Why Wait To Save Your Life?

Fitness Fuel with Julia Jacobs
Train | Nourish | Transform

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Ever since I started working at the gym, there has been one big thing that has made me both upset and wonder "why?". I noticed that the majority of the people entering the gym, were older adults...seniors and adults 40 and up. My first thought, was good for them, they've kept active as they have grown older. As I began to pick up more hours and see more people enter the gym, I noticed the lack in members under the age of 40. This made me upset, as that age group are the people in their prime who should be physically active and healthy.

So, I guess what I am trying to get at today is; why is it that we wait until we have become older, immobile and diseased to start, when we could just START young and STAY physically active and healthy longer, and reap the benefits more?
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‪#‎WhyWait‬? ‪#‎ReapTheBenefits‬ ‪#‎StartYoung‬

Things

Figure skating and Singing are my two favourtie things. For most of my life they were the things that made me....me. Lately, doing these things have been hard. Work, family, time, they make it hard to do the things I love, but why? Why is it that I can find time to plan for other peoples things of happiness but not my own?

I'm on the ice at least 3 times a week for 3 to 4 hours at a time, but yet I don't have the time to skate myself...why?

I used to take vocal lessons and sing as much as possible, but now, I can't fit it in my schedule....why?

Why is it that as soon as our adult life begins we lose the time to do the things we love to do, whatever that thing may be? Is it really that we lose that time? Or is it that we feel guilty if we take the time to do that thing we love for ourself?

I'm not really sure what the answer is, but I miss my things, the things that make me... me. So last night, I sang my heart out for a good hour, in my house with youtube and karaoke and I went to bed feeling happy and new. And next week, I'm going to rent the ice for myself, to skate.

Look at your life, what are your "things"? When was the last you did those things and make time to do them!

 

 

 

Start A Revolution...With Yourself

Fitness Fuel with Julia Jacobs
Train | Nourish | Transform
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So, This popped up on my Facebook today and I just had to watch it, and let me just say WOW. Not only can it be taken as likes on Facebook or Instagram, but the numbers we see on the scale.

 

https://www.facebook.com/BuzzFeedVideo/posts/1866447400162800

 

This young lady puts it into perspective for not just teens, but for anyone who strives to be a better "number" or lived only by the compliments and comments of others. Since we stated posting these Fitness Fuels it's been all the same message, love you, for you, no matter what, and start a revolution.

 

This girl, has started a revolution, starting with herself.....so my challenge to you, is to do that same. Maybe not all over Facebook or the Internet, but start with yourself. Wake up in the morning and tell yourself how beautiful you look. Look at yourself and think about everything YOU love about yourself, not what everyone else loves about you. Look at everything you've accomplished, your joy, your passion and tell yourself how freaking amazing you are!

 

If you want more information on the video, Here is an article as well. http://www.buzzfeed.com/stephaniemcneal/a-teen-instagram-star-is-editing-her-photo-captions-to-show#.nxkQ2kwop
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What Is Fit?

Fitness Fuel with Julia Jacobs
Train | Nourish | Transform

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As a child/teen, I always thought that in order to be "fit" you had to look ripped, skinny, 6 foot and where fitness clothes all the time, but that's not true!

Take a look around our gym for instant. Our trainers...all completely different shapes, sizes and ages....but all of us come in different forms of "fit". So why is it that society has to plaster this image of "Fit" all over the magazines as one size and shape?

It's silly, society is silly. All we can do is look at ourselves and what we have become and say, "Hey, You look damn good today!" because even though, I'm not ripped, I still love my "fit" body.
So, What does "Fit" really look like?

"It means you train differently, think intelligently, respect powerfully, sensing a new strength in yourself that comes not from the desire to have a cutie booty but a strong one that can move when it has to, along with the rest of the magnificent machine called YOU."
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Here is the great article, I got the quote from, take a read!
The Pornographication of Fitness Needs to Stop

 

Body Judgement

Fitness Fuel with Julia Jacobs
Train | Nourish | Transform
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In this day and age it's hard not to be self conscious, no matter your size. Too big, you don't exercise or eat right....too small, you starve yourself your too skinny. Why is it that no matter what we do people always judge?

My son recently started swimming lessons, at his age a parent goes in with him and everytime I've past it off to his father.
At first I kept telling myself it was because his dad can deal with him in a situation like that better than I can...I was trying to convince myself that, that was the reason, but it wasn't.

I am to scared to go to my sons swimming lessons in my two piece bathing suit, because I am too scared that someone will look at my body and judge me...but why? I'm healthy, I try to eat my best, my jobs are physical jobs, I am constantly presenting myself, but yet I can't put on my bathing suit and join my son for swimming lessons...That's not right!

So, I am going to brave up. This Saturday I will join my son in the pool for swimming lessons...in my two piece bathing suit, and I will share that memory with him. I will show him, that no matter what, you can't be scared to show yourself for what you are...no matter your size!

I hope those of you who struggle like I do, can do the same thing, for yourself and your friends and family. Show them that no matter what, you love yourself.
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Age Does Not Equal Ability

Throughout my life, I have always had people doubt and judge me on my ability...

I started coaching skating at the age of 16, as soon as I could start. Before that I had skated since I was 5, moved up in the levels quick and was a program assistant for years! My coach was an amazing coach and a great mentor. When I started coaching, no one believed that I had the ability or the knowledge to be doing so since I was so young...

I am now 20, have a two year old child, I went to college for 2 years made the deans list, and got my Fitness Instructor and Personal Training certification. Over the years since I was 16, I have taken many skating courses as a coach and often times am I higher level than coaches that are a lot older than I am...but people still look at me as if my age has something to do with my ability...

What they don't see, is that I work hard. Constantly, at home, at the rink and in the gym. I work hard to be who I am, to know what I know, and to have ended up where I am today..

They don't see the endless hours at home that I research, prep, plan and organize so that I teach and coach to the best of my ability.... all they seem to see is a young mom who got lucky.

You don't get lucky. Luck isn't a thing, you have to work hard to get where you want to be, to follow your dreams, to become that person that you strive to be...

So, next time you look at someone and see a young adult, see the potential and the whole picture...not just there age...cause age is just a number...not an ability indicator.

Ups and Downs

My weeks are pretty similar in the sense of motivation and emotions;

Mondays: Full of energy, up early to work, work at home during the day, then coach

Tuesday: No energy, don't want to get out of bed (sleep in), got no motivation and get nothing done till I work at the gym at 5.

Wednesday: Pretty good energy, up early to work, work at home during the day, then coach

Thursday: Feel exhausted, get some work done, coach that night

Friday: Depends on the weekend and day, but usually pretty good energy until I relax for a bit, then I have none

Weekend: Depends on what's going on and how my family feels

What confuses me is that the days, when I have time and get a little more sleep, why I feel so exhausted and un motivated to do anything...

Some how, I need to figure out a way to keep my energy every day of the week so that I can get stuff done...but how do I do that?

I'm a "stay at home" mom, who works in the evenings and occasional mornings, where I bring my son to work, I love both my jobs and my life. My boyfriend, works nights, full time Sunday to Thursday nights, he drives over an hour to work and get around 3 hours of free time a day. I want to be able to keep things clean and organized so that I'm not the "lazy stay at home" mom...But for some reason, I can't seem to find that motivation anymore.

So, energy and motivation...Where are you and where did you go!?

 

Found this funny...maybe this is my problem!

Motivation

Fitness Fuel with Julia Jacobs
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Motivation
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Somedays I wake up and have tons of motivation ...other days I don't. But how can we deal with increasing our motivation on the days where it seems impossible to find any. 

 For a lot of people finding the motivation to get up and workout is impossible.

 

Here are some ways to increase that motivation

 

1.Don't put away your gear, make it visible.
2.Turn your commute into a workout, like biking or walking.
3.Get more workout clothes (This one is so me!)
4.Use social media, log your workouts, you may gain some cheerleaders.
5.Think about the benefits, for yourself and your family.
6. Make friends at the gym, whether it be in our awesome classes or just a workout buddy, they will hold you accountable.
7.Create a goal or exercise contest.

 

For more information, check out this article.
http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/…/habits-of-effective-exerc…/
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So...What's your motivation?

Bedtime

Okay, So since my son was born he has rarely ever slept in his own bed. After almost two and a half years of sharing a bed between three people, I am determined to put a stop to it! We had been trying to get him to sleep in his own bed for what seems like forever....with the lack of good sleep no wonder it felt like forever. For the longest time, it made it very difficult as we were all sharing a bedroom, which made is hard to get him to be in his own bed. BUT we bought a house about 4 months ago and he FINALLY has his own room, which I thought would be great....but having his own room didn't change much. After sharing a room for the majority of his life he kinda got used to it...duh Julia (not sure why I thought it would change things).

Well...I've been trying to figure out ways to make him love his room enough for him to want to sleep in there and play in there by himself, and with my love of Pinterest I have had many ideas.

So yesterday while he was napping on the couch, I tackled his room! I cleaned the majority of it up and created a "new" bed for him, that I thought would make him want to sleep there....and so far IT'S WORKED! Last night and for nap time today he has fallen asleep and stayed there!

Woke up today after a good sleep finally and I am now energized and motivated to get things done...thank goodness!

 

What I decided to do...

 

 

After it's finished, and time for bed.

 

He's sleeping in his own bed!

Catching Up

Wow, it's been a long time since I have "Blogged". So much has changed. My life has changed...

I am now a mom to an adorably handsome 2 year old boy named Carson, he is the reason I wake up every morning and want to get out of bed. His father, is the man I have now been with for 4 years. I have graduated high school and college, and am now out in the world working away. I am a Fitness Instructor, Personal Trainer, and Skating Coach with Skate Canada. Life has been pretty great I must say!