As we wrap up 2010, think about who in your life inspires you and pushes you to be better. Think about who the bad apples are in your life. Get rid of the bad apples. Instead of making resolutions to lose 10 pounds, make resolutions about who you’re going to spend your time with. Time is an increasingly valuable commodity. Why would you waste your time with people who are wasting time. Find people who fill you up and make you better. Learn from them. Emulate them. Grow with them. If these people help you to be healthier and happier, you’ll likely lose that 10 pounds.

1. No chips allowed
2. No baked goods allowed
3. No Diet Coke/Pepsi

I was out of town last weekend and I came home to chips in the cupboard and Diet Coke in the fridge. My husband broke the rules. We have the rules for me – not for him. He can say no to salt, I cannot. He can say no to sugar, I cannot. Neither of us can say no to carbonation. So I just inhaled a handful of chips – Salt & Vinegar Tim’s – I don’t even like those chips, dammit! If I’m gonna have chips give me some Doritos! Then I guzzled down half a DC. Ahhhhh, bubbles… But it’s definitely not my fault since my husband brought this stuff in the house.

Sound familiar . . . . .

This is all completely true, by the way. I know personal trainers aren’t supposed to like crappy food. I’ll let you in on a little secret. Most of us like it, we’re just really good at saying no to it. For me I gotta keep it simple. It has to STAY OUT OF THE HOUSE. That’s all there is to it. If it’s not there, I can’t eat it, right?? Easy as pie.

So go open up your cupboards and fridge and see what you can dump out NOW! The more you dump now, the more calories you save yourself from later, what a beautiful thing!

I’m dumping the rest of the chips and DC out this instant! Thanks for motivating me!

So I did not have a meltdown this morning, begging my husband to hold be back from getting on the plane. Instead, I have learned over time how to handle things that freak me out. I started my day with a 4:45 am run. Yes, cardio has to happen when I’m nervous. It is the ONLY way to ease my nerves. Also, I’ve armed myself with a fancy new notebook, fancy new rollerball pens and fancy new highlighters. I’m so ready to take some kick ass notes this weekend. You should have seen me shopping for my new school supplies. Give me an Office Max and I am a kid in a candy store. I’m such a nerd!

But most importantly, I keep reminding myself that every time I have stepped out of my comfort zone as an adult it has hugely impacted my life. It started with my first half marathon in 1998, long before I knew I would ever become a trainer. Then I went back to school, even after my friend who was supposed to become a trainer with me backed out. Then I started my own business. Talk about peeing my pants . . . NEVER, EVER thought I’d run my own business. Now I’m taking steps each year to build my business to be bigger, better and serve more people. And with each step comes moments when I think I’m going to completely fall apart, because who the heck do I think I am running my own business?! But with the completion of every new step, I emerge screaming, “HELL YEAH!!! I JUST DID THAT!” Then begins the next stage of planning for the next big (gut wrenching) step.

So if you’re wondering why I’m blogging about this, I’d like you to think about the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone. Really think . . . . What sort of an impact did it have on your life? I’m telling you, nothing will change you like stepping out of your comfort zone. It will make your stronger mentally, emotionally and physically. It will prepare you to take on challenges and accomplish things you never thought possible. If you stay in your comfort zone you’ll stay right where you’re at. Is that where you want to be? Would you like to be somewhere else? Where would you like to be in one year? In five years?

Ok, here I go, off to the airport. While I have good reason to be nervous about all sorts of things in the next few days, mostly I’m nervous about being the new kid tomorrow. I hope people are nice and someone wants to be my friend. That’s really my biggest fear right now. I know, I’m such a nerd!