If it doesn't challenge you it doesn't change you!

New Focus T25 Challenge group is starting July 8th.

If you've ever said, "I don't have time to workout." Then you just ran out of excuses. Just 25 minutes/5 days a week. 

Challenge details:

1) personal and intimate challenge group with only 4 other challengers.
2) weekly calls with me to address goal setting and progress.
3) weekly weigh-ins, measurements and PRIZES.

My focus is getting you the results you want. It's up to you. If you're ready then let's go! Let's begin to build healthy habits TOGETHER and work on becomes greater versions of ourselves. All fitness levels are applicable. This program plus Shakeology plus support equals your success. Reply to this e-mail and let me know if you're in.

Big 5 Goals

Typically on a Sunday night, I start to think about what needs to get done for the week.  I love Mondays and have been inspired to narrow down my focus.

I wanted to share what I'm concentrating on for the week of 4/15/13:

1) Wrap up Mod 4 w/Test to get 100%, start Mod 5 (Integrative Nutrition online education)

2) Visit program to assess future placement regarding post-High School transition plan (special needs) for daughter for this coming September.

3) Learn and roll out new lesson PiYo Strength by Sunday 4/21 

4)Turbokick Certification Training 4/20

5) Get 3 Strength Workouts in this week (maybe a little ambitions but I'm shooting for it; 3 cardio sessions with one of them being a run).

These are my top 5 along with other ancillary goals (not mentioned) that must get done in order to keep the flow going.

"Within you is the power to do anything...with confidence and inspiration, you unlock the possibilities."  All you have to do is believe that you can and you're half way there.

Knowing what you want to accomplish and plotting out what you want to achieve can serve as a roadmap.  Let's face it, if you want to get somewhere you have to know how you're going to get there!  By taking forward motions in what ever it is that you are looking to pull off takes planning, determination, self-motivation and a sprinkle of perserverance.  

Last night when I drafted my Big 5, it gave me such clarity that I actually had peace among the chaotic schedule Mondays typically bring.

If you're like me you regularly plug into Social Media like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.  Its easy to connect with others who offer so much inspiration and motivaiton.  But remember, inspiration is a two way street. So Take heart: "There are people in your life whom you unknowingly inspire simply by being you."  How cool is that?  Very!!!!

What's your reality right now?

Are you staying focused? Or, are you letting the pull of the holidays take your eye off the ball. Remember its you vs. yourself.  Look in the mirror!  What are you trying to accomplish?  We all have health & fitness goals.  Even if you really don't have those goals, subconsciously you must realize not doing ANYTHING regarding your health is still a choice.

I have made a few observations while managing 3 separate accountability groups (ongoing private Facebook group and a 5 day challenge).  What I've noticed is motivation and action must come from within.  Being part of a group definitely helps INFLUENCE your choices.

You are in charge of you!

An interesting thread started this morning in my ongoing group.  Yes we all get into a funk from time to time and with the pressure of the holidays upon us, days can be pretty overwhelming and stressful.  Having the courage to post about your struggles is not easy task, but makes you human and relatable to others.  I too am not perfect and manage to have days where I find obstacles beat even my best intentions.  What I've learned about myself is that consistency is the utmost important behavior you can exercise.  Without that, you cannot take advantage of momentum and make progress.  Its like stopping and starting a car, it takes you that much longer to arrive at your destination.

Remember, take one meal and one workout at a time.  Don't wait till January 1st to start.  Yes the Holidays are in full swing!  Keep yourself accountable by scheduling your workout NOW! Don't leave it for chance or it won't get done.  If you want it bad enough you will find a way to make it happen.

My next 5 day challenge will start January 7th.  Link to my like page and shoot me a private message for more details.  Slots are filling fast.

F O C U S

My workouts give me super powers. I can't help but think of these song lyrics, "You shoot me down but I'm a bomb, I am titanium."  I love that song by the way.  Yup, my commitment to working out helps me bullet-proof my mindset.  It helps me be happy, healthy and strong.  Plus I am grateful I can move. 

Last month I was a little lost in a sense that I was getting lax in my efforts to stay on track.  While I was still hitting my workouts, my nutrition was suffering.  I typically do eat clean but I fell back into some old habits.  Accountability is a big thing when you're trying to make changes stick.  It takes constant self talk to focus on the bigger picture.  What do you want? Why do you want it?  And, how will you get it?

I had held off going to Weight Watchers until the end of the month.  Deep down I knew I was over goal.  This was just the jolt I needed to force a change.  And while I was a bit disappointed that I was 3.8 lbs. over the top range of my Lifetime goal, it was just the kick in the butt I needed.

It forced me to get real and make the necessary changes which are critical for the success I want -- journaling, measuring, planning and attending meetings are all behaviors which yield results.

Although stress seems to be on the front burner in my life lately, I won't allow myself to mindlessly eat to numb the pain.  I am stronger than that.  Plus I am working too hard to get the results I expect.

Today I went back to Weight Watchers expecting a loss and I was rewarded at the scale.  My hard work paid off.  I lost  4.4 pounds in a week.  Honestly I have my own system and have come to realize what works for me.  But the one thing I needed was the accountability.

If you need fitness and nutrition accountability to help you along the way, check out my page here:  http://www.facebook.com/mariapaulercio  

Here are some progress pics:

January 2012, mid-June 2012 and end of July 2012

Here we go again!

I know, I know, haven't blogged in a while.  I really miss blogging because it helps me purge all my thoughts and sort out what's in my head.  Lately there's been so much going on that its been hard to keep up.  Last month was a world wind of activities, stress and emotions.

I just wrapped up a 13-month consulting stint and the project finished up on May 25th.  It was sad AGAIN to say goodbye and leave a place that I have been so familiar with.

The beginning of May was a very busy and stressful time.  I had to pick up the slack on running my dad's tax reduction business which had an UBER critical deadline.  All this was happening while Dad was in the hospital.   His health had been on the decline as his chronic heart failure was progressing.  What was happening was that we were hoping he would get strong enough to withstand a scheduled mitro valve clip procedure (which was quite risky at his tender age of 83).  But, he's a fighter and is determined to keep on going for everyone else!  I am amazed at his determination and attitude.  I have dubbed him, "the comeback kid."  The morning of the procedure he was calm and ready to get it over with.

Of course that day was spent waiting anxiously for news upon the completion of the procedure, all of us hoping it would be a success.  Fortunately it was.  I consider my family very lucky to still have him with us.

That day I realized how important it is to take your health seriously.  Heart disease is completely preventable.  You can reverse it with diet and exercise.  That's why I am so passionate to helping others achieve their goals and it keeps me accountable to my own.


While my emotions have run the gamut lately, I am faced with settling into a new routine which brings some anxiety and uncertainty.  Pretty soon the kids will be out of school, schedules will change even more.

I am still figuring out my schedule and know that my most successful workouts happen when I do it early in the morning before everyone wakes up!

I know keeping up with my goals has kept me from spiraling out of control.  It provides the structure and confidence I crave to get through each week.

My goal for the remainder of this month is to focus on lifting as heavy as I possible with Les Mills PUMP and working out getting INTENSE with some my cardio workouts.

If you want to get started or need more accountability with keeping up, shoot me a message on my facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/mariapaulercio

Workout just 3 times a week to get world-class results

My crazy day

Today started out like any other day.  This morning, my alarm goes off at 6:00 a.m. and I jump out of bed.  TGIF, the end of a hectic week.  I was looking forward to Friday to get a couple of things accomplished.  Each day this past week has started out very similar but today was different.  I usually make a mental list of everything I need to handle.  I already had a lot on my plate.  No mental list.  All I could think about was my dad in the hospital.  It kinda paralyzed me from doing anything.  So preoccupied with my thoughts, I never exercised.  My sister had asked me yesterday if I would purchase Yankee playoff tickets Friday morning at 10:00 a.m. and then 2 minutes before they went on sale, the nurse's office from my daughter's high school called to say she wasn't feeling well.  Another unexpected thing now on my to do list.  So I picked her up from school and then headed over to mom's house to take care of my niece until it was time to pick up my son from school and then get my daughter across town in time for her hair appointment.  After that it was a quick stop home so my son could change and then head back out to meet my sister at the train station with my son so they travel to Yankee Stadium!  

Days like these turn in to months and then months and then before you know it, seasons change.  I have been waiting a long time to handle things I keep pushing off till the next day and then I never get a chance to do it.

Tomorrow will be different only if I set the tone and write down what I expect to accomplish.  Sure its OK to be flexible; I've tried to fit in things that unexpectedly pop up but then it makes me realize that I am only human and can only do so much.  How come I have so much to do?