New Year, New You

Hope y'all are ready, 'cuz the new year is heading our way...and fast! We are t-minus 3 weeks away from 2012 and currently being bombarded by all sorts of weight loss program ads and exercise equipment commercials. But I recently had the idea to do a "Jumpstart" program that would help get all of our rears in gear before January 1st.

I know a lot more about shopping than I do diet/exercise, so I enlisted the help of my husband Stephen to help craft a plan. He's a certified personal trainer and also a national account manager for a nutrition company, so rest assured - the boy knows his stuff.

Today, we'll start by going over the basics - what you need to know before you begin ANY diet/exercise plan.

1. Know Your Numbers

You've got to know your numbers. Knowing and charting your numbers is the way in which your progress is tracked. Solid numbers mean solid results. These include knowing your:

-Waist measurement (in inches) - this is one of THE most important numbers.
-Weight (in pounds)
-BMI (go here to calculate)
-Blood pressure (take your blood pressure the next time you visit a pharmacy or stop in the Dr.'s office)

2. Be Prepared to Make Time

Working out takes dedication and dedication takes time. Pencil in 30-45 minutes of exercise into your calendar for the next 6 weeks RIGHT NOW. I'm serious...grab that planner or phone sitting next to the computer and go ahead and put in 4-5 days of exercise for the next month and a half.

3. Get Some Thin-spiration


Below is the pic that I personally use as my "thin-spiration" picture, but feel free to find one that inspires you! Stay away from supermodels or Hollywood twiglets - that isn't really all that sexy and it's unattainable for most people. Instead, focus on a pic featuring a healthy, trim, athletic body - NFL cheerleaders are great examples! We ladies are very visual creatures and what better to remind you of your goals then a fit, trim body to aspire to?

4. Be Prepared to Cheat

Say what?! Here's what I mean: Be prepared to have a few unhealthy bites every now and then. Stephen and I have a dedicated "cheat meal" every Saturday. Good tasting food is very bad for you sometimes, but life is too short to only eat broccoli and tofu. Have that piece of pumpkin pie, forget about it and move on. One bad meal doesn't mean you've failed; it actually means you're more likely to stick to the plan.

5. Be Prepared for Saboteurs to Surface

Women are catty. It's true. Those co-workers who bring in junk food and encourage you to eat it, knowing FULL WELL you're on a diet program? That's a saboteur. They come in the form of co-workers, peers, neighbors, friends and sometimes, even family. They aren't bad people by any means; just bad for your diet.

Most of the time, people try to sabotage your diet/exercise because they feel guilty about their own neglectful eating and exercising. Sometimes they just miss the daily runs to Burger Barn you took together during the lunch hour. Whatever the case, be prepared to stay strong.

6. Be Prepared for Weeks When the Scale Won't Budge

It's called a plateau, that week when the scale stops moving. And it's inevitable. Stephen will show you how to break through those plateaus with a fun cardio/strength training segment, but the important thing to remember is that it's only temporary. Stick with your guns and keep on truckin' - you're still making progress!

7. Be Prepared for Cat Calls and Staring from Strangers

'Cuz you're gonna be sexier than ever : )



Next, go ahead and bookmark the following sites. We'll refer to these often throughout the process:

-http://hungrygirl.com/
-http://www.calorieking.com/
-http://www.myfitnesspal.com/
-http://www.livestrong.com/thedailyplate/nutrition-calories/food/the-daily-plate/


Finally, invest in some good quality exercise shoes and clothes, as well as a couple of exercise DVDs (you'll need these during Week 2).

My favorite shoes are the Asics Gel- Nimbus 13.

I also like Victoria's Secret Bling Yoga leggings for a cold weather alternative to shorts, (abs not included.)

Want the same yoga routine that the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders use? You can have it. As far as fitness DVDs go, my all-time favorite is APY60- Created by the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Yoga Instructor Kurt Johnson and has changed my body completely.

I also really like the Elle Workout Yoga with Brooklyn Decker DVD.

I'll be posting the New Year, New You segments each Wednesday night, in addition to the regular Trend Watch Wednesday posts earlier in the day. Hope y'all will join in!

Be blessed, lovelies-