The Cure For Laziness by Robert Kiyosaki

It takes hard work AND a financial education to get rich

Often you’ll hear people say, “They’re poor because they’re lazy.” What people mean is that it takes hard work to get rich. The problem is that it is only partially true. It does take hard work to get rich, but it also takes financial intelligence.

The other is that people who work hard are also some of the laziest people I know.

We have all heard the story of the businessman who works hard to earn money, spending long hours at the office and bringing work home on the weekends, only to see his wife and kids leave him. Rather than work on his relationships, he stayed busy at work.

Today, I meet people who are too lazy to take care of their money, their health and their family or get a financial education. They work hard, but that is really a way of staying busy so they don’t have to face these things. They are lazy. Nobody has to tell them. Deep down they know, and if you bring it up they get irritated.

And if they’re not busy with work, they’re busy with TV, fishing, playing golf, or shopping. They stay busy to avoid important things in life.

If that rings true for you, it’s essential that you overcome laziness in order to become rich in terms of both money and life. So the question is, how do you overcome laziness?

The answer: with a little greed.
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Spare the guilt trip

I know what you’re probably thinking, “Isn’t greed bad?” Many of us were raised to think this way. “Greedy people are bad people,” my mother used to say. Yet, if we’re honest, all of us have a yearning for nice, new or exciting things.

To keep that yearning under control, parents often find ways of suppressing it with guilt. “You only think about yourself,” was one of my mom’s favorites. “You want me to buy what for you? Do you think we’re made of money?” was my dad’s. It wasn’t the words that hurt so much as the angry guilt trip that came with them.

But the reality is that there’s nothing wrong with wanting nice, new, or exciting things. The only thing that is wrong is how you go about attaining them. Will you be lazy and steal from your family’s future by pulling out bad debt and spending all your money on them, or will you increase your financial intelligence and find ways to build your wealth so that you can enjoy the finer things in life? Will you say, “I can’t afford it,” or will you ask, “How can I afford it?”

How can you afford it?
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My rich dad forbade the words, “I can’t afford it,” in his house. In my real home, that’s all I ever heard. Instead, Rich Dad required his children to ask, “How can I afford it?”

The words, “I can’t afford it,” shuts down your mind to possibilities—you don’t have to think. It is a poor and lazy mindset. The words, “How can I afford it,” open up your mind, forcing you to think and search for answers. It is a rich and creative mindset.

Most important, asking, “How can I afford it,” releases the potential of your human spirit to battle with the lazy mindset. Most people think using the words, “We can’t afford it,” teaches them to battle greed, but really it teaches kids to find excuses, which leads to laziness.

Tune in to WII-FM

I have a radio station that’s my favorite. It’s called, “What’s in it for me?” Or WII-FM. OK, it’s not a real station, but it’s an easy way for me to remember that important question.

We need to often sit down and ask questions like, “What would my life be like if I never had to work again?” “What would I do if I had all the money I needed?” Without the desire to have something better, progress is never made. And wanting something better, whether we acknowledge it or not, takes a little bit of greed. It means asking, “What’s in it for me?”

Our world progresses because we all desire a better life. New inventions are made, we go to school and study hard and we make sacrifices, all because we want a better life. So whenever you find yourself facing something so hard that you’d prefer to avoid it and be lazy, ask, “What’s in it for me?” Be a little greedy. It’s the best cure for laziness.

Don’t be too greedy
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Finally, a word of caution. Too much greed, as almost anything in excess, is not good. Michael Douglas in the movie Wall Street said, “Greed is good.” Rich Dad said it differently, “Guilt is worse than greed. Guilt robs the body of its soul.”

Don’t feel guilty about wanting a better life and working hard to attain it, but also don’t become guilty of sacrificing the most important things in life, your family, health, and integrity, to attain them. Because at the end of the day, money is only important if you can enjoy it with the ones you love and with a clear conscience.

This post was adapted from Rich Dad Poor Dad: What The Rich Teach Their Kids About Money—That The Poor and Middle Class Do Not!

Are you lazy? What are you going to do about it?

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Visit the Rich Dad Website by Robert Kiyosaki.  Join the Financial education community and increase your financial intelligence.

– Tom

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Financial Freedom and Independence over Facebook Revealed

Learn to GROW from where ever it is that you’ve been planted:
https://tombirkenmeyer.com/personal-development/grow-from-where-youve-been-planted/

To Fall In Love Or To Rise In Love by Osho

“In fact a mature person does not fall in love, he rises in love. The word ’fall’ is not right. Only immature people fall; they stumble and fall down in love. Somehow they were managing and standing. They cannot manage and they cannot stand – they find a woman and they are gone, they find a man and they are gone. They were always ready to fall on the ground and to creep. They don’t have the backbone, the spine; they don’t have that integrity to stand alone.

A mature person has the integrity to be alone. And when a mature person gives love, he gives without any strings attached to it: he simply gives. And when a mature person gives love, he feels grateful that you have accepted his love, not vice versa. He does not expect you to be thankful for it – no, not at all, he does not even need your thanks. He thanks you for accepting his love. And when two mature persons are in love, one of the greatest paradoxes of life happens, one of the most beautiful phenomena: they are together and yet tremendously alone; they are together so much so that they are almost one. But their oneness does not destroy their individuality, in fact, it enhances it: they become more individual.Two mature persons in love help each other to become more free. There is no politics involved, no diplomacy, no effort to dominate. How can you dominate the person you love? Just think over it. Domination is a sort of hatred, anger, enmity. How can you think of dominating a person you love? You would love to see the person totally free, independent; you will give him more individuality. That’s why I call it the greatest paradox: they are together so much so that they are almost one, but still in that oneness they are individuals. Their individualities are not effaced – they have become more enhanced. The other has enriched them as far as their freedom is concerned.Immature people falling in love destroy each others freedom, create a bondage, make a prison. Mature persons in love help each other to be free; they help each other to destroy all sorts of bondages. And when love flows with freedom there is beauty. When love flows with dependence there is ugliness.”

— Osho

Action vs. Self-Delusion by Jim Rohn

Knowledge fueled by emotion equals action. Action is the ingredient that ensures results. Only action can cause reaction. Further, only positive action can cause positive reaction.

Action. The whole world loves to watch those who make things happen, and it rewards them for causing waves of productive enterprise.

I stress this because today I see many people who are really sold on affirmations. And yet there is a famous saying that “faith without action serves no useful purpose.” How true!

I have nothing against affirmations as a tool to create action. Repeated to reinforce a disciplined plan, affirmations can help create wonderful results.

But there is also a very thin line between faith and folly. You see, affirmations without action can be the beginnings of self-delusion. And for your well-being, there is little worse than self-delusion.

The man who dreams of wealth, and yet walks daily toward certain financial disaster, and the woman who wishes for happiness, and yet thinks thoughts and commits acts that lead her toward certain despair, are both victims of the false hope that affirmations without action can manufacture. Why? Because words soothe and, like a narcotic, they lull us into a state of complacency. Remember this: To make progress, you must actually get started!

The key is to take a step today. Whatever the project, start today. Start clearing out a drawer of your newly organized desk-today. Start setting your first goal-today. Start listening to motivational programs-today. Start a sensible weight-reduction plan-today. Start calling on one tough customer a day-today. Start putting money in your new “investment for fortune” account-today. Write a long-overdue letter-today. Anyone can! Even an uninspired person can start reading inspiring books.

Get some momentum going on your new commitment for the good life. See how many activities you can pile on your new commitment to the better life. Go all out! Break away from the downward pull of gravity. Start your thrusters going. Prove to yourself that the waiting is over and the hoping is past, that faith and action have now taken charge.

It’s a new day, a new beginning for your new life. With discipline, you will be amazed at how much progress you’ll be able to make. What have you got to lose except the guilt and fear of the past?

Now, I offer you this challenge: See how many things you can start and continue in this, the first day of your new beginning.

Source – Jim Rohn Personal Development

How to Create Passive Income by Steve Pavlina

Calm Carribbean background Sidestretch“How to Create a Passive Income” Blog Series by Steve Pavlina

Investing your time to create a passive income is the BEST insurance of all kinds and the BEST financial security you could ever have Oh, and you will pay far less in taxes in relationship to your income than you would as a w2 employee.

Read this blog series by Steve Pavlina carefully, take some notes, and start thinking about how you could merge this into your life and what it would mean for you personally to grow a passive income that you own.

– Tom
Subscribe to my Youtube channel – Live Full Die Empty

15 Things You Should Give Up To Be Happy by Dana Saviuc

Here is a list of 15 things which, if you give up on them, will make your life a

lot easier and much, much happier. We hold on to so many things that cause us a great deal of pain, stress and suffering – and instead of letting them all go, instead of allowing ourselves to be stress free and happy – we cling on to them. Not anymore. Starting today we will give up on all those things that no longer serve us, and we will embrace change. Ready? Here we go:

1. Give up your need to always be right.There are so many of us who can’t stand the idea of being wrong – wanting to always be right – even at the risk of ending great relationships or causing a great deal of stress and pain, for us and for others. It’s just not worth it. Whenever you feel the ‘urgent’ need to jump into a fight over who is right and who is wrong, ask yourself this question: “Would I rather be right, or would I rather be kind?” Wayne Dyer. What difference will that make? Is your ego really that big?

2. Give up your need for control. Be willing to give up your need to always control everything that happens to you and around you – situations, events, people, etc. Whether they are loved ones, coworkers, or just strangers you meet on the street – just allow them to be. Allow everything and everyone to be just as they are and you will see how much better will that make you feel.

“By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond winning.” Lao Tzu

3. Give up on blame. Give up on your need to blame others for what you have or don’t have, for what you feel or don’t feel. Stop giving your powers away and start taking responsibility for your life.

4. Give up your self-defeating self-talk. Oh my. How many people are hurting themselves because of their negative, polluted and repetitive self-defeating mindset? Don’t believe everything that your mind is telling you – especially if it’s negative and self-defeating. You are better than that.

“The mind is a superb instrument if used rightly. Used wrongly, however, it becomes very destructive.” Eckhart Tolle

5. Give up your limiting beliefs about what you can or cannot do, about what is possible or impossible. From now on, you are no longer going to allow your limiting beliefs to keep you stuck in the wrong place. Spread your wings and fly!

“A belief is not an idea held by the mind, it is an idea that holds the mind” Elly Roselle

6. Give up complaining. Give up your constant need to complain about those many, many, maaany things – people, situations, events that make you unhappy, sad and depressed. Nobody can make you unhappy, no situation can make you sad or miserable unless you allow it to. It’s not the situation that triggers those feelings in you, but how you choose to look at it. Never underestimate the power of positive thinking.

7. Give up the luxury of criticism. Give up your need to criticize things, events or people that are different than you. We are all different, yet we are all the same. We all want to be happy, we all want to love and be loved and we all want to be understood. We all want something, and something is wished by us all.

8. Give up your need to impress others. Stop trying so hard to be something that you’re not just to make others like you. It doesn’t work this way. The moment you stop trying so hard to be something that you’re not, the moment you take off all your masks, the moment you accept and embrace the real you, you will find people will be drawn to you, effortlessly.

9. Give up your resistance to change. Change is good. Change will help you move from A to B. Change will help you make improvements in your life and also the lives of those around you. Follow your bliss, embrace change – don’t resist it.
“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls” Joseph Campbell

10. Give up labels. Stop labeling those things, people or events that you don’t understand as being weird or different and try opening your mind, little by little. Minds only work when open. “The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you don’t know anything about.” Wayne Dyer

11. Give up on your fears. Fear is just an illusion, it doesn’t exist – you created it. It’s all in your mind. Correct the inside and the outside will fall into place.
“The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.” Franklin D. Roosevelt

12. Give up your excuses. Send them packing and tell them they’re fired. You no longer need them. A lot of times we limit ourselves because of the many excuses we use. Instead of growing and working on improving ourselves and our lives, we get stuck, lying to ourselves, using all kind of excuses – excuses that 99.9% of the time are not even real.

13. Give up the past. I know, I know. It’s hard. Especially when the past looks so much better than the present and the future looks so frightening, but you have to take into consideration the fact that the present moment is all you have and all you will ever have. The past you are now longing for – the past that you are now dreaming about – was ignored by you when it was present. Stop deluding yourself. Be present in everything you do and enjoy life. After all life is a journey not a destination. Have a clear vision for the future, prepare yourself, but always be present in the now.

14. Give up attachment. This is a concept that, for most of us is so hard to grasp and I have to tell you that it was for me too, (it still is) but it’s not something impossible. You get better and better at with time and practice. The moment you detach yourself from all things, (and that doesn’t mean you give up your love for them – because love and attachment have nothing to do with one another, attachment comes from a place of fear, while love… well, real love is pure, kind, and self less, where there is love there can’t be fear, and because of that, attachment and love cannot coexist) you become so peaceful, so tolerant, so kind, and so serene. You will get to a place where you will be able to understand all things without even trying. A state beyond words.

15. Give up living your life to other people’s expectations. Way too many people are living a life that is not theirs to live. They live their lives according to what others think is best for them, they live their lives according to what their parents think is best for them, to what their friends, their enemies and their teachers, their government and the media think is best for them. They ignore their inner voice, that inner calling. They are so busy with pleasing everybody, with living up to other people’s expectations, that they lose control over their lives. They forget what makes them happy, what they want, what they need….and eventually they forget about themselves. You have one life – this one right now – you must live it, own it, and especially don’t let other people’s opinions distract you from your path.

Source: http://www.dailygood.org/view.php?sid=232

Also Visit Dana Saviuc

Welcome to Modern Day Slavery By Dani Johnson

Desert Blue Sky

Desert Blue Sky

Welcome to Modern Day Slavery…
You’ve Been Conned!

Let me share a secret with you…

There’s a sneaky and largely unnoticed form of slavery that still prevails in this country today. It is so undercover that most people never realize that these chains are holding them down.

In Fact… it’s much more sinister because people actually like it, embrace it and willingly increase it, year after year, until it owns their soul.

Chances are you have been working for a master whose modern day bondage is deceptive, accepted and even encouraged by our own government and the media that captivates your attention every day!

Right now you are being pushed around and bullied by these people who want to make you think you have it all while they set you up for a financial meltdown… and you ask them to do it!

Make no mistake, if you are in DEBT, you are a Modern Day SLAVE!! – By Dani Johnson

As Children We Have No Limits By Craig Holiday

Desert Blue Sky

Desert Blue Sky

As children we have no limits, we are given the ability to dream endlessly. There is nothing we cannot do. The world seems large but it is our dreams that shrink it and make it available to us. We have no boundaries when it comes to seeing our future as exciting, wonderful, and full of chances. As we grow up and begin to face the challenges of life we begin to shrink our dreams. We begin to limit not only what we can accomplish, but who we are. We no longer feel as if we are limitless, infallible, unable to be stopped. The world becomes so large a place that we fear. A place which seems to control us. The fear stops us from dreaming any longer. We accept our fate. Average becomes acceptable. We find ourselves in a large, dark forest with no way out. Someone comes into our life, deep in that dark forest and reaches out a hand and gently walks beside us, pointing out the beauty of the forest. You soon begin to understand this journey. Darkness only exist when you are alone, without a vision, burdened by the past, unable to forgive those that have hurt you, and those who have stolen your dreams, and limited you and crushed the child in you. But now, we are faced with a choice. Do we stay in the darkness or do we choose the light? The gentle hand guides you, comforts you, walks with you and you now believe again. Like a child you are free from the past and dreams once again become easy, accomplishable. Those dreams shelved in the attic of your life burdened with cob webs quietly awaiting your arrival are visited by you again. You now know that your life is like a circular staircase, each turn forces a decision. Move forward or retreat, there is no ability to remain where you are. It’s those dreams that give us life, hope, vision, and without those dreams we perish. Dreams give us freedom, freedom to see ourselves as a child again, unburdened by life, the masterpiece of creation. It’s in this place where dreams transport us, that we are free.

CraigHoliday.net

Everly Brothers All I Have To Do Is Dream

Coby Linder Shares how Beachbody saved his dads life

Coby Linder: How Beachbody® saved my dad’s life (and Challenge Packs saved my business)

By staff writer Abby Cohen

 

“I wasn’t a marketing guy, or a workout guy,” says Coby Linder. “Just a drummer in a band, a fat kid who watched his dad almost kill himself with food. He didn’t know how to stop. Until he found Beachbody.”

 

Three years ago, Coby was the last person you’d expect to see posting YouTube® videos about Shakeology®. Touring the world with his band, Say Anything, Coby was living his dream of playing drums professionally. “Wherever we went, the crowds loved us,” he remembers. “I thought it was too good to be true.”

 

Turns out he was right.

 

“I was drinking too much, eating really badly, smoking . . .” Coby admits. “I was at my heaviest ever. I couldn’t stop—it was just like my dad.” It was then that Coby got the devastating news.

 

“Not only had my father contracted cancer for the second time, he’d been diagnosed with diabetes.” Coby shakes his head. “He had to change everything in life, fast. Or he wouldn’t HAVE a life.”

 

Coby had been unable to quit his own unhealthy habits, but facing his dad’s mortality, something shifted. At the peak of his music career, Coby decided to focus on his father.

 

“I put dad and me on P90X—both of us were guinea pigs to see if I could be a good Coach,” he recalls. But Coby never expected this other outcome.

 

“This program I did for my dad’s health . . . ended up saving mine.”  

 

His father dropped a whopping 120 pounds and got his diabetes under control, and chemotherapy eradicated his cancer. Coby lost 45 pounds, too, proving to himself that he had the power to dramatically improve his health. But while his dad continued to get healthier, Coby wasn’t so lucky.

 

“I went back on tour and gained back all the weight. The yo-yoing was really discouraging. Frankly, I started to get desperate—thankfully! Because THAT gave me the willingness to change.” That’s when the real transformation started, when Coby tried something he’d been resisting.

 

“As soon as I gave Shakeology a chance, I fell in love with it,” he says.I started to accept that I’d been using food emotionally and finally, I was ready to stop. I let Shakeology do what it was going to do. I wanted Coaching to have a real effect on me, so I decided to go to the biggest Coaching event of the year.

 

“I went to Summit, open to whatever was going to happen. It was so inspiring, I went Emerald a week later and Diamond three weeks after that!”  

 

Coby put in a lot of hard work and it paid off. But the most significant spike in his earnings came from a “simple” change.

 

“I started selling Challenge Packs. That worked like nothing else—even people who’d never been interested before got on board.”

 

Coby chalks it up to the framework of the Beachbody Challenge™. People still work out at home when they can best fit it in—but now the group is accountable to each other, and to him. “We all inspire each other,” he explains.

 

In fact, the Beachbody Challenge gave Coby something he’d wanted from day one of his Coaching business:

 

“For the first time, my Beachbody check covered all my rent and expenses!”

 

“My earnings went from an average of $175 a week to over $1100. And with the Beachbody Challenge, I know I can make even more.”

 

To make sure his group stays focused, Coby connects often. “I post motivational quotes, reply immediately to calls and messages, help with meal plans—I’ve even taken people grocery shopping to show them what ingredients to look for and which things to avoid.”

 

The way he sees it, these interactions are another advantage.

 

“Everyone in my Challenge Group is excited to hear my suggestions and ideas—and their motivation is incredible.”

 

What advice does he have for Coaches who are about to embark on a Challenge Group?

 

“Do it for real, from the heart. Participate and care. These people make a commitment to you as much as to themselves and their programs. You have to take this journey too—invite them to join you.”

 

“Whatever program you’re doing now, stop. Start it over as a Challenge Group and you’ll see better results.”

 

Now when Coby goes on tour, he drinks Shakeology, exercises before the shows, and makes sure his band is supplied with healthy food. He’s even gotten other band members to do the same.

 

Of course, the biggest change for Coby has been his peace of mind, knowing his father is healthy.

 

Says Coby, “My dad’s a two-time cancer survivor; he’s obviously a fighter. He just didn’t know how to fight until Beachbody. There are all these Beachbody Success Stories, and heroes—I put my dad right up there with all of them. Now I can’t think of anything better than taking after him.”

 

Coach’s Playbook:

  • If you’ve got one person, you can start a group. Find their friends, get your family into it—once you start it, everyone will be hooked.
  • Put at least an hour a day into your Challenge Group. You owe it to them—and yourself. And the results are amazing.
  • If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. If you put your mind to it, you can easily find ways to keep people interested—especially once they start seeing results.
  • Educate yourself. The more you know, the more you can help others.
  • Trying something is better than trying nothing.Even the most profound changes start with a shift in mindset. I tell people who want to lose weight, why not just try SOMETHING?  
Chocolate Covered Cherry

Chocoholic Liberation Front Baby!

Megadeth A Tout Le Monde

An Interview With a Millionaire by Marina Martini

P90X and Insanity Awesomeness Aging me Gracefully My Fountain of Youth!!

Good Morning everyone!!! This is long but YOUR worth it!

I was on the call last night facilitated by the AWESOME Barbie Decker with Monica and Dave Ward who are the newest and 13th Millionaires with Team Beachbody. What incredibly humble people! They do not consider themselves any different then any one of us. They contribute their position in Beachbody with be consistent daily with unwaivered faith in doing what they love to do. Monica was a successful Teacher and Dave was a successful Attorney when they started this. Dave tried to talk Monica out of it at first. They now have 4 or five multi diamond business centers and they say it all arrived by truly doing what they love and that is helping others. They never focused on the money only the people.

In listening to them I also found a true sense of keeping it real. Always work from where you are and completely focus in the moment. Dani Johnson(look her up on Facebook. Brilliant motivator!) talks about this to great extent. We are surrounded by greatness in this Beachbody Community but never get ahead of yourself. Do not try to jump ahead to quick. Work from where you are and build solid foundations.

Some of the highlights were:

Gym vs. joining Team Beachbody. The Gym can be a big scary place you drive by a lot and never really go in. When you do it can be intimidating and confusing with many fees that go along with guidance or coaching. Big $$$ for someplace that can be overly busy in the beginning of the year and inconvenient with a busy schedule. The % of failure with new gym memberships is very high. No accountability. With Beachbody you have the comfort of your own home with no lines or waiting time. You learn fitness, nutrition, success along with life skills. We give a plan, a path and a deadline requiring accountability from all sides. You also get the joy and fulfillment of a fantastic community of non stop support.

Peoples “Why” Not only is it important but is it even big enough? Dave Ward said if your “why” is to drive a Ferrari well, what is after that??? He said really that Ferrari is not important. People tend to set their “why” around “things” and those “things” really are not important in the big picture of life. The sacrifice has to be WORTH the “why” Their first focus was the fulfillment of family time. Having unlimited time to spend with their children fueled their success and everything else material, house, cars, vacations came but were secondary to their true “why”

Immerse in personal development daily and be completely consistent with that. Minimum of reading 10 pages of personal development a day. Dave and Monica both stressed that you must strive for personal fulfillment. It is imperative for without it you may achieve your goals but never really be happy. Funny Monica quoted from a book I am currently reading for the SECOND time! yes I re read books! Especially ones that hook me in the first few pages. This quote is also from one of my GREATEST mentors ever Tony Robbins and it goes like this…. “I have seen business moguls achieve their goals, but still live in frustration, worry and fear. What’s preventing these successful people from being happy? The answer is they have focused only on achievement and not on fulfillment. Extraordinary accomplishment does NOT guarantee extraordinary, joy, happiness, love and a sense of meaning.These to skill sets feed off each other and make me believe that success without fulfillment is failure”
That’s why it is not enough to just choose to be successful. You have to DIG deeper then that to find your core motivation, to activate your superpower (YES YOU HAVE ONE!) Your why-power! The book is The Compound Effect and this was from a 2009 Success Mag interview with the CEO Darren Hardy (also author of the book) and Tony.

They talked about excuses and responsibility. Simple break down of that is this, If you want 5 people in your Challenge Group and you have 4 and stop. Your making an excuse why you didn’t get 5. You did not take responsibility to get that 5th person. you did not make enough calls, talk to enough people, send out enough invites to get that 5th yes. Do what ever it take for as long as it take to get where you promised yourself you would be. you need to figure out where you want to be and go after it with unwaivering faith. Excuses are easy responsibility is tough but it pays off in the end.

They closed with this. Figure out what is standing in your way. Is it you??? Then figure out what you truly want and include fulfillment in that dream. What fulfills YOUR life? more time with the kids, volunteering, starting a foundation…What is it? Then decide how bad you want it and go get it. Action!

I hope you read through all of this. A lot Tom has already taught me but hearing different perspectives just plants the seeds deeper. Thanks Tom, you are a true blessing in my life and I am forever grateful. We can never get enough of a good thing in our lives. Embrace and surround yourselves with who you want to be like and it WILL happen! I wish each and every one of you your dreams and a fulfilled life of helping others

You are encouraged to find Marina Martini and reach out to her at http://teambeachbody.com/purehealth4u Or on her Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1502299317

Madonna Ray Of Light

The Diamond You Are Meant to Become

Calm Carribbean background SidestretchWhen you subject certain chemicals to intense heat, the chemicals will crystallize and form a completely new substance, a new composition in which the crystallization process is irreversible.

A lump of coal, for example, becomes a diamond under intense prolonged heat and pressure.

In the same way, you become a person of great strength by persevering in the crucible of intense difficulty until you finally succeed.

Each time you force yourself to persevere, rather than giving up, your character “crystallizes” at a new, higher level. Eventually, you reach the point where you become unstoppable…

… but no one starts out as a diamond.

Not every lump of coal will become a diamond. Some people quit before they succeed.

EVERYTHING is just feedback. The mistakes, the setbacks, the victories and the failures. If it’s all just feedback then EVERY experience is a stepping stone toward success.

Your DRIVING PHILOSOPHIES determines if your experiences are stepping stones toward success or rationale to quit and meet your end.

Madonna Ray Of Light

 

It’s Not the Eonomy or your Job or Politics you just need to CHANGE THE VEHICLE Friends!

Desert Flower Arrangement

Beautiful Natural Flower Arrangement in the Desert Outside of Las Vegas, NV

This is the vehicle I’m using to be able to blow up my income, my health, my emotional wellness in an economy where everyone else is losing. Friends you should do this with me Immediately don’t you think?

I just wanted to share with you all this message from Brett Blake at BEACHBODY. Definitely some things to be really, really excited about. After you read below Join me in Team Beachbody http://teambeachbody.com/metalpalace
_________________________________________________________________________
Leaders,

Can I just tell you how bright our future is? Mr Jeff Hill joined us about a year ago and at the time we had around 300 employees. We now have more than 620 and are at a full sprint to hire more. In the Network, we have grown from less than 10% of company sales when I started in January 2010 to 30.9% in 2011 (that is incredible growth if you think about how bad the economy has been). We are well on our way to seeing the future that Carl has been driving toward — when Beachbody is primarily a network marketing company supported by a strong television presence.

We will be among the top 100 companies in the direct selling industry as we close out this year with sales considerably above $100 million — this during a year where I suspect (based on credible sources) that the industry will experience one of the worst declines in sales in its history.

We have attracted outstanding people to our team and have been able to choose who we want on our team (we’ve had more than a half a dozen CEOs of other direct selling companies apply for positions within the company this past year or so) and have not lost one person. We are more united in our vision — both within the network and between the network and the rest of the company. We have truly moved from good to great on the people side.

Carl’s product pipeline is stronger than ever before in our history. We have amazing plans to turn the BB Challenge into a unified marketing campaign that could blow the lid off the referral program, we are now working on a Coach infomercial, and we are extremely bullish about our ability to deliver significant improvements to the business opportunity in 2012 (both in your ability to earn and in the systems to support you).

Carl has put his money where is mouth is, investing more than $25 million in technology improvements that are no longer in the planning stage, but are actually under way with the first major supporting modules successfully deployed recently. The company is debt free and we are CASH rich. Never have I worked for a company willing to invest ‘whatever it takes’ to drive growth like Beachbody.

We are all taking on a heavy load now as we deal with competitors who want Coaches like you promoting their product and opportunity, AND as we undertake the task of further refining our business model and pioneering a “natural networking” model that has the potential of driving our future sales well into the billions.

Let’s not allow the weight of the tasks at hand allow us to take our eye of the bigger picture — which is bigger and brighter than any of us have contemplated to date.

I’m so impressed with the Coaches we’ve attracted and with your commitment and leadership. We’ve come along way, but we have hardly scratched the surface of our potential.

Buckle up!
B2

 

Doro Pesch White Wedding

 

The Big Shake-Off: Like Comparing Apples and… Tang

Chocolate Covered Cherry

Chocoholic Liberation Front Baby!

Source – Carl Daikeler’s Blog

How To Compare Shakeology

Or, “How Do I Really Know If This is Worth the Money When Everything Else Costs Less?”

There are many “protein shakes” and meal replacements that are less expensive than Shakeology. But  comparisons – based on the simple “protein shake” or even “health shake” are usually off the mark because of intangibles like quality of sourcing, efficacy, and the delicate balance of incredible health benefits and delicious flavor that is unique to Shakeology.

When we developed Shakeology, our goal was to fill a void in the marketplace where the benefits of the shake would live up to the promise of the line “The Healthiest Meal of the Day.”  Shakeology was designed for people who want more than protein, and for people who really expect  the health benefits being represented by the ingredients on the label. With Shakeology not only do you get what you pay for, but because it tastes so good and the attention to every detail is so complete, you get more than you pay for.

To really know whether a product measures up to Shakeology, you need to keep some things in mind:

How Much is “Enough”?

We are proud of Shakeology’s 70+ ingredients. Other shakes will trumpet the number of ingredients they have too. But are the ingredients they are counting actually good for you?

Are they derived from whole food sources? They are in Shakeology! Too often the “magic ingredient” has been isolated from the enzymes and phytonutrients which actually are what is needed to make the “magic ingredient” effective when consumed.

And does the competition formulate for the synergistic benefits between the ingredients, or just slap together whatever is hot in the media? Shakeology was specially formulated for the collection of ingredients to work together like a symphony; this combination is so effective some people report dramatic benefits within the first week. We’re not just talking about weight loss here, we’re talking meaningful health benefits; regularity, energy, vitality!

Other supplements point to one or two individual ingredients and build a “story” around their super food attributes…  that’s like saying you can put Michael Jordan on a team of amateurs and still have a championship caliber team. Shakeology’s specially selected ingredients work like the dream team, all working together so YOU get the health benefits from the healthiest meal of the day.

Vanilla?

If the shake you’re considering is vanilla, how do they achieve vanilla flavoring? Our research indicates that it is impossible for the superfoods, adaptogen herbs, anti-oxidants, phytonutrients and digestive enzymes to co-exist and taste good in a vanilla flavor, unless the vanilla flavor is achieved chemically and artificially. (It’s the “dirty little secret” of the flavoring industry even though labeling guidelines still allow this artificial flavoring  to be called “natural vanilla flavoring”) Other companies are willing to use that labeling loophole for their benefit. But not Shakeology.

So here’s the question; are you drinking the shake so you can enjoy vanilla, or so you can get the incredible health benefits from a shake that doesn’t taste like a “health drink”? We call Shakeology “the healthiest meal of the day” for a reason, and we plan on doing what it takes to live up to that.

Protein:

When it comes to comparing protein quality, you need to look closely to see the truth:

“Say NO to soy”

Does the competition use ANY soy in their formulation? Soy protein contains estrogen-mimicking compounds that can interfere with your hormones, and on top of that most of the soy in the marketplace is GMO (genetically modified), two important reasons why we don’t use soy in Shakeology.

It is our general opinion that many people are consuming too much soy in the pursuit of health – and thus perhaps producing too much estrogen which can cause many adverse issues in the body.  Do a little research of your own on the topic, and you will be as shocked as we are at what you will learn about soy.

Likewise, if a company is promoting that their protein is “more absorbable”, be careful. Protein sources like Whey Protein Hydrolysate have been shown to trigger a much higher insulin response in the body. That’s not an outcome we would tolerate in any health shake, much less Shakeology.

Our protein source is whey protein isolate, which is more than 90 percent pure protein. Plus, Shakeology is loaded with digestive enzymes-and lactase, that’s the enzyme that breaks down lactose and is found in over-the-counter products like Lactaid®.  Don’t confuse whey protein concentrate with “isolate”. Whey protein concentrate is the least pure form of whey protein made. The benefits of “isolate” vs. “concentrate” is that the fat has been removed to achieve “isolate”. The fat in whey protein is what carries toxins consumed by the animal. That’s the reason Shakeology can be used by so many people who are lactose-intolerant – because those toxins have been removed through the isolate process.

We also look at the source of every single protein batch that shows up at the manufacturer.  If we find the manufacturer is cutting a corner by bringing in protein from farms that use hormones or are ok feeding inorganic materials to their cattle, we tell them to find another source.  This is the kind of scrutiny that other companies just don’t give their product, and it’s the kind of attention to detail which doesn’t show on the label. (But it does show in how you feel when you consume the product over the long term!)

Glycemic index tested…

In terms of sugar, many protein shakes have 1g of sugar or less. This is because they are using artificial chemical sweeteners (check the label for sucralose, aspartame, or sugar alcohols). Shakeology’s small amounts of sugar comes from natural sources which are easily processed by the body and in fact has been tested and certified by an independent lab to have a Low Glycemic Index of 24 – that’s lower than most fruits (an apple is 36 and an orange is 43)!

What is not in the base, they may suggest you add later:

Other shakes don’t cost as much as Shakeology at first glance, but they also don’t contain the full profile of  vitamins and minerals or whole-food sources of anti-oxidants, phytonutrients, adaptogen herbs, prebiotics, probiotics or digestive enzymes. We’ve seen competitors make you buy a separate vitamin pack for $150 per month! And if you want chocolate flavoring you have to buy a separate flavor packet for an extra $25 a month. If you want metabolism boosting effects and appetite control, you have to buy 2 additional products at $50 each. Once you add it up, this is hardly a “good deal” and it is usually questionably healthy..

To achieve the benefits of Shakeology we’ve seen competitors charge between $250 and $335 per month! $120 doesn’t seem expensive when you realize all of the benefits Shakeology delivers.

SUMMARY:

Formula: 70+ of the healthiest ingredients from whole food sources from around the world (including anti-oxidants, phytonutrients, adaptogen herbs, prebiotics, digestive enzymes, vitamins and minerals VS. protein, fillers, artificial coloring, and isolated glamour ingredients

Winner:  Shakeology

Protein Source:  Shakeology’s 15g of pure whey protein isolate plus 2g from plant sources VS soy, hydrolyzed whey and/or whey concentrate blend.

Winner: Shakeology

Taste: Rich chocolate or greenberry Shakeology Vs. chemically derived artificial-flavored competition?

Winner: Shakeology

Price: $120 for Shakeology  VS. Oops! It’s impossible to compare lesser formulations on price. But if you add in all the separate vitamins and flavoring agents the other companies ask you to buy to (try and) match the benefits and nutritional content of Shakeology, you would easily spend over $300 every month – that’s  2 ½ times the cost of Shakeology!  Sure, chocolate milk is cheaper than Shakeology. A vanilla soy shake can be cheaper than Shakeology – until you try to add what Shakeology’s got, and match what Shakeology can do for you, and then it’s no contest.

Winner: Shakeology

The best comparison is results. From weight loss and reduction in cravings, to regularity, to healthier cholesterol levels, to energy, to an overall sense of well being… We give a bottom-of-the-bag money-back guarantee on Shakeology because we KNOW people will be amazed at how they feel. Shakeology is the winner by a total knock out!

 

Doro Pesch White Wedding

 

 

The Ant Philosophy by Jim Rohn

Over the years, I’ve been teaching kids about a simple but powerful concept: the Ant Philosophy. I think everybody should study ants. They have an amazing four-part philosophy.

Here is the first part: Ants never quit. That’s a good philosophy. If they’re headed somewhere and you try to stop them, they’ll look for another way. They’ll climb over. They’ll climb under. They’ll climb around. They keep looking for another way. What a neat philosophy-to never quit looking for a way to get where you’re supposed to go.

Second, ants think winter all summer. That’s an important perspective. You can’t be so naive as to think summer will last forever. So ants gather their winter food in the middle of summer.

Me and Desert Sage

Desert Sage

An ancient story says, “Don’t build your house on the sand in the summer.” Why do we need that advice? Because it is important to think ahead. In the summer, you’ve got to think storm. You’ve got to think rocks as you enjoy the sand and sun.

The third part of the Ant Philosophy is that ants think summer all winter. That is so important. During the winter, ants remind themselves, “This won’t last long; we’ll soon be out of here.” And the first warm day, the ants are out. If it turns cold again, they’ll dive back down, but then they come out the first warm day. They can’t wait to get out.

And here’s the last part of the ant philosophy. How much will an ant gather during the summer to prepare for the winter? All he possibly can. What an incredible philosophy, the “all-you-possibly-can” philosophy.

Wow, what a great philosophy to have-the ant philosophy. Never give up, look ahead, stay positive and do all you can.

Listen to Jim Rohn’s presentation of the Ant Philosophy recorded live. Though delivered in 1999, The Weekend Seminar is still as relevant today as ever! Jim Rohn shares the ideas, strategies and proven principles that helped him achieve mega-success in both business and in life for more than 40 years. This complete two-day seminar includes 12 powerful CDs! Click here for more details. Also available as an MP3 download!

Source – http://www.jimrohn.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=1247

Dream Theater Under A Glass Moon

Waking Up Full of Awesome – by Melissa from pigtailpals.com

Cupcake Toast with Arlene!!

A wonderful article for anyone to read for some really good clean pure inspiration to feel good about themselves and rejuvenate their youth! Only a 2 minute read but a potent one better than a cup of regular coffee 😉

http://blog.pigtailpals.com/2011/08/waking-up-full-of-awesome/

There was a time when you were five years old,
and you woke up full of awesome.

You knew you were awesome.

You loved yourself.

You thought you were beautiful,
even with missing teeth and messy hair and mismatched socks inside your grubby sneakers.

You loved your body, and the things it could do.

You thought you were strong.

You knew you were smart.

Do you still have it?
The awesome.

Did someone take it from you?
Did you let them?
Did you hand it over, because someone told you weren’t beautiful enough, thin enough, smart enough, good enough?
Why the hell would you listen to them?
Did you consider they might be full of shit?

Wouldn’t that be nuts, to tell my little girl below that in another five or ten years she might hate herself because she doesn’t look like a starving and Photoshopped fashion model?
Or even more bizarre, that she should be sexy over smart, beautiful over bold?
Are you freaking kidding me?

Look at her. She is full of awesome.

You were, once. Maybe you still are. Maybe you are in the process of getting it back.

All I know is that if you aren’t waking up feeling like this about yourself, you are really missing out.

 

Dream Theater Under A Glass Moon

I Am Not Ripped. Should I Quit? By Carl Daikeler

This is one of the best blogs I’ve ever read. It’s a very quick easy read I recommend anyone to read it who’s just interested in becoming a better version of themselves.  It’s honest tough love.

Click the link to open the blog: I Am Not Ripped. Should I Quit?

– Tom

I got a note from a coach who did the amazing; she lost 50lbs! But she is not in shape to do X2 because she has another 100lbs to lose… so what’s the next move? Looks like she is thinking of quitting the business.

Am I talking to myself on these phone calls?

This business is not about P90X or P90X2. This is not about who can get skinny. This is not about being ripped. I am not ripped. Should I quit?

This business is about helping people achieve their goals to lead healthy fulfilling lives. That’s it.

You can inspire people from a wheelchair. You can inspire people by showing them how you plan your eating so you are healthier. You can inspire people simply by your refusal to quit.

Or you can feel the resistance, and give up. You can let the rope slip out of your hands and slide back into the darkness that is your fear, owning past mediocrity as if it was your present, and let your own inner demons run the show, demons that you’ve picked up over a lifetime of other people telling you that you aren’t good enough.

For once in your life, shut that crap out. Put your effort at getting past it, not quitting! When will you see that nothing is holding you back, but YOU and your willingness to work for it?!

Even if you say to yourself “I know it’s my fault, I should have tried harder”, that doesn’t change things for you. You don’t have to resign to “I should have tried harder” and feel righteous that you copped to a weakness. Screw that… Just. Try. Harder.

Step one to trying harder: Don’t quit. Ever.

Baseless insecurity wants to run our lives. But don’t you dare let it run yours. I need you. I need you to see past the ego, past the ideal body, past the competitions and promotions. I need you to see the amazing work we are doing at motivating people to get healthy. Every. Single. Coach. Counts. Top coach? Cool concept and great show at Summit, but not more important than any other coach who is willing to try to help one more person engage in a healthier lifestyle.

I need you to not quit. And guess what? YOU need you to not quit.

So really, come on now, lighten up for a second, get some perspective, and suck it up. Be tougher than you used to be. Recommit right now. Right now is when you define yourself. Right now is when you can show yourself who is the boss.

Strength is not required when things are easy, strength is required when things are challenging. Now is when we need your strength. Show yourself that you are stronger than you thought. (And you know who you are)

Survivor Eye of the Tiger From the Movie ROCKY

New Years Diet Friendly Margarita

Margarita

Not just for New Years but anytime of year, I’m providing a cocktail recipe on behalf of Chalene Johnson.  Remember to drink responsibly (for both yourself and those around you… don’t be a victim of the unwanted Facebook photo tag!)

NEW YEAR’S MARGARITA

Cocktails can be diet-friendly too!!! This sugar-free margarita will save you 285 calories!!

INGREDIENTS
6 oz. Sprite Zero
1 1/2 oz. tequila
Crystal Light lemonade mix
splash of fresh lime juice
ice, crushed or cubes
Blend all ingredients together. Serve with a slice of lime and a touch of salt on the rim of the glass.
It tastes just like the real thing but has just 115 calories and 0 grams of sugar!!!!! YUMMY!!!

Poison Something to Believe In

Your Holiday Party Survival Guide by Melanie Bolen

The Famous Christmas Story Leg Lamp!

So, it’s that time of year… the time of year where temptation after temptation is placed in front of us and we have the choice as to whether or not to give in.  Now, it IS the Holidays, so there are some temptations worth being given into (like those goodies that only come around once per year… you know what I’m talking about!?  Maybe your Mom bakes a special pie, or there’s grandma’s cookies, etc.).  I’m not saying you have to give up everything during the Holidays, but choose wisely… choose wisely.

The video of the week goes into choosing some healthy options when attending other people’s Holiday parties.  Spend most of the evening filling your plate with those healthy options, and then take a reasonable portion size of any dessert (or higher calorie option) that you may want that evening.
Now, last night I threw my own holiday party, and my goal was to offer healthy foods for 95% of what was out there.  I figured I’d go ahead and share my list of what I had at my holiday party and it may help you plan your own holiday party and/or choose wisely when attending someone else’s…

What did Melanie serve?

~Turkey & Cheese (1 serving = 1 slice of deli or fresh turkey + 1 slice of low fat cheese)
~Fresh fruit (a nice variety… give lots of color to make it more attractive to the eye and the taste buds)
~Veggie tray (again, go for a variety of color, the eye is attracted to color, so you will probably find more people will pick off of it when it looks more attractive)
~Dips (most people like dips w/their veggies, one of my FAVORITES is HUMMUS, Sabra roasted garlic is the best, in my opinion… but see the Pick of the Week for other great dip options…)
~Pickles (almost no calories but lots of flavor… get the cocktail size)
~Olives (these can add up in calories, but are loaded w/healthy stuff too!  My favorite are pitted kalamata olives/Greek olives)
~Sweet Potato Chips (very holiday themed, and very tasty too… perfect for providing the crunch factor)
~Mixed Nuts (nuts are great for placing randomly around the house.  You can get fancy and offer shelled nuts w/nut crackers OR have them un-shelled… I had mine unshelled and mixed in yogurt covered pomegranite seeds for a little salty/sweet factor)
~Shrimp cocktail (shrimp is an excellent lower calorie way to get yummy food AND your protein.  Be sparing with the cocktail sauce, however, because those do have sugars and many calories in them).
~Organic bite-sized gingerbread men (I did want to offer something sweet… and these were perfect!  I found them at Whole Foods).
~Candy (I DID have some candy… but it was just one display w/Hershey’s kisses and some candy canes… and, actually, that stuff was BARELY touched!  Everyone went for the healthy options!  Yay!).
~Beverages (all I served was water and I had red wine out… be careful with those holiday beverages, namely egg nog, because they are calorie city!  Hot tea is another great option for some holiday spice without the calorie nightmare!).

So, that was MY holiday party.  I find that presentation is a HUGE part of serving your food… so, if you opt to serve many healthy options, just be sure to make them pleasing to the eye (which is wear the mixing of many colors comes in) and then people won’t even miss the “bad” foods.  The key to serving healthy foods is to think natural (i.e. fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean cuts of meats, low fat cheeses, relishes, etc.)… stay away from overly processed foods.

I know when you go to other people’s that there are usually WAY more unhealthy temptations.  Based on experience, I know that a lot of people LOVE to get those oven baked finger foods (i.e. pigs in a blanket, mini quiches, etc.), but BEWARE of those, because they usually have a trans fat content, and that is something that you definitely do not want to overdue.  Also look out for any processed meats (i.e. sausages, franks, etc.) as those are high in fat content and may also contain trans fat depending on how they are prepared.
When it comes to desserts, my personal rule of thumb is to stick with the home made.  Why waste your calories on something that someone bought in a store that you could have any time of the year!?  No no… use those calories wisely!  Have that home baked item that only comes around once per year!  Be weary of your portion sizes too.  Remember, a single full-sized cookie can have anywhere from 200-500 calories, depending on the type… so, stick with that MUST HAVE item, and don’t waste time with those things that you just “kind of” want or feel obligated to try (because you aren’t obligated to try anything, so don’t be bullied! ).

All in all… HAVE FUN, and have HAPPY and HEALTHY holidays!!!!!!

 

Poison Something to Believe In


9 Ways to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain by Chalene Johnson

Chalene Johnson

Happy Holidays

Aaahhhh, the holidays…the scents of fresh pine and baked goods fill your home; everywhere are twinkling lights and culinary delights…but every to die for dessert and festive cocktail represents temptation, overindulgence, and missed workouts. The season can be downright frightening for those struggling to lose or maintain weight. While gathering with family and friends is one of the best gifts shared during the holidays, most American families, including my own, gather with a healthy dose of high fat, butter infused, sugar coated, carbo-loaded family favorites. It just wouldn’t be Christmas without Grandma’s homemade apple squares. The crust alone calls for 4 sticks of butter! (I am SO not kidding)

It’s hard to say how many pounds the average American gains between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Some studies suggest the average weight gain to be as high as 10 pounds while others argue the statistic is closer to a pound. Regardless of the number, most of us would like to enjoy the traditions of the season without the traditional weight gain.

 

Here are 9 tips to help you enjoy the traditions and treats that make your holiday season special without blowing the progress you’ve made all year.

 

1. Start your day by pushing play: No matter how many guests you have coming for dinner or how much you have left to do, make time to start your day with exercise. By “pushing play” and doing an exercise video like(any of Beachbody’s programs)you’ll have more energy, decrease your appetite, reduce stress and boost your spirits.

 

2. Don’t deny yourself: Studies show that those who deny themselves their “favorites” often consume more calories in other food selections and are more likely to “binge” later. Decide in advance what you’ll have and how much you’ll put on your plate, and then stop. Make your calories count. Avoid mindless munching and take time to truly enjoy a small dose of any decadent treat your heart desires.

 

3. Keep a running total: Estimate your calories as you consume them. Research shows that those who are aware of their calorie consumption eat less and fill up faster. Don’t forget to include those “sneaky” calories consumed when testing and tasting recipes or the handful of nuts you ate while catching up with cousins.

 

4. Drink water before and after your meal: This rule applies regardless of the day of the year. Water consumption decreases cravings and helps to regulate hunger. Be sure to consume water after your workouts as well.

 

5. Use a smaller plate: If salad plates are available, use one for your main entree. A smaller surface area will help you become aware of moderate portions of all your favorites.

 

6. Plan a physical family activity. Start a family tradition of splitting into teams for a “friendly” game of flag football or doing a 5k together. Meet for a morning walk on the beach or take a post-feast stroll through the neighborhood to enjoy the Christmas lights. (Although in my neighborhood, there’s no sense in walking far because ours will be the best for miles! Honestly, I’m not a competitive person…except when it comes to my Christmas lights. Those Griswold’s ain’t got nuthin’ on the Johnson’s!) Anyway, even if it’s 20 below, you can have a dance party inside with the kids. Be silly, play and laugh with your family. Doing physical activity together strengthens family bonds and builds traditions that can last generations.

 

7. Give it away: If you’re hosting the festivities, add disposable containers to your shopping list so you can send guests home with ALL of your leftovers. Eliminate a week filled with left over pie, stuffing, gravy and goodies by sending family members home with special care packages. Ok, if you must, save yourself that one piece of cold pumpkin pie for breakfast or fixins for ONE of dad’s traditional turkey, mashed potato, and cranberry sauce sandwiches and send the rest packin’.

 

8. Throw it away: If you find yourself on the receiving end of a half eaten pecan pie, or a neighborly plate of cookies, graciously accept but once home…toss it! Yes, I said, “TOSS IT!” Which would give you greater long-term happiness, more pie or to fit into your skinny jeans?

 

9. Get back on track: Remember that the occasional splurge is what diet experts call “moderation”. Go ahead…treat yourself! You deserve it! Remember, a splurge should last a meal or a day at the most. By eating poorly for several days, you set yourself up for a season of weight gain. Plan for and enjoy your favorites then get back on track to your journey of healthy living.

 

Happy holidays! Enjoy the season and all of the goodness it brings

Poison Something to Believe In

Yummy Yams

Compliments of the Team Beachbody Club

Yummy Yams

Yummy Yams

3 cups yams, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup water
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp. Italian parsley, freshly chopped
Salt
Black pepper, freshly ground

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place yams in a covered baking dish with just enough water to coat the bottom of the pan. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes (until tender), and then add the lemon juice and parsley. Add salt and pepper to taste, and serve. Makes 4 servings.

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 45 to 50 minutes

Nutritional Information: (per serving)
Calories: 134
Protein: 2 g
Fiber: 5 g
Carbs: 32 g
Fat Total: 0 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g

Have you enjoyed this? Do you know anyone who could use this? Sharing is caring. Share with friends and family. Connect with me on Social Media, too.

– Tom

Poison Something to Believe In

Give Your Thanksgiving Stuffing a Makeover by Body + Soul Magazine

Thanksgiving Stuffing

What’s Thanksgiving without stuffing? Honestly, a lot healthier. This white bread, saturated-fat-laden staple contributes in a big way to that postmeal stupor. Luckily, it’s easy to up its health quotient while preserving the savory goodness.

Get our Healthy Harvest Stuffing recipe.

 

Add Earthy Flavors
Apples and shiitakes impart moisture to stuffing, along with subtly sweet and earthy notes. What’s more, the flavonoids in apples benefit your heart, lungs, and brain, and the pectin in apples helps your heart. Shiitakes boost your immune system and can lower cholesterol.

 

Cut the Fat and Sodium
Stick that butter back in the fridge. Instead, use olive oil, with its heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, to saute vegetables. When it comes to liquid, low-sodium chicken broth enriches the stuffing without flooding it in salt.

 

Pick Fresh Herbs
Toss in spoonfuls of sage and thyme, classic stuffing herbs that rank near the top for heart-protecting antioxidant capacity. Bring a fresh, green flavor to the dish by adding parsley, a good source of antioxidants such as beta-carotene and vitamin C. Parsley and sage also contain decent amounts of vitamin K, needed for blood clotting.

 

Choose Nuts and Berries
Crunchy walnuts and chewy dried cranberries add fiber, which promotes heart and digestive health, among other benefits. Both foods are high in antioxidants as well, which help prevent damage from free radicals. The omega-3 fat (ALA) in walnuts also protects the heart, and cranberries help prevent urinary tract infections.

 

Go Whole Grain
Skip the packaged dried clumps of white bread and grab a loaf of whole-grain wheat instead (choose a dense, chewy kind and look for 3 grams of fiber). Its hearty flavor makes a superlative partner for the aromatic herbs and vegetables in stuffing — and eating whole grains regularly can help prevent heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

 

Before and After
Calories: 291 down to 275
Total Fat: 12 g down to 11 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g down to 1 g
Cholesterol: 28 mg down to 2 mg
Fiber: 2 g up to 7 g
Sodium: 1,127 mg down to 302 mg

Text by Cheryl Redmond

From Body + Soul Magazine

Poison Something to Believe In

Autumn Apple Salad

Autumn Apple Salad

Ingredients:
1-2 cups Mixed micro greens
1 small apple, sliced (or pear)
1 ounce of raw pecans
sliced onion (as much as you like, or omit)
sliced tomato (as much as you like, or omit)
2 oz Salad dressing of choice.  Make sure it’s GMO free and Vegan.
Have you enjoyed this?  Do you know anyone who could use this? Sharing is caring. Share with friends and family. Connect with me on Social Media, too.

– Tom

Poison Something to Believe In

“It’s the Set of the Sail” by Larry Zimberg

Calm Carribbean background Sidestretch
Larry Zimberg is one of the many people that I get to learn from. This is one of his latest writings and it’s brilliant! It’s far too brilliant not to share with anyone and everyone. I hope you enjoy the read and I hope it resonates…

The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.
Theodore Roosevelt

The number one skill to have in our business is not selling skills; it’s people skills. The ability to get someone to trust you, like you, and want to do business with you is the key. Personal development is the one single component that will define your path to success more than any other.

Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you’re probably right.”
Henry Ford

Sometimes we become so fixed on the how-to’s that we fail to recognize that there is a far more telling and essential component needed in order to be successful. Any skill you may need can be acquired. It’s the attitude that precedes it that will determine how far you go.

Failure is an inside job. So is success. If you want to achieve you have to win the war in your thinking first.”
Brian Tracy

So many people brush off Personal Development, and as a result when they have disappointments about recruiting or sales, they quit. If they had worked to make themselves stronger and developed the right philosophy and attitude, these temporary minor setbacks would not have fazed them in the least. It’s much easier to keep moving forward when you have the right attitude.

Ninety percent of those who fail are not actually defeated, they simply quit.”
Paul J. Meyer

Just because you’ve failed doesn’t mean you’re a failure. The road to success is never a straight line. It’s a series of twists and turns, ups and downs, successes and failures. Whether the inevitable obstacles you’ll encounter become stumbling blocks or stepping stones depends entirely on your philosophy. The shortest route to your success is found in overcoming any and every obstacle in your path.

Nothing is stronger than habit.”
Ovid

Successful people form habits that feed their success, instead of habits that feed their failure. That is why it’s every bit as important to consistently put good things in our head—just as we do our body—if we want to consistently experience good results. And like your physical transformation, it won’t happen all of a sudden; it takes a little time. But with a plan, a desire to grow, and a simple formula which I’ll outline below, the right habits and attitude can be developed and nourished, and that will lead you to the right results.

There is no single more powerful force than the potential of what is already inside you. The best way to strengthen, grow, and reach that potential is through personal development.

So here is an easy way, and a daily plan, for you to follow that will create lasting, real change and put you on track to realizing your true potential.

Read 10 pages a day of a good personal development book, and listen to 15 minutes of a good audio.

Reading 10 pages a day will give you a daily dose and a steady stream of power, truth, motivation, and courage that will allow you to take command of your life and summon the inner strength to take action—despite any fears—so you can create the life you desire.

Now let’s look down the road. Ten pages a day is 300 pages a month and 3,600 pages a year. That’s 15 to 20 powerful books you’ll have read over the next 12 months! That simple daily discipline, compounded over time, will result in huge positive rewards for you that go way beyond this business and will be a tremendous asset to you in building not just a successful business, but also a successful life.

Listen to 15 minutes a day of a good audio. Turn time spent in the car into Drive Time University. Don’t drive? Load a book on CD or motivational audio onto your iPod and build some mental muscle as you exercise. Either way, it’s an easy thing to do that will produce some positive growth and won’t interfere time-wise with what you’ve already got going on.

Personal development is about you becoming a better you, so you can experience the kind of life that you always knew you were meant to live. And using this formula, you can easily fit a program of incorporating personal development into your life.

Can you do it? Yes. Will you do it? That, of course, is up to you. But IF you do it, you will enrich your life in ways that reach far beyond this business and uncover yet one more way to pass on a message to others that will certainly enhance their lives as well.

They say the winds of life blow on us all; it’s how you set your sail that makes the difference.

– Larry Zimberg

Poison Something to Believe In


Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Another great recipe from the Team Beachbody Club!  We all know that I love pumpkin seeds… but if you are feeling like getting more home-made and want a better finger food for yourself or to serve at your party, then consider roasting your own pumpkin seeds!

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

  • Seeds from one medium pumpkin, rinsed (about 1-1/2 cups)
  • 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • (Optional coatings: 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper or garlic powder, 1 Tbsp. curry powder or seasoning salt)

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Place seeds in a saucepan with water (2 cups water to every half cup of seeds) and salt, and bring to a boil. Simmer for about 10 minutes, then drain. Spread a tablespoon of olive oil over a cookie sheet, then spread pumpkin seeds on the cookie sheet in a single layer. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until seeds are lightly browned. Let cool completely in a medium-sized bowl. For spicy seeds, coat with one or more suggested spices before roasting. Makes 6 servings.

Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 to 30 minutes

Nutritional Information: (per serving)

Calories: 285
Protein: 12 g
Fiber: 0 g
Carbs: 34 g
Fat Total: 12 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g

Poison Something to Believe In


Pumpernickel Salmon Salad

Pumpernickel Salmon Salad

  • Olive oil
  • 8 slices pumpernickel bread (preferably whole grain)
  • 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
  • 1 lb. fresh salmon fillet (or two 6-ounce cans, drained*)
  • 2 Tbsp. drained capers
  • 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill
  • 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
  • 4 tsp. Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp. olive oil
  • 8 leaves red lettuce

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cut the pumpernickel bread into 1/2-inch cubes (4 cups). Coat a large baking sheet with olive oil spray. Place bread cubes on baking sheet; spray with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoned salt. Bake 10 minutes, until toasted.

Meanwhile, put salmon in a shallow, microwave-safe dish (*skip the cooking step when using canned). Cover with plastic and microwave on high 3 minutes, until fish is fork-tender, rotating dish halfway through cooking.

Using two forks, break up fish into 2-inch pieces. Discard skin and transfer salmon to a large bowl. Add capers and dill; toss to combine.

To prepare vinaigrette, in a small bowl whisk together vinegar, mustard and olive oil. Pour half of the mixture over salmon and toss to coat. Add bread cubes; toss to combine.

Arrange lettuce on four plates. Top with pumpernickel-salmon mixture. Drizzle remaining vinaigrette over top.

Nutritional Information: (per serving)

Calories: 339
Protein: 28 g
Fiber: n/a
Carbs: 33 g
Fat Total: 10.5 g
Saturated Fat: 1.5 g

If you’d like to JOIN the Team Beachbody club so that you have access to even more great videos as well as great recipes, then visit Tom’s site to get signed up today!

www.teambeachbody.com/metalpalace  and click on “JOIN”

– Tom

Poison Something to Believe In

High Protein Breakfast Wrap by Chalene Johnson

High Protein Breakfast Wrap

INGREDIENTS

2 oz. OF COOKED CHICKEN OR TURKEY BREAST
3 EGG WHITES WHISKED
1 CUP OF SPINACH LEAVES
1 SLICE OF REDUCED FAT OF YOUR CHOICE
1 6 INCH WHOLE WHEAT TORTILLA (ABOUT 60 CALORIES)
NON STICK COOKING SPRAY

 

PREPARATION

Heat a nonstick skillet coated with nonstick cooking spray over medium heat. Add chicken or turkey, eggs, and spinach. Scramble together and cook until eggs are throughly cooked. ( about 5 minutes) Add the cheese and remove from heat.
Pile mixture onto tortilla and wrap it up. ENJOY!!

Calories: 246, Protein: 32g, Carbs: 21g, Fiber: 2g, Fat total: 5.5g

Poison Something to Believe In


When I’m 85 by Tony Horton

P90X and Insanity Awesomeness Aging me Gracefully My Fountain of Youth!!

I was training my client Mark the other day and I asked him if he thought any of his friends could get through the workout I had just put him through. He thought for a while and said, “Maybe a couple.” Mark is 48 and has dozens of friends who can’t begin to touch his level of fitness in their present state. Most of them would have never gotten through his pull-up and push-up routine without hurling or quitting half way through. At 50 I might have 4 friends who can get through most of my workouts. All younger than me. I’m not here to brag or boast, but I am here to let you know that as the clock ticks into the future so do your opportunities to improve physically, mentally and emotionally.

When I was training Mark I also asked him if he saw himself working this hard in his 60s, 70s or 80s. He said he hoped to. The truth is, if he kept it up, there’d be no reason why he couldn’t do most of his present day workouts in his 70s and 80s. Here’s a guy doing sets of 30 push-ups and 10 plus pull-ups for an entire workout, who couldn’t do that in college. I’m not saying that college linebackers are going to bench 375 lbs in their 70s, but I am saying that the human body is capable of amazing things well into your 70s and 80s, if the human mind is willing to show up too.

Quite often older athletes struggle because of their unwillingness to mix these up and stay consistent. If you have a one, two or no dimensional approach to exercise you leave yourself wide open to injuries and issues as you get older. With injuries comes disappointment. With disappointment comes fear. With fear comes less exercise period. The words “I used to ______” make me angry. The glory days are not over! They are right now. You just need to know what to do and how to do it. An example is when I see older folks running. At some point you have to realize that the thing that brought you, might be destroying you now. Bent over choppy strides is an indication that yoga never happened in previous years. The effort is there, but lack of acknowledgement that something is wrong is the problem.

If you’re reading this and you’re younger than 50 and haven’t made movement and healthy eating a priority yet, then do yourself a favor and get busy because the clock is ticking and the last third of you life will be bleak. Look around at the people in your life who’ve made it to 60, 70 and 80 who haven’t taken care of themselves. What do you see? Issues. Lots of issues. Is that any way to live your life? Trying to solve these issues with pills, potions and processed foods? I think not. Consistency, Variety, Intensity and Curiosity are the keys to lifelong health and fitness. If you mix it up, you’ll avoid the pitfalls of aches, injuries and the fear of failure as you get older.

The Future ~ Coming Soon. Bring it Now!

Poison Something to Believe In


Exercise and Illness

Desert Blue Sky

Desert Blue Sky

Can Exercise Reduce Your Risk of Catching a Cold?

The following was posted over at acefitness.org

Sir William Osler, the famous Canadian medical doctor, once quipped, “There’s only one way to treat the common cold—with contempt.” And for good reason. The average adult has two to three respiratory infections each year. That number jumps to six or seven for young children.

Whether or not you get sick with a cold after being exposed to a virus depends on the many factors that affect your immune system. Old age, cigarette smoking, mental stress, poor nutrition and lack of sleep have all been associated with impaired immune function and increased risk of infection.

Keeping the Immune System in Good Shape

Research has established a link between moderate, regular exercise and a strong immune system. Early studies reported that recreational exercisers reported fewer colds once they began running. Moderate exercise has been linked to a positive immune system response and a temporary boost in the production of macrophages, the cells that attack bacteria. It is believed that regular, consistent exercise can lead to substantial benefits in immune system health over the long term.

More recent studies have shown that there are physiological changes in the immune system as a response to exercise. During moderate exercise, immune cells circulate through the body more quickly and are better able to kill bacteria and viruses. After exercise ends, the immune system generally returns to normal within a few hours, but consistent, regular exercise seems to make these changes a bit more long-lasting.

According to professor David Nieman, Dr. PH., of Appalachian State University, when moderate exercise is repeated on a near-daily basis there is a cumulative effect that leads to a long-term immune response. His research showed that those who perform a moderate-intensity walk for 40 minutes per day had half as many sick days due to colds or sore throats as those who don’t exercise.

On the other hand, there is also evidence that too much intense exercise can reduce immunity. Research shows that more than 90 minutes of high-intensity endurance exercise can make athletes susceptible to illness for up to 72 hours after the exercise session. This is important information for those who compete in longer events such as marathons or triathlons. Intense exercise seems to cause a temporary decrease in immune system function. During intense physical exertion, the body produces certain hormones that temporarily lower immunity. Cortisol and adrenaline, known as the stress hormones, raise blood pressure and cholesterol levels and suppress the immune system.

Should you exercise when sick?

Fitness enthusiasts and endurance athletes alike are often uncertain of whether they should exercise or rest when sick. Most sports-medicine experts in this area recommend that if you have symptoms of a common cold with no fever (that is, symptoms are above the neck), moderate exercise such as walking is probably safe.

Intensive exercise should be postponed until a few days after the symptoms have gone away. However, if there are symptoms or signs of the flu (fever, extreme tiredness, muscle aches, swollen lymph glands), then at least two weeks should probably be allowed before you resume intensive training.

Staying in Shape to Exercise

For athletes who are training intensely for competition, the following guidelines can help reduce their odds of getting sick.

Eat a well-balanced diet — The immune system depends on many vitamins and minerals for optimal function. However, at this time, there is no good data to support supplementation beyond 100% of the Recommended Dietary Allowances.

Avoid rapid weight loss — Low-calorie diets, long-term fasting and rapid weight loss have been shown to impair immune function. Losing weight while training heavily is not good for the immune system.

Obtain adequate sleep — Major sleep disruptions (getting three hours less than normal) have been linked to immune suppression.

Avoid overtraining and chronic fatigue — Space vigorous workouts and race events as far apart as possible. Keep “within yourself” and don’t push beyond your ability to recover.

Additional Resource

American College of Sports Medicine Current Comment—Exercise and the Common Cold: www.acsm.org

Poison Something to Believe In


PCOS Part 1A “The Update” By Letitia Burns

Letitia

Well, it’s been three months since I posted my original “Note” Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Part 1 “The Missing Piece” and I have some exciting news to share. I have been drinking Shakeology religiously since my first post and I am VERY pleased to report that for the first time in over 10 years I am finally experiencing regular menstrual cycles. What’s more, not only am I menstruating regularly, but without any PMS symptoms. As I mentioned in my previous post, I had been suffering from extreme cramping (which was later revealed to be cyst ruptures) that would literally cause me to become violently ill. Those nights seem to have become a thing of the past. In fact, this last month passed so uneventfully I was caught completely off guard the day my period started.

I’ve also noticed some additional benefits that have me excited beyond words. For me, two of the crulest symptoms of PCOS were the acne and hair loss. As a teen I didn’t have too much of a problem with my skin, not nearly as bad as many of my friends did, however, in my 20’s I started having nothing but problems, and nothing I tried could clear it up. Well, I am ecstatic to say that I am currently enjoying the  clearest skin I have had since my whole PCOS nightmare began.

The issues with my hair have probably been, for me, the most embarrassing of all the physical symptoms. As a child I always had thick, dark, fast growing hair, but in my mid-20’s I noticed that not only did my hair stop growing, but it was falling out at an excessive rate. By the time I was 28 it was literally a traumatic experience for me to brush or wash my hair as I’d end up with handfuls that had come out. I was scared to death that I was going to end up bald like the men in our family. To make matters worse, my hair was constantly oily. No matter how frequently or infrequently I washed it, or what brand of shampoo I used I just couldn’t seem to get it clean. I was so embarrassed, my already low self-esteem became almost non-existent and the thought of being involved in a serious relationship with someone that could lead to living together (or something more) was completely out of the question as I wasn’t about to let anyone know what I was going through. Since I have been drinking Shakeology my hair has stopped falling out, I can use whatever shampoo I feel like without having to worry about my hair being oily an hour later, and my hair has actually grown over an inch since I cut and colored it the beginning of June. In fact, it’s growing so fast that I’ve actually given up on coloring it as I just don’t have the time or resources to keep up with it.

I can’t say enough about the positive changes I’ve experienced in my life since I started drinking Shakeology, and if my own experiences aren’t enough to convince you, I will be sharing testimonials from other Shakeology drinkers on my page throughout the day. Shakeology has done so much for me and other people that I know personally, and I want to share this amazing product with as many people as I can because I know first hand, this is the real deal.

– Letitia

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Part 1 “The Missing Piece” By Letitia Burns

Letitia

I think I was about 20 years old when I first realized that something in my body wasn’t working quite right. It started with missed periods, then extreme cramping (which was later reveled to be cyst ruptures) that would literally cause me to become violently ill. Additionally I noticed other little things that at the time I didn’t realize were related (I.e. hair loss, problems with my skin, and weight issues). I didn’t have a clue what was going on and I was afraid to try to talk with my mom or go to the doctor (I was in college and still on my mom’s insurance) because I figured my mom would say it was because I was way too young when I had my son, so I suffered in relative silence for about three years. Just before Thanksgiving 2003 I came across an article online about Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and was shocked to see that all of the symptoms I’d been dealing with where outlined in the article.  Armed with the article I finally found the strength to talk with my mom and she agreed it was time to see the doctor. I won’t bore you with all the details about getting a diagnosis, lets just say PCOS wasn’t nearly as common in 2003 as it is today and it took multiple doctors and multiple tests before anyone would commit.

Unfortunately, getting a diagnosis wasn’t the only struggle. At the time there still wasn’t a lot known about exactly what causes PCOS, and how to treat it, so I was put on birth control pills to regulate my period and advised to switch to a very low carb diet to help with the weight issues and hopefully get ahead of the diabetes I’m destined to end up with. I’ve been off and on the birth control pills since but they cause other problems of they’re own.

I stopped taking the birth control pills in August after having been on them again for about two years and within a month menstruation  had stopped and the cyst ruptures started happening again. By December I had just about reached my breaking point, just about. There’s been quite a few advances in the treatment of PCOS in the last few years, and a couple of my friends have had some success, but the treatments are all medical and taking pills just isn’t for me.  While doing some research online I came across a page that explained how nutrition and getting the right balance of vitamins and minerals can help reduce and even eliminate the symptoms of PCOS. Of course, the creators of the website wanted you to buy their nutritional supplements to the tune of $200+ a month for, you guessed it, a bunch of pills, but it got me to thinking. I’d been reading the various testimonials regarding Shakeology Tom had been posting up for some time and I started wondering if it would help with the PCOS too.

I started drinking Shakeology as part of my morning ritual beginning in January, and within one week I got my period for the first time since August. (Yes ladies, I know, you’d have to be crazy to actually want to get your period, but with a family history of endometrial cancer  hanging over my head I have learned to appreciate the necessity of menstruation.) I continued to drink Shakeology every day and four weeks later, like clockwork, I got my period again, and all without birth control pills. Curious person that I am I began to wonder if it really was the Shakeology that was bringing back the regularity to my menstrual cycle or if it was just coincidence so I decided to do a little experimenting. I quit drinking the Shakeology for about 6 weeks and found that, as I suspected, I didn’t menstruate and I wasn’t feeling well at all so I started drinking Shakeology again every day, and once again within a week I saw a return of my menstrual cycle.

Even if I were to never receive another benefit from Shakeology, the regulation of my menstrual cycle alone is well worth the cost to me. However, I am very pleased to say that I have seen other changes as well that I will write about later. If you or someone you know is suffering from PCOS, please reach out for help.

– Letti

For more information about shakeology visit : Shakeology
For information about joining a small group online for support, encouragement, and accountability please Reach out to me on facebook: http://facebook.com/tombirkenmeyer People who participate in one of my private exclusive groups on facebook get faster results by far and actually see it through despite having a terrible history of relapsing on their goals in the past.

– Tom

One Simple Tip to Gain Muscle – Sleep and Muscle Growth

Sleep and Muscle Growth
By Karen Tonnis

Your mission: to add bulk, or form some well-defined curves. The prescription: get some sleep!

Crazy as it sounds, that’s the advice you’ll get from bodybuilders, trainers, professional coaches, and fitness experts in general. The fact is your body can only heal, repair, and grow during deep sleep.

You can be doing the right things—perfectly portioning out your food, doing hardcore lifting that pushes you to the edge—but all that effort will be negated without enough recovery.

You can’t cheat on sleep. We know sleep is essential to life, just like eating and breathing. But there are many theories as to exactly why we sleep, with no one clear answer.
One is that sleep “restores” what our bodies lose while we’re awake. And recent findings actually support this theory, showing that many of the major restorative functions in the body, like muscle growth, tissue repair, protein synthesis, and the release of growth hormones, occur mostly, or as noted above, only during sleep.
Warning signs that you’re sleep-deprived. Have a sneaking suspicion you might not be getting the sleep you need? You’re not alone. An estimated 50 to 70 million people in the U.S. don’t get adequate sleep every night. Here are a few classic signs:
– Hitting the snooze button consistently on your alarm clock
– Yawning uncontrollably and at inappropriate times (e.g., workplace meetings, parent-teacher conferences)
– Feeling sluggish in the afternoon
– Getting drowsy while driving
– Having heavy eyelids and watery eyes
– Experiencing memory lapses
– Experiencing irritability and low energy
– Feeling excessive hungriness or a complete lack of appetite

Tips for catching quality z’s. Now that you know how important sleep is, don’t let it get away from you. Here are some handy tips to make the most of your rest time.

– From 4 to 6 hours before bedtime, avoid caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and other chemicals that interfere with sleep.
– Keep a regular sleep schedule. Go to bed at the same time every night. And wake up at the same time every morning. If you’re getting enough sleep, you’ll wake up automatically without an alarm clock.
– Get regular exercise. Physical activity, especially aerobic exercise, can help you fall asleep faster and make your sleep more restful.
– Have a relaxing bedtime routine that eases the transition between being awake and sleeping.
– Sleep primarily at night. Short naps are great for recharging and catching up on missed sleep, but too many naps, and naps that are too long, can interfere with your regular schedule.

Make the most of your workouts. Be honest with yourself. If you’re doing the work and the healthy eating plan and you’re still not seeing great results, it could be lack of sleep that’s holding back your progress. Remember, your body is an incredible machine. Give it a chance to recover and build for the jump-start you’ve been looking for.

References:

Sleep and muscle recover: Endocrinological and molecular basis for a new and promising hypothesis. Dattilo, M,. H.K. Antunes, A. Medeiros, M. Mônico Neto, H.S. Souza, S. Tufik, and M.T. de Mello, Centro de Estudos em Psicobiologia e Exercício (CEPE), São Paulo, Brazil, April 2011.

Healthy Sleep: Understanding the third of our lives we so often take for granted, Web site, the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, © 2008.

Bride Heroes Never Die


Enlightened Self Interest by Jim Rohn

Me and Desert Sage

Desert Sage

Enlightened self-interest leads to wealth. Selfish self-preservation leads to poverty. Somebody says, “ I can’t be concerned about other people, I can only be concerned about myself.” Well then, you’ll always have to be concerned about yourself. Somebody says “ I can’t be concerned about other people’s bills, I’ve got enough worries trying to pay my own”. Well then, you’ll have to worry about them for the rest of your life. The best way to get that monkey off your back is to turn your attention to other people.

Once I understood this perspective, it revolutionized my whole life. Self-interest is necessary, of course. But here’s what self-interest must be if you truly want to be happy: it must be enlightened. Don’t keep your attention only on yourself if you want your life to work out well. All the possibilities of greatness – great wealth, great reputation, great satisfaction – come only if you turn your attention from yourself to others.

In your own self-interest, be enlightened. Truly act in your own self-interest by making an investment in service to others.

If you wish to receive, you must give. Some people say, “if you give, it’s gone.” That’s not true if you’re educated. If you’re foolish, yes, it’s gone. But if you’re enlightened, chances are if you give, you’ve invested. What do we expect an investment to do? We expect it to return multiplied…bigger, better, greater.

When I was young, my father taught me an important lesson. He said, “Son, always do more than what you get paid for.” Some individuals might argue with that. They say “no, you’re going to mess up the whole program.” I know they’re wrong. In my own self-interest, I did what my father taught me… I always did more than I got paid for. Why? To make an investment in my future. And it’s paid off for me.

If you’re wanting that big promotion, you can’t go up to your boss and say, “Just give it to me. I’ll work harder if you just give me that promotion.” It doesn’t work that way. You’ve got to do more in your current position to get noticed. You need to stand out from everybody else. That way, your boss will say, “You know, we’ve got this position opening up, and I think we should give it to Nancy. She does so much more than we expect. Just imagine what she’ll do if we give her this promotion!”

You’ve got to do more that you’re paid for. It’s an investment in your future.

It’s one thing to make a sale. If you make a sale, you’ll make a living. If you go beyond making the sale by providing exceptional service – keeping in touch, calling your clients before they call you, writing thank you notes – sales will lead to multiple sales. You can make a fortune if you take good care of the customer. People who are well taken care of will open doors you can’t get through by yourself.

All of us have found ways to make a living. What was interesting for me early on was to figure out ways to make a fortune. You may say, “Well, Mr. Rohn, how could I deserve to make a fortune?” It’s easy. Render fortunes of service. People will do things you cannot believe for those who give them good service.

Here’s one of the greatest gifts you can give to anybody: the gift of attention. In return, they will do extraordinary things for your career. They will take you by the hand and lead you to more people that you could meet by yourself. Always do more than you get paid for.

You see, life responds to deserving, not need. Life was not designed to give us what we need. Life was designed to give us what we deserve. Once you understand that principle, your life will change.

The ancient law does not say this: “If you need you will reap.” It doesn’t work that way. A lot of people out there are hoping it works that way, but it doesn’t. The ancient law says this: that if you sow, if you plant, you will reap. Somebody says, “Well, I really need to reap.” Then you really need to plant. Your own self-interest needs to be educated in how to plant. You must know how to do it so everybody wins, because life just doesn’t respond to need.

You can’t go to the soil and say, “I need a crop.” The soil just smiles at you and says, “Don’t bring me your need, bring me some seed. Bring me some effort. Bring me some discipline. Bring me some interest. Bring me some service. Bring me these things, and I’ll return them to you multiplied.” You can’t come with need. You’ve got to come with seed. You’ve got to come with willingness. You’ve got to come with skills.

You’ve got to be willing to learn, to change, to grow, to make an effort. You must be willing to stand up to the bad weather, to pull out weeds, to nurture. That’s the only way you serve others. And that’s the only way you get a return. Everybody wins with enlightened self-interest.

Echoes of Eternity Towers of Silence