Last week, I wrote about flipping the script when it comes to negative attitudes toward exercise.  You’ve got to think of exercise like paying yourself first, making sure you’ve got a strong body … and mind … that is willing and able to take on any challenge that comes your way.

This past week, I’ve been observing people while they exercise, on the treadmill at the gym or running outside.  I noticed something that might be hindering their progress:  most people were dressed like slobs!

Now, I’m not saying you should wear your cashmere, diamonds and fur to the gym; BUT, at the same time, you still gotta represent yourself with pride! Ladies, toss your husband’s nasty, ol’ stretched-out shirt, and those AKA sweatpants from college that we both know are waaaay too small!  You don’t have to be a perfect size 6 to wear yoga pants, and you can purchase a t-shirt in your size that will cover the bulges and still maintain your pride.

For the voluptuous woman, there’s lots of great retailers online that offer fashionable, flattering and comfortable workout wear specifically for full-figured women. Always For Me has workout clothes, swimwear and coverups, and even lingerie in plus sizes. They’ve got great sports bras in all sizes, including the 100 ENELL sports bra, which Oprah featured on her show. Junonia also produces great sports bras and exercise gear in plus sizes. If you’re a fashion-forward girl, Nelly’s Apple Bottoms got the best tops and bottoms in regular and plus sizes.

Apple Bottoms has fashionable workout tops and bottoms in regular and plus sizes!

Guys, you need to get your closet in shape, too! Men should always have at least one pair of clean, sharp sneakers. Doesn’t matter what game you play: make sure your shoes look good! DSW has great prices on name-brand shoes, and Shoe Pavilion is another good spot if you’re on the West Coast. If you’re a big man, King Size Direct makes great workout clothes for men of all sizes.

King Size Direct has NFL, NBA and college gear in all sizes, all the way up to 8x.

You don’t have a spend a fortune buying new workout clothes. In fact, if you keep up with laundry on the regular, there’s no reason why a few good pieces can’t get you through at least three workouts a week.

And, the bottom line is you’ll feel better about yourself while you’re working out, and you’ll notice other people will react to your new attitude.  You’ll stick with it, and before you know it, you’ll be fit AND fine!

Happy Friday to yah!  I took a look at the calendar this morning and realized January is almost over - already!  It got me wondering about folks who make all these grand New Year’s Resolutions to lose weight, eat right and exercise every day.

Many people have already given up by now. Are you one of them?

If so, I bet I know why. Most people have the wrong mindset when it comes to exercise. They think of it like some kind of chore or a punishment, and that’s a real shame. Now, true, when you first start an exercise routine, I ain’t gonna lie, it’s gonna be tough sometimes. But that’s a good thing! The Marines tell their recruits during bootcamp that pain is just weakness leaving the body, and I believe it.

You’re probably saying, “Burrel, this is all fine and good, but how do I get my mind in gear? Give me a how-to!”

Here’s an excerpt from my new book, Success for Life, which contains the same life coaching advice I give to my clients: pro athletes, rappers, actors, TV personalities and high-stakes businessmen and women.  And now, everybody can benefit, no matter how much money you make. In fact, until the end of the month, my book is on sale at Amazon, so check it out!

STREETWISE STRATEGY #3: PAY YOURSELF FIRST EVERY DAY

Transformation is driven from the inside-out, but is accelerated from the outside-in. What do I mean? Well, while it’s true we have to break down the mental success barriers inside our heads, it’s easier to build mental muscle when you simultaneously build physical fitness, too, through exercise and discipline. This is the simple secret to turbo-charging your transformation. Ask anyone - I preach exercise like it was religion.

As you watch your body strengthen, tone, and evolve, your whole attitude toward life evolves as well. Each time you exercise, it’s like giving yourself a reward, a personal paycheck. Instead of working for “the man”, simply to pay the bills, THIS TIME you’re working for you, for your family, for life.

So, how do you get started? If you’re like 99.9 percent of the population, you’ve been wrestling with the exercise boogeyman for quite some time. It’s time to shift your mind all the way around.

STOP imagining the effort and START visualizing the fresh, energized YOU.

STOP focusing on the punishment and START focusing on the payback.

STOP thinking of exercise as a pain and START thinking of it as a privilege.

Imaging for a moment if you were forbidden to move. That somebody told you that you must sit at your desk and not budge for a month. Worse yet, imagine you’re incarcerated, locked in a tiny cell, 18 hours a day, with no fresh air, no sunlight, and no room to move. For 50 years.

Now, flip the script. Think about striding out into the sunshine, strong and free, running along the beach breathing in the salty air. Or, snowboarding down a crisp white slope, the wind in your face and the snow swooshing up in a fine mist all around you. Or, confidently playing ball at the gym, driving the lane for a bucket, even if you’re on the “skins” team. Or, the simple pleasure of strolling around the yard, walking down the street, or running toward a loved one at the airport.

When we don’t exercise, we shrink.  Your waistline might expand, but your soul shrinks. You curl up around yourself, hunch over your desk and your worries, and diminish. As you gain inches, you lose confidence. As you gain pounds, you lose perspective. Guaranteed.

You see, exercise is a privilege, not a pain!

Let these thoughts roll around in your brain for a few days, and see if you don’t feel more motivated to get into shape!

Respect,

Burrel

A big hey-hey-hey and a ho-ho-ho!
 
Burrel here, wishing you and yours a Happy Holidays.
 
Now, being in the motivational biz, I know that losing weight is #1 on many peoples’ New Years Resolutions list.  Many of you are probably planning to hit the gym come January 1, and I recognize your ambition.
 
However, I know just as many of you are planning to stuff yourselves silly over the next couple of weeks on home cookin’, goodie baskets and party munchies.  You’ll probably drink more alcohol than usual, too.
 
Do me a favor, won’t you? 
 
Actually, do YOURSELF this favor. 
 
Yes, have a piece of Auntie’s fudge and a big helping of mashed potatoes at Mom’s big dinner.  But don’t overdo it.  One piece of fudge, not 10, okay?  This is what paying yourself first is all about. Auntie will probably want you to take another piece, but stay strong and true to yourself and your goals. Exercise a little bit of restraint now, and you’ll greatly increase your odds of losing that weight in ’08.
 
Here are some tips to keep on track while socializing this season:
1. If you overdo it at a party or dinner the night before, eat very light the next day.  Eat fresh fruits and veggies and drink water to flush out the alcohol and salt.
2. Don’t mindlessly down handfuls of Chex Mix. Pay attention! Allow yourself to “taste” treats people set out, and that’s it.
3. If you really gotta have that drink, stick to light beer or clear alcohol. If you want to make sure you don’t drink too much at a party, pick a drink you don’t like!
4. No eggnog! It’s a whole day’s worth of calories in one tiny glass.
5. Don’t let your family and friends guilt you into eating. If they try to make you feel bad, tell them you’re doing this for your health, so you can be around at family holiday celebrations for years to come.
6. If asked to bring something, how about a box of those delicious tangerines they sell this time of year? Those little things are so sweet; they’re better than cookies.
7. Try to fit in a couple of quick 15-minute brisk walks around the block each day.  Invite your favorite cousin along with you, and use this as a private time to catch up away from the rest of the fam.