Powerful how words can really light someone up from the inside out, challenging them, inspiring them, motivating them to make a difference.

If you are like me, then you love inspiring, challenging, motivating, or even giving tough-love when it's needed.

It is amazing how the words of others can really rock your world by resonating with your heart.

You will see in the comments my son said to me today..!
~Papi, don't you think it's about time to get back on track. I thought you said you were going to be healthy and help us get healthier with you. I don't want to see my old Papi, who was not happy and not feeling good. I love who you have become and I want you to stay that way...
do you want me to warm your Jenny Craig meal up for you ~

Wow, talk about stopping me dead in my tracks...!

Powerful how words can really light someone up from the inside out, challenging them, inspiring them, motivating them to make a difference.

Openly sharing my experiences is a huge part of this blog and the readership I keep with "Skinny Vinny"

I Took a 30min walk this evening with my kids!

My Bday weekend along with Thanksgiving is over and time to get back on track!!!

I hope my sharing helps you as much as sharing helps me..!

I wish you all a wonderful week!!

Much more to come  ~V~

You will be surprised at how positive your attitude will be if you spend time with people who really enjoy their life.

Hello There,

Diet and exercise may not be the only answer, our MIND may have a lot to do with it, I would even venture to say that it plays the biggest part.

(For sure with me)

The way we see ourselves and feel about our bodies is often the result of years of negative conditioning and contrary messages from the people around us and the media.

Open any magazine and you will see stick thin actresses or a rock body actor and then a caption mentioning their cellulite!! It’s everywhere on everything!

Excuse me but what is the message here?
We should all look sick and undernourished? “NOT”!!!

I don't know about you, I do feel better when I loose weight and it helps when my fitness and health improve too. Yeah Baby!

I want this lens to contain all the tips and ideas I found in my own weight loss journey.

I am giving you many tips I have learned on my own journey to a healthy weight.
~I need to remind myself~

I cannot claim to be 100% there, oh well; I am far from it still!

I went up 5 lbs from Vacation!!
I own it, it's mine!! I’m now down 2 lbs of those 5 pounds!

It's time to Re-assess my goals and turn the heat up!


If you are losing motivation, maybe your goals were too easy or too hard.


Don't do anything that you don't like!
You will have a greater chance of continuing to exercise if you find it enjoyable so if you don't like to run, do sit-ups, or swim, keep it fun, something you like.

Trust me, I don't think I will ever love exercise! But I have started to like it!
Ok-Maybe just a little!

Find the right location!

It is always more enjoyable to exercise in a nice environment so take a visit to a local beach/lake or park.

Reflect on your exercise history!

When you last enjoyed exercise, how did it feel?
~If your anything like me, your answer is never~

Don't watch the clock!

If you continually watch the time, then don't wear a watch.

If you are at a fitness centre, cover the display on the machine.

Spend the time with a friend!
  
Take your dog with you. (On a walk that is)
He/she will always be keen and it will help to keep him/her healthy as well.

Eat well!
Stay on "Jenny" she can give you more energy and increase your motivation to exercise.

Use intervals!

Break your training up over the day.
Do half in the morning and half in the evening.

Mix up the cardiovascular and weights!

Do 5-10 minutes of cardio, then 5 minutes of weights, then repeat.

Try a new form of training!

The methods of exercising are endless.

Try something that you think might be interesting (eg, Pump, Boot Camp, Pilates, Surfing, Rollerblading, etc)

Exercise with your kids!
Spend time with the family as you all get healthy.

Invest in your future!

Surround yourself with positive people!

You will be surprised at how positive your attitude will be if you spend time with people who really enjoy their life.

Use your workouts as "zone-out" time!

One step at a time!

Think of every rep, set, metre, or workout you do as being one step closer to your goals.

Change your surroundings!

If you always train indoors, then start exercising 1 day per week outside.

Challenge yourself!
Move out of your comfort zone.

Do something that will challenge you physically and mentally.

Variety is the spice of life! 

Compete with a friend!

(Rock on Tony 5k here we come)

See which one of you can attend the most sessions, run the fastest lap, or reach their goals the fastest.

The competition will keep you both focused.

Set a plan! Fail to plan, Plan to fail!

Write down what you want to achieve, then how you will achieve it.

Ensure that it is realistic and attainable.

Time to get back in the game!!
Not just to play, but win!!

My win is hanging out with
"Skinny Vinny"!!

I’m feeling it!!! YES!!!!! Feel it with me!!!!!!!

~Much more to come~ V

"Skinny Vinny" in his skinny jeans.

And here is where it all begins; today is the start my VA-K to China, Taiwan and Japan!!

I get to take "Skinny Vinny" with me!

Today is where I get to start using all the valuable lessons that ”Jenny" has taught me about my relationship with food.

I can't say that I'm not a little nervous, "but" the time comes when I need to put the big boy pants on!!

Or should I say my skinny jeans... Lol lol

I like the sounds of that better!

"Skinny Vinny" in his skinny jeans. Yeah!!!

My pocket guide will become my best friend, we are well acquainted!

I am so motivated ready to enjoy myself and not have to be worried about losing all the progress I have made over the last 13 or so weeks!

Quite honestly, it's a whole new world to plan my vacation around other things other than food.

That's my plan. Enjoy one of the first vacations in my life that will not be all about the food or me being worried about losing control!

Here I go!

I can and will do this!

P.S.
(I weighed in this week at 230.9, Yeah baby!!)
So close to the 220s!!!

I'll get there!!

Much more to come, V

We have 86,400 seconds in a day. Make them worth wild.

I have heard it so many times now. Guys usually tell me one of the following three things.

They say, “Vincent, I need to lose weight quickly because”:

1. “I want to look better and feel better”

2. “I want to take my shirt off at the beach this summer”

3.”I am going to a reunion with old friends”

The BIG question that they always want an answer for is “how much weight can I lose in X amount of months?”

Weight loss takes time, but can be done quickly if and when you really want to get results.

Usually, we male of the gender want results fast.

The answer is, it depends on how bad you want to lose weight.

Weight loss does not happen because you hate being fat, or because it is annoying.
It happens because you are committed to losing weight.

When you decide that you will do anything to get your health, energy and manhood/self-esteem back, only then will you lose weight.

It's an exciting challenge keeping my mind focused in the right direction. I know my body is an end result of the visions I see in my head.

We have 86,400 seconds in a day. Giving us a lot of time for thoughts.

 I know I can focus those thoughts in the right direction by just focusing them even just a few minutes each day.

Once a day I sit quietly in my spot and focus with emotion and feel the positive good feelings, create that vision in my head and enjoy the moments.

My vision is my destination. . . . . . . . .

Today I'm going to remember to call upon the magic and use the amazing universal power that is available to me.

Along with all of you.

As I let the spiritual side of me begin to communicate (Skinny Vinny) he's saying simply "do something".

Do something. Anything. Just begin.

Begin to move and use your muscles. Any exercise will work to begin. Walk, swim, dance, workout at the gym.

DO SOMETHING, you can adjust and change at any time and you will. "but" you must take that first step.

You have a spiritual side too, anxious and ready to help, but you must begin.

I'm thinking about my body today, how it's transforming into having the lean shape I've imagined.

(Still a long way to go)

I can look in the mirror and see the shapes of the muscles in my arms.
They are not bulky what so ever just starting to look thinner and sexy.

Every part of my body that I had imagined has come into being.

I like what I'm seeing.
(Still much more work to do)

I even pulled out another pant size this week. Ohhhh, it feels good!

Once I could see in my mind, what I wanted to see in the mirror then it was easy to begin to take those simple necessary steps to success.

Exercise plans that I could actually do and follow somehow presented themselves to me.

With my clear vision in place I learned to eat a little more slowly and really enjoy my meals. Good healthy food is now "my friend".

~Thank you Jenny~

The pounds continue to drop off and the outlines of my muscles become more defined each day.

Remember we have 86,400 seconds in a day. Make them worth wild.
I weighed in at 231.2 pounds today!

I am so close to being in the 20s I can just about taste it!!
(As long as they're no calories) lol lol

~Much more to come, V. ~

Will "Journaling" help you Lose Weight?

I say yes;

Monitoring or keeping track of your dietary intake is an important part of establishing healthier eating habits.

Putting it down on your menu pushes your awareness to a level that you did not have before. (It’s working for me)

I have seen first hand people who keep food records are the most successful with weight loss.

Documenting dietary intake causes individuals to think twice about selecting healthy foods and snacks that are correctly sized.

They also are able to identify individuals, situations, and times of the day that they are more likely to overeat.

Keeping track with my M&M band makes me stop and reflect on the (hungry, angry, lonely, tired, stressed, bored, and viewed or smelled it) triggers, instead of mindlessly eating.  (And there have been alot of these triggers this weeK)

Remember:
You are accountable for your intake.
You are accountable for your weight.

Keeping track of your food diary on your armband helps you tie these together.      
                    
When tracking with your armband.

Make honest and accurate entries.
Keep your entries specific.
Record timely entries by carrying your laptop OR smart phone with you, whenever possible.

Keeping your journal.. Is always a good thing when you start..

You should begin making entries in your daily dashboard the moment you wake up and eat.

The following descriptions will help you know what information to record in each column of your journal.
When using Jenny Craig food, type Jenny Craig (then type the food)         

I honestly believe I would not be hanging in here as long as I have been without my metabolic max armband from Jenny Craig along with my JCC!!

Who could have ever imagined one small easy to use device could potentially unlock doors that I have never seen/felt before when it comes to my individual journey.

(WOW) it's here and called the M&M program at Jenny Craig!

I have been successfully on “Jenny Craig for 12 consecutive weeks”!!

My armband does not give me an opportunity to lie or cheat myself,

That’s what I'm talking about when I say accountability.

Thanks again to all the amazing people out there that have been supporting me.

 I could not have done it without you, you encourage me, you help me build believe each and every day, every new chapter of my journey has been a true learning experience this time around and I contribute that to the people who are surrounding me.

Thank you!!

~Much more to come~ V

So often I find myself taking care of others, so much so, I forget about myself

"I daily become more sensible that my work must be affected by constant and regular exercises rather than by sudden and violent ones."

Had a great week!

Another loss, feeling really good! Hit 234!! Yeah!!

I preach every day with true believe... if you take care of yourself, you can take care of others so much better!

I'm not quite sure why this seems to be so difficult for me to grasp..!

I find myself teaching and stretching other people all day...!

 However, it's been a little difficult to stretch and teach myself, that I need to take care of me!

What I can share with you is this, after a very long day today I was exhausted completely wiped out.

I was ready to give in and just hit “recharge”, when I realized, I needed to update my armband.

So I did~

Not sure what happened but as soon as I seen how close I was to achieving my total amount of steps needed to reach my target; it was like something went off in my head.

The funny thing is; I allowed it to happen! (My mindset is changing)       

So I got up, put my walking gear on and took my walk.

I realized I felt more relaxed, less stressed and got a burst of energy!

Look at that, as I type this, I realize I've learned another lesson.

In the past the old me would've crawled in the bed shut down re-energize woke up and got ready to help as many more as I could possibly the very next day.   

I learned this from living my life -
it motivates me to come out from the comfort zone as comfort kills! “But” it's short lived!

I listen to the new me “Skinny Vinny” he’s clear, precise and he knew exactly what he was saying.

I have big dreams, high standards and a passion to be successful!

Imagine the possibilities that lie ahead for all of us!

 I truly believe I am one of luckiest men alive.

~Remember~
 
Think big, dream big, believe....!

Believe it and it can happen!

So let's jump on this roller coaster together.
Find your seat belt, buckle up and strap in tight.

I have a vision and believe these next few weeks are going to become even bigger and better for all of us!

Once again, thank you for your support. Here to another great week and thanks for taking this ride with me!!

Much more to come ~V~

"Burger joint" aroma!

Okay, can you imagine!

I have been home all day with my family just relaxing enjoying my Saturday watching TV and lounging in my PJs.

"Making great choices on what I put in my mouth"

My kids had an event at church, I elected to stay home did a little blogging and got some well needed work done.

Just as I finished, I heard my family enter the front door.

All of a sudden, I had this aroma go through my home.

I honestly thought I was imagining it.

As soon as I hit the bottom stair, I look across my dining room entry and I see my entire family surrounding the kitchen table with bags from a
"burger joint"~No joke!~

I turned around immediately and headed back up the stairs, about half way up I turned back down and headed directly to the table
again.

The thought came across my mind ~maybe I'll just try one french fry~

The rational side of me.
I call him "Skinny Vinny" started speaking very quickly in my head.

So I listened, went back upstairs put my walking gear on and headed out for a 2 mile walk.

Texted my walking partner and I shared with her what was going on!

She immediately reinforced the need for me to walk away from the situation and she joined me for my nightly walk...

Thank you!

I also text my "buddy" and he made a very simple statement...

 "Don't hate, congratulate!!
 (They can eat it and not gain wait!)

I quickly realized it's not their fault and there is no need to hold my entire family hostage.

I could have easily joined them and gave in, "but" not this time.

 Once again, I find myself more motivated than I have ever been before.

 I need to listen to
"Skinny Vinny" more often!

~Much more to come~ V

I find "Positive affirmations" help develop a stronger mindset.

I'm a little light on blogging this week! 

(Though, I've certainly wanted to, "but" never could seem to find the time for it!).

So when this quote came to me via e-mail, I just had to share:

 "Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning how to dance in the rain."

 I hope the content I pass along encourages you and inspires ideas and thoughts of success.

 It is my aspiration to have uplifting, encouraging, and words

Of wisdom (I hear) in my blogging, real thoughts, and stories of my life to keep your weight loss journey a positive one, as I share mine with you.

 (I promise, to keep it real for you)

Just as we feed our body, let us feed our minds with positive thoughts, stories and sayings.

 Sounds strange to some, I'm sure.
 Trust in me, this works! J

 I have come to learn, how you view your world will determine your success and happiness; I hope I can contribute a wee bit of inspiration for you!

 My quote for today!

 “Be happy with what you are getting, but don't be satisfied. The road to success never stops."

Here is an inspirational Quote, for the start of a new week.

 "My friends, optimism is better than despair"

 It's so easy to look at the "pile" on Monday morning and jump in rather frantically, only to crash and burn around 2 PM on Tuesday afternoon and make a wrong choice and need to spend the rest of the week recovering...the slackness of which will create another frantic situation the following Monday, of course!

 So often, when we are in the middle of chaos and commotion at work, we realize that with a little planning, we could have avoided all this stress and any wrong choice we may have made.

 How about we do things differently this week?  - Oh yes, I am speaking to you as well as myself here!

 How about this week we categorize our workload as: Work hard, "But" ~take care of us week~

 I have set a goal to go to the gym three times and take a walk the other two nights this week. I will also pack my snacks in advance this week...

~Plan for my week ahead of time~

 I can do it, you can to!

 P.S. — down 20+ lbs and counting!  Yay, me!

 ~ Much more to come~ V

Does preparing and planning actually work?

I would absolutely say, yes it sure does!

This weekend I headed up to Palm Springs to celebrate my youngest child's birthday!

I knew all the temptations would be staring at me the moment we arrived.

Come to find out, the Temptations were there the entire ride up.

Honestly, how many billboards can they put up to promote food?

(I’m just saying) J

The great thing is I packed my snacks along with microwaving my dinner before we headed out.

I will not say, I have come to master how to enjoy and have fun with the family without it being all about food.

 However, I can definitely say this weekend was a success.

It's about “progress not perfection”

It’s amazing how even the closest people that surround you become

“Diet Saboteurs” without realizing they are doing it.

I had to be strong and not let others persuade me. I wasn’t able to find the courage to say stop “but” I was able to listen to my inner voice!

(I won’t tell you what he was saying!J)

It sounds crazy, but I prepared and planed for each event in my head before it even happened.

We took my son to a pizza parlor with the family and friends. I brought my Jenny with me and asked the cook to warm it up and he did, believe it or not you just have to ask and you will receive.

Normally I would feel embarrassed and just give in.

This time; I was not going to allow myself to go down that path.

We had an amazing day at the poolside enjoyed the family and great conversation with friends, I allowed myself to incorporate a skinny margarita without feeling bad.

Just knowing that I planned this event along with what I was putting in my mouth felt good.

For once, I didn't feel like I was doing something bad.

It's amazing what will happen when you “prepare and plan” for real life events.

I'm feeling good about my progress this week.

~ Much more to come ~ V

What will be different this time?

I'm beginning to see “Skinny Vinny”..!

I have taken this ride many times before.
However for some strange reason, I'm in it to win it more than I have ever been before.
Eight weeks in, and I hit my 20 pound loss. “Sweet”
This is a mile stone for me and I’m just getting started.

The big difference this time around is I am truly enjoying the opportunity to share my experience with others.

For so long and so many years I have tried to hide the fact that I needed to change my behaviors.

I guess you can say it was denial.

I Help change lives, it’s time I change mine.

Starting on this journey eight weeks ago I never thought in 1 million years I would ever be enjoying it as much as I have been.

Too often I have come to this cross road in my Journey of weight loss.

Time and time again I loose focus, get frustrated and feel like I'm in this world all alone and that's when I go back to the bad behaviors.

Having my buddy “Tony” has allowed me the outlet to share, learn, laugh and at times just vent. Thank you Sir!  (But I’ll still beat you)

Sharing my goals and talking about them has allowed me to see my own reality.
I like the new me!! I refuse to allow myself to experience defeat this time around.

I have finally come to realize I have control of how this next chapter will be written.

~Much more to come~ V