Secrets of Success

slow down, modify, but do not stop

I injured my knee and found some moves to be painful. I was advised by friends and well meaning people to rest and take time off execising. I am a lazy sod so that was not a good idea for me. I should have modified the moves and did more arm and core work.
I stopped and have only made half hearted attempts. I lost my mojo and I gained weight...I need to reverse that so I have my exercize gear on and I am going to force myself to move it to lose it.
Next time I hurt something, I will modify

Help someone else

You will be surprised at how your motivation levels rise when you reach out to encourage and uplift someone else who is struggling.
It is a positive thing for both of you.

it is okay to modify the moves, just don't quit

I have some real kick butt DVD's but I had surgery on my tummy 7 weeks ago and I have gotten righ out of conditioning and fast. However, I find that I can modify by not kicking so high or not squatting so deep. I also march in place if I get to the point I can do no more lifts or lunges. I would have seen this as failure before but since coming here to Spark, I have learned to be easier on myself and every bit I do it a bit more good I do myself.

sign up for bootcamp

spark is offering us a bootcamp for the next 28 days. I have signed up because I really want to see more results and this way I am accountable and part of a team. I find I have better success when others are counting on me. Join up and lets all be a lot lighter in 28 days

Make your own 100 calorie snack pack

To save money and the environment, buy a few small washable containers and put in 100 calories worth of your favorite snack to have during the day.
The packed snacks are very expensive and bad for the environment as that is a lot of packaging.
Do yourself and the planet some good.

reach out to your spark buddies

I had a sick kitty and of course it was the weekend. I contacted my group "animal lovers" and gave her symptoms and also made my blog about her. I asked for help and I recieved it...in spades.
Long story short, she is fine and I was thankful that I was not alone with a sick kitty feeling helpless.
Your blog and teams are excellent resources, use them.
Carol

get yourself to exercise

Keep your exercise clothes beside your bed and put them on before you leave your room. Do the normal things you do then get outside for a walk or if it is awful out, turn on an exercise video. Heck, just turn on some music and dance. You are going to feel a lot better believe me.
If you can not exercise in the morning, take your clothes to work with you and put them on before you leave the office etc. Then just hit the ground running.
I hope this helps get you started

breaking it down

Look at a cookie and then look at the ingredients on the side of the box. Then look at the calories, salt, sugar, glucose etc and decide if you really want to put that in your mouth. Making your own cookies is a better idea as you can modify recipies by adding applesauce and decreasing sugar etc. Think of the ingredients before it goes in your mouth. Fruit and nuts are much better snacks in the long run.

set small goals

Setting small attainable goals within your larger goals helps keep the momentum going. Celebrate every victory and do not let the times you slip derail the train. We can all do this, I know we can.

Smile

It has been documented that people who smile while doing an unpleasant task will have a better experience than those who grumble about it.
Get a smile on people, it works.