“Your schedule has changed and you feel overwhelmed. Here's how to keep your head above water.”

We all know life can get pretty busy sometimes. If there are days that you have to decide on working out or getting only five hours of sleep, you should choose to sleep. If this is a usual thing, you seriously need to change your life. Using up every waking hour and a few sleeping hours to deal with things in your life will leave you stressed out and drain your body. If your health, muscle tone, and happiness are suffering, you need to make adjustments. You may feel like you're not getting anywhere, but just treading water. Even if you can't see a way out for a few months, having a plan to make a change at a specific deadline will give you staying power. In the meantime, if you can fit in a workout at least a few days a week, that will give you some mental "down time" and will keep your body more resilient for your hectic schedule.

“Your life is busy with family and job so you must put them first. Here's how to stop believing that myth.”

When you give 100% of yourself it's likely you'll end up 100% annoyed, 100% stressed, and 100% ready to lose it. You're also likely to eat well about never and exercise just about as often because you couldn't possibly take time to do something so selfish. Wrong. You NEED to find the time, make the time, or steal the time for at least 30 minutes to workout at a minimum of three days per week. Putting yourself first during this half hour can boost your mental well being and make you realize how much better of a person you are to those you are caring for. Making time for yourself makes you a better you all the way around.

“You want to improve your shape and your health but just can't seem to get started. Here's how to have more than just good intensions.”

You imagine yourself as a healthier, thinner you. You imagine working out and eating better. You see yourself buying cute clothes. You envision yourself being more active and being more adventurous. Unfortunately, nothing's really changed and your dreams of a better you remain nothing more than that - just dreams. To get past the dream and into reality you need to make a tangible plan of action. If you don't have a map, how do you know how to reach your destination? Your plan has to be specific. Start by writing down not only your goal (I want to lose 50 lbs.), but also why you want to lose it (I'll feel more confident and be able to do all the activities my kids/grandkids want). Now, write out how you'll reach that goal: I'll workout three days a week, go for a walk with my husband/wife/friend on the weekends, eliminate fried foods five days a week, and make healthy dinners three times a week. Now, you'll have to get even more detailed, like which days you'll workout and make a plan to find recipes to make. Now set a date to implement the plan and do it. You can modify the plan if something isn't working as you go. Once you launch your plan is when your dream becomes a reality. Before you know it your goal will be within reach.

“You eat fewer calories but still you're not losing weight. Here's why the bumble bee can fly.”

You aren't the first person to question this. It doesn't necessarily make sense, but like bumble bees who are not aerodynamically built for flight and still manage to buzz around, eating more can actually make sense for weight loss. The biggie is breakfast. If you haven't tried this and are still struggling with losing the weight you want, you really don't have a lot to lose by trying it do you? The thought is that by structuring your eating evenly throughout the day, your body doesn't get hungry, it doesn't hunker down in starvation mode, and it loosens its grip on your metabolism. Only eating and exercise will kick your metabolism in gear so the sooner you get moving and get eating in the morning the better. Don't worry if you're not hungry, start with something light: a piece of fruit, whole grain toast with an egg, or a Curves shake is great too. Actually, studies have shown that a hearty (healthy) breakfast of up to 500 calories aids in losing weight significantly. Start your day out right then eat well throughout the day and in no time your weight will take flight.

“You know you need some downtime, but that bubble bath just isn't going to happen. Here's another way to soak up some relaxation.”

If you don't have 30 minutes or more to carve out some me time, all is not lost. Sometimes even a five or 10-minute stress buster is all you need. Before you start your next project at work, walk around the block or just stare out the window for a few minutes. If you don't have a window, listen to music, read an online daily devotional or uplifting message. After you put the kids to bed and have done everything for everyone else, knowing you're going to spend 15 minutes reading a good book or stand in a hot shower can be just the ticket to help you unwind.