Balanced for Fat loss. Is the life possible? 5 ways to start.

Living a balanced lifestyle is a great place to be, but what does that even mean?
(keep scrolling for my list)

We have all heard that stress is one of the worst things for our bodies in terms of fat gain, heart problems, gut health and overall wellness.  Health-conscious people talk about living life in balance to help get your body in order and I completely agree with that sentiment. So does it work? How do you do it?

My New Years goal this year, 2016, was to be more "balanced"...I'm checking in on that now that we're well over half way through the year. I think I've definitely done a BETTER job at it but I'm certainly not going to claim I'm fully well-balanced!  My kids, husband and business are not well balanced, is anyone's??  If yours is, please, pass on the secret....I beg of you. I do have to say, I'm so much closer now than I was last year at this very time.
        I've been able to balance fitness and life for better success in my goals. *score!*

I believe living a "balanced lifestyle" is VERY important but I actually believe it is more about mentally feeling balanced than physical balance (aka food and fitness).


Balanced means something different for everyone. A balanced lifestyle is different for every person so you truly need to find your own balance. But here's my list of how I'm trying to live a more balanced life for fat-loss and lifestyle.
* I'm not a psychologist so if you're looking for mental stability/balance, I think you'll have to check in with one
... but I can tell you how you can start the process physically....  :)

1) Wake up and drink water...it will refresh you, start your day off with something good in your body and keep you on track to staying hydrated.

2)  Don't spend hours working out. You don't need to.

• Workout should be on your calendar, just like an appointment, even a 15 minute one.

 3)  Get out of the gym!

• Walk, if you have time to facebook, snapchat or watch a 30 minute tv show, you have time to walk. You can even Facebook or snapchat while walking...just walk in the morning and/or at night for 20 minutes or more. It will help you think about your day, think about your next day and lower your cortisol...which will help you lower your midsection fat stores.

 Spend time with the family, spend time with yourself, that is part of living balanced. 

4) Eat well 90% of your meals for the day. Protein and Veggies should be at every meal...then stop thinking about your food.

5) Ultimately:   Don't think about the other things you need to do while doing the current thing you are doing.

•  It will cause stress for you to think about work when you can't be working. Don't think about kids' laundry while getting in a 20 minute workout.  Don't think about cooking dinner while eating lunch...  *This is a hard one but just try!

Balance comes from what YOU feel works for YOU. But you can't be balanced if you're stressing about being balanced. So de-stress yourself.

PS. keep an eye out in the next 2 months for the exact workout and nutrition plan I used from the start to get more balanced in my life...it works..it's working for others too! Their success is happening as we speak. #stresslessFatLoss

Take Stock.

Do you ever look back on what you wanted to be when you grew up and then compare to what you are doing now? Do you look at your goals to see if you're still going in the direction you set out in? We're 6 months through the year and I'm well into my adult life, it might be time to take stock.

"CEO with a corner office" "A teacher" "a lawyer" "jet setting business woman" "President" "Expert on tv"....I said it all as a kid, and by kid I mean pretty close to college graduation!

Let's see how it's turned out for me so far:

Truthfully, I really was on the path to the "corner office" in my book.  Heck, I already worked from home when I wanted or out of whatever office I was near and traveled around doing what I loved, teaching others to do the job all while helping people choose education over mediocrity (at least that's how I would have written it on my resume if it was acceptable!) Then I got a graduate degree to boot. So can I check corner office off for now? I know I'll get back to it when kids are grown/in school and I have the opportunity to have career #2. Let's say "1/2 check"

Here's your sign: At Christmas last year, while going through old stuff at my parents' house, I found an old book I wrote in 1st grade. It was about New Years resolution in 1989. Way back then I wrote: "my resolution is to exercise more!"  I did not need to lose weight, I was a tiny, energetic kid, my parents did not exercise in any excessive way, we just hiked, biked, skied, swam and played. But fitness was certainly on my mind back then as much as it is now!  And now, look what I'm doing....fitness. I am CEO of HeartStrong Fitness Studio "check"

Back as a kid, there were times when I would watch the old Fitness USA competitions of the 90s or Arnold bodybuilding on TV and wonder if I could ever do it.....then I did, with a 1st and 2nd place win in 2 competitions post baby!.. so I'd say goal accomplished there. "check"

Lastly, I always wanted letters after my name....Niccole Celeste Howard, MBA, CPT, CSN "check"

So, for now, in my 32 1/2 year of life, as it pertains to career (family is a whole different checklist...that is well underway and totally perfect!) I think I can confidently say I'm on track...that doesn't sound very confident does it? :)
Sometimes I feel I've leapt  without looking, like I should be in a different place considering where I was and all the effort I put into a career, like I'm not as in control of my career as I thought I'd be at this point, like I might be making excuses because I have a toddler that I love more than work. But if you break it down, weigh happiness with work-life balance with family desires then I may be RIGHT on track. I have plenty of time to reach goals, as a business owner it takes time and starting one with babies and kids around is a head start compared so some that do it later in life. Successful business owner: "Check in progress"