A glimpse into my reality

If you didn't know, about 3 months ago, my husband and I started dating again. Every Monday is Date Night now. I came to a realization last night while we were out: I've gained about four pounds since starting this Date Night thing. Wowsers! I've gone from never eating out, to eating out at least once/week. 

But the confession is that it's actually made it easier to give in to picking up food for dinner on about 1 to 2 other nights of the week. So in reality, I've gone from never eating out to now eating out 2-3 x/week!! And what a difference that is making in what the scale says.

So, today's post is somewhat of a confession and a wake up call to myself!

I realized how we can easily get pulled into a cycle of unhealthy choices just out of ease. But wait, is this really the lifestyle I want? No! So to stop the four pound weight gain (nip it in the bud) and get back to what has worked for me my entire life thus far, I must get back to the way I was living: not eating out 2-3x/week!! 

We will continue to go on Date Night because I can't tell you how this HAS been a good decision and investment in my most important relationship (other than my relationship with God) and that's my marriage! However, I can enjoy the company of my man and not indulge in unhealthy food, and high calorie desserts! I resolve to order salads or fish and veggies. The other nights are dedicated to providing yummy and well balanced dinners for my family.

Don't get me wrong, I SEE the allure to eating out! It's so easy! It's convenient! But is the result of that what I want in my life? For me, the answer is, yes and no. Yes, I want to date my husband, and that will involve eating out. So, I'll enjoy that once/week. But the answer is also no because I want to #1: maintain a healthy weight, which is proving to be impossible with the choices I've made in the past few weeks, and #2: I want to teach my kids how to eat at home. I've realized I'm teaching them how to eat later in life by how I'm feeding them now.

So it's back to the grocery list for me and PLANNING out my healthy menus each week.

I hope this encourages you as you get to see a glimpse into my life. It's not always easy for me either. I want to live out my convictions and values and also be transparent with you and let you see that I have to make a conscious effort too.
Have a great day!
Yours in the journey,   
Sara Oliver
www.GetToBootCamp.com
saraoliver@gettobootcamp.com

No Goal, No Glory

How will you know when to celebrate and relish the victory if you don't know where the end goal lies?


Knowing where the finish line is will help you focus on the day in and day out habits that will help you reach your goal. I believe that's why so many of those of you participating in the Biggest Loser Challenge are getting amazing results! With less than 2 weeks left, you are focused! (NOTE: A NEW Biggest Loser Challenge will begin on March 21st!)


However, if you don't have accountability, it's easier to give into all the other choices people around us are making, ie: birthday cake, office parties, alcohol, pizza, etc. Note, these things aren't bad every once in awhile, but so many people never say no to these things. And if you never say no, you'll soon realize you are surrounded with these options on a daily basis.


Therefore, living in a healthy body, at your ideal body weight, has to truly be a focused goal! If you just "go with the flow" and do as others are doing, you will find yourself far away from your goal.

On the other hand, if you surround yourself with others who value health, it will be easier to do the same. Behold: Adventure Boot Camp. We are in this together. We can be your voice and strength during those times of temptation. We do value health and we want you to achieve your goal and relish in the Glory!! You can do it!! Just say YES to your goal and live out the habits (daily) that will get you there!!
Yours in the journey,

Sara Oliver
http://www.gettobootcamp.com/

What's your SYSTEM?

Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.
Thomas Jefferson

SYSTEM: Save YourSelf Time & Energy (Marvelous!)

Do you have a SYSTEM for eating healthy? Well, if you don't have one you will not succeed in the lifestyle of maintaining your weight and finding success with the battle of the buldge! Here's the SYSTEM that I literally go through every week that has proven to help my family eat healthy, eat at home and therefore, it is also helping us bring back the family dinner!! (VERY important for many other reasons!)

#1: Set aside 30 minutes every week to sit down and write out your week's menu for dinners. Literally write on a piece of paper Sunday-Saturday, and pick out 2 chicken recipes, 2 or 3 fish recipes, maybe one red meat night and one veggie night.

#2: Write down the recipe and the page number it's on.

#3: Now open up your cook books and look at each recipe. Begin your grocery shopping list by writing down what you need for that recipe. You'll have to get up at look in your fridge and in your pantry and accumulate your list accordingly.

#4: Last step is re-write your list in the order you will walk through the store. This will save you tons of time as well as last minute impulse purchases!

#5: Place your menu on your fridge so you can rmember during the week what you have in your kitchen to cook!

I PROMISE, when you go through these steps each week, you will come home from the store with over 7 healthy things to cook for dinner each night!!

CAUTION: Keep your recipes easy. Don't choose things you know you won't be willing to cook! Also, plan for the evenings you'll be tired and tempted to drive through and pick up food. Instead, have some quick and easy options to grab, like Amy's frozen burritos!

Yours in healthy eating!

Sara Oliver
http://www.gettobootcamp.com/

Update Your Workout With Five Fitness Trends

New Year, new beginnings. there is no better time than presentto update your exercise routine with some hot fitness trends thatare sweeping the nation.

“If you are happy with your old workout, that’s fine,” says SaraOliver, CPT, owner of Bay Area TX Adventure Boot Camp. “But fitnessis an evolving field and you may want to revamp your existingroutine by adding some new exercises. there is always room forimprovement!”

Oliver points out that every year, American Council on Exerciseand American College of Sports Medicine, both reputable authoritieson health and fitness, investigate and publish the most effectiveand beneficial exercises for disease prevention, weight management,and overall wellbeing.


“With all the new research, we gain a better understanding ofhow our bodies function and respond to physical activity,” Oliversays. “And, as we become more knowledgeable, we revise the existingexercise guidelines and recommendations to include the newfindings.”


So what are the hot new trends in fitness for 2011?


Boot camps. “Actually, they’ve been ‘hot’ for a couple of years,and for a good reason,” Oliver says.“By incorporatingcardiovascular, strength, endurance and flexibility drills in bothoutdoor and indoor settings, these sessions provide a total bodyworkout, which is one of the reasons why they are so popular. plus,boot camps are about 80% less expensive than personal training, sothey give you more bang for your buck but with many of the samebenefits – an important consideration in this sluggisheconomy.”


Core training. “It rocks because it conditions middle-bodymuscles, including the pelvis, lower back, hips and abdomen—all ofwhich support the spine. A stronger core will alleviate back pain,while reducing the risk of injury to the back and pelvis whenlifting and bending over.”


Strength training. “Among other benefits, this workoutwillimprove your muscle tone, endurance, and posture, as well asincrease the bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.”


Exercise and weight loss. “Obesityis a serious problem in ourcountry, one which can lead to diabetes, heart disease, and manyother life-threatening illnesses. More and more people realize thisand are starting to do something about it before it’s too late.along with healthy nutrition (rather than fad diets), regularphysical activity is a key component of a successful weight lossprogram.”


Group training. “A lot people get bored and discouraged whenthey exercise alone. Working out in a group is much more enjoyable;plus, it’s a great motivator – you are not as likely to throw inyour towel. That’s why combining a great workout with fun socialinteractions is an increasingly popular way to exercise.”


About Bay Area TX Adventure Boot Camp:
Sara Oliver, CPT opened Adventure Boot Camp in the Bay Area inOct. 2006 and has expanded to include over 7 times and locations.Schedules and client testimonials are available atGetToBootCamp.com. Sara, a certified boot camp instructor with12 years of experience in the fitness industry, can be reached or 713-515-5081.

Ban End-of-the-Year Sluggishness with Energy-Boosting Exercises

Three more days and the holiday season will be over! Even if you are one of those people who can’t get enough of the festivities and celebrations, you are probably feeling tired by now. Let’s face it: all this holidaying can be pretty exhausting.


What do you do if you feel worn out and dragged out? Do you reach for that extra cup of coffee, an energy drink, or - even worse- a candy bar?


All you probably want to do is curl up and sleep the rest of the year away, but here is what scientific studies and anecdotal evidence tell us: Exercise, not hibernation, is the best fatigue-busting and energy-boosting technique.


I am referring to research that found people who participate in physical activity decrease their tiredness level by as much as 60 percent and increase their energy by 20 percent.


Exercise energizes and recharges not only your body, but also your mind.  There is no better way to invigorate you from head to toe.


What are the best pick-me-up exercises?  Virtually anything that keeps you moving at a brisk pace and increases your heart ratewill be effective.  Walking, biking, jogging, swimming, doing jumping jacks, even dancing and rope-skipping, will rev you up.


Fitness boot camps are excellent energy boosters because they combine a variety of cardiovascular, strength, endurance, speed, agility, and flexibility workouts.


Whatever exercises you choose, I recommends that you schedule your workout first thing in the morning. Exercising any time during the day is beneficial, but if you tire easily, you may not feel motivated to exercise later in the day.  But if you start early, you will create energy that lasts all day. And, as an added bonus, a morning workout will raise your metabolism that will burn calories throughout the day.


Another energy-bolstering tip is eating a healthy breakfast.  You probably heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day – and it’s true.  A nutritional breakfast should ideally include a serving of whole grains, low-fat protein and dairy, as well as fruit.


Skipping breakfast may make you binge later in the day, when hunger pangs strike.  Not only will you feel tired, but also probably end up eating something that you can quickly grab on the go – like junk food. And it’s no secret that eating too much junk food, which is full of saturated fats, as well as sugar or salt, will leave you feeling sluggish and fatigued – exactly the opposite of what you want to accomplish.

Finish the year STRONG!   Happy New Year!

Yours in health,
Sara Oliver
Adventure Boot Camp Owner and Fitness Expert
http://www.gettobootcamp.com/
saraoliver@gettobootcamp.com

Needing a Push?

I received a fantastic book this year for Christmas that I'm enjoying so much! It's called Even Eagles Need a Push by David McNally and Mac Anderson. It's begins with the thoughts of a mother eagle in contemplating pushing her young out of the nest. "Why does the thrill of soaring have to begin with the fear of falling?" But she knew that until they learned how to soar, they would fail to understand the privilege it was to have been born an eagle. The push was the greatest gift she had to offer. It was her supreme act of love. And so, one by one, she pushed them and .... THEY FLEW!
Where are you? How are you finishing 2010? Need a push? Need to give someone else the push?

It's my true desire that this time next year, you will look back with pride at all you will have accomplished in 2011. Enjoy this week and take some time to reflect over the past 12 months. Then take a pen and paper and decide where you want to be this time next year.

We look forward to helping inspire you in your health and fitness goals in the coming year! Stay tuned for lots of great tips and events we'll will be hosting throughout the coming year to help you do just that: Push you toward your goals!

Yours in health,
Sara Oliver
Adventure Boot Camp Owner & Fitness Expert

6 Easy Steps to Fit Exercise Into Your Holiday Schedule

6 EASY STEPS TO FIT EXERCISE INTO YOUR HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
(DEER PARK, TX November 22, 2010) – With Thanksgiving just a few days away, can Black Friday be far off? You know what this means: Shopping and other holiday activities will consume so much of your time, regular exercise will be put on the back burner – or forgotten altogether.


During this time of year, our lives can get very hectic, so workout routines can get disrupted or ignored.  It’s easy to say, ‘a few weeks without exercise won’t harm me’ or ‘I’ll catch up after the New Year’s.’ However, it will be more difficult to re-start exercising later, when you might have a few post-holiday pounds to lose. And, by the way, running from store to store is NOT exercise!


Although finding time for regular workouts may be a challenge during the holidays, there are ways to stay on track – it’s all a matter of good planning and motivation.

I suggest these 6 steps to holiday fitness:


· Try a bit of visualization. “Imagine yourself on January 1 – and beyond – after not having exercised for several weeks. How much heavier will you be? How much harder / longer will you have to work out to lose all the weight that piled on during the holidays? Often, when you think of the consequences of your actions ahead of time, that will be all the motivation you’ll need to keep exercising!”


· Break your usual exercise routine into a couple of small sessions throughout the day. “For example, two or three 10-15-minute workouts may be more manageable than an hour-long session.”


· Exercise in the morning. “It may mean getting up earlier than usual, but at least you’ll be done for the day. Plus, you’ll be more energized for all the other activities. Another possibility is to use part of your lunch hour for a mini-workout; even a short session is better than none.


· Choose the right type of exercise. “Use HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), which is shorter in duration, but extremely effective at burning fat and keeping you in shape.”

· Ban all the “But I don’t have time” excuses. “Don’t fall into a trap of coming up with reasons why you can’t work out. Tell yourself right now that exercise is an important part of your healthy lifestyle, and that you can and will fit it into your schedule, no matter how hectic it gets.”

· Work out with a buddy or in a group. Statistics show that people who exercise with a friend or in a group are more successful at exercising consistently. Make a pact with friends to encourage each other should one of you feel like slacking off.

Following all these points will help even the busiest people keep up with their exercise routines.  When all the holiday bustle is over, they’ll be glad they did!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Yours in Health,
Sara Oliver

http://www.gettobootcamp.com/
http://www.adventurebootcamp.myshaklee.com/