Hello!

Alissa and I moved yesterday (just within the same complex), so I’m writing from a different desk in a different (and nicer) environment. It’s 65 and the sun is shining brightly into the window. It’s a great way to start the day and talk with you about another situation that came up when our Arizona friends were here this weekend.

Of course, when friends are in a town they have never visited, you take them out to the best places to eat, right? Well, we did the same thing and took them to one of the “trendy” places here in Palm Beach Gardens. We had a great time, had some great food, and some great conversation.
Now, to elaborate just a bit, this couple originally started as one of our clients in Arizona. So, it’s no big deal for Alissa and me to order something healthy and have the server alter it to our health needs. Our friends are quite accustomed to it.

But, I have to tell you, the situation really got me to thinking about how different it INITIALLY is for someone that starts to make a change in their eating habits.

Initially, there are 3 sources (or more) of discomfort, especially in the beginning, when you are developing new, improved, healthy eating habits:

1) Family members who eat poorly and choose and expect to continue to do so.
2) Friends in the same category.
3) The server at the restaurant.

Quickly, let me encourage you to immediately dismiss being "uncomfortable" with asking for what you want to eat from the menu, and asking them to prepare it the way you prefer. Restaurant servers and chefs are quite accustomed to taking "special orders", so don't worry about that!

Next topic! ;)

Friends and family are a completely different story, aren't they?

I want to help you handle this situation. Believe it or not, the best example I have actually came from a couples conference Alissa and I attended about 10 days ago.

At the conference, there was a unifying theme. I don't know if they originally intended for it to be a common theme, but after reviewing everything, every single speaker mentioned it as a primary source for a successful relationship.

(Don't worry, I'll tie this back into our eating situation quite soon!)

Every speaker basically said this: in order to GIVE the most in a marriage, we must BECOME the most we can be.

In other words, we must work harder on changing and improving ourselves, so that we can truly help and love other people.

Can you see how this concept helps at the restaurant, especially for those who are literally just starting out on a new, healthier lifestyle?

You see, by being strong enough to fix yourself, first, you will begin building a strong foundation. Not only will that foundation help YOU stay strong, (and here is where everything ties together...) but it will become a foundation that others can lean upon when THEY finally make the right choices.

Become strong first. It is initially uncomfortable; I understand that. But it will forge a path that helps and provides valuable experience to OTHERS, especially the ones you love the most, to make their own personal changes...

...when THEY are ready.

As always, I hope this helps give you the strength and encouragement you need to be strong as you begin a new lifestyle.

Take care, and much love and happiness,


Jeremy and Alissa Nelms
The World's Happiest Fitness Couple!
http://www.TheFitCouple.com

Priceless Success "Secrets"

These priceless bits of information come from a document called the "Kekich's Credo".

I read them the other day and was so impressed that I wanted to share with YOU what I thought to be the top ten (there are 100 listed)!

Enjoy and try to apply them to your life TODAY :)

1. You are successful when you like who and what you are. Success includes achievement...while choosing and directing your own activities. It means enjoying intimate relationships and loving what you do in your life.

2. Cherish time, your most valuable resource. You can NEVER make up the time you lose. It's the most important value for any productive happy individual and it is the only limitation to all accomplishment. To waste time is to waste your life. The most important choices you'll ever make are how you use your time.

3. Rationalizations are generally convenient evasions of reality and are used as excuses for dishonest behavior, mistakes and/or laziness.

4. Always have lofty explicit goals and visualize them intensely. Assume the attitude that if you don’t reach your goals, you will literally die! This type of gun-to-your-head forced focus…survival pressure mindset, not matter how briefly used, stimulates your mind, forces you to use your time effectively…and illuminates new ways of getting things done.

5. Enthusiasm covers many deficiencies – and will make others want to associate with you.

6. No dream is too big. It takes almost the same amount of time and energy to manage tiny projects or businesses as it does to manage massive ones.

7. Don’t be preoccupied with things over which you have no control, and don’t take things personally.

8. Enjoy life. Treat it as an adventure. Care passionately about the outcome, but keep it in perspective. Things are seldom as bleak as they seem when they are going wrong – or as good as they seem when they are going well. Lighten up. You’ll live longer!

9. Identify exactly what it is you want. This takes a lot of thought. Then don’t let anything stand in your way of getting it.

10. Persistence is a sure path to success with quality activities. Never, EVER, EVER give up!

Now, don’t you feel motivated?!

Get up off your bum and go take action. This is your day to make things happen.

Sincerely,

Alissa Nelms
TheFitCouple

How to get that summer body in five easy steps!

With the temperatures rising, this can only mean one thing…spring has arrived and summer is right around the corner. Are you ready to strut your stuff up and down the beach in that yellow polka-dot bikini, or are you one of the many women who dread the thought of putting on that swimsuit?

Don’t panic just yet! Now is the time get up off the couch and start getting those unwanted pounds off… BEFORE summer hits.

The great news is that there is still time to look your best for that summer vacation that you have already booked and are looking forward to the rest and relaxation it has in store for you! But, it will take some commitment on your part.

Are you ready for that?

If so than, take that swimsuit out of the bag, hang it up on display and let’s get your confidence soaring!

Step 1: Find the “why” in your goal:
I want you to dig deep on this one. I want you to think about your ideal body and envision yourself on the beach in that fabulous bikini. Can you see it vividly in your head? Now I want you to write that “ideal” body down on paper. This is where we must go further and write down WHY we want this ideal body? What is the real reason for this goal? Is it self-confidence, health, a special event or someone? Be specific and don’t hold back. Most of all…be HONEST!

Step 2: Get those Calendars and PDA’s out:
Over the next few months, one of the most important appointments you will have will be your workout times. These need to be scheduled at the beginning of the week and you must keep yourself accountable for those times. No more excuses, no canceling times because of other “appointments”. Get yourself to the gym (or better, yet, to Boot Camp); this is your commitment to yourself. If you don’t prioritize, you will ultimately let yourself down. Consistency is KEY here!

Step 3: Raiding the Pantry Time:
Remember that 70% of your fat loss results come from what you put in your mouth! It is time for a little “spring cleaning” for your kitchen. Throw away all the “junk”, like processed foods, sugar-filled colas, fruit juices, candy, etc. We need our kitchen to be supportive of our fat loss goal, not a death trap.

Instead, stock the kitchen with lean meats, fruits, veggies, and healthy fats (i.e. white cheeses, nuts, avocados, olive oil). You will be amazed at the results you can achieve by just cleaning up the food you ingest and not getting so hung up with calories.

Step 4: Eat Supportively:
Now that our kitchen is rid of all of the “temptations” that might sabotage us during our intense commitment, we can start to talk about food and food timing. To achieve the best results one should eat every 3-4 hours and only eat until you are satisfied. Choose from the previously mentioned foods, and make sure to get a lean protein and veggies at every meal. This will not only help boost your metabolism, but it will give you the energy you need to get the most out of your workouts every day.

Step 5: Now Get up and MOVE:
A healthy combination of resistance training and cardiovascular training is very important. All too often, people think of fat loss and start running miles upon miles each week, exhausting their bodies and finding little or no improvements in their body appearance.

Adapting a full body resistance training program (Boot Camp or Nelms Fitness) that has you lifting a minimum of three days per week will not only yield you fabulous results, but will also make your time in the gym more efficient and effective. Combine this with 2-3 days of High Intensity Interval training, for 15-20 minutes per session, and you have a recipe for success.

Now, with your swim suit hung up and your mindset focused on the goal, you have now been equipped with the tools that you need to succeed.

With a strong commitment to that beach body, you are now ready to begin down the road to your best body ever!

Enjoy the journey and remember that consistency is crucial to meeting and even exceeding your goal.

Finally, act today… what are you waiting for? The year is almost half way over with!

Sincerely,



















Alissa Nelms
TheFitCouple

Motivation & Goal Setting: Part 5

Lastly, remember that patience is a virtue. Success has never been achieved overnight. Be patient with this process. Stay focused, stay motivated and take this process one step at a time. If you mess up and fall off the horse, wipe the dirt off and jump right back on the horse and ride harder. Do not be discouraged or beat yourself up about the small mistakes, this is not how you create success. Success is getting back up, keeping that mental toughness and pushing forward. This is where true success is born and tough goals are achieved. This is when you can be truly proud of achieving your goals.

Taking action is the key to this entire process. I can give you the tools that you need to achieve your goals, but without your action these tools are worthless. So write down your goals, create rewards, make a vision book, be positive, find an accountability partner, join an online community and lastly, have patience.

Time is ticking… it is your time to take action and change the course of your life by achieving your goals today!

What are you waiting for?

Sincerely,















Alissa Nelms
TheFitCouple

Motivation & Goal Setting: Part 4

The best way to motivate yourself in this next step is to find a strong accountability partner. This needs to be someone that you trust, look up to and respect. Be sure to think carefully about a person that would be able to fill these shoes. Right now, write a list of 5 people that you feel could be a strong accountability partner. List out their qualities, and then by process of elimination, choose the person that you believe will help you stay strong, motivated and help you achieve your goals. Call that person up now and ask them if they are willing to support you and motivate you in achieving your goals today!

Joining an online community or message board can also be vitally important to your success. I know to some of you that this may sound corny, but online communities are an easy way to gain instant support, encouragement, motivation and friendship from people who share the same goals and mindsets that you do. This is where you can learn from other’s mistakes and even share some of your own. You can learn a ton of information and gain a wealth of knowledge from these online communities!

Also, a majority of these sites have professionals that you can ask questions of and get fantastic answers from. Be sure to be active, ask questions, and share your thoughts and feelings. You will only get whatever you put into the community, so take advantage of this free resource and use it! You can use Google to find online communities that are specific to your goals, or if weight loss is your goal you can check out ours at TheFitCouple Community site.

Next blog post will wrap this topic up so act now and get moving, today is the day!! :)

Sincerely,



















Alissa Nelms
TheFitCouple