Sunday, July 31, 2011

Dedication

If you readers no me personally, you would know that I am currently obsessed with the HBO series, True Blood. It's my favorite program on TV, because of this, I am always on the lookout for interviews and articles on the show and it's cast.

This week actor, Joe Manganiello, who plays the character, Alcide, was interviewed on Access Hollywood. If you don't watch the show, this man has an UNBELIEVABLE body. He is completely ripped, I don't think a body could look any better. In his interview he shared some of his workout tips and what he does.

What struck me, and why I decided to write about his interview, is that he shared, for this role, that he spent every dollar he had, found one of the best trainers, and trained 2 times, 6 days a week. Talk about some serious dedication. He was willing to do whatever it took to meet his fitness goal. I am completely impressed.

Now, I know most of you out there don't have this high of a fitness goal. However, you still have a goal. Today make a dedication to yourself that you will reach this fitness goal. It's very hard to make changes and lead a healthy lifestyle, it takes a tremendous amount of time and dedication. I promise though, once you start, and you eventually reach your goal, you will feel amazing. START TODAY! I know you can do it!

Thank you for reading and no matter what shape and size you are, always love yourself!!!

xoxo
Michelle

TIP OF THE DAY:
Prevent late night binges by dividing your dinner into two seperate meals. Eat half of your portion of carbs, protein, and veggies at 7pm and the rest at 10pm, when you would normally have a snack.

*follow me on twitter for more tips*
www.twitter.com/michellebetts4

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Don't get stuck

In the last two weeks there have been multiple acting jobs that I have come in as runner up. You know, so close, but no cigar. It's gotten me a bit down, and most of all, the feeling of being stuck.

A really good friend of mine, who is not in the entertainment industry, helped me turn those feelings around. She told me that even though I didn't get the parts, that coming that close, multiple times, is a big accomplishment. She made me think and see things differently. Her perspective helped me not be so stuck.

If you feel like you are feeling stuck with your fitness goal, make some time and be honest with a good friend. Sometimes all it takes is a different perspective to help get you moving again. It sure did for me.

Thank you for reading and no matter what shape and size you are, always love yourself!!!

xoxo
Michelle

TIP OF THE DAY:
IF you can't get your recommended daily servings of vegetables from your food, go to a health food store and buy powdered greens to add to your shake or drink. It's not as beneficial as actual vegetables, but does aid in nutritional intake.

*follow me on twitter for more tips*
www.twitter.com/michellebetts4

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Take your aggressions out in the gym

Hi all, hope your having a good morning. I just walked in from training and I am feeling good. I recently found out someone I cared about had been lying to me. I have to let it be known that I HATE LIARS!!! Lying to me is the worst thing you can do, I'd rather hear the truth, even if it is something I don't want to hear, then a lie.

Instead of sitting by myself and wallowing, or binging on junk food and alcohol, which unfortunately is what most Americans do, I took my aggressions out in the gym. That's what I do when I'm stressed. Instead of doing something that is bad for my body, I turn it around, run on the treadmill like Forrest Gump.

After my intense running, I ALWAYS feel better. For one, endorphins make you feel good, but two, pushing my body gives me a high. It makes the stress go away, or at the very least, lessen. Next time you are stressed out, do something good for your body and exercise, I promise you will feel better.

Thank you for reading and no matter what shape and size you are, always love yourself!!!

xoxo
Michelle

TIP OF THE DAY:
If you are starting to plateau with your strength training and are not ready to raise your weight, change the order you perform the exercises. An example would be if you usually start with your biceps, end with them instead.

*follow me on twitter for more tips*
www.twitter.com/michellebetts4

Saturday, July 16, 2011

The Weighted Hula-Hoop

It's Sat, wishing everyone a great weekend! I had a busy week. I am glad that the weekend is here. I will be taking it easy this weekend. I'm going to catch up and read all of my fitness and health magazines.

A client of mine gave me a new toy last week. If you don't remember, in a previous blog awhile ago, I mentioned the weighted hula-hoop. Shape magazine featured actress, Marisa Tomei, and she uses one to tone up. In her interview she said they were a lot of fun.

Marisa couldn't have been more right. I had so much fun with mine, and I got a decent workout in. There are many different ways to maneuver the hula-hoop, so you can target each major muscle group. You can jump rope through the hoop for cardio. You can hoop it around your arm for muscular strength. Hooping it around your ankle and skipping through it takes coordination, but after a few times you'll get it. These are just a few of the many exercises you can perform with this fantastic piece of equipment.

This weekend, find a form of exercise, or piece of equipment that puts a genuine smile on your face.......it's fabulous!

Thank you for reading and no matter what shape and size you are, always love yourself!!!

xoxo
Michelle

TIP OF THE DAY:
This is simple. If it grows on a tree, eat it!

*follow me on twitter for more tips* www.twitter.com/michellebetts4

Friday, July 8, 2011

Eat Pray Love

I have been a bit obsessed with the film, Eat Pray Love, with mega-star, Julia Roberts. I thought I would dedicate this blog to the film. It seems each time I watch this film I get something new from it, which I think is fantastic.

EAT: Your body needs nutrients for fuel. Feed it well with foods that come from the ground, (fruits and vegetables), whole grains, and lean protein. Try and stay away from fried, processed foods. Take a look at food differently, ask yourself, "what can this do for my body"? When you start eating a healthy, balanced, diet, you will feel and look amazing. I do believe in one cheat meal a week. Meaning, don't binge, but eat whatever you want. Mine this week is yummy Mexican food......tonight.

PRAY: Weather you are religious or not. Pray to whatever higher power you believe in. If you don't believe in a higher power, than take 10-20 minutes a day mediating. I practice an hour of power ever morning, it's a Anthony Robbins tool. I wake up, say what I'm grateful for, pray, visualize, speak incantations, and meditate. I've been practicing this for over a year, and it is the best way to start my day.

LOVE: Every day do something that shows you love yourself, preferably exercise :). Take a look at how you spend your days and see if you are devoting love to yourself. If you aren't than start right now!!! Also, let the people in your life you love know it. Tell them, or do something nice that shows you love them. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing someone you love with a true smile of happiness.

Have a great weekend!

Thank you for reading and no matter what shape and size you are, always love yourself!!!

xoxo
Michelle

TIP OF THE DAY:
We are in the warm summer months, be sure to keep yourself hydrated with plenty of water. The recommended daily amount is at least 8 glasses. Coconut water naturally hydrates the body, drink it in place of Gatorade (unless you are training heavily).

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

My motivation...Rafael Nadal

I hope everyone had a fabulous 4Th of July weekend. My weekend started a bit early on Thursday. I was invited to an opening of a bar in Hollywood, so I went with a really good friend. Well, we ended up going to 3 different lounges that night...which meant, quite a few drinks.

I'm not a big drinker, it's a waste of calories in my mind. Don't get me wrong, I like drinking wine, but I stop at 2 glasses. Well, I woke up Friday and wanted to burn off my 5 drinks from the night before, so I decided it was endurance training time. I don't perform endurance training often, endurance training is when you stay on a cardio machine for a long period of time, with your heart rate steady in zone 2.

I go down to the gym and hop on the stationary bike, I look up and see my favorite tennis player on the screen. Gorgeous Spaniard, Rafael Nadal. I was going to bike ten miles in 40 minutes, well, I ended up on the bike for over an hour and went 20 miles.

It sounds funny, but Rafael Nadal kept me on the machine. I wanted to keep watching his match, look at his body, and study his moves. My point to this is: Put the tv on something you really enjoy watching, it will give you motivation to keep going!

Thank you for reading and no matter what shape and size you are, always love yourself!!!!

xoxo
Michelle

TIP OF THE DAY:
Use a fork and knife and cut the food you would usually use your hands to eat. An example would be pizza. Studies have shown by doing this you will eat less.