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Tag: cheat day

Choicesclean eatingdieteatcleanExercisefamilyfeel goodFitnessgoalshappyhealthyHealthy TipsLifestyleMotivationSUMMERUncategorizedweight loss

TUESDAY’S WEIGHT LOSS TIP

HOW IMPORTANT IS WATER FOR WEIGHT LOSS? Staying hydrated encourages proper metabolic function. Your body is up to 60 percent water and needs water to function properly. Being dehydrated prevents your metabolism from running at peak capacity. That’s definitely not good when you’re trying to lose weight.

 

DID YOU KNOW:  You should aim to drink at least half your bodyweight in ounces. For example if you weigh 160 pounds you should aim to drink about 80 ounces (10 cups) of water each day. Keep in mind that’s a minimum. If the weather is hot and humid, you will sweat more. This means that you need to consume higher levels of water. And, if you are doing any type of activity that makes you sweat, you need to consume additional water to replace the fluids that you lose. Yes, you’ll probably pee a lot more than you’re used to when you first starting upping your water intake. But trust me, there are so many health and weight loss benefits that come with water intake.

 

BENEFITS OF WATER:

  • Water acts as a natural hunger-blocker. If you think you’re hungry you might just be thirsty.
  • Drinking more water will help cut down on false hunger pangs.
  • Drinking water helps reduce drinking other high-calorie drinks.
  • Water is the best zero calorie drink around. Trust me when you drink a gallon of water a day there’s no room for other liquids.
  • By drinking ample amounts of water day-in and day-out, you can slowly tighten your skin and maintain a healthy glow.
  • Drinking water will flush out the toxins in your body, especially the harmful toxins that can take a toll on your overall health.
  • Water keeps your body hydrated and refreshed and helps maintain your skin’s elasticity. People who drink large amounts of water are less likely to suffer from scars, wrinkles, and soft lines and they won’t show as many signs of aging as those who drink little amounts of water. As you grow older, it is tougher for your body to retain water, so by inputting more water into your system, you are helping your body and your skin stay hydrated.
  • It improves blood oxygen circulation. Water carries helpful nutrients and oxygen to your entire body. Reaching your daily water intake will improve your circulation and have a positive impact on your overall health.
  • It helps fight off illness. Drinking enough water can help prevent certain medical conditions – including constipation, urinary tract infections, hypertension and kidney stones
How can you tell if you are hydrated? Areas such as the skin under your eyes can become dark if you are not hydrated. If you have a lack of elasticity in your skin, it may be that you are dehydrated. To check your skin’s elasticity, gently pinch your skin and see if it bounces back. If it doesn’t bounce back, you are dehydrated.

I LOVE WATER! I credit everything to my water intake. I wake up at 5:30am every morning – and by 7am I have already consumed 4 – 16oz bottles of water. I drink it throughout the day and I always drink another 4 – 16 oz bottles right before bed which is usually around 1:30-2am. Maybe it’s because I am a pisces and spiritually a fish I love everything about water. I love to drink it, and swim in it. It’s so fresh and clean for my body inside and out. I love how it makes me feel and look.

 

FINAL TIP:  Drinking water is like washing out your insides. The water will cleanse the system, fill you up, decrease your caloric load, and improve the function of all your tissues. If you want to live your healthiest self – drink your water and make it a priority in your life for you health, weight loss, your body and mind. Everything runs and looks better when you are continuously hydrated.

 

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

clean eatingdieteatcleanExercisefamilyfeel goodFitnessgoalshappyhealthyHealthy TipsLifestyleMotivationSUMMERweight loss

JULY REVIEW

Now that the end of July has approached us I want you to look back and think about where you are today and where you thought you would be. Four Weeks ago on July 1st I asked you where did you want to be at the end of July…. Did you reach that goal? Did you put the work in like you promised yourself? Sometimes these can be very tough questions to answer especially if we know we didn’t do what we wanted – but they are even harder when we know we didn’t even try.

 

Yes we can all agree Summer is hard. But if we really think about it – weight loss is always hard. It’s a time that we are taking in less than our bodies need so we are hungry. It’s a time that we have to walk away from temptations that always seem to be there. My point is if you keep waiting for it to be easy – it will never happen.

 

I want you to remember while you are contemplating and waiting for an easier time – I have thousands of clients who are doing the right things and losing the weight and feeling great. I tell you this because I want you to always remember you are no different then they are – the only thing different is you keep stopping yourself from what you really want. When you decide to start working a little harder, being okay with being uncomfortable, and committing to walking away from temptation – I promise you will see the results. You have to stop getting in your own way.  Stop waiting and start doing .

 

SECOND LOOK: Think back on July. How did you feel? Was it making you happy? Did you feel healthy and in control. If the answer is yes you feel great and you are doing great – then I’m super happy for you because there is no better feeling. If the answer is you are not feeling good in your body and mind and you have lost control – then you need to change it.

 

HOW TO MOVE FORWARD: Lose the weight now. Start today. Stop thinking that it’s summer and using it as an excuse that requires you to over indulge in food and alcohol – because it doesn’t. What you need to do is commit to making yourself feel good. Put the time and real effort into it. Work hard for what you want and walk away from what you know doesn’t make you feel good. It doesn’t mean you can’t go and enjoy with others – it just means you have a plan walking into where you are going and what you are doing when you get there. If it’s not your cheat day then you stay on program and plan what you are eating, and if you are drinking you are giving up your snacks it’s that simple. Have a plan and follow through with it – and know in your heart that when you stick with it that is what is going to really make you feel your best. Don’t make it harder than it has to be. I promise you everything you walk away from and deny yourself from having – will still all be there when you have your cheat day.

 

YES IT’S HARD TO STAY ON PROGRAM IN THE SUMMER

BUT IT’S SO MUCH HARDER TO NOT FIT IN YOUR CLOTHES. 

If you are really honest with yourself you know that when you stay on program that feels so much better than cheating. When you are cheating it’s for the moment when you stay strong and on program it’s for the results. I can’t say it enough – do the right thing and you will feel so much better – whether it’s weight loss, work, family, relationships, or vacations – life is about planning and following through and doing the right things. The reason we do this is because it’s what makes us happy. We feel accomplished, and we want to be our best, we want to feel healthy and yes we want to look good. We have one life and we want to have that balance of enjoing it but also working hard and being your best while you do it. When you have a plan you can accomplish all those things. Yes some days are going to be super easy and other days will feel like the most difficult days, but if you stick to your plan you will always get better results both mentally and physically.

 

DO WHAT IS RIGHT NOT WHAT IS EASY

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

Choicesclean eatingeatcleanfeel goodhappyhealthyHealthy TipsholidaysLifestyleMotivationSUMMERweight loss

IS THE STRUGGLE TO BE ON PROGRAM OR OFF PROGRAM?

BALANCE IN THE SUMMER

I have to say I am super impressed with how so many of you got right back on program after vacations. So many of you even texted me on vacation telling me you couldn’t wait to be back on program when you returned. For those of you who have experienced it you know that it is such a great feeling to have when you are away enjoying knowing that when you come back it’s only a couple of days until you feel back in control and back to yourself. Thinking about it more in depth it is even more amazing how quickly we feel the difference when we go from on program to off and then off program to on program.

IS IT A STRUGGLE TO BE ON PROGRAM OR OFF PROGRAM?  We always feel like it’s a struggle to be on program and do the right thing – but the funny thing is as soon as we have the freedom to go off program we can’t wait to get back on program again. Which brings me to the question is it more of a struggle to be off program or on program. I would have to say from the text messages it’s actually more of a struggle to be off program.

Here is why: Mentally while we are on program it feels so difficult and we just can’t wait to have a cheat day but you see the cheat day is part of the program so when you are on 6 days and cheating 1 day that is still very much on program. But when you have a long holiday weekend or a vacation and now you are off program every day – even if it’s just a cheat meal or extra drinks – you are off program and you immediately feel it in your body and clothes.  When you don’t have any 100% on program days and you feel it in your body it changes you mentally. You know it’s a struggle to feel that way and you don’t want to stay that way – and that is why you can’t wait to be on program again.  For those of you who have lived the program for a long time know exactly what I am talking about.

WEIGHT LOSS IS 90% MENTAL: When we break it down – what we learn on program is very simple: We can go enjoy our holiday and vacations knowing that when we return and get right back on program in only a couple of days we will feel so much better. It’s truly the beauty of the program. What many of you may not have realized is that the cheat day has set you up for this. Having your cheat day once week and learning how to get right back on program the day after cheating has taught you so much. You have learned how to go on vacation and get right back on program after the vacation is over. When you master this you have learned the balance of weight loss. Living healthy, losing weight and enjoying and indulging.

THE BEST LIFE IS ALL ABOUT BALANCE:  We work hard we play hard. In every part of life we need balance so that we don’t just do one thing too much because that will only set you up for failure. There is nothing more important than having a healthy balance in your life – you work hard to be healthy and feel good, but you also enjoy and indulge. It’s so important to incorporate the cheat day because no one can or should want to be 100% – 24/7.  When you learn how to incorporate the cheat day it teaches you the balance you need to lose weight. Just remember the cheat day only works when the other 6 days are 100%. If you are not having 100% days then you should not be having a cheat day.

LIVE THE PROGRAM: When you learn not to just do the program and you learn to live the program you will see it gets easier and easier to get back on program right after a cheat day, holiday and/or vacation. A big part of the program is not so much the vacation or holiday cheating – but what you do after it. It’s super easy to cheat but it’s twice as hard to get back on program after a long holiday weekend or vacation. But the more you live your 6 days on and 1 day off makes getting back on program so much easier because your body learns quickly how much better it feels when you are doing the right thing and feeling your best. Consistency is key here. The longer you teach your body to live the 6 days on and the 1 day off program – the easier it becomes and the faster you learn to live in this healthy balance.

YES, THE STRUGGLE IS REAL: While we want to enjoy summer we don’t want to throw away everything you worked so hard for. Remember when you are returning from vacation the first few days will always be the hardest because you are going from eating too much to eating less than your body needs – so you will experience real hunger pains. Just remember they are temporary. By thursday you will start to feel so much better and you will know only another couple of days until cheat day again. So if you are returning from vacation and feeling a little struggle with the hunger – remember how important it is that you get right back on program. Push yourself through the first couple of days and I promise you by the end of the week you will feel amazing. You will be thrilled that it’s behind you and that you are back on, feeling good and eating on program.

FINAL THOUGHTS: it’s hard but its also very doable. You make choices and you deal with the outcome. If you want the summer to continue to be fun and you want to feel good every week so you can enjoy it – then you need to learn to get right back on program after a holiday or long weekend. Continue to do your best everyday and be proud of it. Don’t wait until you find a perfect week where nothing is going on to go back on program – finding a perfect week in the summer where nothing is going on is impossible. Instead jump right in and think of your weight loss as weight loss days not weight loss weeks. Every day that you can make a weight loss day – do it. The more weight loss days you get in one week – the better the result at the end of the week.  When you treat your body good your body repays you will results.

GET THROUGH THE STRUGGLES YOU WILL SEE THE RESULTS

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

Choicesclean eatingdieteatcleanExercisefamilygoalshappyhealthyholidaysLifestyleMotivationSUMMERweight loss

Back On Your Path

Welcome back everyone!  Im so happy everyone had a great safe holiday weekend. First, I want to tell you wherever you are don’t stress about it. Just get right back on program and finish out the week solid. One week and you will feel so much better being back in control and knowing that your body is in the right direction. You will weigh in this weekend and wherever you are you move on from there into a positive and happy place.

 

I want to thank you all because I have heard the nicest things the last couple of days from so many of you……. I love all the photos you send me. So many of you that were at holiday events this weekend and felt so good about yourself…….  We had more clients than ever hit their lowest numbers this past weekend. The excitement was beyond thrilling for me to be a part of. Thank you all for working so hard.

 

I love how so many clients couldn’t express enough how knowing they were going back to their magic muffins and Innovation food after the Holiday weekend helped them mentally get right back on program. It makes me so happy!!! I say it all the time — it only takes a couple of days of being back to eating on program is what gets you back to feeling good again. The quicker you get back the faster you recover. It all comes down to it’s not always about going off program that matters so much — it’s about what you do after you go off program that makes all the difference. When you get right back on program you get right back to feeling your very best, lightest, happiest and in control feeling — and that makes us all happy.

 

Here are some things I want you to think about moving forward into the Beautiful Sunshine and Social Summer.

  1. You will feel hungrier this week.  Why? Because you were eating for Holiday and Weekend Vacation last week and now you are back to eating for weight loss. So expect the hunger and embrace the hunger. I promise you will live through it. You might not be happy about it and there will be uncomfortable moments — but it will pass. And by the weekend you will feel so much better mentally and physically.
  2. Try your best to put the clean on program week in. I know we have so much going on in the summer and we are eating-out more often and socializing more than normal. But the more on program consecutive days you can put together the faster you will go back to feeling your best and back to your weight loss. If you are eating out make sure it’s a clean meal. Just because it’s summer does not mean you have to over indulge.
  3. If you are drinking alcohol make sure you follow your Snack Categories. It’s not the alcohol that is the problem it’s what the alcohol makes you do that is the issue. By the second drink the body and brain slows down – you are no longer in control. If you are having more than one drink– try and drink a bottle of water in between drinks.
  4. Don’t blame others. If you go into a social setting half-hearted about staying on your program it’s going to be easy for family and friends to talk you out of it because that is what you really want them to do. We give off signals to people of whether or not we are serious about staying on program. If you give off the signal that you are not in it 100% they will know it and easily talk you into sabotage. If you give off the signal that you are on your program 100% then no one is going to be able to talk you off it.
  5. As much as I always tell you consecutive days are the most important for weight loss — what I want you to think about through the summer is on program days in general. If you know that you are extra social and that you have things going on through the week or weekend — and consecutive days are going to be difficult —then make sure that any day that you can have an on program day you do it. Follow your meals and snacks and make sure you have your on program food planned and prepared because when you can be on program you want that day to be 100%. The more on program days you can add into your week will make the difference between maintaining and gaining.

You have to decide what you want.  If you are 225 and want to be 190 OR you are 140 and want to be 120 you can’t just talk about it and wish for it — because that is not going to make it happen. If you really want to lose the weight throughout the summer then you have to stay on program and work hard and follow your meals and snacks. Everyone that does the program and has success will tell you that it becomes a way of life. Learning to use your cheat day and loving it every week is life changing. Learning to go right back on program after holidays and vacation is more important than the time you spend off it. I see clients everyday do it regardless of the time of year. They are prepared with on program food and they always know what they are doing and where they are going and what they are eating. Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring – if you want to lose the weight I can promise you it’s very doable just put the work in— and this time of year don’t let the social summer become all about food. The bottom line is whether it’s losing weight or maintaining the weight you have to plan it and stick to it. I can give you all the tools in the world but you have to want it and work for it. And it can’t be just when it’s convenient for you — it’s just as important to do it when it’s inconvenient. When you really learn to live the program – you will love the way you look and feel everyday.

 

My final thoughts for you are…  When you can’t control what is happening in front of you — challenge yourself to control the way you respond to it. You can control your mind or You can let your mind control you

 

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

ChoiceseatcleanExercisefamilyfeel goodgoalshappyhealthyHealthy TipsholidaysLifestyleSUMMERweight loss

HOLIDAY WEEK CHECK-IN

[dt_sc_hr_invisible]Do you remember when you were young and your parents went away and you were so excited — YAY! PARTYYYYY! The funny thing is, now you reflect back and realize your parents were thinking the same thing. They were thinking, the kids are gone let’s PARTY!!!! Yes – everything tends to come full circle and what we didn’t understand or even think of back then we understand now. If your kids are away you are certainly playing – how much you play and how much damage you do will result in how the rest of your summer will be. You must stay mindful and remember to think before you eat and drink.[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]Many of you, which I am so thrilled to say, are going into this holiday weekend in a very good place. And Im really so super proud of all the hard work you have been doing. But regardless if you are in a good place or still struggling you need to approach this very fun filled holiday weekend with a plan. Know what you are doing, where you are going and how you will approach each of the days. This is such a tough weekend, but sticking to your good choices and feeling the best you can will make such a difference in your outcome. We all know how bad choices and good choices can dictate our mood. If you make good choices you feel great and when you make bad choices it makes you unhappy. While it seems like it should be so easy to choose HAPPY, the truth is, when the treats and Cheats are in your face is when you need to remember that eating on program makes you feel your best. Walking away will make you happy. Eating On Program makes you happy. Do what makes you happy. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]Holidays are never easy and I wish I could tell you that they don’t count. But the truth is, if it’s not your Cheat Day – what you do matters. What you do this weekend will show in your next weigh in and will result in how you feel the day after the holiday weekend is over. Do you want to look back and think about how you Cheated for 3 days straight and feel horrible, or do you want to look back and think about how much you enjoyed your long weekend, stayed on program, enjoyed your Cheat Day and when you wake up Monday morning you will feel great about your choices and looking forward to the week ahead. At the end of the day it’s always a choice. And it’s one that I can’t make for you. But it’s a choice that you have to always keep in mind that whichever decision you make will result in the way you feel mentally and physically. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]You want to make sure you are starting your summer following your program, staying on your path and making the decision that will make you happy. Whether you are at a friend’s or BBQ or home, you can get through the day with the same amount of food you get through when you are working or when it’s a normal weekday. 8 hours is 8 hours and 10 hours is 10 hours. Where you are and who you are with should not dictate how you eat. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]One of the most important things you should learn from this program is you can go anywhere and be anywhere and eat, have a drink and have fun and still stay on program. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]One thing I can tell you for sure – and I know you will agree when you read this… You always feel so much better about yourself when you are eating on program and making the right choices.[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]You have choices: 
Lose Weight: If you plan on only have one cheat day this weekend because you want to continue to see results that fabulous.
Maintaining: If you are splitting cheat days (staying on program all day and only having dinner and drinks or dinner and dessert cheats for two days) then you will maintaining and that’s great too. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]Most important you don’t want to look back and know that you had 3 days of no control -cheating and not doing the right things because that will make you unhappy Monday morning. Now is the time to make the choices and have a plan for the weekend. Think of what makes you happy and what makes you feel good. Not for just the moment but for the long term. When the weekend arrives be ready and know what you are doing and how important it is to you. Make sure that you are thinking about what and how you want to look and feel like next week, and your next weigh in, and even next month. Think about what makes you happy and remember that TREATS AND CHEATS are not for everyday. Because if you have them everyday they are no longer treats then they are just plain old cheats. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]NEVER MAKE PERMANENT DECISIONS 
BASED ON TEMPORARY FEELINGS[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick
FitnessHealthy TipsLifestyle

Passover Week

[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]This Saturday March 27th, marks the first night of Passover. This week long holiday is a celebration of freedom in the Jewish faith, with traditions including celebratory meals and symbolic foods and restrictions. This can be a tough time for many of us, trying to navigate the dietary changes, staying on program and also being faced with huge feasts. Many of you will choose one of the days this weekend as your Cheat Day, but as usual the celebrating will probably last for more than just one day. Now is the time to plan out your week, weekend and be ready to get back on track next week. Don’t let things surprise you – you should have your family dinners and holiday celebrations planned so there is no reason for you to be unprepared. Some of us may be more restricted than others for the holiday, but it’s always possible find healthy and clean alternatives that fit into your Passover plans, such as these suggestions and recipes below.[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]

Green Shakshuka

[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]Shakshuka is a middle Eastern dish traditionally made with poached eggs in tomato sauce and spices. In this clean version, it features egg whites, onion, spinach and spices. Perfect breakfast option![dt_sc_hr_invisible_small] [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]Ingredients:

•1 onion

•1 lb bag of spinach (fresh or frozen)

•1/2 tsp paprika

•1/2 tsp cinnamon

•1/2 tsp coriander

•2 tsp cumin

•Salt to taste

•1 tbsp oil

•Egg whites (depends on size of skillet)

 DIRECTIONS:

1. Dice the onion.

2. Heat skillet and add onions and spices. Cook until onion is soft.

3. Add spinach and allow all to cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Make spaces in the spinach to hold the egg whites so they don’t run all over. Cook on low-medium heat until eggs are cooked thoroughly.

5. Remove skillet from heat and serve. 4 egg white is 1 meal serving.[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]

Root Vegetable Medley

[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]Bring together traditional root vegetables in this new way for an exciting and delicious festive dish.

Ingredients:

•2 red onions, diced

•2 cloves of garlic, chopped

•2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed

•1 lb carrots, cut into 1 inch pieces

•1 lb beets, peeled and cut into wedges

•1 lb celeriac, peeled and cubed

•Zest of 1 lemon

•Zest of 1 orange

•2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme

•2 tbsp chopped fresh savory

•1 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon

•Salt and pepper

•1/2 tsp ground coriander

•Cooking spray

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat oven to 375 F and coat large casserole dish with cooking spray.

2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, spray with cooking spray then add onions and garlic. Sauté until soft and starting to brown, about 10 minutes.

3. Transfer this mixture to a large bowl then add sweet potatoes, carrots, beets, celeriac, lemon zest, orange zest, thyme, savory and tarragon. Season with salt and pepper and toss. Spoon into casserole dish.

4. Bake for 1 hour, or until vegetables are tender. 1/2 cup serving is one side.[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]

Lemon Mousse

[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]Ingredients:

•One 4-serving size package of Jell-O  vanilla pudding mix

•2 cups skim milk

•1 packet Crystal Light Lemonade powdered drink mix (the size that makes 1 pitcher)

•One 12 oz container of low fat Cool Whip

1. Add pudding mix and milk into a medium bowl and beat until smooth and thick.

2. Beat in lemonade mix until combined.

3. Fold in Cool Whip.

4. Chill before serving. 1 cup serving is one dessert/snack.[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]

[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]CAN I HAVE MATZAH? YES!

MATZAH – 2 Matzah with 1 tbsp of peanut, almond or Sun Butter,  light cream cheese or 1/2 avocado = meal

MATZAH AND FRUIT: 1 Matzah with 1 tsp of pb or sunbather with 1 piece of

fruit or 1 cup of fruit = meal

MATZAH AND EGGS – one Matzah with 3 egg whites = meal

•1/2 container Light tuna or chicken salad or egg white salad with 1 matzah = meal

• 1 slices of low fat cheese or 1 light part skim cheese stick with 1 Matzah  =. Cat 3 Snack or you can do 2 slices with 2 matzah as a meal 

[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]Matzah is only once a day and remember never eat just to eat. If you don’t need it, don’t eat it. You don’t want to end the night feeling bloated and sick. Like you over did it and you regret it. Instead, you want to end the holiday feeling amazing and in control. You will enjoy the food, but also what is really important – the company and the celebration.[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]

[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]Have a Happy Passover and Safe Travels to everyone going away!

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]

clean eatingdieteatcleanExercisefeel goodgoalshappyHealthy TipsLifestyleMotivationweight loss

IT’S ALL ABOUT CONTROL

[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]IT’S ALL ABOUT CONTROL[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]YAY! The CLOCKS have changed! What does the time change mean? It’s the first sure sign that the warmer weather will be approaching. Might not be today, this week or even next week— but it will be soon. In NY we will go from 30 degrees today to 70 by next Saturday. It happens so fast that even after such a harsh NY winter- many of you will still wish you had more time. But the truth is – you do have more time. Every day is more time. Every day adds on to the great day you had the day before. Even when you haven’t been perfect, the consistency of when you decide to start being 100% will make all the difference. Just don’t let another day go by with pushing it off and having that last extra thing or starting tomorrow. Because the difference from doing it today or waiting another day or week will show the results in the scale. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]HAPPINESS: If I noticed one thing this past week more than anything else it’s the happiness and excitement of all of you who are doing so well. Maybe it’s because right now with spring approaching you are all so excited to take the coats off and show your hard work. Maybe it’s the excitement I feel through the text when you have hit the next number or feeling the sense of control that you have over what you are doing and the choices you are making. Maybe it’s because you love when I post your results on Sundays — maybe it’s all of the above. What I will tell you is I love it. I truly love to hear you so excited about where you are and where you are going. . It’s such an amazing feeling to have so many clients text that they are in such a great place. It’s life changing when you can wake up and feel that control over what you are doing – the control over the scale – the control of staying on program. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]There is no reason that you should not be one of these clients. I know this program is so very doable. I’m not telling you to do something that you can’t do. You have the tools, the support, the food and the Cheat Day. Every client that has been successful on program all say the same thing – the program is so doable and they found it so much easier than anything they have ever done. They love ordering the food because it’s easy and delicious and they love the support. It’s hand-holding. We know how hard weight loss can be so we make sure we are there for you. But YOU have to be there for YOU and make the right choices and be strong in the face of temptation. Stop waiting, stop putting it off and stop making excuses.[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]Quick little story: This past week I was talking to one of my clients who has reached her goal. She is going away at the end of March for Spring Break, so she was just so beyond excited to be able to feel good in her bathing suit. We were talking about when she started and the best way for me to explain it is — it was like standing at the bottom of the mountain. She couldn’t see the top but she wanted so much to get there. But the mountain was steep so every time she did a quick fix diet she kept sliding back down to where she started. But once she started the Innovation program and her first initial weight loss week where she lost 4lbs, she continued and went to 1-2 lbs a week. Slow and steady and most important in control. Well that is easy to say now but at the time she thought she would never see the top of the Mountain. The thing is slow and steady takes patience, and we know how hard that is when it comes to weight loss. The reason patience in weight loss is so hard is because [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]1) We want to see immediate results.  We have committed to the program – now we just want the weight off. But we know it doesn’t work like that. Just because you decided to lose weight – doesn’t mean it just falls off your body. Once you commit now the real work starts. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
 [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]2) Often times deep down we want it to be over so we can go back to our old habits. We just want all the weight off so we don’t have to be in that controlled state of losing weight. But we know that control can never end because once you go back to the bad habits is when the weight will come right back on.
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]I can’t even tell you how many times she cried real tears because she would see 1lb and she felt like she just worked so hard for that 1lb – and she did work hard. Every 100% week on program is hard work. But just because you are working so hard — your body has to get rid of body fat and it takes time and consistency. I explained to her we are not dealing with water weight anymore we are dealing with real fat and that’s why the program works so well. You either keep playing with the same 3 lbs losing and gaining water weight — or you work consistently hard and get rid of the real fat. But it takes a slow and steady process to get rid of real fat. And some weeks that is just hard to handle. And trust me she threw every excuse in the book – it’s her kids, it’s because she went through menopause early, it’s her thyroid …. And yes the truth is somethings in life make it harder —  but not impossible, and that is what she had to keep believing. Even though it was hard every week she trusted me and trusted the program. And slowly she climbed the mountain and now with 2 weeks from Spring Break she has lost 36.5 lbs. and looks absolutely amazing. She looks 10 years younger and she feels 10 years younger. She is at her lowest weight in her lifetime- even before she had kids. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]THE PROCESS: What I found so interesting through the process that I saw with her and often see with so many of you – is the change throughout the program. This is the part I really want you to remember especially if you are struggling now or new to the program. The beginning of anything is always difficult. You are mentally trying to get back to healthy eating, you are eating less than your body needs so you are hungry, and to top it off you are seeing 1-2 lbs a week so it feels like it’s going to take forever. But then all of a sudden I see the shift. The shift is the feeling of control I start to see in you – when you recognize the balance you have created in your life with the 6 on program days and the 1 cheat day. When you recognize and feel the 1-2 lbs a week adding up and all of a sudden it’s all okay. You realize how life changing it is and how you feel so good in your body and on this path where you feel excited and happy all the time. And most important I see that you recognize your own capability and strength on what you can accomplish and how you are mentally and physically in a strong place – you are no longer doing the program you are living the program and you love it. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]FEELING GOOD: I can tell you I see it everyday and when you are feeling good with where you are and how you are eating and in control and feeling just lighter healthier thinner – you are a different person. You are different to yourself, your friends, your family, your spouse – you are just happy. When you are happy things don’t bother you like they would when you are unhappy. It makes perfect sense when you think about it. Something someone says to you that may not be nice when you are feeling out of control and heavy is going to affect you a lot differently when you are in a good place – and you are in control and feeling healthier, lighter and happier. When you feel good you are even happier and kinder to yourself. My point is, you have the control to be happy, you have the strength to be in control and to make sure your days are good and you are choosing the right things and feeling good about yourself. No one has that control except you. When you approach the world and the people around you whether it’s work, family, friends or just acquaintances and you are in a healthy, happy control state of mind you will respond that way. And of course when you are not – and you are out of control with your food, and not feeling healthy or in a good place and feeling heavy and thick – you will respond to those around you the same way you feel. At the end of the day, the way you act and present yourself to the world is the way you feel – and the way you feel is a result of the way you are taking care of yourself and feeding yourself from the inside out. Make the right choices and it will change your life [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]IT’S HERE AND NOW: If you want to be Happy then make yourself Happy!! If you want the control of your day then follow the program. At the end of the day it’s your actions, your will and your want that will decide the outcome of what you do. I will tell you this – it’s here and it’s now and if you haven’t started then you should start and if you have started but have not been 110% then it’s time to be 110% – because spring is here and summer is coming and it is not going to wait for you. Do not waste these months and this time you have right now to do the right thing.[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]WHEN YOU ARE HAPPY
AND YOU HAVE CONTROL
IT’S LIFE CHANGING[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
~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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HELLO MARCH 2020

March has arrived with weather that is a great reminder that Spring and Summer are around the corner!

 

We have a beautiful 5 weeks of weight loss right in front of us.  Do not waste it.  Do not look back and say why didn’t I do it.  Think about it — 2 lbs a week is so doable and that would be a fabulous 10 lb weight loss in one month!  Yes sometimes it requires getting out of our own way.  For example:  Stop the alcohol on non-cheat days; Make sure your cheat day is 1 day and not 1 1/2 or 2; — It’s so easy to sit and cry and think nothing works for me,  but i’m telling you that is absolutely not true.  The program will work for you  — but only if you put the work in.  You have to put the time in and you have to be consistent.  You have to be mentally prepared to give it 110% and stick to your 6 days of weight loss with 1 cheat day.  When you do that I promise you that you will see the same weight loss as everyone else that is on program.

 

If you have not been doing the right thing and are walking around miserable or are miserable inside your head — you know that you are the only person who can change it.  I can give you all the tools and I can show you thousands of clients who have done it and continue to do it and look and feel amazing.  And I can tell you 100% that you are no different than any of them.  If you want it you can have it.  But first you have to stop playing mind games with yourself, stop making deals with yourself, and no more excuses.  If you really want the 10 lbs in March then start working had for it everyday.  Follow your program and don’t let anything or anyone get in your way – including yourself.

 

Clients already have had a successful 2020 and it’s only March.  Clients from all over Chicago, California, Arizona, Alabama,  Boston, Florida, Georgia, and right here in New York — amazing amazing results.  Why?  It’s not because they all just jumped on program and did the right thing — although many have done just that.  But majority have been on and they struggled their way through it.  They have hiccups but they hold their breath and get past them.  Sometimes it’s a day and sometimes it’s a week but they get past them.  The reason I am telling you this is so you realize you are not the only one who struggles.  Weight loss is hard.  But if you want to see the weight loss you have to be willing to put the work in every day.  You have to be consistent and always continue to move forward.  You have to push yourself when you don’t want to be pushed and you have to be okay with walking away from temptation that will always be there.  But most important is you have to really decide what it is you want and how important it is to you to get there.  It’s not easy to eat less than your body needs…. it’s not easy to deal with the hunger that you feel when you are eating less… and it’s not easy to walk away from temptation when you are hungry.  But it’s even harder to step on the scale and feel uncomfortable in your own skin.

 

This month be willing to embrace the challenge.  Get through the little hunger, the temptation and the hiccups.  Pass on the drink and be okay with it.  When you are out to dinner order on program.  Walk away from the temptation and be excited about it!  Promise yourself that no matter what or who is on your path you will continue to do the right thing.  Because when you do that is when April 1st will come and you will be 10 lbs lighter than you are today and you will be so so happy that you are back in control, and back on your happy path where you always feel amazing.

 

THINK ABOUT IT:  In 5 very quick weeks you are either going to be super happy that you put the work in and feel amazing and on your way to being the best you for Spring and Summer OR you will look back and think “I should have… I could have… I wish I did it… ugh why didn’t I do it.”  ~choose your hard.

 

EMBRACE THE CHALLENGE

~It’s the challenges that make life interesting

Overcoming them is what makes life meaningful~

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

 

 

clean eatingdieteatcleanfamilyFitnessHealthy TipsholidaysLifestyleSUMMERweight loss

AUGUST CHECK IN

Hi Everyone!  This is your Mid-August Check in!  I just want to make sure that everyone is on the right path because we all know how easy we can take a wrong turn.  Seriously, the end of August is so dangerous for so many reasons.  Vacations, no schedules, the feeling that the end is coming or the very common and damaging — Im just gonna “wait” until September to get back on track—   I’m reminding you not to do it to yourself.  I’m not saying that I want you to be perfect.  I know in August that is not realistic for so many of you and that is okay.  But what I am reminding you is that regardless of where you are right now if you have a plan and stick to it you will feel so much better than going completely off the cliff and then trying to climb back up in September.

 

Put everything aside regardless of what you have done up until now.  Good, bad or somewhere in between let’s continue to move forward in a very positive mindset.  From now until Labor Day have a plan and follow it through. 

Planning is so important because it helps us understand what we are actually capable of at this moment.  Different times of the year we are capable of different things.  Some may be more strict in the winter or the summer or right before vacation.  For others they are strict because they are getting married or turning a certain age, or planning big parties and celebrations.  We all want to look and feel our best when big exciting things are going on in our life.  It creates motivation that comes on more urgent and rapid.  And that’s great because we can use it to our advantage when we have it.  But when you don’t have that sudden urgency is when you have to maybe have more of a realistic plan.  One that fits you right now.

What I want you to think about is where you are right now.  If you are struggling to stay on program then change your day.  Maybe your plan is too strict for what your life is right now.  Maybe you need an extra on program snack or to add in a  drink or two or an extra cheat meal on the weekends when it’s not your cheat day.   Remember whatever changes you make right now are not forever.  They are for right now.  So add an on program extra snack or change whatever part of the day or week you are struggling with to give yourself a little extra.  Im always here to help you navigate your day.  But the point is to have the plan so you know what you are trying to achieve.  Even if you won’t lose as much the key is you will follow through on your planned day and even more important you won’t gain.  Once you get through your planned day you will feel more accomplished and then maybe next week or the week after you can start to make it even more of a weight loss day by getting rid of the extra snack or extra cheats.  Make the plan realistic for you this week and once you get a solid week of following your plan then you will feel better and more confident moving forward.

REMINDER:  For those going on vacation it’s so important to follow through with your plan.  If you don’t follow your plan you know by mid vacation you are going to be miserable with how you feel.  Stick to your plan – even if the plan includes when you are cheating it’s still a plan and will keep you in a great place mentally which is what vacation is about.  Vacation is not about going and sabotaging yourself – putting you in a place of feeling bloated, heavy and miserable.  Vacation is about resting the mind, having some fun with those you love and staying in a great place of happiness — making happy memories.

Maintain – Follow your program and have planned cheat meals when needed.  When you do this you must follow the 80-20.  Eat clean 80% of the time and 20% of the day you are off (maybe dinner and drinks or dinner dessert or for the breakfast lovers you cheat breakfast and clean the rest of the day).  Plan it and follow through and I promise you will feel so much better come September.  You may not be exactly where you want to be but you will feel so much better than where you could be.

Losing Weight Is Always an Option –  Now of course if you want to lose weight you can do that!  I can’t tell you how many clients have continued to lose weight this summer.  Just to mention a few we have very exciting — Joe just reached his 50lb weight loss this past weekend!!  Woo Hoo!!! So proud of him!!  And Lauren reached her super awesome 25lb loss and Ilene is at her new low since she started!  I can go on and on about the clients that lost weight this summer.  They went into the summer with a plan to stay on program and lose weight and they are following through with it.  So if that is something you want to do- don’t wait — start now and do it.

Do the right thing and you will feel so much better – Whether it’s weight loss, work, family, relationships, vacations — life is about planning and following through and doing the right things.  The reason we do this is because it’s what makes us happy.  We feel accomplished, and we want to be our best, we want to feel healthy and yes we want to look good.  We have one life and we want to have that balance of enjoing it but also working hard and being your best while you do it.   When you have a plan you can accomplish all those things.  Yes some days are going to be super easy and other days will feel like the most difficult days, but if you stick to your plan you will always get better results both mentally and physically.

Final Thoughts –  Just because it’s a plan doesn’t make it easy.  We all have difficult days and it’s on the hardest days tha you have to find your strength to follow through.  Reach down and find it and talk yourself through it.  You are capable of so much more than you might be willing to work for at that moment but if you get past that one moment of weakness you will feel so much better and it will make such a big difference on so many levels.

THERE ARE PLANNER AND DREAMERS

PLANNERS MAKE THEIR DREAMS COME TRUE.

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick