Learning From Others

Often the people in our lives are our greatest teachers. Some say that we attract precisely the people we need in our lives to learn what we have to learn.

We learn from them not only directly-oh, so that's how to do it-but also by negative example-oh, so that's how NOT to do it. We learn from them by having to stretch ourselves in new ways-to assert ourselves finally, maybe, to avoid being run over by someone. Or to be more patient and tolerant of mistakes. When we see our interactions as opportunities for growth, we can by happier with them and with ourselves.

The list of what we might be learning is endless and different for each one of us. But today, I'd like you to contemplate these two questions: From whom must I learn to receive? From whom (or what) must I learn to protect myself? Take note and stay open. :)

Ryan, M.J. Instant Health and Happiness. Pg. 219.
Thanks Mom!

LET YOUR HEAD LEAD YOU

Never take the people in your life for granted. Appreciate them, help them, care for them, but most importantly make them FEEL SPECIAL. Each of us has a life filled with choices, and sometimes we can make a choice that could hurt someone we care about or help someone we love. 

I believe that each moment of our life is so special...and the people that are in those moments become very important and special to us. Some people will have a positive impact in your life and others will have a negative impact in your life. I have always believed in the people that are in my life, no matter if they have loved me or hurt me. I allow my heart to lead me in every aspect that I do in my life. I just think it is important to respect, love, and help everyone that enters your life...NO MATTER WHAT!

Passion and love comes from your heart. Understand what your heart tells you. Believe in the power of your heart. Never give up on the passion and the love your heart knows! "When the heart is touched, chemicals responsible for good health and a sense of well-being are released in the body.

Research has found that when a person is a recipient of an act of kindness, his or her serotonin levels increase, strengthening the immune system. But interestingly, the serotonin level also increases in the person PERFORMING the act of kindness, strengthening his or her immune system as well."-Jennifer Hawthorne

So be kind to everyone...don't take anybody for granted. Let love lead you in all the directions possible in your life. You only get one life, so GO FOR IT/BELIEVE IN IT/LOVE IT!

A Special Kind Of Innocence

INTRODUCING....A Very Small Pomeranian Named Yuuki. This Is A Short And Cute Video I Made Of Him...That Shows Truly How Precious And Tender This Cute Little Dog Is. Hope You Enjoy! :)

A Very SPECIAL Family Holiday 2012

The Love We Give Away Is The Only Love We Keep. And The Best Gifts Are The Memories You Are Making!!!! Here's To The Memories And The Love That Was Celebrated This Christmas (December 25, 2012). And May Everyone Have A Safe And Happy New Years!

Spirit And Love-
DO



P.S. Not Really Sure Why My Cousin's Words Are Not Matching Up With Her Lips At The End Of This Video...We Will Just Say It's MAGIC!!!!

Just Because...

To My Loving Mother-

This is a little token of my appreciation and love for you. I call it...JUST BECAUSE. I am so grateful for you...my mom, the person who gave me life. The person who has loved me unconditionally, and who has sacrificed her life to give me and my sister life. My mom, the person, who gives and cares for so many people around her. The person who has always been on and by my side, the person WHO HAS NEVER FAILED ME. My mom, the person, who lives for her daughters. She deserves so much in life and I am so proud to call her my mother. I am so lucky to have someone love me with genuine and sincere feelings. I am so fortunate to have my mother's love...a TRUE BLESSING in my life. I want to embrace that blessing...and show her my compassion, my sacrifice (the way she sacrificed for me), and my love. The gift of life through my mother, the gift of love through my mother, the gift of sacrifice through my mother. May she be blessed each and everyday...the WAY SHE HAS BLESSED MY LIFE. I love you mom...WITH ALL MY HEART.

Understanding Yourself

Learn as much about YOU as you possibly can. Experience all emotions that shape YOU...joy, sadness, pleasure, and pain. Know and understand YOURSELF. Open all doors and allow life to flow through. Believe in yourself and be content with yourself...but most importantly, ACCEPT YOURSELF.

Just remember to allow life to live through YOU and remember that to get the most out of life lies simply in your decision to live your life with the principle of balance and to learn to cooperate with the natural patterns of our world. Let your career, relationships, and daily activities be harmonious expressions of who YOU truly are.
Love, 
Dofitness

Who Are You

How do you define yourself? I want you to take some time and think about this question. Are you a person who refuses to accept limits? I was brought up to believe that you should never limit yourself no matter what the situation is. Always believe in yourself and your abilities to make your dreams come true. Understand that life is challenging and sometimes it takes more effort to make certain dreams come true...but through obstacles and challenges I believe you learn patience and strength. Through tough times, YOU EXPERIENCE...YOU ARE ABLE TO DEFINE YOURSELF. I try to challenge myself everyday...I think that it is important to challenge your willpower and your spirit, so you can understand what truly lives within you. I also believe that by doing this, you will not take things for granted and will appreciate everything that you confront in your life.

As a trainer, I try to tell my clients that you must always do the best that YOU can. Don't worry about the person next to you...worry about what you are capable of and how you can improve on becoming the best that you can. One of the things that my mom taught my sister and I is that you must always strive to improve. I believe that you never stop improving, and in order to grow and experience as a person you must strive and improve each and every day.

I leave you with this thought...If there is something YOU wish to achieve, you owe it to yourself to bust your ass until your dreams become reality. Believe in your strength and believe in your potential to be the best you can be. May all your wishes and dreams come true.

The Most Valuable Lesson

I can not stress the concept of practice...the more you practice the better you get. I am a big believer of practice and want to share this story with you. I hope that you discover the meaning behind it and apply it to your own journey.

John Erskine learned the most valuable lesson of his life when he was only fourteen years old. His piano teacher asked him, "How many times a week do you practice, and how long do you practice each time?"

He told her that he tried to practice once daily for an hour or more.

"Don't do that," she responded. "When you grow up, time won't come in long stretches. Practice in minutes, whenever you can find them-five or ten before school, after lunch, between chores. Spread your practice throughout the day, and music will become a part of your life."

Her advice obviously worked. Erskine became a concert pianist who performed with the New York Philharmonic, and he later served as president of the Julliard School of Music and director of the Metropolitan Opera Association. He also went on to teach literature at Columbia University and wrote more than forty-five books. His most famous work, The Private Life of Helen of Troy, was written as he commuted to Columbia.

Maxwell, John C. Success One Day At A Time. Pg. 73.

Healthy Smoothie Recipes

Everyone likes to drink whether it is beer, diet/regular sodas, or pre-sweetened iced teas. Many of us don't realize that some drinks can sabotage our eating regimen. But the right drinks can jump-start your metabolism. Below are some smoothie recipes that our versatile. For all recipes, first blend together any liquid ingredients (milk, yogurt, juice, etc.) and protein powder, this will help break down the grainy powder and make sure it's evenly distributed. Next, add mushy ingredients, like precooked oatmeal and fruit , then add ice at the add. For a thicker shake, you can toss in more ice cubes. You will add volume without the calories.

Here is one for coffee drinkers...

THE CHOCOLATE LATTE

1/2 cup 1% chocolate milk

1/2 cup low-fat plain yogurt

1/2 banana

1 tablespoon peanut butter

1/2 teaspoon finely ground coffee

2 teaspoons chocolate whey protein powder

6 ice cubes

Makes 2 8-ounce servings

Per serving: 171 calories, 10g protein, 20g carbohydrates, 6g fat (2g saturated), 2g fiber, 116mg sodium

Here is one for almond lovers...

THE NUTTY PROFESSOR

1 cup 1% chocolate milk

2 tablespoon low-fat vanilla yogurt

1 tablespoon frozen orange juice concentrate

1/2 banana

1 tablespoon sliced almonds

2 teaspoons chocolate whey protein powder

2 teaspoons ground flaxseed

6 ice cubes

Makes 2 8-ounce servings

Per serving: 181 calories, 9g protein, 29g carbohydrates, 4g fat (1g saturated), 2g fiber, 107mg sodium

Here is one for those who love blueberries...

BLUE VELVET

1/2 cup 1% chocolate milk

1/2 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt

1/2 cup blueberries

2 teaspoons chocolate whey protein powder

2 teaspoons ground flaxseed

3 ice cubes

Makes 2 8-ounce servings

Per serving: 140 calories, 8g protein, 22g carbohydrates, 3g fat (1g saturated), 2g fiber, 92mg sodium

Zinczenko, David. Eat Right Every Time Guide. Pgs. 122, 128-129, 130-131, 134.

Challenge Your Core

Not only do you want to exercise intensely and incorporate ab contractions throughout your workouts, but understand that your eating regimen is key in developing and losing fat in your midsection. Cut down on starches (simple sugars), especially at night. 

These trigger the release of insulin, which increase fat storage. 
*If you exercise before breakfast...this forces the body to use stored fat as fuel. **If you exercise after dinner...you will use circulating sugar and will burn more fat at night. Lift weights to increase muscle mass and speed your metabolism. Try to eat several small meals during the day....it takes energy to digest food. 

The most important principle of fat control...take in fewer calories than you use.

PLEASE KEEP IN MIND, that if you train intensely your body needs food for fuel, so don't cut your calories too much on the days that you train hard. Pay attention to your body....your body will let you know if you need more calories (ex: by a decrease in energy and performance and a lack in toning/building lean muscle mass). Remember, if you don't cut weight gradually....you will lose too much muscle mass.

ACSM Health Fitness J., 5: 9-14, 2001.

Keep Climbing

"There may be more to learn by climbing the same mountain a hundred times than by climbing a hundred different mountains." -Richard Nelson

Often times I hear people say I just don't seem like I am making any changes in my life...I go two steps forward and then three steps back...and I don't seem to be going anywhere. I like this quote because I believe that many of us climb the same mountain (deal with a push-pull effect) for a variety of reasons. Just like the quote says...there is more to be learned before reaching the top and succeeding. But, it is safe to say that each time you climb, you are making tremendous progress and you are getting stronger from each climb, more than you know...it is okay that you continue to climb the same mountain. Just don't give up, keep climbing, keep learning, and keep getting stronger. Don't give up on that mountain that is giving you so much back. It is allowing you to see yourself in good times and in bad times, it is challenging you, it is teaching you, and most importantly, it is shaping you into a strong and dedicated person.

A Calming And Relaxing Technique

I was reading this book today...one that my mom sent me (thanks mom :)).

I want to share with you an interesting technique that might help many of you, since all of us seem to be stressed out at one point or another in our daily lives. It is a relaxation technique...something you can do before going to sleep or any time you need a de-stressor.

Light a candle and sit in a comfortable position in a dark room. Look at the candle while consciously relaxing each part of your body. Begin with your toes. Tighten them for a moment, and then let go. Move to your foot, your calf, your thighs, tightening each and then releasing while watching the candle. Move to your buttocks, your lower back, your stomach, and chest. Tighten and relax your upper back, neck, and shoulders, your arms and hands, your face, your mouth, your eyes, your forehead (Remember, every single thing on your body deserves a chance to relax. Don't leave anything out!). Blow out the candle and go to sleep.

Ryan, M.J. Instant Health and Happiness Boosters. pg. 7.