In today's world there are tons of FITNESS programs out there to choose from, but it can be intimidating if you don't currently work out or have a fitness ROUTINE like running, spin class, or CrossFit but this is your opportunity to reignite your motivation, discipline, and to take your personal POWER back! The NUMBER 1 place you are going to make the biggest difference in your health and wellness is in the KITCHEN. I can tell you as a former chef who oversaw multiple kitchens in hotels, resorts, corporations and sports arenas that what you CONSUME physically, mentally, and emotionally has a direct impact on your overall health. There was period of in my life when I would eat a tube of chocolate chip cookies in one sitting, and I wouldn't think twice about it until I started having different types of health issues that led me to start QUESTIONING what was going on. Am I getting old? Is this my new way of living? How did I get here? Is there anything I can do to CHANGE this? Why do I feel sad, angry, frustrated, and depressed all the time? These thoughts, feelings, and emotions were the CATALYST in my own life that PROPELLED me into a new way of living....for a while. When you try to do too many new things at one time it is easy to become OVERWHELMED. When you become overwhelmed you go right back to the HABITS and EMOTIONS that keep you feeling STUCK because they are the most FAMILIAR. You may find yourself doing really well on a diet plan but two weeks in you have a semi-significant life event that totally derails your progress, and this is when the negative self-talk starts. It happened again, I never finish anything, I can't do this, this is too hard, or the most difficult to overcome, "I give up!" This is why it's important to start slow and build on your new HABITS. As you CREATE and CELEBRATE your small WINS each day you become more confident, capable, and believe that you can ACCOMPLISH whatever your next goal is. You are now developing RESILIENCE and EMOTIONAL FORTITUDE in the face of doing hard things! CONGRATULATIONS! Right now, is a great OPPORTUNITY to take an inventory of your cabinets. With your current KNOWLEDGE and experience what type of foods do you think are problematic for you? If you are unsure, take a week or two and write down everything that you eat in a day to include your portion size. This will help create AWARENESS around what type of food you eat but I also want you to write down what you are FEELING in that moment. I know exactly what I was FEELING and what I was going through when I turned to the tube of cookies but more on FOOD RELATIONSHIPS later in the program. A great way to START back into a fitness routine is by walking! I know it sounds stupid simple because it is. You don't have to buy any equipment except a solid pair of shoes, and you are on your way. Eventually you will start doing research on zero platform shoe and the benefits of spending more time BAREFOOT. That is definitely worth a Google search! For now, let's focus on the basics and WALK it out!