Fix Up My Body by Jackie O.

Dear Jackie O.,

I get bored with working out.  What can I do to stay motivated to workout?

Sincerely,

Susie Hates to Workout

Dear Susie,

The best way to avoid getting bored with working out is to do the type of workouts you LOVE and mix them up.  That means, that if you don’t enjoy running, DON’T RUN – you won’t stick with an exercise that you don’t enjoy!  The key to losing weight, staying healthy, and getting fit is consistency – you HAVE to workout regularly.  You must opt for workouts that you enjoy! Also, vary your workout routines and never do the same workout two days in a row.  For example, if you enjoy swimming and step aerobics, go swimming on Mondays and Wednesdays, on Tuesdays and Thursdays try something that you haven’t done before like rock climbing, ballroom dancing, spinning or anything else that will add variety to your workout and that you will enjoy, and on Fridays do step – something you know you love.  On Saturday, opt for working out with a friend – nothing motivates you to get out of bed, like an appointment with a friend or perhaps a fitness date.  Plan on doing something each Saturday that you both enjoy – perhaps its power walking or lifting weights, maybe its rollerblading or even working out with a personal trainer together.  Motivate each other to stick with it, then reward yourselves with a healthy brunch afterward.  On Sunday sneak in a 15 minute ab workout and enjoy the rest of your day!

Maintaining a work out regime is possible, if you find things you like and surround your self with positive people who motivate you to take care of yourself including your body!

Happy Working Out!

Yours in Fabulousity!

Jackie O.

Do you have a fitness, fashion, or fun question for

Jackie O., the First Lady of Fitness, Fashion, and Fun?

Email me at thefirstladyoffitness@fixupmybody.com

with your questions.

HackingEthics

What’s up ya’ll?  This is Jackie O., the First Lady of Fitness, Fashion, and Fun.  I am a Pittsburgh based personal trainer and lifestyle coach.  In my former life, I was an unhappy attorney.  I am often asked how I found the strength to take the plunge and abandon the practice of law and pursue fitness, fashion, and fun full-time.  The answer is really simple.  I believed in myself! NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE IF YOU BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!

Motivation starts with you! You must aspire to be happier and more successful in life.  You must then act on those aspirations, even when others tell you that you are of of your mind. Nothing can defeat you, except you! Sure, there will be obstacles in life and tough times, but when you believe in yourself you will persevere.  Positive people learn how to handle life’s challenges differently and use these opportunities to grow. You should constantly aim for self-improvement and use adversity to learn, develop, and ultimately move on.

Each and every one of us is remarkable in our own way, we just need to believe in ourselves so that the light inside of us can shine!  I start each day by looking in the mirror and saying some sort of positive affirmation.  This morning, I looked in mirror and said to myself,

“I AM THE 50 FOOT WOMAN – STRONG, POWERFUL, AND FEARLESS!”

We create who will are and to a large degree determine our own destinies. I want you to choose to be healthy, happy, and secure.  I want you to open yourself up to all the positive energy in the world.  Find joy and meaning in your life, by believing in yourself! I do!

HackingEthics

What’s up ya’ll? This is Jackie O., the First Lady of Fitness, Fashion, and Fun.  Many people ask me, what the secret is to losing weight and keeping it off and I always tell them the secret is actually quite simple – it requires that you eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly (5-7 times per week for 60 minutes).  Here are a few tips that I would like to share with you all!

(1) Binge on vegetables, especially leafy greens rich in vitamins and minerals.

(2) Move your body by doing at least 60 minutes of physical fitness activities 5-7 times per week.
(3) Eat more omega-3-fatty acids in the form of flax (seed or oil) and fresh wild salmon.

(4) Incorporate antioxidants into your diet by eating  fresh fruits like blueberries and drinking green tea.

(5) Eliminate trans-fatty acids and hydrogenated fats; choose healthy oils like olive, walnut, canola, and flaxseed.

(6) Get enough fiber and calcium into your diet (fiber 25-35 grams per day; calcium- see below)

Table 1: Adequate Intakes (AIs) for Calcium [1]

Source: NIH

FIBER CONTENT OF VARIOUS FOODS

(7) Drink tons of water to stay hydrated (eliminate sodas, caffeine and alcohol).

(8) Create “TO GO” snacks that you can put in your purse (ziplock bags with sliced apples, celery and peanut butter – foods you can eat when you’re on the go, or can’t eat lunch or dinner on time, etc.)

(9) Identify your “danger zone” foods (foods you have trouble exercising portion control)  and completely eliminate them from your diet.

(10) Cut out refined and processed sugar.

(11) Consume whole grain instead of starchy “white” carbohydrates.

REMEMBER: IN ORDER TO LOSE WEIGHT AND KEEP IT OFF YOU MUST MAKE EXERCISE AND EATING RIGHT PART OF YOUR LIFESTYLE!

HackingEthics