WHEN ANIMALS ATTACK!!

Need I say more!  Haha!  Dinner was fantastic last night at Tao Restaurant and Nightclub in the Venetian.  We stored up a lot of carbs, I am sure, to get through our first hike tomorrow.  It's kind of like a camel, but with food, right?  Haha.

Oh My Gosh!  The animals came back for the last course too! 

Before dinner in front of our Buddha that was right next to our table.  It had extra large goldfish in the water behind us!  Very cool restaurant... the ambiance and the food and especially the company!

Friday Night #1

6 of our Lucky 7 at the Mirage Hotel before the Cirque du Soleil show Beatles LOVE.

We had a fantastic time last night!  The show was amazing.  We arrived into Vegas with no hitches along the way.  Spent the day doing various things, sunning, shopping, gambling.  Can't wait for Tina to get here tonight!  This evening is our dress up dinner at Tao Restaurant at the Venetian. 

More to come later!

Traci

The Adventure Begins...

An adventure will begin tomorrow for 'The Lucky Seven'.

So, why the name 'The Lucky Seven'? and Who are they?

I chose the name Lucky Seven, not because I feel we are luckier than the next guy, but partly because our journey starts in Las Vegas.  I love Las Vegas.  It is one of my favorite places in the world.  I'm not sure why, perhaps because it always feel so exciting when I first get there.  I've never actually won in Vegas.  You would think that would effect how much I love it, but it doesn't.  I love the lights and the casinos and the great restaurants and clubs and the SHOPPING!  I love the shows and the hotels.  I just love it all! 

The Lucky Seven is also representative of our good fortune in life.  And, just to clarify, good fortune does not necessarily equate with money.  These are wonderful women in my eyes with a passion for life, a love for family and a quest for better health and wellness, myself included.

So, how about we meet our Lucky Seven!

Let me start with my friend, Shawn.  Shawn is from Pennsylvania.  She has hopped on board the Live Fit Training train over the last several months.  The truth is that I am looking forward to getting to know Shawn better over the next week and a half.  I know very few things about her, but I do know this... she is a hard worker in the gym and I'm pretty sure that probably carries over into her everyday life.  She is a mother and a wife and I know she loves children.  I wish her the best in reaching the goals she sets at Fitness Ridge.

And, while we are in Pennsylvania, let me introduce my very good friend, Jenny. Jenny and I have become great friends over the past two years.  We met through my sister'n'law and started training together.  Jenny pushes me like no one else does.  If it weren't for Jenny, I wouldn't get my 2 days of strength training in every week.  We haven't had the best of luck with adherence over the past month but we are working on it.   Jenny is also, like Shawn, a very hard worker and a dedicated family woman.  I am looking so forward to spending time with her in Vegas (we both LOVE to gamble) and  I hope that Fitness Ridge can be the best that it can be right now for her.  (We will definitely go back next year, my friend, just don't tell Bobby yet!!)

Tina! My newest friend is such a breath of fresh air! (not that the rest of you aren't too :) )  She will no doubt add an element of intelligent humor to our trip like no one else can.  She just came on board our trip a few weeks ago.  And, every single one of us said at different times, 'Oh, I'm so glad she is coming, she is soooo much fun!'  Fun definitely embodies Tina, however, Tina is also one of the smartest people I know.  I actually look up words that she says cuz I don't know what they mean.  Haha!  I'm looking forward to seeing Tina accomplish her goals at Fitness Ridge.  She is a very hard worker.

Lisa is what us trainers call, a guinea pig.  If I have something new that I want to try out on someone, that someone is Lisa.  Lisa can do things that I cannot even do.  She is a machine.  Pound for pound she is the strongest woman I know!  Most people that see her work out say things like, 'holy crap how does she do that' and I always like to call her my 'Favorite Rock Star'.  Lisa is one of those people that make my job soooooo much fun.  Can't wait to spend 10 days with her. 

The Fifth of our Seven is my dear friend, Joanna.  I am most excited about Joanna's upcoming journey at Fitness Ridge.  She is a person who has the biggest heart and the greatest dreams and I just hope that she can embrace those dreams and soar high above the sky!  I know she can do it!  Someday, I envision Joanna joining our team of trainers with Trish and I, being an intricate part of Inspire Fitness (that's our training biz).  Joanna, I wish you much success and an amazing journey at Fitness Ridge.  You go girl!  I know you can do it!!!

There is only one left to our Lucky Seven.  Trish.  My bestest bestest friend and chosen sister-for-life.  Trish is MY inspiration.  Nine years ago, at 200 pounds, I joined weight watchers and started going to Trish's classes at American Fitness.  She was a HUGE part of my inspiration to do what I do today.... INSPIRE people to fitness (hence, the perfect name for our new business venture together).  I can't imagine my life with my Trishy.  A little over a year ago, we thought we were going to lose her to a failing liver due to (they believe) a drug she took for leukemia.  Today, Trish couldn't be more FULL OF LIFE, and I am thankful every single day, I am grateful every single day, that she is here with us, and that she is now a very special part of my training business... soon to be OUR training business.  Trishy, I love you more than words can say, and I am soooooo fortunate to be able to spend the next 10 wonderful days of my life with you.  You truly are a force in my life that makes me BETTER!

So, That is The Lucky Seven!  Do you think Fitness Ridge is ready for us??? :)

Until Later...
Trace

Quote of the Day

Imagine that you are looking into a magic mirror and seeing the person you want to become -

you know, the one without that certain

bad habit, tendency or attitude. 

You have the inner POWER

to be that version of

YOU...TODAY!

A Kid in a Candy Shop

... Or the sheer anticipation of getting to the candy shop!  I use this phrase figuratively of course. 

In just 3 short days the adventure will begin for whom I will from now on refer to as 'The Lucky Seven'.  We are departing from Broome county in the wee hours of the morning Friday (our flight is at 5:40 am.. yaaaaaaaawn!) - However, we then get to Vegas at 10:15am which, yes I was thinking the same thing as you...  POOL DAY at the BELLAGIO HOTEL!  Yippee!  That is only the beginning of an amazing schedule of fun and adventure that will take place over the following 10 days.  We head to Fitness Ridge on Sunday!

I know I speak for all of us when I say that we are beyond excited and so fortunate to be able to experience a week of health & fitness!  I truly feel like that kid in the candy shop who wants it all. 

Fitness is my heart & soul, and as I am aware most people think I am off my rocker, I can't imagine a more perfect vacation!   Well, actaully, if my husband were coming that would be the icing on top of my candy shop cake.  But, every once in a while it can be about the girls, right?  And, I do love my girls... you guys are all Rock Stars in my book.... in my candy shop you would be Strawberry Twizzlers... or maybe those Fannie Mae Chocolate Santa Claus Ornaments (anyone remember those?)...   Hehe.

Life vs The Kid in the Candy Shop
When I think of the demeanor of a kid in a candy shop, I think of a spirited being with a ton of passion, amazing energy and a true love of what she's doing at that particular moment in time.  And, I think to myself... damn, if we can only bottle that up and sell it.

What if everything we approached in life had 'the kid in the candy shop' attitude?  What if the majority of our years, months, weeks, days and moments had more passion and love for life?  Wouldn't you think we'd all be a little bit better off and a whole lot happier? 

I think sometimes it is hard to have that same motivation for everyday, mundane tasks, because let's face it... it's not always candy shop, baby.  Sometimes we are in a laundromat, right?  It can't always be fun and games, but don't we have the choice to approach each and every thing we do with passion and positivity? 

The next time you ARE in whatever your candy shop is, be delighted in the sheer happiness that it brings you.  And, likewise, the next time you find yourself in a place not as enticing... find the smaller joy in those places.  It exists, you may just have to look a little harder.  After all, every day that we wake to a new day is a blessing and opportunity to find lots of happiness.

Think of yourself as 'a spirited being with a ton of passion, amazing energy and a true love of what she's doing at that particular moment in time'

Until Later..
Trace

Too much of a good thing....

Is it possible to have too much of a good thing?  Of course I am talking about food here. 

In most cases, paying attention to the amount of food we are eating is just as important as the quality of the food we are eating.

I went to the farmers market down the road the other day and purchased $25 worth of vegetables that probably would have been twice that amount at the grocery store.  Plus it was all organic and came from only about 25 miles away.  I am a big 'local-pusher'.  Buy local.  Better yet, plant a garden, even a small one.  I started witha 12x12 trellis box with one tomato plant 3 seasons ago and now a large portion of my backyard has a garden that soon will produce enough zucchini, yellow and spaghetti squash, tomatoes and peppers to feed my whole block.

So, anyway, not to get off subject... I looked at this huge basket on my countertop of Vegetables (and some small potatoes too) and I just want to dive right into it and start grilling!  The whole thing!!  Haha.  When we grill our veggies, I usually end up making too much.  So, this got me to thinking, can you eat too much of a good thing?

Sure you can.  Too much of anything is always going to have an adverse effect on your body.  For any one of your 5-6 small meals a day, go by the following 'Eye-Sizing' chart, making sure to include a healthy carb and a lean protein source at each meal, and don't forget your two healthy fats a day!  For more info on the clean-eating lifestyle go to http://www.eatcleandiet.com/

Protein serving = Palm of one hand (4-6 oz of fish, 4-5 oz of chicken, 3 oz of red meat)
Starchy Complex Carbs or Starchy Veggies (ex. corn) serving = what can fit into one cupped hand (about an actual measured cup)
Complex Carbs from Fruits and Non-Startchy Vegetables = (what can fit into two hands cupped together.
Healthy Fats = one scant handful of nuts; 1 to 2 Tbsp of oil (size of your thumb tip = 1 Tbsp)

Try using this guide today and see how your current portion sizes measure up! 

Biggest Loser's Fitness Ridge! & RECRUITING Incentives!!

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!  For good this time I promise.  I was telling a friend this morning that I am an 'inspired writer'.  It is hard to just sit down and start typing about any-hoo-ha. 

BUT!  I am inspired and I think it may keep up for a while!  Join my blog today so that beginning next Friday you won't miss any part of my next adventure!  I am headed out for 11 days to Vegas and Biggest Loser's Fitness Ridge!  Me, my friend and fellow fitness fanatic, Trish and 5 of our AMAZING clients, did I mention they are AMAZING, are headed out to get our butts kicked for 6 days straight ALL DAY LONG and I can't wait to give you all the play by play.  Hoping to include pics too.  Bringing the laptop and it will be a priority each evening to recount the blessings  and beatings of the day.  I'll be reporting back to you on all of our journeys.  We are so psyched for this and hope you will all reap the benefits of our experiences.

So, join my blog today.  If you are a member, please spread the word!  Actually if you are a current trainee of mine, then I offer the incentive of $1 off your future training for every person you get to follow my blog!!!  I will even throw in a bonus of $5 for every 10 people you recruit!!  So that's $15 (the price of a small group session) for every 10 people you get to follow my blog!!  Not bad huh?  Just have that person write a comment on the blog as to who recruited them and I will keep track. 

My goal by the end of the year is to have at least 100 followers.  I truly believe that my challenges and my triumphs are tools and inspirations to help others lead a healthier life!  So, now I ask you for your help!  You have been faithful followers and I want to know that I appreciate YOU!  And, if you are not a trainee and can't take advantage of the $$ incentive, then help anyway knowing that your 'prize' is that YOU may help a loved one start his/her own journey toward better health by getting them involved in my blog!  Thank you so much guys!  You are the best!

Until Later...
Trace