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Category: clean eating

clean eatingfeel goodhappyhealthyholidaysLifestyleMotivationweight loss

Integrity is the Essence of Everything Successful

[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]Integrity is the Essence of Everything Successful[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]

[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]This weeks theme is to stop complicating our own lives. It’s amazing how easy it is to do that. It all starts with our mental strength. When we are mentally strong we can get through anything but when we let ourself start to weaken, get overwhelmed, stressed…. we can turn a good day into a bad one in seconds. For example, when we talk about the holidays or snow days we think it’ so challenging to stay on program. Yet, we know that staying on program makes you feel the best? So where is the challenge? When you don’t do the right thing you don’t feel great. It should be a no brainer and yet, somehow the temptation to do the wrong thing can overcome us in a heart beat. But the truth is, when you are mentally strong and in a really good place you will stay strong. When you are seeing the results you will stay strong, and the longer you love to live healthy the easier it is to stay mentally strong. The temptations will always be there and they will only win if you let them. It’s you against them. It’s feeling good against feeling horrible. It’s feeling thin against feeling thick. When it comes to doing the right thing and feeling your very best it’s simply making the right choices against the wrong. Most of you know what they are and you know how to stay on program and what works for you – It’s all about doing it. And when you know it makes you feel the happiest, lightest and thinest then there should be no thinking about it and no complicating it – you just do it. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]When we stop doing the wrong things
and start doing the right things, life is simple.[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]If you look at those around you and see the clients that make it look so much easier than it is and wonder how do they get through the snow days and how do they stay on program continuously through holidays without fail? It’s because they already went through the challenges that you are experiencing but they learned very quickly that not being on program or doing the right thing makes them feel out of control and unhappy. Once you come to realize that is not who you want to be – or how you want to feel – especially over food – then you will start saying “no thank you” and realize that saying “no” or simply walking away is such a better feeling than eating something that you didn’t need or want.[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]Here are some tips to keep you Mentally Strong:[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
  • Stop making emotional decisions. – Before you grab something because you are upset or overwhelmed. — start by taking a few steps back so you can think things through. When you’re caught up in the moment and your emotions are soaring, you’re bound to make poor decisions that will lead to regret. The best advice here is simple: Don’t let your emotions trump your intelligence. Slow down and think things through before you grab something in front of you. Just give yourself 60 seconds to think it through and then make a decision.
  • Stop waiting for things to be perfect. – The perfect day, the perfect week, the perfect month and year. You will have those perfect days but many days will just be off. The best advice here is don’t throw in the towel every time you don’t have a perfect day. Keep it simple and just keep going. Because moving forward on non-perfect day will make you mentally stronger when you get through them. You just get right back on your path and keep moving forward. Don’t throw a whole day away because of one trip-up. Instead focus on the next positive step forward.
  • Stop obsessing over the past and concentrate on the present. – Start being present. Paying more attention to the current moment can make a huge difference in your mental strength and simplifying your life. You can’t change yesterday and you can’t get upset over what might happen next week — but you can do the right thing today. The best advice here is to let go of yesterday, anticipate tomorrow and realize the importance of enjoying and having control of your today.
  • Stop doing things simply because you can. – Start being honest with yourself and plan, prepare and follow through with doing the right thing. When you do the right thing it is a less complicated way to live. Integrity is the essence of everything successful. When you break the rules you invite complications into your life. Keep life simple and enjoyable by doing what you know in your heart is right for your mind and body. My best advice here is to don’t just do what you can — do what is going to make you happy. Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Have the courage to do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to success.
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]My final thoughts.. Positivity. The very best way to keep yourself mentally strong is to stay Positive. Because the power of positive thinking is remarkable. In fact, studies show that when you think positive it provides self confidence in one’s ability to perform and make decisions in a healthy mind. Your  mind and how you think can change your world. Healthy, happy people think about what they want, and how to get it. My final advice here is stay positive because a positive attitude can truly change your entire life[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]If you are tired of starting over…. stop giving up.[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick
clean eatingfamilyhealthyHealthy TipsholidaysLifestyleMotivationweight loss

THANKSGIVING – HAVE A PLAN

[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]As many of you know because I mention it all the time — Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays of the year. In fact, I love the whole weekend.  It’s a time that we enjoy our families, and traditions, and we are truly grateful and thankful for everything we have and those we love. While we should feel like this everyday (and hopefully most of us do) Thanksgiving Day gives us a day to celebrate it.[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]NOT A VERY SOCIAL WEEKEND…… When it comes to Thanksgiving and Weight loss it’s usually not just about Thanksgiving it’s about a very social weekend. However this year and this weekend we are in a much different place. Social is not high on the list of activities with the world we live in – so while we are keeping everything more low key it should be easier, right? Maybe for some but for others it’s going to be a lot more indoor and a lot of left-over temptation to deal with. Which wouldn’t be terrible if we only went for the left-over turkey, but it’s usually the sides and desserts that we tend to gravitate toward. So while you are making your plans for Thanksgiving it is probably a good idea to make plans for the left-overs too. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]Some Left-Over Options:
1) Freeze everything immediately after dinner – do not leave it out for the next day. You don’t want anything tempting left out where you can taste, bite and pick….
2) Soup kitchens – we have a list on our website. Call for covid instructions.
3) If you want to keep them and eat them – plan the exact day you will be doing that so you can look forward to it. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]Throughout the four days you want to maintain control and enjoy. I think for many of you the importance of taking one day at a time — planning, and knowing what you are doing in advance is key to your success. Think before you grab – and think again before you eat. Think about your plans and know where you are going, what you are doing and when you are cheating. Don’t just plan your cheat days. It’s also important you are planning what you are eating when you are staying 110% clean and on program.[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]When we are celebrating and following traditions it’s easy to get caught up in the holiday spirit and before you know it Monday morning comes and you look back and think oh no… what did I do??[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]Here are some options to help you have a Happy Monday After [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]1. WEIGHT LOSS: Cheat Thanksgiving Day and Stay on program and clean the rest of the weekend. While this is a little challenging it’s doable. You choose Thanksgiving day as your Cheat Day and you are 110% the remainder of the weekend. Just remember it’s always harder to stay on program after you already cheated when you still have a long weekend in front of you. So you must really be in a good mental place to do this and follow through with it. Plan where you are going and what you are eating on program the remainder of the weekend.[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]2. WEIGHT LOSS:  Eat Clean Thanksgiving Day and Cheat one day on the weekend. This is challenging but very doable. You can have your Turkey and Vegetables and you save everything else on the table that you love for your cheat day. Having your cheat day later in the weekend is always easier. Once you get through eating clean Thursday and Friday – then you choose your cheat day and before you know it the weekend is over and you made it. — JUST BE SUPER CAREFUL. It’s usually not the turkey that is the issue…. It’s the sides, the desserts and the alcohol that causes the binging. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]3.  MAINTAIN:  This is a little more realistic and if you are not in shark mode this might be the best option for you. You split the Cheat Day and you choose two nights out of the four days.  So for Example – you choose Thanksgiving and Saturday to be your cheat nights. You would eat on program Breakfast and Lunch and then Cheat Dinner, Dessert and Drinks. You would do that for Thanksgiving and then again one day on the weekend either Saturday or Sunday. The remaining two days you would be 110% clean.  This is a realistic way to stay on program and enjoy the weekend.  You won’t lose but you won’t gain and that’s great. Then you go right back on Program and give it 110% clean week and weigh the following weekend. Again very important to plan and know where you are going and what you are doing so you can plan and prepare for your on program days. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]There is always a choice and you are the only one that can make
it because you are the only one who has to live with the results.[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]  
 [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]While you have many options – you really only have two choices:   1) You will plan in advance and follow through with your plans or 2) you will go through the weekend mindless and no plan and end up cheating a little or a lot each day. RESULT #1: Monday morning you will either be super happy and feel good and in control and eager to get back to your 110% week of eating on program — RESULT #2  you will be miserable walking around in tight clothes mentally knowing that you didn’t do what made you happy you did what was easy. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]My Final thoughts:  Thanksgiving comes once a year but so do many other holidays and birthdays. Don’t look for excuses to sabotage yourself. Think about what makes you happy today, tomorrow and the day after. Keep the focus where it should be – not on what you can’t have – focus on what you do have. It’s a beautiful holiday with a lot of celebrations – Enjoy all the love, family, friendships and memories this holiday has to offer – because that is what it is truly about. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]Much Love, Health and Happiness
To all of you 
From all of us xo[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
Happy Thanksgiving
~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick
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Today’s New Love to Live Healthy Podcast Episode: One Positive Thing Leads to Another

Listen to Today’s Love to Live Healthy Podcast Episode

One Positive Thing Leads to Another[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]

CLICK HERE

ONE POSITIVE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER

Positive Energy is Contagious – Share yours today!

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

clean eatingeatcleanfamilyfeel goodhappyhealthyHealthy TipsholidaysLifestyleMotivationweight loss

STOP DOING WHAT IS MAKING YOU UNHAPPY

[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]It’s not always about doing what makes you HAPPY
Sometimes it’s about having to STOP doing what is making you so UNHAPPY[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]Hundreds of new clients and returning clients have signed on in the last month. So much so that I was actually thinking of having a cut off. But those of you that know me know I can’t do it. My life is about helping those in need — it’s what I love to do more than anything. I could never turn anyone away who really wants to lose the weight and be healthy. One reason I tell you this is because I want you to realize the importance of when you are on program I need you to work hard and be committed to the program. That doesn’t mean you don’t make mistakes – we all make mistakes and we all have bad days and some even bad weeks but regardless you keep moving forward and you keep trying because eventually it will come together for you — even if you have hiccups week after week you keep trying until the hiccups are gone. We both know it’s hard work but in order for you to get the best results you need to be in it mentally and physically. So if you are going to do it I want you to put the same amount of love and effort into it as I am for you. That is what creates the best results.[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]The Second Reason I am telling you this is because I wanted to tell you the number one complaint of both Men and Women New and Returning— they gained weight in quarantine it got worse over the summer and now they feel completely overweight, OLD and out of shape. Yes OLD. Everyone says it. Weight = feeling OLD.  [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]I have clients all over the world we are all experiencing quarantine. But not everyone treated the time the same.  The bottom line is those who have done the right thing are in a really good happy place right now – and those who did not have decisions to make. Remember: with all the health issues obesity can cause – extra weight on your body also makes you look and act old. I have mentioned this many times because I have seen it in front of my eyes so often. When a client comes to me overweight most of the time they look even older than they are. They look older they act older, they dress older and most important they feel older. Sometimes we don’t even realize how different — until the weight is off. We know we are not looking and feeling our best but then when we lose the weight we think – WOW that’s what I looked like before? For so many I see the transformation right in front of my eyes. It’s truly amazing how as the weight comes off the confidence comes back. Clients constantly send me before and after pictures – The changes are beyond amazing and it’s not just in how they look. They tell me how they feel amazing, young, and energetic and how they love to wake up feeling lighter, fitter and just simply happier. They no longer wake up afraid of having health problems. They don’t wake up wondering if they will stay on program- they just do the right thing because they know how important it is to their health, and how much it changed them both mentally and physically.[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]SOME NOVEMBER TIPS FOR YOU:
  • With Thanksgiving so close – if you are even thinking of pausing your weight loss or pushing off your weight loss for another day or week you need to refocus right now and realize that life is never going to stop for you to lose weight. Start now and make it happen. You will always have an occasion, an event, a holiday, and/or dinners out. You need to make this a way of life and the only way to do that is to incorporate your busy life with your weight loss goals. You can do anything and go anywhere and stay on program.
  • Stop making deals:  If you cheated extra during the week you don’t make the deal to starve yourself the next two days. If you have a lunch or dinner out and it’s not your Cheat Day – You should never be thinking…“Should I stay on program or go off?” – There is no should I or could I. There are no deals to be made with yourself. You have done plenty of that and look at where it has gotten you. You need to be in SHARK mode — keep it all very simple — if it’s not your Cheat Day then you are on program regardless of where you are or what you have going on in your life.
  • Make it a priority: Yes unfortunately you need to be little obsessive about your weight loss. Not in the sense that you have to be extreme but you do have to think about it and it has to be a priority – weight loss is hard and it takes commitment and you have to be willing to feel that little hunger. You can’t get distracted and mindlessly eat —With so much temptation around (and with the holidays it will only get worse) you have to be focused, committed and a little obsessive about staying on program. The more you make it a priority in your life the better the results and the easier the weight loss will be.
  • If you are feeling a little mentally weak – Take out your skinny pants and try them on. Try on your shorts. Look online for a bathing suit you want to be in. Shorts and/or sun dresses – because the next vacation along with spring will be here before you know it. With the weather we are having in NY these days it might be here even sooner than we think. While quarantine was a great time to be the best you can be and even get yourself to a better place — many did not use the time wisely. So now this is the time for you to do it. Start now – you don’t wait for warm weather to be here and then try and start. You do it now so when vacations return and warm weather arrive you are ready.
  • Extra weight makes you unhappy –  studies show that unhealthy and over weight people get angrier over unimportant issues 5x faster than healthy fit people. Most likely the reason is because unhealthy and overweight people tend to start their day unhappy and frustrated to begin with. So as the day goes on so does their temper. So next time you think “should I eat it or should I stay on program?” Remind yourself it’s not just extra food or unhealthy food that you are debating about – What you really are debating is do you want to add another unhappy day to your life and to the life of those around you. Do you want to continue to feel unsettled and out of control with your unhealthy eating habits and more importantly unhappy with who you are and who you have become. Is it really worth what you will be going off program for. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]Final Thoughts…..You will always be faced with challenges but you must constantly remind yourself how important this is to you and those who love you. Remind yourself how much you want this. How much better you feel when you stay strong and on your path. It is only when you have this self motivation and consistency of eating clean and on program that you will truly feel better each day. You will feel more in control and wake up feeling healthier and happier. But you have to start and when you do in just a couple of days you will feel better and in a couple of weeks you will wake up like a Shark – doing the right thing, feeling lighter and fitter each day – and all because you finally made the decision that the only deal you will make with yourself is you will do what it takes to live your best life and be the best version on you. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]“Create The Life You Can’t Wait To Wake Up To”[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick
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ARE YOU REALLY TRYING YOUR BEST?


ARE YOU REALLY TRYING YOUR BEST?

How often we say it.  How often we promise to do it.  Yet, how rarely do we actually do the best we can? When we do — when we use all our efforts, when we push through old and new boundaries — the satisfaction is enormous and the rewards are sweeter because we earned them.  But the first thing you have to come to terms with is your best really your best?  Mindset is everything when it comes to weight loss.  When you wake up in the morning and tell yourself —  “That’s it!” — You are tired of giving every one else your best,  NOW you are going to give yourself your best too!!  You are going to put yourself in a place that no matter what —  you will do the right thing.  You will make sure you walk away when you have to and you will plan, prepare and follow through each day.  You not only promise yourself — but you fight through the tough times and you don’t let anything  or anyone set you back.  So don’t just SAY you are going to try your best THINK IT, BELIEVE IT AND DO IT.  Because if you believe that you are going to be amazing then you will be amazing and if you think it’s too hard you can’t do it — you won’t do it.

From the time you wake up in the morning how you think about yourself and your day is going to have a huge impact on your results.  Last week we went over how important it is to Fall in love with taking care of yourself.  This week I want you to continue that but be excited about it.  Be excited about the scale. Be excited about feeling good.  Be excited about doing the right things…. And be excited because you are in control of your life and you make the decisions on whether or not you want to live healthy, be thin and feel amazing.  No one makes those choices for you.  How exciting that you get to wake up today and decide that you want to take care of your body, your mind, your health.  You want to work hard toward a goal and you are the only one who can get in the way of that goal.  What you want, how bad you want it and hard you work for it will determine your success.  How amazing is that — and how EXCITING!

Keep the NEGATIVE OUT:  Keep the negative people away, and keep the negative emotions out of your mind.   Negative people will always be around.  Sometimes we can control their presence and sometimes we can’t.  But you always CAN control what you take from them.  If you have no choice to be around negative people then it’s important to keep your mindset extra strong.  Don’t let them take you to their dark side.  Don’t let them talk you into ordering something you don’t want.  Don’t let them convince you how hard weight loss is (we already know how hard it is no one has to tell us).  Most of all don’t let them take you off your path.  Unfortunately even our closest people can take us off our healthy path just because they are in a bad place.   The bottom line is misery loves company.  It doesn’t mean they don’t love you it just means they want you to share in their misery at that moment.  What you do and how you react is your choice.  And while it may only be one bad day for them — that one bad moment for you might take you off your path for a week — and then where does that leave you?  Stick to what works for — if they love you they will be okay with it.  If they are not okay with it then you should re-evaluate your people.

 

POSITIVE PEOPLE ARE HAPPY PEOPLE

 

KEEP THE NEGATIVE EMOTIONS OUT OF IT:  I can’t, it’s too hard, im sick of it, I should weigh less by now, I want to be at my goal already, they made me do it. I didn’t want to go off I had no choice ……. I can literally go on with this list forever.  I have heard it all.  If you want to change your results – THEN CHANGE YOUR WORDS.   The words you tell yourself are the words you will live —  so every time you catch yourself being negative — STOP AND PAUSE and then reverse it.  Even if you don’t feel it reverse it anyway and keep your words and thoughts positive.  The more you do it the more it will become second nature.  No one wants to hear you crying — You don’t even want to hear you crying. Everyone has their own problems and is trying to get through their own tough days.  Im sure you are even sick of listening to all the negative excuses that comes out of your mouth — so think of how your family and friends feel.  Negative talk does nothing but create negative actions which result in negative results.   KEEP IT POSITIVE- POSITIVE -POSITIVE!  The more positive you talk to yourself the better results you will think…..  The more positive you results you think the more positive you will speak……  the more positive results you speak the better results you will feel.  While I know you already know all of this — it never hurts to be reminded so you can reevaluate your words, thoughts and environment.  We can fool others.  But we can’t fool ourselves.  When you are honest with yourself it will bring freedom for you to work harder.  Only you truly know what your best is.  And when you give less than your best those are the results you have to live with.

 
 

IT’S YOUR HAPPY HEALTHY LIFE YOU ARE WORKING SO HARD FOR
MAKE SURE YOU ARE TRULY TRYING YOUR REAL BEST

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick
clean eatingdieteatcleanfamilyfeel goodhealthyHealthy TipsLifestyleweight loss

FALL IN LOVE….

Halloween Pumpkins, Ghosts, Thanksgiving, Fall Shopping, Leaves Changing….

What is not to Love about Fall?!


FALL IN LOVE WITH TAKING CARE OF YOUR BODY:  
Sometimes it’s not enough to just take care of your body.  When you FALL in love with taking care of your mind and body it can be life changing.  It doesn’t matter where you are right now — if you are just starting, have been on program or returning…  wherever you are the most important thing to start with is to remind yourself daily how important it is to feel good about yourself and how happy it makes you when you are doing the right things —  and you are the only person that can make that happen.


DON’T JUST DO THE PROGRAM — LIVE THE PROGRAM

In the beginning of the program (the first couple of weeks) you just need to get through the weeks to get to your cheat day.  The Cheat Day is life saving as it helps you stay on program the other six weight loss days.  but after a couple of weeks and after seeing some really nice changes — it should start to become more than getting through your six clean days to get to your cheat day.  In fact, it should start to reverse.   You should start to live for the six clean days.  The Cheat Day is fun and always look forward to it, but your body and mind should begin to understand and take notice that you feel your very best on your six clean days.  Mentally you start to look forward to them — at the end of your Cheat Day you can’t wait to eat clean the next day.  You can’t wait for a couple of clean days to pass — so you can feel better and get back to the lighter and cleaner feeling you love.  You can’t wait to get back on the track of eating clean knowing that you are back to fueling your body with healthy and clean eating and in return it’s working your numbers in the right direction.  By mid week you should begin to get excited wondering what you will lose this week.  The closer you are to your menu the more weight you will lose.  Will you see a new number and will it be the lowest one you have seen in a long time?  It is so exciting to take care of yourself to the point of loving it.  Loving how you feel and loving how it’s changing you mentally and physically.  When you love feeling good, healthy, lighter, fitter and thinner there is truly no better feeling and no better way to live.  It’s a positive addiction that you should want and love.


TRUE STORY:
 Clients literally text me all the time and say “I have to start sending my food again”, or “I have to get back on program.”  A client just texted me yesterday and said “I have to get back on program.  I don’t know why I go off program every time I am off program I am miserable and when I’m on program doing the right things and taking care of my body I am so happy.  My husband told me last night it’s time to get back to Josephine.  He didn’t say it because of the weight he said it because he knows how happy and good I feel when I am on program and he sees how miserable I am when I’m off.”   MY RESPONSE: YAY!!!! — that of course makes me so happy!  I never want anyone unhappy but it absolutely thrills me when clients realize that being on program is when they are the happiest.  They are the happiest because they feel the best.  So why do we go off program when being on makes us so happy?  The answer is simple — no matter how great being on program makes us feel we will always have little slip ups and hiccups because life gets in the way.  And once it’s in the way and we lose that control —  our brain takes over and it can take days, weeks and sometimes months to get back on path.  But the most important thing is that you do get back on path because you know that is when you feel the absolute best!


FOCUS:
 This week try focusing on your six clean days instead of focusing on your Cheat Day.  Think about each  day and how good you feel when you go to bed because you followed the program and stayed 100%, and think about how amazing you feel when you wake up.  Whenever we do the right things for our body it changes us as people.  We are happier, and proud of ourself and how we are treating our bodies.  We are proud of the way we look and feel.  I don’t think anyone can say that they don’t feel anything but amazing when they get dressed in the morning and feel great in their clothes.  If you want that to be you then you need to work for it.  If you want to feel good all week then you need to stay focused and positive about your clean days.  Don’t focus on the one Cheat Day — focus on how you feel the six clean days…  you feel lighter, healthier, thinner — and how you feel when you followed all week and at the end of that week you step on the scale — so proud, super happy, like you want to jump around and tell the world you did it — you followed you lost weight and you feel great!!


FALLING IN LOVE WITH WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND WHAT IT’S DOING FOR YOU:
 When you do the right things for your body, and make the right choices, and fuel your body with the right foods, you feel better.  Some weeks will always be harder than others but if you stay true to what you want and what makes you feel the best and keep positive everyday knowing this is what makes you happy — then you will start falling in love with what you are doing and what it’s doing for you.  When this happens you will never want to go back to treating your body unhealthy — because you know feeling like that makes you unhappy.  Why would you want to do anything that makes you unhappy or not feel good?  Stay positive and remember what makes you feel your best and what makes the changes in your body the best it can be.  Stay focused and positive on your six clean days and how they are changing your body and then you will truly enjoy your cheat day.


LOVE THE RESULTS:
 As much as you love and enjoy the Cheat Day you realize that every consecutive six clean days that you complete is what is changing your body.  It’s changing how you look, it’s changing the scale and most important, it’s changing how you feel.  When you fall in love with taking care of our body and fall in love with feeling the very best that you can — it no longer is about the one Cheat Day a week.  It’s about the six clean days that you are fueling you body with healthy clean portioned foods that make you feel your best.


There is no better feeling than taking care of yourself.  There is no better feeling than doing the right thing for your body and your mind.  There is no better feeling than being the best you can be.


“LOVE YOURSELF INSIDE AND OUT”

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

 

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MAKE YOUR CHOICE AND STICK TO IT

4TH OF July Weekend has arrived — it’s time to make your choice and stick to it.

 

As many of your know it doesn’t take much to gain weight.  All it takes is not thinking, not planning, and frequently over indulging — very easy to do any time of the year but especially over a long holiday weekend.

 

THIS WEEKEND

you have 3 choices — Lose, Maintain, or Gain

 

WEIGHT LOSS:  If you are really motivated and the weight loss means everything to you and you don’t want anything in your way of reaching your goals then you will continue to stick to your menu and ONLY HAVE ONE CHEAT DAY THIS WEEKEND.  That means no extras at all.  Simply stick to your meals and snacks and only cheat the ONE cheat day.  If you do this and treat this weekend like any other weekend you will continue to stay on your path and lose weight.  Will it be easy — that depends on how much you have going on  — it also depends on what is most important to you.  While some can go to a BBQ and focus more on how they feel others are challenged by what is around them.  These are choices only you can make.  There are always options — if you are going out make sure you bring what you need or make sure they will have what you need available to you.  Plan before not after.  Don’t give yourself reasons to do the wrong thing.  If you want to stay on program and feel your best then follow your plan and stick to your clean meals and snacks.  The most important thing is to make your choice before you go and stick with what you plan.

 

MAINTAINING:  If you have a lot going on this weekend and you feel really good about where you are and you want to enjoy a little extra then you will split your days.  You pick 2 out of the 3 days and you stay on program for breakfast and lunch and cheat dinner, drinks and/or desserts; and you do it Friday and Saturday OR Saturday and Sunday or Friday and Sunday (you choose 2 days of the long weekend and cheat any one meal, drinks and/or desserts and the rest of the day you are 100% on program).  If you follow this you will maintain your weight through the holiday weekend — very doable.  But again the most important thing is to make a choice, plan for it and then stick to it.

 

WEIGHT GAIN:  Very easy to do but NEVER an option!

 

We always talk about planning and how important it is. But what is more important is following through on the planning.  Do the right things and make sure that if you planned on being 110% today — then you are 100%.  If you planned on cheating for dinner and dessert and then right back on the next day — make sure you go right back on the next day — no excuses.  If you planned on being off program 2 nights but clean all day then make sure you do it.  Always think things through — what is tomorrow going to feel like, and what the end result of your choices will be.  Will it make you happy? Is it worth it? Think about where you are today and where do you want to be come Monday.  Learn to live and enjoy today but plan for what you want and where you want to be tomorrow.

 

ALCOHOL – THINK BEFORE YOU DRINK:  One drink you are okay — TWO drinks you are forgetting what is important to you — THREE drinks you are done. It’s not the alcohol that is the issue it’s what the alcohol makes you do and what it makes you forget.  It’s fun to have but it can be very damaging on so many levels.  Remember to think before you drink.  Like everything else have a plan and know how many you are having and stick to what you plan.  Drink water throughout it’s hydrating and it keeps your hands busy.

 

FINAL THOUGHTS…. whether you want to lose weight this weekend or maintain you can do it.  You follow your plan and decide before so you know what you are doing and what the outcome will be.  Think things through and always remember that just because it’s a holiday weekend that you want to enjoy and celebrate doesn’t mean that you need to cheat at everything you go to or everyday of the weekend.  You can enjoy and celebrate everything without constantly indulging unhealthy weight gaining foods.  We know you will feel better mentally and physically and have a happier time staying on program.  When you can be amazing and on program do it because every good healthy clean choice can make the difference between maintaining and gaining.  And all the choices you make as the weekend progresses will make the difference in how you look and feel each day.

 

You are the only person who can make the excuse of why you are going off program and you are the only person who can give yourself a better excuse of why you are staying on program.  Monday is only 4 days away — think about how you want to wake up and feel when the weekend is behind you.

 

Make good choices today so you don’t have regrets tomorrow

Innovation Wishes everyone a Happy, Healthy and Safe 4th of July

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick 

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Quarantine Has Brought On Many Emotions

Now that Quarantine is almost over we are feeling many different emotions.  While we couldn’t wait for it to end— many of you now wish you had more time.  Quarantine and May has brought an internal battle that for many of you were not expecting and quite possibly not ready for.  What I mean is that while we weren’t quite sure when quarantine would end — you did know June and warmer weather were around the corner with the tank tops, shorts, sundresses and bathing suits — but with each quarantine day you felt like you had more time.  While many have taken charge and became instant sharks  —  others are struggling with the “why didn’t I do it when I had the time”  and  “I’m just not ready for this.”  It’s the internal battle of emotions that are telling you now you have no choice. It has come and you are panicking because you are not ready.  Regardless of where you are or where you wish you were you need to fight through these emotions and get past it.  Here are some suggestions if you are struggling:

 

DON’T LOOK FOR EXCUSES…  Focus on staying on your path and following your program.  It works and you will do it and see the results.  It just takes time and you are going to feel hungry and it’s not always the best feeling starting again but it will get better.  Weight Loss is hard for everyone.  The longer you do it and live it the easier it will be.  When you stay on your program six days and cheat one day you will lose the weight.

 

KEEP YOUR FOCUS IN THE RIGHT PLACE…  Should I skip my cheat day?  Should I not have snacks? I can’t tell you how many times people say I think I should skip the Cheat Day.  Before you ask yourself if you should skip it — let’s ask is that even possible?  You are struggling enough having one cheat day so why are you even contemplating having none?  For every client who has reached their goal they did it with a cheat day every week.  There is no reason to give it up — just don’t have two in one week.

 

SNACKS…  If you are struggling don’t give up snacks.  It’s important to have your 3 snacks to keep your day in control.  Once you are back in control then you can always go to 2 snack or 1 depending on where you are and where you want to be.

 

PUT THE TIME IN BECAUSE THERE IS NO QUICK FIX… I promise you regardless what you try to do quick you will end up right back here at the beginning and hopefully with not more weight than you started with.  The only way to lose the weight is slow and steady.  You have to put the work in like everyone else.  Fat doesn’t come on or off overnight.  Put the time in and focus on losing 1-3 lbs a week.  Week after week the weight loss adds up and it add up fast.

 

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE…  Even if you have been horrible in quarantine and feel like it will be forever before you lose the weight… just remember that it’s not about the end result it’s about every week feeling better and better.  After 5 pounds you will feel great and after 10 pounds you will feel amazing.  Going into the summer losing is going to feel a whole lot better than staying the same and/or gaining.

 

CONSISTENCY = FAT BURN…  I know I have said this over and over but there is a reason I say it.  To get the best results in weight loss you need to be consistent.  The consistency puts your body in a “fat burn process” and your body will run like a weight loss machine.  The longer you are in and the more consistent you are the better the results.  If you keep turning the machine on and off it will continually shut down and you will have to restart it all over again.  It’s very simple — the more time you put in the better the results. The more consistent you are the more consistent the results.  Every time you take yourself out of the “fat burn process” then you have to make up that time to get your body back into the process.  So basically every time you decide to do cheat weekends instead of a cheat day — you are taking yourself out of the process and it will take you days to get back in it and have your body start losing again from where it left off.  ** Make sure if you are doing cheat weekend they are worth it.

 

THE SCALE…  Whatever you do don’t get overwhelmed with the number — it’s a very simple process and if you do the right thing the number will go down.  If you follow your program — it will go down. Some weeks it may not be as much as you want and others it will be more than you expected.   When you are losing body fat the key is to keep moving forward in the right direction and your body will follow and get smaller every week.

 

I always like to mention and address the clients who are doing absolutely amazing.  This past weekend even with the holiday we had record numbers who lost weight.  Many took the opportunity of the quarantine to do the right thing and stay on program and check in every week and it paid off.  What I can tell you is if you want this you can do it.  You have all the tools to keep you on your path… the Innovation food, the motivation, the accountability, and the idea of summer clothes are only weeks away.  The clients who stayed focused and motivated through quarantine are not all sharks, many were turtles and snails but throughout the quarantine they remained consistent.  So while I often address those who are struggling because they need it the most, I know it’s so important to celebrate and congratulate all of those who have done and continue to do amazing because they deserve and need it as well.  It’s always nice to hear praise and feel that accomplishment but let’s face it the true gift to them is the new body that they love and live in everyday.   There is no better feeling.

If you want to love the way you look and feel then you have to do the right things, you need to work hard put the time in and be consistent.  When summer comes your emotions will be happy, healthy, controlled and you will be so excited to see the sunshine and 80 degree weather even if it’s only in your own backyard.

If You Want To Feed Yourself Something

Feed it Happiness

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

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You Have Two Choices…

YOU HAVE TWO CHOICES

TO CONTROL YOUR MIND OR LET YOUR MIND CONTROL YOU

 

When I read this quote, I couldn’t help but think of so many of you.  When we feel mentally weak it’s so easy for us to let our thoughts take control of who we are and what we want.  It becomes a snowball in our life to let our thoughts about food and drink affect our actions and in return affect life in a negative way.  When our thoughts take control it can make us depressed and sad… it can turn any day into a bad one.  It’s the time that we feel mentally weak that we choose to let our guard down and we begin to self sabotage with unhealthy choices and actions.  These are the choices that affect not only us but everyone important in our life.

 

 

The reason I felt so strongly about writing this today is because it’s an easy time to let your thoughts control your actions.  I have had many different conversations with clients in the past couple of weeks.  Thousands of emails and text messages and they all come down to one thing — why do we go off program when we know being on program makes us feel so much better.  The answer is very simple …  Weight loss is hard and today with our “new normal” we have insecurities and doubts on our heels at all times just ready to take us down and wipe away any success that we have worked so hard for.  But if we really think about it— quarantine or no quarantine the temptations and doubts are always there.  You can’t wait for the perfect time because a perfect time to do the right thing may never come.  You have to make it the perfect time.  Yo have to choose what you want and give it your 100% toward it and you have to be consistent — when you do that is when you make it the right time for you.  Because we all know at anytime temptation and doubt can sway you from doing good to bad.  When that happens you have to be strong…. you have to walk away…. you have to remind yourself what makes you happy and then you follow through with what you know is the right thing because it’s what you want.

 

 

The second thing I want you to focus on today is how important it is for YOU to control your mind and thoughts and keep them mentally strong.  Because when we are mentally strong we feel like we can accomplish anything.  We force ourselves to do the right thing and control what we want and who we become.  Regardless of how much temptations is around us we choose to be healthy and happy and stay that way.  We wake in the morning with the 100% intention to be positive, feel amazing and do the right things and thats what we do.  Day and night our mental strength controls our actions and our actions control our thoughts to stay happy, healthy and fit.  But this will only take place if you make the effort everyday to control your mind and thoughts and keep them both in a healthy positive place.  When you put the extra effort in I promise it’s worth the results.

 

 

Today start by focusing on feeling good, and to feel good you have to eat healthy and on program.  Focus on exercise because it gives you energy and strength.  Focus on accomplishing your everyday tasks at home.  Make a list and focus on getting it done.  Be a good person, listen to your children, talk to your parents, and put positive effort and time into your significant other.  Make the priorities in your life based around the most important things — your health, your family, your home, your happiness — because at the end of the day that is really all that matters.

 

 

POSITIVE THOUGHTS

GENERATE POSITIVE ACTIONS

THAT ATTRACT POSITIVE FEELINGS

ALL OF WHICH CREATE POSITIVE RESULTS!

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

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MOTIVATION MONDAY

I think it’s safe to say we all need a little extra motivation to do the right thing.  Between the quarantine and the weather – yikes! But Mondays are always a great day for motivation and a great day to be embraced.  Any mistakes you made last week you can change to positive this week.  Anything you wished you could have done better last week — you can do better this week.  Don’t waste another week, and another opportunity to be amazing.  These are the challenging days we all need to fight to get through.  Make this week your week that you will fight for what you want and what makes you happy.  — Not to mention freezing cold snow today is turning to 60 degrees tomorrow.

 

WHAT YOU DO TODAY WILL REFLECT YOUR TOMORROW:  It’s absolutely true that what you do today will reflect your tomorrow and what you do this week will reflect next week and this month next month and this year next year….   That’s why they say how you live in your 40s, has a lot to do with how you feel in your 50’s.

 

For so long I have heard so many of you say “I wish I wasn’t working I would have more time to take care of myself.”  OR “I have no time for myself because I am always in the car running around with my kids activities”.  Well…. be careful what you wish for — because now you all have time — plenty of time to do the right thing.  But as with everything in life your new found time comes with new challenges.  The challenge to be in the house around food 24/7.  The challenge to find activities to keep moving and stay motivated.  We are in a new world of less social and more “me time/ family time”.  And quite honestly how you use this time for yourself and your family will absolutely reflect on your tomorrow on so many levels.  So think and make the right decisions because you have more control in your home than anywhere else.  This can really be a positive life changing time of yourself and those you love.

 

I am truly so proud and  happy to say we had a lot of great weight loss numbers this past weekend.  Not that I ever doubt anyone but I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect as we have never been in this type of situation.  But so many of the clients felt they needed to be extra strict in fear of gaining.  So they gave up a snack and added a little more activity.  Others are so motivated because they feel this is their time to do the right thing knowing when they do emerge from the confines of their home they want to shine.  I have actually had many tell me in the VERY BOLD LETTERS and  with certainty that when the quarantine is over they want to be the butterfly emerging from the cocoon.  — motivating!

 

NEW AND OLD JOBS – JUST DIFFERENT LOCATIONS:  I was recently speaking with a client and we were talking about how important it is to follow your menu and really understand that anything over the amount on your menu is going to make a difference in your weight loss.  She said to me, ” I see so many of your clients who have lost so much weight and they are so thin but they act like it’s a job and they treat it like it’s a job — is that good?  I said you have to treat it like that.  But it doesn’t have to be a negative job — it should be a positive job.  It’s a job that you love to do.  You want to eat clean and be healthy and yes treat it like an important job in your life.  Today is no different we are just all working in this same job from home.  But if you keep doing the right thing regardless of where you are working from you will always get the best results.

 

IT NEEDS TO BE ABOUT YOU:  What we don’t always realize is weight loss is so much more than just the number on the scale.  Because everything in our life stems from how we feel and how well we take care of ourselves.  Feeling good or bad will result in having a good or bad day.  Feeling good and treating your body healthy — is going to result in how you approach life and all the good and bad obstacles that come with it.  If you are feeling happy, healthy, fit and strong you are going to get through the rough days a lot better than if you are feeling heavy, bloated, sick and depressed.  In fact, studies show that overweight people have an 80% higher rate of depression than people of a healthy weight.  Why? because you always feel better about yourself when you are taking care of yourself.  Sometimes just having the feeling of control over what you are and are not eating can change your day from bad to good.   You have to decide what is important to you.  Find a motivation to help you get you there and make a commitment to make your health and weight loss a priority.  Even though it’s not normal times it can still be a job that you are excited about doing — and that will give you normalcy and motivation.

 

I know you have heard this before from me but I need to repeat it — you need to start somewhere.  If you are already in a good place then I am super excited for you  to continue to be amazing!  If you are not feeling great and have no control then you need to get right back on program today.  I promise you, after one week you will feel good after two weeks you will feel great and a month — you will never want to go back to your old eating habits.  I can’t even begin to tell you how many people wrote to me that they were just so happy they started before the quarantine.  Trust me if you have not started do it now.  Whatever day you start it’s always going to be hard.  It was hard to start before the quarantine, it’s hard to start during the quarantine and it will be hard to start after the quarantine.  The longer you delay it the harder it will be.  Just do it — tomorrow you will be so happy you did.

 

 

DO IT NOW

SOMETIMES LATER BECOMES NEVER

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick