Do you ever feel like your life is an amusement park, and it's time to go home? They can be so much fun at the time, but after a while, and amuzement park can make you sick! How many times can you go climbing the steep hill of the rollercoaster with the excitement and anticipation of the fast ride going down, just for it to be over in 2 seconds? Ok, so you might get 2 or 3 hill climbs out of it, but eventually the guy makes you get off and go back to the end of the line like everyone else.
Then there's the carousel with the very adorable horses all decorated nicely. If you get to the front of the line, you get to pick the one you want to ride! You wait for the operator to start the ride thinking it'll be relaxing, because it never goes fast; it stays at a safe, steady pace, which is why so many people go on that one. It even has that nice little "carousel music" to entice you there. Soon you realize after going around and around that you've been seeing the same thing over and over, and going no where. And now that amusing jingle that lured you in is going to drive you NUTS!!!
Who hasn't ever been on the bumper cars? It's one thing to be a kid who can't drive a real car to think it's cool, but when you're an adult and KNOW people are going to keep hitting you...it's time to wonder why you get on it in the first place? That's a headache in the making...to say the LEAST!
Bungee jumping anyone? Now that is the ultimate high if you're need for a "rush" is strong enough. As you're climbing one staircase after another, you're heart rate is going up, your breathing is getting heavier, and the excitement is starting to resemble "panic", but you HAVE to do it. Here you are standing at the top as you put your life into the hands of a stranger that is strapping you up to some apparatus. If you stop for a second and analyze it, you won't do it, so before you explode from the excitement and fear, you just jump aimlessly and hope for the best!
So you made it out of that one alive...now what? There's nothing that's going to come close to that for quite a while, and you're quickly coming down off of your "high". The only thing left is food. I once ate cotton candy when I was about 5 and threw up all the way home in the car. I never ate cotton candy again. So why is that a 5 year old learns a lesson the first time, but as adults we keep making the same mistakes over and over? For comments, email me at info@cindyfoxfitness.com.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
When One Door Closes...
Why is it so hard sometimes to let go? We hold on to relationships that are not healthy, jobs that we don't like, clothes we no longer wear, and most of all we hold on dearly to memories. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, security of body, employment, resources, morality, the family, health, and property are the second most basic need after the physiological needs (air, food, water, ect...).
So why hold on to memories? Maybe when we lose a physical thing or person we love, the memory of that one thing we cherish is the only thing that keeps us feeling safe and comforts us. When the loss is too much to bare, it is nice to be able to "go back" in our minds and feel secure for a little while. The problem is when we refuse to live in the "present" and accept the change life has brought us.
We often hear that "when one door closes, another door opens", and I truly believe, even though I admit to staring at the closed door longer than I should sometimes. During these times of transition, it is important to think of what good has come from the situation. Everything that happens to us is a lesson in life if we open our eyes, hearts, and minds to it, as cruel as some of these lessons might seem to be.
For my friend who mourns the loss of her son on his birthday today... my heart goes out to you....xoxoxo
So why hold on to memories? Maybe when we lose a physical thing or person we love, the memory of that one thing we cherish is the only thing that keeps us feeling safe and comforts us. When the loss is too much to bare, it is nice to be able to "go back" in our minds and feel secure for a little while. The problem is when we refuse to live in the "present" and accept the change life has brought us.
We often hear that "when one door closes, another door opens", and I truly believe, even though I admit to staring at the closed door longer than I should sometimes. During these times of transition, it is important to think of what good has come from the situation. Everything that happens to us is a lesson in life if we open our eyes, hearts, and minds to it, as cruel as some of these lessons might seem to be.
For my friend who mourns the loss of her son on his birthday today... my heart goes out to you....xoxoxo
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
High Achievers
If you're like most people living in the NY/NJ metropolitan area, you rush around so often, barely getting where you're going on time. We are a group of high achievers, trend setters...the "movers and shakers" so I've heard. Is it a necessity to survive and pay your bills? Or is it an addiction to constantly be at your best? Regardless of the reason, I believe the satisfaction one receives from accomplishing a lot and achieving above and beyond is what makes it worth pushing beyond the "norm".
When most people are going home to "relax" and turn into a couch potato, there are the other people who are staying late to pick up the slack at work, the people who work 9 hours and then go to the gym, and the ones who are giving them an ass-kicking workout! Don't hate...immitate!
When most people are going home to "relax" and turn into a couch potato, there are the other people who are staying late to pick up the slack at work, the people who work 9 hours and then go to the gym, and the ones who are giving them an ass-kicking workout! Don't hate...immitate!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Are You Sticking To Your Workout Routine?
Today’s article is courtesy of my good friend Jay Cataldo who is a NYC life coach and owner of Definitive Diva.
Thanks Cindy. Even though summer is here, it’s not too late to melt off those last few pounds. While Cindy can give you plenty of advice on how to get in shape, I wanted to share four quick tips for helping you stick to your workout routine when dealing with a hectic schedule.
1. Make a list
Every night before I go to bed, I make a list of all the things I need to get done the next day. For some reason, having a list of things to cross off at the end of a day really helps to motivate me.
One thing that makes the list even more effective is when you schedule in times for everything that needs to get done (i.e., instead of writing down “workout”, you should write “workout 7-8pm”).
2. Make a vision board
A vision board is simply a collage of pictures designed to motivate you and keep you focused on the end result. If you are looking to lose weight, for instance, you might want to use pictures of fit women, pictures of you when you were at your ideal weight, and maybe even pictures of the island you’d like to travel to when you’re in tip-top bikini shape.
You can choose to make a physical vision board or you can find some digital images and make a collage on Microsoft Paint (or a similar program). Just make sure to look at the vision board at least twice a day (both when you wake up and before bed), being sure to feel the feelings you will experience when you finally attain your goal.
3. Don’t skip workouts unless an emergency comes up
The act of skipping workouts usually starts a downward spiral that can lead to a serious lack of progress. So unless a true emergency comes up, be sure to get your butt to the gym no matter what!
4. Get a harassment buddy
Sometimes, we need a little outside help to stay on top of ourselves. A workout partner is great to have, but more importantly, it’s good to have someone who will harass you when necessary and make it really uncomfortable for you to slack off. If you can’t find anyone, you can use this free service in the meantime: http://www.hassleme.co.uk
That’s it for today. Hopefully, these four tips will make it easier to stick to your routine. Thanks again to Cindy for letting me share this info with you. If you like some more health and fitness advice, come chat with Cindy and I on our Diva Forum.
Make it happen,
-Jay Cataldo
www.JayCataldo.com
www.DefinitiveDiva.com
Thanks Cindy. Even though summer is here, it’s not too late to melt off those last few pounds. While Cindy can give you plenty of advice on how to get in shape, I wanted to share four quick tips for helping you stick to your workout routine when dealing with a hectic schedule.
1. Make a list
Every night before I go to bed, I make a list of all the things I need to get done the next day. For some reason, having a list of things to cross off at the end of a day really helps to motivate me.
One thing that makes the list even more effective is when you schedule in times for everything that needs to get done (i.e., instead of writing down “workout”, you should write “workout 7-8pm”).
2. Make a vision board
A vision board is simply a collage of pictures designed to motivate you and keep you focused on the end result. If you are looking to lose weight, for instance, you might want to use pictures of fit women, pictures of you when you were at your ideal weight, and maybe even pictures of the island you’d like to travel to when you’re in tip-top bikini shape.
You can choose to make a physical vision board or you can find some digital images and make a collage on Microsoft Paint (or a similar program). Just make sure to look at the vision board at least twice a day (both when you wake up and before bed), being sure to feel the feelings you will experience when you finally attain your goal.
3. Don’t skip workouts unless an emergency comes up
The act of skipping workouts usually starts a downward spiral that can lead to a serious lack of progress. So unless a true emergency comes up, be sure to get your butt to the gym no matter what!
4. Get a harassment buddy
Sometimes, we need a little outside help to stay on top of ourselves. A workout partner is great to have, but more importantly, it’s good to have someone who will harass you when necessary and make it really uncomfortable for you to slack off. If you can’t find anyone, you can use this free service in the meantime: http://www.hassleme.co.uk
That’s it for today. Hopefully, these four tips will make it easier to stick to your routine. Thanks again to Cindy for letting me share this info with you. If you like some more health and fitness advice, come chat with Cindy and I on our Diva Forum.
Make it happen,
-Jay Cataldo
www.JayCataldo.com
www.DefinitiveDiva.com
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Atlantic City Follow Up
After reading over one of my own blogs from June '07 describing my annual weekend in Atlantic City for my Fitness Convention, I feel a need to contrast it with my recent trip last week. Being a divorced mom of three (now teenage) children, going from one job to another, and running around like a "chicken without a head", I very rarely have a couple days alone to move about at my leisure. My description of my fitness convention 2 yrs. ago, when I went alone for the first time in years was a clear indication of what it's like to let a bird out of it's cage...out of control!
Of course I always go to my morning classes in hopes of learning some new moves to do in my kickbox or step classes, or maybe get some good ideas to try with my clients, but I usually take off after lunch if it's nice out to hit the beach. The difference two years was that I went alone but had friends to meet up with and treated the day as one big party, drinking on the beach, in the casinos, happy hour with my friends, and continuing into the night. Needless to say, I missed my classes the next morning...NOT GOOD!
This year I brought my two sons, one whom was taking classes and the personal trainer exam, and my 13 yr. old whom I got to spend some "quality" time with. We went to the beach after lunch and I did get "A drink", we walked the boardwalk and shopped, and then my older son met up with us and we all went to Rainforest Cafe' for dinner. It was a great opportunity to spend time with them without the interruptions of my hectic schedule, their video games, or other family members being around to take my attention.
I was actually in bed by 10pm and up early, feeling great and ready for my morning classes. I did get some new ideas for my classes, bought 4 new Cd's for my classes and a new pair of cross trainers. Maybe if I plan these "get away" weekends more often I wouldn't be like a bird out of a cage when the opportunity arises.
Of course I always go to my morning classes in hopes of learning some new moves to do in my kickbox or step classes, or maybe get some good ideas to try with my clients, but I usually take off after lunch if it's nice out to hit the beach. The difference two years was that I went alone but had friends to meet up with and treated the day as one big party, drinking on the beach, in the casinos, happy hour with my friends, and continuing into the night. Needless to say, I missed my classes the next morning...NOT GOOD!
This year I brought my two sons, one whom was taking classes and the personal trainer exam, and my 13 yr. old whom I got to spend some "quality" time with. We went to the beach after lunch and I did get "A drink", we walked the boardwalk and shopped, and then my older son met up with us and we all went to Rainforest Cafe' for dinner. It was a great opportunity to spend time with them without the interruptions of my hectic schedule, their video games, or other family members being around to take my attention.
I was actually in bed by 10pm and up early, feeling great and ready for my morning classes. I did get some new ideas for my classes, bought 4 new Cd's for my classes and a new pair of cross trainers. Maybe if I plan these "get away" weekends more often I wouldn't be like a bird out of a cage when the opportunity arises.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
You Are What You Eat
If you knew your neighbor was torturing his dog or cat everyday, would you report it or just pretend it wasn't happening? If your cat had kittens, would you put the males kittens in a plastic bag and throw them in a garbage bin to suffocate to death just because you had no use for male cats? Every day, hundreds of thousands of male chicks are killed by suffocation in plastic bags, decapitation, gassing, being left to die in dumpsters, or being thrown alive into grinders, sometimes remaining alive for even twenty seconds after being slowly tortured and mangled (Rollin, B.E., Farm Animal Welfare).
A pregnant sow's (mother pig) biological need to build a nest before having her litter is so great that some sows confined in "gestation" crates will rub their snouts raw on the concrete floor while trying to satisfy the drive. Piglets are taken from their mothers as young as 10 days old and packed into pens to be raised for breeding or meat. Due to overcrowded conditions, the piglets develop stress-related behaviors such as cannibalism and tail-biting. Factory farmers chop off the piglets' tails and often use pliers to break off the ends of their teeth. In order to prevent unpleasant odors due to sexual pheromones, the farmers rip out the males' testicles. All of these procedures are done without any use of painkillers (www.merceyforanimals.com).
History classes all over the world will teach about the horrendous treatment that occurred during the holocaust, rightfully so; but most people will turn their backs on the cruelty that is happening everyday to millions of animals. How can a person physically and mentally be "stress-free" when their eating animals that were tortured and completely "stressed-out" until their death? Does the word "Karma" ring a bell?
The average vegetarian spares the lives of more than 50 animals each year. That adds up to thousands during a lifetime. For healthier options and recipes with "peace of mind", go to www.chooseveg.com, www.veganhealth.com, and of course www.facebook.com/cindyfoxfitness.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Spice Up Your Life this Autumn!
One of the benefits of living in New Jersey is having four Seasons...and that distinct feeling of change that comes with each one. What a great loss it would be to not take advantage and experience your life in a slightly different manor, and really live your life through different eyes every three months. For if you never expand your awareness beyond your daily routine, you will never experience the abundance the world has to offer.
I personally feel the strongest changes, both emotionally and physiologically as we enter Autumn and Spring. It's only three weeks into the Fall season and I have instantly transformed from Cindy Lee to "Sara Lee", although at this point in time Rachel Ray would be a more appropriate analogy. I practically starve myself all during the "summer" season because it's bikini season and I feel the pressure of having to be in good shape. But the first chilly day...I can't wait to put my clothes back on and find a new recipe to make! I put on my favorite cooking music(soundtrack from Chocolat, Practical Magic or City of Angels), light my candles, open a bottle of wine, and and spend hours in the kitchen.I don't even know who's going to eat it all, but I don't even care!
For some people, the cooler weather means they can now participate in more outdoor activities without getting heat stroke. I personally have no problem running outside when it's 90 degrees; and although I do prefer doing it when it's in the
70's, once I feel a slight chill on my ears, it's back to the treadmill I go. For sports fans, the fall means getting out of the hot sun of the baseball games and getting ready for hours of tailgating at football games...Go Giants!
I'm not thrilled with the "Back to School" displays of September, but I love the festivities of October...Halloween Costumes, pumpkin picking, and the scent of spiced candles. Even breweries take advantage of the Autumn Season to put out their "Harvest Blend" beer. I'm not a beer drinker, but I will take advantage of this time of year to have some cider jack if the occasion should arrise...Octoberfest!
Even if you're oblivious to all of these changes, you can't ignore the fall falliage! Unless you you never leave New York City (which is still no excuse because Central Park is beautiful right now!), or you only drive the NJ Turnpike exits 12through 16, you can't avoid seeing the many different colors of the leaves on the trees. There's even a difference in the air...a cool, more crisp feeling when you take a breathe. Get out and take a walk, or go sit on a park bench and do nothing...just notice the change and enjoy!
I personally feel the strongest changes, both emotionally and physiologically as we enter Autumn and Spring. It's only three weeks into the Fall season and I have instantly transformed from Cindy Lee to "Sara Lee", although at this point in time Rachel Ray would be a more appropriate analogy. I practically starve myself all during the "summer" season because it's bikini season and I feel the pressure of having to be in good shape. But the first chilly day...I can't wait to put my clothes back on and find a new recipe to make! I put on my favorite cooking music(soundtrack from Chocolat, Practical Magic or City of Angels), light my candles, open a bottle of wine, and and spend hours in the kitchen.I don't even know who's going to eat it all, but I don't even care!
For some people, the cooler weather means they can now participate in more outdoor activities without getting heat stroke. I personally have no problem running outside when it's 90 degrees; and although I do prefer doing it when it's in the
70's, once I feel a slight chill on my ears, it's back to the treadmill I go. For sports fans, the fall means getting out of the hot sun of the baseball games and getting ready for hours of tailgating at football games...Go Giants!
I'm not thrilled with the "Back to School" displays of September, but I love the festivities of October...Halloween Costumes, pumpkin picking, and the scent of spiced candles. Even breweries take advantage of the Autumn Season to put out their "Harvest Blend" beer. I'm not a beer drinker, but I will take advantage of this time of year to have some cider jack if the occasion should arrise...Octoberfest!
Even if you're oblivious to all of these changes, you can't ignore the fall falliage! Unless you you never leave New York City (which is still no excuse because Central Park is beautiful right now!), or you only drive the NJ Turnpike exits 12through 16, you can't avoid seeing the many different colors of the leaves on the trees. There's even a difference in the air...a cool, more crisp feeling when you take a breathe. Get out and take a walk, or go sit on a park bench and do nothing...just notice the change and enjoy!
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