YOU DON’T HAVE TO HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS – Life isn’t supposed to be easy. You don’t reach a certain age, a certain social status, a certain position in your career, and suddenly have it all. There isn’t a secret potion, a lucky token, or even a prayer that will change the course of your life with a snap of your fingers.  And sometimes not knowing can be uncomfortable. But when it comes to weight loss – what we can find comfort in is that when you plan – prepare and follow through with your menu – and when you don’t eat in between your meals, and you work really hard – and be consistent – you will absolutely see results. And you know this because you have seen the results of so many clients around you.[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]

RESULTS: When it comes to weight loss the best way to see results is to just start. You have to work hard, push yourself and be okay with being outside of your comfort zone. Sometimes we feel we need to have all the answers or it has to be the perfect time but the truth is there is no perfect time and you will never have all the answers. What is most important is to just start – follow and be consistent. What you need to know is that every day that you follow you will learn more. Every day that you are consistent you will see results. It’s okay to feel out of your comfort zone. Many of you who first started the Innovation program and now the Ketovation program were completely out of your comfort zone. Yet, you trusted me, you listened, you followed, learned – worked hard-and the results have been absolutely amazing. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]

YOU CAN GET PAST THE CHALLENGE: Life is supposed to be challenging – and when we talk about challenges Weight Loss is right there at the top of the list. But we must remember it’s the challenge in life that makes you learn so much. And it’s the challenge that makes it so exciting. As you succeed with each challenge, you trust yourself to overcome future obstacles. You gain great advantages when you overcome your challenges – most of all discipline and control.  [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]

CAN YOU DO IT: You know deep down you can do this. You can do anything you want if you put your heart and soul into it. It takes a positive mindset, hard work and consistency and you will get to where you want to be. You have to learn to talk yourself into it and stop talking yourself out of it. Instead of looking for excuses to go off program you have to make all the excuses why you should stay on program. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO STOP MAKING EXCUSES FOR YOURSELF: Aside from the fact that they are probably not true – more important is when you say them or when you think them, they are causing you to limit yourself. These excuses keep you going down the same old path, preventing you from reaching your goals.  If you really want to lose weight, feel great and have control over your life and your happiness – then stop making excuses of why you can’t do it and just do it. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]

WHAT DOES IT TAKE: It takes following your menu – not eating in between meals and snacks – having the the discipline to want it more than just wishing for it and talking about it – it takes planning, preparing and following through with your day – it takes not making any excuses on why you should go off program. It takes consistent hard work – And most of all it takes you loving yourself enough to walk away from the temptations. You have to be willing to put your “immediate wants” aside for your “future results”. When you can do that you will see the very best results. [dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]

STOP BEING AFRAID AND START BEING EXCITED

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

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

BIG NEWS AND CHANGES COMING TO INNOVATION!  Can you believe we are already in August! It’s been such a busy summer. I have been working on some really exciting things for September that I can’t wait to share. In the next couple of weeks I will start to share all of these new wonderful programs and products that we will be incorporating into the store. It’s Super Exciting! You are going to love them all.

LET’S TALK AUGUST: While I am working on all of these new things, I want you all to answer these questions:

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR AUGUST…. It’s so important to go into the month knowing what you want out of it.  August is a time when we may not want to think and be on schedule or always do the right thing – because we know in a very short time it’s the ending of the summer months that we waited so long to arrive. But it’s a time where we have to think about it or we can do some major damage. So whether it’s to lose one pound a week or to maintain where you. Plan, Prepare and Follow Through with it. Start by asking yourself where do you want to be by August 31? Then follow it up by what are you willing and capable of doing to get there. If it’s weight loss then you need to be willing to walk away from the temptations. If it’s maintaining then you need to choose your battles on what is worth indulging. We always have choices – just always remember it’s your actions that determine the results.

ARE YOU MAKING THE GOOD DAYS COUNT… If you know you are having long weekends at the beach then you need to be 100% Monday through Thursday. If you want to lose weight or maintain this summer but don’t want to be super strict — then be amazing on the days you can be. And on the days that are more challenging- try to be mindful even if you are cheating. You don’t want big Cheat Days to be consecutive and you don’t want to be Cheating a little everyday. The days that you can be amazing – then be amazing and eat the minimal that is on your plan. On the days you need extra snacks then have them but make sure they are on program snacks. If you want to enjoy a treat here and there then do it but try to be amazing and 100% on program the following day. My point is, the great days will help in your overall month.

ARE YOU BEING HONEST WITH YOURSELF… Don’t go into the month saying you want to lose but your actions are the complete opposite of someone who is trying to lose. If you know your schedule is a little crazy right now or you are just mentally weak then be okay with maintaining. It’s important to be honest with yourself not just about what you want but what but also what you know you are going to really follow through with. Being honest with yourself requires self-awareness and even courage. It can sometimes be challenging to make contact with your truth, and even harder to take action based on that truth. But when you are honest with yourself about what you are capable of at this time – you have an 85% chance of achieving it. So let the truth set you free and be honest with yourself about where you think you can be August 31.

DO YOU HAVE A POSITIVE MINDSET GOING INTO AUGUST….. While you are deciding what you are capable of it’s so important to be positive about it. Always remember to use the words I can, I will, Im excited! Being positive about what you want is so important but talking positive to yourself about what you want is even more important. You will believe what you tell yourself so if you use negative words like “I can’t” then you won’t. But if you stick with the positive “I can” then you will!. If you think about it it’s no different than what many of us teach our own children. Be positive about what you want and believe in yourself that you can do it. Because at the end of the day you are the one person who has total control over what you are doing, thinking and feeling.

ARE YOU CHOOSING YOUR HARD…. Most people gain between 8-10 pounds by September. That’s a lot of weight to gain on top of weight that you already needed to lose. Think smart and act smarter! If you want to look good, you want to feel good then you have to do good things and make the right choices for your mind and body. Yes, exercising is very important and the more you can incorporate it the better you will feel. But eating clean and staying on program is what is going to make you feel amazing and make the changes you really want to see. It’s what will make you feel that lighter, happier feeling that you love and change the number on the scale to where you want it to be. It’s what gives you the feeling that you are in control and doing the right things for your body and mind. While it’s much harder to follow in August…. It’s also hard to go into September at a higher number.

Final Thoughts…..Summer days in August is a time when it’s harder to stay on track and have 100% days. But just because it’s harder doesn’t mean it’s not doable and doesn’t mean it’s not necessary. I don’t have to tell you how quickly you will gain the weight back. This program works if you follow it but like anything else if you eat what you want when you want you will gain the weight back. You see the clients around you. Many who have lost the weight and kept the weight off and are maintaining. They do it because they are on program and live the program. They are always prepared and have their food and snacks. We have hundreds of clients maintaining this summer and we have hundreds of clients losing this summer. You have to decide what you want and follow through with it. There is always a choice and you need to make it everyday. If you want to lose weight this summer you need to follow your program and stay on program 6 straight days in order to enjoy the Cheat Day. Make sure you have all your meals and snacks prepared and ready for you. It’s important to plan your days and be ready for whatever is coming your way. If you have your meals and snacks then you have no excuse to go off program. Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean you have to give up losing weight. You can enjoy and lose weight if you are willing to put the work in. Remember, the harder you work the better the results. It’s never easy – especially in August, but it’s very doable and necessary – especially in August.

At the end of August and the end of the Summer months we have to accept what we have done. While it’s great to party, drink and indulge – if you continuously over do it — you will be left with the results that I can assure you will not be worth how you feel. So stay mindful and think before you act. Because just like every bad choice will make a negative difference — every good choice will make a positive one.

WHAT HAPPENS IN AUGUST DETERMINES YOUR SEPTEMBER 

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

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

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

• Stop making emotional decisions. – Before you grab something because you are upset or overwhelmed. — start by taking a few steps back so you can think things through. When you’re caught up in the moment and your emotions are soaring, you’re bound to make poor decisions that will lead to regret. The best advice here is simple: Don’t let your emotions trump your intelligence. Slow down and think things through before you grab something in front of you. Just give yourself 60 seconds to think it through and then make a decision.
• Stop waiting for things to be perfect. – The perfect day, the perfect week, the perfect month and year. You will have those perfect days but many days will just be off. The best advice here is don’t throw in the towel every time you don’t have a perfect day. Keep it simple and just keep going. Because moving forward on non-perfect day will make you mentally stronger when you get through them. You just get right back on your path and keep moving forward. Don’t throw a whole day away because of one trip-up. Instead focus on the next positive step forward.
• Stop obsessing over the past and concentrate on the present. – Start being present. Paying more attention to the current moment can make a huge difference in your mental strength and simplifying your life. You can’t change yesterday and you can’t get upset over what might happen next week — but you can do the right thing today. The best advice here is to let go of yesterday, anticipate tomorrow and realize the importance of enjoying and having control of your today.
• Stop doing things simply because you can. – Start being honest with yourself and plan, prepare and follow through with doing the right thing. When you do the right thing it is a less complicated way to live. Integrity is the essence of everything successful. When you break the rules you invite complications into your life. Keep life simple and enjoyable by doing what you know in your heart is right for your mind and body. My best advice here is to don’t just do what you can — do what is going to make you happy. Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Have the courage to do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to success.