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FitnessHealthy TipsLifestyleUncategorized
March 5, 2015By Josephine Fitzpatrick

Snow Today – Gone Tomorrow

While the snow is falling and stacking up in inches, they are already calling for next week’s weather to be in the 50’s.

 


Daylight savings time is less than a week away. With a 50 degree forecast next week, make sure that when you are reaching for that extra snack or sabotaging yourself in any way that you will be seeing the spring weather next week.

50’s will feel like the 80’s and you know how we jump into seasons. You will be sure to see the shorts and t-shits on people around every corner. Who will be wearing them? Those who worked hard and did not let winter and snow storms determine their food choices.

Think about the choices you are making and the consequences they will cause. Every time you go off program it determines whether you will lose weight or maintain. If you really go off then you will gain.  Look at your Weight Loss Path for what it is. It’s a new way of life, and realize that everything you do and every decision you make is in your hands. If you stay on your path and not let everything around you get into your way you will succeed. Here are some helpful hints to you keep you on track today:

1) Think before you act and make sure that you are eating because you are hungry and not bored. If you ever took a speech class in college you would have learned that before you speak it’s always best to pause, think, then speak. Use this same rule when reaching in the cabinet. Pause, think and then act.

2) Go into your refrigerator and cut up lot of veggies and put them in bags. Or place them on a platter for you to grab when you feel the need to mindlessly munch. If you don’t have them ready you will be grabbing for unhealthier choices that you will later beat yourself up about.

3) Surf the internet for spring and summer clothes.  Summer shorts and bathing suits.  What do you want to see yourself in?

4) Go into your closet and try on the clothes that you want to be in this spring and summer. Do they fit? are they close? Keep them out and try them on every week. You will see that you are closer and closer to reaching your goals.

5)  Workout video – Yoga, workout, aerobic or weights and get your body moving. Indoor videos don’t have to give you the best workout of your life, they just have to give you enough to sweat a little and keep you away from the kitchen.  The combination of the two can make the differennce between losing and gaining.


Remember that how you feel and the control you have over yourself, what you eat and who you are, all go hand in hand. You can make the decision to grab and eat or simply say NO. I am not saying it’s easy. Yes it will be uncomfortable. I get it, you are stuck in the house and you want it. But it is shot term pleasure that will lead to long term unhappiness. No one feels good when they don’t have control over what they are doing. You know that if you choose the wrong foods and make the wrong decisions it will make you unhappy, and if you know that being healthy, thin and in control not only feels good but it also makes you happy, then it’s up to you to make it happen. It’s up to you to say NO and walk away, and it’s up to you to deal with the uncomfortableness of saying NO. It’s only food and you will not let it control who you are, how you feel and what your day will be. Stop making excuses and remember that if you do the right thing and make the right decisions your results will be the prize. Stay your path…make the right decisions…and don’t let anything get in your way…

KNOW YOUR HAPPINESS

IF YOU KNOW EATING HEALTHY, CLEAN AND BEING THIN AND IN CONTROL MAKES YOU HAPPY – THEN DO IT

MEMORIAL DAY GOALS

13 weeks until memorial day – gives you the opportunity to lose anywhere from 13- 26 lbs
                                                                                                               

1 lb a week = 13 pounds

2 lbs a week = 26 pounds

1-3 lbs a week = 30 + pounds



NO MORE EXCUSES – IF YOU HAVEN’T STARTED DO IT NOW

IF YOU STARTED – STAY STRONG AND STAY YOUR PATH


WHAT YOU DO TODAY AFFECTS YOUR TOMORROW!

IT’S UP TO YOU!

 

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

 

Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness

8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797

469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018

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FitnessHealthy TipsLifestyle
March 2, 2015By Josephine Fitzpatrick

Start Thinking About Shorts Season Now

Yesterday it snowed several inches again on Long Island. It seems like winter is never ending, but now that we have transitioned from February to March, shorts season is right around the corner and Spring Break is just a couple weeks away. Now is the time to put in that extra effort toward reaching your goals, not in May. As soon as the temperature starts to increase and little bits of green grass start to replace the inches of snow, you will wish you has started thinking about spring and summer sooner. 

 

 

Focus on the habits that will get you there. Choose to eat a healthy breakfast every morning, pack healthy snacks for during the day, exercise consistently, make a healthy grocery list, plan your week on Sundays or any tasks you want to take on. Don’t worry if you can’t get everything right at once – that is why you are starting now while there is plenty of time to build healthy habits and get results. Instead of saying something vague like “eating right” make it more specific and attainable, like cutting back on sugar or snacks, having fish a couple times a week, switching coffee for tea in the morning, etc. These little changes are your building blocks for not just summer weight loss, but a sustainable fitness plan that can become your healthy lifestyle. 

 

 

The last thing you want to do is wait until it’s too late and then go on an extreme quick-fix program. These programs not only instill an unhealthy relationship with food and exercise, but they seldom work or offer long term solutions. If you try to make an extreme change in a short amount of time, you will be more likely to gravitate back to your old habits. Slow and steady wins they race, and also continues to feel the benefits long after crossing the finish line. Working hard for your weight loss goals will not only ensure your good habits stick, it will also make you less likely to back track when you remember all that you went through to get where you are. When you go on a quick fix diet you don’t experience the value of hard work and realize what you are capable of. The journey is just as important as the destination. 

 

 

Whether you are new or coming back to exercise and healthy eating, even beginners will experience great results. You have the time to get stronger, build endurance, develop technique, and change the way you eat little by little, all while losing weight. For those of you who are already hard at work and on the right track, now is the time to put in the extra effort. When it’s time to put on that bathing suit or summer dress, you will be glad you did. 

 

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

 

Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness

8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797

469 7th Ave Manhattan NY 10018

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FitnessHealthy TipsLifestyle
February 26, 2015By Josephine Fitzpatrick

Exercise For A Healthy Heart

 

As this month comes to a close we want to end on a heart healthy note. February is American Heart Month which aims to raise awareness about heart health, lower the number of heart attacks and strokes each year, and make sure that Americans know their blood pressure. If you haven’t already, check in with your doctor if it’s been a while since your last appointment and take the right steps to keep your heart healthy or manage your condition. In a previous blog at the beginning of the month we talked about ways to keep your heart healthy and strong, so now we want to offer some more detail about hearth healthy exercise.

 
Like any other muscle in your body, your heart gets stronger and healthier if you lead an active life. People who don’t exercise are almost twice as likely to get heart disease as people who are active. All it takes is something as simple as a 30 minute brisk walk each day. Not only will exercise help you burn calories and lose weight, it can also help lower your blood pressure, reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and boost your HDL (“good”) cholesterol. Before you start with any exercise, especially if you are a beginner, check with your doctor and make sure you’re healthy enough for whatever activity you have in mind.

Make sure your exercise plan is balanced. Cardio is an obvious choice for heart health, but stretching and strength training are also important parts of the picture. Stretching will make you more flexible – do it after you’ve warmed up of after you exercise. Strength training can be done with weights, resistance bands or through an activity like yoga. Cardio, or Aerobic Exercise, can be any activity that raises your heart rate – running, jogging, and biking are good examples. Swimming and hiking are great choices if you’re looking for something low-impact.

If you have been diagnosed with heart disease or have had heart surgery, exercise is an important part of keeping your condition under control and also a big reason to be extra careful. Ask your doctor about what’s safe for you, including heavy lifting and strength training. Heavy lifting isn’t just limited to exercise – make sure you’re being safe when you are lifting or pushing heavy objects, or doing chores such as raking, shoveling, mowing and cleaning. You should only do what you can do without getting tired. In general, pace yourself, don’t exercise outdoors when it is too cold or hot or humid (high humidity can make you tire more quickly and extreme temperatures can affect circulation), and stay hydrated. If you take medication for a heart condition, make sure you understand how it can affect your response to exercise.

Always pay attention to how you’re feeling during exercise. Even if your doctor has cleared you for any activity you choose to participate in, always pay attention to your body and stop immediately if you experience pain or pressure in your chest or upper body, break out in a cold sweat, have trouble breathing, have a very fast or uneven heart rate, or if you feel dizzy, lightheaded or very tired. It is normal for your muscles to be mildly sore for a day or two after your workout and you will probably breathe harder during a workout, just make sure that you would still be able to talk to someone while doing whatever activity you participate in (otherwise you are pushing too hard).

Although American Heart Month is about to come end, take these tips and keep them in mind year round.

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness

8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797

469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018

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February 23, 2015By Josephine Fitzpatrick

Make Healthy Eating A Way Of Life

Right now you are eating healthy and clean as part of your weight loss plan, but there are so many reasons why you should make these healthy changes permanent. You will experience many health benefits when you lose weight and eat healthy, such as arthritis relief and the prevention of diabetes and heart disease. Don’t think of healthy eating as a just a way to get that number on the scale to shrink. Think of your weight loss plan as a way to change your eating habits for good and make them part of a healthy lifestyle. 

 

 

One of the worst parts of any diet is being hungry. With clean eating, portions aren’t smaller – they’re healthier. When you take the time to eat at the right pace and let your body register when you are full, you will realize that a healthy amount of food at each meal will always keep you satisfied. This is why clean and healthy eating is so effective – it’s not about eating less, it’s about eating right. Healthy eating will keep you feeling full throughout the day and keep you away from unhealthy snacking. Other diets restrict you and even eliminate entire food groups just to help you shed weight, but they don’t offer any long term solutions. Healthy eating is a way to lose weight that is sustainable. It will make you lose weight without depriving your body of anything it needs.

 

It may feel like you have to work at it every day, but the small changes you make are actually making a big difference. Each time you resist an unhealthy food you are craving, you are overcoming that feeling of need little by little. The same way you can’t lose a large amount of weight overnight, you can’t change your eating habits overnight either. It takes as much mental work as physical work to make your healthy changes permanent. 

 

This may sound crazy, but the last thing you want to do is try to be perfect. You can’t put too much pressure on yourself and lose your focus every time you slip up or hit a bump in the road.  You just have to get right back on track when you make a mistake. One unhealthy snack or meal won’t undo all your healthy efforts and it doesn’t mean you have to give up or start over. The same way you go back to healthy eating after a cheat day, you just have to go back to the plan after a misstep. Don’t put too much thought into it. Life is always full of ups and down, you just have to bounce back. You don’t have to be perfect to be healthy. 

 

Making healthy eating a way of life is all about eating with purpose. Don’t eat something because you crave it or because it is in front of you. Eat when you are hungry and eat to fuel your body. You chose to lose weight for a good reason – stay on that path and make heathy eating your lifestyle.  

 

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness

8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797

469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018

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February 20, 2015By Josephine Fitzpatrick

Losing Weight Can Be A Full Time Job

 

Adding weight loss to an already busy schedule can feel like an impossible challenge. It never feels like the right time to exercise and eating on the go usually means eating what’s convenient, even if it isn’t healthy. Work, family or school usually ends up being the priority, so why even try to lose weight? Losing weight can feel like a full time job: constantly having to manage what you eat, plan work outs and make the right choices when you’re craving the wrong ones. It can feel like weight loss is just as exhausting and mentally draining as full time job, so here are some ways to make things a little more effortless.

 

Make it a priority. Make the time. Get up early and make a healthy breakfast or fit in a work out. You are more likely to have a healthy day if you have a healthy morning, and as the day goes on you may find that work, social engagements, family, or homework take up the time you had planned to go to the gym. Don’t let other things get in the way. Even if you’re a morning person, it may be hard to become a morning exerciser but it will be worth it. Planning workout dates with others is also a great way to make sure you follow through. Working out with a friend or family member not only makes exercise more enjoyable, but you are less likely to cancel when you know someone is waiting for you.

 

Make it part of your routine. Once you get into a rhythm with exercise and eating healthy it will be second nature. They say that it takes 21 days to form a habit. For some, it may take a week and for others it may take much longer, but once you start feeling and looking amazing, you won’t want to stop. But if you do slip up or miss a workout, make up for it on the weekend. Working on your weight loss on the weekend may sound like the last thing you want to do, but avoiding the snooze button and continuing with your healthy routine with help you relax later in the day knowing that you did something healthy to deserve it.

 

Make it easy. Help yourself! Some people find it helpful to keep track of eating and exercise with a journal or fitness tracker. It takes some of the thinking out of meals and following your progress. This may sound like even more work, but planning ahead can make a week of healthy eating and exercise fly by without the frustration of piecing together last minute plans. Prep food, make meals and snacks that are ready to go, plan out your week – anything you can do on Sunday to have a plan for the week ahead will really pay off. Don’t leave it to chance. The same goes for fitness – make it easy on yourself and find a gym that is in a convenient location. Whether it is close to home, around the corner from the office or across the street from school, make sure a long car ride isn’t keeping your from your goals.

 

Work, school and family may make you feel like your hands are tied, but if losing weight is really something you want to accomplish you will find a way. When you make the time for your weight loss, you are investing in your future. What could be more important than that?

 

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitpatrick

 

Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness

8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797

469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018

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February 12, 2015By Josephine Fitzpatrick

Valentine’s Day Weekend

 

In a blog post last month we talked about avoiding excuses. This time of year there are excuses around every corner that will keep you from reaching your goals: I’m too busy, it’s too cold, I don’t feel well, etc. And soon Valentine’s Day will add even more of a challenge. Valentine’s Day is a special holiday for spending time with those you love, but unfortunately it tends to be more about showing you love someone through chocolate, candy and a big dinner. Don’t let another holiday be your excuse to indulge in food you wouldn’t normally eat just because everything is heart shaped or holiday themed.

 

Despite your best efforts, you’ll probably find yourself loading up on chocolate for your children’s Valentine’s Day party at school. We all remember those little Valentines with a little piece of chocolate or candy attached to it that each child hands out to their classmates. As fun as they are to give and receive, you’ll probably be the one putting them together the night before. And with all that candy in front of you, it wouldn’t be so bad to have just one, right? Or a couple? They’re so small, they won’t matter…this kind of thinking is never good. Keep healthy snacks around if you think you’ll be tempted and save the snacking for the weekend. And make sure left over candy doesn’t linger in your house.

 

Instead of putting the focus on food and gifts, make a plan to do something fun and meaningful with those you love. Luckily Valentine’s Day is on a weekend, so there are a variety of activities or special outings you could plan. Spending quality time with family and friends is the greatest gift – make it special even if it is as simple as a meal at home together. Make it more about what the holiday means and less about what you buy or give to each other. When it inevitably does come to gift giving, you may not be able to control what you receive but there are so many gifts other than a box of chocolates that are just as thoughtful and romantic. Putting in a little bit of time to give a gift that is truly meaningful like a photo album or that certain thing they’ve had their eye on will be so much more special and worthwhile. Even if you choose to make Valentine’s Day your cheat day, try not to make it a cheat weekend.

 

Holidays tend to make us feel like the rules don’t apply because we want to live in the moment. There’s nothing wrong with embracing a holiday, just keep in mind that that doesn’t always have to mean eating what you want and not caring until Monday morning. Just remember – the best parts of any holiday won’t disrupt your weight loss plan.

 

~ Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

 

Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness

8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797

469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018

 

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FitnessHealthy TipsLifestyleUncategorized
February 9, 2015By Josephine Fitzpatrick

Healthier Valentine’s Day Treats

 

With Valentine’s Day coming up this weekend we wanted to share some healthier Valentine’s Day treats that will satisfy your sweet tooth and keep you healthier than typical sweets and candy. Make Saturday your cheat day and with these healthier recipes you can indulge without going completely off track.

 

This first recipe is simple, easy and can be made with a wide variety of ingredients. All it takes is a heart shaped cookie cutter and you can make Fruit Kebabs with watermelon and strawberry for a festive treat, or any fruit of your choosing for an adorable snack. You can keep the heart shaped theme going with almost any food – potatoes for a festive side and even carrots and cucumber to dress up a salad.

 

Screen Shot 2015-02-08 at 9.00.36 PM  Screen Shot 2015-02-08 at 9.01.11 PM

 

Another incredibly easy and tasty recipe is Raspberries and Chocolate Chips. Just place a dark chocolate chip inside each raspberry for a sweet and simple treat. Get double the antioxidants from the combination of raspberries and dark chocolate, as well as vitamins and minerals from both ingredients.

 

Screen Shot 2015-02-08 at 9.02.19 PM

 

Raspberries and chocolate come together again for this next recipe: Raspberry Chocolate Truffles. These treats will taste decadent despite their healthy ingredients. In a food processor combine the following: 6 dates, 1/3 cup raspberries and 2 tablespoons of water. After the mixture is well-chopped (about 30 seconds), place it in a small pan and simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Add 1/3 cup melted coconut oil and 1/2 tsp of vanilla to the mixture. Put the mixture back in the processor and add 3 tbsp of cocoa powder, process until smooth. Refrigerate for about an hour then scoop out 2 tsp sized portions and shape into balls. Place cocoa powder on a plate and roll the balls in the cocoa powder.

 

Screen Shot 2015-02-08 at 9.04.11 PM

 

This next recipe combines healthy ingredients for a sweet treat: Chocolate Peanut Butter Quinoa Cups. For this recipe, combine 3 tablespoons of cacao powder, 1/3 cup of coconut oil, 1/2 cup of peanut butter (or any other nut butter) and 1/4 cup of honey (or maple syrup or coconut syrup) in a small sauce pan on low heat. Pour this mixture over puffed quinoa in a large bowl and stir until everything is mixed together. Spoon into muffins cups and freeze until hardened (about 10 minutes). You can add a fresh raspberry on top of each one as a festive garnish.

 

Screen Shot 2015-02-08 at 7.52.26 PM

 

For those vegans out there, this next recipe is made without dairy, and is also gluten free. This recipe for Strawberry Lemon Rice Crispies is a tasty treat that kids will love. Melt 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and 10 oz of marshmallows (you can use the brand Dandies for the vegan option) in a saucepan. Add 2 tablespoons of beat juice for color (optional) and the juice and zest from one lemon into the pan. Remove from heat and add rice puffs and 3/4 cup dehydrated strawberry pieces to the mixture. Press into a 9×9 square pan and let cool.

 

Screen Shot 2015-02-08 at 9.05.16 PM

 

Valentine’s Day isn’t complete without Chocolate Covered Strawberries. We recommend using dark chocolate chips in our recipe. Melt the chocolate on the stove with a double boiler (two pans that fit together – putting water in the bottom and chocolate in the top pan), or boil water in a sauce pan and place chocolate in a glass bowl into the pan. Dip each strawberry in the chocolate then place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. For extra flavor and crunch, finely chop any nuts of your choosing and place in a bowl. After dipping strawberries in chocolate, dip them in the bowl of nuts.

 

Screen Shot 2015-02-08 at 9.05.33 PM

 

~ Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick
Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness
8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797
469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018
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February 5, 2015By Josephine Fitzpatrick

How Healthy Is Your Heart?

 

February is American Heart Month, so we want to ask – how healthy is your heart? Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. But the good news is, with healthy choices and the management of health conditions, heart disease can often be prevented. Make sure you are doing everything you can to keep your heart healthy and strong with the following tips for a healthy heart:

 

1. Get a check up. In general, you should be getting a check up at least once a year. If it has been more than a year or you can’t even remember the last time you saw your doctor, now is a great time to get yourself checked out and get the right tests done to make sure your heart is healthy. Ask about blood pressure tests, cholesterol tests, diabetes screening and seek counseling if you need extra guidance. Learn about prevention for conditions you may be at risk for. Keep cholesterol and blood pressure in check. Cholesterol is one of the major controllable risk factors for heart disease and heart attack. When there is too much LDL (“bad”) cholesterol circulating in your blood, it can slowly build up in your arteries and create plaque that can narrow your arteries. If a clot forms, it can block a narrowed artery and a heart attack or stroke can happen. High blood pressure can damage your heart and arteries by placing too much pressure on them. This can cause microscopic tears in the walls of your arteries. If you are already at risk for heart disease, or take medication for blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes, follow the instructions carefully. Manage your symptoms and medications carefully with your doctor.

 

2. Eat right. Having a healthy diet is great for your weight loss but can also help prevent heart disease and improve heart health. Reduce trans fats and steer clear of foods high in sodium. Look for foods with protein, fiber and Omega-3. Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation in the body and can prevent damage to bloods vessels that can cause heart disease. Salmon is a great source of Omega-3 (as well as many other vitamins and minerals) which makes it such a smart choice for heart health. Look for protein in legumes such as beans, peas and lentils. They are great for your heart because they have no cholesterol. Nuts such as walnuts and cashews are also extremely healthy sources of protein. Fruits with antioxidants like blueberries help remove free radicals (harmful molecules that can contribute to heart disease) with their powerful antioxidants. Spinach is probably the healthiest food for your heart with Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins and fiber. It has a particularly high amount of folate, which is important for building and maintaining healthy cells – especially red blood cells needed for heart health. Ground flaxseed is also high in Omega-3 and fiber and can be added to yogurt, oatmeal and even mustard for an extra healthy meal or snack.

 

3. Don’t smoke and limit alcohol use. Alcohol can increase the risk of high blood pressure and heavy drinking can weaken the heart muscle. Smoking is also a risk factor for high blood pressure as well as heart failure and coronary artery disease which can lead to heart attack.

 

4. Exercise regularly. Check with your doctor first to know how much activity is good for you, but exercise is the best way to build a strong heart. Walking is the simplest way to get your blood pumping. Swimming, cycling, skating, and jumping rope are also great ways to move you body and step it up a little more. A class like Zumba can be a fun way to get your heart pumping, just make sure you can handle this cardio workout. Weight training and resistance bands will help you stay in shape and can increase “good” cholesterol. Yoga is also a great heart healthy activity that combines stretching, breathing and relaxation – something that is important to our last heart heath tip.

 

5. Limit stress. Identify your sources of stress such as anxiety, aches and pains, trouble sleeping, and fatigue. Learn techniques to reduce stress, like deep breathing, meditation, guided muscle relaxation and yoga. Get plenty of rest as often as you can. Clear your mind of nagging worries and let go of things you can’t control. Spending time stressing about other people or situations you can’t control will just take away all your energy and stress your body. Take 10 minutes to get some air and take a break every day. Most of all, take care of yourself.

 

This month we will revisit Heart Health and provide more tips and ideas for getting your heart healthy and strong.

 

~ Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

 

Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness

8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797

469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018

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February 2, 2015By Josephine Fitzpatrick

Reflect on Your Resolution

 

As we embark on the second month in the New Year, take some time to reflect on your resolution. Has it changed? Are you on track? Has it taken a new direction? Have you accomplished some of it? All of it? Many people make the mistake to committing themselves to a resolution but then never tracking their progress. Either it happens, or it doesn’t (and usually, it doesn’t) – there is no in between. A huge part of reaching success with a resolution is to hold yourself to it, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t adjust it. This is not meant to give yourself a way out, just to make sure that you can reach your goals. For example, if you had planned to lose a certain amount of weight in the month of January and it didn’t happened, don’t give up on it. Come up with a plan to make it happen in February. But don’t just push it back – reflect on why it didn’t happen. Maybe it was too big of a resolution for just one month. If so, try spreading it out over 2 months or more. People always seem to be in such a rush to complete their resolutions, but accomplishing a goal or making a lifestyle change doesn’t happen over night. Give yourself time to reach the finish line.

 

This is why quick fixes never work. They are only made to give you immediate results, not lasting, healthy changes. Patience may be the hardest part of working towards a goal, but if it was easy, everyone would be doing it. Changing your habits not only takes time, but it also takes a lot of strength. Not just the physical strength to exercise, but also mental strength to stay on track and motivate yourself. It can be exhausting to constantly have to think about what to eat, when to exercise and to keep yourself from going back to old habits, but the strength you build and the amazing things you accomplish because of it will be just a rewarding as reaching your goal weight. Fad diets and quick weight loss solutions make you drop pounds but they don’t improve your lifestyle the way getting healthy does.

 

If you’re feeling stuck with your resolution, try breaking it down and making it more specific. Instead of just saying you want to lose a certain amount of weight or you want to “get healthy”, make it more precise. Try making tangible goals, like working out 3 days a week or cutting back on a certain food or drink you consume often. The more vague a goal is, the harder it is to achieve. It may seem like the more open-ended an objective is, the easier it is to accomplish because there are so many ways it can be fulfilled, but this will actually work against you. The same way that you decide the road to take before you drive anywhere, you need direction to be able to follow through on your resolution. Always have a plan, get as specific as possible, and stick to it!

 

2015 is only just beginning…Make it count!

 

~ Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

 

Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797

469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018

 

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January 22, 2015By Josephine Fitzpatrick

Stop Looking for Excuses

 

There are so many reasons to take it easy this season but now is not the time to hibernate! Excuses to stray away from your weight loss plan are everywhere. But this year isn’t going to be the same as the last. It may feel impossible to spend your time and energy on getting fit, but now really is the best time to focus on your weight loss.

 

One of the most common excuses this season is the weather. Being bundled up and feeling sluggish in the cold temperatures isn’t exactly the right environment for outdoor activities or heading the the gym. But believe it or not, this is exactly the reason why you should exercise regularly – what better way to warm up than to work out? Instead of sitting on the couch under a pile of blankets, get your body moving to warm yourself up. The best part is, you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your home to fit in a workout. Try some of our at home work outs (https://innovationweightlossandfitness.com/portfolio/4230/) or check out our Pinterest for more ideas (http://www.pinterest.com/innovationny/).

 

Another seasonal condition that can keep you from working out can be the lack of sunshine. Less daylight can make you feel like the day is over by 4 p.m. Again, just because you don’t want to go outside int he darkness to get in a workout doesn’t mean that you have to miss out. It can also be a good idea to switch to morning workouts if you have the time. You can get in some sunshine and start your day right, which means you have a better chance of having a good rest of the day.

 

Feeling under the weather? Cold and flu season is in full swing, but you don’t have to let minor symptoms get in your way. Dealing with the sniffles is likely to be part of your winter season, so don’t let it be an excuse to cancel a workout. Many time exercise can actually help you feel better. Exercise at a lower intensity or pick something low impact and slowly build back up to a regular workout as you feel better.

 

You may not want to think about it now, but warm weather isn’t as far away as you think. Skipping a workout or deviating from your weight loss plan for a day or a week may not seem like a big deal when spring and summer feel so far away, but now is really the perfect time to get ready for warmer seasons. You don’t have forever, you have a couple months and you can do a lot in this time. Make it count! You will feel great and look great when it’s time for shorts and t-shirts.

 

Turn your excuses into reasons to motivate yourself. Winter is no excuse to stop working towards your goals. Keep a positive outlook and soon even the smallest healthy choices you make will have major results.

 

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

 

Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness

8301 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797

469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018

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