Wow, Sandy, thank you for your testimonial. I am so proud of you — losing 22 pounds is awesome! So happy to hear about your weight loss and that you’re eating healthy. I am equally excited to hear that you found exercises you like to do. I am also relieved to hear I was not the only one eating poorly, not planning, resisting exercise, and packing on the pounds. I know there are some of you out there like Sandy and me — too busy, too tired, and ignoring your health.

This is a perfect introduction for this week’s post. Today we’re going to talk about the  F-word. Yup, you guessed it ... FITNESS! I know the other F-word is how many of you feel about the subject of fitness.

Just hear me out, it may change your mind.

In my opinion there are three parts to being healthy:

#1 Sleep — check out the post from two weeks ago

#2 Eating Right — that was last week’s post

#3 Exercise  — which is today’s subject

Thank you Sabrina for leaving a comment on our articles. You are brave to post what many nail techs are thinking. She said, "I would like to (and I need to) but haven’t got the time. How did you manage to do that? I mean, find the time." Great question Sabrina. I have the answer for you: If you are LOOKING for the time, you’re never going to find it. However, if you MAKE the time, you will always have it.

Let me explain: We’re all busy, we all have things to do, and we can all find excuses to not take care of ourselves. We have many things in our lives that consume our time. Kids, pets, significant others, hobbies, friends, work, etc. Believe me, I made all the excuses in the book. I was convinced that I never had the time and couldn’t possibly manage to workout.

Our career is mostly is sedentary. We sit at our station for hours and don’t get up much. Our longest walks of the day are get a coffee, fetch a client or go to the back room. Being inactive at work and at home started to affect me. I had had enough. I had hit that number on the scale that put me over the edge. You guys know what I am talking about — we all have that magic number in our head. I had hit it and I had to make a change. I had to change my lifestyle.

I made a commitment to take better care of myself March 1, 2011. That’s the day I joined my boot camp class. I have been in this class for 16 months. I go three days a week at 5:45 a.m. and I love it! I dropped 25 pounds, and gained core strength and muscle definition. I am not and never will be a size 2, but I am comfortable with myself and my success. I am not willing to give up the occasional happy hour or pizza. But I have found exercise relieves stress and I sleep so much better at night. I could not FIND the time like Sabrina, so I MADE the time! 5:45 a.m. is early, but it doesn’t interfere with anything else in my life. My body is used to getting up early now and it craves boot camp.

I have met so many people in my community because of my exercise too. I found a group of people that enjoys the same activities I do. I have begun to tell fellow members when I will not be at class due to travels or teaching. I have found that my Facebook page blows up with "Where were you? We missed you this morning!" These people help me to reach my fitness goals and help me to stay accountable.

I also found potential clients who haven’t experienced my services. I attached Redken samples to the Team Colors  certificates and pass them out regularly after class. I got a whole bunch of new clients! Many of the boot campers have become regular clients. They send me referrals and bring their friends. It has been nice to get to know them outside of class.

Check back next week for the part two of the F-word!

Exercising your mind and body — one more way to help you stand out above the rest and become the BEST!

— Jill