Inspiration: Man saves dog; dog saves man

Oh, I love this story on so many levels! (Hanky warning: you'll need one in the middle!)

Inspiration: Amanda Fraijo-Tobin

I love her attitude!

"I did not start out with a goal weight in mind. I didn't want one. I wanted to be healthier. Period. Healthy is not pounds on a scale. This is not a short fix; this is a change I will continue to make for the rest of my life.

"Some days, I may not get through an entire workout like I want to — that's OK. Today I will do what I can."

Read her whole story here.

Inspiration: Fit Jill

I discovered "FitJill1129" on Instagram -- so inspiring! Here are her own words...

I decided enough was enough. I can't keep buying a bigger size jeans every year. It was getting ridiculous. So I decided to make some changes... I began following Atkins and working out to Leslie Sansone videos off of Youtube. At first I could only do about 10 minutes which about killed me, but every few days I would add on another minute. Once I lost 50 lbs my reward to myself was joining a gym.  

I've lost 213 lbs (96kg) in 18 months. No surgery, products or professional help. I'm 48 and have hypothyroidism, pcos and insulin resistance. I... work out doing cardio and lifting heavy free weights most days.

You have to make a choice. Do you want to keep eating your favorite foods or do you want to lose weight? Because you can't have both. Eating the way you are now is what caused you to gain weight and if you keep eating the same way, you will keep weighing the same. If you want to lose weight you have to change the way you eat, and not just kinda sorta. If you kinda, sorta change the way you eat, you'll kinda sorta get results. 
...if you want to make major changes to your body, you'll have to make major changes to your lifestyle. The lifestyle you're living is what's got you the body you have. Yes, it's hard. I know that. Sometimes you will spend all day battling your mind. Your mind will try to talk you into cheating, but don't let it. This journey is not only about losing weight, it's about learning how to deal with life and adversity without turning to food.

If you want to lose weight and change your body, it's a 100% effort.... Think of it like an alcoholic giving up drinking. You're going to have to fight for it if you want it. Have a plan before you go to bed at night. Know exactly what you will eat, when and where. Picture it your mind. Make sure you have the foods you need on hand. Avoid unexpected trips to the store where there is too much temptation. Drive home a different way if there is a place that tempts you along the way. Know what your weaknesses are and go out of your way to avoid them.

Way to go, Jill! Keep inspiring us! 

See Jill on Instagram.

Inspiration: Naomi Teeter

I just discovered Naomi Teeter's blog and her inspiring story. She weighed 300 pounds when she decided to change her life. Now she weighs under 180 and is a life coach for others!

Here are some of her "Before and After" pics:

I love that she's not ultra-skinny -- just a healthy weight and shape for her, that still includes some curves! I also love that she doesn't emphasize it being all about looks or fashion, but more about having freedom to live a life that you love.

She says, "I weighed around 275-300 pounds between the ages of 20-25. ...I also suffered with painful acid reflux that kept me awake at night, water on both of my knees, painful joints, extremely dry skin, acne, and always running out of breath. I tried to lose weight many times. I would succeed at dropping 20-40 pounds, but then gain it all right back after giving up on myself again. It wasn’t until the age of 26 that I hit another fork in the road and made the firm decision that I needed to get the weight off for good. There were many times that... it felt like it was impossible, but I kept doing it and didn’t give up on myself this time. Over a year’s time, I liberated an astonishing 150 pounds from my body. Over the course of 5 1/2 years, I’ve maintained a stable 125 pound weight loss."

Hope this inspires you to start where you are -- today!

Super-easy, super-quick 7-minute workout

And when I say, super-easy, I mean all you have to do is watch the screen -- well, okay, and do the exercises! But there's minimal thinking involved! Once you click "START", there's a visual depiction of each exercise, and a counter that ticks down the seconds you have left.

This is just an image. The link to the video is at the bottom of the post.

And as for quick? Who doesn't have seven minutes?! And each set is only 30 seconds. And this isn't even seven minutes of solid exercise; there are 10-second rests in between!

A tip: I put my laptop on the fourth step of my stairway, and use the first two steps when the instructions call for using a chair. This is more stable, and it also lets me use a higher or lower stair to accommodate my fitness level.

For someone in moderate shape, most of the exercises will be doable. But if you're in beginner shape, or some of the moves are too hard, you can still adapt the moves as needed. Here are a few ways:

- When the instructions call for a chair, use the first step on a stairway. After a few workouts, try the second step, or alternate between the first and second.

- Instead of jumping up and down for the jumping jacks, just step out to the side as you raise your arms, and step back as you lower them. Switch sides at 15 seconds. When that gets easier, add in a jumping jack or two between each easier rep.

- Adjust the plank and push-up to your capability; start with doing them on your knees or the lowest stair, rather than your toes on the floor.

- Instead of high-knee running in place, do marching in place. As you get more fit, add more running in.

The last two exercises are the most difficult. For either or both of them, substitute an easier exercise of your choice. Here's one I like to use.



Want a harder workout? Do it two or three times through.

Here's the link: Seven-minute workout. Just click the big blue button that says, "START."

Need an even easier workout? That's okay! Check out these seated workouts.

So go! Start where you are today!

Fitness: It's about you

Start now: A few simple steps to better health

The single best thing you can do to improve your health is to stop putting it off! The biggest mistake most people make is starting off with some crazy-big effort that can't be sustained for more than a few weeks -- or days.

Don't despise small beginnings. Start now, start where you are today, with tiny, doable steps. Baby steps, really. So small, it takes more effort to defend why you're not doing than to just shut up and do them!

And don't bite off all eight at once! Start now, with one - or, at the most, two. Then keep that up for a week before you add another.

Here are some to choose from:

1. Enlist help. Ask an upbeat friend or family member to call, email, or text you every few days to encourage you in your journey.

2. Read an inspiring health-related book. Or watch an inspiring video.

3. Walk for 10 minutes a day, preferably in sunshine. If you can't walk for 10 minutes, walk as long as you can, sit till you catch your breath, and continue until you've walked a total of 10 minutes. Even if it takes you an hour. You started! Yay, you!

4. Try one of these beginner-level, seated workouts.

5.Write an encouraging note to yourself about this journey. Re-read it while you eat breakfast every day, and/or before you go to bed every night.

6. Write an encouraging or challenging verse or phrase on a card and put it on your mirror. And your computer. And your dashboard.

7. Set aside 30 minutes on the weekend to prep and pack healthy snacks and/or lunches for the week.

8. Start to develop the habit of marching in place or doing the twist as you brush your teeth. (Feel silly? Do it anyway! Laugh at yourself; laughter is healthy, too!)

Okay, pick one - now! 

Inspiration: If he can do it, you can do it! Incredible weight loss success story.

Arthur Boorman was a 47-year-old Veteran. He weighed almost 300 pounds. He couldn't walk unassisted, and for 15 years, doctors had told him that would never change. And he believed them.

But he gave one last effort, with the help of a patient yoga coach, and... well, just watch this.

There is hope! Start where you are today!

Don't know where to start? Here are some baby steps.

Little reminders for getting fit