Focused or Obsessed?

This is a question I sometimes have trouble answering myself! Obsessing over fitness goals can lead to loosing focus on your life. How do we find balance?

Prepping for fitness competitions means intense dieting, hours in the gym and posing practice. All this work can really put a strain on relationships. Life is about balance, we can't be perfect 24-7, and thank God the people in my life accept me for who I am. Let's face it, we humans base our happiness on our relationships with others. If you are starting a new exercise program try not to let your fitness goals consume your thoughts, this is about health! It's time we stop obsessing about our waistline, and focus on living life! So how can we implement this idea of balance in our daily life? Here is a short list of a few things I've done that have helped me stay connected.

1. Plan a weekly date night. Not monthly, weekly! Not in a relationship? Have a date with a friend.

2. Have your morning coffee with your loved ones, chat about the day ahead and upcoming plans. Wake up earlier if you have to, try to make time to connect.

3. Haven't seen a friend in awhile? Who says you have to go to dinner?! Invite them to join you for a workout in the gym!

4. Share your new love of healthy food with your family and friends by asking them to help you prepare a healthy dinner or Saturday morning breakfast. Eating healthy shouldn't mean eating alone.

5. Instead of crashing in front of the TV in the evenings go for a walk with someone special. I really enjoy chatting with my fiancé on our evening strolls through the neighborhood.

6. Enjoy a weekly day OFF, that means NO exercising! Relax, you've earned it!

Enjoy your workouts, enjoy your healthy food and enjoy the time you have with the important people in your life. Hope this helps to "refocus" you on what's really important. Feel free to post comments below and share how you've managed to find balance :)

Apple Cinnamon Protein Pancake:

1/2 c oatmeal
4 egg whites
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1/4 c shredded apple
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 packet stevia extract


Simply blend all of the ingredients in a blender until smooth, and gently fold in the shredded apple by hand. Coat a non-stick pan with cooking spray and heat it over medium heat. Cook your pancake until golden on each side (about 1 min each). Top with sugar free maple syrup and enjoy!

Stephy's Wild Blueberry Oatmeal Cookies

-1 cup whole wheat flour
-1 tsp ground cinnamon
-1 tsp baking powder
-1/2 tsp baking soda
-1 cup stevia
-1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
-2 egg whites
-1 1/2 tsp vanilla
-1 1/3 cup old fashioned oats
-1 cup blueberries

Combine dry ingredients and wet ingredients in separate bowls (except the blueberries). Combine ingredients and mix together, fold in the blueberries last.
Scoop rounded spoonfuls of cookie batter onto a baking sheet sprayed with non stick spray. Bake cookies at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Allow cookies to cool on a rack...then enjoy post workout!