Taking Responsibility for What You Set Out to Achieve

"The future depends on what we do in the present."

- Mahatma Gandhi

Beer Lime Grilled Chicken

Try this recipe for four courtesy of allrecipes.com.  It takes less than an hour to prepare and has just 182 calories per serving! 

INGREDIENTS:

1 lime, juiced 1 (12 fluid ounce) can light colored beer 1 teaspoon honey 2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro Salt and pepper 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

DIRECTIONS:

1.	In a bowl, mix the lime juice, beer, honey, garlic, cilantro, and salt and pepper until the honey dissolves. Pour the mixture over the chicken, cover and marinate for 30 minutes.
2.	Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil grate.
3.	Remove chicken from marinade and shake off excess; discard remaining marinade. Grill chicken until tender and juices run clear, about 7 minutes per side.

Having Trouble Reaching Your Goals?

Drown your insecurities, hold them underneath.

Suffocate self-doubt so that it cannot rise to breathe.

Cut down all your weaknesses, each one limb by limb.

Capture all your confidence and flaunt your gorgeous grin.

Fight off every single fear and dare not leave the ring

Until you've knocked out each of them and can face anything.

When the struggle gets you down on those around you may you lean

So that you never have to compromise how you'd like to be seen.

Not only in the eyes of others, in the mirror as well;

Situations will resolve themselves it only hurts to dwell.

The key to this equation is to know you're in control;

Although we sometimes lose our spirit we can never lose our soul.

Don't waste anymore time!  Set a goal and reach it no matter how long it takes.  Refuse to let your fears and insecurities hold you back.  The sooner you get started, the sooner you will achieve what you set out to accomplish.  Start small and use your achievements as a way to gain confidence in reaching your future goals.  Only YOU can determine whether or not you are going to succeed.  Take the advice of a Chinese proverb that encourages you to "Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still."  Make an effort to do your best and the rest will come naturally.  No more excuses, it's time for success!

Dinner Rescue Crew Personal Chef Services

Whether you're a busy parent, career climber, or have doctor's orders to clean up your diet, you're definitely going to want to check this out!  A client of mine, and good friend, is getting ready to launch a personal chef service in which she will do your grocery shopping, cooking, AND clean up your kitchen while offering healthy and delicious dinner and catering options.

Check out http://www.dinnerrescuecrew.com/ for more details.  Keep her in mind, not only for supper, but for graduation parties, family reunions, and more!  Melissa is an excellent cook and has been responsible for many of the recipes that you've seen on this blog.  Check her out and help her get this unique and exciting new business off the ground!  I can guarantee the Dinner Rescue Crew has A TON to offer, so make life a little easier and take advantage of it.  It's sure to be worth your while!!

Make Excellence a Habit

We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.

- Aristotle

Eat Fresh...and No I'm Not Talking About Subway.

IT WAS THE SPINACH!

Now that spring is upon us, fresh vegetables are getting easier to get your hands on and include regularly in your diet.  Consider checking out the Community Supported Agriculture website and buying a share of vegetables from a local farm near you.  This program makes keeping vegetables in your diet easy!  Fresh vegetables from local farms are available to you weekly throughout the entire summer and into the fall.  

For creative ways to add more vegetables into your diet, check out the healthy recipes at www.allrecipes.com.  Consider starting your day with a veggie omelet, or throwing some mixed veggies on the grill with supper.  Make a commitment to eating more fresh produce as the harvesting season begins!! 

Outstanding Effort and Achievement Award!

The Outstanding Effort and Achievement Award for April goes to Jennifer Means, whose consistent dedication has astonished me from day one.  Since February, Jenny has lost more than ten pounds and 3.5% body fat.  Her total inches lost add up to 10.75.  That includes more than two inches off her waist and three inches off her hips.

In addition to our weekly training session, Jenny has taken the initiative to perform cardio and strength training exercises by herself on the off days.  She has taken the time to seek out varieties of fitness that are fun for her, making it much easier to stay consistent and on track.  During the month of March, Jenny ran over 65 miles in addition to participating in personal training and other strength training and cardiovascular activities.  She has taken full responsibility for reaching the goals she has set to improve her endurance and overall strength and I can assure you it's paying off.

Finally, Jenny's commitment to watching what she eats has been both spectacular and imperative to her success.  She has become committed to cooking healthy meals at home and logging her calories each and every day, being sure to stay within her recommended range.  As promised, Jenny has lost more than 10 pounds in just over 10 weeks.  Such results exhibit her commitment to success.

Jenny,  I can't tell you how thankful I am that I got the opportunity to train you.  You have worked extremely hard since day one of us training together and that means a lot!  I admire your enthusiasm and the fact that you have taken it upon yourself to create a workout program outside of our training.  Stick with everything you're doing and the results will continue to roll in.  You're doing great and I don't see things slowing down anytime soon.  Keep it up!

Top 10 Ways to Burn Calories Outdoors and Have Fun at the Same Time

Now that Spring is here it's time to consider some new ways to enjoy the weather and workout at the same time.  In addition to walking, running, and doing pushups at the park, let's take a look at some creative ways to burn calories while having fun in the sun!!  The statistics below are based on a 160 pound person completing 30 minutes of activity.

#10 - Moderate Skating or Rollerblading - 182 Calories

#9 - Moderate Swimming - 221 Calories

#8 - Golfing (carrying clubs) - 221 Calories

#7 - Horseback Riding (trotting) - 235 Calories

#6 - Backpacking - 254 Calories

#5 Half Court Basketball - 298 Calories

#4 - Moderate Bicycling - 317 Calories

#3 - Touch Football - 317 Calories

#2 Canoeing (4mph) - 336 Calories

#1 Competitive Soccer - 365 Calories