Recently Laid Off? So Was I... But, That's Still No Excuse!

Hi Everyone! This is Rebecca, Tricia and Steve's newest Fitness Account Executive with Home Fitness. I met them about a month ago after I lost my job as a Marketing Manager. Now, this is not to tell you about my story, but it's to let you know that you're NOT alone out there.

I got off the phone today with one of Steve's former clients. She informed me that she had just lost her job. Knowing what I had gone through, inspired me to write this blog.

I got my "pink slip" back in July. Boy, what a hit that was to my budget! I started cancelling services, downgrading my cable and cell phone plans, stopped shopping at Sendik's and started looking at Big Lots instead. What was my largest expense per month, besides my car? My fitness class. So, I immediately called my instructor to cancel my monthly "auto-withdrawal" for services. Was I surprised (in a good way) by his response!!

He had been so impressed with my progress and told me that I was an "inspiration to others" in the class. He said that, "during these tough times, it's so easy to lose focus on what's important." (I thought he was referring to me finding a job.)

When you're down, it's easy to lose motivation. You put all of your focus on finding a job. And when that doesn't happen right away you start to feel depressed and anxious, you feel tired all the time (simply because you're not moving), tension begins to build in our bodies, and you actually make yourself susceptible to illness. I know, because it happened to me.

In order for me to stay focused, forever-energized, and on-track, he insisted that I continue in the fitness class, and even agreed to bend a payment or two, helping me out with the finance part! I was very fortunate to have met him. Staying in shape has made such a difference in the way that I approach my job search. And let me say, it really helps boost the confidence level during interviews!

I'm also very fortunate to have met Steve and Tricia. What a wonderful business they have! Fitness is so important and I beg you to not let finances, time, energy or any other excuse, get in your way of TAKING CHARGE OF YOUR LIFE! I cannot stress it enough. Home Fitness makes it SO easy, too! I mean, they come to you! They bring everything you need to get a power-charged workout in, in the comfort of your own home! What could be better than that?!?

The holidays are right around the corner. We KNOW there will be lots of food to be eaten, and lots of family to see. Can you just hear the excuses creeping in?? I can ;) Let's do something about that today. What do you say?!

Sleep On It

You just don’t get it. You tried everything: you restricted yourself to the grape fruit diet, you joined zumba and you called Jenny, but you just can’t seem to free yourself from those extra pounds. Maybe, you should sleep on it – literally. President of Home Fitness and Doctor of Oriental Medicine Trisha Phaklides supports the notion that there is a direct correlation between dreams and patients’ physical and psychological well-being.
A 2003 graduate from Southwest Acupuncture College in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Doctor Phaklides has aided over 40,000 patients and continues to heal patients at her private practice in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, according to her website www.wedreaminchinese.com. Through her studies of Oriental Medicine, Doctor Phaklides has detected a correspondence between her patients’ dreams and their physiology. “I have always wondered about dreams like most people and knew there had to be more to them,” writes Doctor Phaklides on her website.
Doctor Phaklides based her research on Chinese dream interpretation on the Five Element theory, a supposition that centers on the elements of fire, water, earth, metal and wood through sensory clues – states Doctor Phaklides’ website. Dreams that present a visual of other sensory portrayal of one of these five elements is said to provide an implication to stresses within the body.
According to the Five Element theory, depictions of fire symbolize setbacks within the dreamer’s heart or small intestine. Dreams incorporating the element of wood signify problems within the liver or gallbladder. Water represents trouble within the kidneys or bladder. The element earth indicates stresses on the spleen or stomach, and dreams portraying images of metal are linked to lung and intestinal difficulties. Doctor Phaklides compiled her findings and examples of actual dream interpretations in her newest book We Dream in Chinese. To learn more about the Five Element theory or Doctor Phaklides’ book, visit www.wedreaminchinese.com

Burning 'to-do' Chores

Do you feel as if you have no time to commit to some cardio? Do not despair! You actually burn calories without even thinking about it everyday doing household activities. Activitycalculator.com provides information on how you can stay trim and on task at home.
A person who weighs 140 pounds can lose up to 159 calories doing auto repairs for 30 minutes. So, working on that carburetor can help you lose those carbs you ingested for lunch.
If auto mechanics tend to steer you in the wrong direction, try sweeping the floor. A person of the same build can brush away 143 calories by using the old broom and dust pan for 30 minutes.
Ironing can get you looking steamy! Remove wrinkles and calories by ironing for 30 minutes and you can lose up to 73 calories. You’ll be smoothing out a smaller pants size in no time.
Trim away fat while trimming the hedges. Using a power cutter for 30 minutes can snip away 111 calories. Although all of these chores are adequate forms of exercise when pressed for time, checking them off of your to-do list should not be your only form of training. Remember, you want to sculpt your body at home, not turn into a homebody

Baffled by Breakfast

Breakfast is one of the most critical meals of the day. According to Kathleen Zelman’s WebMD article “The Many Benefits of Breakfast,” breakfast provides bountiful bonuses including: low cholesterol, more energy for physical activities, enhanced concentration and a higher amount of vitamins and minerals. However, when eaten poorly, breakfast can have flavorful, but unfavorable calorie intakes.
According to the Boston University Nutrition and Fitness Center, three slices of bacon have 45 more calories than lean meats, regular cream cheese contains 50 calories per tablespoon (light cream cheese contains 30 calories), and the Half and Half poured into a morning cup of coffee has 15 calories per tablespoon.
However, these extra calories do not mean that one should hit the snooze button and hold off until lunch time. As the Boston University Nutrition and Fitness Center shows below, it is still possible to have a fit and flavorsome morning meal while reaping nutritional benefits.
Oatmeal and whole grain cereals – such as Cheerios, Wheaties and Total – are perfect choices for a speedy morning burst. Whole grains and starchy vegetables are critical for providing a quick fix of energy.
However, in order to maximize that A.M. fuel, a non-starchy vegetable or a piece of fruit is required. Such breakfast items include apples, bananas, oranges, tomatoes, spinach and carrots.
Finally, in order to sustain the energy from your day breaking dish, a protein should be ingested. Eggs, hummus, nuts and seeds are excellent choices.
So, skip the plump Poptarts and dumpy doughnuts and kick your day off right with a healthy start.

It Is What It Is - So now what?

From the words of Nike: Just Do It! - We'll even reward you for it!

The economic state of our country is turning around - you may not see it right now, but it's on a slow and steady incline. However, since it's initial decline, Americans have had a tendency to "bunker down", or stay at home more to be with family. They are working more, going out less, skipping meals, or skimping on their grocery lists, cancelling monthly dues to their favorite gym, taking road trips, and are more sedentary than usual. During these stressful times, we tend to neglect the one person who needs us most...Ourselves. How can we be expected to take care of others, or our work, or our home, if we ourselves are not fueled? The economy isn't going to change tomorrow...It is what it is. But, you can. You can take control of your life once again and still be within the comforts of your own home, near family and friends.

At Home Fitness, we make fitness fit. We make it fit in your schedule, we make it fit to your budget, and we make it work for you. Weight loss is a journey that very few can go alone and succeed. If your focus is clouded with the way things are, you won't get very far. If your focus is clear, your path is bright. To get going again, avoiding the pot holes in the road is a challenge left to those with incredible will.

At Home Fitness, we understand what you have been going through, and understand the will power and determination it takes to get back up. We will be with you every step of the way until you reach YOUR goal!

Starting this Sunday, we will be offering a free day of fitness! You'll need to create an account, or sign in if you're an existing member at http://www.wemakefitnessfit.com/ When you're finished registering, click on the fun, interactive video, and enter the coupon code: FREEFIT to receive your free workout on us!

Gym Memberships

The average annual gym membership is about $600, according to UK MSN Money. However, 800,000 members will only use that membership once or twice a month, says the same website.
With the price of membership, gas and a babysitter, joining a gym will lose you an arm and a leg, instead of that extra weight around your midsection.
Home Fitness understands the value of your time and money and has thus created the 75 Cent Exercise Video to fit your lifestyle and your wallet.
Visit www.wemakefitnessfit.com and watch dozens of exercise videos for only 75 cents a clip. Home Fitness has a large array of short workout films to target specific areas of the body including the abdominals, biceps, chest, back, shoulders, quadriceps and more. Plus, the videos are designed for people of all different training levels including beginner, intermediate and advanced.
You will never have to pay a pricey gym fee or waste your time traveling back and forth from your home to the gym again! Watch one video or watch them all. You determine your workout investment and schedule with the Home Fitness 75 Cent Workout Videos.

Get Fit with Text 2 Fit

You have seen your teenagers do it. Perhaps, you have even picked up on the lingo yourself, such as lol or bff, to show your kids how “hip” you can be. I’m talking about text messaging – the phenomenon that has opened a new doorway in the world of technological communication.
Over 75 billion text messages are sent every month, according to cellsigns.com. Text messaging is a speedy and simple way to deliver a brief message when you are on the go. Now, with Home Fitness’s Text 2 Fit program, you can receive quick fitness and nutrition reminders wherever you are.
The Text 2 Fit program includes a personal phone consultation to determine your rapid weight loss plan, an activity calculator with a list of straightforward workouts that allow you to pre-burn half of your calorie intake, dietary suggestions – created by
President of Home Fitness and certified acupuncturist Trisha Phaklides – based on
Eastern nutritional tactics and up to 16 texts per day that remind you when it is time to eat and time to exercise.
Put your health at the top of your priority list and give yourself the little reminder to do so with Home Fitness’s Text 2 Fit. Visit the Home Fitness website www.wemakefitenessfit.com to learn more or call (414) 762-2460 to speak with your new bft (best fitness trainer) Trisha.