The local small business development center recently asked me to express my professional journey. As I thought about it, I found correlations between my own transformation and that of my business!
I am passionate about my business but as many of you know, passion is not the only ingredient to being successful. Any business owner knows (and busy mom’s, college students, and hard-working professionals) that gaining and achieving balance AND success is truly an art form. I started out with the intention of bringing a healthy lifestyle to others but soon found that there were many elements besides my core services that would determine whether I would succeed or not. I had to learn from my own experience of an unhealthy, pre-diabetic lifestyle that the building blocks to a fulfilling and energetic life started out with baby steps. I had to learn how to eat better, work out effectively, and understand nutrition and its impact on me. I have, in 10 years, taken my body to an unbelievable place… winning contests, reducing my body fat and adding years to my life. In the same 10 years I have had to learn the building blocks for my business. They included managing the money and inventory, mentoring employees and learning about lease agreements, just to name a few. I have been extremely fortunate to positively impact the health of hundreds of clients and I know this impacts us economically also. When you help one person, whether it be in health or business (or any other avenue for that matter!), the whole community thrives… in fact, dare I say, the whole planet thrives!
I feel empowered to provide jobs and add to the economic impact of our region. But most importantly I am proud to have learned the steps to have a healthy business along with my healthy body and that in turn creates a healthy world! I applaud all of you who, day in and day out, work hard to achieve, give back, and thrive. In each and every small detail that we undertake, there is an impact to those around us. I want to thank you for also choosing to be a positive force in our community! Together, we can make a difference!
Archive for April, 2010
A Direct Correlation Between Weight Loss and Business
Tuesday, April 27th, 2010Body By Angie: Is Your Body Bankrupt? Learn to Invest in Yourself
Friday, April 23rd, 2010Well, my first book has finally been published and is available on amazon.com and in bookstores everywhere! Wow! What a long process – I had no idea how long it would take to write a book and how much longer it takes to publish a book! If you have ever thought of writing a book, feel free to ask me questions on this blog. I would be happy to assist you and perhaps save you some heartache and excess footsteps on the journey of becoming an author.
I am very proud of this accomplishment and I am more proud of the reviews I have been receiving, especially the ones on amazon.com from people I don’t know.
If my book changes one person’s life, the many weekends I spent writing instead of “just chilling”, the hours spent emailing my editor and reviewing the book, and the headaches I had over the publishing companies rules and regulations will be all worth it. If that one person realizes the importance of exercise and/or the benefits of healthy eating, my book will be a success in my eyes.
I invite all of you that have read my book to post a personal story, an “a-ha” moment, or an “oh, wow” comment to this blog. I would love to dive deeper into some of the topics I wrote about as well as answer any questions that you may have after reading my book.
Here’s to your health!
A True Success Story!
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010By Wilma Young CPT
Changing our lifestyle to be more fit and healthy is a process. It stems from building your knowledge about proper eating, hard work and consistent choices. I was so happy for a recent revelation that one of my “star” clients had. She has spent the last year transforming her body and mind. She has dropped over thirty pounds and 3 pant sizes. Has muscle tone that rivals a college student and she is twice the age. Her physical changes are obvious to her family, friends and co-workers. But the surprise that revealed itself to us both happened this week. She had to prepare for a scope of the lower and upper GI tract as a regular routine test for a person her age. It required a “prep” diet that involved the elimination of all fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, protein shakes etc. All of the food choices she has come to rely on for mental and physical energy. The recommendations for eating were meat, white bread and processed foods that had little nutrition and fiber. By the time I saw her she was low in energy and feeling “punky” as she put it. She did not need to cut calories so that was not the issue. She knew at that moment that all of the foods she had been choosing over the last year that were full of enzymes, phytonutrients and life-force were an irreplaceable part of her health. That a few days without these items made her feel worn out and sluggish just emphasized how essential this ingredients were to her active and happy life. Her biggest dream was to eat oatmeal and salad again the next day. At this moment we had realized that not only had she transformed her body but also her mind and spirit. That she now craved the nutrition of good food as opposed to the “cheap” high that fast food or sugar provided was proof of what true success is! I guess the old adage is true, that you never know how much you miss something until it’s gone. That the life we choose to invest in is worth the uncomfortable stages we must go though. That in the end we have truly gained success when we know that the choices we make are the right ones and also the ones we want!
The Monday Morning Blues!
Monday, April 19th, 2010Wilma Young CPT
It happens to most of us. We have a hard work week and we want to let loose on the weekends. We feel we deserve a little rest and relaxation but what happens when we do a little too much? We eat a few extra bites, indulge in the appetizers we normally swear off of all week or nibble on the crackers and cheese put out by well meaning friends. THEN, Monday morning hits like a slap to the face and we are defeated. The need to berate ourselves with the internal “flogging” is an undeniable burden that leads to stress. This is the stress that causes our emotional roller coaster to take off. Then, you guessed it, our weight loss stops because we have increased our cortisol and start storing fat instead of releasing it. As a strong and relatively intelligent human being we know this is not the smartest way to handle our missteps. Yet, the child in us who has been use to a scolding when
she has done “bad” lets the voice inside take over. If we are not careful this is the turning point where we could fall off the wagon completely. In fact, it is especially important at this time to get RIGHT BACK ON! The key to a successful and healthy lifestyle is being able to navigate through the pitfalls that come up. To be able to evaluate and manage the social and environmental challenges we encounter and when we fail get right back to it is true success. There is no knowledge of success without the taste of failure. There is no peace if we have not known unrest or sunshine if we haven’t met the darkness. I want to offer you this. When you feel dark about your recent choices it is important to find your light again. Even if it is a flicker. It could be to wake up and do ten jumping jacks or make a healthy dinner for the family. Even thinking just a positive thought about yourself, like, I am a good mother, wife or friend can have a positive impact on your life. Maybe saying to yourself… I make a nice home for my family or I made someone happy today that was sad just by being there for them can be the turning point. It is important to get the light re-ignited at the first opportunity, even if it means you have to start that fire yourself. Remember, you are a light in this world, for your children, your community and for yourself. Do everyone a favor and let that light shine!!