Why Do I Exercise Regularly???

Lately I have been asked, "How do you stay motivated & consistently exercise on a regular basis?"  This is easy for me to answer, but I think it may surprise you.  With all the fitness modeling I have done and w/ the recent World Bikini Championships I participated in, one may think that I am motivated by looking good.  That all this exercise thing is about having the perfect body, the right curves, & one that can be admired by all to see.

I can honestly say that 90% of the time as I walk in the gym or get the motivation to work out, it is not for those reasons.  Exercising has been one of the biggest healers for me and continues to be each day.  Moving my body, getting the blood flowing, finishing a rep, or running just a little more when my mind says quit, reaffirms to me that I can do hard things each day!  Life throws many challenges, but through exercise (movement) we begin to open our souls to self respect, to self-esteem, to self discovery.  I don't feel motivated every day to put on my shoes and go for a run or put on my clothes and do a weight training workout.  There are days that I would rather sit and do nothing, or finish the work project that is in front of me.  But there has never been a time that after I pryed myself from work or off the couch that I regretted doing so!  There are many reasons for me to keep my body moving and to stay motivated.

I recognize my increased energy when my little girl asks me to dance w/ her and I do.  I recognize it when I am hiking in the beautiful mountains and realize that I can climb that peak and see all the beauty from above.  I recognize it when I can shovel snow for my sick neighbor and still have enough energy to do my own.  I recognize it when I want to try something new and I have enough confidence in my bodies ability to try it.  I recognize it when I am feeling down/depressed and nothing, but submerging myself in movement can bring me peace and calm in the mind.  I recognize it when my daughter asks me to go on a bike ride w/ her and I can say, "sure."  I recognize it when I have had a late night taking care of sick kiddos, but I have enough energy to still conquer the day.  I am grateful every day that I have this body that provides me with so much joy and allows me to serve, to love, and to explore and experience the beauty that is around me!

I know that I will continue to enjoy and develop an even deeper respect for this beautiful body of mine...not for man, but for myself and for the many more wonderful experiences of health that I will get to partake in.  I challenge each one of us to move a little more.  To take 3 days a week to do some type of movement, whether that be yoga, pilates, walking, biking, running, trying the new fitness class at the gym, or going to the library and picking up a work out video and doing it!!  One thing I can promise, you will not regret doing so!

To get yourself on the right track for 2012 and make it your happiest and healthiest yet, go to 
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What is your inner voice telling you?

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.- Steve Jobs

 

I have been thinking about that inner voice within myself.   I think it takes a lot of silence, meditation to truly listen to what it is saying.  So much of what we do is because we are driven by what others think, their judgments, our insecurities, etc.  We are here to share our light and our gift w/ life.  We owe it to ourselves, life, those around us, to follow our inner truth and voice.  The world will thank you and you will never be dissappointed with your life if you stay true to your voice.  

Danette Allen Fitness www.danetteallenfitness.com Body Heart Mind Soul Health & Fitness Retreats, Exercise Workouts, Nutrition, Visualization & More

Good to Great

As I sit here and think about my dreams and what I want to contribute to humanity, I am reminded of the importance of excellence.  I don't want to just be good at what I do, I want to be GREAT!

In the book Pursuit of Excellence, he asks you 3 questions:
1.  What are your genuine interests?
2. What are your skill sets?
3.  What are the opportunities that you face right now?

Once you ask yourself these questions and answer them in an honest candid way do 4 more steps.
1. Have a tendency towards action.  You want to implement something, do it!  Don't spend 2 years drawing it up, start where you are at.
2.  Consistently incorporate feedback about your progress
3.  Don't move on to quickly when hit w/ failure.  Bask in it for a minute.  Ask those close to you, what 3 things could I have done differently.
4.  Be long term greedy, not short term greedy.  Don't look at A or B and ask, "which one will I make more money at?"  Ask, "what one will I get more opportunity, which one will make me the happiest and get me closest to my main goal."

Excellence isn't achieved overnight. Like strengthening a muscle, or learning a new skill, it requires consistently putting practice into action until it becomes a part of you. How do you practice bringing your best to everyday situations?


Danette Allen Fitness www.danetteallenfitness.com Body Heart Mind Soul Health & Fitness Retreats, Exercise Workouts, Nutrition, Visualization & More

Amazing Race Shout Out! My ultimate Dream!

I am posting this fun clip I took while climbing, hiking and running in Zions National Park!  For the past 6 years it has been my most ultimate dream to be on the Amazing Race.  At first it started out with a quest to win the million dollars, but has turned into a desire to do what I dare and to dream big dreams.  Nothing sounds more fun to me than traveling to new countries, trying different challenges that revolve around the culture, and competing against others for the title of winner and a cash prize of $1,000,000.  I have had many people tell me to stop applying (I have applied like 7 times) because I travel already to new countries and places about 9times out of the year.  They say give up on the dream, but my heart says "No!"  It isn't only about traveling and money...it is about sticking with a dream.  It is about the joy of competing and trying new challenges and obstacles that you wouldn't normally do. 

Life is so much like the Amazing Race!  You have times of joy and excitement, but there are also many days you feel like you have no control and you lose your cool and yell at your best friend, lover, or family member.  Life's about the journey...not just the great times, but also the long rolling vistas in between when things can be tough.  I believe if you can get through the process of applying against all odds, get on the race and compete well, then you are setting yourself up for a pretty dang good life!  So hears to continual applications and the dream that I will get a phone call that says, "Hello Danette, this is ______from the Amazing Race and we would love to set up a time to meet you.  When can you fly to LA?"

Body Heart Mind Soul Retreat in Costa Rica-May 2011

Come experience the best decision you will ever make!  Creating the body of your dreams, experiencing the longest zip line in the world, surfing on pristine beaches, eating and learning what foods will shape your perfect body, and  renewing your spirit and mind. 

22 Days Left to Register 

Does Drinking Diet Drinks really give you energy and help you loose weight?

With claims like "don't waste your work out," "healthy sustained energy," and the promise of a "shake for breakfast and lunch with a sensible dinner will help you loose weight," what diet drink do you choose?
The question to be asked is: Do these diet drinks (EAS, Slim Fast, Atkins, and Muscle Milk) do what they claim? Do they give you sustained energy all while helping you loose weight?
Studies conducted by the Mayo Clinic state that manufacturers of protein shakes may claim that their products decrease body fat or promote weight loss. But there is no evidence that this is true. Eating a source of protein as part of a meal or snack is a good idea. You'll likely feel satisfied longer, which means you're likely to consume fewer calories overall. Occasionally having a protein shake with added vitamins and minerals as a meal supplement is better than skipping a meal. However, these types of shakes — even if the labels shows added nutrients — do not replace all of the benefits of whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables.

Also, the down fall of these drinks is that nutritional supplements can be marketed without FDA approval of safety or effectiveness. Athletes who choose to ingest these supplements should be concerned with the safety of long-term use. They are low-nutrient, low-fiber, highly-processed, high-calorie "foods," whose consumption reduces the phytochemical density of your diet.

The diet drinks studied contain large amounts of protein. Ingesting more protein than your body needs is not a small matter. It ages you prematurely and can cause significant harm. The excess protein you do not use is not stored by your body as protein; it is converted to fat or eliminated via the kidneys. Eliminating excess nitrogen via your urine leaches calcium and other minerals from your bones and breeds kidney stones
Bottom Line:
By not consuming diet drinks you are saving money, saving your health by eating real foods versus processed foods, and you may cut back on fat/ meal. So if you are going for weight loss and increased energy there are better alternatives. Instead of purchasing a drink, grab a precut fruit bowl, a yogurt, string cheese and an apple, or grab a grilled chicken breast from the deli.
Danette Allen Fitness
www.bodyheartmindsoul.com
"Live Your Best Life!"

Health & Fitness Retreats, Exercise Workouts, Nutrition, Motivational Tools, Events & More

Danette Allen's Upcoming Fitness Events

TV Segment on Channel 5 KSL--Feb 10th at 11:00am. "What Yogurts are Good For You & What Are More Like Desert"


Filming & Teaching in Honolulu, Hawaii--Feb 11-15th. Pilates & Total Fitness. "Get Real with Danette"

Pilates Class at Lululemon-- Feb 18th, 6-7pm, at Park City Utah/Kimball Junction. By Danette Allen, Free to all.


Pilates Classes-- Starting Feb 18th at New Life Gym, Heber, UT, Every Tuesday 8pm and Every Thursday at 10pm. Free for New Life Members, $3 for everyone else.


Start Something Beautiful-- Feb 20th, 9:00am Women's Conference at Utah Valley University--Danette Allen Fitness Booth

Passport to Health -- Feb 26-27th Women's Networking Retreat at Timberlakes in Utah. Sponsored by Danette Allen Body Heart Mind Soul Fitness Retreats

Women in Motion Conference-- March 20th in Utah Danette will be presenting and teaching classes "Fit at Any Level". Learn a holistic approach to help you with a meal plan and exercise program that they can do at home with simple equipment to achieve the best results for overall health, losing weight, and feeling great.
Health & Fitness Retreat -- 10-12 Sept 2010, Maui, Hawaii
 
Danette Allen Fitness
www.bodyheartmindsoul.com
"Live Your Best Life!"

Health & Fitness Retreats, Exercise Workouts, Nutrition, Motivational Tools, Events & More

Get Ready to accomplish your fitness goals this new year

"Live Your Best Life--Body Heart Mind Soul"
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Take the first action step for your new quest to feel better and live your best life. Sign up for a health retreat with body heart mind soul. You will gain all the tools and knowledge to set your life in the right direction. Definitly a decision you will not regret.

Incredible abds

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THE 3 SECRETS TO INCREDIBLE ABS
Danette Allen

Being in the fitness industry for the past ten years, I am constantly asked two questions, “How do I tone up my abdominals and get the six pack I have always dreamed of? Is it possible to achieve a toned mid section after having children?” Absolutely yes! You can achieve incredible abs (even after having children)! There are three key things to keep in mind to achieve those incredible abdominals you have always wanted:

It is not true that you receive great abs by doing a lot of crunches. Doing a lot of crunches will strengthen your muscles, but by not cutting down on body fat, you are only strengthening everything under your fat layer. You have to lose body fat to see the muscles underneath. Doing cardiovascular, fat burning exercise will help you see the muscles you have.
Nutrition plays a huge role in the appearance of your abdominals. You have to eat a balanced diet and avoid or cut back on simple carbs and high fat products.
Doing the right abdominal exercise with the right form is essential to help you achieve the abs of your dreams. Remember that quality is better than quantity.

Here are two specific exercises I would suggest to achieve incredible abs, 1) the plank 2) the ball. Both exercises will help you focus on your core muscles, which are the underlining muscles that hold and pull your body together. By strengthening your core you will shape your abdominals flat.

The plank is one of the simplest ways to increase core strength. Find a flat surface, place your elbows and your toes down. Make sure your body is in a flat bridge. Hold the position for 15 to 30 seconds. Keep your glutes from going above or below your hips. Stay flat!

Ball exercises can help as well. Most people do these wrong and wonder why they are not seeing results. Place your lower back on the ball. Knees should be at a 90 degree angle. During the motion of the lifting and lowering of your body, the ball should remain stationary. Do not lower your body beyond the same height as your hips. Go slow and start with 3 sets of 15 repetitions.

Remember in your quest to achieve incredible abs three keys must be in place. 1) If you have a higher percentage of body fat, do at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular workout. 2) Eat a well-balanced, low fat diet. 3) Make sure your technique and the abdominal exercises you do are effective.

You Matter

YOU MATTER!

Shout that at the top of your lungs. You really do matter.



"Live Your Best Life--Body Heart Mind Soul"
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Fitness Retreats 101

What do I need to bring? Bring yourself just the way you are.

"Live Your Best Life--Body Heart Mind Soul"
Health & Fitness Retreats