Step It Up with Me October 13-26

It's time to Step It Up and get moving! Yes, it's fall in the northern hemisphere. Why not take advantage of the cooler (yet still sunny!) weather (at least here in NYC) to get in more steps outside.

Join our Start Within - Coach Colette team in the Fitbit Step It Up USA Challenge.

Commit to move more: See how many steps you can get in 2 weeks! 

Track your progress: Check your dashboard to see how your activity (walking, running) adds up!

Visit the website to connect your Fitbit; search for and join our Start Within - Coach Colette team. 

Post pictures of yourself as you get moving. Connect with me on Instagram and use the hashtag #StartWithin. Are you up for the Challenge?!! :-)

How to Be Fabulously Fit & Healthy [Radio Interview]

Tune in to hear my recent interview by Renee Wiggins, Registered Dietitian and founder of Results by Renee. Her radio show is called Being Fabulously Fit in God's Kingdom.

We had a very insightful conversation about nutrition, fitness, stress management, and mindfulness. Let me know after you listen what you think about the show. And, share your best tips for how you maintain balance and a healthy lifestyle.

Check Out Spirituality Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with Being FabulouslyXinXGodsXKingdom on BlogTalkRadio

My StrataRx Ignite Presentation: Fitbit - You Had Me at Smooches

As promised, here is the video from my September 2013 Ignite talk at the Strata Rx conference about my quantified self mission to track my Couch-to-5K runs with Fitbit. I'm proud to have accomplished this communication 'challenge' given that the Ignite format is pretty prescriptive.

Take a peek and let me know what you think! Share your comments here on the blog or you can tweet me on Twitter. Always excited to hear your health, fitness, and wellness success stories too! **Smooches**

I Traveled 8 Hours to Give a 5-Minute Talk About My Fitbit

Data Makes a Difference was the tagline for the Strata Rx 2013 conference on using "Big Data" to drive innovation in Healthcare.  In my opinion, so does community ... and, of course, so do we as empowered patients ... make a difference, that is. This was an underlying theme for my #Ignite talk last week -- Fitbit: You Had Me at Smooches!

This is me speaking below. You can hardly tell that I had just traveled 8 hours to get to Boston ... from New York! I was so fortunate that the Amtrak train delay/power failure en route didn't cause me to miss my 5-minute appearance.



For those not already familiar with #Ignite talks, the format is you have only 20 slides and 5 minutes to tell your story. Even more fun for presenters is that your slides are automatically advanced every 15 seconds!

I've previously shared my journey to becoming an "urban datasexual" who has become part of the Quantified Self community by tracking my steps (and often my sleep) using my Fitbit. In fact, my June blog article was the basis for my #Ignite talk -- given the first time in Denver at the Healthcare Unbound conference (July), and last week at Strata Rx.

What's changed since July is that I'm now in Week 8 of my Couch-to-5K training, sustaining runs of at least 25 minutes long. As a result, my distance/steps have increased to an average of about 7,000 steps per run. My personal best day is 14,123 steps and 6.65 miles in one day in August. I've noticed that my motivation to run is also changing.

I'm still motivated by the personal challenge of running; yet, I'm also inspired by the "likes" I get on my Facebook page whenever I post my latest accomplishment. That's why I believe that community makes a difference in health care and our overall well-being. I heard that sentiment echoed in many of the Strata Rx presentations -- that our social connections impact our decisions and health behaviors. Observing our friends and family making positive health choices can lead us to do the same. And, of course, the opposite is true -- we're, perhaps, even more strongly influenced when we observe others making unhealthy choices.

I'll share the link to a video of my talk as soon as it's available. In the meantime, I'm curious about what makes a difference for your health? Do you have a "health posse"? What health behaviors are you looking to increase (or decrease)?

Fitbit: You Had Me at Smooches

We KNOW we're more creative, productive, and fulfilled when we're NOT stressed out, exhausted, overwhelmed, or overweight. We KNOW it's easier to focus on our goals and dreams when we're not concerned about our health.

Yet, somehow, "life" gets in the way!

Then, this tiny device clipped to my pants looks up at me (OK I know, it doesn't really have eyes) and "says" SMOOCHES COLETTE on the screen! And, somehow, I think ... "If it loves me THAT much, maybe I CAN go for that run later today."

True story! That's the feeling I had on the first day of wearing my Fitbit One -- and I did go for my run. Not to mention the elation I felt later that same day when I received my first "Top Badges" for making 5,000+ steps in a day and climbing 10 floors. I was hooked!

And, yes, I've been training for the past month and a half using Couch to 5K podcasts. I go running in Brooklyn Bridge Park ... although in Week 4, it's been a combination of power walking with an increasingly longer run.

As a certified life and wellness coach, I know that a solid support system is essential for achieving and maintaining good health, optimum wellness, and a stellar lifestyle. I help people like you explore the connection between your choices, thoughts, and behaviors and your physical and emotional health.

Over the years, I've seen that for each client, the level of readiness to take new action and the motivation to make healthier choices is different. Now, I'm really eager to explore how mobile apps, gaming, and social media can increase our levels of readiness and motivation.

I hope you'll follow me on my journey using my Fitbit and other apps to uncover new revelations about my own mind-body health and motivation, so I can find new ways to support you in your health and overall well-being. So, this curious mind wants to know ...

What fitness devices are you wearing? To what wellness communities do you belong? What has been the impact on your health and well-being?

Tweet me or share your thoughts in the comments section below. Look forward to hearing from you! Now, I've got to get moving so I can get more love from my Fitbit!

NEW Video: Still Time to Get Beach Ready Now!

Here's an excerpt of my recent appearance on Coach World TV to discuss the benefits of our Beach Ready Intro Coaching Package. Watch as I share with show host Deborah Avery tips on how to "release your should's" so you can enjoy guilt-free summer eating!



There's still time to get beach ready now -- our coaching team can help you stick to a healthy eating plan (even at BBQ's), a consistent fitness plan (even in small living spaces), and reduce summer allergies in a healthy, holistic way! Share your comments about the video or questions about the coaching program here, or tweet me: @Coach_Colette.

Get Beach Ready & Support Wellness In The Schools - May 24

Did you know that:

• Nearly 75% of NYC adults report no regular physical activity and 9 out of 10 don't eat the recommended daily servings of fruit and vegetables?
• More than 20% of students in NYC public schools would be considered obese?
• At least 40% of all cancer is diet related?

The GOOD news is that YOU have the power to change your habits and develop a healthy lifestyle!

Are you ready for summer? It's right around the corner! If you're in the New York City area, come check in with our wellness experts on Tuesday, May 24 from 6-9 pm to make sure you're on your way to a fantastic, glowing, healthy YOU this summer!

You can Spring into Summer Wellness, and participate in our RAFFLE to support our charity partner, Wellness in the Schools (WITS).

 Wellness In The Schools inspires healthy eating, environmental awareness, and fitness as a way of life for kids in New York City's public schools. Through public/private partnerships with school leaders, teachers, chefs, coaches, and parents, WITS creates hands-on programs such as:

• Cook for Kids -- healthy meals prepared from scratch plus education for kids and parents about the benefits of eating whole, unprocessed foods
• Green for Kids -- introduces bio-based, effective cleaning products that are not harmful to kids or the environment
• Coach for Kids --  trained coaches work with kids in the recess yards of NYC public schools to encourage fun, physical activity and help combat bullying

So, for only $10, you'll have the chance at winning one of our great prizes (including a Spring into Summer Wellness Package) AND support the healthy development of New York City public school students!!

SPRING INTO SUMMER WELLNESS! | CONNECT-EMPOWER-SHINE ON MAY 24TH!

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NEW Podcast on Healthy Holiday Eating

Now that the year-end holiday season is underway, many of us may be concerned about keeping our fitness goals on track despite the many tempting treats we will encounter at company and association holiday parties, family dinners, gatherings with friends ... etc. You know what I'm talking about! :)

Well, last week, I recorded a podcast with Amy Rivera, a weight loss coach with Keystone Life Coaching. She is also a founding partner of BeWellLiving.com, an online resource for health and wellness. In this conversation, we talked about healthy holiday eating habits and tips to NOT offend your friends or family if their eating habits don’t coincide with yours.

Believe it or not, macaroni and cheese is one of my weaknesses. There is also a strong emotional-familial connection to that dish because it reminds me of my grandma. And, my choice to not eat meat (except fish) sometimes makes it hard to avoid overdoing it on carbs (mac/cheese, candied yams, stuffing, and/or rice). So, I will aim to practice a few of Amy's tips -- exercising before I go to Christmas dinner (pilates has become a near-habit) and eating slowly.

Listen to the podcast and let me know how you will eating healthy during the holidays!

Fitness Tips and Talkcast Recording Online

Hey there, I've just uploaded the recording from our Women's Health & Fitness Day Talkcast to our Competent Advantage TM podcast channel on Gcast. (Click on the Gcast icon on the right toolbar of this site)

The show was great -- when you listen, be sure to stay tuned (we didn't end after Rebecca's HYTR updates) because we got some great questions and audience interaction -- for example, have you ever tried "hot" yoga?

Some tips we discussed included:

1. Find a fitness activity you ENJOY -- you'll be much more likely to stay committed
2. Include walking into your daily routine -- to get your lunch, as part of your commute (to/from parking lot or public transportation), or with a local walking group
3. Use common household or office items/furniture for quick exercise breaks
4. Don't overdo it -- build up to longer cycles and/or faster pace routines
5. Discuss any changes or additions to your fitness routine with a qualified professional

In case you're interested in my fitness goals, I watched my pilates video this morning; and, I've signed up for a complimentary pilates mat class for tomorrow. I'm considering how I might do pilates in the morning and yoga at night ... not sure, but I'm making an effort. Thanks for helping to keep me on track! :)

Commit to Your Fitness Goals TODAY at 2 PM EDT

There are less than two hours until our LIVE TALKCAST on Women's Health & Fitness at 2:00 PM EDT. So, I thought I'd share my fitness goals with you (only fair, right?).

1. Review both of the Pilates and Yoga videos I have at home to see which movements I prefer (within the next week)
2. Take advantage of the FREE 1-Hour personal training session I got at my last college alumni event (call to schedule within the next two weeks)
3. Commit to engaging in one or more of the above physical activities (within the next 30 days)

Wow, putting it down here on the blog really seals the commitment. Not only because this is a public space (i.e., you can check in to keep me honest); but, because it's the actual process of writing them down. To be honest, the videos have been on the shelf for a while. One even made it on top of the entertainment center (I thought maybe if it was within my eyesight ...). I pulled out the yoga mat and put it in my living room last week. Neither of those actions worked. You see? Like I've said before; even the coach needs some accountability!

So, tell me YOUR fitness goals -- post them here, or join the talkcast and either share in the chat room or call us:

Dial: (724) 444-7444, Enter: 30294 # (Talkcast ID), Enter: 1 # or your PIN

Rebecca and I can't wait to hear from you! :)

Tell Me Your Fitness Goals: Sept. 26 at 2 PM EDT

Hi everyone, sorry it's been a bit "silent" here on the blog. But, I've been planning some exciting fall wellness events. I'm not sure if it's the back-to-school rush or the desire to keep our summer glow, but fall is a great time to renew your commitment to your health. And, there are tons of health observances over the next few months to keep you motivated!

Wednesday, September 26 is National Women's Health & Fitness Day (NWHFD). Join thousands of other women who will be exploring new fitness options in recognition of NWHFD.

Want to learn some enjoyable ways to work physical activity into your daily routine? InStep Consulting and Heal Yourself Talk Radio are hosting a LIVE talk show at 2:00 PM EDT: Make Fitness YOUR Healthy Habit!

Join the Talkcast from your computer and listen as I talk with Rebecca White about how your eating and exercise patterns can affect your stress level and well-being. We'll be taking LIVE CALLS so you can share your success stories!
Dial: (724) 444-7444
Enter: 30294 # (Talkcast ID)
Enter: 1 # or your PIN

Even small increases in physical activity can lead to better health. Take this opportunity to begin or renew your commitment to fitness and an active lifestyle! BTW, we'll be doing jumping jacks while on the air! (just kidding) :) Join us on September 26 at 2:00 PM EDT!