Thursday, July 28, 2011

Plyo...Oh Man!

So, as I stated yesterday, I have started a new round of P90X with Erika, a fellow Pittsburgh Coach. Well yesterday was Day 2...which is Plyometrics.  And let me tell you...it is rough!  Now don't get me wrong, this was my first go-ahead at Plyo, but I did not think it was going to be that bad!  I mean, Tony isn't lying when he says that it is the mother of all P90X workouts.  Here is what is included on the Plyo Video...

Group 1 – Repeats

Jump Squats
Run Stance Squats
Airborne Heisman
Swing Kicks

Group 2 – Repeats
Squat Reach Jumps
Run Stance Squat Switch Pickups
Double Airborne Heisman
Circle Run

Group 3 – Repeats
Jump Knee Tucks
Mary Katherine Lunges
Leapfrog Squats
Twist Combo

Group 4 – Repeats
Rock Star Hops
Gap Jumps
Squat Jacks
Military March

Group 5 – Repeats
Run Squat 180 Jump Switches
Lateral Leapfrog Squats
Monster Truck Tires
Hot Foot

Bonus (Doesn’t Repeat)
Pitch and Catch – Mimics Baseball
Jump Shots – Mimics Basketball
Pitch and Catch – Mimics Football

Now keep in mind, yesterday was my first day doing Plyo and I definitely had a rough time.  I was only able to get through each group of exercises one time and I definitely did not do the bonus.  But next week, I will do more than I did this week, and soon I will be able to keep up with Tony and the kids. :)

Tonight is Shoulders and Arms and then Ab Ripper X...My FAVORITE P90X day!

Everyone Has to Work Hard to Look Good






Ok, so as you all know by now, Carrie Underwood is one of my idols (no pun intended).  I mean she is an all around great person, she has a kind heart, amazing talent, and let's face it...and AMAZING body.  She isn't perfect by any means, but her body is definitely one that both you and I could have.  I decided to look up what her fitness routine is...and found this awesome article.  Enjoy :)


Carrie Underwood’s Diet Secrets and Workout Tips



Country crooner Carrie Underwood is a longtime vegetarian, but knows that being meat-free isn’t one of those guaranteed quick weight loss tips. “Think of all the pasta you can eat, the pizza. You can do nachos and all sorts of cheesy things,” she told SELF. So how does she stay slim? Here are Carrie Underwood’s diet secrets:

1. Eat for energy. “If I eat too much before a show, I just want to sit down. Too little, and I’m starving. So I eat something small, like Quorn, a tasty meat-free protein, and green beans.”

2. Keep a food diary. Carrie has been tracking her intake for three years! She counts her calories on a regular basis, to see how it all adds up. “Once you realize, it’s like, ‘No wonder I’ve plateaued! No wonder I’ve been gaining weight!’” she says. “Little things really do add up.”

3. Enjoy your favorite foods, healthfully. In 2007 Carrie told SELF “My food indulgences are pizza, and I love… cheese. I have a big problem controlling myself with the cheese.” Two years later, it looks like she found a way to have her pizza and eat it too! Here’s her recipe favorite formula for a healthy, 250-calorie personal pizza: 1 Flatout wrap with 1/4 cup sauce, 1/2 cup fat-free or 2% cheese and loaded up with veggies.

4. Cut the sugar. “My sugar intake is way down, and I have a lot fewer breakouts. Now when I drink tea, it’s unsweetened. Or I’ll have water,” the start told SELF. “Also, I’m off soda. For so long, I’d have a Diet Coke with breakfast!”

Sure, you can probably tone up pretty quickly taking a Louisville slugger to headlights and slashing tires but it turns out that is not the way country idol Carrie Underwood maintains her rockin’ bod. Here are some of the slim and sexy superstar’s favorite fitness secrets:
1) Accessible Workouts. “I have Exercise TV on cable. Jillian Michael’s videos will kick your butt. She’s my trainer, and she doesn’t even know it!”


2.) Work toward an event. “Everybody has things they want to look nice for: anniversary, birthday, reunion. I’ll think to myself, Oh, that award show is coming up. Or, I have a photo shoot in four days! It’s nice to set goals.”

3.) Revel in success. “I love it when I feel good about myself. I’ll look at a photo and think, My arms look great!–and then I go work out my arms. Once you’re enjoying things about your body, you realize how much you want to keep them that way or make them better.”

4.) Favorite ab improver: “When I gain weight, it’s in the spare-tire area. I’ve told trainers abs are a physical impossibility for me. And every single time, they’re like, ‘Well, we’ll get you abs!’ So do I have them? No! But they’re as flat as they’re probably going to get. Push-ups work out everything. If you do them right, you’ll feel it in your abs. I do four sets of 10 to 20.”

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Honey Chicken Kebabs

I found this recipe at http://www.cleaneatingclub.com/ and it sounds amazing!  I am having a cookout and party on Saturday night and I will DEFINITELY be making these!  A LOT better than hamburgers and hot dogs :)


Honey Chicken Kebabs


Ingredients:

•1 1/2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-size
•2 medium zucchini trimmed and sliced into bite-size pieces
•1 medium bell pepper de-seeded and cut into bite-size pieces
•1 red onion cut into 8 wedges
•2 tbsp. lemon juice
•1 tbsp. honey
•1 tbsp. olive oil
•1 tsp. Dijon-style mustard
•1 clove garlic, crushed
•2 tsp. fresh thyme (can use 1/2 tsp. dried thyme if you don’t have fresh)
•1/4 tsp. salt
•1/4 tsp. black pepper
•16 cherry tomatoes
•8 metal or wooden skewers*

Directions:

1.In a large mixing bowl, combine lemon juice, honey, olive oil, mustard and crushed garlic. Stir in thyme, salt, and pepper. Add chicken, zucchini, bell pepper and onion. Toss until well coated. Let marinate in the fridge for 1 hour.

2.Preheat grill to medium. Thread the chicken and vegetables onto the skewers. Save the marinade mixture.

3.Grill on medium. Turn the kebabs every few minutes to make sure they cook evenly. Brush with reserve marinade mix every few minutes as well. Grill until juices run clear when chicken is pierced with a knife, approximately 10 to 12 minutes.

*You will want to soak wooden skewers for approximately 10 minutes or so in cold water before using. This will prevent the skewers from burning.



Nutritional Info:

4 servings

Calories: 289; Fat: 6g; Cholesterol 99mg; Sodium: 145mg; Potassium: 838mg; Carbs: 18g; Fiber: 3g; Protein: 41g

Dream Board = Motivation!

Well, I finally got around to putting together my Dream Board...and boy am I glad that I did!

What is a Dream Board you ask?  It is where you put your dreams and goals on paper...and make it look pretty (to sum it all up in a sentence).  So without further adieu....Here is mine :)



It is hard to see, I know...but you get the idea.  But just so you know, I will go ahead and list the dreams and goals that I included!
  • I want to pay off my credit card debt
  • I want to finish remodeling my house
  • I want to be a Diamond Coach by Summit 2012 in VEGASSS
  • I want to get and iPad 2
  • I want to FINALLY get my iPhone
  • I want to get ANOTHER Boxer puppy so that Mr. Bo has a friend when I am not at home
  • I want to get my dream car...a Chevy Tahoe
  • I want to attain my goal body...one like Carrie Underwood's
On my board I also included a bunch of words and phrases to help motivate me even more...A few of those phrases being "Kick Butt", "It's time to start turning heads", "Sound Mind Sound Body", and "Don't stop kickin' til the clock stops tickin'".

Why did I make this Dream Board?  And why do I think it is important?  I made it so that I could visualize my goals.  Yeah, I see them in my head, but when you put something on paper you are far more likely to do it.  It helps hold you even more accountable for your actions.  I WILL attain everything on my Dream Board...then I will make a new one with even BIGGER dreams and goals.

On another note...I started another round of P90X...this time the Classic Schedule with a fellow Pittsburgh Coach, Erika!  Having an accountability partner while working through ANY workout program will help to keep you BOTH on track...today is Plyometrics...This will be my first time ever doing Plyo!  I will let you know tomorrow how it goes. :)


Tuesday, July 26, 2011

20 Habits That Make You Fat

20 Habits That Make You Fat


Many “get fat” habits that can be turned into a “slim-down” habit, starting today. All you need is a pinch of resolve and a few new routines. Here are the 20 habits you can replace right now, compliments of the Eat This, Not That! No-Diet Diet.

FAT HABIT #1: Eating "low-fat"

It sounds crazy, but I want you to stop buying foods marketed as low-fat or fat-free. Typically, they save you only a few calories and, in doing so, they replace harmless fats with low-performing carbohydrates that digest quickly—causing a sugar rush and, immediately afterward, rebound hunger. Researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that meals that limited carbohydrates to 43 percent were more filling and had a milder effect on blood sugar than meals with 55 percent carbohydrates. That means you’ll store less body fat and be less likely to eat more later.

FAT HABIT #2: Not seeking nutrition advice

Good news here: By reading this, you’re already forming habits that can help you shed pounds. When Canadian researchers sent diet and exercise advice to more than 1,000 people, they found that the recipients began eating smarter and working more physical activity into their daily routines. Not surprisingly, the habits of the non-recipients didn’t budge. Follow me on Twitter for the fat-melting weight loss tips I come across every day as the editor-in-chief of Men’s Health magazine—and lose your belly without ever dieting again.

FAT HABIT #3: Sleeping too little or too much

According to Wake Forest researchers, dieters who sleep five hours or less put on 2½ times more belly fat, while those who sleep more than eight hours pack on only slightly less than that. Shoot for an average of six to seven hours of sleep per night—the optimal amount for weight control.

FAT HABIT #4: Eating free restaurant foods

Breadsticks, biscuits, and chips and salsa may be complimentary at some restaurants, but that doesn’t mean you won’t pay for them. Every time you eat one of Olive Garden's free breadsticks or Red Lobster's Cheddar Bay Biscuits, you're adding an additional 150 calories to your meal. Eat three over the course of dinner and that's 450 calories. That's also roughly the number of calories you can expect for every basket of tortilla chips you get at your local Mexican restaurant. What's worse, none of these calories comes paired with any redeeming nutritional value. Consider them junk food on steroids.

FAT HABIT #5: Drinking soda—even diet!

The average American guzzles nearly a full gallon of soda every week. Why is that so bad? Because a 2005 study found that drinking one to two sodas per day increases your chances of being overweight or obese by nearly 33 percent. And diet soda is no better. When researchers in San Antonio tracked a group of elderly subjects for nearly a decade, they found that compared to nondrinkers, those who drank two or more diet sodas a day watched their waistlines increase five times faster. The researchers theorize that the artificial sweeteners trigger appetite cues, causing you to unconsciously eat more at subsequent meals.

FAT HABIT #6: Skipping meals

In a 2011 national survey from the Calorie Control Council, 17 percent of Americans admitted to skipping meals to lose weight. The problem is, skipping meals actually increases your odds of obesity, especially when it comes to breakfast. A study from the American Journal of Epidemiology found that people who cut out the morning meal were 4.5 times more likely to be obese. Why? Skipping meals slows your metabolism and boosts your hunger. That puts your body in prime fat-storage mode and increases your odds of overeating at the next meal.

FAT HABIT #7: Eating too quickly

If your body has one major flaw, this is it: It takes 20 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain that it’s had enough. A study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that slow eaters took in 66 fewer calories per meal, but compared to their fast-eating peers, they felt like they had eaten more. What’s 66 calories, you ask? If you can do that at every meal, you’ll lose more than 20 pounds a year!

FAT HABIT #8: Watching too much TV

A University of Vermont study found that overweight participants who reduced their TV time by just 50 percent burned an additional 119 calories a day on average. That’s an automatic 12-pound annual loss! Maximize those results by multitasking while you watch—even light household tasks will further bump up your caloric burn. Plus, if your hands are occupied with dishes or laundry, you’ll be less likely to mindlessly snack—the other main occupational hazard associated with tube time.

FAT HABIT #9: Ordering the combo meal

A study in the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing shows that compared to ordering a la carte, you pick up a hundred or more extra calories by opting for the “combo” or “value meal." Why? Because when you order items bundled together, you're likely to buy more food than you want. You're better off ordering your food piecemeal. That way you won't be influenced by pricing schemes designed to hustle a few more cents out of your pocket.

FAT HABIT #10: Facing the buffet

Cornell researchers found that when eating at a buffet-style restaurant, obese diners were 15 percent more likely to choose seats with a clear view of the food. Your move: Choose a seat that places your back toward the spread. It will help you avoid fixating on the food.

FAT HABIT #11: Eating off larger plates

One study found that when given an option, a whopping 98.6 percent of obese individuals opt for larger plates. Translation: More food, more calories, and more body fat. Keep your portions in check by choosing smaller serving dishes. If need be, you can always go back for seconds.

FAT HABIT #12: Putting serving dishes on the table

Resist setting out foods buffet- or family-style, and opt instead to serve them from the kitchen. A study in the journal Obesity found that when food is served from the dinner table, people consume 35 percent more over the course of the meal. When an additional helping requires leaving the table, people hesitate to go back for more.

FAT HABIT #13: Choosing white bread

A study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that when obese subjects incorporated whole grains into their diets, they lost more abdominal fat over the course of 12 weeks. There are likely multiple factors at play, but the most notable is this: Whole grain foods pack in more fiber and an overall stronger nutritional package than their refined-grain counterparts.

FAT HABIT #14: Taking big bites

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people who took large bites of food consumed 52 percent more calories in one sitting than those who took small bites and chewed longer. By cutting food into smaller pieces, you can increase satiety and enjoy your food more thoroughly. A good general rule? The smaller your bites, the thinner your waistline.

FAT HABIT #15: Not drinking enough water

Adequate water intake is essential for all your body’s functions, and the more you drink, the better your chances of staying thin. In one University of Utah study, dieting participants who were instructed to drink two cups of water before each meal lost 30 percent more weight than their thirsty peers. And you can magnify the effect by adding ice. German researchers found that six cups of cold water a day could prompt a metabolic boost that incinerates 50 daily calories. That’s enough to shed five pounds a year!

FAT HABIT #16: Having overweight friends

Research from the New England Journal of Medicine indicates that when a friend becomes obese, it ups your chance of obesity by 57 percent. This probably has to do with the social norms that you’re exposed to. Rather than ditch a friend who starts to put on a few extra pounds though, suggest healthy activities that you can do together, and avoid letting him or her dictate the meal (“Let’s split the cheesecake!”)

FAT HABIT #17: Eating too late

Your body can burn flab while you sleep, but only if it isn't too busy processing a full stomach. A new study in the journal Obesity looked at the sleeping and eating habits of 52 people over seven days, and it found that those who ate after 8 p.m. took in the most daily calories and had the highest BMIs.

FAT HABIT #18: Not using a scale

Looking at your body weight reinforces weight-loss goals and makes it difficult to cheat your diet. When University of Minnesota researchers observed dieters who weighed themselves daily, they discovered that the routine of stepping on a scale helped those people lose twice as much weight as those who weighed themselves less frequently. Avoid being thrown of by natural fluctuations in body weight by stepping onto the scale at the same time every day.

FAT HABIT #19: Drinking fruity beverages

Most restaurants and bars have ditched their fresh-fruit recipes in favor of viscous syrups made mostly from high fructose corn syrup and thickening agents. As a general rule, the more garnishes a drink has hanging from its rim, the worse it is for your waistline.

FAT HABIT #20: Eating when emotional

A study from the University of Alabama found that emotional eaters—those who admitted eating in response to emotional stress—were 13 times more likely to be overweight or obese. If you feel the urge to eat in response to stress, try chewing a piece of gum, chugging a glass of water, or taking a walk around the block. Create an automatic response that doesn't involve food and you'll prevent yourself from overloading on calories.



*COPIED FROM http://www.yahoo.com/

Monday, July 25, 2011

Roasted Chicken Breast with Red Potatoes and Asparagus

So this recipe sounds amazing...I might be making this for dinner one night this week!

Roasted Chicken Breast with Red Potatoes and Asparagus


Clean Eating at it's Best!
45 Minutes to Prepare and Cook

Ingredients

  • Cooking Spray
  • 3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, chopped into 2 inch cubes.
  • 2 lbs red potatoes, chopped into 2 inch cubes
  • 1.5 cups chopped roma tomatoes
  • 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces.
  • 3/4 c. fresh basil, chopped
  • 8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbs chopped fresh rosemary
  • Ground pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and spray a large baking dish with cooking spray.

Add chicken, potatoes, tomatoes, asparagus, basil, garlic and olive oil. Sprinkle with rosemary and pepper.

Bake for 20-30 minutes, turning occasionally until tender.

Serves 8. Pairs perfectly with a simple green salad


Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user HEATHEN.GIRL.

Friday, July 22, 2011

30 Day Challenge!


Have you hit a wall when it comes to weight loss?  Do you feel like you have lost all that you can and you are ready to throw in the towel?

Nutrition is the most important factor when you are trying to get in shape, and it's also the hardest! It's not just about working out 5-6 times a week. That's only 5-6 decisions you have to make. They say people make more than 200 (YIKES) choices about food/beverages EVERYDAY! That's a lot of decision making!

It can be hard to resist temptations...office birthday cake, happy hour, someone brought in bagels, you're running late and need to grab something! It used to STRESS me out beyond words!! But I started with Shakeology and a little book called The Eat Clean Diet. Shakeology cut my cravings for junk out, gave me an easy option to grab and go, and was a delicious alternative to poor meal choices. The Eat Clean Diet taught me what to eat, to PLAN AHEAD, cook meals one day and week and have them ready to go.

If you need that little kick in the butt, you should join our 30 day Challenge! Starts August 1st!

Requirements

Commit to the Beachbody Challenge. Not only can you enter the Beachbody contest, but it will help you stay accountable!

Commit to the Beachbody Challenge

If you don't have a Free Team Beachbody Membership, sign up HERE and it will assign me as your free coach :)

Be on the Team Bombshell! This special promotion is open to everybody! If any of your friends and family also wants to participate, then they can order Shakeology using this link and will be added to the Team!

Order Shakeology Today!

If your friend or family member already have a Teambeachbody account, but are not on the Team Bombshell, then simply send an email and my info below to coachrelations@teambeachbody.com using their email address they have registered with Beachbody, and ask to have me as their new coach. Tell them Kristin Maher; Coach ID# 92616
Be on Shakeology Home Direct.

You must be on HD -one time orders don’t count! But you are not required to be on Shakeology past one month if you wish not to. If you are already using Shakeology, that’s perfectly fine but you must have an order of Shakeology HD in August for you to qualify for prizes. PLUS if you order it on Home Direct, it comes with FREE workout DVDs =) You can cancel the autoship ANY time, but I encourage you to try it for a month before you make a decision. I took a leap of faith when ordering it 8 months ago and never want to go without it!!

Day's 1-3 you will do the Shakeology Cleanse to jump-start your weightloss.

Day's 4-30 you will replace one meal a day with Shakeology combined with 3-5 days of exercise a week and a clean diet program that I will help you design and tweak.

Shakeology has a 30 day money back guarantee... So if for any reason you are not satisfied with your results after the 4th week, you can return it for a full refund.

There will be a support group as well as individual, one on one support from me :)

So there you have it. You can not only win $1000 this August from Beachbody for your Shakeology Success story, but you can also win some great prizes from my exclusive Team Bombshell contest as well!

So what do you say? Here is your chance to lose weight, get healthy, and win some great prizes! If you have any questions then please message me or sign up today!

The Importance of a Success Partner

Happy Friday!  I don't about you, but I feel like this week has been dragging.  Maybe it has been the heat (close to 100 degrees every day), I just know that I am glad that the weekend starts at 5 pm today!

So today I am going to talk about something that I feel is VERY important to each of us.  It is a specific person in you life that will help you to succeed in your profession, home business, fitness, and lifestyle goals.  They will help you when you hit a roadblock or when you run out of ideas.  It is a person that will give you the extra enouragement and push that you need to reach a goal.  This is what we like to call a Success Partner. :)

So why is a Success Partner so important?  Well...I can't really explain why without telling you about my own success partner...

Her name is Nicole and let me tell you...she is awesome.  We started talking randomly one day in our Bombshell Dynasty group...and discovered are both at pretty much the same stage of our businesses.  That is when we both decided that we were meant to be Success Partners.  We both shared the same enthusiasm, drive, and determination...and we both want to succeed and make a huge impact.  She inspires me everyday, and I am SO glad that she came into my life!

Together, we have brainstormed and come up with some realistic goals that we BOTH would like to reach.  I am going to make us BOTH accountable and post those goals now for you all to see...
  • We both want at least 15 people signed up with us as their coaches...and let me just say that in the past couple of days we have both been on a roll!
  • We both WILL be EMERALD coaches by SEPTEMBER 
  • We have vowed to have weekly talks about our progress...this has actually turned into us talking almost DAILY about our progress :)
  • We both were determined to make video blogs...and we did!  Check mine out here :)  (Nicole, post your link in my comment section when you read this and I will add it up here!)
  • We both decided to blog...A LOT...and we have been :)
  • We both wanted to join MORE social networking sites...and we did!  LinkedIN, StumbleUpon...
We made up this list of goals about a month ago...and I am SO proud to say that we have BOTH  accomplisted the ones that are RED.  So if you were doubting this whole Success Partner thing...you shouldn't!  Having a person to rely on and work with is the most imporant thing that you can possibly have.  Nicole has become one of my favorite people and one of my best friends...I cannot WAIT to take over VEGAS with her and the rest of the Bombshell Dynasty for Summit 2012!!!

So now I am going to ask you, do you have a Success Partner?  Do you have a person that you can count on to inspire you, push you, and help you reach all of your goals?  If you don't...evaluate, talk to people, and find one :)  It will be the best decision that you will ever make...

If you do have a success partner, share your story with me!  Why are they your success partner?  How did you know that you two were perfect together?  What have you been able to do that you would have never done without their support and encouragement?  Email me your story!  And this weekend I will be posting your stories on here...Bombshell Dynasty members...this means you!

Monday, July 18, 2011

If he can do it...so can you!

This kid is AMAZING!  If he can do it, so can you!



10-Year-Old 'Workout Kid' Has Grade Schoolers Sweating And Football Coaches Drooling


C.J. Senter might be the next Tony Horton or the next Barry Sanders, but he is definitely the next 10-year-old to watch.

Granted, when most people hear "child prodigy," they rightfully raise an eyebrow and wonder who is pulling the strings. Add a workout DVD by a fourth-grader with sculpted muscles to the mix and "cute" can turn to "concerning." But it turns out the story behind "C.J. The Workout Kid" is a lot more inspiring than insidious.

C.J. started working out five years ago when his football coach told him and his teammates to go home over a weekend and get some exercise. He did some push-ups and sit-ups and loved it. Not too long after, he saw a P90X infomercial and loved that too. He's been working out ever since. C.J. does his own routines three times a week, after school and homework, and he's given new names to some old and boring moves, like the burpee, which involves a squat, push-up, and jump. C.J. calls that one the "shredder." He even teaches a class of (mostly older) kids at the gym near where he lives in Locust Grove, Ga.




"It feels great," C.J. says by phone from his Georgia home. "I love staying fit and healthy."

But wait a minute. Research shows kids shouldn't be touching weights until at least age 15.

"I don't use weights," C.J. says.

Not even bench press?

"I don't bench press," he says. "It's not good for kids."

Surely he's on some insane diet, right? His dad feeds him wheat grass and cow brain, perhaps?

"I'm not on a diet," C.J. says. "I eat everything."

Disbelieving? So is Carlos Senter -- C.J.'s dad. Carlos has spent most of his son's life in shock, ever since C.J. somehow climbed out of his crib -- at seven months old.

"It was two, three o'clock in the morning," Carlos says, "and boom! My wife would go look in his room and here he comes, crawling out. He would go into the refrigerator, too."

Carlos can't quite figure out how his son got to be so fit. He says his relatives put on muscle easily, but not this easily. C.J. has an older brother and a younger sister who don't really love sports as much. And Dad isn't exactly chiseled like Terrell Owens. In fact, he admits C.J.'s work ethic has shamed him and his wife into getting into better shape.

"He doesn't really eat candy," Carlos says. "I have no idea why."

And for that matter, Carlos has no idea why his son doesn't have an attitude. "This kid will score a touchdown, take the football to the ref and act like nothing ever happened," Carlos says. "If it was me, well, I probably would be a little different."

But as much as the "Workout Kid" routine is working -- C.J.'s DVDs are in so much demand that his dad hired a PR rep -- Carlos says he gives most of the DVDs away for free and the primary objective is to help kids get off the couch.

C.J.'s primary objective has always been the same thing: make it to the NFL. He's a running back and safety, modeling his game after another C.J. -- Titans speed demon Chris Johnson.

C.J.'s already been named MVP for the state of Georgia as an 8-and-under, and last year he played in the 10-and-under group as a 9-year-old. Carlos says that the team run by former NFL running back Jamal Lewis expressed interest in having C.J. commute to Atlanta to join up, but the drive was simply too far.

High school coaches are already aware of C.J., but Carlos, who runs a local barber shop, insists on not looking too far ahead.

"As long as he's happy," Carlos says, "I'm happy."

C.J. does seem happy, even though he's a little bit tired of when kids come up to him at school and ask, "Are those your real muscles?"

The next generation of Atlanta prep football players is about to find out.

Article copied from http://www.yahoo.com/

Sunday, July 17, 2011

National Kidney Foundation - Pittsburgh Kidney Walk 2011



Why I Am Walking


On March 20, 1977, my Aunt Karen received a kidney transplant. On May 2, 2011, 34 years, 1 month, and 12 days later, she left this life to move on to a better place. She led a very difficult life, but she fought and defied all odds until the very end. I am walking to honor her memory, and recognize her life. Without that transplant, I would have never gotten the chance to meet Aunt Karen, let alone spend 26 and a half years getting to know her. Help me raise awareness and honor my aunt, Karen Maher...Let's Walk!

To join Karen's Krusader and walk with us on November 6, 2011 at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium or to make a donation to Karen's Krusaders and help us reach our fundraising goal, click here!:

If you have any further questions, or would like to contact me, please feel free to do so!

kemaher@gmail.com
http://www.krismaher.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/krissibelle






Monday, July 11, 2011

Hello? Is this thing on?

Hello everyone!  I hope that you all had a fabulous week and holiday.  I know that I promised blog entries while I was away but I had NO Wi-Fi access and my cell phone BARELY had reception.  I missed you all dearly, but I do have to say that it was kind of nice to take a break from the world.  It gave me time to reflect and think about everything that has happened over the past few months.  I have been going NON-STOP since April and a lot of huge changes happened in my life.  Now the reality is starting to sink in and I have realized just how much my life has changed.  Some of the changes were terrible, heartbreaking changes...But others were positive, happy changes!  Everything balances out :)

Let's start with the bad.  I know that I have touched on this in past entries, but it has finally sunk in.  My Aunt Karen is gone.  I think that I had accepted it on the outside, but never in my heart.  It finally hit me, and it hit me hard.  I will never get another completely pointless phone call, no more stories about the chicken, no more stories about Trix and Mariah her birds, no more of her criticizing me for things I don't do, but secretly praising me and telling everyone how great I am.  No more holidays with her in her PJ pants, and calling not-it in regards to who had to pick her up and take her home.  No more her keeping secrets about her health, but complaining about everyone else.  I have a few regrets..I left town when she needed me, I didn't visit her in her last hours, and I didn't tell her that I loved her nearly enough.  But I know that she knew...she knew that I would drop everything if she needed me.  She knew that she could count on me and my parents even if we yelled at her when she did stupid things.  She knew that she had a family that she could count on in hard times even if we didn't always talk or keep in touch.  She faced life with so much determination and spunk, never letting anyone tell her that she couldn't do something.  I admire her for everything that went through and everything that she did...she was a strong lady, a fiesty lady..And I miss her more and more every day.  I know that it will get easier as time passes by...but life has finally slowed down enough for me to look back on everything and realize that yes, it is real...and yes, she is gone.  RIP Aunt Karen..I love you.

Ok, I will let you throw your tissue away...I know I have to!

Now for the happy things!  I am finally starting to get myself back on track with Beachbody!  I am not going to lie, I definitely fell off of the work out and diet wagon...But not anymore!  I am ready to kick my own butt back into gear and really work hard!  I have goals...we all do...but I will not reach them just sitting around coming up with lame excuses!  I hurt my knee last Tuesday at the beach...but today I am going to work out and modify if I need to.  Also, I am going to start really working hard on my work out room because I finally got permission from the executor of my Aunt's estate to start cleaning out the house.  That means I will be getting my TV and DVD player soon!  YAY!

So, that was just a catch up on what has been going on in my head the past week or so...there is a LOT more, but if I share it all now, what will I blog about later???  Also, keep your eyes open for a new video blog within the next couple of days!

xoxo

Friday, July 1, 2011

...And now for a word from our sponsors...

Well, not really...they are words from me :)

I know that I said that I was done blogging until I got to the beach, and I have posted two other blogs today, but I figured I would post something that I wrote rather than an article or whatever.

So over the past few days I have really been looking at what I can do to help get my name out there in the world; how I can reach people that I would not normally reach.  I need to broaden my horizons and step even FURTHER out of my comfort zone.  So get ready world, here comes Kristin!  Between this blog, my videoblog (www.youtube.com/users/kemaher11), and other social media outlets, I am going to spread the word about what I am doing...About how BEACHBODY and The Bombshell Dynasty can change lives...how might you ask???  Lead by example!

My life has changed completely since becoming a coach.  I know, I may not boost the same numbers as other coaches that have been doing it for as long as or even less time than me, but I know that I have the passion and the desire and the DRIVE to succeed!  Since becoming a coach, I have become a lot more outgoing, I am not afraid to speak up and tell people about coaching and Beachbody.  I am no longer afraid that they will judge me or throw negativity at me.  I wear a negativity-proof vest baby, hit with me your best shot because it will just bounce off of me.

Also, I have surround myself with an amazing support system...This is when I mention everyone by name who is being awesome and supportive and helping me succeed in what I do...Kati Heifner (my amazing DIAMOND coach and one of the greatest friends ever)...Lindsay Matway (one of the most inspirational people I have ever known)...Nicole Morse (best Success Partner ever!)...Lacey Twigg...Kyle Wilder-Slaughter...Holly Schaefer...Rich Donovan...Abby Fix...Amanda Genovese...Melissa Means....Julia Hackle...Danielle Morgan....Derek Cobb...Chris Taylor...My Mom, Maggie Maher...My Dad, Roger Maher...Kam Laughlin...Jodi Beggarly...Josie Urban...Rachel Volna...Alayne Barbary...Cara Crowley...Melissa Pifer...Dan Fillmore...Glenn Zary...and if I am forgetting anyone I am sorry but the list continues to grow every single day.  THANK YOU ALL...and I mean that from the very bottom of my heart.  You all give me tons of support; you are why I can wear my negativity-proof vest because I know that for every negative comment that I hear, you all will spit back positive comments to no end.  Some of you are a part of The Bombshell Dynasty already...some of you I will get to sign up one day :) 

Now you think...who are the positive people in your life?  Who helps to support you and encourages you to strive for your goals and dreams?  If you cannot think of anyone, or very few people...Let me be your support!  I have learned from the best...And I have learned that when someone has your back, you need to have their back too.  Everyone that I listed up there has my back, and I know that I can count on them.  they know that they can count on me too...You can be a part of this...and it won't cost you a PENNY.  Just go to www.beachbodycoach.com/kemaher and sign up for the FREE membership.  That will make you a part of this amazing group of people that will love and support you, even at your weakest, most negative moments...

So what is this BEACHBODY stuff???

So I have had many people ask me what this Beachbody stuff is...well, I know how much you all LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE to read (notice the sarcasm?), here is a video that will tell you a little bit more about what I do!



So, did you like what you saw?  Do you want to change lives while bettering your own?  Then sign up for The Bombshell Dynasty!! 

100 Ways to Live a Better Life

Ok...so I lied!  One more blog before I leave.  My friend Derek posted this to his Facebook wall, and I absolutely loved it...It is a tad bit lengthy but is DEFINITELY worth reading; but don't just read it.  Absorb it, re-read it, and LIVE IT. 

100 Ways to Live a Better Life

You don’t like your life? Change it! Change your life for the better! Don’t have any clue on how to do it? Here’s a list of 100 ways in which you can improve your life. Feel free to add yours in the comments. This post is a response from a challenge I got from from Mike King in this great post 100 Ways To Be A Better Leader, which in turn got inspired by this one Tackle Any Issue With A List Of 100 , from Luciano Passuello. [Later edit: you may also be interested in this sequel 100 Ways To Screw Up Your Life.


Without further ado, let’s go.

1. Accept Your Mistakes

You’re human. We, humans, are making mistakes. Accept what you did wrong and try to do better next time. No need to punish yourself forever. In fact, accepting your mistakes is the only way to make them disappear.

2. Accept Your Friends Mistakes

Maybe you got hurt by somebody. Happens. Just accept it and deal with it. People are making mistakes and if you can accept that for yourself, accept it for your friends too. In the end, all you need from them is their love.

3. Create A New Habit

We’re doing a lot of stuff on autopilot. Try to integrate in this category new things you want to attract into your life. Habits are powerful. Harness their energy for your own good. Start by creating a habit in 15 days.

4. Build Self Discipline

Don’t wait for other people to impose discipline on you. Start early. Create your own discipline. Although it sounds a little bit harsh, self discipline is a facilitator for many things in your life. It’s hard to get but great to have.

5. Make New Friends

Reach out. Don’t be afraid. Establish new contacts. The worst thing that may happen to you is to be rejected. Well, if that’s the case, move on. The reward of having true, long-lasting friendship is worth all the potential rejection.

6. Get A New Job

Shaking your comfort zone will often create a lot of value in your life. If you’re not satisfied with your job, just get a new one. The pitfall of not having money for a limited period of time is temporary, get over it.

7. Start A New Diet

You are, in a vast proportion, what you eat. Trying a new diet would often be the only needed change for a dramatic boost of your health and energy. Don’t necessarily have to be raw food, or even vegetarian, whatever works for you.

8.  Keep a Journal

Write down you feelings, your ideas, your goals, your activity. Journaling is by far one of the most useful things I’ve done to change my life for the best. It works in such a silent, yet effective way. All you need is pen and paper.

9. Create And Keep A Morning Phrase

Whatever you say to yourself in the morning, it will most likely come true during the day. Why not taking advantage of it? Create a simple morning phrase and say it to yourself first thing in the morning. Is that simple.

10. Travel Far Away From Your Home

Traveling long distance is incredibly rewarding. It’s so exciting and full with unknown events. I only recently started to travel really far away from my home, but I do wonder how could I ever made it until now without this.

11. Learn To Take Risks

Your life may be so boring and fade because… err, you made it like this? When was the last time your tried something really difficult? When was the last time you challenged the odds doing something risky? Do it now.

12. Start Your Own Business

Be your own boss. Work your own hours. I know, it sounds so shallow, for you, who hate your job but still have to stay there because of that mortgage. Well, unless you make the first step, nothing is going to change. That’s for sure.

13. Change Your Work Space

Clean up your desk. Re-arrange furniture. Add some color to that space. Make the place where you work really enjoyable. So enjoyable that work there won’t be perceived as work anymore. It will be something you love to do.

14. Learn A New Language

Challenge your mind. Constantly. If you’re going to do number 10, you’re going to learn some new languages too. From my experience, learning a new language is a fantastic mind opener. Sometimes you don’t even have to travel there.

15. Find Reasons To Agree

Rather than disagree. We have this mindset of competition which makes constantly arguing over things. Well, stop that. You don’t have to force yourself into agreement, if it’s not the case, just trying to find some reasons will be enough.

16. Pay Yourself First

You can’t give something if you don’t have it. You can’t spread light onto others if you don’t have light from within. You can’t give wealth to others if you don’t have it for yourself first. Make yourself a service and pay yourself first.

17. Wake Up Early

This is not a habit, this is a lifestyle. Don’t just wake up early without a purpose. Be early. Be there before others. Look for opportunities and embrace them. Waking up early means keeping your eye open to every available opportunity.

18. Train Your Focus

Your focus is in fact your reality. Use it wisely. Train it constantly for it will enhance your reality in ways you never imagined. Keep your focus sharp as a razor blade and be prepared to experience life in fantastic shapes and colors.

19. Start A Blog

On whatever topic you want. Not only it will give you the opportunity to create something new and valuable but it will also bring new people into your life. Blogging is far more than a hype, is a personal development tool. A very good one.

20. Write An Ebook

You may think you don’t have a talent, but that’s completely wrong. And the easiest way to prove it wrong is to start writing an ebook. Any ebook. You pick the topic. It might be something you know or want to learn about. Write it. It’s fun.

21. Be Better, Not Perfect

Striving too much for perfection will ruin your life. It will wipe out all those little imperfections which are making you… human. Being better, on the other side, is rewarding. Look back at the yesterday you and just say: I’m better!

22. Stop Self Sabotage

You’ll be surprised by how much of a burden you can be to yourself. You are literally self sabotaging. Most of the time, unconsciously. If you have a long history of failure behind, that could mean you’ve become your worst enemy. Stop it.

23. Find Reasons To Love Your Life

Maybe life wasn’t fair with you. Yes, I know, I’ve been there: life is never fair. But it’s fantastic. It’s unique, unrepeatable, one of a kind, beautiful, simple, challenging, sweet, hard… Just take a step back and find reasons to love your life.
24. Try Something New

Maybe you’re sad because you’re bored. Have you ever thought about that? Just reach out and try something completely new. Go for a challenge, learn a new sport, pick a different restaurant or go for a comedy movie (if you’re the drama type). Just try it.

25. Avoid Fighting

Fighting is the biggest energy leak of your being. Trying to prove another guy wrong is so against your true nature. You’re here to acknowledge life’s wonders, not to prove anybody’s wrong. They’re not wrong, just have different opinions. And that’s part of life.

26. Stop Wasting Your Power

Are you doing something that you think you shouldn’t be doing right now? Well, that’s wasted power. That’s meaningless stuff promoted to the honor of being a part of your life. How long are you going to approve this? Why wasting power?

27. Learn To Ignore

I think they should be teaching this one in schools. We’re so focused on so many topics and think we have to do so many stuff, that our life is literally clogged with stuff. It’s good to do stuff, but learning to ignore stuff is much better.

28. Experiment Gratitude

When was the last time you said “thank you”? With all your heart? Everybody knows that an attitude of gratitude is the key to success, but almost nobody practices it. Well, start by experience gratitude first, and take it from there.

29. Recycle Your Aggression

Don’t throw it away, recycle it! Use it for something you really want! Call out those wild forces inside of you and put them to work. Aggression is part of your being, so don’t try to reject it, because it will only grow stronger. Recycle your aggression.

30. Release Your Guardians

Don’t touch that! Don’t eat that! Don’t go for that opportunity! Those are the sentences you hear when going for something you really want. Those are your guardians, your mental constructs made to protect you. Release them, you’ll be much better off.

31. Clean Up Your House

It’s fun. And it’s good for you. Make a habit out of cleaning up your house with joy and happiness. What’s outside is a mirror of what’s inside. If your house is a mess, probably your internal life is a disaster. Neat that stuff, it’s easy.

32. Write A Personal Mission Statement

You’re here with a reason. No matter how small you feel now, how insignificant others may made you feel, you have a purpose. Take the time to write your personal mission statement. It will bring light and direction into your life.

33. Dissolve Negative Opinions About Yourself

Whatever you think you may do, it’s half of what you can really do. And that’s because you have so many negative opinions about yourself. You can solve them. Just accept the fact that you have them and then start working on them.

34. Build Different Skills

Don’t stop learning. Don’t remain stuck in a single career, it’s boring and limiting. Learn different skills, possibly from completely unrelated fields. You never know when life will ask you to use them. Besides, it’s a lot of fun.

35. Manage Your Time As You Manage Your Money

Have you ever thought what would be if you would manage your time the same way you manage your money? Just give it a try. See where you spend most of your time, what the return of investment is and how rich are you in time.

36. Exercise

You don’t have to break the world record, or something. Just make sure you exercise constantly. It will make your body healthier and your mind clearer. It’s also one of the simplest and most affordable ways to improve your life.

37. Be A Parent

Having kids doesn’t necessarily means you’re a parent, and I know that very well. Being a parent will surely change your life forever: filling it with unconditional, life lasting love, care and warm feelings. You’ll live in love. And learn.

38. Throw Away One Object A Day From Your House

Maybe your life is breathing so hard just because it’s suffocated by objects. Learn to let them go. You may donate them, give to charity or simply throw them away, but don’t let the clutter stay in your way. You’re not the objects you have.

39. Read A Book Per Week

Or, alternatively, a fine selection of blogs. That will keep your mind alert and your focus steady. Reading is like good food for your brain, without it, it will go lazy, obese and unresponsive. But with the proper food it can become your best friend.

40. Start A Monthly Challenge

Being it physical, mental or social. Intend to acquire something new in your life in 30 days. Improve your health using new methods, or your relationships by starting new things together. Make it count. And count on it.

41. Call An Old Friend

It’s enlightening to meet somebody you haven’t talk to in the last years. Go right now and call an old friend, or a relative. It will bring up memories and it will create new opportunities. Don’t let the dust settle on your relationships.

42. Follow A Coincidence

Well, there aren’t any coincidences, I lied. Everything has a purpose. If you witness something which may seem like a coincidence, then you’re very lucky, you just got a sign. Follow it with trust, it will lead you well.

43. Play A Game

Any game. Just play. Like a child. Allow yourself to do something just for fun, without any goals, pressures or deadlines. Will make you understand that everything is a game. Sometimes a little bit harder, but still a game..

44. Forgive Somebody Out Of The Blue

Don’t hold that grudge for that past insult. Grudges are heavy and tend to make the take off for a new life a little bit difficult. The longer you hold that grudge, the more difficult the take off will be. Forgiveness will lift you off.

45. Stop Solving The Wrong Problems

You are not here to witness the bad things in your life. Nor the performance in itself. You are here to enjoy a journey. To become aware, To grow. So, stop solving the wrong problem and focus on what really matters.

46. Make Peace With An Old Enemy

That’s more than forgiveness, that’s the actual process of reversing a situation. Make peace with somebody. Turn it into your friend. I’m not saying this is easy, I know it first hand. But I also know it works. Enemies count down, friends count up.

47. Make A Promise To A Close Person And Keep It

It doesn’t have to be something big. It doesn’t have to be for someone special. It doesn’t have to be difficult also. But it has to be a commitment to somebody. Just reach out, make a promise, keep it and then enjoy the feeling after.

48. Break Up With A Person You Don’t Really Like

Maybe you’re friend with somebody just by habit, chemistry being dead for a long time now. Just break it up. Tell him. Ok, let’s unfriend us, this will not work. It will bring up something you thought you lost it long ago: courage.

49. Get A Thing You Wanted For A Long Time

But you didn’t had time or money to get it. Just go out and get it. Not only it will boost your self-respect, but it will also free your desire channel, which may be a little bit clogged by having one and only one desire for such a long time.

50. Stop Being Judgmental

With others AND with you. Excessive criticism will kill your enthusiasm. And if you think this post is something you shouldn’t read in the first place, then, my friend, you really are judgmental. Lighten up. Accept life as it is.

51. Change Your Wardrobe

You don’t know how much are you tied to what you wear. If you’re on the gray loving side, put some color in your clothes. If you’re on the black and white, try some gradients. Of course, your clothes are not you. Hence, they’re so easy to change, right?

52. Smile At Least 10 Times A Day

And I mean it, start to count that. Smiling is a sign of honesty and power. Everybody can cry over a disaster but only the most powerful can take bitterness with a smile. Exercise that power. And then try to go for 20 times a day.

53. Burn Some Old Memories

Maybe the notebook from your 7th grade? Maybe the teenage dumb poetry you wrote? Whatever it might be, break up. It might be difficult, but it might also be a sign that you’re so attached to the past that you can’t advance in your life anymore.

54. Plant A Tree

Or take care of a flower. Do it for at least several months. It will give you a sense of potential. Seeing that tree or that flower growing will make your self-confidence go up. If a flower can make it, why can’t I? Of course you can, now do it!

55. Move To Another Town Or Country

Maybe it’s time to change the environment? Take the plunge, move over. Pick another town or even another country. Like all the good stuff, it might be pretty difficult in the beginning, but you can bet it would shake everything really good!

56. Join A New Group

Go to a bikers meeting. Or, if you’re not a biker, to a toastmaster meeting. Join a group and see how you fit in. It will help if the group will be focused on some of your passions, of course. It will reveal a lot about your social skills.

57. Stop Watching TV

Television evolved a lot from the balanced news provider it was in the beginning up to the current manipulating tool. Just stop watching it for a week. And then for a month. Meanwhile, assess your psychological progress. You may be amazed.

58. Start A Totally Unexpected Hobby

Start making trains out of matches. Raise cobras. Put tiny vessels into tiny bottles. Do whatever it takes to move your mind from your problems for a while. And if you can create something nice in the process, why not doing it?

59. Randomly Hug A Stranger On The Street

Ok, this might be a little bit dangerous, but only if you think at it. If you’re doing it, chances are that you’re going to get your hug back. It will also help raising your adrenaline up to levels you never had for a very long time.

60. Set Up A Surprise Party

For your or for a friend. It’s always good for your mood, even if – or especially if – you’re down. Do a thematic one, invite friends and tell them to bring their friends. And then expect to meet new, wonderful persons. And of course, have fun.

61. Go Hiking

Do it for at least one week-end. Nature is more powerful than our human created environment. We don’t know how to channel the energy into our artificial habitats. If you want to recharge, go outside and stay in connection with the wilderness.

62. Get A Pet

Whatever works for you, a bird, a guinea pig, a dog or a cat. It will keep you alert and it will cheer you up when you’re down. Taking care of a pet is also easier if you’re overwhelmed with human interaction. Even from a pet, love is still love.

63. Write A Thank You Letter

You can send it or not, the real catch is to write it. Pick someone who helped you in the past. Start writing the letter and say everything you want to say to that person. It will make you understand what are you really grateful for in your life.

64. Meditate Daily

It’s the easiest thing you can do. True mediation acts like a mind emptier, leaving you open to the whole flow of the sensations and experiences you would otherwise ignore. You don’t even need a complicated technique, meditate as you see fit.

65. Say Something Nice To Somebody

Just like that. Out of the blue. Pick an unknown person and say something nice. After the initial surprise you’ll be amazed by the unmasked joy and gratitude they’re expressing. Admit it: you would like that too, isn’t it?

66. Say Something Nice To You

Ok, but if nobody is telling you nice things, why not start this yourself? Do it in whatever form you think it’s appropriate: send yourself emails, write in your calendar or leave yourself nice postits on the desk. With something nice just for you.

67. When I Doubt, Improvise

Being so scared for not knowing the answer, so nervous that you may screw thigns up… I know the feeling, I’ve been there too. Just go with the flow. Improvise. It will be so good for your unconscious mind. The real answer will be surprising.

68. Don’t Argue, Win Or Lose

This goes hand in hand with avoiding the fight, but it’s a little bit different. If you get caught in an argument, just accept that you can have only two outcomes from it: win or lose. Settle with one and just move on.

69. Stop Faking Your Life

It’s so easy to get caught in a flow of fakes. Society wants us to politely lie and you need to lie sometimes. Just stop it. Being authentic is the best thing you can do. No need to hide your sorrow, nor your joy. They’re both part of life.

70. Define Goals

Again, that goes hand in hand with writing a personal mission but it’s more than that. It’s the habit of clearly deciding – and, subsequently, describing – where you want to go. Do you have a goal? A passion, maybe? Go for it! And be verbose.

71. Help Others

Reach out and try to see if you can help others. You don’t have to be a Samaritan, just go out there and support somebody. The biggest trick of helping is really surprising: although it seems you’re giving, you’re in fact receiving a lot more.

72. Go Social

Mingle, interact, go out. Get used to meet new people. Make this a habit and you’ll soon get used to do new things too. The goal is not to be the best networker in the world, but to be connected to as many energy sources as you can get.

73. Spend Some Time Alone

Subsequently, make sure you set aside enough time for your own. You don’t necessarily need to recharge, but you need this time in order to get a new perspective. Stop for a while and look around. Where are you? Where do you want to be?

74. Fix Something By Yourself

Go fix a broken window, or a scratch on your car. Don’t call for a specialist, get involved, see how you can have an impact on things around you. Work with your hands, prepare to sweat. It will instantly make you feel better.

75. Create Value

Make things that others need too. Make something useful. Don’t follow blind or outdated commitments, go for what really makes a change around you. Creating value is the core of your activity here and the only thing you really have to strive for.

76. Do A Random Act Of Kindness

Doesn’t have to be in the form of a nice compliment this time. You don’t even need to communicate it to the target person. Just do an incognito service to someone. See how this makes you feel. Think how many times you received that.

77. One More Second

Create the habit of looking at things for one more second. Spend one more second before taking an important decision. Delay something. Time will follow your intention and open some unexpected window for you. Slow it down a little.

78. Understand What People Want From You

What you can do is not always what people want from you. Clearing that confusion alone could bring an immense relief to your life. You don’t have to immediately provide what they’re wanting, but if you do, you may have some big surprises.

79. Break An Old Bad Habit

Breaking a bad habit is difficult. But breaking an old bad habit will free an incredible amount of time into your life. Quit smoking or stop talking on the phone for hours. Whatever you break, it will change your life for the best.

80. Stop Complaining

Complaining is like an open invitation for troubles. The more you complain about something, the more of that something you invite into your life. Cut it out. You don’t get any comfort out of complaining, only troubles.

81. Reject What You Don’t Want

It’s so simple, yet so underrated. Society wants us to complain even when we don’t really like stuff. Like forcing us to smile when we don’t find it funny. Allow yourself to walk away from something you don’t like. Just do it!

82. Being Is Better Than Having

Too much and too often we shape our life’s fulfillment degree to the amount we possess. The fundamental mistake. If you’re doing it, stop it right now. You’re not what you’re having. Being is so much better than having.

83. Listen To Your Critics

This one might be difficult in the beginning but once you get used to it it’s fantastic. You may find out a lot of stuff about yourself that you didn’t know about. You think you are one kind of person, but others may disagree.

84. Don’t Take It Personally

Never. Your world is shaped by your reaction to things, not by the things themselves. Don’t get upset, don’t think that somebody knows you enough to make right assumptions about you. Acknowledge and move on.

85. Laugh

This time is not about smiling. It’s about laughing. Don’t you ever miss another opportunity to laugh. Especially at yourself. The longer your laughing sessions, the shorter your misery ones. Looks like a nice deal, isn’t it?

86. Go With Passion

Don’t let your rational mind stand in the way of your passion. If you found – or at least felt, even occasionally – something that thrills you, you’re there. You don’t need a confirmation on this from anybody. Go with your passion.

87. Trust Your Emotions

Don’t underestimate your emotions. Or overestimate them. Your emotions are your feed-back system and for that they are very important. Trying to ignore your emotions is like depriving yourself from lights in a car running in the middle of the night.

88. Live It Like A Holiday

Ever observed how nice you feel during your holiday? How light, joyful and authentic? Everything is just wonderful. Well, you are on a continuous holiday here. It starts with your birth and end with your death. Live it like a holiday.

89. Make A Story Out Of It

Do you like a good story? I love it. Make everything in your life story-worthwhile. Make it as it would be a fantastic journey and you will be at all time the observer, the hero and the narrator. Create the story of your life.

90. Stop Being A Follower

Admiring is nice. But being admired is even better. Stop trying to fit in other people’s shoes. Find your own path. If that means breaking up completely your lifestyle, so be it. If you are “like” somebody else you can’t be “like” yourself anymore.

91. Watch Your Beliefs

Your beliefs are not you. But they are shaping your life constantly. You have the power to change them at any point in your existence. But in order to do that, you must first start to observe them, to isolate them, to accept them.

92. Stop Lying

To others and to yourself. Although it might ease a complicated situation, a lie is not good in the long run. The trick is that if you’re telling a lie you’re altering your reality. And a distorted reality will be impossible to handle.

93. Stop Reacting To Stuff

And start acting on stuff. Initiate things. Start projects. Predict situations and be there before the hurricane hits. Reacting to stuff is a victim paradigm. Stop being a victim and start acting. Create your life instead of being the creation of others.

94. Live Today

Not yesterday, not tomorrow. Go for what you can do today and leave yesterday behind for good. It’s not here anymore. And tomorrow doesn’t even exist yet, so why bother. All you have is today. Don’t waste it.

95. Expect The Unexpected

If there’s something unusual that happens to you, go for it. The unexpected is a signal of an opportunity. It will not always be nice, this unexpected, but whenever it’s around, magical things are happening. Wait for it. Praise for it.

96. Enjoy

Like being in joy. Like giving permission to yourself to extract joy from any situation you’re in. Even if it’s bad. Or especially if it’s bad. Joy is everywhere, you just have to let it manifest through you. Don’t resist joy. Don’t reject it.

97. Make Your Own Rules

And stick with them. Go for what works for you, not the others. Go for what you want, not the others. Including me. Make your own system and be proud of it. You may upset some people in the process, but hey, that’s life.

98. Love

Unconditionally. Totally. Constantly. Restlessly. Love is the only glue that keeps your life running. You were born out of love and you carry it deep down in your being. Love is never about the others, it’s about you.

99. Get Rid Of Labels

Things are what they are. Don’t use labels anymore, use directly the things. Your notion of “right” and “wrong” are nothing but labels. In a different country your “right” might be “wrong”. Don’t charge yourself with this unneeded burden.

100. No Regrets

Regretting something is another form of not accepting reality. What you can do about it now? It’s gone. It doesn’t exist anymore. Focus on what you can change: your present moment. Not yesterday, not tomorrow. Now. Live now.


**copied from http://www.dragosroua.com/100-ways-to-live-a-better-life/**