Stuck!!!!

Sometimes there comes a time in our lives when we feel stuck. We become stagnant and comfortable and we no longer realize that we aren’t pursuing our goals/ hopes/ dreams at full throttle like we once did. Many things could trigger this stand still, the key is to realize that we are no longer moving forward or to realize that our speed and passion has dwindled and to reassess our current situation and be willing to make changes.

It’s moments like these that we need to review our goals and ask ourselves if they still make sense to us. This may require some prioritizing and shifting around on our part. This certainly requires an honest conversation with oneself as to why you have drifted from your goals and what is making you feel stuck. Once you find that answer its time to implement. Finding the answer is a lot easier than you think. It just requires some one on one quite time with yourself to sit and think.

You may be wondering what inspired this blog? Well recently I found myself in this very situation in regards to my weight loss. I’ve found that I allowed myself to get comfortable and I allowed circumstances and distractions to throw me off course just a little. Subconsciously, I allowed myself to think that I’ve come a long way; I am pleased with my results and have encountered many great experiences because of it however this mental attitude caused me to slow down along my journey. I had to realize that my journey is far from over. I still have a set amount of pounds I am looking to drop and more muscle I want to build not to mention other physical goals I want to meet.

Just how do you get back on track when your feeling stuck? Here is what I needed to do:

First, I had to go old school and pull out that pen and paper and jot down my goals again. Not only did I write down my goals but I had to write out how I plan to achieve them. For me this meant plotting out when I was going to meet with my trainer, when I was going to do my walking, and which exercise classes (dates/ times) I was planning on attending, and which days I was heading to the supermarket.

Next I had to sit down with the hubby to work out a schedule that worked for all of us – in the course of getting yourself healthy you don’t want to neglect those around you that love and support you.

The only thing left was implementation. I have come to learn that sticking to a schedule is the most effective and efficient mechanism for me. It ensures I am not frivolously wasting time or chasing my tail in circles, instead it helps me stick close to my goals and move forward.

So if anyone of YOU is feeling stuck or stagnant don’t be too hard on yourself. Instead, take a minute for yourself to think about what YOU want, make a plan and then run full throttle.

You Gal Stacy

Lunch Learn & Latin Grooves

The First YOU Gal's Lunch Learn & Latin Grooves was AWESOME! We ate, we listened and boy did we dance. Click here to see the fun time we had with this sneak preview from pictures by our fave photographer Kimie James of IYQ Photography.

Special thanks to:

Kimie James - www.iyqphotography.com
Heather Toler - www.heathertoler.com
Mechelle Lewis - www.mechellelewis.com
Winsor "Flaco" Jewel - www.latinvintage.com

Richmond Marriott West and all of you who joined us for this great event. Stay tuned for our upcoming event Saturday, January 8th! Same great location and time!

Want to secure your spot? Click here.

Create A Smart Walking Plan

Each time you skip walking you cheat yourself of a chance to get fit. Surveys have confirmed that lack of time is the main reason for skipped workouts. Today we wish to share with you how to take advantage of the time you have but may not realize it. Once you discover what is holding you back and how to overcome it you are sure to be gearing up to walk each day.

Below we wish to share 8 ways that you can get your walking groove back or keep it on track.

1. Make a commitment. Think of walking like eating. It's required to live.

2. Forget the all or nothing philosophy. If your goal is 30 minutes but you don't have 30 to give at one time break up the walks with a goal of getting 30 minutes in throughout the day.

3. Eliminate negative thoughts. Stop listening to yourself with the "I'm not up to it", "I have other things to do" or "I'll do it tomorrow. Listening to these thoughts could cause you to give in and not walk.

4. Schedule your walks. Each week find times that will work for your schedule for that week making you a priority.

5. Go with the flow. So you scheduled the walk but something came up and you didn't get to go, that's okay create a new plan of action but be sure to get it in that day.

6. Slow and steady win the race. Don't start out thinking that you are going to walk 5 miles in the first setting on the first day. Take is slow and access your abilities and gradually increase the length, distance and time of your walk.

7. Walk with a friend. Finding time to walk with a friend helps to keep you accountable as well as pass the time away. Once you take the time to catch up with a friend you don't realize how far you have really gone.

8. Make it fun. You don't want this to feel like a chore so take this time to walk your dog, jam to the latest tunes or like we said at point 7 you can catch up with a friend.

Here at YOU Gals we believe that 10,000 steps is key to weight loss and healthy living, so lace up those sneakers and join us as we walk it out!

Upcoming Event

Stand Your Ground

Just recently I had a chance to enjoy some rest and relaxation with my husband on a cruise to the Bahamas. Many folk who have cruised before know about the mounds and mounds of food available while cruising. We particularly love to dine in the dining hall for dinner and can't wait until the Captain's night in hopes of shrimp, scallops and even lobster. Do you see two things on the menu that you want to try? Knock yourself out and order until your heart is content and all at no additional charge. Well many of us know unlimited food options are often a sign of pressure. Should I have this or should I stick with that. We say well it's tempura but it's not deep fried so I should be okay. Well should we really be thinking this way. Does having our food prepared for us without any say so give us a reason to go off plan? We often say well hey "I'm on vacation".

While on vacation I had to pleasure of dining with several other cruisers each night for dinner. The one that stood out to me the most was named Charlotte (I think). She showed up the first night with a list of demands, do's, don'ts and will not's. We were looking at her like "really". As the trip progressed and I began to prod, I found out that she was vegan. According to dictonary.com a vegan is: a strict vegetarian who consumes no animal food or dairy products; also : one who abstains from using animal products (as leather). So while I can attest to the fact that she doesn't eat any meat or dairy I'm not sure about her abstinence of animal products such as leather.

If the food options had milk, cream, eggs, dairy, pasta, meat and even sugar, she was not having it. She worked each night with the head waiter to ensure that there would be something suitable for her the next night. I'm sure you are wondering what exactly was she eating. There were nights when she would have lentils or steamed vegetables, salads topped with olive oil and vinegar or some Indian dish that were vegan tolerant. For desert she would have a fruit plate. We listened and watched in amazement each night as she stood her ground.

After witnessing this I thought about how the YOU Gals plan was far less stringent but at a moments notice with something like vacation, birthday's or other celebrations we look to go off plan. Just like being a vegan the YOU Gals plan is one that should be considered a lifestyle. It should consist of lean meats and proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole wheat and grains.

My tasks to you is to take on the approach of a vegan and make healthy living a lifestyle one that you don't turn on or off based on the occasion or time of year but one that you live with daily!

Rockstars

RichmondMom.com recognizes women in the Richmond, Virginia and surrounding community for their outstanding leadership, achievements, and contributions. Whether their passions are personal or professional, we want to hear about them!

Guess who has just been nominated! One half of the YOU Gals dynamic duo Toni Winston. Check her out here: Rockstars

There Can Be Success At Cookouts

Labor Day Weekend is upon us. It has traditionally been viewed by Americans as the symbolic end of summer. Celebrations range from picnics, barbecues, water sports, to firework displays. For those with school age children it's the last chance to travel before the little ones go back to school. For teenagers and young adults it's viewed as the last party weekend before hitting the books.

I am sure that many of you have been invited to all sorts of activities this weekend and are worried about steering away from your healthy habits. This is to be expected as there are tons of temptations lurking at social events. YOU Gals are not exempt to these temptations by any means. We too are aware of the pitfalls and have worked hard to prep ourselves prior to attending all these weekend activities.
Success comes with proper planning! On Sunday there was a huge gathering my family and I were to attend. Prior to attending I inquired about the menu so that I could begin to prepare myself. Knowing what was going to be on the menu allowed me to decide if I needed to eat prior to going or if there were going to be healthy options there that I could eat.

In my household planning for an event is very different. For me it means getting up and sticking to my normal schedule which includes getting in my steps early, eating breakfast and lunch as well as a snack in between. For my husband it means utter starvation leading up to the event. My husband is by no means a large man however in his mind skipping all meals up to the event means when the bells ring he can sit at the trough, pig out and enjoy each variety of food there. So not YOU Gal recommended!!

So how can you be successful at cookouts this Labor Day?

1. Skip the snacks and go straight to the dinner. Avoid the chips and head to the grill for some lean meats, healthy fixings and then step away from the food spread. Please don't be the salad eater at the party! You'll feel like your depriving yourself. Instead build a healthy plate with smart choices.

2. Keep your hands full. Studies have shown when people keep a drink in their hand they are less likely to graze. Grab some unsweetened tea, water, club soda or crystal light and get social.

3. Chew gum. Sometimes when we see others eat we feel the need to do the same avoid this pitfall by chewing on sugar free gum.

4. Plan ahead - eat before the party if you know no healthy options will be there.

5. Bring a dish. You can bring a healthy dish that way you know there will be something there that you can eat.

6. Enjoy the fellowship! You were invited to the party because they wanted YOU there so get social and have a great time!

YOU Gals is wishing everyone a safe and fun Memorial Day Weekend!