THERE ARE NO COINCIDENCES!

Stay together.  Stay strong.  Win

Dave
www.homeofficeworkouts.com
“Fast, Repeatable, Efficient, Effective”

Diets, workouts, supplements, workout equipment and the like are all part of a growing industry called Health and Wellness and it is fast on its way to being a TRILLION dollar market place.  We spend like crazy for that smaller dress size or bigger pecs.

Have you ever been thankful for what you do have and thankful for the fact that you can change it?  Are you thankful for other aspects of your life.

I challenge you to think of one thing you are thankful for and write it down.  “Uhhhh, hhhhhmmm, well I guess I’m thankful for……” 
Great!  What you will find is that you will think of a second thing,  then a third – then many many things. 

Did you know there have been studies that found when people kept what is called a Gratitude Journal the results where that of increased immune funtion and many other PHYSICAL benefits!

It is a well know fact that the limbic system in the brain mediates emotion and movement.  It is not much of a stretch to find the connection between being thankful and overall health.

Go ahead…take a few minutes and do it right now.  All your worries, to do lists, and problems will be here when you get back.

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So  how do you feel?  Do you feel happier?  Lighter?  More alive?

This is a wonderful exercise to do each morning when you wake (instead of checking email), or at night when you go to bed.

Want to know the magic part?

When you continually express the discipline of gratitude you will not only be happier, but healthier and I bet you that you will start to achieve more in your life.

Start a gratitude jounal today.

It’s your choice.

Be thankful.  Workout.  Win.

Dave
www.homeofficeworkouts.com
“Fast, Repeatable, Efficient, Effective”

This past weekend I attended a men’s retreat with my church.  I have put it off, finding an excuse not to go for the last seven years.  Without a doubt one of the best decisions I have made in my adult life was to go this year.  I won’t miss another one.

We were in the woods of southern NH.  We stayed in lakeside cabins with nothing to do except what all 150+ men set out to do – increase our relationship with God and learn how to be better men, husbands, and dads.

One of the most refreshing things, amongst many, was the overwhelming feeling I had of complete non-judgement.  Every man there was focused on improving their lives through God, and helping their brother in Christ do the same. Period.  It was such an incredibly positive experience…I don’t think I can accurately put it into words.

The second aspect that comes to mind was the time that was purposely allocated for us to chill out!  On Saturday we had from lunch at noon until 4:00 to do what ever we wanted, what ever we needed to do, to make the weekend successful.  When was the last time you had any time at all when you didn’t HAVE to be somewhere, taking care of someone or doing something.

I went into this weekend with no expectations, feeling like a hamster on a wheel and physically ill after being diagnosed with Lyme Disease 12 days earlier.  I left a new man.  I have peace.  I am energized.  I am recommited to making a difference in this world. 

I felt the spirit of God and it was so wonderful it brought me to my knees.  The closest thing I can relate it to was the joy I felt when my kids were born – and that’s not even close!

So here’s the question:

What does this have to do with getting you in shape?

There are two things that are very important to your fitness success that I learned from this weekend.

1. Who are you surrounding yourself with?  Make sure the people around you are a positive influence on your life.  Toxic people will break you down over time and will not support you in your quest for better fitness no matter how you define it.  Seek people with similar goals for support and encouragement.  Also remember the people that are toxic are that way because they are hurting.  They need a positive person like you to help them.  In other words – have positive people for your support system and then pay it forward to someone who needs it.
2. Take time for yourself.  I can’t tell you how blessed I felt to sit quietly and think, pray, contemplate and appreciate.  So many of us are over-scheduled and over-worked.  Taking time to sit quietly is crucial to your health and well being.  Let your mind, body and soul recharge.  You’ll be thankful you did.

It is true sometimes we just don’t know we are missing.  Take steps today and plan a weekend, a day even, to get away from life.  Not to run away from it, but to be reminded why your life is so great and such a gift to you and to the people who know you.

Take time. Rest. Win.

Dave
www.homeofficeworkouts.com
“Fast, Repeatable, Efficient, Effective”

Right now I’m reading a terrific book.  It’s called The Shack, by Wm. Paul Young.  Last night I was really taken by some of the lines I read:

“…I will take a verb over a noun anytime.”

Now I don’t want to give you the context of this as I don’t want to spoil the book – I want you to read it on you own!

But more importantly I wish to talk about that statement and how it relates to life and your fitness.

Are you a NOUN?

Are you a static,  non-moving loaf?

Or are you VERB?

Are you an ever changing, dynamic, moving, living, loving, growing, dancing and active participant in your life and in the lives of others?

Does your life look more like a noun…or a verb?

Here are three ways to turn your life into a verb:

1. Stop loving others more than you love yourself
2. Do something nice for someone unexpectedly
3. Be active most days of the week

Just how does this relate to fitness?

How will this make me lose fat?

Try it and see for yourself…I dare ya.

Be a verb. Be Active. Win.

Dave
www.homeofficeworkouts.com
“Fast, Repeatable, Efficient, Effective”

I will continue to give commentary as usual.  I will also be adding more pertinent information on how to reach your fitness goals at home.  More articles, tips, and videos each and every week.  I have purposely been writing about the human side of things and how that relates to fitness.  That will not change as I believe without talking about that side of the coin – we will all be in trouble.

I have been “practicing” my video skills lately so here is my first go at it.  This was a short video I took with the Flip Video Camera.  Wow have things changed!  It’s so easy!  I uploaded this onto my YouTube Channel in about 10 minutes.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBYWdqgyxMw]

Now for todays tip for working out at home…

Make sure your find your favorite music and play it during your workout.  You need to create an environment that you want to be in when you exercise at home.  I had an in home client that used to workout to classical music.  It wasn’t my cup o’ beans but he genuinely loved it so that’s what we listened to.

I prefer something up beat with a lot thump to it.

What ever your preference is for music, don’t suffer through another workout without it!

Live life.  Workout.  Win.

Dave
www.homeofficeworkouts.com
www.homeofficeworkouts.net

The picture could also be of someone elses success that inspires you or you know you can achieve similar results.  Quickly erase any negative beliefs or images that may enter into your mind during your day.

When I entered this contest I looked at pictures of past winners everyday – NOT at myself in the mirror.

Don’t look back, only look forward to where you want to be and go after it with everything you have.  There will be times that you doubt yourself or when life seems to get in the way.  When that happens pull out your picture goal and focus on that.

Know it.  Go after it.  Win.

Dave
www.homeofficeworkouts.com

The following message came to me on my FaceBook account and I instantly got inspired to take similar action.  Read on.

I know most of you look to “The Fitness Jeanie” for fitness tips and your daily dose of motivation.

But, I wanted to share something different that I think could help you even more, not only with your fitness and nutrition, but in every day life too.

Yesterday I talked to the Executive Producer of a TV Network who gave me the go ahead for my own Fitness Jeanie TV Show.

You might be saying, “Wow, that’s great Jeanie, but what does that have to do with me?”

Great question!

I received the call right after I did what’s called my Daily Give. This is where I think of someone that could really use a pick me up or just a note reminding them how great they are. Every day I stop and think of someone and either call them, send them a surprise card or book, or go and volunteer to help them.

What’s even more fun is to send a note anonymously. Your ego tends to want the credit, even for the thank you gesture, but this is a true test of generosity and giving. These daily gives provide me with a wonderful pick me up! Plus, it makes the recipients’ day, which is rewarding enough. Sometimes this is the first time in 10 years (or even longer) they’ve been reminded of everything they do great.

But, by giving it also creates an energetic vacuum to you. In other words, by the law of physics, everything that goes out, must come back. So, when you send out good energy, it always comes back to you.

What’s important to remember is that it might not come back from the person you sent it to. In fact, it usually doesn’t. It comes back in the most convenient way to support you and your goals.

Which brings up an important point. It’s important to have a clear vision for what you want.

Not sure of your passion?

Well, spend some time thinking about it. We often spend more time thinking about what we are going to have for dinner vs. what we are going to have in our lives.

You may be saying, “There is no way out of my job, I want these other things, but I have a family and bills to pay!” Yes, I understand, but by having a clear vision of what you want, you can attract the people necessary to make that happen.

Then, once you have that vision set, go about your daily activity, giving your best in each moment. Let’s say you’re a waitress, but you dream of having your own business working from home. Well, a customer you are courteous to might just be the person who makes it happen.

But, just because you set a dream or goal, doesn’t mean that you should dislike what you are doing now. By doing each small step great, you move closer to what you want.

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So, what’s the morale of all of this? I’ll simplify.

1. Remember the importance of a clear vision and expect it to happen
2. Bring your best self in each moment (your power is only in the now)
3 .Never forget the importance of giving. Just one gesture a day can change your entire life.

The Fitness Jeanie TV Show became a reality, not when I was calling producers, but when I had just returned from the mailbox fulfilling my daily give.

Try it and see what happens! I’d love to share in your stories.

Create a great day!

Peace & blessings to you,
Jeanie Callen Barat
The Fitness Jeanie™ plus
Your CMO (Chief Motivating Officer)
http://www.FreeFitnessGift.com

Celebrity trainer, author, motivational speaker and talk show host, Jeanie Callen Barat “The Fitness Jeanie” transforms your body by transforming your mind. You can try a really effective exercise or nutrition plan, but not until you change your emotions and sabotaging patterns can you ever experience results. To receive a free meditation with The Fitness Jeanie to help you transform your mind, body and spirit, visit http://www.FreeFitnessGift.com.

I must say I feel so blessed every time I come in contact with someone who “gets it”.  Jeanie clearly gets it.

Get it.  Give it.  Win.

Dave
www.homeofficeworkouts.com

But first thing is first.

Thank you God for sparing my dad from death…once again!

Thank you to the outstanding and skillful doctors who fixed the problem and the nursing staff who
took unbelievable care of him.

Thank you to my friends on FitConnect, Facebook and my subcribers for your thoughts, comments
and prayers.  From the United States to Scotland, Australia and inbetween I am humbled, amazed and so
blessed to have relayed all of your words of encouragement to my dad.  I read to him from my blackberry
every one I could and it lifted him…big time.

What happened?

My dad arrived at the local hospital on Thursday “just not feeling right”.  He also had just a bit of
back pain in between his shoulder blades.  When the EKG reading came out – BAM!  Major cardiac event and
the team from Medflight was rushing him to Boston Medical Center.

One of the six stents, placed three in each of two arteries 28 months ago, had clogged enough to induce a
second heart attack.  This was due to stopping a medication called plavix which helps prevent such an
occurence.

The doctors fixed the problem and placed a 7th stent in the affected area to help
prevent further issues.

Today, 4 days later, I drove my dad home from the hospital.  The extent of the damage to his heart was
significant.  Time will tell how much tissue died and how much will come back.

The lesson here is two fold in terms of science, fitness and application.

1.)  A person can show virtually no symptoms and be in deep trouble.

2.)  Without eating well and maintaining a fitness regimen my father would not have survived.  Period.

PLEASE take care of yourself.  Please use your sphere of influence to encourage others to take care
as well.

To my online family…Love ya!

Learn.  Share.  Live.

Dave
www.homeofficeworkouts.com

Why?

Because it is that important.

Because I care.

I’m a bit emotional right now so hopefully this post will be coherent.

Yesterday my dad had his second heart attack in two years. Why do you need to know this?
Because he has no family history of heart disease. His mom and dad lived into their 70’s and 80’s.
My dad’s two brothers do not have heart disease as determined by extensive testing.
He has cholesterol levels well within the normal range. He has Normal (actually great)
blood pressure. Virtually NO risk factors.

The first heart attack in the spring of 2006 was as a direct result of heart disease – most likely stress
induced.

Yesterday’s event was caused by the 10% chance that any of the six stints, 3 two different coronary arteries,
would narrow.

What I haven’t mentioned is that he has always been active. In fact after his first event he
my dad stepped it up even more and has been eating close to perfect and exercising more regularly than
ever before.

The silver lining in all of this is that all of the doctors concur – IF it weren’t for the physical
condition my father is in he would have not survived either event.

We still don’t know the extent of the damage done to his heart at this point. What the doctors do
know is that he is stable and was able to avoid open heart surgery for a bypass of the artery. We
do know that it looks like, God willing, he will recover and live a long and fruitful life.

Why do I feel compelled to share this on my blog, social networks and to my entire subscriber list all
over the World?

If just one person takes action and begins a consistent exercise program and regularly eats well – it will either
prevent something like this happening to them OR they will survive it if it does happen.

I praise God my dad is still alive. I also feel so very blessed that his dedication to being fit is what did
it.

Don’t wait. Be consistent. Live.
Yours in Health,

Dave
www.homeofficeworkouts.com

If you live in the United States, specifically New England, then you have heard or seen of this story in the past.  No matter what – this video will emote a reaction in you.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJMbk9dtpdY]

I have always been a believer that no person can motivate another.  What we can do is offer tools that individuals can use to motivate themselves.  We can as human beings INSPIRE each other.

Your potential is limitless.  Potential is also unused effort.  We have all been given potential.  It is a gift.  Pay it forward by using it!

Inspire.  Motivate.  Win.

Dave
www.homeofficeworkouts.com