5 Things You Can Do to Be Body Ready For Summer!

1. Cut Down or Cut Out Starchy Carbs and Sugars: Now you may read that and react because you think it’s too hard……but I challenge you to TRY it for a few weeks. As the weather is warmer and Spring is rolling in, there are more fruits and veggies being made available. I love my bread and cookies/cake too from time to time. But I LOVE feeling amazing in a tight, slender, lean body even more than the 15 minutes of pleasure on my tongue those foods provide. What is that saying out there? ” A minute on the lips is a lifetime on the hips”? That is a but dramatic but it begs the question, is it really WORTH it????

2. Try 1 New Fruit or Veggie a Week: Do you know how many fruits and veggies there are out there? Most of us eat the same thing day after day, week after week. Some people prefer the “easy” fruits: banana, berries, apple- because you don’t need to peel anything and they are finger foods. But what about papaya, mango, grapefruit, peaches and guava? Not to mention the veggies that you pass all the time in the grocery store and do not know what they are, what they are for or how they taste. Try one. Do some research on how to cook it. Make it a game in the grocery store.

3. Join a Group or Class: Ever taken a dance class? If you have been reading my stuff for more than a few months, you probably know that I am a salsa dancer/teacher/performer. But I started out IN CLASS. You’d be amazed at how many calories you can burn in a partner social dance class! If dancing doesn’t appeal to you, join an intramural sport. Every city has teams that have seasons. I used to play volleyball when I lived in New York City. My friends and co-workers found a city team to join. You meet new people and have new experiences! Just watch the” after party” aspect. You don’t want to eat or drink back all the good work you did in your sport!

4.Buy a New Outfit or Two for the Summer: Get excited about what’s to come! Know how you want to look and feel in it. Plan a vacation. I am getting married in August and it’s very motivating to want to look my best. Some people are planning for a beach vacation that they want to feel free and energetic while they are there. Choose something that gets you excited!!

5. Find Someone to Become Accountible To: That might mean hire a trainer, coach, nutritionist, etc. You can also make some goals with a friend or spouse. It is TOO easy to get off track and forgive yourself because no one else knows what you committed yourself to. We are accountable in many ways to other people all the time…. for our homes and cars ( the bank), our jobs and children and I am sure many other things. Commit to becoming accountable to YOU and then find support to make that happen!

By JJ Flizanes, Director of Invisible Fitness. We offer fitness training, fitness coaching, workshops and seminars and corporate programs.  http://www.invisiblefitness.com  800 571 5722

“It was a true testament to her unique and inspiring approach…”

Fitness, health and wellness should be a priority issue for all of us. With rising health care costs and increased focus on performance and productivity from employees, it is definitely an area of concern for industry.

J.J. Flizanes brings a fresh perspective and new meaning to the terms “working out” and “eating right.” It doesn’t have to be a task of torture or one of depriving yourself to achieve healthy results.

J.J. not only promotes and reinforces a healthy lifestyle, she showed our employees how to do it, how to empower themselves to be proactive and take personal responsibility in impacting the outcome of their quality of life. This presentation was not just a “sit-in-your-chair” and listen presentation. J.J. had our employees actively engaged and involved in an exercise session. When I saw 200 field employees on the floor following J.J. through a series of exercises, it was a true testament to her unique and inspiring approach to have a strong, positive impact with the group. Each employee also walked away with their own individually developed 30, 60 and 90-day Goal Plan that centered around nutrition, fitness and overall wellness.

Even those individuals who were apprehensive and resistant before the presentation had nothing but positive comments afterwards.

Overall, what you get from J.J. Flizanes is compelling, practical applications for any person or organization facing what many would call an “impossible challenge.” The individual coaching sessions offered after the presentation are value-added in that they continue to keep the awareness level up, make individuals accountable to themselves in regard to their Goal Plan and provide encouragement and support to individuals who may continue to struggle with these issues.

Thank you J.J. for making a difference,

Michael Sparks
PG&E – Safety, Health & Claims
Safety Supervisor – Area 6
Outside (530) 889-3236
Internal 732-3236
Email – MRS2@pge.com