“How soon ‘not now’ becomes ‘never’.” ~ Martin Luther

1. Remember that amazing feeling you get after a great workout? Whenever you feel the instinct to skip a sweat session, imagine how accomplished and energized you feel after just 30 minutes of cardio or an hour of training.

2. On days you can’t meet with me (or your trainer), find a workout partner! If you set a time to meet someone, you’ll feel obligated to go, even when your mind and body are telling you otherwise.

3. MUSIC!!!!  Music is so important in pumping you up and can alter your mood, so create yourself a new playlist each month of whatever gets you hype in the gym!

4. Reward yourself after your workout by scheduling extra moments to relax in the sauna,  get an iced coffee, buy some new gym clothes, or simply sit and enjoy an apple.

5. Schedule your workout early in the morning before the day’s distractions detour you.

Working out first thing in the morning on an empty stomach also boosts your metabolism for the day.

6. Turn your negatives into positives. Something making you angry? Take that anger out on a sick workout or 30 minutes on the Stairmaster.

7. Instead of going home to watch your favorite show on the couch, put on your sneakers and watch it on the treadmill or favorite cardio machine. If your gym doesn’t provide TVs on each machine load up your iPod or iPhone.

8. Try something new. Sign up for an exercise class you’ve never taken before, take a hike, jog somewhere different like a nearby bridge or stadium, ride your bike to a new trail or work out at a different time.

9. Shop. Go buy that Saturday night new outfit or go splurge on some new gym gear, and show it off. It feels good when you look good!

10. Try to keep track of your progress. The second you feel like not going to the gym, go look at your before and after pics. Why stop now?  Hit the gym and post your new results in my BrisPics section. There is nothing wrong with being proud and showing off your progress!

Note: The information above does not replace personal medical advice from your doctor or a qualified health care professional. You should consult with your doctor before starting any new diet or fitness program.

Bananas contain three natural sugars – sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world’s leading athletes.

But energy isn’t the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet:

Anemia

High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure

This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure.

PMS

Ladies, forget the pills – eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Heartburn

Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Overweight and at work?

Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers

The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

So, a banana really is a natural remedy. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around!

Note: The information above does not replace personal medical advice from your doctor or a qualified health care professional. You should consult with your doctor before starting any new diet or fitness program.

The modern life fills us with poisons from polluted air and food additives that need to be periodically “cleaned out” (“detoxified”). By removing and eliminating toxins, then feeding your body with healthy nutrients, a detox diet allows our bodies to focus on self-healing. The goal is to raise energy levels, stimulate digestive health, clear headaches, remove bloating, improve concentration and mood, regain our natural ability to ward off colds and flu, and prevent premature aging and disease. Detoxification is about resting, cleaning and nourishing the body from the inside out.

After completing a detox diet you should notice you have clearer skin, some weight loss, more energy, less cellulite, and you should be feeling more relaxed!

There are a couple different options you can choose from when deciding to do a detox. I will give you a few ideas of what has worked for my Brisfit clients and myself. You may even stumble across some others amongst your own research.

Go Raw Cleanse

By eating all of your food fresh, and uncooked, you’re getting the most out of your food by way of nutrients and enzymes. You can do this 3 days a week, or a week at a time.

Smoothie (Greens and Fruit) Cleanse

Consume all of your meals in a liquid form with smoothies. This is a nice, gentle, and fun approach to cleaning your digestive tract with blended foods. Basically you drink green smoothies all day (this can include blended salads, green smoothies, and even all fruit smoothies).

Green Juice Cleanse

You only consume green juices all day. You can set up a program for yourself where you juice 3 days a week. Or, you can juice fast for a week or more at a time. Keep in mind that on days where you only juice, you should aim for 4-5 quarts of juice a day.

Colon Cleansing Capsules

Capsules can make the colon cleansing process so much easier.

I suggest Sculpt’N Cleanse Colon Cleansing Formula and you can pick it up at your local Vitamin Shoppe.

Also try Milk Thistle as a daily supplement

Milk Thistle protects and regenerates the liver in most liver diseases. It is one of the best examples of preventative medicine that we have today as it not only protects each cell of the liver from incoming toxins, but simultaneously encourages the liver to cleanse itself of damaging substances, such as alcohol, drugs, medications, mercury and heavy metals, pesticides and anesthesia.

Please comment and share your own detox experiences!

 Note: The information above does not replace personal medical advice from your doctor or a qualified health care professional. You should consult with your doctor before starting any new diet or fitness program.

The modern life fills us with poisons from polluted air and food additives that need to be periodically “cleaned out” (“detoxified”). By removing and eliminating toxins, then feeding your body with healthy nutrients, a detox diet allows our bodies to focus on self-healing. The goal is to raise energy levels, stimulate digestive health, clear headaches, remove bloating, improve concentration and mood, regain our natural ability to ward off colds and flu, and prevent premature aging and disease. Detoxification is about resting, cleaning and nourishing the body from the inside out.

After completing a detox diet you should notice you have clearer skin, some weight loss, more energy, less cellulite, and you should be feeling more relaxed!

There are a couple different options you can choose from when deciding to do a detox. I will give you a few ideas of what has worked for my Brisfit clients and myself. You may even stumble across some others amongst your own research.

Go Raw Cleanse

By eating all of your food fresh, and uncooked, you’re getting the most out of your food by way of nutrients and enzymes. You can do this 3 days a week, or a week at a time.

Smoothie (Greens and Fruit) Cleanse

Consume all of your meals in a liquid form with smoothies. This is a nice, gentle, and fun approach to cleaning your digestive tract with blended foods. Basically you drink green smoothies all day (this can include blended salads, green smoothies, and even all fruit smoothies).

Green Juice Cleanse

You only consume green juices all day. You can set up a program for yourself where you juice 3 days a week. Or, you can juice fast for a week or more at a time. Keep in mind that on days where you only juice, you should aim for 4-5 quarts of juice a day.

Colon Cleansing Capsules

Capsules can make the colon cleansing process so much easier.

I suggest Sculpt’N Cleanse Colon Cleansing Formula and you can pick it up at your local Vitamin Shoppe.

Also try Milk Thistle as a daily supplement

Milk Thistle protects and regenerates the liver in most liver diseases. It is one of the best examples of preventative medicine that we have today as it not only protects each cell of the liver from incoming toxins, but simultaneously encourages the liver to cleanse itself of damaging substances, such as alcohol, drugs, medications, mercury and heavy metals, pesticides and anesthesia.

Please comment and share your own detox experiences!

 Note: The information above does not replace personal medical advice from your doctor or a qualified health care professional. You should consult with your doctor before starting any new diet or fitness program.

Try whipped butter on your toast — you’ll take in about a third less calories. Butter is known to be an excellent source of cjnjugated linoleic acid, which may be a cancer-fighting nutrient, according to Ohio State scientists.