I came across this video yesterday and thought I would share it with you.  It’s about 18 months old but thought it was amazing and it really spoke to me.  We definitely don’t just have a body composition problem anymore.  We are literally killing ourselves as a nation and I’m not sure we can turn it around.

Jamie Oliver is an advocate for children’s education on food and nutrition and this is his acceptance speech/presentation for an award he won in 2010.  It’s a long video but very much worth the time to watch.  The first half deals with the situation that we as a nation deal with and the second half deals with his ideas for solving these problems.

The first half is a must watch and I challenge you to share this with your young kids or grandkids.  Sit down and watch this with them.  This 20 minute investment of time just might help change their lives.

Please share this video with as many people as you can.  It’s going to take a lot of effort to turn this ship around.

Owner Danielle Eckerman with client Pres. George H W Bush '41

We have great confidence in Danielle and Right at Home Fitness. We train with her regularly and find her to be knowledgeable, extremely cooperative and extraordinarily nice.
President George H. W. ’41 and Barbara Bush

Houston Personal Training Client Mike Drury came to us after a rough meeting with his doctor. He was told he had to change his lifestyle if he didn’t want to get on medication. After 8 weeks of great nutrition program from our friend Catherine Kruppa at Advice for Eating and our exercise program, he lost 22 pounds and his strength and endurance went through the roof. Listen to Mike share his story.

It’s that time of year to make your resolutions! Time to take an honest assessment of where you are in life, and decide what you’d like to achieve this coming year.

It’s a sad fact that the majority of folks NEVER see those resolutions come to fruition. That’s why today, I’d like to share with you a few tips that will help you stick with your resolutions, no matter what—creating a NEW YOU in 2012!

The major reason people don’t follow through on their resolutions is FEAR. Change is scary, and committing to change is a scary endeavor, to be sure.

But follow these tips and you should be able to nip fear in the bud and actually accomplish what you set out to achieve in 2012!

1) Be specific.

You may have heard this a million times, but all too often people make nonspecific resolutions like “I want to get fit.” Instead, drill down to exactly what you want. Try a resolution like, “By March 31st 2012, I will be 20 pounds lighter.” The specificity makes it more realistic and gives you a marker of success that lets you know you’ve ARRIVED at your goal.

2) Baby steps.

The fact that you’re making a resolution implies that you’re trying to change something in your life that’s pretty big. You’ve been unhappy with it for some time, which is why you’re resolving to change it. Therefore, most resolutions tend to be HUGE changes. Getting fit, getting out of debt, etc…are all BIG goals. So in order to achieve them, you’re going to have to break them down into itty-bitty steps. It’s like the old adage, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” So break down your resolution into “mini” resolutions that will serve as stepping stones to the bigger goal you want to achieve (i.e. I will walk around the neighborhood for 20 minutes every day. I will eat only 1,700 calories for the next 30 days, etc.)

3) Don’t resolve to change what you can’t control.

This is a biggie. But make sure your resolutions are things that are directly under your control. For example, a resolution to get a “raise at work” is something that is ultimately beyond your control. Instead, make the resolution to “start my own part-time online business to give MYSELF the raise I want.”

4) Share your resolutions.

Let others know what you’re planning. Doing so will give you a sense of accountability that will help push you—especially during those times where you don’t “feel” like doing the actions you KNOW will get you to your goals.

5) No fear.

Finally, don’t let fear get in the way of what you really want. Instead of dwelling on “what if’s,” take action. Action, no matter how small, will help give you the momentum you need. And once you’ve started taking action, you’ll have a better understanding of what you need to do to get to your final destination.

So this year, set some resolutions… and follow through until you’ve achieved them!

This is one of the most powerful videos I’ve seen on the impact of your friends and family and sometimes more important, their friends and family when it applies to happiness, health and obesity.

Check it out and really let this hit home.

If you want to put the power of social networks to work for you in your fitness program, let us know. We have an amazing new Houston personal trainer program for you.

Which Diet is Best?

problem is finding the best diet plan to help you reach your goals. With so many options on the table, selecting just the right diet plan can be very difficult.

The simple truth is there is no diet-plan that is the best. Go on a strict diet plan to drop weight fast and you will soon find your weight bouncing up and down. The problem is most diet plans aren’t realistic for long-term use. While you might lose weight while you’re on them, that weight is likely to come back as soon as you start eating normally again. Plus, many so-called diet plans neglect proper nutrition. They cut out entire food groups for the sake of fast losses in weight.

So, what can you do to eat yourself to a healthier weight without going on a diet plan? Just use good common sense and consider these things:

• Eat whole foods – It is best to buy your groceries and make your meals starting with fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meat and other healthy products. While processed foods might be easier, they often contain chemicals, sweeteners, artificial colors and who knows what else! Freshly prepared meals that start with healthy ingredients are better for weight loss and they’re better for fueling the body.
• Read labels – It’s not always possible to eat whole foods at every single meal. When this is the case, select processed or pre-packaged products with care. Read the labels and look for items that are as close to natural as you can find.  Also look at the serving size compared to the amount of calories in a single serving.
• Go for balance – Make sure meals contain foods that truly nourish and fuel your body. Strike a balance with fruits and veggies, legumes, lean meat, low-fat dairy and other necessary foods.
• Eat less, but more often – Smaller, more frequent meals can help greatly with weight loss.  Shoot for smaller portions, but try to eat three meals a day and at least two, possibly three healthy snacks. It’s important not to skip meals – especially breakfast – because doing so can foster weight gain rather than loss.
• Avoid temptations – Uncover your unhealthy habits and take steps to overcome them. If you can’t steer clear of ice cream after dinner, try finding a healthier, lower-calorie option. It’s okay to keep “treats” in your diet when you’re losing weight, but make sure they really are treats. No one really needs ice cream seven nights a week.

Losing weight and keeping it off is a journey. Fad diet plans just aren’t sustainable. To get the results you want, learn to make wiser choices every day. For more ideas on creating your own “diet plan,” talk with your Houston personal trainer. We have some great tips and tricks that can help you develop your own diet that’s tasty, healthy and fulfilling.  We have our own meal delivery service that provides great tasting, health and balanced meals that will ensure a steady loss of weight.

Change Your Mind to Transform Your Life

If you’re ready to get into shape and really change your life, the first place to start is within your own mind. Leading a healthy, active lifestyle often calls for taking a mind-over-matter approach. Working out, eating right and making good choices calls for positive thinking to reinforce the actions you know you need to take. When you explore your own thought processes and your “mind chatter,” you will likely find the key to unlock the positive lifestyle you’ve been dreaming of leading has always been there.

The truth is that success is often born from a positive and healthy outlook to everything in life. When you examine your thoughts and the chatter that you “speak” to yourself on a daily basis, you are likely to find you are your own worst enemy. Open your eyes and your mind to the thoughts and really hear what you tell yourself. Learn to eliminate the negative inner-speak. Stop telling yourself you can’t and start saying you can. When you do, some amazing things are going to happen.

While this sounds all well and good, you’re probably wondering how to get from Point A to Point B. There are a few tricks and tips that can help you change your mind and your life. Try:

• Spending a few days truly listening to yourself – Grab a notebook and a pen. Jot down the negative thoughts you have. Listen to what you say to yourself in your mind. Explore what you are saying and consider what triggers your own negative responses.
• Learn to speak kinder to yourself – Positive affirmations aren’t just New Age mumbo jumbo. They can actually work. Learn to program your mind to believe in yourself. Set realistic goals and keep telling yourself you can attain them. Take that same notebook you used to record your thoughts and write down the positives about yourself. Focus on these positives that you know to be true and use them to build up your life in other aspects.
• Enlist help – When you’re trying to change your mind so you can change your life, positive influences can go a very long way. Join a group exercise class, get with a personal trainer, ask family and friends to assist. Let them know your goals, what you are doing to reach them and how they can lend a hand by offering moral support. Having a cheering section rooting for you can build your self-esteem and it can give you the motivation you need to keep going even when the road ahead is tough.

When it’s time to effect positive changes in your life, the place to start is within. Look into your mind and learn to reinforce the positives and throw out the negatives. You can do it!

Looking and Feeling Great Starts WIth You

Feeling good about the skin you’re in doesn’t call for developing a waif’s figure, a model’s face or a queen’s grace. The fact of the matter is a healthy body image must come from the inside – not out. No matter what you look like, how much you weigh or how graceful you happen to be, you can be happy with who you are.

While it’s always wise to learn to eat right, work exercise into your routine and generally take care of yourself from the inside out, these actions won’t produce the desired results if you don’t develop a healthy body image first.

Sadly, the messages we receive from movies, television and magazines can make it very hard for individuals to be pleased with how they look. When the truth is uncovered, however, it becomes a little easier. The fact is the icons society holds up as “beautiful” are just people, too. The models in magazines with those perfect faces and bodies are generally airbrushed. They don’t look perfect in real life. Actresses who are 10 or 20 pounds underweight just for looks are likely gambling with their health to stay paper thin.

So, how can you develop a healthy image of yourself in light of society’s role models?

Try doing these things to become happy with who you are now:

• Identify and capitalize on your strengths – Explore the inner you and list out the traits that make you special. These can includes both physical and personality traits. You might be the most loyal friend in the world. Perhaps you have eyes that can stop traffic. Focus on what makes you special and embrace those things.
• Identify the things you’d like to change – Let’s face it; most of us do have things about ourselves we’d like to change or make better. Identify these things and determine which ones can be changed within reason. Perhaps you’d like to lose 10 pounds? Or maybe you’d like to work on being a more understanding person? Consider the things that are within reach and take action to make these things happen.
• Take steps to make positive, realistic changes – Once you identify the things you can do to become the person you want to be, take steps to make the goals become reality. Start a workout plan to begin the weight loss process. Focus on eating healthier. Go back to school to obtain the degree you want. Use positive reinforcements to develop the personality traits you’d like to display.

It doesn’t matter how many days a week you spend in a gym, you’re not going to be happy with the changes made until you learn to love yourself. Developing a positive self image is the first step to becoming happy with who you are. Work with the pros at your local fitness center or a personal trainer to identify steps you can take to reach your goals and improve your self-image along the way. Remember to embrace the wonderful person you already are to gain maximum enjoyment of your results.

Houston Personal Training is Here to Support You

It’s no secret that working out to get into shape can have its ups and down. The dedication, commitment and time involved can make it tough for anyone to make sound decisions and take the right actions to get the desired results. This is where finding and relying on a community support system can very much come in handy. When you don’t work out alone, you may find yourself more motivated to stick with a program.

So, how can you find the support you need to shed pounds, tone up and create the healthier body you’re after? There are a few great ways to gain the edge you might need to succeed. They include:

• Joining a group exercise class – This is an excellent choice that’s offered at most gyms and fitness centers. Group exercises classes can really help people see the results they are after because everyone involved may literally work together to help others see results. Class members often form bonds and the sense of camaraderie can help push you to keep showing up and working out. There is also a sense of accountability that can go along with group sessions.
• Working with a personal trainer – If group classes don’t fit your personality, you might find working with a personal trainer or fitness coach works for you. A trainer can help you set goals, devise a plan to reach them and then assist you in making sure you stay on task. Many people find the one-on-one sessions with a trainer help motivate them greatly. Plus, trainers are great at holding their clients accountable for actions.
• Working out with friends – Just having a workout buddy or two can make all the difference in the world. Get a few friends or family members together and head to the gym together. You can provide each other support both inside and outside the fitness center.

Whether you join a class, get a trainer or workout with a buddy, having someone else to lean on for support can make all the difference in the world. When someone else stands by your side, it becomes much easier to get through the rough spots that can go along with working out.

Community support can increase your motivation, helping you over the rough spots that go along with getting in shape. When you workout in a group or community setting, you’ll also gain assistance in dealing with those weight loss plateaus that might otherwise set you back.

Great Low Cal Dinner

2 nectarines, pitted and diced
1 ripe tomato, seeded and diced
1/4 cup diced onion
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
salt to taste
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
8 (4 ounce) boneless pork loin chops

1. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat. Lightly oil grate, and set 4 inches from the heat.

2. To make the salsa, place the nectarines, tomato, onion, cilantro, lime juice, and red pepper flakes in a bowl; toss to blend. Season to taste with salt. Cover, and refrigerate 30 minutes to blend flavors.

3. Stir the cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl. Place the olive oil in a small bowl. Brush the pork chops with oil, and season both sides evenly with the cumin mixture.

4. Place pork loin chops on the preheated grill. Cook until lightly browned and juices run clear, about 4 minutes on each side. Place pork chops on serving plates, and top with a generous spoonful of salsa.

Prep: 25 mins
Cook: 8 mins
Ready: 33 mins

Amount Per Serving – Calories: 276 / Total Fat: 13.3g / Cholesterol: 71mg / Sodium: 248mg / Total Carbs: 10.8g / Dietary Fiber: 2.1g / Protein: 28.4g