"Pursue your goals, but never lose sight of the reality of things." -Amy Suto
Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
“In a study of health insurance statistics, yogis and meditators showed hospitalization rates that were 87% less than non-yogis for heart disease, 55% less for benign and malignant tumors, 30% less for infectious diseases, and 50% less for out-patient doctor visits.
Enough said.”
“When you stretch your body properly, and strengthen opposing muscle groups in balance, you increase your range of motion, and can move more quickly through space. For example, the space between the start and finish lines.
The yoga breath has been shown to increase endurance in marathoners by twice the distance in just one session!”
Despite what the media says, life isn’t about posing for photos and always being flawless and perfect.
It’s about testing your boundaries and doing the impossible. It’s about loving your body and yourself.
It’s about being more than eye candy.
Currently, my inbox is more crowded than a Chinese subway.
If I’m not responding to your messages, hang tight! I love all of you, and my completely work-imposed hiatus is coming to an end tomorrow.
So before we return to your regularly scheduled programming, here’s an awesome five minute super healthy corn-and-bean-salad recipe, and an article about why Maggie Q is a great celebrity health role model.
Find Your Fitness Momentum
Ah, the elusive trait of being and staying motivated. It’s tough, but in the end if you stick with an exercise routine long enough, eventually you get addicted to the endorphin high and you can’t stop.
The Reality of You
Why do you need strength training (and not more cardio!) to lose weight?
Why are men more attracted to women who smile, but not vice-versa?
How can you pick clothes that flatter your figure?
What are the 7 secrets to being happy?
Welcome to RealityofYou.com! Health, beauty and happiness all in one self-improvement site. It’s basically ground zero for all things you.
I’m also launching a Twitter with daily health tips and two other Reality Check blogs (including The Reality of Happy!). But more on that later.
Don’t worry — Reality of Healthy will still be operating in full swing, thanks to my superior time management skills. And gratuitous amount of caffeine. (Yay to owning an espresso machine!) All of these other resources are meant to complement each other, and you have to check ‘em out!
Good luck on your journey to become a happier, healthier, beautiful version of you!
How to Stick to Your Goals
Only 8% of people are always successful in achieving their resolutions. 19% achieve their resolutions every other year. 49% have infrequent success. 24% (one in four people) NEVER succeed and have failed on every resolution every year. That means that 3 out of 4 people almost never succeed.
You can be the 25% who succeed. Why? Because you’re my follower. And I kind of bet my brother that you would all reach your goals. I don’t like to lose bets. So… I’m counting on you!
5 WAYS TO STICK WITH YOUR RESOLUTIONS AND GOALS
- Gradually make changes! Some people go full speed ahead for the first two weeks in January, and then get burned out. Pace yourself! Life’s about energy management, not just time management. Start by going to the gym three times a week, and slowly work up to more days and more intense workouts.
- Take a day off each week in order to refocus. Take a rest day to evaluate your progress from the following week, and figure out what you can do better next week.
- Stay inspired. Print out inspirational quotes and hang them on your wall. Sing “WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS” after every workout. High five other runners you meet on your morning run. This is a journey! Enjoy every step of the way, and find ways to keep your morale up!
- Keep it fun. Go hiking with friends. Challenge the people in your house to come up with new smoothie recipes, and offer a prize to the winner. (Like no chores for a week!)
- Know where you’re headed. AKA: PLAN! Know where you want to be, and plan out the steps to get there.
READER SUBMISSIONS
First off, I love checking in with you guys to see how your goals are doing. These are my favorite entries from yesterday’s question!
- bringingmetoneverland answered: Haha, just saying (since I’m Greek) You basically said Good Morning beautiful friends! :)
Yes! Google translate success! Also: Greek is pretty much the most awesome language ever. I envy you.
- jofromscratch answered: I’m working harder everyday. I’m logging my food, working out whenever I can, and keeping a positive attitude. Trite but true.
Role model alert!
- 90daystoamazing answered: i personally never had a resolution, but i am starting my 90 day challenege on the first right now im conditioning myself for the p90x part.
You’re in for a treat! P90x is one of the best programs out there: challenging and engaging. Good luck!!
- runatic-lavings answered: My New Year’s resolution has been to stick to my soda restriction, which I believe has been going splendidly! And I’ve grown fond of seltzer.
*virtual high five* Same here! Great job!
- mypersonalrollercoaster answered: I had one resolution to help me meet my goals for the year: cut out all meat & dairy. So far, so good. 25 days in!
Wow! Veganism = fantastic goal for so many health reasons.
- awesomeness2 answered: What resolution? I am doing it for my health not a resolution.
Dude. You are my hero.
Find that mountain. And climb it.
This is What Hope Looks Like
Thank you for sharing. Your stories help remind the people currently battling cancer (or have lost someone to cancer) that they are not alone.
My grandma, who was in her 60s passed away in 2005 from lung cancer. She was diagnosed in Nov of 2002. She was terminal, only with a few more months to live (if that.) My oldest cousin was pregnant with, what was my grandma’s first great grandchild. My little cousin was born Jan 2003, and my grandma lived for 2 years to see her great grandchild grow up. This is what hope looks like. My grandma was most definitely a fighter.
childhooddaydream My friends mother passed away last April after battling breast cancer for almost 10 years. She was the kind of woman that while laying in the hospital she would ask what she could do to help someone else because she felt “useless”. She was an angel even on her worst days. She organized a Race for the Cure within our neighborhood while she was battling cancer and felt too sick to go downtown that year. It began small and the most recent one had more then 400 people in attendance. The day of her funeral a Facebook event was made inviting people to hang pink balloons in her memory. Balloons were hung al through the neighborhood, all 50 states, and many, many countries. There wasn’t a stop sign in our neighborhood left without a balloon or a few. Rest in paradise and peace Linda. We will never stop loving you.
ladolcevitaaaa My only memories of my mother were when she had Breast cancer. She was always getting treatments, losing her hair, and getting sick from all of her radiation. When I was 8 years old, she passed away. I miss her so much it hurts. It’ll be exactly 8 years ago in December.
sandys-lullaby I lost my mom after a 6 year battle with breast cancer and she is my hero just for her bravery and the way she took on life. She inspired me and when I read that I knew that there were people out there like me who had watched someone close battle cancer(s) and lose.
Thank you. Thank you for sharing this.
These stories are inspiring beyond words.
Have a story to share? Send it to my Ask box.
Image by Digitoxin via Flickr
Creative Commons Licensed
Read more about the dangers of processed foods.
Regular exercise = improvement in all around health and beauty!
