Thursday, December 5, 2013

12/10/13- YOU GOT 30 MINUTES???

IT'S ALMOST HERE!!!!!

If you don't know what I'm talking about...then let me tell you a little secret! 

P90X3 will be available on 12/ 10, 2013!!!

Here are the down and dirty details about P90X3:

When is P90X3 available for purchase?
P90X3 will be available to order by end of day 12/10.

Where is P90X3 available for purchase?
Find it in the TBB Store and take advantage of free shipping until 12/31. .

When should I order it to guarantee I get it by Christmas?
Order by 12/15 11:59 PM to guarantee delivery by 12/25.

What special offer is associated with the release of P90X3?
All orders of P90X3, purchased on TeamBeachbody.com, through a Coach or through a Challenge Pack, from 12/10/13 through 12/31/13 will include a free P90X3 hat. There are no hats for P90X or P90X2 orders at this time.

Is there an App available?
The P90X App will be available for Android on 12/10 and the Android version will include the ability to track P90X3 workouts. The functionality to track your P90X3 workouts will be available soon for the iPhone App.

Is there a vegan meal plan option available for P90X3?
There will be vegan options included in the new P90X3 Nutrition Guide that will be available on December 10, 2013.

How long does it take to complete P90X3?
P90X3 is a 90 day program, split into 3 Blocks. Blocks 1 & 2 each consist of 4 weeks, while Block 3 lasts 5 weeks.
Additionally, the Elite Block calendar, which is an optional block to be completed AFTER the initial 90 days, lasts 4 weeks.
The Elite Block includes 3 workouts not included within the P90X3 Base Kit. These workouts and calendar can be found within the P90X3 Deluxe and Ultimate Kits. In addition, they can also be purchased separately.

How long are the workouts for P90X3?
All P90X3 workouts are 30 minutes. The lone exception is the X3 Ab Ripper workout (15 minutes), included within the Deluxe Kit. Most workouts include a 2-3 minute cool down period.

What is included in P90X3?

P90X3 Base Kit Includes:
  • 16 unique and brand new workouts on 8 DVDs
  • Plus, 5 Free Gifts
  • Fitness Guide
  • Nutrition Guide
  • 90 Day Workout Calendar
  • How to Accelerate Intro DVD
  • 24/7 Online Support
  • Network Exclusive P90X One on One: On One Leg DVD
  • Network Exclusive Premium P90X3 Hat ($24.95 value) - December Only!
Base Kit Pricing
  • Retail           $119.85 + S&H
  • Club             $107.87
  • Coach          $89.89 (90 PV)
P90X3 Deluxe Kit
Includes everything in the Base Kit PLUS:
  • 3 Elite Extreme workouts on 1 DVD
  • Includes free Elite Block Calendar
  • 1-Month E&E Tub
  • 3 B-Lines Resistance Bands
Deluxe Kit Pricing
  • Retail           $239.70 + S&H
  • Club             $215.73
  • Coach          $179.78 (180 PV)
P90X3 Ultimate Kit
Includes everything in the Base & Deluxe Kits PLUS:
  • 1-Month R&R Tub
  • Gym-Quality P90X® Chin-Up Bar
  • P90X® Chin-Up Max
  • Premium Beachbody Jump Mat
Ultimate Kit Pricing
  • Retail           $329.55 + S&H
  • Club             $296.60
  • Coach          $247.16 (247 PV)
P90X3 Challenge Pack
Retail Price: $205 (December Promotional Price: $180)

  • P90X3 Base Kit
  • 30-Day Supply of Shakeology HD
  • 30-Day VIP Team Beachbody Club Membership
So this is the skinny on the P90X3 release! I can't tell you how excited I am for this to come out so I can add it to my home workout collection. I have to tell you that I got some FANTASTIC  results from P90X, so I can't wait to see what kind of results I will get with P90X3!

I will also be starting a P90X3 Challenge Group in January. I am looking for at least ten (10) people who are ready to BRING IT!!! Do you have the guts to transform yourself into a new you?? If so... you have plenty of time to get on board and get ready to bring in the New Year and to get started  on your New Year's resolutions!

If you have any questions, I can answer them! Contact me at any of the links below! 

Contact me: jamesmecale@gmail.com
Sign up for your FREE membership at Team Beachbody: CLICK HERE!
Beachbody Coach Website: CLICK HERE
Shakeology Website: CLICK HERE
New Beginnings Health and Fitness Page: CLICK HERE

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Friday, November 22, 2013

P90X3??? IT'S COMING!!!!!!




 As some of you may have seen on my Facebook posts, P90X3 will be available on 12/10/13. I can't tell you how EXCITED I am for this to come out!! I did two rounds of P90X and if P90X3 is anything like P90X...it will be EPIC!!! Here is what we know about P90X3 so far...

  • P90X3 is NOT a graduate program, which means that if you have never done P90X or P90X2, that is ok...
  • P90X3 has 20 different workouts!
  • Each workout is ONLY 30 MINUTES LONG!! 
  • P90X3 is broken down into three different phases
    • ADAPTIVE
    • RESISTENCE
    • EXPLOSIVE (POWER)

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO PREVIEW

As with any new Beachbody workout program, I will be having a P90X3 Challenge group that will start on January 6, 2014! So if you want to get on board, you have some time to save up your cash and be ready to roll come 01/06/2014!

If you want to keep up to date on P90X3, send me your e-mail and I will keep you updated on the latest with P90X3!

Contact me: jamesmecale@gmail.com

You can also go to my website to learn about P90X3 and other great workouts from Beachbody.

BRING IT!!!!!!



Thursday, October 17, 2013

Get Busy Living Or Get Busy Dying....


I don't know about you...but no one has ever asked me this question. Up until recently, I have never even asked myself this question. I say "up until recently" because it has always been my mindset that I would fail at whatever I attempted. I was not brought up with the notion of having dreams, setting goals and doing my best to accomplish them. There was never any talk like, "What are your dreams?" or "What kind of goals do you have?" But it was never instilled in me to think about goals that I

Don't get me wrong, while I was growing up, I was able to witness how hard my parents both worked to take care of me and my four siblings. I knew that hard work was required to take care of family. I knew that being responsible required hard work to take care of those responsibilities. But I think somewhere along the way, as we grow up and have these responsibilities to take care of, we often forget about such lofty ideas like dreams and goals. 

I feel that at some point, we need to re-evaluate where we are in life and take time to either establish some goals or take some of those old goals we set for ourselves and get busy trying to fulfill those goals. After all, if we are not trying to reach our potential, then one isn't really living are they? It's like Morgan Freeman's character in the movie Shawshank Redemption says, "Get busy living or get busy dying." I feel that a lot of us are busy just trying to get by that we don't have time to think about goals or dreams. In my opinion, when we stop dreaming, we stop living. Dreams are what gives life substance! Achieving those dreams is what should light a fire under us to go out and not settle! Dreams can transform us into an entire different human being. 

So the question I have for you is...

WHAT WOULD YOU ATTEMPT TO DO IF YOU KNEW YOU COULD NOT FAIL??!!?

I really would like to know...so come on and leave a comment!


Tuesday, October 15, 2013

XTREME TRANSFORMATION CHALLENGE...


It was about three years ago that I watched the P90X informercial on late night TV. After much debate, I decided to order the program and I'll tell you....my life hasn't been the same since! It was tough and there were many times where I thought I would quit, but at the end of that first 90 days I felt like a new person! I was stronger and more confident because I knew that I had accomplished something worthwhile!

So that brings me to the point of this particular blog!

Starting on November 4, 2013, I will be co-hosting the Xtreme Transformation Challenge with some of my fellow Beachbody coaches!

I am searching for five to six people who have that desire and mental toughness to commit to 90 days of P90X  OR P90X2 and who KNOW, like I did when I did my first round or P90X, that an Xtreme change is needed in their life!

***WARNING*** The workouts are brutal (especially if you haven't worked out in a while) but I guarantee you that if you stick with the program, you WILL see results!

So if you are ready to get started, or if you have a family member or friend who may be interested in making a life changing transformation in their life, then contact me to find out how to get started!

You can reach me at jamesmecale@gmail.com

You can also get started by clicking one of the following links:
P90X Challenge Pack
P90X2 Challenge Pack

You can also find me on my Facebook fitness page: New Beginnings Health & Fitness

Your "official" invitation to join us: Facebook Event




Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Focus T25- Got 25 minutes?!?

One of the biggest reasons (AKA excuses) I hear from people is that they don't have enough time to workout (among countless other excuses). Well look no further because that excuse can no longer be used!

Shaun T (the creator of Insanity) has come up with a new exciting workout program that is as intense as Insanity but that's where the similarity ends. Most Insanity workouts are anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour long. With Focus T25, you get the same intensity as Insanity...but in ONLY 25 MINUTES!!! Yes...you read that right, ONLY 25 MINUTES!!! Focus T25 is a 10 week program with each workout lasting only 25 minutes, five days a week!

So you may ask...how can a workout that only lasts 25 minutes get you such awesome results? Here is brief overview of the different workouts that comprise Focus T25:

The Base Kit comes with:
10 Workouts
  • ALPHA: Cardio is a calorie burning, sweat drenching, cardio based workout.
  • ALPHA: Ab Intervals is where you will be spending a lot of your time on the floor doing ab workouts with quick cardio recovery workouts in between. This routine will have you shredding the fat from your midsection and getting you the abs of your dreams.
  • ALPHA: Speed 1.0 gets you fast results with this fast paced workout that will ignite your quickness while burning the fat from your body.
  • ALPHA: Lower Focus is the key to burning fat and kicking up your metabolism as you focus on working your lower-body muscles.
  • ALPHA: Total Body Circuit focuses on strength and resistance without having to lift a single weight.
  • BETA: Core Cardio is where you'll "get your sweat on", with this progressive cardio-core workout designed to get you shredded fast.
  • BETA: Dynamic Core will take you from vertical to horizontal and back again in this dynamic, crazy core routine.
  • BETA: Speed 2.0 has you rev it all the way up with Shaun's calorie-scorching, core-focused speed drills.
  • BETA: Upper Focus will help you develop the upper body you've dreamed of; all you have to do is focus.
  • BETA: Rip't Circuit is a workout comprised of cardio, upper body, legs and abs that you do on repeat, taking your body to the next level to get you even more shredded.
Bonus Tools:
  • Alpha-Beta Workout Calendars tells you which workouts to do on which days, taking out the guess-work so all you have to do is nail it.
  • Get It Done Nutrition Guide makes eating simple with just 5 meals a day, using 5 ingredients that take only 5 minutes to prepare. It doesn't get any simpler.
  • Quick Start Guide helps you to hit the ground running with this step-by-step guide for how to achieve your best results.
  • Free Online Support tools keep the motivation strong with 'round-the-clock access to fitness experts and peer support.
Free Gifts:
  • Stretch Workout (also 25 min): after 5 days of hard work you get to stretch it out and relieve those muscles. Enjoy it because you deserve it!
  • B-Lines Resistance Band (15 lb) will assist you in burning fat and carving lean muscle faster.
  • 5-Day Fast Track gives you a jump start on our weight loss with this 5-day low calorie meal plan; it's not easy but it works.
  • 24/7 Online Support keeps you motivated with 'round-the-clock access to fitness experts and peer support

For an even better look at what the program looks like...check out the video...



For the month of July, the Focus T25 Challenge Pack is on sale for $180 (Regular price is $205)

The Challenge Pack consists of the Focus T25 workout program, (all the stuff listed above), as well as your first 30 day supply of Shakeology. With the purchase of a challenge pack, you also get a 30 day trial membership to the Team Beachbody website as well as me as your motivational and accountability coach. You will also be added to my private Facebook page where I will help you reach your goals and help you succeed!

So this is the new, exciting Focus T25 workout program in a nut shell. If you are one of those people who is constantly pressed for time and you need a quality workout that  delivers fantastic results, then you would be hard pressed to find another workout that would measure up to Focus T25!

As always, if you need more information, feel free to contact me:

E-mail: jamesmecale@gmail.com
or you can visit my website here and click the Focus T25 banner on the right side of the page.

You can also find me at the following:
Facebook: New Beginnings Fitness
Twitter: @jmecale72


Thursday, March 21, 2013

Life Got You Down? Fight Like Hell!!

How many times have you tried to do something and maybe you failed miserably? Maybe you're one  of those people who will try to accomplish something and no matter what you do to try to succeed, it just doesn't work out. That saying "one step forward...two steps back" might pertain to you. But even with faced with many uncertainties, what separates those who try, fail and then quit from those that try, fail, but pick themselves back up and try again until they succeed?

It all comes down to three things...desire, perseverance and patience.



Every goal or dream usually start with desire. Now I'm not talking about some spontaneous idea that is thought of on a whim. I'm talking about a all out, full blown desire that keeps you up at night. The kind of desire that as soon as you wake up in the morning, that desire is there, pushing you out of bed telling you that you NEED to get things done to bring your desires into reality! The kind of desire that will go unfulfilled until you get to where you are going. Yea...THAT kind of desire!



Now even though you have that deep burning desire to make your goals a reality, something else is needed... Perseverance!
 Perseverance is defined as:  
-steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/perseverance)
    
So you have a desire to do something great. Next comes a difficult part about making those dreams of yours a reality. As you can see in the definition, there will be difficulties. Yes there will be obstacles. And YES...discouragement will creep up on you and try to keep from reaching your goals. That's just the way life is...get over it and move on!! Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get back on track. If what you desire is so great and that important to you then you know that reaching that goal or dream is going to take hard work and you also know that obtaining something great is NOT going to be easy. Accept that fact and move on citizen! 


You have the desire...you have the perseverance...NOW...one other thing is essential...patience! Everyone has head that Rome wasn't built in a day. So it should stand to reason that achieving your goals and dreams isn't going to happen overnight. Like the person who is overweight and wants to lose weight. That person needs to understand that they didn't get overweight in a short amount of time. It took years of not eating healthy and not exercising to put all that weight on. So anyone who thinks that a magic diet pill is going to help them drop all that weight overnight has another thing coming and is in for a rude awakening! It's that way with ANY dream or goal!! The trick is to keep working at obtaining your goal and learn how to hone that fine art of having patience. I guarantee that as long as you keep pushing, you will come out on top!!!


Life is rough! Some people know that more than others...but ultimately we all have experienced rough times and hardships. But even though we all go through these kind of situations, we as human beings have an amazing ability to persevere and overcome hard times...I truly believe that this is one of the greatest abilities we as human beings posses! So when you've been knocked down, stop and make the decision that you are not going to go down like that...you are going to stand up, and fight like hell and finish strong!!




Saturday, March 9, 2013

Signs, Signs, Everywhere There's Signs....


Everyday we see signs all around us. Some signs, like stop signs, are for our safety and protection. Some signs tell us that the next exit has restrooms and places to eat. Some are advertisements for this product or that product, and some offer important information like weather conditions while one is traveling. Even though we continually have signs that we actually see on a daily basis, there are some signs that we don't see, but yet they scare the hell out of us. You don't think so?
 <<<<  LOOK AT THE PICTURE!!! 

Human beings, by nature, are creatures of habit. If you don't think so, think about the things you do everyday. I know for me, I usually start my day at a certain time everyday. I have my routine where I get out of bed, go shower, wake up my wife and daughter and get them going. go into the kitchen to start making breakfast, get lunches together, take my daughter to school, get dropped off at work, etc. The only time I don't do this is on the weekends. But then on the weekends,I have another set of routine's that I follow. So as much as we don't think we fall into that category, we actually do! Because we are wired in this way, the thought of change can prove to be quite problematic for many people (myself included)!

Now some people can see the sign and accept the fact that they need to change. Now that doesn't mean that they like the fact that they have to change, but they are willing to change. Then you have those on the opposite side of the spectrum. Those who need to change, but refuse at ALL costs. They kick and scream and rant and rave and STILL they won't change. So what makes these two groups of people different? Let's look at the first group of people.

The ones who are willing to change can see that a change is beneficial to them. They see the writing on the wall and want to do something about it. For instance, let's say someone is diagnosed with Type II diabetes. They consult with their doctor and they are given a regimen to follow to help control their diabetes. They take the required medication and/or do their part to follow an exercise and nutrition program to get their diabetes in check. They may not like the change they have to undergo, but ultimately they will make the change because they realize the benefits of making such a change. For these people, they realize that the change they need to make will actually prolong their life and this change will be better, not only for them, but for the people around them. So what about the other group of people??

The other group of people can see the writing on the wall too. Maybe it's diabetes...maybe it's smoking...maybe it's some other type of behavior that they know is not healthy or beneficial to them. They are told by their doctor that they need to make a change or face the consequences later on. They know what they have to do ( *hint hint* change) but yet are unwilling to make a change, or they procrastinate and tell themselves, "I'll do it later!" Whatever their reasons are for not changing, they are willing to suffer the consequences of their decision.These people MIGHT change only if their circumstances are extremely dire! But even then...that's no guarantee that they will change.

In both cases, it all comes down to a making a choice. The choice to change or the choice not to change... that choice is entirely up to us to make, So when given the choice, which choice will you make? Will that sign that you see scare you into not doing anything because of the fear associated with change? Or will you choose to let that sign of change be a positive thing that allows you to make the necessary, positive change that you deserve?


 

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Strong When You Have To Be....

For the longest time I never thought of myself as a strong person. There are times now that I don't see myself as strong. There were times in my life when I felt so fragile and vulnerable, and it was at those times that I wondered if I would make it through whatever storm I was going through at that time. And then on August 1, 2011, I was hit with what may the equivalent of an F5 tornado. I was told I had cancer.  Here I was, 39 years old, recently married, a five year old daughter at the time, and I was diagnosed with cancer. Let me tell you...if there was a time that I ever felt fragile and vulnerable, this was the time! The initial shock was pretty overwhelming. Of course my wife and I were trying to make sense of it all, but in reality we couldn't. But then a strange thing happened. After a couple of days, after the first few waves of emotion had passed, and after living with and accepting the news for a few days, there was a calmness that overcame me. Sure there was still many uncertainties that we would face, there were still struggles and hardships that we have to face in the months to come, but deep inside my spirit, I knew that we would be okay and the this was just another storm to go through. As a matter of fact, one of my mantras was, "This is just a bump in the road that we will get over!"

Maybe that's the thing about inner strength....maybe we really don't know what kind of strength we possess until we have to rely on that strength in order to survive. I can look back now and tell myself, "Yea...I guess I was strong when I needed to be." But at that time, it really had nothing to do with deliberately telling myself that I had to be strong. I think much of it had to do with survival and knowing that I had to fight the "C" monster! There was no room for negative thinking...there was no room for being overwhelmed with emotions....there was no time for feeling sorry for myself. All of those kind of thoughts had no room in my plans of kicking the monkey on my back square in the face and telling him to leave me alone!

Even though I had my fight with cancer and I was blessed with being able to overcome it, there are many people out there who face their own struggles but yet aren't acknowledged for it. The single parent trying to be both mom and dad all while providing for that child and trying to make ends meet. What about the elderly people who are put into nursing homes and no one goes to visit them? Then there are people who may see like they have their life together, but secretly they are battling their own demons. The thing that all these people have in common is that they go on day after day and continue to overcome their challenges in life. They may not be aware of it, but their inner strength is constantly being displayed.

So when you think that you aren't strong enough to get through life's everyday challenges. When you feel like life is getting the best of you. Remember that YOU have that inner strength inside of you too! Take any challenge that life throws at you and KNOW that you can overcome it.You really are stronger than you think you are and when you get over that mountain of uncertainty, you can look back at tell yourself, "Yea...I did it!!"

(Now of course, I couldn't have had the inner strength without support! First and foremost, all thanks and Glory has to go to my Heavenly Father who continued to watch over me, protect me and strengthened me throughout the fight. Next, my loving wife and daughter who were constantly by my side. My mom, my three sisters and my brother and their families were also there for me, in addition to all my other family members.  The countless prayers and support from both dear friends and even strangers also helped me fight! Without this constant support team, I could not have had the inner strength to endure.)


Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Is the Glass Half Empty Or Half Full???

We live in a cynical world full of pessimism. There's no getting around that fact. We all have friends, acquaintances, sometimes even family members who always see the glass as half empty. When we are constantly surrounded by all that negativity, often times it can rub off on us without us knowing it! Not only do we get this kind of attitude from people we know, we are constantly bombarded with negativity in movies, through the media, the internet, and countless other sources.

On rare occasions we will run across people who aren't filled with negativity. These people are quite the opposite as a matter of fact. These are the people who will find the positivity, even in the most dire of circumstances. They could be in the middle of a natural disaster and they will still have that spark of positivity.

As we make our way through our life journey, we have a choice as to whether we allow ourselves to display a negative behavior or a positive one. We can look at the glass half empty...or we can choose to look at the glass half full. If we choose to look at the glass as half empty, then we will deliberately look for the negative things in other aspects of life. The same can be said if we look at the glass as half full. When we do this, we will purposely look for the positive things in any situation. When we choose to see the positivity in life, our attitudes will reflect this decision. That one decision can work wonders with other things we undertake in our life. We will be able to face the challenges in our life and know that we will be able get past those challenges. We will be able to look at the negativity in the world and know that there is beauty in the world, despite what the naysayers tell us!

So the next time you feel the urge to feed the monster of negativity with even more negativity, remember that you have a choice. You have the choice to rise above the negativity and see the glass as half full. You can make a deliberate decision to not allow such negativity in your life. You can make a difference by turning that negativity around and letting your positive attitude shine through to others. Give someone a reason to see the glass as half full!!!

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

We Are the Dreamers of the Dream...

I think we've all heard those immortal words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,

 "I have a dream..."

Dr. King had a dream of equality for people of all races. The dream he had was a dream, that in his time, seemed impossible...especially considering that the civil rights of many African Americans were being violated. I'm sure Dr. King knew that before his dream would become a reality, it would take sacrifice, hard work, determination and hours upon hours of dedication to the cause. I'm sure that it didn't matter to Dr. King how long it took to achieve the dream...as long as the dream became a reality.

 If you really think about it, the overall attitude of Dr. King should inspire us to realize our dreams and goals... it doesn't matter what goals or dreams you may have. Maybe you want lose 30 pounds...or start your own business. Maybe you want to build a better relationship with your family and friends. Whatever your dream or goal is,the same traits that Dr. King possessed are necessary to obtain your goals.

  1. Sacrifice- All goals and dreams require a sacrifice of some sort. If you want to improve your health, that might mean giving up certain foods and replacing them with healthier choice. If you want to start your own business, that might mean that you have to stop spending on non-essentials in order to save up starting capital. The sacrifices you make today will put you one step closer to your goal.
  2. Hard Work- Nothing EVER comes easy when it comes to achieving your goals and dreams. There's no getting around it...you must work hard to get that goal you're chasing. Everything from fitness to relationships REQUIRE that the work be put in order to get results. DO THE WORK!!!
  3. Determination- If you want to succeed at anything, you have to have an attitude of being determined. You can't allow the everyday challenges in life to get you down. In order to progress, you have to rise above those challenges.
  4. Hours upon hours of dedication and committment- What are you willing to do to achieve your goal? In order to reach your dreams, time MUST be spent in order for your dream to become a reality. The more time you spend in working on your dreams and goals, the more you stand a chance of succeeding

Having a dream or goal is the easy part. Working towards and achieving that goal is a different story altogether. No matter what your dream is, no matter how big it is, no matter what it takes, each and every one of us has the potential to reach deep inside ourselves and achieve greatness!!! So what are you waiting for? Like the picture says, time will pass anyway...might as well chase that dream and make it a reality!!!

What is YOUR dream??? 
 



Monday, January 21, 2013

Leaning From Your Past & Moving Forward With Your Future

We all have a past...there's no denying that fact. For some, the past is full of wonderful memories and nothing but happiness, maybe infused with brief moments of loss or trials. But overall, the past is for the most part enjoyable.

For others, the past is a painful reminder of decisions and regrets that were mistakenly made. The past is full of hurts that seem to always creep back into existence at a moment's notice, and the past will always be a hindrance and sometimes an excuse to keep from moving forward. Some people would rather use the past and cling onto it and carry it around like a big bag of rocks! Let me tell you...that bag of rocks can get HEAVY if someone decides to carry it around for a long time...no wonder the past keeps dragging some people down!

I believe that what happens in our past should fashion and mold us into better individuals. Not everyone thinks or feels that way though. They would rather carry that bag of rocks around with them and let the past control their lives than lose all that unnecessary baggage. What people don't realize is that until they lose that extra weight, there is NO WAY that they can move forward towards a better future.

But here's the thing...all the mistakes you made, all the things you did or didn't do don't have to be a part of your future. You have a choice to make better decisions. You have a choice on the things you do (or don't do) in order to reach your goals. All the baggage of the past has no place in your future. All the hurts and pains of the past shouldn't keep you from achieving the greatness that you were born with! Leave your past behind you, discover your greatness, and move forward with your future!!!!

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

I've Fallen...But I'm Getting Back Up!!!

If you're like me, there have probably been times in your life when you felt like giving up. Maybe there have been times when you tried and tried to accomplish something and were met with failure. And maybe it seems that no matter what you do to try to get ahead, something always drags you backwards. You may think the saying, "One step forward and two steps back" might always apply to your life. The truth is that all of use have probably felt like this at one time or another. I honestly believe that when times get rough, it is our perspective on any given situation that makes the difference on whether we let that situation get the best of us, or whether we rise above that situation and use that experience to learn and grow as a human being. In today's society, we have it constantly ingrained in our consciousness that failure is a terrible thing.We need to be honest with ourselves and accept the fact that failure is a part of life. But the thing is...without failure, we can never have success!! There are countless stories of successful people who failed many times. The difference that separates those successful people from those who don't experience success is the willingness to learn from their failures and rise above their failings. The ability to accept failure and learn from it requires a fair amount of humbleness, dedication and a never say die attitude. In order to rise up above failure to achieve success, you can't let your failings keep you down. You have to get up, dust yourself off and keep going! Success doesn't come easy...but then again life isn't easy. Take your failures and turn them around keep getting up!!!

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

When Is Enough Enough???

Have you ever reached a point in your life where you realized that you are sick and tired? Maybe you're fed up with the direction your life is going. Maybe you're sick and tired of being sick and tired. You know that there is more to your life than just the everyday routine things you do. You know that you have greatness built inside of you and yet maybe for whatever reason you haven't realized your true potential. While we all have the potential to be great, we all have to reach a point where we say...ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!

SO...with that said...when do you reach the point where you tell yourself enough is enough? For me personally, my "enough is enough" moment came when I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. My blood sugar levels were WAY out of control and at the rate I was going, I was headed towards a big possibility that if I didn't change the things I was doing in my life, I was headed to an early death. That was my reality at that time. At the same time, I was recently married and we had a daughter. If there ever was a time when I had to make changes, that was the time! I had a wife and daughter who needed me to be around and take care of them. I had a responsibility to be there for them to provide for them and take care of them. I knew that I had to change my life or I would be letting them down in a big way. That is when I made some serious changes in my life. I started working out and I changed my eating habits. When I started exercising regularly and eating better, my blood sugar levels were back to normal and I was taken off all the medication I was on for the diabetes and high blood pressure.

Even though I was successful in making those changes in my life, there is always one thought in the back of mind that always makes me wonder. Why did it take being diagnosed with Type II diabetes for me to say enough is enough? Why does it take something as drastic as an illness to wake us up and realize, "HEY...I NEED TO CHANGE THE WAY I'M LIVING MY LIFE!" This sentiment doesn't always have to be health related either. It can reach into other aspects of your life as well. It can be relationships, financial matters (this holds true for me now, but that is another subject altogether), spiritual matters, or emotional matters. No matter what aspect of your life you feel you need to improve, you have to tell yourself that ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! You have to be the one to wake up to the reality that you want better for your life. You have to be the one to say that making life changes is hard, BUT life is going to be even harder if you don't make those changes.

I know that making positive changes is difficult. If it wasn't difficult, then everyone would be making those changes and we would all be perfect specimens. Our world is not perfect. Our lives are not perfect. BUT...the decisions we make everyday is something that we can control.That decision to eat better, or that decision to take a walk is well within our control. It's all up to you. When are you going to reach the point where you tell yourself...ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!