When it comes to weight loss, gaining is not something that usually makes anyone happy. But when you think about the personal and internal growth you experience when you make a big, positive change in your life, gaining something like that isn’t a bad thing at all. We all feel anxious and self conscious at some point in our weight loss journey – sometimes at the beginning because we aren’t sure if we can do it, sometimes in the middle when we feel like giving up, and sometimes at the end when we can’t seem to reach the finish line. When you are worrying about losing, sometimes it can help you find the motivation you need by thinking about what you have to gain. 

Self Discipline: the ability to control one’s feelings and overcome one’s weaknesses to pursue what is right despite the temptation to abandon it. Strengthening your self discipline starts as soon as you decide to lose weight and get healthy. You take control of your life and you stop waiting for the “right” time – you make it the right time. You don’t let food rule your life anymore and you make smart choices. You resist the temptations around you and even when you hit a bump in the road, you have the power and tools to get back on track. No more over eating or over indulging – you have a plan and you are sticking to it. Even when you feel weak, you have the strength and self-discipline to stay focused and reach your goals because you already took the first step to getting healthy, which is more than most people accomplish.

Self Confidence: a feeling of trust in one’s abilities, qualities and judgement. It’s more than just looking better, it’s about feeling better. Eating healthy and losing weight will make you feel better physically and also give you mental and emotional strength. Proving to others, and more importantly to yourself, that you are capable of going after something you want and achieving it is an amazing feeling that will boost your self confidence and keep you on track. The trust in yourself in extremely important. Knowing that you can go into any situation with confidence and make the choices that you are proud of is invaluable – all you have to do is stick to the plan and success will follow. 

Self Awareness: conscious knowledge of one’s own character, feelings, motives and desires. Making the decision to lose weight is an important step to becoming more aware of what we are capable of and what we really want in life. It helps us separate what seems important now and what is more important to us in the long run. Losing weight is a long journey, which helps us with patience, endurance, and persistence – qualities that will make you a more self aware person who knows what is takes to get what you really want. Reaching a goal that you had to fight for will keep you on a the right path long after your success and reinforce the positive change you achieve. Accomplishing one goal (losing weight) can give you the motivation and strength to go after other goals and continuously grow as a person.  

The most important thing to remember is that you should never underestimate yourself. Everyone has to start somewhere and the important things in life never come easy. I can give you the rules and tools to help you lose weight – but only you have the power within yourself to change and reach your goals.

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness

8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797

469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018

For many, summer is the best time of the year – warm weather, days at the beach, Fourth of July, vacations, relaxing, barbecuing, and going away to camp. Camp is a fun time for kids and parents to enjoy all that summer has to offer in their own ways. Kids get to be independent and try new things and make new friends, while parents get to enjoy some quiet time and other kid-free activities. Going from a house full of kids and the chaos that comes with them, to being able to put those responsibilities on hold can be quite a change of pace that can disrupt everything from daily schedules to eating habits. This can be said for parents and kids too.

 

As much as you may try to share your healthy eating habits with your kids, when they are left to their own devices we can all guess what kind of choices they will make. Even though they are participating in a number of activities, you can’t out-exercise a bad diet. As much as they will enjoy themselves, they will probably come back having gained. Let them know that they should do their best to find some balance. They won’t be able to control what they are served all the time, but they can decide how much they put on their plate and how often they snack. It’s important for them to be hydrated and have energy for all the things they will be doing but they can also make smarter choices when possible. For example, make sure they know to drink water instead of sports drinks all day and give them some ideas for healthier food and snack alternatives –  try to include lean proteins – chicken, turkey or fish, light or low fat cheese and skim or 1% milk. Find the fresh fruits – apples, blueberries and melon. Some other options are yogurts, nuts (many camps are nut-free but if yours is not then include some nuts or trail mix), cereals, eggs and whenever possible head to the salad bar. At the salad bar be sure to include greens, yellows, orange and reds.  Dressings should never be more than 2 tbsp. For sandwiches, use 1 slice of bread instead of two. Try to alternate a very healthy meal day with a less healthier meal the next – and make sure to take notice how you feel each day.

 

Even though it is the kids that are going away, parents can feel like they are on a break too. Eating clean and being on a weight loss plan doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy your summer, but like any other time of the year you can’t let yourself get caught up in changing circumstances. Don’t let the kids being away be your excuse to go off your plan. There are other ways to enjoy the season and the company of friends and family besides eating and drinking to excess. It may be tough to constantly avoid temptation but what you are working towards is more important than giving in. When the kids finally come back it may mean time for a family vacation or even getting into school preparations, so you want to do your best now before things get chaotic again.

 

Summer is such a great time of the year. Keep your thoughts close to mind of how hard you have worked to get to where you are. Don’t fill you days with regret by going overboard. Instead, find Balance in your summer. You will be much happier making smart choices and helping those around you be healthy.

 

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

 

Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness

8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797

469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018

Two of Spring’s biggest holidays are just a few days away! Although it hasn’t really felt like winter has ended, Easter and Passover are fast approaching. Many of you will choose one of the days this weekend as your cheat day, but as usual the celebrating might last for more than just one day. Here are some healthier recipes and treats that can help you make smarter choices so the weekend doesn’t put too much of a dent in your weight loss plan.