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'I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.

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- Helen Keller

I've Got a New Attitude!!!

Exercise: painful, necessary evil or life sustaining, rejuvenating energy. Your attitude towards exercise and wards life in general will determine how successful you are in attaining and sticking to your goals. Whatever you do today, purpose in your heart and mind that you will do it with an open mind and positive attitude. Remember, your attitude determines your altitude !!!

Enjoy the newsletter and have a blessed week!

Cathy Morenzie

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Feature Article

I've Got a New Attitude!

ve Got a New Attitude

Most of us know that we should exercise and eat a healthy diet, but the reality is that knowing does not always translate into doing. At some point in our lives, if we’re honest, we have all hated the thought of exercise. Those skinny over-enthusiastic runners that you see looking fit and healthy are actually in the minority.

Is it really possible to develop a positive attitude towards exercise? Good news … the answer is yes.
I have taken numerous clients from couch potatoes to avid exercisers. Although the thought of exercising may not always be at the top of their list, they have managed to change their attitude about exercise and as a result have changed their lives. Here are a few suggestions that have worked for my clients.

• See exercise as an important part of a healthy lifestyle; not as a quick fix
• Write out your goals and review them regularly
• Start gradually -- commit to just 5-10 minutes of a particular activity.
• Find an accountability partner to share your challenges and successes
• Practice daily affirmations
• Keep your stress level in check -- we tend to neglect our bodies because we are so busy doing other things
• Focus on the benefits not on the task
• Practice self control -- have a strategy for what you will do when you are feeling tempted; mentally rehearse your reaction (call a friend, drink water, positive affirmation, review your goals)
• Subscribe to a weekly magazine to receive regular motivation
• Make up your mind to “just do it” -- success at anything takes hard work and effort
• Take responsibility –“Ninety-nine percent of failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses." George W. Carver
• To thine own self be true -- list your triggers: boredom, loneliness, anger. What will push you to overeat …what will resign you to the couch instead of going to the gym?
• Focus on the positive; envision yourself reaching your goal (at your ideal weight, crossing the finish line, having lots of energy...)
• Hang in there ... when your motivation is slipping remember that there are no short cuts, quick fixes or effortless successes.

Here are two different attitudes about exercise:
“Exercise is my treat to myself. A time away life’s stress where I can feel the power of my body and be aware of it strength and intricacy. It is a way to pamper myself. It is my reward to myself for working so hard. It is a way to celebrate life and movement!! This is a special time that I have carved out for myself and look forward to it everyday.

OR
“I have to work late today so I’ll have to miss my workout again today. It’s probably for the best anyway since I’m too tired to exercise and could use the sleep. The thought of getting out of bed right now to exercise is not very appealing. Why beat myself up on that boring treadmill that goes nowhere. What’s the point anyway?

The choice is yours. If exercise is a priority, then work or anything else will not get in the way; you will not see it as a chore and you’ll understand that every time you exercise you are affecting the quality (and probably quantity) of your life. Only you can choose. So change your attitude and change your life!!!!!

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Nutrition Tip of the Week

The Benefits of Protein

• Promote weight loss
• Increase metabolism
• Reduce fatigue
• Rebuild and strengthen blood, hair and organs
• Strengthen immune system
• Aid recovery of muscle tissue
• Strengthen muscle
• Prevent disease and illness
• Improve memory and brain function

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Exercise of the Week

Exercise Description:

Muscles Worked

Instructions:

1. Lie on your back with your hips bent at 90 degrees and your feet facing the ceiling. Wrap the band around your feet and hold with both hands. Bend your knees if you need to modify.
2. Shift your feet and legs to the right until you are unable to hold them without rotating your hips. Now bring them back up and repeat to the other side.
3. Finish by bringing your legs up towards your head.
4. Return to the starting position and repeat. Keep your core tight and control your legs by using your abs and not momentum.

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About Cathy Morenzie

Cathy Morenzie is a certified personal fitness trainer, fitness instructor, and Pilates instructor. She specializes in providing creative fitness solutions for people on the go. She has trained thousands of clients and trainers over the last 15 years. For more FREE tips like these, contact us or call 416-410-8517 to schedule your complimentary session. Can't fit personal training sessions into your schedule, no problem - try our online personal training and receive the benefits of one-on-one personal training at a fraction of the cost.