Makes me think I should be miserable, friendless and living in lock down so that processed food and treats of the world cant find me!

I have vented this conversation now with both my nutrition groups but felt it was powerful enough to share on my blog as well.

I have said over and over again for every goal there is a price.  My goal is to live in a body that I can wake up to every morning and feel great.   I want to be able to wear whatever I want and always feel confident in my skin.  My job is to inspire others and help direct them towards whatever their fitness goals may be but regardless my physique is a representation of my business.  It matters to me that I live what I teach.

This weekend was a beautiful one and with summer comes BBQ's and summer cocktails and I can tell you that I enjoyed a few of both.  BUT I have paid my price....
I have worked very hard over the years to develop my physique, and earn the respect of my family and friends regarding my lifestyle choices.  Being consistent in my thoughts and actions means that I no longer get hounded to have one (whatever that might be!) or be teased about not being any fun.  My friends and family have realized that my lifestyle is important to me so 80% of the time I do decline and guess what?  That's right, they don't care!  I make conscious choices about what I want to eat and sometimes those choices aren't healthy (like the maui ribs and the beautiful glass of Malbec I enjoyed).  I have earned the right and the ability to have meals like this because of the commitment I have made to MYSELF the remainder of the week and for that matter my life. 
Not everyone gets this or my lifestyle and nor do I try to sell anyone on it who isn't interested in learning but I can tell you that I am never accused of not being any fun.  My friendships are not built on what I do or don't eat.  The quality of the company I share is not compromised because Susan is having a double cheese burger and chips and I am enjoying BBQ chicken and a mixed salad with berries.  What she eats is her choice and what I eat is mine.  End of story, no drama, no issue, no comments either way.

If you want the body of your dreams then pay the price to get it.  It won't happen overnight but be CONSISTENT... if you cave in every time someone pleads with you to share a glass of wine with them the only one who loses is you.  It takes you farther away from your goal and it just means you have to start from scratch earning the respect from you friends and family regarding your choices.

Think of it this way.... if you are a parent and you told your child that if they didn't pick up their toys they would lose their bike privileges and then never followed through with the punishment do you think your kids will show you any respect?  Do you think the next time you ask for the same chore to be done and threaten punishment they are going to listen or even care? 
The same thing happens every time you cave into your friends requests and the cycle will just repeat.  Commit to yourself and your healthy lifestyle and all of this will dissipate over time. 

Yes there was a time I was very disciplined and now I have earned the right (and am no longer trying to make radical changes to my physique) to live a more balanced life.  Much the same as a Dr. who had to spend years in school, years working crappy hours and making no money to earning the ability to take 6 months vacation a year, own a beautiful home and drive a fancy car.

I have walked the path ahead of you and know it can be done... be consistent and surround yourself with people who will support your determination. 

Thanks to the client who inspired this and I hope it gives each of you as much food for thought as it gave to her.

L