When choosing a Certified Fitness Trainer, it's important to share similar points of view. Jaye has some clear ideas about philosophy.

Have Fun!

"I named my company Fun Fitness for a good reason".

"Remember when you were in elementary school. You couldn't wait for PE, or for that recess bell to ring so that you could get outside and have fun! What's stopping you now? Stop being so grown up! Get out from behind that desk, put the paper work and the phone down and have fun again! Fitness and exercise don't have to be a drag (unless that's what you tell yourself). Find the things you enjoy and get to it! I spend time finding out the activities each client enjoys. Then, we incorporate those things into an individualized exercise program. And, even though Boot Camp can be challenging, we laugh and focus on the positive, like class camaraderie, being outdoors, and having the simple blessings of mobility", says Jaye.

What Do You Believe?

Ponder that a moment. What comes to mind? How right you are!

"Achieving your personal health and fitness goals is as much about the mind as the body. If that seems metaphysical, it is. It's called the mind-body connection, and it's powerful. If we create our own reality, what does our belief system say about our life experiences, to include our success (or failure) with goals? I say, "What you believe, you receive". That's nothing more than Universal Law. So BELIEVE and achieve.

Believe in yourself! Believe that you can accomplish your goals.

During each Individual Success Strategy Workshop, Jaye works privately with clients to identify individual obstacles and stumbling blocks. This is quiet, reflective work, and it is an important step in the process of goal achievement. These steps build the strong foundation needed to support success. This work is ongoing, and it begins before ever touching a dumbbell.

So, think good thoughts, and start believing today!

Attitude Is Everything!

Jaye has witnessed this over and over again.

"Who do you think gets stronger faster? Gets leaner faster? Fits back into their favorite jeans faster? Is it the person who walks through my door with a smile and a joke or the person who frowns and mumbles expletives about their day? Is it the person who thinks training is sometimes tough, yet manages to find enjoyment in each session or the person who just wants to get it over with?".

Question your attitude about fitness and exercise. A simple shift in perspective could mean serious change in your outcome!

Put Your Body First!

Yes, I know. The job, the bills, the kids, the housework! Breathe! Let those things take the back burner a few times a week. There's something completely empowering about putting your body first and finding the time to exercise. It's liberating, and it shows you care enough about yourself to make it a priority. Once exercise becomes part of your lifestyle, you'll wonder how you ever did without it. Plus, it's good for you. Exercise will help release the stress from the job, the bills, the kids and housework.

A whole new world opens up when you exercise. On your walks, you'll see pretty flowers, houses, trees, pets and neighbors. Lifting weights, you'll see toned muscles, slimmer thighs, and just how great you look in those jeans again!

So, like the Nike slogan says, "Just Do It!"

Knowledge Is Power

Oprah Winfrey credits Maya Angelou for this saying: "When you know better, you do better." I like that.

Knowledge provides many advantages, especially when you aspire to reach or maintain personal health and fitness goals. For one, you become smarter. How great is that? You also gain confidence, and that confidence boost will help you make smart choices each day, as well as, navigate easily and assuredly through the overabundance of, and sometimes confusing, information on health and fitness.

When you take the time to educate yourself, the knowledge you gain is in the forefront of your new, enlightened consciousness. That "new" energy is empowering. Once those empowerment seeds sprout, all sorts of great things start to happen, like a cosmic chain of events. You'll gain inspiration. Next, motivation and determination. Then focus, just like a laser beam. Before you know it, you'll have pep in your step and a new song in your heart. Suddenly, you're that buff person in the Nike commercial, smiling and waving as you jog through the neighborhood, just livin' the fitness lifestyle.

So, the next time you're at the bookstore, grab a fitness magazine or a book on basic weight training exercises and nutrition. Enroll in a free or low-cost cooking class. Just find fun ways to learn and stay inspired. Then, get a massage and let someone rub all of those muscles you've been learning about!

Just so you know, being in this enlightened state of consciousness is contagious. Be sure you pass it on!

Have Patience!

Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is a stronger, more fit you! You wouldn't throw seeds out a window and expect to see flowers the next day. No, you till the land, clear the weeds, fertilize the soil, water and monitor sunlight and shade. Achieving your goals, much like this process, involves a combination of things, such as training, cardio, stretching, healthy eating, plenty of rest, ongoing education and a winning attitude. Have patience in this process and your goals will be achieved soon enough.

The 80/20 Rule.

You can have it all, maybe just in smaller portions.

"I eat chocolate, ice cream, cheese, key lime pie and Fellini's pizza, just in moderation, and I keep my serving size small. I've also sought out healthy versions of the foods I enjoy. For example, I like Whole Foods 365 Day Sandwich Cookies (no trans fat) in place of Oreos. I love Ben and Jerry's Frozen Yogurt (Cherry Garcia and Chocolate Fudge Brownie! Low in fat) instead of Haagen Das. This way, I don't have that tug of war game going on in my mind. Sure. It takes discipline, but you get better at that with practice. It's what you do 80% of the time that matters most", says Jaye.

Build a Support Team.

It's always nice to have someone in your corner, cheering you on and championing your cause. Studies show that people who have support in their efforts toward better health and fitness reach their goals faster than those who have no support at all. That's why it's wise to build a Support Team.

Simply ask two people who you feel are up to the task. Team Members should be supportive, obviously, and enthusiastic. They should be able to contact you on a regular basis, perhaps once a week. It is best to assign Team Members a specific area of focus, such as a challenge you would like their support with. Your best friend might support you by asking if you are doing your cardio. Aunt Betty might talk to you about healthy eating.

Whatever your specific challenges may be, having support can help keep you motivated, focused, and on track.

Do The Math.

In many ways, achieving your personal health and fitness goals is all about the math.

You wouldn't try to pump twenty gallons of gas into your fifteen gallon gas tank. If you did, you would have an overflow. The same goes for food. If you consume 2,200 calories, and your body needs only 1,700, you, too, will have an overflow, right into those fat cells.

Not knowing your numbers puts you at a disadvantage and contributes nothing to your future success.

• The number of calories your body needs each day.
• The number of calories you consume each day, as well as fat, protein and carb grams.
• Your body fat percentage, including lean and fat mass.
• Weight
• Girth measurements
• Resting heart rate
• Heart rate during exercise
• Body Mass Index

"These numbers are easy to determine", says Jaye. "During a Base Line Body Analysis (BBA), which is done in my initial meeting with a client, I conduct a series of simple tests to gain an accurate picture of health and fitness levels. It's a learning experience for me, as well as the client, and the process takes about an hour."

From a medical perspective, it's very important to know other numbers, such as your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. Be sure to discuss these numbers with your doctor during a regularly scheduled physical.

Knowing your numbers plays an important role in excellent health and fitness success.

Make A Plan.

You're going on a trip, let's say, to the beach. How about Florida? The surf, the sand, the seafood.......... To prepare, you'll make a plan, right? You'll get out the map, chart your course, calculate the mileage and drive time, and you'll probably even hire someone to feed the cats, check the mail, and water the plants.

It's sad to say that not enough of us put that much attention into a plan to care for our bodies!

If you want to succeed at your specific health and fitness goals, developing a plan is paramount.

"Each client training with me participates in an Individual Success Strategy Workshop. There are many factors involved in building a strong foundation and achieving success. It's important to address each factor carefully. During this session, we tackle everything from program design, weekly exercise schedule and obstacle elimination, to nutritional education, healthy eating, and "myth busting". Plans are important, and knowing what to do and carving out the time to do it can be challenging. That's why I developed this program. I want my clients to succeed, so anything I can do to support them in this process is worth the time and effort," says Jaye.

Whatever your specific goals and challenges, taking the time to develop a sound plan will be well worth the time and effort.

Give Yourself Credit.

Old habits are hard to break, so when you make even the simplest change in your lifestyle, take credit.

Just say for example that you're not a breakfast person. Your idea of morning protein is Coffeemate in your cup of java. If you put in the effort and start eating breakfast on most days, that's HUGE!

Changing lifelong habits, making progress and achieving your goals takes time and is sure to require great energy and effort. When the going gets tough, remind yourself that within each challenge lies an opportunity to overcome your biggest obstacles and make your dreams come true. These small changes add up to big rewards. Acknowledging these mini-accomplishments builds self confidence and is an important part of the process.

We Americans are overachievers. We suffer from dis-ease, meaning, lack of ease. In our hurried, plugged-in, hi tech, overscheduled personal quest for success, we are so busy focusing on the next thing to accomplish that we overlook our accomplishments!

Keeping an acomplishment journal is a good way to note your progress. If you go for a bike ride instead of couching it, sing praises! If you change poor eating habits for good ones, terrific! If you muster up the strength to add two more pushups to your workout, be encouraged! If you lose three pounds (of body fat), "You Go!" Every now and then, look back to see just how far you've come.

Treating yourself to a "reward" is also a great way to celebrate achievements. Take a relaxing bath. Get dressed up and enjoy a nice dinner at your favorite new restaurant with friends. Go dancing.

However you like to celebrate, always be sure to toast to your success!