Yesterday You Said Tomorrow

"Tomorrow is another day." - Scarlett O'Hara

"The sun'll come out tomorrow." - Annie

“Tomorrow you promise yourself will be different, yet tomorrow is too often a repetition of today.” 
- James T. McCay

Tomorrow.  I hear that word so frequently it's nearly lost all meaning.  When I actually use it, it's a word full of anticipation.  Here are a few examples:

Tomorrow, I am expecting copies of my book to arrive.
Tomorrow, my order of Brazil Butt Lift will be one day closer.
Tomorrow, I have a long run scheduled outside.

See how fabulous tomorrow can be - if you're actually going to utilize the day?  Too often, people use tomorrow as an excuse to make today lackluster.  As though promising a workout tomorrow makes them healthier today.  Guess what?  It doesn't work that way.  The results that you're looking for only actual occur if you DO THE WORK. 

And yes, I get that it's not all fun and games in the beginning.  The beginning is HARD.  The beginning is TOUGH.  It's all about the front of the mullet - business.  But if you wanna get that party in the back, ya gotta work through it.  And trust me - there is a party in the back.  And it's fun, and it's filled with fantabulously gorgeous people, and it's where all the cool kids are hanging out - and living longer, fuller lives.  Because, seriously - you can't live your life to the fullest if you're dragging around even 20 extra pounds.  You can't live life to the fullest if you're thin but have no strength.  When walking up the stairs is enough to take your breath away, that's not the best you can do.  If you're tired after carting the groceries in from the car, that's not the best you can do.  It's the bare minimum, and you'll get far fewer years out of the bare minimum. 

Hard truth: if you're inactive and scarfing grease-covered potatoes, you are doing yourself and your body an injustice.  This isn't about being thin or looking a certain way.  This is about your HEALTH.  I don't care if you're skinny or if you're fat - if you're not taking care of your body, you're at risk for a whole list of nasty, icky stuff.  And if you're a parent - shame on you.  What do you want for your kids?  Would you hand your child a cigarette?  Alcohol?  Poison?  Then WHY for the love all that is holy would you stuff 'em full of chemicals, dyes, and hormones???? 

And before you roll your eyes and call me a "health nut"...I get the need for treats.  I get the need for a day off now and again.  It's all about moderation, but come on.  Moderation does not mean eating something unhealthful on a daily basis.  It's not having a side salad followed by fried chicken and gravy.  It's about recognizing how much good stuff is required to outweigh the bad stuff.  It's more than you want to deal with, I'm sure...but too freakin' bad.

Now, let's have a fun truth: If you start today and keep at it for just three weeks, it becomes a habit.  Stick with it another three weeks, and it becomes a lifestyle.  You stop exercising because you have to and start sweatin' because you want to.  You stop craving chocolate and start craving vegetables.  You stop being tired and start feeling energetic.  You will participate in life in ways you never contemplated or even realized you weren't participating before.  That's right about the time you send me a message on Facebook, or email me, or text me - and say "Hey, thanks! I am kicking ass like nobody's business! You were right about all that healthy shit!"  And I humbly give you all the credit (because it was YOU who did the work, after all) and tell you to KEEP GOING. 

Because even if you've taken care of today, tomorrow is still all like "What about me ova heah?"  (Tomorrow has a New York accent, just in case you were wondering.)

Three Little Words

When I first began shedding the baby weight, the questions started.  "How did you do it?" "Wow! What are you doing?"  Everyone and their sister wanted to know my "secret."  And were sorely disappointed when my answer was simply "TurboFire."  Because that wasn't easy.  It meant they would actually have to put effort in to get results.  When I told them my ancient exercise secret, most were honest.  "Oh.  I was hoping for a magic pill of some sort."  Seriously.  That, dear Readers, is a direct quote and a serious reply.  Arrrrggghhh!  It makes me just...well...CRAZY.


My response to "diet aids"

Partially because (cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye if I'm lyin') I would continue to work out even if I had Giselle's genetics.  (I'd still like them, so if she's willing to hand 'em over, I get first dibs.)  I love the rush of a good workout, the feeling of accomplishment and hard work that only comes after I've given that session every drop of energy I've got.  I love the strength and the power I attain from training and the way it makes me feel like an athlete for that one to two hours every day.  I wouldn't trade it.  And am continually baffled by those who find it more rewarding to sit on the couch with reality tv and a plate of the latest sugary Pinterest recipe.  You don't have 60 minutes to devote to a better mood and better health????  Shutchermouth.  (No, really.  Shut it before that cookie gets in there.)

It also makes me CRAZY because people are still looking for that "magic pill."  They're like Ponce de Leon searching for that fountain of youth and beauty - which, by the way, is EXERCISE.  You want to look younger, stronger, leaner?  Sweat.  There's your pill.  Problem is, you just don't wanna swallow it.  I don't care if the label reads "all natural." Bottom line: it doesn't work.  Often the main ingredients are caffeine and green tea.  Drink 'em.  Much cheaper, same benefits. 

They don't even SPELL correctly!

 I am amazed at the effort and money spent on products that claim you don't need to exercise or eat healthfully.  The time it takes you to drive to the store?  Walk around the block.  That money you just squandered on thinly veiled placebo?  You could have ordered Shakeology.

(Another reason to love Beachbody?  No empty promises or extra hype to make something more than it really is.  The programs work if you do them.  Shakeology is a supplement, not a cure all.)

Psst...wanna buy a pill?

Suddenly, it seems everywhere I turn I hear or see the Obesity Epidemic.  And I feel angered and saddened, especially when I see clearly overweight children with ice cream or bags of chips.  If you saw a malnourished child, thin and frail and weak...you'd be angry too.  You'd want to admonish or report that parent.  Overweight children are malnourished as well.  They will grow to be weak, out of breath, with poor heart function.  Just like their adult counterparts.  It's a cycle, and our kids learn from us.  As parents, you love your children.  What do you want for them?

Let's all say it together: "Decide.  Commit.  Succeed."  Three little words.  Big results.  No magic, no pill.  You need willpower, effort, and sweat.  If I can do it, I know you can do it.  I know because I was lazy.  I was a chainsmoker, a junk food junkie, and a couch potato.  There was a time I couldn't even jog a slow mile.  Go ahead, ask me how I got from there to here.  I'd love to tell you.

If you're buying a diet pill, may I also interest you in this fat-reducing bridge?