A common trait among individuals who make and keep healthy lifestyle changes is that they have a strong network of friends, family, places, and programs that they can rely on to keep them motivated and inspired to help them in their participation and continued success. Many people think that if they fall of the wagon, if they don’t achieve success fast and easy, or if they become bored and monotonous, they should just quit. Healthy people who have developed life long weight control and good health have developed HABITS. They all have excellent support systems to help them along the way.

Creative solutions for support and motivation are everywhere. Pick something that inspires you to join, get going, and want to continue with. 

Here are a few ideas for you to explore that might help provide you the support you need to get going and be a success.

1. If you want a little healthy competition, join a league in your town. Explore racquet ball, basketball, volleyball, tennis, bowling, kickball, or softball.   
2.  www.meetupcom. You can find all kinds of free groups to join that include mountain biking, biking, hiking, volley ball and any kind of healthy fitness minded groups you can imagine. Or, you can start your own group.  
3. www.facebook.com.  Type in words like organic, fitness, health, cooking.  You can get all kinds of motivational health tips on how to get on track and stay on track for free.
4. Gyms provide group fitness, personal training and classes.
5. Motivational events, seminars, and lectures can provide you with a starting place.

By Carolyn Phillips

Carolyn Phillips has a 20 year history as a certified personal trainer with the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and Certified Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant, teaching lifestyle management, nutrition, weight training, cardiovascular, fitness testing, and behavior modification.  Carolyn is featured on WFSB Channel 3’s, Better CT and on radio 96.5 TIC FM with Damon Scott as the fitness expert every Wednesday.

Carolyn Phillips is founder and CEO of Fit Behavior (http://www.fitbehavior.com) and. Carolyn’s Menu of Life (http://www.Caroylnsmenuoflife.com) The facility has a 13 -year history and has been awarded winner of the best place to workout and best Pilate’s studio by the Hartford Magazine and voted best by The Hartford Advocate for its nutrition and cardio program. Carolyn won the prestigious 40 Under Forty award from the Hartford Business Journal for outstanding leadership in the greater Hartford area.

Carolyn has over 25 years of combined comprehensive sports and education experience.

• ·         2000-2010 ACE Certified Personal Trainer
• ·         2010 ACE Certified Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant
• ·         2007-2010 Featured on Better CT Channel 3 as a Fitness Expert
• ·         2009-2010 96.5 TIC FM's Damon Scott radio show as the weekly Fitness Expert
• ·         2007-2010 The Mary Jones Radio Show, WDRC-AM 1360 - guest Fitness Expert
• ·         2008-2010 West Hartford Community Television - Fitness Expert and Group Instructor on air
• ·         1990-2010 Guest Speaker on ESPN, WHCN, WCCC, WDRC
• ·         2002-2010  President - Board of Directors at Chrysalis Center Inc.
• ·         2009 BS in Organizational Leadership, Quinnipiac University
• ·         2007-2008 Published writer for Natural Nutmeg Magazine
• ·         2007-2008 Nutmeg Community Television - Fitness Expert and Group Instructor on air
• ·         2000 40 Under 40 Award from the Hartford Business Journal
• ·         2004 Licensed Professional Mountain Biker
• ·         1998-2004 CT State and Regional Mountain Bike Champion
• ·         1990-1997 CT State Bodybuilding Champion and National Competitor
• ·         1974-1980 VT State Gymnastic Champion and Junior Olympics Competitor
• ·         3 years coursework in Health Sciences

·         Currently studying for Master's Degree in Nutrition

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