Three Important Lessons

Following are three of the most important lessons I can offer you in health, fitness and wellness. And no, these aren't 'fat loss' or interval training tips...these lessons will change your life if you pay attention...they are simple yet powerful and often overlooked.

The most powerful lesson and solution for improving your health has little to do with how many calories you eat or how you cycle your carbs or whether or not you drink raw milk... The most powerful solution to your health is right in front of you... and right inside of you.

Recent experiences continue to bring to the forefront of my mind one of the most powerful lessons that has changed my life... it is easy to forget, but critical to remember.

GRATITUDE

Wikipedia defines gratitude as 'appreciation, or thankfulness is a positive emotion or attitude in acknowledgment of a benefit that one has received or will receive.'

Remember when your grandparents use to say things like 'Count Your Blessings'?

I have learned that this is one of the most important components of true health. Wherever you are in life and whatever is going on, count your blessings every day and your life will change. You never know when you might lose something so precious to you, whether it's a loved one or your health or even your ability to walk. Now you shouldn't live in fear of losing something, but you can easily open your heart and be grateful for whatever is happening in your life. If you're stressed or having difficulty right now -- simply do the mental exercise and find the hidden blessings.

Please be grateful for all the wonderful things in your life -- especially the relationships which bring you joy and inspiration.

Living with gratitude opens your heart and keeps your mind balanced and in perspective. It makes life much more enjoyable. When you're ungrateful and resentful, you will be more stressed and pumping out cortisol more often than normal. Cortisol makes you fat, age prematurely and is associated with practically every disease known to man. Gratitude opens your heart and frees your mind.

FOCUS

One major mistake I often observe is the answer I get when I ask people what their goals are. I usually get a long laundry list of things they DON'T want. I often have to interrupt people and remind them of my question which was 'What DO you want'?

Focus on what you want and NOT what you don't want. The same goes for our health, wealth, relationships and fitness. Focus on what you want, not what you don't want.

RESPONSIBILITY

Whenever some serious crisis interrupts your life it can help you put your life into PERSPECTIVE and realize what your true values are.

I interact with people every day in Springfield and I can tell you that a lot of people are living in a fantasy land or just flat out lying to themselves about how unhealthy and miserable they really are. Many people are looking for some 'fat loss secret' (that doesn't exist) to whisk them away from their stomach aches, bloated tummy, gassy, low back achy, muffin top and poor self image, low self esteem, anxiety and depression which all comes from a LOUSY DIET or not managing your mind.

And all these issues stem from not taking responsibility for your life.

I occasionally get emails from people who say our programs didn't meet their expectations because there was no magical secret that helped them accomplish their health and fitness goals.

Truth is, there are many things I teach that very few 'experts' talk about, but because its basic stuff that most are overlooking, it doesn't meet their fantasy expectations and they feel let down. They then continue on in their search for a miracle cure, magic acai berry cleanse, new trendy diet or some hidden secret that some celebrity is promoting.

Please understand this basic fact: Being healthy and losing weight boils down to ONE thing:

taking responsibility for your life.

There are NO secrets or shortcuts, no diets or pills that will do anything for you except drain your pocketbooks and bank accounts.

Getting healthy, losing fat and living an awesome life boils down to taking complete responsibility for your life. If you are still lying to yourself about your addictions, or searching for something that will rescue you from irresponsible diet & lifestyle, or going to Barnes and Nobles hoping to find something new... you are in for a long journey that ends in disappointment and a lousy life of being overweight, unhappy, depressed and yes, eventually diseased.

I'm here for you if you're ready to hear the truth.  I will coach you.  You must provide the commitment and hard work.  But if you're ready for a change, we can do it together.  At Fitness Together we have a great team of professionals who are totally committed to helping you accomplish your health and fitness goals once and for all. 

To Your Empowerment,

Joe Thiel