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Spring is here! What a beautiful time of year for everyone, certainly here in Phoenix where the temps are in the 70's and 80's. Spring training just ended and lots of good tans started.

Many of us are well into our New Year's resolutions. Some with fantastic success and others frustrated and falling "off the weight loss wagon". It has been reported that 92 % of all New Year's Resolutions end in failure. That means that less than 1 out of every 10 people will successfully accomplish their resolutions in 2009. Ouch - those statistics are brutal. Who in their right mind would take the time to make resolutions when failure is that imminent?

As your trusted source for fitness advice, I'd like to coach you through this sticky situation. Yes, most people fail to achieve their New Year's Resolutions. However, I am going to clue you in on what the 92% do wrong and teach you what the 8% who succeed do right. First up, the 92% who failed. These well meaning folks shared a common mistake that put the nail in their coffin before they'd even begun.

In all the excitement of becoming a better person and changing their life in the New Year they made the crucial mistake of committing to do too much. But reality set in, a few weeks or even days into their reformed life, and they gave up.

The 92% gave themselves an easy way out. They approached their resolution with an 'all or nothing' attitude. Once the 'all' became too tough they opted for 'nothing'. And just like that another resolution ended in failure - end of story.

Now let's examine the 8% who succeed with their resolutions year after year. The key to their success is quite simple (you may have even guessed it by now).

They set REALISTIC goals.

• Instead of resolving to lose 50 pounds by June, they commit to exercise 3-4 times each week.
• Instead of resolving to give up all carbs, they commit to bring healthy snacks to work instead eating from the vending machine.
• Instead of resolving to drop 3 sizes in 3 months, they commit to losing 1 pound each week until they reach their desired size.
• Instead of resolving to never eat out again, they commit to eating healthy all week and rewarding themselves with one meal out on the weekends.
See the difference?

Remember that the whole point of making a New Year's Resolution is to become a healthier, happier and more successful person. Small changes done consistently will make a big difference.

If your New Year's Resolution has to do with losing weight and getting into great shape (and whose isn't?) then guarantee your success by working with a wellness expert who can show you the ropes and guide you to success.

Take a Mental Break

Sometimes you need to just step away your weight loss and let your body decide what to do for a few days. I am not saying step away and purposely eat everything in site. What I am saying is step away and just let whatever takes place happen. I bet you will find that mentally you will feel a relief and comfort. You will feel re-charged and ready to get after it again. Sometimes taking a break is the best thing you can do for your body and your fat loss. Give it a try and see if it makes a difference for you.

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Coconut Oil can help you Lose Fat!

(I found this VERY interesting)

Coconut Oil is a wonderful healthy food that has been shown to increase metabolism and assist in burning unwanted fat off your body. It is a wonder food that has been around for centuries and a great addition to any fat burning meal plan.

Unfortunately, some people have a really hard time believing that coconut oil is not “fattening” or “dangerous”. We have all been falsely led to believe that fat, especially saturated fat, is the cause of our weight gain and health problems. This is only true half true. Some fats like hydrogenated oils and vegetable oils do contribute to heart disease and weight gain but good fats like coconut oil, butter and olive oil are actually great fats for our bodies. Think about how much healthier people were in the late 1800’s and very early 1900’s. Heart disease was almost unheard of back then.

Let’s put some of these MYTHS about coconut oil to rest right now.

Myth #1 - Coconut Oil contains a lot of fat so it must be fattening.

Truth - Not all fat makes you fat (I want to get this tattooed on my forehead). Certain fats do cause weight gain but other good fats will actually burn unwanted fat off your body and accelerate your metabolism.

Myth #2 - Coconut Oil contains almost all saturated fat so it must be bad for you.

Truth - Saturated Fat is not the cause of heart disease, weight gain and high cholesterol. Saturated Fat has been falsely accused and it is SUGAR that is Enemy Numero Uno (It is worse than the Joker in Bat Man).

Myth #3 - Coconut Oil should be avoided by those who are at risk for heart disease

Truth - The fat in coconut oil is one of the healthiest oils you can consume (yes, even for those with heart disease). It is rich in lauric acid, which is known for its antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties and contains no trans fat. The saturated fat in coconut oil is different than many other oils in that it is of the medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) variety. The body digests MCFAs more easily and sends these fats directly to the liver where they are immediately converted into energy. Now isn’t that great? A fat that is used to make energy instead of storing it on our bodies. We can all use some of that.

It’s recommended everyone use unrefined, organic coconut oil for all of their cooking needs. 1 - 2 tsps for most cooking is more than enough. You can even use it raw if you like, it tastes OH SO DELICIOUS! (2-3 total TBSPs per day is a perfect amount for a fat burning eating plan). While it’s really good for you, there’s no need to go overboard.
If you have a hard time finding coconut oil in your local supermarket, try Sprouts, Sunflower, or Whole Foods. Enjoy your coconut oil and reap the fat burning effects right away.

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Outside In Turkey Tamale Pie

Get ready for an amazingly comforting, scoopable, Mexican-inspired dish, because HERE... IT... IS!!! Just a warning: This stuff is hauntingly delicious!

Ingredients:
1 1/4 lbs. raw lean ground turkey
3/4 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup fat-free chicken or vegetable broth
One 14.5-oz. can diced tomatoes with chiles
1 small onion, chopped
3/4 cup canned sweet corn, drained
1/2 cup canned kidney beans, drained
1/2 cup sliced black olives, drained
2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. ground cumin
Optional toppings: fat-free shredded cheddar cheese, fat-free sour cream

Directions:
Bring a large skillet sprayed with nonstick spray to medium-high heat on the stove. Add turkey and spread it around to break it up a bit. Cook and crumble until meat is brown and cooked through, about 6 minutes. Drain any excess liquid and add turkey to the crock pot.

In a bowl, combine cornmeal with broth and whisk thoroughly. Let stand for 5 minutes.

Add cornmeal mixture to the crock pot along with all other ingredients. Mix thoroughly.

Cover and cook on high for 3 - 4 hours or on low for 7 - 8 hours.

Serve and, if you like, top each serving with cheese and/or sour cream. Mmmmmm!!!

MAKES 7 SERVINGS
PER SERVING (1 cup): 230 calories, 7.5g fat, 481mg sodium, 21g carbs, 3g fiber, 3g sugars, 19g protein --

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