In starting a new lifestyle, there are always soooooo many questions. So I, and the coaches would like to answer any that you may have. Why are we doing it a certain way for the program? Why am i not allowed to eat beans? Why not eat snacks in between each meal? Why does Ryan smell so bad? Just seeing if you were still paying attention. Please ask freely. This will also help come up with more specific topics for Saturdays meeting.
      Keep up the progress and stay positive! So proud of you all!

     Preparation of food can be one of the harder things for people to overcome when beginning the paleo lifestyle. I totally understand that. If you have time, prepare those elaborate meals that take, effort, and oh yeah.....time. However, when you dont have time, it really is simple. Grab a main ingredient (Kerri prefers her mixed greens), and throw some other paleo stuff into it. Meat on a mixed salad with some vegetables is never a bad thing for lunch. My wife the other night just cooked a bunch of carrots, mushrooms, and peppers, and then threw in some spicy chicken sausage...and it was excellent! Coming up with your "quick fix" for you and your family is a very important thing for those struggling with preparation, and those with families who eat quickly.
     What are your go to "quick fixes". This will help us all come up with great, and more importantly, quick ideas for meals.

Now lets all take that giant step out of it!
     I know, getting yourself to step out of your comfort zone is one of the hardest things to do. The reason.....it is always going to be hard to talk YOURSELF into something youve already made yoru mind up about. And its so easy to just go with the old.
     But think about it! What has the old thought process gotten you? You are with us for a reason! You have a great community of people with similar goals and purpose' around you! Use them! By stepping outside of your comfort zone, talking to new people, taking new classes, sharing your own stories with others, you are not only breaking old, bad habits, but you are opening yourself up to new, healthier ones, and taking gigantic steps towards success!
     Please share with us how you have stepped outside of your own comfort zone during this journey. How hard was it? Is it becoming easier? What have you gotten out of taking those steps? Cant wait to hear from all of you!

PS...did I mention how happy I was when i opened the blog today and saw how active the bo

Ladies and gentlemen.....
   I am so proud of the things you have done. The strides you have made, and the goals you have reached. However, how am I, or anyone else for that matter supposed to know of these things if you don't tell? 
     The point of this blog is to encourage others and give advice when we cant do it person to person. We have had 4....count em....4 responses in the past three days, and two of those were from coaches! That is not going to inspire anyone!
     Developing the healthy mental habits are as important, if not more, than the physical things. The mental aspect leads to continual and permanent change! Blogging and responding to the blogs help with the mental aspect of things.
     Please help us help you! BLOG!

Do I make that white English muffin and cover it in peanut butter and marshmallow? 
It tastes so good... 
NO WAY... 
Quick... Grab the delicious orange bell pepper and bite! 
Ah,yes...that fresh , clean healthy feeling in my mouth ...a much better decision!! 

Now get out of the kitchen and tell everyone!! Good conscious decision ! 
How bout you? What have you done at the face of potential sabotage? How have you given yourself Credit?

    I am sure you werent able to "digest", pun intended, all the things I talked about yesterday in reference to why grains are bad for our bodies. I figured I would share some of the better sites i viewed for information. Remember, you are doing this for a reason, for you, for your families, to become a healthier you. You shouldnt have to explain yourself to anyone. However, just in case you do, theres nothing wrong with coming back at them with a little ammunition!

http://wellnessmama.com/575/how-grains-are-killing-you-slowly/
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/why-grains-are-unhealthy/#axzz2JCG2fec0

Hope you are excited and ready to attack week 4! I'm thrilled with your commitment , perseverance, desire ... You are doing great! Remember,this is a journey. Self discipline takes hardwork everyday, acknowledging old habits and creating new habits takes time. It also can't be done alone, it requires a support system which you have! Keep on making positive strides , yes there will be struggle, and some frustration... it''s Easy to give up or give in... You are worth it, be patient! Don't stop believing in yourself ... It can be done, it will be done, but you must keep making conscious decisions to do so!!!!! Have a great Sunday Funday!
If you need help acknowledging negative thinking errors , filling in behavior chart, or coping skills chart... Please let us know! We are here to help! THIS IS THE KEY TO ACHIEVING YOUR SUCCESS but it will take alot of hardwork!!!
POSITIVE IS POWERFUL!
Take care :-)
Kerri

We talked about how week 3 is the turning point. Do you give in to your self and your desire for things you not will not help you? Or do you persevere and push through to become a healthier you. You have taken so many steps forward, of course some baby steps back, but that is inevitable. Keep taking those steps forward and continue on your path. 
     Please let us know your struggle during this week and with the diet. We need to help each other, and the only way to do that is by letting each other know what we are struggling with. I will leave you with a couple of quotes i thought were inspiring about one's ability to persevere.

“In essence, if we want to direct our lives, we must take control of our consistent actions. It's not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives, but what we do consistently.” 
― Anthony Robbins

“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” 
― Confucius

I have heard from several people that they go to the blog for a bit of a pick me up. I thought, what better way to dedicate a blog to that. Please share your Paleo and new lifestyle successes with all of us. I cant wait to hear all the great things that everyone has been up to! 

    So cold! I just wanted to give you a little pep talk. I know, its freezing outside. No one in their right mind wants to go out and walk/run when it is below freezing out (except for you Rocco!). If you know that is the only way you will get your exercise, then plan ahead. Check the weather. Figure out when you would be able to get outside, and check the temperatures for those times. If you talk your brian into the fact that you are going out at the warmest time possible, it will get you through that hardest part...taking those first steps outside. 
     If you are in no way considering going outside during this ice age, then consider this....you all have a gym membership. Look down at your wrist, tell yourself you need to do it for you, and then get your behind in the car (of course, warm it up first...haha)! 15 minutes at the gym will be much better for you than none. Better yet, you wont feel guilty for not exercising at all. Dont let you beat yourself during this winter season. Exercising will also release those chemicals that help you get yourself in the right state of mind during this winter season. Stay healthy, stay warm, and above all....STAY POSITIVE!