This week, working a conditioning camp for football players at Zoom Sports Performance, I realized I contained the secret to the fountain of youth! At 43, I demonstrated the cone drills and then the final sprint and ladder timed drill. My 21-year-old counterpart exclaimed he’d rather be in bed. And, when my friend asked him why he was allowing me to do it, he replied, ‘because she loves it and I knew she would.’ He’s right!

So what enables me to keep up with and in some ways surpass 20-somethings? What’s the secret to the fountain of youth? What gives me more energy and desire?

The answer lies in two key things which I recently shared at Eden’s Organic Garden Market Days. First, you have to answer this question: Are you ready to do whatever it takes to accomplish your goal to lose weight and keep it off.

If you answer ‘yes’, then it’s time to quit making excuses. The next 365 days will pass, what will be different a year from now? It starts now! Workout even if you don’t ‘feel’ like it. Go to the gym or head out into your neighborhood even if you feel uncomfortable and embarrassed.

For some of you who follow this blog, we started talking about ‘readiness’ back in January. So, how are you doing? Entering into the 4^th quarter of the year, you should be well on your way to a changed lifestyle. If you’re not or you’ve stumbled along the way, then consider this your chance to answer the question again and get a different result.

Family get-togethers, vacations, birthdays, and holidays are no longer excuses to indulge. Genetics, your age…nope, you can’t use those either to get you out of doing what you need to do to reach your goals. If you’re like me and the fat deposits on your body quicker than your best friend, then all that means is you have to work smarter and harder.

Taking the easy way out stops now. Drive thru fast food is not an option for you or your kids. Rain, snow, sleet no longer mean you can get out of doing what’s right.

The second key involves clean eating and moving. That should not be a shock to you. How else could I, at 43, keep up with those half my age out on a football field or sprint up five parking lot ramps during boot camp following 20 jump squats and 20 pushups?

By now I am certain you discovered diets don’t work. No quick fix or deprivation diet will yield you the results you want long term. And, whatever diet you choose, better make sure it’s something you can do for a lifetime. When you stop or go off the diet, I can pretty much guarantee the weight will return and so will your lack of energy.

Clean eating provides a healthy relationship with food, steady weight loss success, and a beautiful body. In fact 80% of the body you want directly involves the diet you employ.

Some basic principles of clean eating include:

1. 5 or 6 small meals every day

    

2. eating every 2-3 hours

    

3. combining a lean protein (chicken) with vegetables and complex carbohydrates (sweet potato)

    

4. never missing breakfast

    

5. avoiding processed, refined foods

    

6. depending on fresh fruits and vegetables

    

7. measuring your portions

    

8. drinking 2 liters or more of water per day

    

For nearly ten years, clean eating moved me an overweight housewife and mom to fit, professional athlete who engages in sports right along with her kids. The clean eating lifestyle improves and renews your body without denial and without going hungry. The cost of clean eating is no more than a regular grocery bill. There are no pre-packaged meals or supplements.

I highly recommend the Clean Eating Magazine and Tosca Reno’s series of books The Eat Clean Diet. It is easy to follow if you hate to cook like myself yet wonderfully creative if you do.

Equally important in remaining youthful is exercise. Again, if you are not seeing the results on your body you want, the first place to look is your nutrition. The second place to review focuses on the type, intensity, and duration of your exercise.

Only a small portion of us can blame metabolism and genetics as the true culprit. Inconsistent eating leave the body thinking its starving and holds the food as fat. Sedentary lifestyles decrease metabolism. Yet, metabolism is not a fixed number. You can change it. More lean muscle mass increases metabolism.

Your exercise program needs to include:

1. cardio exercise at least 5 days a week to lose weight for a minimum of 30-50 minutes where your intensity is testing you

    

2. heart rate between 60-80% of your maximum

    

3. resistance/weight training at least 3 days a week working all the major muscle groups of the body

    

4. regular stretching

    

5. changing up your exercise routine every 8-12 weeks

    

6. make sure you check with your doctor before starting any exercise program

    

Truth be told, a casual stroll through the neighborhood three nights a week will not cut it. It may sound like I am demanding perfection. No, but I do want you see how easy it is to give an excuse. And, I do want you to see the reality of life. It involves dedication, discipline, and hard work. You got this!

Kip Fit Tip: check out www.collagevideo.com or www.beachbody.com for great DVD’s to use at home. They are cost effective, provide a means to workout at home if you can’t get to a gym or rec center.

Stay Inspired,

Kip #45