The Venus Factor

 

 

LADIES: Experience a Customized Nutrition and Exercise Program Developed Specifically for You...

What is the Venus Factor?

The Venus Factor is a nutrition and exercise program designed specifically for women in order to safely and effectively lose weight, and maintain a feminine body shape. The Venus Factor program is designed to work with your body shape and size to produce custom guidelines that fit with your lifestyle and current fitness level. This includes custom nutrition software that gives you daily and weekly guidelines for food choices, calories, and macronutrients. The program also provides sample meal plans, and guidelines on customizing it to fit into your lifestyle. Along with the custom nutrition program and software the Venus Factor also includes a comprehensive full body workout program that provides both cardiovascular and muscle toning and strengthening benefits. Finally the Venus Factor also includes a custom mobile app that and private customer community where you can share your experiences and learn from other members and also track your progress and access the entire program from your mobile device wherever you are. The Venus Factor program, information, guidelines, and support community is designed to be at your fingertips whether you’re at home, in the gym, or on the road.

How it Works

 

Step 1 – Custom nutrition program and guidelines

The Venus Factor Nutrition Program is a combination of an instructional manual and custom nutrition software deigned to give nutrition guidelines and recommendations based on your height, age, weight , body shape and current fitness and activity level. This includes daily food choice recommendations, sample meal plans, daily and weekly calorie goals, as well as guidelines on macronutrients like protein carbohydrates and fats. A unique feature of the Venus Factor program is that your nutrition recommendations will change as your body changes throughout the program. The custom nutrition guideline software is designed for you to refer to it once per week to get your new nutrition guidelines and provide your body what it needs as you progress each week.

 

Step 2 – Structured Workout Program

The Venus Factor also includes a whole body workout program that is designed to work with the custom nutrition guidelines and your current fitness level. The workout is designed with multiple whole body workouts per week that will provide both a cardiovascular and muscle toning benefit. A full exercise video database with over 140 instructional videos is included for you to follow along with and learn the correct form and muscles targeted with each exercise. The exercise program is also designed to progress hand and hand with the nutrition program as you progress from week to week.

 

Step 3 – Community Support and Mobile Access

The Venus Factor also includes a custom mobile app that gives you access to the entire system of nutrition and exercise programs on your mobile device as well as access to a private community of Venus Factor members. The private community gives you access to other Venus Factor members where you can share your experiences and learn from other members. This private and secure community is a great source of motivation and support that many women find critical to their success on a nutrition and exercise program.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION- CLICK HERE  -

  

What if the workouts are too hard for me?

If you find the workouts too challenging there are lessons and information within the program to make modifications and substitutions to the workout program to match it to your current fitness level.

 

What if it doesn’t work for me?

If you’re not happy with the product for any reason whatsoever send us an email within 60 days of your purchase and you’ll be issued a 100% refund no questions asked.

FOR MORE INFORMATION- CLICK HERE  -

The Venus Factor

 

 

LADIES: Experience a Customized Nutrition and Exercise Program Developed Specifically for You...

What is the Venus Factor?

The Venus Factor is a nutrition and exercise program designed specifically for women in order to safely and effectively lose weight, and maintain a feminine body shape. The Venus Factor program is designed to work with your body shape and size to produce custom guidelines that fit with your lifestyle and current fitness level. This includes custom nutrition software that gives you daily and weekly guidelines for food choices, calories, and macronutrients. The program also provides sample meal plans, and guidelines on customizing it to fit into your lifestyle. Along with the custom nutrition program and software the Venus Factor also includes a comprehensive full body workout program that provides both cardiovascular and muscle toning and strengthening benefits. Finally the Venus Factor also includes a custom mobile app that and private customer community where you can share your experiences and learn from other members and also track your progress and access the entire program from your mobile device wherever you are. The Venus Factor program, information, guidelines, and support community is designed to be at your fingertips whether you’re at home, in the gym, or on the road.

How it Works

 

Step 1 – Custom nutrition program and guidelines

The Venus Factor Nutrition Program is a combination of an instructional manual and custom nutrition software deigned to give nutrition guidelines and recommendations based on your height, age, weight , body shape and current fitness and activity level. This includes daily food choice recommendations, sample meal plans, daily and weekly calorie goals, as well as guidelines on macronutrients like protein carbohydrates and fats. A unique feature of the Venus Factor program is that your nutrition recommendations will change as your body changes throughout the program. The custom nutrition guideline software is designed for you to refer to it once per week to get your new nutrition guidelines and provide your body what it needs as you progress each week.

 

Step 2 – Structured Workout Program

The Venus Factor also includes a whole body workout program that is designed to work with the custom nutrition guidelines and your current fitness level. The workout is designed with multiple whole body workouts per week that will provide both a cardiovascular and muscle toning benefit. A full exercise video database with over 140 instructional videos is included for you to follow along with and learn the correct form and muscles targeted with each exercise. The exercise program is also designed to progress hand and hand with the nutrition program as you progress from week to week.

 

Step 3 – Community Support and Mobile Access

The Venus Factor also includes a custom mobile app that gives you access to the entire system of nutrition and exercise programs on your mobile device as well as access to a private community of Venus Factor members. The private community gives you access to other Venus Factor members where you can share your experiences and learn from other members. This private and secure community is a great source of motivation and support that many women find critical to their success on a nutrition and exercise program.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION- CLICK HERE  -

  

What if the workouts are too hard for me?

If you find the workouts too challenging there are lessons and information within the program to make modifications and substitutions to the workout program to match it to your current fitness level.

 

What if it doesn’t work for me?

If you’re not happy with the product for any reason whatsoever send us an email within 60 days of your purchase and you’ll be issued a 100% refund no questions asked.

FOR MORE INFORMATION- CLICK HERE  -

The Venus Factor

 

 

LADIES: Experience a Customized Nutrition and Exercise Program Developed Specifically for You...

What is the Venus Factor?

The Venus Factor is a nutrition and exercise program designed specifically for women in order to safely and effectively lose weight, and maintain a feminine body shape. The Venus Factor program is designed to work with your body shape and size to produce custom guidelines that fit with your lifestyle and current fitness level. This includes custom nutrition software that gives you daily and weekly guidelines for food choices, calories, and macronutrients. The program also provides sample meal plans, and guidelines on customizing it to fit into your lifestyle. Along with the custom nutrition program and software the Venus Factor also includes a comprehensive full body workout program that provides both cardiovascular and muscle toning and strengthening benefits. Finally the Venus Factor also includes a custom mobile app that and private customer community where you can share your experiences and learn from other members and also track your progress and access the entire program from your mobile device wherever you are. The Venus Factor program, information, guidelines, and support community is designed to be at your fingertips whether you’re at home, in the gym, or on the road.

How it Works

 

Step 1 – Custom nutrition program and guidelines

The Venus Factor Nutrition Program is a combination of an instructional manual and custom nutrition software deigned to give nutrition guidelines and recommendations based on your height, age, weight , body shape and current fitness and activity level. This includes daily food choice recommendations, sample meal plans, daily and weekly calorie goals, as well as guidelines on macronutrients like protein carbohydrates and fats. A unique feature of the Venus Factor program is that your nutrition recommendations will change as your body changes throughout the program. The custom nutrition guideline software is designed for you to refer to it once per week to get your new nutrition guidelines and provide your body what it needs as you progress each week.

 

Step 2 – Structured Workout Program

The Venus Factor also includes a whole body workout program that is designed to work with the custom nutrition guidelines and your current fitness level. The workout is designed with multiple whole body workouts per week that will provide both a cardiovascular and muscle toning benefit. A full exercise video database with over 140 instructional videos is included for you to follow along with and learn the correct form and muscles targeted with each exercise. The exercise program is also designed to progress hand and hand with the nutrition program as you progress from week to week.

 

Step 3 – Community Support and Mobile Access

The Venus Factor also includes a custom mobile app that gives you access to the entire system of nutrition and exercise programs on your mobile device as well as access to a private community of Venus Factor members. The private community gives you access to other Venus Factor members where you can share your experiences and learn from other members. This private and secure community is a great source of motivation and support that many women find critical to their success on a nutrition and exercise program.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION- CLICK HERE  -

  

What if the workouts are too hard for me?

If you find the workouts too challenging there are lessons and information within the program to make modifications and substitutions to the workout program to match it to your current fitness level.

 

What if it doesn’t work for me?

If you’re not happy with the product for any reason whatsoever send us an email within 60 days of your purchase and you’ll be issued a 100% refund no questions asked.

FOR MORE INFORMATION- CLICK HERE  -

Small Steps - Big Weight Loss

Many people think you need to take great strides to achieve weight loss success. They believe that the great weight loss stories are all men and women who have made a big change in your diet or start working every day of the week. Obviously, these major changes in lifestyle can work for some people, but for most of us do not.

To instantly change your lifestyle and then try to follow a new routine is not easy. If you really want to change your body, the best weight loss plan is to make small regular steps to achieve the results you want.

Small steps to a healthy diet.

Do not try to completely change your diet in a day. In fact, people who deal with plans fast and quick weight loss rarely achieve any success achieved lasting weight loss because they can not maintain the sudden change. Try changing what you eat one food at a time, one week at a time.

For example, to start your new diet plan to lose weight this week, try to eat a salad with two meals each day. No need to count calories and do not need to eat less. All you need to do is eat a salad.

Then next week, your goal is to stop eating fried foods. Again, if this is your goal should be your only goal for the week. Do not try to do too much too much of the implementation of changes to both. By changing your diet gradually, it gives your brain time to adapt to their new habits. It also gives your body time to adapt to the changing levels of calories and nutrition.

Small steps to exercise.

In the same way as you slowly and gradually changing what you eat, your exercise routine should also be taken slowly. If you try to start an exercise routine that is very hard core, there is a good chance that your subconscious will start to make excuses for not exercising.

Start with only exercise one or two days a week, instead of trying to do something every day. In the beginning, it is logical to take things a little slower. When you do your exercise routine, you need to feel like you've pushed yourself, but not your whole body suffers a day later. After regular exercise becomes part of your weight loss plan, you can start making your most intense workouts.

Want to learn more ways to lose weight and get fit? Are you confused about healthy eating? Want to know the best training techniques to get the results you want?

Send a message and you will get the latest health & wellness advice delivered straight to your inbox.

Thanksgiving on a Diet

Every year, the same holidays come and go. We have our traditional foods for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. Some years I have struggled because I was on some kind of a special diet and couldn't ("shouldn't") eat some of those traditional things. I still *wanted* them, but some years I made do with substitutes.

When I was counting calories, I used low fat cream of mushroom soup in the green beans, made gravy without any fat drippings, ate only white meat, and didn't put butter in the stuffing. When I was low carbing, stuffing was completely off limits as were the sweet potatoes, pies, and dinner rolls. On Medifast, there were none of the traditional sides... but I could have turkey and plain green beans and mashed cauliflower. Going gluten-free means the stuffing, pies, and rolls would need substitutions, and on AIP there would be nothing in my traditional menu that I could eat except turkey, plain steamed green beans, and baked plain sweet potatoes. 

As I was planning for Thanksgiving dinner this week, with the kids coming home and expecting their favorite dishes, I contemplated just what to do with my menu. Some of it is easy: roasted turkey is always great for everyone, and I can make the gravy gluten-free and low fat easily. I can mash potatoes and bake dinner rolls and pies for the kids and not eat any. But what about the rest? Green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, Snicker salad... all can be made healthier as I discovered my first year blogging. My big decision was whether to try and make those things gluten-free and/or AIP compliant. I still have not returned to the AIP elimination phase and I have not been all that careful about gluten this week either. 

I decided to just make them healthier and enjoy smaller portions. It's not so much because I want those foods *so badly*. My favorite Thanksgiving food is stuffing. Everything else I can take or leave. I just don't care enough about those foods to do all the extra work to make them AIP/gluten free, when I am 1) the only here who cares and 2) the only one doing all the cooking and associated work. I am going to make this as easy and non-labor-intensive for myself as possible and enjoy the time with my family, along with some turkey, gravy, green beans, and stuffing. If I feel like having other things I'll have them in moderation. It's one day. I am not going to stress over it trying to be perfect when I am not perfect any other day anyway. I want the focus to be not on the food, but on family and gratitude. That is what will bring me joy... not the food.

I hope all of you will take time on Thanksgiving Day to reflect on what you are thankful for, enjoy the positive things and beloved people in your life. I am thankful for my family and my home, for my friends and for all of the wonderful people I have met blogging. You make the world a better place by your kindness! I thank you and truly believe you will be blessed for the way you have lifted me up in my times of difficulty, with your words, your thoughts, your prayers. I am so happy to be associated with so many people with good kind hearts and I hope I can somehow return the kindness to you, and I pray blessings on your families! Happy Thanksgiving!

The Joy Of Eating

Going beyond pleasure

When my wife and I decided to have a vegetarian wedding, the reactions to this decision were quite interesting. As an answer to our announcement, we experienced the full range of human emotions - everything from complete disapproval all the way to joyful congratulations about what a great idea this would be. By now, I think I can understand every position, including complete disapproval.

Especially in a country like Germany where the consumption of meat is a deeply engrained habit, it is understandable that not everyone would agree with such a decision. Maybe some guests felt as if someone (me) was restricting their freedom of choice.

Until a year ago, I was still consuming meat myself. Now that I changed this aspect of my life, I don't consider myself to be a better person neither did I stop respecting people who eat meat. The important aspect about my decision to stop eating the flesh of other sentient beings is that it did not arise from the belief in a certain kind of ideology or religion. Rather, it was a result of turning my attention inwards, having a closer look at what's happening in my own mind. Holding still for a while led to a simple but deep reflection on the suffering which is created through the way we eat.

What surprises me, is that the majority of discussions I have with others about diet, are led from the viewpoint of "What's best for me?" I don't think there's anything particularly wrong with asking this question, as taking good care of our health is important. But can we really reduce health to physical health? What about our mental and emotional health? Can it really be best for us, if through the way we eat, we directly support an industry which greatly contributes to the suffering and inequality (not only for animals) in our global society? If we are convinced that meat is good for us, did we honestly come to this conclusion or did we simply not really think about the consequences of our actions?

How comes we are kind and loving to some animals, like our pets - and on the other hand we support unimaginable cruelty to others? At present, we live in a society which considers it to be normal to kill another living being who experiences fear and pain just as much as we do. However, it is possible that our grandchildren will compare the slaughtering of animals in modern factory farming to the holocaust in the Third Reich. If you find this comparison exaggerated, consider looking at the issue from the victim's perspective. In the dairy industry, it is a common practice to take away the baby calves from their mothers right after birth. They are seen as a kind of waste product and are only needed so the mother cow keeps producing milk. The animal rights activist Gary Yourofsky describes the crying of a mother cow during this procedure, as one of the worst screams he has ever witnessed.

As long as there are slaughter houses, there will always be battlefields.
- Leo Tolstoy

Part of our vegetarian wedding was the idea of donating some of the money we received to raise awareness for animal suffering. A few weeks after our celebration, we went to the animal sanctuary Tierhof am Hardtbach and handed over the results of our fundraising. Thank you again to everyone who supported our idea! A feeling of being connected came up as I saw Karin (the owner of the sanctuary) and her helpers wholeheartedly taking care of the rescued animals. These animals are probably treated by humans with respect and compassion for the first time in their lives. Luisa is the name of the pig on the image of this article and she made a lasting impression on me. As we approached her, the fear in her eyes was quite obvious to see. I ask Karin whether she's always that fearful and her answer is delivered with a rather dry undertone: "Only with humans."

Now, whenever the desire for the taste of meat comes up, it dies off with the awareness of the suffering which is created through the production and consumption of meat. Of course, this takes practice and changing a diet is no small thing, neither does it happen overnight - but step by step there will be lasting change if we keep making a conscious effort. If we really want to make a change, there are great resources available about how to eat healthy without relying on the exploitation of animals (and humans). A few sources of information, which I find helpful are the ProVegan Foundation by Dr. med. Henrich, the simple but delicious vegan recipes by Attila Hildmann or the information provided by the already mentioned Gary Yourofsky. I'm sure, there's much more out there.

Although I sometimes have to use these words due to a lack of alternative, labels like "vegetarian" or "vegan" don't mean much to me. I don't like thinking in these categories as they often lead to fruitless discussions. To me, eating consciously simply means freedom - the freedom of not being driven by the desire for a taste adventure, but rather by the intention to contribute to the well-being of other living beings. It's not about "getting it right" immediately, but rather about walking in the right direction. It's a process and I fail at times - but I don't stop making an effort. Having a wholesome intention can be a powerful source of inspiration. Eating more consciously contributes both to my physical as well as my emotional health. Going beyond pleasure, we can feel joy when we eat in such a way that compassion is nourished in our hearts.

May we keep our compassion alive by eating in such a way that reduces the suffering of living beings, stops contributing to climate change, and heals and preserves our precious planet.
- Thich Nhat Hanh, Contemplations Before Eating

Through curiosity and investigation into the nature of our direct experience as a human being, we can find a deeper meaning of freedom. Real freedom doesn't need a complex philosophy to be discovered and it is directly accessible to anyone who honestly aspires to reveal it. The key to this kind of understanding is our awareness. The decision for a conscious life is a decision for a free life.

http://www.freedom-and-awareness.com

Optimise Your Body Type

Our "body type" not only describes the way we look, it also tells us about hormonal traits, the system in our bodies that constricts blood vessels, raises blood pressure and accelerates heart rate as well as lets us know how each of us react to the food we eat.

Features of our body structure are linked to differences in our metabolism. Once you identify your body type, you can then fine-tune what you eat to maximize your physique and your ideal health objectives. Where your body stores fat is directly related to what you put on your plate. A diet that is comprised of particular foods earmarked for your body type will help you maintain an ideal weight and optimal health.

There are three basic body types: ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph. People are usually a mixture of these body type characteristics. It is rare that someone is a perfect match to only one of the three body type categories and years of exercise and a healthy diet can outwardly alter one's appearance.

Most people will find that their body type falls within one of these three categories.

Ectomorph

This is your typical "skinny guy." They have a slim build, small ankles and wrists with lean muscle tone. Ectomorph's usually have small, narrow shoulders with sinewy muscles on long thin arms and legs.

Long distance runners, basketball players and fashion models tend to have this body type. Now you might think that this sounds great but ectomorphs can have body concerns too. They can lack curves, look lanky, can spend hours working out on a regular basis, and might not see any change, which is exasperating.

Typical traits of an ectomorph:

• Long
• Skinny
• Small "delicate" frame and bone structure
• Flat chest
• Small narrow shoulders
• Thin
• Lean muscle mass
• Finds it hard to gain weight
• Fast metabolism

It is very difficult for Ectomorphs to build a muscular physique or gain any weight. With their fast metabolism, calories are burned up quickly and easily. They require a huge number of calories to gain weight and their diet should include dietary supplements. When exercising at the gym they should concentrate on the big muscle groups, such as thighs and "glutes" in a short yet intense routine.
Ectomorphs should eat before bed to prevent muscle catabolism during the night.

Recommendations

Diet

• Don't skip meals & eat often - every hour and a half - at least six meals a day
• Eat up to 2g of protein daily per kg of body weight

Your diet should be comprised of:

40% Protein
40% Carbohydrates
20% Fat

Legumes
Whole grain breads
Avocado

Protein shakes
Pasta
Olive Oil

Nuts
Brown rice
Coconut Oil

Salmon   

Potatoes
 
Nuts

Dried Fruits

Exercise

Focus on strength training large muscle groups. Things like dead lifts, squats, leg press and bench press work multiple groups. Increase your weights and lower the repetitions. Decrease cardio. Have a protein shake before or after your work out.

Mesomorph

A mesomorph has a large bone structure, large muscles broad shoulders, bold look and a naturally athletic physique. Mesomorphs are the best body type for bodybuilding. They find it quite easy to gain and lose weight. They are naturally strong which makes it easier for them to build muscle. They are naturally fit, however if there is any slacking with diet or workouts then they will gain weight.

Their large appetite can lead to large portions sizes and overeating.

Typical traits on a Mesomorph:

• Athletic
• Muscular
• Fit
• Generally hard body
• Well defined muscles
• Rectangular shaped body
• Strong
• Gains muscle easily
• Gains fat more easily than ectomorphs

Football players and fitness models tend to have this body type. Even though mesomorphs seem to have the ideal body type and respond best to weight training, those with this body type there are traits they have to control. They can gain muscle very easily and can lose or gain fat quickly, too. Their weight tends to fluctuate if they aren't careful. They can bulk up too much with working out, look stalky, gain fat if are not paying attention to their ideal diet and can look thick because of their underlying muscle.Since mesomorphs can gain fat more easily than ectomorphs, they have to watch their calorie intake. A balance of weight training and cardio is optimal for mesomorphs.

Recommendations

Diet

• Watch portion sizes
• Eat balanced meals
• Stop eating when 75% full to avoid overeating

Your diet should be comprised of:

40% Complex Carbohydrates
30 - 40% Lean Protein
20 - 30% Fat

Dried Fruits
Fish
Avocado

Oatmeal
Chicken
Olive Oil

Potatoes

Flax Oil

Yams

Nuts

Exercise

Focus on distance cardio, jogging, speed walking or use the elliptical at a moderate intensity to avoid bulking up. Avoid cardio activities that work the large muscle groups (sprinting and spin classes). Practice pilates or yoga.

Endomorph

The endomorph is a solid and yet soft body type. Endomorphs find it very easy to gain fat. They generally have thick arms and legs on a shorter build. Because they have strong muscles, especially in the upper legs, Endomorphs are strong in leg exercises such as the squat.

Typical traits of an Endomorph:

• Pear shaped
• Soft and round body
• Muscles not well defined
• Gains muscle and fat very easily
• Has hard time losing fat
• Round physique
• Slow metabolism
• "Stocky" build
• Generally short

This body type puts on fat easily and has difficulty losing it. Because of the natural layers of fat on this body type, their musculature is not well defined. This pear shaped body type tends to store their fat in the lower body, buttocks, hips and thighs. Women with this body have curvy, voluptuous shapes.When it comes to working out endomorphs gain weight easily and unluckily much of this weight tends to be fat not muscle. A combination of cardio and weight training will help to minimise fat gain. If a high protein diet is maintained, they can usually avoid the need for supplements.

Recommendations
 
Diet

• Watch portion sizes
• Avoid starch (breads, pasta, white rice) and sugar (desserts)
• Stop eating when 75% full to avoid overeating

Your diet should be comprised of:

40% Complex Carbohydrates
40% Lean Protein
20% Fat

Fruits
Fish
Avocado

Vegetables
Chicken Breasts
Olive Oil

Grains, Beans, Pulses
Low Fat Yogurt
Flax Oil

Oatmeal

Nuts

Brown Rice

Sweet Potatoes

Exercise

You need to get moving! High intensity circuit training and heavy weight training is required in order to boost metabolism and burn calories and fat. Hit the treadmill or elliptical bike for an intense workout instead of walking, pilates or yoga.

Work out the upper body with weights. This will help to balance the lower body's pear shape and realise a striking hourglass figure when combined with the right diet.

Which body type are you?

No matter which body type or combination of body types you are, if you follow the kind of exercises that best enhance your physique and eat the foods specific for your body type you will discover your optimal healthy you.

-By Kathryn Broome

"If you look good, you feel good."

Everyone has heard this quote at least one time in their life, and no matter how simple or irrelevant that it may seem, I've found that it is absolutely true.

Three of my grandparents died of cancer and my father and grandmother have had cancer scares and both currently have diabetes and blood pressure issues, so it's clear that bad health issues runs in my family. Because of having to deal with watching this happen to my family members ever since a young age, I've made it a goal of mine to live as healthy of a lifestyle as I can.

When I was younger (before my dad was diagnosed with diabetes), my parents weren't too worried about us eating healthy or exercising, so I was used to having soda or candy around the house at all times. Once my dad was diagnosed with diabetes and had to greatly reduce his sugar intake, I decided that I would do the same.

I was used to being able to drink soda or eat food with a lot of sugar in it whenever I pleased, so stopping was extremely difficult at first. I started out small, (I'd go a day without it, then a week without it and so on) but eventually it became a lot easier. I've cut soda and candy completely out of my diet, (although I still have a sweet tea addiction and can't say no to chocolate) and recently I've been working on cutting out fast food and most processed food.

After cutting these out of my diet, I started seeing incredible results in my health and in the way that I looked. I decided to start running to lose more weight, which I greatly enjoyed and still enjoy, but my love for fitness really started once I signed up for a weightlifting class during my senior year of high school.

"No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable." - Socrates

Since my senior year of high school, about four years ago, I haven't gone more than two days in a row without running or going to the gym, and when you combine that with eating healthy I'm becoming more and more confident with how I look and how I feel. "If you look good, you feel good."

My purpose for writing this article isn't to brag about my accomplishments. My purpose for writing this article is to try and urge everyone else to change the things in their life that they don't like about themselves. It would've been very easy for me to accept the fact that bad health was in my genetics, but I chose to change that about myself.

Even if getting healthy isn't important to you, this lesson can be applied to everything in life. If you want something, then go after it. When people say you can't do it, that's when you do everything you can to show them otherwise. As Kobe Bryant and Ray Lewis have said throughout their careers: "Use it as fuel to the fire."

You don't have to hit the game-winning shot during your first game, just start by hitting a free throw.

You don't have to change anything about yourself that you don't like right now, but why not start today?

- Deion Sanders