A New Chapter...

Starting over? Nah. Not really. It's more like weeding out the gunk of the last decade and doing a spiritual spring cleaning to live more efficiently and effectively!

In the last few weeks I have become one with my journey. Cliche...maybe. The truth is, until we are able to surrender to the path, we are not capable of seeing our true potential.

When I wrote my first book last month I conquered a challenge that had plagued me for over 8 years. Knowing full well that I was the only one standing in my way, I somehow took pride in the reality that I was simply "too busy" to sit down and complete it. I had started and stopped many times over but after three weeks of bombarding myself with webinars and teleseminars about how easy it really is I stopped making excuses and devoted four straight days to writing my book from start to finish.

Now, the crazy part of this story was when I trashed it. Literally. A rad business mentor of mine always said to me "write your first book for the trash" and so...I did. About a week later I sat down for two days straight and rewrote it! Amazing how things just flow when the mental gook is out of the way!!

The book writing and editing process was an excellent reminder of just how easy things can be when I set my mind to making them happen. Allowing the book to flow through me brought me back to the mindset of joy in taking giant leaps of faith. When I live my life by the seat of my pants, I always happily land on my feet.

This is why, in less than 24 hours, I was able to make a quick decision to move back to the LA area.

So now, after three weeks of crazy packing and driving back and forth between the desert and LA, I have settled for the summer in my old home town to take care of my family and build my business here.

Listening to the universal messages about my need to be here were a struggle for me as I kept trying to put it off until later this year. While I knew I wanted to be back near the ocean, I had no idea my my family would need me this much!!!

My life's journey has been filled with adventure, intrigue and a whole lot of love thus far. This new chapter in my life provides me with a renewed sense of my place in the family, my role as a daughter and best friend to my mom as well as a loving support system to my aging adopted-grandmother, who celebrated her 94th birthday last week. An overall experience that will afford me great opportunities for growth and spiritual expansion. 

Surrendering to this journey has brought me to a very big decision- carnivore or vegan? The reason: my mom's cholesterol, having always been high, was just measured at 398!! As she has always been one for the natural remedy I have committed to be her personal nutrition coach and trainer. Knowing that there are other factors at play here the only solution is to go 100% Vegan in her diet.

Since I haven't done the vegan thing in over 8 years I'm not sure how my body will respond and have no clue how my training will be affected BUT because of her health I am committed to this journey with her for a minimum of three months until she returns to the doctor for her next test. We are doing NO soy and gluten-free as well so I will be challenged to create new works of art in the kitchen :) If all goes well, I will look at continuing this way of life for the rest of my life!

Let's watch what happens!!! Starting tomorrow, I'll be posting my food experiments on my food blog at Body Everlasting Goes Vegan and will keep this blog here to share stories of my new journey and training as a Vegan.

Namaste.

What Will I See When I Die?

I can imagine how jolting this subject line is to many of you. Seriously though, have you ever thought about what you will see in your life when you look back on it? Will you wish that you took better care of your health, spent more time with your loved ones or just honored your spirit more?

We can find many ways to make excuses on a daily basis to not get things done, to not be adventurous and to not be living the life we came here to live. Whatever your excuse, it is just a self-placed barrier to help us live small. Don't you wish you could be living BIG?

So what will it take?
-a shocking diagnosis from a doctor
-an intervention
-a child graduating high school
-a job loss
-a "come to Jesus" talk

In any case, you must find the life inside of you that is ready to be lived! Embrace it and know that you will not stand another day without playing this life with joy and abundance. Be present in the knowing that you are a being who has needs and wants and desires and that you can have the life that you crave if you would only set out to live it with intention and passion!

Get started today by taking one small step in the right direction. Plug into your heart for that one thing that can bring you closer to having a life that you can be proud of. Just one step can lead to a wide open space of the greatest adventure of your life, so why not start today?!

If this struggle is yours, then my new book is right up your alley- It's being released this week and you can pre-order your copy of this step by step Life Capturing book!  Pre-order your copy of my ebook to receive an additional FREE report "5 Simple Strategies to Banish Cellulite for Life" 
 I'M IN! SEND ME MY FREE REPORT AND PRE-ORDER LIFE CAPTURING

A New Challenge is in Order!

So as many of you know, I have competed in dance and figure competitions. I thoroughly enjoy the thrill of the preparation! In Figure we spend about a full year before the show with off and on season training to build our weak spots, doing loads of cardio while dieting to burn body fat and have a mind set that won't quit. In essence, we are warriors...that ship for me has sailed.

Though I truly miss the challenge of that journey I will not miss walking on stage in plastic high heels and tanning beds for weeks leading to the show. With my pasty skin, no amount of Pro-Tan could give me the same color as I needed to step on stage without many trips to the beds! Despite these minor details I do miss the art of competition and the thrill of knowing that I am unstoppable. I mean, being able to wake up daily to know exactly what the focus is and to not lose sight, having full knowledge of each meal prepared for the day without skipping a beat, workouts scheduled first before anything else and the amazing inspiration my journey is to others is an incredible blessing! I have learned a great deal from that and my dancing days, though the spark of competition lies deep in the depths of my soul...

In class last weekend I made a promise to myself to get back into competition but didn't feel that body building was in alignment with my holistic lifestyle anymore so I decided on a new, athletic and performance based challenge: Tough Mudder. As my body is conditioned for body building and not this type of arena I have chosen a Mudder next year in June. This will give me plenty of time to prepare and condition.

In my excitement to find my next challenge, of course, I started prepping immediately!! I searched the website for information on what would be needed to complete the course and what exercises they recommend. Thankfully many of them are ones that I do already on my own or in P90X2 :) Whew! That was a relief. The biggest challenge I face in this process is.......................CARDIO. For those of you who know me or have worked with me in the past, you know I do not do cardio nor do I condone it. My experience with weight loss is that cardio can work against many people and I can get someone to lose weight easily without the standard "hour on the treadmill" so why waste the time? But this course will require me to run through mud and muddy water, climb ropes and over walls, crawl under barbed wire and in tunnels and God knows what else so cardio must become an integral part of my training. Time to suck it up!!

Today was day two of my training regime, I am doing 30 minutes of light cardio five times a week to build up. I know, many of you can probably do an hour and a half without batting and eye, and yes, so can I. The issue here is not about what I can do, it's about working smarter, not harder. If I go balls to the wall now then I run the risk of losing strength, over training and even worse...losing muscle! EEK!! I refuse to let that happen! In working smarter I am doing my usual four days of strength training using dumbbells, resistance bands, P90X2, stability and medicine balls while adding in an extra day or two of a short core workout with TRX and the Bosu Ball. One step at a time.

My mindset has totally gone into warrior mode again and it feels incredible...

If you would like to join me on this journey and be a part of my team in Tough Mudder San Diego June 2013 email me at contact@bodyeverlasting.com

Ever Wish For Thinner Thighs?

I can speak from years of experience with larger than average thighs that pants don't fit right, shorts...forget it and well, clothes shopping just doesn't go the way we want it to.

For many years I danced. Tap, jazz, ballet and lyrical though for all of those years I was obese. It was a sad existence to feel hopeless in having to buy clothes that fit because as my upper body would shrink during the weight loss my thighs never seemed to go down. I've been known as "the white girl with a bootie" for as far back as I can remember.

It's not a bad thing though. I mean think of it this way, I could have been plagued with no hips or bootie at all! Some of you may be suffering from a sunken, flat or saggy butt. The fact is, people are now getting butt implants to give shape to the very thing that others of us have been trying to get rid of for what seems like forever.

Now, did you know that you have the power to change this? The tools to trim and sculpt the legs you really want are not so far from your grasp! Really. Here are a couple of tips to ease your stress and lighten the load on those delicate areas you so lovingly call Thunder Thighs. This is how I did it and it works wonders!

1- DO NOT use any more resistance on the bikes or elliptical machines more than 1. I find so many women struggling to push harder and harder on the cardio with extra resistance in hopes of trimming down their thighs. Keep in mind, you must burn the fat first. With all that resistance you are only building more muscle under the fat. *This applies to the inner/outer thigh machines as well!!!!

2- EAT CLEAN foods while losing weight. When you workout your body takes in the food you eat and shuttles it right to the muscle that you just finished working with. That means, all the chips, cookies and soda will go right into your muscle creating a bulkier effect! EEK!!!

3- SQUATS and LUNGES only work if they are done right and with light weight. Trainers even make the mistake of not paying attention to their clients form while performing these exercises which is very sad. They key to properly balanced formation of leg and glute muscles is to keep your weight in the heels NOT the toes. This way you will not build up ginormous thigh muscles with no bootie.

4- DON'T FORGET TO STRETCH before and after your cardio sessions. When your muscles are stiff and you do cardio form and technique may be affected by the areas that are constricted causing an imbalance in how you use your legs. Your walk, stance, sitting position and even sleep can be affected by this poor conditioning. Stay limber for proper balance and stability.

If you are in need of some serious guidance on a workout that targets the hips, bootie and thighs check out  Brazil Butt Lift in the SHOP section of my site. You will love this intense, sculpting, high energy workout program!!!

Consistency Is KING!

In the war against body fat many rules apply but only one thing rules over all else: consistency! If you are struggling with losing weigh or getting in shape, ask yourself "Am I being consistent in my workouts and my clean eating habits?" then you will know what's holding you back.

At the start of this new year, many folks have committed to workout, lose weight, save money etc. but how many will actually follow through with these resolutions? If you are one of these people then let's look at some things you might need to know in order to achieve success. Starting new habits with ease and enjoyment will start the year off right. Plus staying consistent will bring you continued, measurable results and keep you motivated to keep "Bringing It"!

First, start taking time each day to remind yourself of your WHY. Why are you taking this plan of action? Why are you committed? What is this driving force and how passionate about it are you?

Second, schedule out your week or month in advance. If you make sure that your workouts are in your time schedule then you don't have to stress at the end of the day because you didn't have time to squeeze in a session. It's okay to schedule only 30 minutes a day if that's all you have. Even 10 minutes works...check out 10-Min Trainer with Tony Horton! Anything is possible if you are ready to achieve it.

Third, be patient. Self-compassion is the hardest thing for most human beings because we live in a quick-fix society. Keep in mind, quick results are all great until the real results of our journey show up three months later with an additional 10 pounds attached! This is a journey, not a destination.

Fourth, go over a list of small, reasonable goals for yourself that feel comfortable to you. Setting small, measurable goals will help you consistently achieve results. Seeing results keeps you motivated and so your journey becomes more pleasurable!

Fifth, find an accountability partner or group. Fitness is always more fun in numbers, especially when you are starting a new adventure. Having someone to answer to will keep you committed to your workouts as well as have someone to share and discuss your experiences with.

Sixth, get help! I used to hate seeing women year after year start the new year off by getting a membership only to show up to their orientation with no experience and say "oh, I'm just going to do my own thing..." or "my boyfriend said he's going to train me". Two months later they see no results and POOF, they disappear as fast as they came in. Their excuse for canceling the membership "I tried working out but it didn't work for me" or "I gained weight working out" and with that lack of knowledge they will forever feel negative about taking their health and fitness into their own hands. It's very important that you find a program, trainer or coach that can help you get started. Having the right information from the beginning will help you succeed in the long run!! Check the ego at the door and honor your body for a change.

Be one with your body and honor yourself with the gift of good health :)
*If you need a place to start, check out the programs here: Beachbody
  These are programs you can do at home and include everything from Brazilian Butt Lift to P90X2. No need
  for a gym membership. You can even workout in your pj's!!
  Sign up for a free membership to log your workouts and sign into the message boards for more information!
  Sign up for a paid membership and you will have access to a fully customize-able menu plan complete with
  recipes and shopping lists

Got Baggage?

As human beings we are taught to think, act and just BE in very specific ways due to our cultural, societal and family values. We spend the whole of our lives attempting to fit into the box that others tell us to fit in and wonder why the majority of us are overweight, unhealthy, diseased, lost, confused and just plain miserable.What's really sad is knowing that most people are living in the illusion of happiness because they "fit in" but deep down inside random illnesses develop as a way for the body to deal with the underlying sorrow one feels. These distorted views create a feeling of victimization and we begin to hold internal grudges when someone doesn't behave the way we wish they would. Essentially we are all fighting to just be ourselves but can't so we project it out onto the world around us.

This past weekend was monumental in the scope of my spiritual evolution. I embarked on a three year journey at the University of Santa Monica in the Spiritual Psychology program and can already see the benefits of a pivotal program such as this in my daily life. Conceptually the program is aimed at showing us how to be better at loving ourselves and to be authentic but experientially we dig deep into the core of our being to decipher the real reasons we are being held back.

Over the years we build up beliefs that shape the way we see and feel the world around us but these distortions can cloud our thoughts with judgement and fear. As we all know, baggage is a leading cause for many issues with intimacy in relationships both friendship and romantic. Our self-judgements cause us to judge others and we end up not even taking a chance on trusting anyone for fear of getting hurt. Truth is...you can only trust someone to be exactly as they are...period. When we typically trust someone we are making the assumption that they will behave in a way that is suitable and acceptable to our perceptions of how one should act. This includes ourselves. The word "should" is the issue!

At the core of every human being there is only love. It's the perception filters that we develop over time that cause us to see only the bad in others causing a strong web of emotional associations that prevent us from total happiness. When you think about the innocence of a child, you see they're born with no judgment, no color lines, no fears...this is all programming. At this point the word "forgiveness" comes in to play. We must find a way to forgive the person who wronged us or make them apologize in order to move on with our lives, but this comes to be very difficult for many people. Why? Because the root of the issue is still our perception, not their action. We "trusted" them to behave in a certain way and they did not so we feel hurt. It's our choice to react or not react in this way.

Ask yourself "what value does holding on to this hurt have for me?" and take a look deeply into how much it is costing you to house that hurt inside of you. You see, most people hold on to those feelings because they don't value themselves enough to prevent that negativity from entering into their hearts. We begin to identify with the victim role and end up attracting people and situations that validate our victim perception. Do you see the pattern and how far this pulls us away from the core of who we all are?!?!

So here's my suggestion for the day: go back to all those memories and forgive yourself for ever buying into those distorted perceptions of yourself and others. Forgive yourself for expecting that things should or should not have been a specific way. Begin to find ways to have compassion for your journey and the journey of others. Know that healing does not start with an apology from someone else, it begins with you and your view of it. Ego likes to tell us that they must be the ones to apologize for hurting us but in truth we must learn to simply let go of the expected outcome in order to heal.

Excuses...excuses...

When I first started working out I was so disgusted with my body that I feared going into the tiny fitness center at the complex I lived in because I was afraid someone would see me from their bedroom window and think I was some fat cow. Plus, when I would do heavy cardio my face would turn as red as a beet and feel like I had flames shooting from my eyes. Not one of my best looks but I wanted a 6-pack SO bad that I fought the fear and pushed myself. Making a vision board helped me to stay focused on my goal and reminded me each morning to not turn on the TV but to go straight to the gym. Before the vision board I had every excuse in the book to not workout but with clarity in my goal I came in alignment with what I wanted and let nothing stand in my way!
I hear many of these same excuses from people resisting physical activity so I have listed some excuses here with explanations, rebuttles and basic no-nonsense hits to tackle your most challenging objections!! What you read may be harsh but if you want results you have go to stop digging yourself into a hole...

-I DON'T LIKE TO EXERCISE- okay, really?!?! How do you know? Have you tried every type of physical activity there is? If not, then it's time you tried something new!
-I DON'T LIKE TO SWEAT- sweat is a necessary part of having a human body. For many of you women who experience hormonal sweating I can imagine this to be quite uncomfortable. But, sweat releases toxins from your body that are blocked up and with out sweating your body may very well be a toxic waste dump. Is that better than sweating? I think not!
-GYM'S ARE FOR BODYBUILDERS- in this day and age people of every age and fitness level go to gyms for every type of training from weights to Zumba to swimming. There is something for everyone! Plus, when you show up consistently you begin to make friends and feel like a welcome part of the community.
-I FEEL INTIMIDATED IN A GYM- when I first started at Gold's back in 2004 I had clients who would ask me to train them ONLY in the women's gym, secluded from the big "manly" machines. Fear of judgement, failure and rejection all played a huge part in this. Two things- A-tour a few gyms before settling in on one to know how the vibe will be B-if you can not find a gym in your area consider doing a workout program from home. If you are afraid of judgement, sweating off your make-up or just looking dorky in the gym, work out at home. Explore Home Workout Programs Here
-I FEAR INJURY- well, first of all let me say, if you fear something you will make it happen by law of attraction so wipe that thought from your brain. If you are concerned about whether or not you are performing an exercise correctly then maybe it's time you seek help from a personal trainer or fitness professional. Be sure to interview them on their techniques and be confident that they truly will focus on your form. I can't begin to tell you how many trainers I've seen who can not practically apply the knowledge they learned from the books that certified them, so do your research!
-BUT MY BODY HURTS AFTER I WORK OUT- this one is tricky but here goes...when you do any sort of resistance training or weight bearing exercise, microscopic tears happen in your muscle fibers which causes slight swelling in the muscle groups you worked. In addition, as a bi-product of energy production, lactic acid develops which is the burning sensation you feel toward the end of a set. Lactic acid remains in the muscle if your diet is poor and you do not consume enough alkaline foods to neutralize those acids. The recovery period following your workout should be a min of 48 hours until the next time you work the muscle again. To stave off any additional cramping you can do a short set of cardio such as walking on the treadmill immediately after your session to promote circulation and detoxification.
-BUT I DON'T HAVE THE TIME- I ask you this, how much time do you spend in front of the TV, spend in a social setting or searching random Epic Meal Time videos on YouTube? Do you TIVO your favorite shows, meet friends for happy hour during the week or just waste your time away stressing about how hard your life is? Well, I'm here to tell you that you will have the time if you make the time. You know as well as I do that when you want something bad enough, you will do anything to have it. How bad do you want better health, unlimited energy or 6-pack abs? You have to want it so bad that you can see it as if it's already happened. Miraculously you will start finding time in your day. Working out at home is a simple way to make sure you fit it in before work.
-BUT I CAN'T AFFORD IT- Walking is free. Push-ups, sit-ups and squats...all free too! There is a plethora of information online about how to work out with out equipment. Check out YouTube for videos on Calisthenics, yoga, tai chi, kickboxing and more. It's a wealth of information all free to you.
-I DON'T HAVE THE ENERGY- if this is the case, a few things could be happening. You may be a caffeine freak at which case your adrenals are shot and we need to get to work asap! You may be struggling with your nutrition and not feeding your body the fuel it needs to do all you ask of it. There may be some serious stress in your life that causes you to feel overwhelmed at which case your emotional energy is what's drained. You may try using physical activity to get out your aggression or stress. Getting to the gym or pushing play on the DVD player can be half the battle. I can speak from experience in saying that I may feel horrible going into a workout, but half way through, the adrenaline kicks in and I feel like I can conquer the world.
-BUT I'VE TRIED WORKING OUT AND IT DIDN'T WORK- then you didn't do it right or the balance between diet and exercise was not right. Truth is, when you do the research to find out what works right for your body type, personality and your level of time commitment the results will come. You can not follow along with the workout program of a genetically skinny person and expect the same results if you are trying lose weight. If you are not thinking of yourself as an individual with specific needs, if you started a new program and didn't give it 110%, if you didn't take the time to understand how your body works...then you are cheating yourself.
Here's the bottom line: Respect yourself enough to do some research on what you need.
...If you don't know enough and don't plan on being a personal trainer yourself, hire one, purchase a home workout program or check out YouTube.
It's much more simple than you are making it so get over it and start somewhere! For more information on how to get started contact me at alida@bodyeverlasting.com