Get Fit with Flynn

Want to lose weight……lose the attitude!!!!

erinmcflynn — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 17:29:56 +0000

Well I know I’ve talked about this topic so many times before but I keep coming back to it because it was HUGE with me and a lot of people I talk to have this issue also. We have an attitude towards ourselves. What’s with that..like there’s not enough negative stuff out in the world we have to be our own worst enemy? THIS NEEDS TO STOP!!! So you decided to start getting healthy..new workout…new eating plan…new everything…going great then….BAM you miss a day…or something goes wrong…you eat something you know you “shouldn’t” have…oh no it’s ALL ruined now..right? The negative voices start up and tell you how bad you are…how horrible you are because you can’t stick to anything..blah blah blah…(insert negative comment here)!!! Well NO that’s not the case…every day is a new day!! One day at a time…try living like that..it’s a great way to live…so yesterday you didn’t make the best choices…there’s nothing you can do about that now…except ruin today by dwelling on it. Get up brush yourself off…pull up your big girl panties and MOVE ON!!! The day I started to be nicer to myself is seriously the day everything just started to click. I realized I am worth this..I am a wonderful person even though I wasn’t as thin or as fit as I wanted to be….I was still a FABULOUS person!! (alright it took me a while to realize I was fabulous…but I did figure I was still pretty cool…lol) I just was so tired of beating myself up and waiting to love myself when I hit my goal…why wait? Love yourself now…warts and all…;) We are right where we are supposed to be…and that’s the best part. Each day wake up and start the day by saying something positive to yourself. Yes for those of you that know me I love affirmations…I have post it notes all over saying positive things…That’s how I start my day…and end my day too!!!

So please…start today by being kind to yourself!! The next time you hear the negative thoughts coming into your head..switch each one to a positive. Keep doing this until it just becomes a habit to talk positive to yourself..it will work…;) At least it did for me!! I hope you all have a wonderful sunday and keep up the great work. If you need anything please don’t hesitate to find me on facebook and let me know what I can do to help you!!!

Positive thought my friends…it’s the way to go!!!

Erin~

Scale or no scale…..to lose weight?

erinmcflynn — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 22:41:41 +0000

So here’s the question…do you get on a scale to keep track of your weightloss…or go by how your pants fit? I recently starting tracking my calories (Lose It..great website) and I just got a HR monitor to see how many calories I’m burning during my workout. I am LOVING this!! I am also doing a not snacking after dinner for 30 days…(18 of those are in the bag…YAY ME!!). The one thing I don’t do is weigh myself. I just can’t do it…and that’s OK!!! I know myself and I get WAY too fixated on numbers and it’s very unhealthy for me to go there…so I just don’t. I did end up accidentally seeing how much I weighted at the Dr the other day. Years ago this would have sent me into a tailspin and freaked out…but not today. I LOVE the way I look…yes there are spot that I could improve a little…(hence the no snacking after dinner thing) but my back fat that I didn’t like is looking a lot better!!! I know I’m still freaking out that I didn’t freak out at seeing my weight but hey I’m going with it. It feels so good to LOVE me..and I don’t want the numbers on the scale to define what kind of day I’m going to have or how good I feel about myself. I know that’s where I could go..so I just stay away from it. Now I’m not saying everyone should do this…it’s just what works for ME!!! So how is your relationship with the scale? Does it define how you feel about yourself? If if does..please rethink what you are doing..it’s it doesn’t…that’s AWESOME!!!

I have a certain pair of pants and shorts that I use to “weigh in”…I do it every thursday…(not sure why that day but it’s that day..lol) and that is what works for me. I am proud that the calorie counting is working for me..I used to not be able to do that either…scared me too much…but I love how it keeps me on track AND it shows me on some days I need to eat more…WOOT WOOT!!! So I would love to hear what you do and if you do the weighing everyday…or multiple times a day..please..stop..it can drive you insane!!!

Take care and have an amazing Saturday!!

Erin~

Feel good to lose weight….Lose weight to feel good?

erinmcflynn — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 18:48:40 +0000

What came first the chicken or the egg…LOL? I was chatting with some people in a workout group on Facebook and someone mentioned how they started to FEEL stronger after starting a weight lifting workout. It hit me…THAT is what made all the difference for me. Feeling stronger..I don’t know if I WAS stronger..but I felt like I it. It reminded me of when I was working out and running all the time and I wasn’t losing any weight. I didn’t know what was going on…(I was loving running) but I wasn’t getting any results (so I thought). It’s when I looked in the mirror and I LIKED what I saw!! Even though it wasn’t the end result I wanted….I realized I was getting there. I was actually liking what I saw in the mirror…imagine that!!! When I started to love myself just the way I was and not waiting to start when “skinny” Erin showed up is when EVERYTHING fell into place…and I mean EVERYTHING!!! It wasn’t just about my workouts or my eating…life became AMAZING!!! I started being kinder to myself..taking rest days…(they are so important) and listening to the positive voices in my head and not the negative ( you know the voice I’m talking about…) and started just living. Every day I am one step closer to my goals…yesterday is gone…tomorrow isn’t here yet…TODAY is the day I can do something….SO DO IT!!!

So I guess what I’m trying to say is LOVE what you have now…and keep reaching for what you want…but don’t wait until you get there to start living…you are missing out on the amazing ride!!! Every day is a gift…some days better than others but we learn from each one!!! I hope today is fantastic for you…MAKE IT THAT WAY!!

Erin~

Losing weight during the holidays….can it be done…?

erinmcflynn — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:00:04 +0000

Happy Friday everyone…well we survived Thanksgiving…;) I had a fabulous one and I hope you did too!!! I did pretty good with my eating….I am on a 30 day no snacking after dinner….I will admit I had a little bit of a pumkin bar last night after dinner. Do I feel guitly..NO I DON’T!!! It was Thanksgiving and you know what I deserved it!!! Today is a new day and I’m back on track. There was a time when I would have just thrown in the towel because I had something I wasn’t “suppose” to have and probably would have just continued eating last night. My old way of thinking used to be well I’ve “cheated” a little why not just go to town. Well somewhere along I started thinking logically..LOL..(sometimes). I am not perfect and I never will be….(and neither will you so stop right now trying to be). When I came to that realization it was awesome. Yep I will make mistakes (not that the pumpkin bar was a mistake..lol) and I will learn from them. My point here is that I’m not on a diet..it’s a lifestyle for me. So there’s going to be ups and downs and I will learn from them. Today is the day we can do something about..not yesterday not tomorrow….TODAY!!! So I’m up and I’m going in for a great workout here in a few minutes and I’m going to have an amazing day!!! Tomorrow is over and it was wonderful…pumkin bar and all…. I wonder what today will bring….I bet it going to be fabulous!!!

So lesson for me for today is …..we don’t live in the past…so why do we judge ourselves for things we’ve done? Make peace with it, learn from it and move on!!! What are you doing today to make yourself one step closer to the person you want to be?

Have an amazing Friday!!!

Erin~

Trying to lose weight…but where do you find the motivation to workout?

erinmcflynn — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 17:32:42 +0000

Happy Friday everyone!!! I get asked this questions all the time…”where do you find the motivation to workout all the time?” Here’s the truth….FROM YOU!!! Now I’ll be honest a lot of the time I just do it without thinking about it…I put on my workout clothes and just go. But some days…(like today) I just don’t feel it…Oh I’ll do it but it’s so much better when there’s a fire lit under me. So here’s what I do…..are you ready…..I ASK FOR HELP!!! Yep that’s the secret…I ask for it!!! As most of you know I’m an online fitness consultant…I help people get healthier and yep that’s one of my jobs..but what you might not know it that helping others get healthy and reach THEIR fitness goals is what keeps me going with mine….;) How cool is that. If I don’t feel like working out I think of someone I’ve been talking to and some of their struggles and I think if they can do it…so can I!!!! That is where my motivation comes from a lot of the times. So just a quick Thank you to all of you out there who are helping ME stay healthy and reach my fitness goals. I’m having some tough days right now (health wise) so your support means the world to me!! Life could be so much worse but some days this Ulcerative Colitis just needs to go away…LOL!!! Well I’m off to Turbo…thanks for taking the time to read this…and please feel free to comment!!!

I’m going to make today the BEST DAY EVER!!!! What are you doing to make yours like that? Give it your ALL!!! Love and Laugh!!

Erin~

Lose weight by lifting weights….? Lift heavy or go home..;)

erinmcflynn — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:49:53 +0000

Happy Thursday my friends!! I just got done with a ChaLean Extreme workout..I’m in the 2nd month..and I LOVE IT!! I am a cardio junking (turbo girl at heart) and lifting was never a priority to me. Even as a personal trainer I would tell people they needed to lift 2-3 days a week and I wasn’t doing it myself..( I know, I know that’s not right) but I finally listened to my own words. I had a few friends who tried it so I did it too!! I love the results!!! Now what I really wanted to share with you is that it’s important to push yourself…as Chalene Johnson says…Lift Heavy or Go Home!!! That is so so true you probably can do more than you think you can..( I know I can) but you also want to make sure you have good form. If you notice right off the bat that you’re not using good form….go lighter. You’re still going to get an amazing workout but you need to make sure you’re not going to hurt yourself. I have noticed for me that I have to go a bit lighter on some of the moves because that way I can do them with the proper form and I’m using the right muscles. So don’t beat yourself up (I did for a second) if you can’t go as “heavy” as you’d like…you’ll get there no worries!!!! I would rather have great form and use the correct muscles than go heavy and hurt myself. So lesson of the day..lift heavy but with good form and then go home..LOL!!!

FYI…my arms are literally shaking as I write this…now that’s what I’m talking about….I’m gonna be burning calories ALL DAY LONG!!! Woot woot!!!

Have an amazing day and don’t forget to give it your all today!!!

Erin~

Losing weight/working out…obsessed or just realistic?

erinmcflynn — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 19:54:34 +0000

Happy Saturday everyone..it’s been a while..gonna get back into my blog..I’ve missed it. So I get this a lot…wow you should rest…or take it easy..or do you ever take a rest day? Well I thought I’d explain this from my point of view. Yes there was a time that I was “obsessed” with losing weight and working out. I didn’t take rest days ( I know that’s horrible but I’m being honest) and I would run pretty much every day and never lifted weights. Yep that was my schedule. The funny thing is I wasn’t losing any weight and I was eating pretty healthy too….strange but it’s true. I finally just gave up and didn’t get it. I started studying to be a personal trainer and I was talking to some friends and they convinced me to try ChaLean Extreme (it’s a weight lifting workout). I started lifting 3 days a week (like you should ) and doing cardio the other days and taking my rest day(s)!!! Wow …guess what happened…I finally lost the last few pounds ( I started drinking Shakeology around this time too). I was amazed!!! Now to get to my point…Yes I finally found a routine that works for me and I don’t believe I’m obsessed with working out but I do believe I’m being realistic FOR ME!!! My body WANTS to be fat…that’s just the plain truth. I have to work at it everyday to not be FAT again!!! So I make the choice every day to be healthy. Some days are harder that others but I didn’t like how I felt when I was heavier….I LOVE the way I feel and look now!!! So some might say I’m “obsessed” and that’s O.K. (what other people think of me is none of my business). I have never been happier in my life so I must be doing something right!!! You have to take care of you…and helping others reach their fitness goals HELPS me stay on track!! I am having the time of my life!!!

So give yourself a break…take your rest day…your body needs it…believe me!!! Lifting 3 days a week and drinking your water…you will be amazed at the results you’ll get!!! Keep up the awesome work and if you missed a day…no worries..just jump back on the workouts the next day!!! We are human we aren’t perfect and never will be so you can stop trying to be….when I did that is when everything started happening!!!

Take care and have an amazing Saturday!!

Just Believe and anything can happen!!!

Erin~

Trying to lose weight….be happy when you reach a goal…

erinmcflynn — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 00:30:33 +0000

So this topic has come up a bit and I thought I’d ask your opinion about reaching goal. I write down all my goals. I say them out loud everyday and I know I will reach them. The funny this I noticed is when I reach one..I am excited but then I immediately start looking at the next one. I need to learn to enjoy the ones I reach. Yes of course I want to keep working toward the next one but come on can’t I give myself a little bit of a break and simply relax…LOL!! I have realize we are our own worst enemies. We are the first ones to put ourself down when something goes wrong and I am guessing when something goes right too..that wrong on so many levels. Like when I have finally reached a point with my business or fitness…I immediately look for what’s next. I need to stop and smell the roses…like I always say slow and steady wins the race.

So from now I am going to simply enjoy my victories…give myself a break. I KNOW I will reach my goals..I have to..I’m doing what I was meant to do. I love my life and I love myself…I just need to learn to give myself a break now and again!! Sound good to you too? Please let me know I’m not the only crazy one out there that does this…LOL!!

Note to self..I ROCK!!! Tell yourself that daily!!

Erin~

Working out while you are sick with Ulcerative Colitis…

erinmcflynn — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 18:33:06 +0000

Happy Sunday my friends…well it’s been a long time since I’ve written on my blog….I was sick for a few months but I’m back….and I’m back with a vengence…LOL!! I didn’t really share much of what was going on with me while I was really sick…I was miserable and really isolated. I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis (google it..lol) last Sept and it got really bad this past April. Long story short (and 3 blood transfusions later) I finally found a medication that works for me..(fingers crossed) It has been a very emotional and lonely and scary time. I was in so much pain and was off work for 4 months that some days were not the best in my life…;) But I made it through it ….and it’s made me look at life just a little different. I always knew I had an amazing husband (Dan) and a fabulous family ..but when you go through something like this it really shows you what they are made of. Dan is the most wonderful husband and person I could have ever ask for…what I did in another life to deserve him…I will never know!!! and my Mom…..well she’s my Mom and always will be….taking me to my blood transfusion and sitting there with me like we were out to lunch(even my Dad stopped by the say Hi)…well I just Thank God everyday for what I have. My 11-year-old niece Caitlyn came to “hang” with me one day while Uncle Dan had to go to a Dr appt…yep that’s what my life came to my niece babysitting me..LOL..;) Everyone pitched in!! Like I said my family ROCKS…oh and I can’t forget my sis in law Chrissy…showed up at my door at 8 o’clock at night to bring me food because I had mentioned that a certain dish she makes sounded good( with this disease only certain things sounded good and eating can be hard with the pain and all the other joys that come with it) anyway…I was on the phone with her and mentioned that dish sounded good and my gosh…2 hours later she’s there with it cooked and ready to eat and another one to put in the freezer for later( I live 30 minutes away). Yep that’s how cool they are.

Needless to say my workouts were not happening at this time…taking a shower took it all out of me and I had to rest after them. But I’m back to working out…little by little I’m getting my strength back. Be easy on yourself when you are getting over being sick…I am really listening to my body…and only doing what I can do..not pushing myself too much. I feel amazing today and that right there is the best EVER!! What my life was like these past few months I will never forget but it made me look at life different. I know there was some reason all of this happened to me but when you’re lying there in pain you kinda wonder what’s up..LOL..but it did make me stronger and I just wanted to share this with you. Thank you so much to all the people who wondered what was going on…and wished me the best. This whole thing just make me that much more grateful for the people in my life….so Thank you!!!

Please feel free to ask me any questions that you have about this or if you suffer from this too let me know….I am an open book when it comes to this now and I didn’t know what it was a year ago…but when you have something like this thrown at you…well you learn all you can…Thanks google!!!

Erin~

Tips for Eating at parties….while trying to lose weight.

erinmcflynn — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 16:06:36 +0000

Happy 4th of July!!!

I hope everyone has a FATABULOUS time doing whatever it is you are doing today. I thought I’d share a few tips that help me when I go to any kind of function that is going to have food and drink.

1. Eat before you go…just have something so you don’t go starving.

2. Use a plate for the food you eat. Thank way you aren’t just walking around eating a little bit of everything. This way you SEE what you are eating.

3. Don’t eat to be polite. What this means is that if the host or someone who made something says “oh you have to try this..Please” and you feel like you have to…You DON’T!!! I stopped this a long time ago….if they get their feels hurt so be it…it’s your hips it’s going on not theirs. If need to tell them a tiny white lie that your tummy can’t handle it or something that…(not that I like fibbing but hey sometimes we do what we have to do)

4. Don’t GRAZE…re read number 2!!

5. Give yourself a break…if you really want a little of something have it…unless it’s a trigger food then you just might want to stay away from it altogether.

6. As for the alcohol…just remeber that can help you make some not so healthy choices in the food department and there are LOTS of calories in those fruity drinks so choose wisely if you decide to go down that path.

7. Have a BLAST…and remember how AMAZING you are gonna feel when you get home and remember what great healthy choices you made!

P.S. I actually bring my own food a lot of the time…believe me the cook isn’t gonna care if you ask them to put on another hotdog or veggie burger…it will probably start a conversation and help them maybe start down a healthier path too.

I hope this helps…and please remember that you are so worth your health…if you feel like you are slipping at your party…take a deep breath and remember you goals…you can do this..!!!

Have an AMAZING 4th of July and take care!!!

Erin~