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Tag: eat clean

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]

Choicesclean eatingExercisefamilygoalshealthyHealthy TipsLifestyleMotivation

NO EXCUSES – BE COMMITTED TO YOUR GOALS

[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]HELLO FEBRUARY! [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]Congratulations to those of you who have remained true to your goals (and there are so many of you) I am beyond thrilled and excited for you all. It’s a tough time of year but it’s also the most important when it comes to weight loss. The days go by fast…. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]February has already arrived and what a short month it is with Valentine’s Day around the corner — I can assure you March will arrive even faster. So for those of you who have not stayed true I think you need to take a moment and think about how quickly the days are passing. The time to work on your mind and body is now when the snow is on the ground not when it’s spring and you are trying on summer clothes. Life happens quickly – and if you are not moving and thinking and planning, it will pass you by and you won’t even know what you did in the time it was passing. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]This week’s theme is to love yourself enough to stop making excuses.  We all have excuses if we want them.  You can tell yourself that it’s quarantine, or I have no will power, it’s the kids, or I will start tomorrow….. whatever excuse you want to tell yourself is what you will believe. The bottom line is you are still using them as excuses to cheat and go off your program. And regardless of how true your excuse may be, it doesn’t change the fact that when you go off your program you will not lose weight. So remember even the best excuse in the world is still putting you in the wrong direction. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]THREE IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER:
  • The distance between where you are right now and where you really want to be can be measured by the number of excuses you make and take.
  • The more excuses you make and take, the bigger the distance. The less excuses you tolerate, the more you close up that distance.
  • When you make excuses for yourself you are giving up before you even begun. You are holding yourself back from the life you want to live. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible]There are no real excuses when it comes to reaching a goal. Even the weakest person can be a doer at their own pace. Every excuse you make puts you further behind and farther back from where you are trying to be. But if you plan, prepare and focus and keep reminding yourself what you want – then there will be no stopping you. Even if you are at a snail’s pace you can still be in the same positive direction and moving toward your positive goals. So stop making excuses and start doing. Stop talking about it and start planning for it. Stop floating around waiting for it to happen and put your feet on the ground and start moving in the right direction and don’t stop until you get there.[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]You can’t undo your old excuses – just stop making new ones…. Don’t think about the past instead move forward and make tomorrow better than today.  If you have not been great and are starting to freak out because it’s February and March is quickly approaching then you need to stop regretting, stop beating yourself up and stop trying to undo damage that is already done. I get messages all the time – how can I reverse my extra cheating, or how can I get this weight off tomorrow! I’m sorry but you can’t turn back the clock in any part of your life. Where you are today is where you got yourself, so accept it and move on to working hard to getting yourself to where you want to be. Trying to do anything quick or fast are bad habits that got you to the overweight place you started. You don’t want to keep going down that road because that is what will keep you on the roller coaster. If you want it to be different tomorrow, next week, next month – then you need to start the change today. The only way to get the weight off is to stop making excuses and be more committed to your dreams than to your comfort zone. Stay on program and follow your menu and put the time in like everyone else. Putting the time in is the only thing that will make and keep you successful. If you are not happy with your weight today you need to own it and deal with where you are. You need to understand and own that you got yourself here. Then you need to focus on the change and the work and the positive process that you will take to get you to that happy place. The happy place where you feel good in your skin. That happy place that gives you confidence and makes you love waking up feeling lighter, happier and healthier. The process is simple: follow your menu, absolutely no excuses, put the time and the work in, stay on your path and remember your goals – and keep following the process 6 clean days a week and 1 Cheat Day.  Don’t try and change the rules and don’t try to rush the process. You know it works you have either done it or know someone who has had amazing success. Every week the weight loss will add up and before you know it you will be the person that you always admired. The person that made no excuses and worked hard for what they wanted. You will be the one who has control and who knows what they are doing and feels good all the time because you are following your 6 days on and 1 day off. You will no longer have the guilt of eating out of control and you will know that your hard work is what makes you feel amazing. When you stop making excuses and starting doing – it’s life changing because you realize that you can have it all. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]IF IT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU 
YOU WILL FIND A WAY
IF IT’S NOT 
YOU WILL FIND AN EXCUSE[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick
familyfeel goodhappyHealthy TipsholidaysLifestyleMotivationweight loss

WINTERPAUSE

[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]How can one week be so easy to stay on program and then next week be so hard?! Everyone is struggling this week between Christmas and New Years and that is okay. We are in a time of transition. One year is ending and another beginning. Holidays, kids home, mini vacations…. All fun things but hard to stay on program when you are not on your normal schedule. When you find yourself in this pattern you need to just continue moving forward. Stay mindful and continue to make the very best choices that are available. Even if they are not as good as you would like, they will be better than if you are not mindful at all. Stay positive and remember a 50/50 day is better than 100% off program day. Remind yourself this is the week where we have happy times and hopeful times. It’s about family, love, laughter, health and a little down time to rest the brain. But it’s also not about treating everyday like a Cheat Day. This is the balance that we will always strive to master. Sometimes it’s easy sometimes it’s the most difficult thing to do. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]If you find that you have let yourself make bad or hasty decisions in the last couple of days or weeks – you need to let it go and just move on. Don’t waste energy or time on things you did wrong or how good you did and then ruined it. Focus on the here and now. It doesn’t matter if it was two minutes ago or two days ago. Don’t waste your energy on things you can’t change — you need to put that energy on the here and now and on the things you want for today and tomorrow and next year. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]Let it go… and move on to better choices and stay on your path. Maintaining is better than gaining. If you are not in a position to be perfect, then be mindful. Your healthy program will keep you on path and when you fall off you get right back on and it will always take you back to the place that you want to be. It will take you to where you are in control, happy and feel good…. but in order to do that you need to let the past be the past and the future be the future. You can’t change yesterday but you can change this moment right now. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]Don’t waste time… One thing I notice that we all take for granted is the time that we have and what we do with it. We focus so much on where we are going and what we are eating that we forget to focus on what we are celebrating and why we are there. We spend time on what we did wrong instead of what we can change to make it right… It’s what I call wasteful energy. You must keep your energy positive and keep moving on to a better place. Every minute that you worry or waste on what you should have or could have can be put into the energy of what you are doing right now. Let all the wasteful negative energy go and focus on the positive and happy energy of today and tomorrow. Make sure that you are making the memories of today better so when you look back tomorrow you have less regrets than today. It’s all about being mindful on what you are doing right now. And in order to do that you have to let go of whatever you did wrong yesterday. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]We all know how short life is… We all know that there are so many out there that have “real” problems that many of us could never ever imagine or want to imagine. We sometimes forget how lucky we are to be able to plan for the future. . It’s easy to forget and take for granted the simple things like how lucky we are to be healthy to enjoy these moments. When I tell you to stay mindful it’s not always about food. It’s about life. The idea is to stop focusing on food as your main attraction and start focusing on life as your main attraction. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]You need to focus on the happiness. There will always be weeks like this and you don’t want to confuse the happiness that is going on around you with you being miserable because you didn’t choose the right foods or because you had an extra snack or you woke up a little bloated. Change the day immediately and move on to whatever better choices you can make today. We know we have easy weeks and hard weeks, and an easier on program weight loss week will be around the corner – but for now some weeks will just be like this and you have to look at them for what they are – busy happy weeks that you are doing the best to stay mindful and make the best choices you can so you can enjoy and maintain. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]DON’T WAIT FOR THE PERFECT MOMENT
MAKE THE MOMENT PERFECT[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
~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
clean eatingfamilyHealthy TipsLifestyle

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

Uncategorized

READY FOR THANKSGIVING

It’s so hard to believe Thanksgiving is almost here.  This can be a very stressful and very social time where healthy eating and staying on track can take a backseat.  Kids are off from school, students coming home from college, some are going on vacations, and of course the beginning of shopping and planning for the holiday season.  These next few weeks can go two different ways as the days go by in the blink of an eye and then all of a sudden the New Year is here.  You can stay healthy and in control, or you can let it all go and have to start all over in January.  You have choices, and we will help you stick to the right choice that works for you.

 

OPTIONS for Thanksgiving Week:

If you keep it to one cheat day you will get the very best results— however, you have to be realistic in what works for you this coming weekend.  If you need to split your cheat days and maintain the week that is totally fine.  Whether you decide one cheat day or spitting the cheat day the most important thing is you have a plan and stick to what you decide.   TIP:    We all want to be perfect and be sharks, but we also know what we are capable of and if it’s a turtle weekend and you need to split the days then that is the plan you should follow.

 

ONLY ONE CHEAT DAY: (CHOOSE ONE)

 

  1. THANKSGIVING CHEAT DAY — Make Thanksgiving your Cheat Day.  A fun day to have a cheat day especially if you love the turkey and all the trimmings!  You stay clean all week and enjoy your Thanksgiving Cheat day and then you go right back on plan and no cheat day on the weekend.  Your next cheat day will be the weekend of December 7th.
  2. STAY CLEAN ON THANKSGIVING AND HAVE YOUR REGULAR CHEAT DAY ON THE WEEKEND — It won’t be easy to sit and watch the stuffing or your favorite side dish being passed around the table, but in order to stick to your routine and keep your momentum, some of you will choose to stay clean and on program Thanksgiving Day and do your normal Cheat Day Thanksgiving Weekend.  It’s very possible to do, and it’s a great option for this week and it will help keep you in  a good place going forward this winter and holiday season.  *Make sure you check wherever you are eating Thanksgiving day that they have options that will help you stay on.  Turkey and vegetables are always easy and maybe bring a fruit platter so you can have your dessert ready for you.

 

SPLIT THE CHEAT DAY

  1. If you are okay with maintaining this week you have the option of splitting your cheat day.  If you know you are having a very social weekend this is probably the most realistic for you — Choose 2 days and stay clean all day and only cheat dinner/drinks/dessert.   So if you choose Thanksgiving— you will do clean  on program breakfast and lunch and then do Cheat dinner/drinks/dessert.   Then you pick another day on the weekend and do the same thing.  The remaining days should be 100% on program.  This give you the option to enjoy, be social and also feel good and stay on program.

 

Choosing the option is easy – Sticking to it is what is truly important.  Don’t make this weekend a four day eating marathon.  Because I promise you every year there are clients who lose it and go down hill with no breaks and it’s 4 days- 10lbs later.  It’s not the turkey or thanksgiving — it’s the starting Wednesday night and not stopping until Sunday.  It’s a very social and indulging weekend — you want to enjoy stay in control and feel good throughout.  Stay mindful – have your plan and stick to it.

 

 

MONDAY MORNING COMES FAST! 

Think about how you want to feel Friday, Saturday and Sunday?  Most important how do you want to feel Monday morning?

THERE WILL BE TWO SCENARIOS COME MONDAY MORNING:

 

  1. You will open your eyes Monday morning and be so super happy you stayed on program and did the right things and followed exactly what you had planned.  You will get out of bed and get dressed and you will feel so good both mentally and physically that you accomplished what you planned for your weekend.  You will be so ready to start the week in such a good place.  You will feel like Tiger and it will show in every hop skip and jump you take that morning —right into your closet to get dressed.
  2. OR you will open your eyes and wonder what was going on inside of your head all weekend.  You promised yourself you wouldn’t do this again and yet here you are.  You will then drag yourself out of bed like Eeyore “always me” and wonder how you are going to squeeze into your work clothes OR workout clothes and think where you went wrong and how did you get to this place.  Then you will try and justify it by promising yourself that you will starve all week and workout 80hours minimum.  Knowing deep down that there is no justifying it and no getting around it because nothing you ate was worth how you are feeling.

Think about which one of the above you want for Monday Morning.  Everything you do is a choice you will make —  and our choices have consequences.   Remember you are free to make whatever choice you want but you are not free from the consequences of that choice.  If you do the right things and make the right choices — yes there will be moments that it will feel difficult through the weekend but  I promise you will be so happy Monday morning with the results.

 

THE CHOICES YOU MAKE TODAY

WILL DETERMINE YOUR DIRECTION TOMORROW

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS – HAPPY YOU?!

We all want to be happy around the Holidays.  But along with happiness, we also know the holidays can be filled with stress, laughter, drinking, over-eating, family fights and even tears!  Everyday can bring a mix of different emotions, and not just for you but for everyone around you.  There is however one way to feel your very best this holiday season….

 

Do you want to know the secret to having a happy Holiday Season this year?  The secret to a happy holiday season is not about how much you put on the table.  It’s not about how much money you have or what kind of car you drive.  It’s not about how expensive your outfit is and it’s not even about how many friends you have.  I mean these are all great things to have in your life but I can tell you for certain it’s not what is going to make your holiday season the happiest it can be.   The secret to a happy fulfilled holiday season is how you are going to feel about yourself throughout the holidays.  The happier YOU are and the better YOU feel in your own skin is going to be a game changer on how you feel through the holidays and how you treat yourself and everyone around you.

 

Many of you know exactly what I am talking about.  You know that feeling good about yourself is more than just what you have or what you can buy – it’s about how you feel mentally and physically.  Let’s face it putting on an $800 outfit is amazing but putting on $100 outfit on the body you love and feel great in will make you feel like you are wearing something that is priceless.

 

I know I am constantly reminding you that the better you feel the better you will live.  I am a true believer in if you are doing the right thing and feel good you  are more likely to choose the right options to keep you feeling that way.  When you are around a holiday dinner or party you will feel amazing and you will want to do everything you can to stay that way.  FACT:  when you feel good you want to continue to look good and when you don’t feel good you tend to throw in the towel a lot faster and fall prey to temptations  around you.

 

Between Thanksgiving and New Years you want to be able to go to a party, a holiday dinner and even a planned vacation and feel the very best you can feel because the better you feel the happier you will be and the better you are going to act and treat those you love around you.  You don’t want to put yourself in a position that you don’t want to get dressed and don’t want to see people.  We all kind of live in the same shoes.  When we are doing the right thing and feeling amazing – we don’t care who we run into.  In fact, sometimes we even seek out people.  When we are not doing the right things we want to avoid everything and everyone.  — Keep this holiday season simple.  When you are doing the right thing – you are happy.  So don’t make it complicated.  Follow your program and feel the best you can feel.  Always remember nothing is worth feeling uncomfortable in your own skin.

 

If you find that you are struggling at any time – you always remind yourself that you just need one clean week and you will feel like someone stuck a pin in you and you deflated.  One clean week is all it takes and you will start to feel the lighter version of YOU!  You want to spend this holiday season starting off on the right path.  But if somewhere in between you fall off you just get right back on and 6 clean days you will feel great again.  Everyone can be a shark when they want to be.  Head strong you will go into the holidays on program and enjoy your cheats when its you cheat day and not just cheat because it’s the holiday’s .  Because we all know when you start cheating just to cheat or because there are parties week after week – before you know it you will be squeezing into clothes and the happy face will turn into a frown very quickly.  And no one needs to see you frown around the holidays.  Especially when it’s something you have absolutely control over.

 

They say nothing in life is given to you.  But that’s actually not true.  The most precious thing in the world has been given to you – It’s called LIFE!  What you do with it, and how you take care of it will determine how happy you live it.  

HAPPY HOLIDAYS START WITH A HAPPY YOU

Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

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Pink Promises

In our busy life it’s easy to live in our happy chaotic little bubbles. We spend our busy days running around, working, socializing, preparing, being parents and others helping parents. We wear many hats and have many full time jobs. Yes, life is crazy busy and it’s easy to fall into the mind set of what do I have to do next – because that is all that is important at the moment. The months fly by and then all of a sudden we are making the appointment for the yearly mammogram. I know for most- having any yearly test is scary. It’s very often a topic in my office. Just scheduling the appointment can throw your whole day because of the anxiety that comes with it. I think it’s safe to say it’s a fear among most of us that regardless of how amazing things are at that moment – we can walk in the mammogram room and it be life changing results by the time we walk out.
But what I think we need to remember is while we are living in our little bubbles of everyday chaos and happiness, how comforting and important it is to know that if that day ever comes for us or someone we love – Pink Promises and BCRF are working hard everyday to accelerate the breakthroughs that are bringing us closer to a cure, and speeding up the research that give us the progress that improves survivorship and quality of life. Let’s face it, once you are diagnosed it’s no longer about how to prevent it, your life becomes all about how to survive it.
These things may not be as important to you at this moment and my hope for you is that it never will be. But by donating you are helping your future, and the future of those you love, and keeping that security that you hope you never need, but nice to know is there improving everyday in case you do. That’s an amazing feeling if you think about it. And what is even more wonderful is by donating you are helping all the Men, Women, Moms, Dads, Sisters, Daughters, Brothers, and Sons that are in need right now, today, this moment. Who are living by and depending on the treatments, cures and progress that BCRF is making everyday with our donations.
Did you know that Since the first Pink Promises event in 2010, they have raised over $4 Million to fund life-saving research through The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. And In 2018-2019, BCRF will award $63 million in annual grants to more than 300 scientists from top universities and medical institutions around the globe. In addition, BCRF has established the Evelyn H. Lauder Founder’s Fund, a multi-year international program dedicated to metastasis that is the first large-scale global effort to unravel the biology of metastasis, with more than $30 million earmarked to date. It is the largest privately funded project exclusively focused on metastasis in the world. But there is still more to be done and the thousands of women and men suffering from breast cancer today are depending on it.
I am super passionate about being a part of an organizations that truly makes a difference in the cause. That’s why I chose to be a part of Pink Promises. . If this is something that you want to do and be a part of, please join us at this year’s Pink Promises 2018 Casino Night, September 28. The Event is being held at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, and it Promises to be a memorable evening for all who attend.
If you can’t join us then you may want to donate to support the mission to end Breast Cancer, knowing that whatever you can give – 90 cents of every dollar goes directly to the research. It’s something to feel really good about when you know what you donate is really making a difference in our future and the future of those we love.
For more information about BCRF and this event, or to purchase a ticket or donate please go to  http://pinkpromises.org
~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick
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One Positive Thing Leads to Another

ONE POSITIVE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER…

As summer continues on and our social plans seem to multiply life can start making choices for us. Sometimes they feel like choices that are completely out of our control. Other times we just aren’t really fighting for what we want and we tend to go with the flow whether it’s something that is making us happy or not. But I’m here to remind you that you are the only person who controls your own destiny. You are the only person who can decide how people and events affect you. So much of your happiness lies within the choices you make. You either accept that this is it and you throw in the towel and continue to get to a place that makes you more and more unhappy – OR – you change it and get back to a happy place that is positive both mentally and physically. You are the only person who has the power to change where you are and where you want to be.

Positive or a Negative: It’s really important to remember whether positive or negative – One thing really does lead to another. When you do something negative it usually leads to another negative experience and when you do something positive it leads to another positive experience. Here are two examples that you may be able to relate:

NEGATIVE ACTIONS BRING NEGATIVE THOUGHTS:  When you are eating unhealthy you don’t feel good. When you don’t feel good you are not happy and when you are not happy it shows in everything you do, act, feel and look.  When you are eating unhealthy you gain weight.  When you gain weight you feel lethargic, weak, and old. You would think because you are eating more food that you would want less, but the opposite happens and the more you eat the more you want. The worst part is you are not even enjoying the unhealthy food as much as you thought you would. It’s no longer special when you eat it all the time. Now because you don’t feel good and nothing fits you and you are tired – you don’t want to exercise. Even taking a simple walk can seem unappealing. When you eat unhealthy and drink too much you get into a negative mindset and all of your negative unhealthy habits bring negative feelings, thoughts and actions into your life.

 FLIP IT

POSITIVE ACTIONS BRINGS POSITIVE FEELINGS:   You plan your on program meals, snacks and drinks each day. Eating clean everyday makes you feel good. It gives you that lighter, happy and in control feeling that you love. You lose weight and have more energy than ever. This makes you happy. When you are happy everyone around you is happy because you are glad to share the love when you feel good. When you are eating clean and on program you feel good. You are excited to step on the scale and you are excited to get dressed. You are excited to go out!  You know what you are eating so you are not looking for food all the time. The less you eat the less you want and crave.  You are excited and enjoy your meals and your cheat day.  Whether it’s getting dressed or going to the gym, a swim or walking the dog – everything feels effortless and enjoyable.

Do these sound familiar. I know they do because eating unhealthy makes you feel unhealthy and eating clean and healthy makes you feel happy and healthy. It’s a very simple process if you don’t complicate it. When it comes to weight loss ONE THING (good or bad) LEADS TO ANOTHER. You are either eating unhealthy for weight gain or eating clean and healthy for weight loss. It’s the consistency of doing something over and over that makes the habit stick and that consistency is what will continue to give you either the worst results or the very best results.

My final thoughts that I want to share with you… Keep it positive! Be positive and stay around positive people. Work hard everyday and know that the consistency in doing the right thing is what will keep you in a good place. It’s the consistency of doing the right thing over and over that creates the weight loss. Yes it’s hard. But you can do this. You need to work for it and you will get the results. Think about where you are right now. If you are not in a good place then work to get there. I am always here for you and remember you are not the only person who falls off and has to get back on. I can’t even begin to tell you how many clients came in recently that I haven’t seen in a while. I haven’t seen them because they were doing great until they weren’t.  Please don’t ever ever feel embarrassed. No one is perfect. I feel so bad when clients come in and say they weren’t going to come in because they felt embarrassed that they gained weight back. Please don’t ever live unhappy over being embarrassed. It happens to everyone at one time or another – and for some more often than others. I have seen it all. And so many of you know me very well and you know there is never any judgement. I am grateful to be here for you and to be able to help you. It’s what I love to do. All I want is for you to do your best and feel your best everyday. I don’t care where you are – I only care where you are going. So whether you had a bad weekend, week, couple of months or year -don’t be discouraged. Just reach out. It only takes a week to feel better and back in control. It’s always so inspiring and motivating for me when I get the text messages after only one week about how much better you feel and are so so happy you are back on program and back to a controlled happy place. Knowing that each day you put in is a day that will return happy healthy feelings inside and out. Eating clean and healthy doesn’t only change your body it changes your mind and how you act. It keeps you in a positive mindset and changes your life for the better in every way.

You can either give up when the road becomes difficult

or you can keep going and make your path positive and happy!
Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick
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IT’S OKAY!

IT’S OKAY!
Lots of different emotions this past week. -Happy, sad, determined, mad, excited, disappointed-. You name it and I addressed it!  When you have a holiday week that is smack in the middle of two party weekends – the results are sometimes not pretty. It’s almost a given that at some point you might not do the right thing. How big and/or bad that thing– is very individualized across the board.
Now that the week is behind us this is what I will tell you moving forward. IT’S OKAY! It’s all okay. Food plays with emotions and feeling in the most drastic way. It can make you ride an emotional roller coaster that if not thought out can ruin your vacation, summer and your family fun. But what you have to remember is it’s not really the food that is doing it – it’s what you are doing with the food and how you are abusing it that creates the emotional roller coaster and results. The best thing you can do is learn from this past week and know what you will and won’t do next time. What made you feel good and what made you feel instantly bad. And most important how you feel today.
YOUR BODY CRAVES 6 CLEAN DAYS!
It’s so much more important to learn from your week then to be negative about it. There is no reason to beat yourself up or be upset with what you did last week or wish you would have done. You have to learn to say IT’S OKAY. What is done is done and whether you were good, bad or ugly you have to deal with it and move on. Once you come to terms with last week is when you will move on and put all your energy into today, tomorrow and this week’s weight loss. You need to think about the next 6 clean days your body wants, and craves so it can feel good. You should be embracing the clean eating and embracing being back on program so that you can get back to your very best and be ready for your next BBQ, Beach Day and Cheat Day.
CHEATING IS FUN ONLY AFTER EATING CLEAN
There is only one thing as good as cheating and that’s eating clean after cheating. Getting back on program and having your healthy clean weight loss days are what you need to embrace and enjoy. You are doing your body good and you know that these clean days are what make you enjoy your cheat day guilt free. The more consistent you can keep six clean days the better you feel, look and the more you will enjoy!
DOING THE RIGHT THING FEELS GOOD
I always like to address all the clients who lost weight this past week and did amazing. We had a lot of clients who lost, maintained or followed exactly what we planned. I’m super proud of you all.  You worked hard and stayed on program and remembered day after day what was important and what makes you happy! Congratulations to all of you for doing the right thing, working super hard and keeping yourself in a positive place.
DON’T FEEL SORRY FOR YOURSELF
For everyone else you know the drill and if you don’t this is it – you will be hungry this week and you will deal with it. Don’t sit and feel sorry for yourself because what is done is done. It’s time to pick yourself up and wipe yourself off -lick your wounds and move on to a positive place. Make your week a happy healthy and on program weight loss week. Because only you have the power, strength and want to make this week Amazing!
You can not make positive changes to yesterday 
But you can make them today tomorrow and the next day.
Love to Live Healthy With Josephine Fitzpatrick