I was made for this!

Some people call it revelation.  Some call it an epiphany.  Some call it the light bulb coming on.  Whatever you call it, there is a moment when it happens.  A moment when the stars all align, the tide is just right and the man in the moon is talking in his sleep.  It is the moment you say "I was made for this."

I believe we all have a "calling" and a "purpose" in life.  There is a specific thing that we are gifted to do that if it goes undone it won't get done, at least not in the way it meant for you to accomplish.  There is no prescription on how to discover this.  Most of it comes via trial and error, and at that mostly error.

Thomas Edison attempted to create the incandescent light bulb over 10,000 times.  When asked about it, Edison said "I have not failed.  I have just found 10,000 ways that won't work."  Your life is no different.  It is not a waste to try something and fail.  You have just found something that was not your purpose.  The failure comes when we quit searching and trying.

Once peculiar piece to this mystery of discovery is that some things come full circle.  What is incredible is that something that looks like a failed experiment at self discovery often comes back to be a piece to the puzzle of your purpose.  Experience is the grand teacher.  It teaches us often what we are not, it also teaches us what are meant to be.  Experience also bookmarks moments in life that we build on.  These moments of seeming failed trials and grand errors can lead us down the path of purpose.  That moment when you say "I was made for this."

#livewithhope

Chachachanges...3 questions to ask

Let's face it NO ONE likes change.

At best we tolerate it as a part of life, just like paying taxes, traffic and another Law and Order spinoff.  But change does happens.

As a matter of fact change happens all around us.  If you are a parent you watch it take place daily in your house.  That infant you held snuggly in your arms becomes a pre-pubescent boy with a smart mouth (experience talking).  Change is all around you - the light changes (at least we hope), seasons change, styles change.  Thank God!  I could only wear a mullet for so long!

So at some level we need to quit fighting change and embrace it.  Is it scary?  Yeah, like Nightmare on Elm Street scary, the first one.  Is it hard? Of course.  Is it worth it?  That is the million dollar question.  Most likely if we never see value in making a change, we will never change unless forced to.  We will never quit smoking, start eating healthier, exercise, or move out of your momma's basement without facing change.

Here are a couple questions to ask yourself if the change is worth it:

    1) Is it going to make my life better in the long term?

Is the change that I intend on making going to better my life in the long term?  Weight loss can extend your life, quitting smoking can keep you from cancer and improve the smell of your wardrobe, eliminating negative influences can help you create an atmosphere for long term success - "attitude determine altitude."  What we have to negotiate is whether the short term sacrifice or discomfort of the change is worth the long term result that comes from changing!

    2) Will my choice of change positively or negatively affect my relationship with others?

The answer: likely both.  What you will find is that there are those who are going to celebrate and support your choice.  You will also likely find that there are those that will question your reasoning, criticize your attempts and even try to pull you back into a poor habit.

Yet, what you are more likely to find is that making a positive change will help you create connections with like minded people.  People set on achieving similar life goals.  Your choice to change may actually open up the potential for new relationships.  Who knows Mister or Miss Right might be right at the corner of Choice and Change!

    3) Am I worth it?

This is a question of self value.  So often we stay in poor habits due to our belief that we are undeserving of anything better.  That is just not true!  YOU ARE WORTH IT!  YOU ARE VALUABLE!  Quite possibly the greatest change that has to be made is how you see the image of the person staring back at you in the mirror.  Oftentimes the choice to change is one of belief in yourself.  That is where it has to start!

The greatest change you can make is one of going from unbelief to belief!  You are worth it!

Change is hard, yet so often change is exactly what your life needs!  What changes do you need to embrace?

4 Tips to Picking the Right Workout

So you are ready to start...but where do you start.  Here are 4 tips to think about when picking the right exercise and fitness program for you.

1) Pick something you LIKE to do.

If you like cardio, do cardio.  If you like to hike, hike! Running your thing, go run Forrest! It is important to find a program, a schedule or workout that you enjoy.  If you enjoy your exercise regime, there is a greater likelihood of you dragging your rear end out of bed to do it.  Pick something you like to do.  Pick something that you look forward to doing.

2) Pick a program that MATCHES your goals.

If you are trying to lose weight, then the program you are doing needs to match that goal.  You want to add mass, than you need to workout in a way that adds muscle mass.  Your goals and your program need to match.  This will prevent discouragement because you will actually get the results you are looking for.

3) Pick a program that fits your ability.

The worst thing you can do is take on more than you can handle.  This often results in either injury or be overwhelmed and quitting.  Make sure that what you choose to do matches what you are capable of doing.  Now this is not permission to not push yourself to your fullest potential.  Yet, understand that you need a program that is aligned with your capabilities at the current moment.

4) Pick a program that fits your lifestyle.

If you don't have 2 hours a day to go to the gym, than a fitness program that requires 2 hours a day will never work for you.  This is not a excuse for you not to workout or leverage the "I don't have time" excuse.  Yet, you need to have an understanding of what fits into your schedule.  There are plenty of great programs that are 25 or 30 minutes and get results.  Or if you have an hour, find a program that goes a whole hour!  Just make sure what you chose will continue to fit into your lifestyle.

The greatest tip I can give is just to pick something.  Get moving, get started, and start seeing results!

Do you need a coach?

“Mama wanted me to be a preacher. I told her coachin’ and preachin’ were a lot alike.” ~ Bear Bryant, Famed University of Alabama football coach

To answer the first question we have to answer another question, what is it to coach?  A coach is part inspiration, part motivation, part good cop, part bad cop.  A coach is friend and at times seems like an enemy.  A coach is someone who betters you in specific area and pushes you past the limits you have set for yourself.  

So the second question is "do you need a coach?"  Yes!  

If you "sport" of choice is public speaking, then you need a coach to help you with diction, word choice, pronunciation and delivery.

If you choose business, then motivational leaders like John Maxwell, Seth Godin and Ken Blanchard may coach you from the sideline of your life through books and articles or podcasts.


If you are a culinary artist, then you will find yourself under the tutelage of a master chef who will coach you in the finer ways slicing and sauteeing and saucing.  

Health and fitness or weight loss are no different.  You need a coach to instruct you, encourage you, inspire you, motivate you and keep you focused on the goals you have set.  A coach is someone who has a heart for fitness and a heart to see you succeed.  A coach is someone with a personal story of struggle, success and overcoming.  A coach is someone just like you.  

You need a coach because there will be question you need answers to.  You need a coach because you will hit a plateau and need to know how to break through.  You need a coach because let's face it, getting healthy, weight loss, getting fit is HARD to do on your own.  You need a coach because you have no idea what the heck quinoa!  

I want to be your health and fitness coach.  Whether it is ten pounds or 100 pounds, I want to be here for you.  Whether it's get skinny or getting big, I want to help you through.  Whether it is beating diabetes or just beating down your waistline, I am the guys who wants to help you succeed.  Do you need a coach?  Absolutely!  And I'm want to be that guy!

Work to Play

The overriding question to ask is WHY?

   Why be healthy?
   Why to active?
   Why improve your fitness?

What I realize is that everyone has a different specific reason as to start and pushing through their personal health and fitness journey.  Yet, I  believe that each of us could agree that there is one common reason for all of us.  We put in the work in order to play.

It doesn't matter what your play is.  It could be hiking, rafting, rock climbing.  That type of play requires you to push toward a peak physical condition to thrive in that type of hobby.  If you golf, play softball or just some YMCA basketball, being better physical condition means that at the end of those games you are less exhausted, less sore and recover faster.

Yet, maybe your play is shopping or singing KAROKE on a Friday night.  Does being in better health improve these?  Why not!  Isn't more exciting to shop for clothes that fit you better?  Isn't enjoyable to go the store and buy something a size smaller?  And what about KAROKE?  Well, sure.  Better cardiovascular will help you belt out those Celine Dion notes from the Titanic Soundtrack, you diva!

No matter what your play is, improving your physical conditioning and health can make that activity even more enjoyable.  Improving your health will prolong your life giving you more time to enjoy those hobbies and activities.  Improving your health will in the long term lower your medical expenses and give you more resources use toward enjoyable activities.

So why do you put in that work, why do you sweat, strain, push and dig deeper?  In order to play!  Go make the most of your work and enjoy your play time!

Jeff Pitts Fitness

New and Improved Greenberry Shakeology

Over a year ago when I started this journey with Beachbody, I was instantly in love with Chocolate Shakeology.  My wife, not such a fan.  She on the other hand loved the not so sweet taste of Greenberry.  Let's just say I disagreed, strongly...(yuck).

Several months ago, Beachbody went back to the lab and reformulated the Greenberry flavor.  I am a natural skeptic, so it a has taken me this long to try it again.  Here are my thoughts on the new, improved Greenberry Shakeology.

I mixed it with:

•  1/2 cup of soy milk
•  a frozen mixed berries - blueberry and raspberry
•  ice and water

The first thing I noticed was the flavor.  Where the previous flavor had (to me) a bitter after taste, that no longer existed.  The flavor was smooth and I actually...liked it!  I know this sounds silly, but the berries blended to a more lavender color.  For some reason, I struggle with drinking something green.  That was maybe more mental than anything else.  The new improved Greenberry had the same great results - energy, digestion, and all the great dense nutrition from all the other flavors.  

While not going to be my everyday flavor choice, I am more inclined to drink it on occasion.  Still love my original Chocolate and falling quickly for Vanilla!