Pun intended. Now what possibly could spur me to write about these guys and what do they have to do with health and fitness? This election seems to be such a great platform to bring emotion to the surface in everyone I come in contact with, and for substantial reason. Individually, we have views and values that seem to connect us with one or the other candidate and to come up against rivalry seems to gouge us at the core and bring the mild and meek to a slobbering, teeth gnashing mess of emotion. I could go on with connection and crossover after the next, but I'm here to bridge the gap with a connection of another kind.

Just like every famous politico in history's pages I see great resemblances with these high headed figures and my clients. You see, each of them are great with making speeches concerning their position and answering for their decision making when questioned. They may not have a leg to stand on, but initially they sure hold their position well.

I've joked with a few urging them to try their hand at politics after their failed attempts to lobby and influence me with regards to how their poor nutritional choices cannot be effecting their program goals. Sometimes, client's will hold fast to these platforms convincing themselves along the way during this process of these false truths. This is when I have to impose supreme authority and crack the gavel.

If this sounds familiar to you, or if you find these statements to be outlandish, I urge you to take a look at what you may be holding on to as truth and question your unconscious behaviors. You will not succeed if you are not truthful with yourself. It's much easier to face the music and put effort into a direction that with be helpful to your cause than to fight a battle that cannot be won.

I also encourage you to remember that each of us has particulars about the Self that seem to be intimidating and overwhelming, therefore we leave them in the shadows and allow them to grow larger without approaching their edges. Much like mushrooms, they become fertilized and flourish in the darkness of denial. These are not shortcomings, rather areas that possibly lack attention. So placing attention on your intentions will produce progress of one kind or the other. And be aware that the progress being made may not be recognized. You may have to open your eyes and realize possibilities of the unfamiliar kind.

And by the way, when I am being lobbied by a client, it's not me they are trying to convince, it's themselves. It's the time and the season to stop beating around the bush and get to it! Create yourself one step at a time with a solid foundation of healthy eating and proper exercise the Habitsforming way. After all, it's safer to stand on a solid foundation than a shaky platform any day.

Truthfully yours,

Rochelle Gravance
Diplomat of Truth to the People

If you read my last blog post you'll remember I wrote about the short and long ends of the stick. If you didn't read the post, then going back and doing so now will only take a couple of minutes and will catch you up to speed. It's about establishing priorities and time allocation for those priorities. So I took my own advice and did just that.

You see, it's easy for me to set aside time to get into the woods this time of year. Fall foliage, crisp morning air and rich adrenaline pouring through expanding veins at the thought of what might be seen or heard with the next step. It's been a part of my life even before my own birth. Yes, the last statement was correct. I was five months along in the womb when I was first introduced to the woods on a September hunting trip in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, and it's been a calling of mine ever since.

To all those that may not consider archery hunting their thing, consider the following possibilities and recreate them to fit your lifestyle. I spend my days in the city creating workout programs for my clients and myself to include as much variety as possible enabling the body and mind to be stimulated in appropriate and not so ordinary fashions. This will ultimately help one to reach their goals in a timely and healthy manner.

That said, their are just some things that can't be simulated in a gym or with your regular workouts. Placing a pack on one's back and trekking through the woods on uneven ground stimulates the central nervous system in ways that a gym workout cannot. The sheer beauty of the surroundings and all that lives within it's walls evokes the mind to communicate with the body and spirit that can't be replicated in a room with mirrors, machines and scripted movements.

Everyday stresses and thought patterns mysteriously vacate their residences leaving room for possibilities and newness. This is the pure essence of being. This is a place where revolutions and revelations take form. When was the last time you placed yourself in such a rich environment?

Take the time to get out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary. Find that place that summons the extraordinary inside you. Spend some time there and see what may be provoked within you. It may very well change your life. First step in this process is create the time. It already exists, now it's up to you to make it a priority. After all, time is given to us free of charge. We just don't know how much we have. So take advantage and fill the moments with that which feeds you richly.

The faster we go in this fast paced world, the further away we get from what is true and essential. Set aside some time to slow down your being and relish in that which truly calls to you. That's the truth and the essence of the Habitsforming lifestyle.

Speaking adventurously,

Rochelle Gravance

You ever heard of the saying, "I got the short end of the stick"? I've heard it all my life, it seems. Just today though, I was training a client that happened to use that reference. I then thought about how it applied to this client's situation through this client's eyes. Basically, the client felt out of control if not always in complete control. Unable to juggle stress coming in several different directions if each of these directional stresses weren't micromanaged. Feeling overwhelmed and overworked while others seemed to be having more leisure time and doing less work. Therefore, receiving the short of the stick.

I'll address micromanagement and Type A personalities at a later date. After all, I feel quite qualified, being a Type A myself. What I want to address here is the correct usage of the statement so that a clear picture and possible understanding can be reached. Does one truly "get" the short end of the stick? All things considered, I think a more appropriate statement would be, "I took the short end of the stick".

Would this client be as apt to feel cheated and overworked if when planning out one's day a block of leisure time was alloted? Fill in that leisure time with anything appropriate and necessary. I submit that in fact this client would feel less stress, less cheated and accomplish more by taking the essential breaks necessary to rejuvenate.

I can tell you first hand that I am over worked and under payed without question, as most of us are. I expend a great portion of energy working with my clients and sifting through research to educate myself and pass that information along to my clients to further their success. I do however, allocate time to eat well and exercise. Recently, I've allowed for a bit more "down time" which I've filled with brainstorming walks. These walks have allowed me to sort through my thoughts and talk them through with my partner while getting away from that which takes up most of my time and provides the largest mental drain.

These walks not only get me away and help me to change gears, but they also give me more energy to go back to my work with more perspective and more juice in my tank. And no one handed me this time, I took it. I took the time for me. So next time you feel someone handed you "the short end of the stick", remember it's you that most likely reached out and grabbed it.

For more details on how to grab the "other end of the stick", pull your passive hands out of your pockets and type in Habitsforming.com on your keyboard regularly to find out how to more frequently reach for the "long end".

Until next time...Look long!

Rochelle Gravance

I'm always looking out for the latest research when it regards nutrition and physiology. I think history, science and common sense can get anyone a long way in this life. That being said, I'm currently involved in two large study courses covering the proper nutrition and exercise patterns most advantageous for children, adolescents and pre-adolescents. The interesting common thread is that no matter the age of the child, or the adult in this case, the body is required to move to remain in a healthy state.

In addition to these courses, I'm forever researching the internet for new findings in medical research. Just today I read an article on MSN which the author reviewed the latest research on the anti aging diet. The article stated the obvious which is more fruits, vegetables and essential fatty acids and less saturated fat. This, we all know to be true. However, further research has indicated a direct correlation to life longevity and a calorie restricted diet.

Now, we know calorie restriction means eating fewer calories than the body's energy output creating a deficit in available calories forcing the body to use stored calories (body fat) as the alternate energy source. The benefits of the Calorie Restriction diet seem to be a reduction in the wear and tear caused by the effects of unstable oxygen molecules which seem to be present more often when more calories are taken in than needed. In researching the Calorie Restriction (CR) diet, I have found research stating the negative effects of reducing calories purely through a reduction in calorie intake to be worth noting. Catabolism (losing muscle mass) is among the most outstanding effects.

So, how can we reap the benefits of the (CR) diet while reducing the negative symptoms? I submit that we move the body more which will naturally cause a caloric deficit. I am all for keeping things natural. Moving the body as it was intended to do and eating the proper kinds and amounts of fuel seem to be historically, scientifically and sensibly the most advantageous and healthy approach to life fulfillment and longevity. Interestingly, this is also the structural integrity of the Habitsforming approach.

Stay up to date and healthy by getting involved with any of Habitsforming's progressive programs.

Keeping you up to date,
Rochelle Gravance