By February millions of people are discouraged by failed New Year’s resolutions.  Some have joined—and already dropped out—of gyms while for others, resolve is waning and discouragement setting in.  Most people don’t reach their goals because they’re not focusing on their passions.

The two most important things for re-energizing and transforming lives are getting fit and aligning with our passions.  Our passions are those dreams that inspired us in our youth, and which often fall by the wayside collecting dust as we get covered up in day-to-day mundanity.  While fitness energizes our bodies, our passions energize us mentally and emotionally and imbue our lives with spirit, adding a spring to our step.

Top Tips To Get You Back On Track

* IDENTIFY: Identify Your Weight loss Purpose. i.e., the why, not the what.

* FOCUS: Focus on your Purpose…on your “why”.  E.g., instead of focusing on feeling fat, focus on feeling fit.  Focus on having more energy.  Focus on feeling better in your skin.  Fit is more motivating that fat!

* EAT! Focus on all the wonderful foods you CAN have, not what you can’t.  Shop in the produce section and realize you can have all that’s there.  Try new lean recipes using herbs and exotic spices.  Make it an adventure, not a chore.

* EXERCISE! Focus on how fortunate you are to be able to work out

* IMAGINE! Take at least five minutes each morning to visualize your goals and dreams as if already achieved, connecting with how you feel living those accomplishments.

* APPRECIATE: At bedtime, fall asleep while counting your blessings from the day…those things for which you can be grateful.  This sets up productive sleep and positive awakenings.

*****SHARE WITH US BY COMMENTING BELOW, WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR TIPS FOR GETTING BACK ON TRACK!*****

You packed your gym bag and marked your day-planner to hit the gym after work and relieve some stress! You’ve been looking forward to some activity after sitting at a desk day in and day out. Mr. A (your boss) has politely informed you that an important deadline has now moved up, meaning you have to work late tonight. Don’t despair! That workout can fit into your work day!

Chair dips

One-minute desk-side exercises to do when transitioning tasks or other in-between times throughout the day:

1-Minute Desk-Side Blitzes that Work — at Work and Home!
Do as many of each of these three exercises as you can within the 1-minute period, but don’t rush, focus on form-quality rather than quantity. You can do all three during a 3-Minute energizing break, or, choose

1-minutes segments throughout the day -
• 1 Minute Squats – stand and squat toward chair, stopping just before sitting, then raise back up.
• 1 Minute Dips – From stationary chair, desk or bench
• 1 Minute Push-ups – Against wall, desk or stationary chair, bringing chest to surface

Try these exercises for days you just can’t make it to the gym from work or even try this workout at home for those “snow days” that make travel to the gym impossible.

On yet another incarnation on the evolutionary spiral, Chia—first  introduced in the form of a ram as “Chia Pets” in 1982—are all the rage these days, and with good reason. Tinier than poppy seeds, these power-packed oval seeds are more available today than when introduced by Dr. Oz on Oprah a couple years ago.  A relative of the mint family, the Chia seed boosts energy and is packed with protein, fiber, calcium, magnesium, and iron… a virtual microchip of nutrition!

Originally from South and Central America, Chia is the Mayan word for strength and was used by Southwestern Indian Tribes as “the runners food” for long treks for trade and by the Tarahumara Indians, as depicted in the fantastic book:  Born To Run, by Christopher McDougall.

Chia has been found to aid in:

• Cardiovascular Health
• Blood Sugar and Insulin Sensitivity
• Increasing Energy and Endurance
• Weight loss
• Improved Colonic Health

It is said that 1 tablespoon of Chia seed is worth 24 hours of energy! So If you’re feeling low on energy and looking for a healthier energy drink, Chia seeds may just be the thing.

To make your own Chia Energy Drink, combine Chia Seeds, Water, Lime Juice and Honey.  Ratios vary by individual taste…being as how measuring spoons aren’t in regular use by indigenous tribes, but our home brew tends to be a simple 1-cup concoction:

Chia Power Drink

• 1  Cup   Warm or Hot Water
• 1  Tbsp. Honey*
• 1  Tbsp. Chia Seeds
• 1  Tbsp. Fresh Lime Juice (or Lemon Juice)

Stir well, or shake in a shaker bottle, let sit for a couple minutes, as you would steep a tea.  The seeds will absorb some of the water and increase in size.  Sip slowly and try “chewing” each sip.

*OR, 1 tsp. honey if you can go with less sweet but there’s also natural energy in the honey, so experiment with this and of course using less is best.  The higher quantity of honey (or maple syrup) is good for those trying to wean themselves from unhealthy energy boosters such as sugary coffees, teas or sodas, and can be gradually reduced.

Chia in This, That and Everything

Chia seeds are really easy to add to virtually anything.  You can sprinkle the seeds on salads, cereals (hot and cold), fruits and vegetables; blend them into your smoothies, add them to spreads and bake them into bread!  As you can see, there are endless ways to use chia seeds, and while their flavor is barely noticeable, their contribution to your health likely will be!

Ask for Chia seeds at your local Whole Foods, Earth Fare or natural food store.  If you try it or already have experience with Chia, please share your experience.

*Additional resource: http://www.healthyfellow.com/305/chia-seed-research/