November's here already... the month of Thanksgiving... a holiday to remind us to give thanks for all that we have in our lives. With the economy and the situation of the world being what it is, it's easy to not always feel very positive. Yet it's during these times that the world needs us - all of us - to remember all that is good in life and that despite how the media may portray our world, there still is so much beauty and goodness to behold.

A great habit to practice is to start and end your day everyday with at least 5 things you feel grateful for (and yes, you have at least 5 things!). This sets your intention and energy for the day, but also anchors it into your subconscious as you go to sleep at night. Like any skill, the art of gratitude is something that needs to be practiced regularly to become an ingrained habit that can leave us feeling joyful, optimistic and hopeful no matter what's happening around us. We don't have to be a victim of the world, but instead can actually be a beacon of hope! Remember, gratitude is an attitude that not only transforms your own life, but also the lives of others! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Please view Lisa's recent blog for updates on upcoming changes with State of the Heart Fitness.

Lisa Brisse & the State of the Heart Fitness Staff

This month we are focusing on gratitude as it relates to our health and what our body does for us every day. That's why we asked friends, family and clients the following question: What do you love to do and how does taking care of your health & staying in good shape allow you to live your life to the fullest? (Think about how this applies to your life!)

"I give 100% of myself every day to my 2-year-old daughter, my husband and my business. About a year ago, I found myself completely depleted and worn out. At that point, I began devoting time to my health and wellness, which included regular workouts, education, and total down time. By taking care of myself I am able to be a better mother, wife and business person."
- Virginia Ginsburg

"I have been one of those lucky people who have been amazingly healthy all of my life, so I took my health for granted. A year ago I started getting sore knees and walking down stairs or trying to kneel on the floor was painful. Then I got an ear infection and had vertigo for 2 months. This was a wake up call that I am grateful for as it made me look - for the first time in my 58 years - at how my life would change if I wasn't healthy. It would be dreadful. My greatest joy - traveling - would be severely limited as would most things. In terms of my mind and spirit, I cultivate good relationships - with my husband, my family and friends. I take time for myself - I read, cook, garden. I learn - now I am going to take Spanish and art classes. Moving to Mexico has slowed down the pace for me and I feel good. It has given me time to walk, to eat less."
- Diane Brisse

"I love playing with my son and I have to be in good shape to keep up with him while wearing my daughter in a front carrier at the same time! The things I do to take care of my body, mind, and spirit are asking for help when I need it, quieting my mind for at least ten minutes a day and realizing that every day is a new opportunity to enjoy life."
- Rebecca Fraley

"I love traveling the world, seeing new places, meeting new people and of course, walking around the cities I'm visiting. I take care of my health by doing yoga and pilates. I feel very blessed that I can wake up in the morning and be self-sufficient, ready for the new day. Good health means not only no disease but also being happy!"
-Chiara Riviello, M.D. Florence, Italy

"Working out and staying in shape for me is like taking a car out on the freeway periodically and blowing out all the old sludge that accumulates over time. After a good workout I feel refreshed, and my mind tends to take on a sharper focus of my surroundings. Good health means everything to me having had a peek at the alternatives. Moderation is the key!"
- Peter Sego

Keeping myself in good health is critical if I want to be my best and enjoy my life to the fullest. I love entertaining and spending time with family and friends, but sometimes standing and preparing meals can be exhausting. However, when I am exercising regularly, I am energized and focused, which makes the preparation seem easier while enjoying my guests. I find that giving to others fulfills me both in mind and spirit. Good health is the greatest gift we can give ourselves and is not something we can assume we will always have. I believe in eating healthy 90% of the time, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, taking supplements, surrounding myself with positive people and doing something fun and laughing everyday!
-Dorothy Bernet

Every hour one billion cells in the body must be replaced. 50,000 of the cells in your body will die and be replaced, all while you have been reading this sentence!

The feet have approximately 250,000 sweat glands.

The human liver performs over 500 functions.

One out of 20 people have an extra rib.

Nerve impulses for muscle position travel at a speed of up to 390 feet per second.

Air is passed through the nose at a speed of 100 miles per hour when a person sneezes.

It takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile. Every two thousand frowns create one wrinkle.

The human brain has about 100,000,000,000 (100 billion) neurons. Once a human reaches the age of 35, he/she will start losing approximately 7,000 brain cells a day. These cells will never be replaced.

The human heart beats roughly 35 million times a year. During a typical human life span, the human heart will beat approximately 2.5 billion times.

Your stomach has to produce a new layer of mucus every two weeks otherwise it will digest itself.

The average human body contains enough: Sulfur to kill all fleas on an average dog, Carbon to make 900 pencils, Potassium to fire a toy cannon, Fat to make 7 bars of soap, Phosphorus to make 2,200 match heads, and enough Water to fill a ten-gallon tank.

Every human spent about half an hour as a single cell.

The bottom line? The body is amazing!
Take good care of it and it will take good care of you!

Get a jumpstart on your holiday shopping!

15% off all state of the heart fitness' products & clothing
please visit our product webpage at:
http://stateoftheheartfitness.com/tools.htm

Note: we have baseball caps & a variety of t-shirts in stock...
please call us at (310)899-4046 or email us at info@stateoftheheartfitness.com to find out more!

kudos to clients: sarah spitz

Congratulations go out to Sarah Spitz for her commitment to herself in the last 4 months, losing 20 pounds on her way to a 40 pound goal! Back in June, Sarah knew she needed to make a life- style change.

"I'm a formerly sedentary 55 year old, who opted to create a five-year plan for fitness, so that I can be a 'sexy sixty.' Seriously though, as a caregiver for two elderly parents, I watched my father die of age-related health complications-he'd given up on life following a minor stroke-while my mother-who made a commitment to getting healthier and more fit- turned 90 this year. I figured that if I started getting fit and healthy in my 50s after mom started in her 80s, I'd be light years ahead of whatever the future has in store for me."

Sarah started with our Healthy Hearts program which combines exercise along with nutritional education and guidance. She has been consistent with her exercise, regularly getting in 4 workouts a week (2 with us and 2 on her own) and has made some necessary dietary/eating changes that have given her more energy for her love of gardening, not to mention that she is able to fit into a pair of her favorite pants she hadn't worn in 5 years! Sarah says, "The key to making this change is the absolute desire to do, but also that I am investing in myself and have some wise counselors who will help me profit from a lifetime of health."
Keep it up, Sarah! One day at a time...

Note: Sarah is the Publicity Director & Producer for public radio station KCRW-Santa Monica, 89 FM, www.KCRW.com

kudos to clients: heartrunners!

A big kudos goes to those who participated in the Santa Monica 5000 10k on Sunday, October 19th! We congratulate Stephanie Prial, Danielle Greene, Steve Avdul, Ruth Kaufman, Alan Benjamin, & Jean O'Loughlin for not only running, but running with smiles on their faces the whole way! You rock! Also, a special congrats goes to State of the Heart Fitness' Gigi Sutila for placing 2nd in her age group!

Way to go, Heartrunners!

check out our website for more great pics:
http://www.stateoftheheartfitness.com/gallery.htm
& more news at our heartblog:
http://stateoftheheartfitness.com/blog.htm

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State of the Heart Fitness, P.O. Box 7013 Santa Monica, CA 90406
T: (310) 842-5657     info@stateoftheheartfitness.com      www.stateoftheheartfitness.com

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