When you deliberately seek positive aspects of whatever you are giving your attention to, you, in a sense, tune your vibrational tuner to more positive aspects of everything. And, of course, you could tune yourself negatively as well. But as you are deliberately looking for positive aspects in yourself or in others, you will find more of those things: “The better it gets, the better it gets,” for you get more and more of what you are thinking about —whether you want it or not.

— Abraham

ok so you read this quote and think, “what the…?!!?  let me break it down for you a bit.

We all operate based on the “Laws of the Universe”.  Well, one of those laws is the “Law of Polarity”.  For  example, when the table is 3 feet from the ground, it must also be true that the ground is 3 feet from the table.  right?

So, if there is a positive in something there is also a negative present.  You can CHOOSE to see the positive or negative depending on what you focus on. BUT they are both present at the same time.  Another example is, you read a great book. You focus on what is great about the book.  However, if you turn your attention to the negative and think about what is not good about the book, you WILL find that too.

If you keep focusing on the negative, the more that will appear in your life, consequently, if you focus on the positive, the more that will appear in your life.  Because most of the time we do this subconsciously, we create things in our life without realizing it. And yes, we do this in every moment either consciously or subconsciously.

So yes, believe it or not you are creating everything that happens in your life.  Therefore, it is just as easy to create a great life as it is to suffer from misery.

Well, I hope I scratched the surface a little on this.  I have been studying the “Laws of the Universe” for some time now and I have seen some pretty amazing things happening in my life and the lives of those I coach.

JoAnn Manzella is a peak performance success coach helping women looking to achieve ultimate balance in their lives. JoAnn teaches her clients how to become laser focused on their goals and visions by providing the knowledge, support and motivation they need for success.

Sign up today for a F*R*E*E* peak performer assessment by sending an email to joann@jumpstarttofitness.com or visit our website at www.jumpstarttofitness.com

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, “I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.” . . . You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”
- Eleanor Roosevelt

Do you ever find yourself dwelling on what you think you can’t do?

All the places you can’t go?

All the things you can’t afford?

It’s horrible isn’t it?

We all know what happens.  We create the ugly monster in our heads and all of a sudden it literally consumes our entire body.

I would like to share with you an example you probably all are very familiar with whether it be your own childhood memory or your actual child.  It’s taking those training wheels off your bike and riding that 2 wheeler for the very first time.

Well my husband and I went through this just yesterday.  My 8 year old daughter has been terrified to take those wheels off and find freedom of riding that 2 wheeler.  The mere talk of riding the bike literally put her into a state of panic, hyperventilating and all.  I must admit I was getting a little frustrated.

I have to say that after teaching the 4th child out of 5 to ride a bike I didn’t have the same tolerance as the first.  But then I began looking at the experience a little differently.  I saw the fear that truly made her scared to death.  In her mind, SHE COULDN’T DO IT.

How many times do we do this to ourselves?  We let the illusion of this ugly monster prevent us from taking the leap to greatness.  We give it such great power to control our lives.

What are some of the things that you have allowed to dominate your thinking and stop you from moving forward?

So, after some deep breathing and a little coaxing she decided to give it a try.  She did great.  Not just ok, but GREAT!
Perfect take off, launch, dismount and landing.

No falls (until a littler later).   And we all know that is a given at some point.

But let’s think about the lesson here.  Next time you let the fear overtake your mind and body, ask yourself, “what is the worst thing that can happen?”

Even if the answer is fall flat on your face…..so what, the benefit is total growth!!  And hey, we may be surprised and have the perfect take off, launch, dismount and landing.  How cool is that?

So, there’s only one cure. You know that, right?

You’ve got to do the thing you think you cannot do.

I know, I know, it’s not that easy is it?

But when you think about it, it’s not that hard either!

Just take a step……

A single step where you move toward doing something that you’ve always thought was impossible and before you know it, the possibilities start appearing.

My daughter now sees the possibilities that were before her all along.  She can now take a ride around the block with her siblings and friends, she has gained tremendous confidence and she will soon be allowed to ride on the street by herself like everyone else.

Still thinking that your ugly monster is different from her ugly monster?
No it really isn’t.  It is all just an illusion that we create in our mind.  An illusion that stops you dead in your tracks and prevents growth.  Remember things don’t stay the same.  The world does not stop, so if you are not growing you are dying.  I definitely choose to grow.  And I choose that in every moment as difficult as it seems.

So my challenge to you is to identify your ugly monster, take that step to abolish it and watch your possibilities become clearly defined.

JoAnn Manzella is a wellness and fitness coach helping families looking to achieve ultimate balance in their lives. JoAnn teaches her clients how to become laser focused on their goals and visions by providing the knowledge, support and motivation they need for success.

Sign up today for a F*R*E*E* telephone lifestyle assessment by sending an email to joann@jumpstarttofitness.com or visit our website at www.jumpstarttofitness.com

I know many of you go out to the gym or for a run and grab one of those well known sports drinks for your preferred beverage.  Well, we are going to take a look at the value of those sports drinks vs. plain old water.

If you plan to exercise under 45 minutes, water is your best choice.  It is sufficient for hydration:

• Water is easily absorbed
• Water is the best choice to drink before moderate length exercise
• Water is readily available and less expensive than sports drinks

Research suggests that for workouts consisting of at least 45 minutes of continuous exercise or any high intensity workout of any duration such as running, biking and intense weight training, a sports drink may be beneficial in delaying muscle fatigue by providing your body with additional energy:

• Sports drinks will replenish fluids while containing a small amount of carbohydrates and electrolytes
• A steady source of carbohydrates during prolonged exercise fights off fatigue and enhances performance by fueling the muscles
• The taste of a good sports drink may encourage you to keep drinking

So then the question is, “Which drink is right for the type of exercise I will do today?”

Well, we just completed our 4 week “Belly Blasting Bootcamp” and wanted to share with you an incredible story.  Jill, one of our dedicated, hard working and focused members, accomplished amazing results.  Hear what she had to say:  

“I cannot say enough about the recent Boot Camp Challenge I did with JoAnn and Antoinette. It’s perfect that the name of their company is “Jump Start to Fitness”- because that’s exactly what this was to me! I embraced the entire program wholeheartedly and lost a total of FOURTEEN pounds and 5 inches! This program, which I did in conjunction with a healthy diet and three delicious, all-natural weight management supplements from Pure Inventions (www.pureinventions.com) really turned my life around! 

Their knowledge and expertise in exercise physiology enabled them to train us individually while teaching the group as a whole. Aside from our varied and never-boring workouts, we were also challenged with worksheets and hand-outs when we went home. One night we were even invited to listen to a certified clinical nutritionist speak at Antoinette’s home. That’s what I loved- it was sort of a “whole body” approach to fitness. The encouragement and support they both offered were incredible. I can definitely say that I had fun, made friends and most importantly, I feel great. I have made what I hope to be lifelong changes in my diet and exercise regime. I would highly recommend this program to anyone at any level looking to make a healthy change in their life.”   -Jill Dalton

Summer is coming! Find out how you can have amazing results too! Call or email today for a F*R*E*E* telephone fitness analysis.  732-241-9187 or joann@jumpstarttofitness.com. Together we can design a fitness plan that works for you.

Jill’s results are not typical for a 4 week program.  We cannot guarantee that you will have the same results.

What a great time of year.  Time to put the winter coats, gloves and warm clothing away and bring out bright new colors.  It’s a time to feel alive, happy and vibrant.  I know what you might be thinking, “how can I move forward and be happy in a time of economic turmoil?”  Well, let me challenge you on this one.

First, stop watching the news.  It is filled with depressing, misguided information.  No, I do not deny many of the people who are truly suffering with financial instability or loss of jobs.  I feel for you and pray that things will get better soon.  But for those of you who still have jobs, don’t act as if you don’t. 

It’s a time for opportunities.  A time to truly figure out what it is you are meant to be doing in your life.  Reflect on who you really are, who you want to become, and what opportunities are right in front of you that you may not be seeing.  Step out in faith and know that it is your God given right to succeed, no matter what the circumstances.

Decide that you really want to be successful.  And I don’t mean just ‘kind of want it’.  I mean declare it.  Declare it to your family, friends, and the Universe!  This will put the wheels in motion.

There is no room for doubt here.  Once you have decided that you deserve to win, move forward along that path.  Create a vision of your future.  It is helpful to create a vision board, something physical to focus on each day.  Don’t limit your thoughts.  What is it you truly want?  You can have it, but first you need to decide that you want it!

Next, take action. It is not enough to dream.  To see these dreams to fruition, we must take the necessary steps to fulfill them.  Now one thing to keep in mind is that you will not see the entire process.  You will, however, see the first step, and as a warning, the steps won’t always be easy.  They will require you to change and cause discomfort.  Discomfort is a good place to be when living your purpose.  It means you are stretching your boundaries and growing.

If you are not growing you are dying.  We can only move in two directions.  Forward or back.  We cannot stand still.  Make the choice to move in the right direction, for it is here that success will come in abundance. 

Many women know the importance of education on the road to success, they have all the tools necessary to move forward but lack the mindset to skyrocket themselves into abundance.  Ultimately many put the brakes on and stay grounded at a certain level, never to allow themselves to see their true value.

Your belief system dictates your path.  Believe in yourself and the amazing things you can do.  If you are struggling with success, find a mentor or coach to help you work through this part of the puzzle.  We work with women, mostly moms, to help them break through the old, deep rooted beliefs that have dominated their subconscious.  You see, the subconscious controls our destiny.  Our subconscious mind controls 85% of our thoughts and actions.  When you begin to tap into this arena, you will see phenomenal results.

Don’t settle for less.  You are acutely aware of your inner strengths and potential.  Move forward on the path to an awesome life today!

JoAnn Manzella is a lifestyle and wellness coach for mom entrepreneurs looking to achieve ultimate balance in their lives.  JoAnn teaches her clients how to become laser focused on their goals and visions by providing the knowledge, support and motivation they need for success.

Sign up today for a F*R*E*E* telephone lifestyle assessment by sending an email tojoann@jumpstarttofitness.com or visit our website at www.jumpstarttofitness.com

The person you are today was created based on the choices you have made in the past.  Yes, it’s true, you are exactly where you are because of the culmination of each and every choice you have made up to this point.  The good news is that you can change the direction you are headed by making new choices and decisions beginning now.

We have all been given the gift of free will.  This is the ability to choose what it is we want in relation to everyday occurrences.  We have the ability to choose right from wrong, to say yes or no, to live the life of our dreams or settle for less.

Many times we make decisions based on our feelings at the time.  If we are acting out of a lack mentality, meaning fear, sadness, anger or loneliness, our emotions lead our choices and we find ourselves limiting our potential. When we are in this state, we often miss opportunities right in front of us that if acted on, would place us on the path of abundance.  We end up settling for less because it feels safe at the moment.

In order to make better choices, you must remain in a peaceful, loving mindset. Most people find this difficult due to the relationships they find themselves in, the things they watch on tv or read in books and magazines, and the challenges we face each and every day.  Living in a spirit of harmony allows you to make the choices that best serve you.

So you are thinking, ‘easier said than done,’ well not really.  We are in control of three things in life, the thoughts we think, the things we visualize and the actions we take.  Make a conscious effort to think and remain connected to your higher self, visualize the person you want to become and do the things necessary to stay on track to become that person.

Choose the best that life has to offer and settle for nothing less.  The universe will always bring you what you need when you need it.  Be grateful for everyone and everything you encounter, even the things that may seem irritating or negative.  Learn from each situation as it comes.  Ask yourself, “what can I learn from my relationship with this person, what can I take from this seemingly bad situation.”  Be honest with yourself and learn from each situation.

Realize that you are surrounded by abundance and it your God given right to live the life you desire.  God wants you to be prosperous. He wants you to be an example of love and generosity in a broken, distraught world.  He has given you special gifts that no one else on the planet has. It is your responsibility to be the person He created you to be.

Step out in faith, become the person you know you are, and know this is exactly where you are meant to be.

JoAnn Manzella is a lifestyle and wellness coach for mom entrepreneurs looking to achieve ultimate balance in their lives.  JoAnn teaches her clients how to become laser focused on their goals and visions by providing the knowledge, support and motivation they need for success.

Sign up today for a F*R*E*E* telephone lifestyle assessment by sending an email to joann@jumpstarttofitness.com 

Looking for a variation in your workout?

If there is one piece of equipment you want to add to your fitness arsenal, it’s the stability ball.  This large and inflatable ball is a heavy duty piece of equipment capable of handling 600-700lbs.  The ball is comfortable as well as versatile when it comes to strengthening the core.

Here how it works: The ball becomes challenging because it puts your body in an unstable environment and requires muscle activation for stabilization.  The second you sit or lie on the ball, your legs and abdominal muscles contract in order from keeping you from falling off. Now let’s add an exercise to the mix and watch the level of intensity rise.

Using the stability ball in your training program is definitely one of the best methods to improving strength in your abs and lower back.  It also improves the functional strength, balance and flexibility of the body.

And guess what? It can be used by anyone.  That’s right, no fitness level is required.  It’s in fact, it’s so safe, it is used by physical therapists everyday to strengthen their clients in all areas.

Test drive one of these inexpensive balls and put it to work for you today.  As always, consult your health care provider before you begin a strenuous fitness program.

JoAnn Manzella is a fitness consultant and group fitness instructor specializing in small group training and boot camps.  JoAnn provides her clients with the knowledge, support and motivation necessary to get them to the next level of physical as well as mental and emotional fitness.

Sign up today for a telephone fitness assessment by sending an email to joann@jumpstarttofitness.com 

Heart Attack symptoms misdiagnosed in the Emergency Room…..

Taking care of you is essential to living a longer, healthier and more vibrant life.  Just a few years ago, the life expectancy for women reached a peak in modern history with most women living to an average of 79 years.  A big difference from 100 years ago when the average life expectancy for women was a mere 47 years.

These added years of life have created additional health challenges that women from a century ago simply didn’t have to face.  Let’s discuss some of the issues and strategies needed to meet this new and exciting future of longevity and vitality!

Heart attacks and heart disease kill more women than any other cause.  With our advanced knowledge of heart health, this shouldn’t be happening.  With North America having one of the best emergency medial systems in the world, a women’s chance of surviving a heart attack should be very good.  Sadly enough, this is not true.  Women have a death rate from heart attacks that is 70% higher than men.  Two reasons for this is (1) A heart attack in a man does not look like a heart attack in a women and (2) Women’s heart attack symptoms are very misdiagnosed in the Emergency Room.  A heart attack in women is not always the “elephant sitting on my chest feeling that accompanies a heart attack in men.  

A male patient entering an Emergency Room with symptoms of sweating, shortness of breath and chest pain would automatically be diagnosed with having a “heart attack”.  When a woman enters the Emergency Room with flu like symptoms, fatigue, low back pain, jaw pain, shoulder pain and an impending fear of doom, most of the Emergency Room staff assumes this is a “panic attack”.  The unfortunate delay in treatment to differentiate these two conditions may cost women their life.  

Women are different than men.  Yet, medicine assumes that the heart attack symptoms commonly experienced by men are the standard for measuring Emergency Room reactions and treatment.  With aging women outnumbering aging men by more than 2:1, it’s time for the Emergency Room staff to be more aware of women’s unique health needs.  

Research by the National Institute of Health indicates that women often experience new or different physical symptoms as long as a month or more before experiencing heart attacks.  Among 515 women studied, 95% said they knew their symptoms were new or different a month or more before experiencing their heart attack.  The symptoms most commonly reported were as follows:

Unusual Fatigue  70.6%

Sleep Disturbance  47.8%

Shortness of Breath  42.1%

Many women never had chest pains.  Only 29.7% reported having chest pain or discomfort prior to their heart attack and 43% reported having no chest pain during any phase of the attack.

The National Institute of Health Study, titled “Women’s Early Warning Symptoms of AMI” (Acute Myocardial Infarction) is one of the first to investigate women’s experience with heart attacks and how this experience differs from men’s.  Recognition of symptoms that provide an early indication of heart attack either imminently or in the near future is critical to forestalling or preventing the disease.

“Symptoms such as indigestion, sleep disturbance, or weakness in the arms, which many of us experience on a daily basis, were recognized by many women in the Study as warning signals for AMI”, says Jean McSweeney, PhD, RN and Principal Investigator of the Study.  Because there were considerable variability in the frequency and severity of symptoms, she added, “We need to know at what point these symptoms help us predict a cardiac event.”

It is clearly evident that women’s symptoms are not as predictable as men’s.  It is important not to miss the earliest possible opportunity to prevent or ease AMI, which is the number cause of death in women and men.  

Addressing your lifestyle holds the greatest promise for lifelong heart health.  If you don’t change your life, your life will change you - and the changes may be regrettable ones.  As we age, a turn for the worse in heart health is far from inevitable and making changes in your life is easy if you take one step at a time.

Antoinette is a fitness consultant specializing in small group senior fitness. Antoinette provides her clients with the knowledge, support and motivation necessary to get to the next level of physical as well as mental, emotional and spiritual fitness.

Call today to make an appointment for your FREE fitness evaluation and consultation by phone.  We can assist in matching you up with a program that is right for you. The number is 908-902-1207.

A friend of mine asked me a serious question the other day and I think it is a question that many of us have thought about especially lately when it seems that money is tight and prices are only going up.

“Why does it cost so much money to live a healthy lifestyle?”

“That is a good question. What do you think is so expensive about living healthy?”
“Well”, she said, “the cost of joining a gym, hiring a personal trainer and buying healthy foods.”

Well, let’s take a closer look at this.  I asked her if there was anything she had given up as a result of her new lifestyle.  She responded with, “well of course, I stopped drinking soda, I don’t stop for coffee in the morning, I bring my lunch to work instead of eating out everyday and oh yeah, I have quit smoking.” 

Wow!  Let’s think about this in monetary terms.  She said she probably spent about $3 for 2 sodas, $10 for lunch out, $4 for her Starbucks Late and a pack of cigarettes which adds another $6 onto the equation.  That’s a whopping $23 a day of unhealthy habits.

One month of these unhealthy habits equals an amazing $690 (I cannot believe it myself) and this is just the cost factor, what about the health part?

We all know the phenomenal benefits to those who quit smoking. Your chances of living longer and disease free go up incredibly with each day smoke free.  Ridding yourself of the other bad habits have similar benefits. 

We now live in a country where obesity is considered an epidemic, diabetes is on the rise, and individuals are looking to surgery to cure all there medical issues, instead of committing to preventative medicine.  Exercise Is Medicine.

Sometimes we forget about the things we do all the time to sabotage our health.  Changing eating habits will save money on medications, doctor visits, and essentially the food bill.  So the next time you begin thinking that it is just way too expensive to live healthy, think again. Figure the cost and health factors and I guarantee that you will be able to maintain that healthy lifestyle and even save money.

Call today to set up a phone consultation 732-241-9187 or download our free report  “7 Common Mistakes people make when trying to lose weight.”  And How to Avoid them.

I have noticed that many of my clients frequently choose to skip a meal during the day. For some it is intentional and others, they feel they are not hungry at the time.  This is a recipe for disaster.

Skipping meals does not help weight loss or dieting!

Skipping meals leads to low blood sugar.  This can cause sudden hunger pangs which can cause bingeing and/or food cravings.  Either way, it’s bad for weight loss.

For example, diet research indicates that people who skip breakfast are more likely to be overweight than those who eat a proper breakfast.

Eating first thing in the morning actually starts your metabolism. Waiting only causes your body to go into starvation mode.  It worries if it will have enough to eat and protects those fat stores for the future. 

A good way of controlling your diet is to eat 4-5 smaller meals rather than 2 to 3 big ones.  Why?  It helps stabilize blood sugar and helps control your appetite.

So start your metabolism early. Give your body the fuel it needs to get you through the day.

If you have any questions about this or any other article that you may read, please feel free to email it to me and I will include it in an upcoming email.