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Happy Thanksgiving, Dear Readers…
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Last month, I had the incredible opportunity to lead a mini exercise session at the Women’s Conference in Long Beach, CA. 3500 women followed my lead and it was incredible to see and experience! On top of that, I had a front row seat to see Tony Robbins present on the same stage. He talked a lot about the power of focus to shape our lives. We’ve all heard the saying about the glass being half empty or half full, or “Energy goes where attention flows”. So, I ask you: What are you focusing on?
I think it’s fair to say that 2010 was a difficult year for many people. The economy is depressed, people are depressed or stressed, the housing market is down, unemployment is up, and on and on so the media tells us…
Things are also pretty amazing! YOU have the ability to live healthy and fit, even if you’re on a budget and have a busy schedule. You don’t need a lot of time or fancy equipment – you can get in amazing shape in your living room, with a couple pair of dumbbells, add a pair of Valslides, and you’re golden!
With the internet, it is easier than ever to stay connected or get support. I love my Twitter and Facebook friends!! – and of course, my Red Carpet Ready girls.
You can learn to cook healthy and delicious meals with the click of a mouse. A few of my favorite websites for food are: Gavan Murphy, LiveWell360, and KathEats – Come on, try a new recipe. Don’t be afraid of making a mistake, it’s just one meal.
Whole Foods has made organic and healthy food shopping easier, but even if you don’t live near one, many of my favorite products, such as Sun Warrior protein powder, can be shipped to you door.
One of the wonderful things about Thanksgiving is that it helps us remember to stop and be thankful for all the good in our lives, in the world and each other.
I am incredibly thankful for you, my dear reader I feel connected in a way I have not before.
I am grateful for the kind comments you leave and the love and support I feel when you “like” my Facebook posts.
I am thankful that my body is still keeping up with my active lifestyle. I really do enjoy working out (most of the time), going to yoga and surfing – when the water is warm and the waves are small.
I am thankful every single day that Cody and Lexi belong to me!
I am so thankful for the Red Carpet Ready Club and the incredible women that I’ve come to know. I am humbled by your commitment to the program, to yourselves and especially to each other. Your stories have often made me laugh or cry.
I am thankful for my amazing clients and this incredible career that I am so lucky to have. It is the best feeling helping someone get fit and see their life change because of it.
I’m thankful for my family, especially my nephew Joel, who is growing into a fine young man, and my younger nephew, Ollie, who seems poised to light the world on fire! And little Julia, who is on the verge of walking and who I will get to know even better this Christmas.
I am also grateful for my little work family, Nikki who literally runs the show over here, and Ryan, who is behind all my product launches and endeavors.
Tell me, what are you most grateful for? Have any of my programs or blogs made a difference in your life? Be sure to leave your comment in the comments section below – 5 random submissions will be selected to receive either a free Valslide or one of the NEW Valslide DVD’s.
I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving and a joyous (and healthy) holiday season!!
Love,
Val
P.S. Don’t miss my black friday sale – already under way! CLICK HERE
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Facebook comments:
29 Comments
Thankful for a happy and healthy family and the chance to show them that path.
Val, what a great post. I love how, in spite of all the negativity that the idiot box feeds us your outlook and ability to always see the good in everything, for your example, I am grateful. Keep up the good work – I’m starting the AHB program again and SO excited and reading the book “Spark” that Sheila turned me onto. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year ~
Oh Valerie…excellent post! Everyday I’m grateful for my health and for the love of my dear friends and family. I’m so thankful to you and your RCR program (and my sisters in your RCR Club) that whipped me into shape 2 years ago and set me on the course for the rest of my life with healthy living and fitness. I am thankful for the free country we live in that allows us to be ourselves! Thank you for all you do!
xx MB
I’m thankful for my husband Frank, daughter Stephanie, son-in-law Christopher and my 4 awsome grandsons (Christopher 12, Marshal 10, Parker 9 and Dustin 5). Also thankful to be able to take care of my grandsons 4 days a week and finding out about the ValSlides!!
I am most thankful for my son..he is my whole world! I am thankful for my health & for my love of fitness! I am thankful for my family & my friends..especially my RCR friends…I have never had close relationships with women but this group of women rock & they are there always there to pick me up when i am down or cheer me on when I need it!
Thank you Val for bringing us all together!! Happy Thanksgiving!
xo
Mandy
I am thankful for having parents who will support in through just about anything, a younger brother whos my best friend (and worst enemy at times); who i can talk to about anything (eventhough all of them are an 18 hour plane ride away), friends who will listen and lend me a shoulder whenver i need them, haven gotten to know my aunts doggie (and I’ll always miss you), being privileged enough to be able to go to university and being alive (unlike my two high school classmates who passed away this year); being able to wake up every morning to breath in fresh air here in hicksville and to see the beautiful skies (which were practically non-existent back home in hong kong)… and most importantly, I am thankful to know that no matter what what happens, no matter how hard it gets, things will always get better.
Val, thank you so much for including me. I’m thankful for your thanks!!! (as well as the usual health, family, friends, etc)
You’ve been so amazing the past couple of years… I’m a completely different, smarter, healthier, more flexible, blonder, tanner, better-dressed individual. All thanks to you welcoming me to your city and even your home for a little while.
Thanks so much!!! Looking forward to much, much more. Hope you had an awesome day!!! (or at least kinda awesome) xox
Australia doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving. I really wish we did. Being a single gal, i have yet to be blessed with a husband & family, so i am so grateful for my gorgeous nephews – Noah, Oliver and Ryan – and my beautiful niece Bridie who is also just starting to walk. I am never lonely with my 4-under-4!!! I am also grateful for my gorgeous little fur-kid, Bridget. She is the light of my life. I am ultra, ultra grateful for discovering Ms Valerie Waters one day while web-surfing and being inspired to change my lifestyle! Thank you Val. Just having a roof over your head, food to eat, and clothing to wear is enough to be thankful for, as we know how hard some people are having it at the moment, and many around the world simply have nothing – not even freedom. I am soooo blessed – My cup runneth over!
I am Thankful for this life that I live and for God who allows me to live each and every day and for the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. I am thankful for my beautiful family who keep me sane and real and for my wonderful husband who is a tremendous blessing sent from above. I am thankful for my friends who bless me continually. I am very thankful for the privilege to live in this wonderful country called Australia and to be an Australian.
Great post Val! I am truly thankful for the healthy body I am in right now and for each significant improvement I make towards strengthening it. Thank you to Val and my RCR girls for giving me the support and knowledge towards creating a better body and living life the RCR way~because there is no other option. You have armed me with a life time of skills. Lastly, I am thankful for my friends and family……we have endured much togther. Without their unwaivering love I would not be where I am today.
Thank you for a great blog Val.
I am Thankful for my family, our health, and the ability to live in a free and beautiful country.
I am thankful for our troops who give us that freedom daily : )
I am thankful for my family, friends, and faith and health. I’m thankful for the Internet so that I can connect with such great awesome people like Valerie and other health/fitness pros to give us motivation! I’m thankful for Valslides, TRX, and kettlebells!! I am also thankful that God gave me my Mom, even though I only had her 36 years, I’m thankful that He gave her to me for that time – she was such a blessing!
Thank you Val!!!!
I’m active duty military, and being in the service for so long has definitely affected the things I am grateful for. I have served 16 years so far, and going strong. We have watched many good friends give their life in service to our beloved nation. I am grateful for every day that I am home to spend with my family, or that I am able to go home to visit. I am grateful for every deployment that I and my husband have served through, and that we have returned from. I am grateful my family has supported my career choice of serving in the military, and the blessings this career has given me and my family. We have health, health care, support and a loving home to come home to. We are an active family, and Val’s program is helping me continue to improve my fitness, keeping me fit for duty and an excellent example of a healthy life style for my son and my niece and nephews. I love our life, and I count these blessings every day. Happy Thanksgiving!
<3 this post! I'm thankful for YOU, Valerie, and for being with you for a little over 2 years now – can you believe it!? Of course, I'm thankful for all my family and friends and everyone who brings happiness to my life. I'm thankful for Cody & Lexi too, and getting to spend my days at work with them, while they patrol the house and make sure the squirrels don't get too close. I'm thankful for my health and the ability to be active. Happy Thanksgiving EVERYONE!!!
xo – N
Great post Val…perfect reminder on a day like today. Helps to keep things (good and bad) in perspective. The gift of your health is priceless! Thank you for allowing me to be part of your world and getting involved with all these wonderful people. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you today!
Linda
Hey Val. Thanks for the warm blog. I’m thankful for my husband and my dog. I’m thankful to have a great job that brought me out to LA. I’m thankful that I have amazing friends, and I’m especially thankful this year for you and the RCR girls who provide endless love and support. Thanks for making that possible. Happy Thanksgiving!
Honestly as corny as it sounds I’m Thankful for people like you that help keep me motivated in my goals
as well as my kids and husband! So Thank You, You really help make the difference in my life!!!!!
I am grateful for my faith, my family and my friends. After several years of struggling with infertility, I am thankful to have my daughter in my life. I am grateful for answered prayers. I am thankful for my health. I am grateful for the support of my loved ones. During these difficult economic times, I am thankful for my job, food on the table and a roof over my head.
What a beautiful blog Valerie!
I am thankful for my eyes, for they see the sun rise and fill my home with light and the sunset as it fills the sky with colors of hope. I am thankful for my hands, for without them I would not be able to teach or create the art that inspires the young children whom I teach each day. I am thankful for my sense of smell, it awakens my spirit and calms me when I take in a scent that makes me smile. I am thankful for my arms for they allow me to hug and embrace the people whom I know and love. I am thankful to be able to hear, for without my hearing I could not appreciate the sounds of the birds who chirp outside my window, or the pitter patter of the rain as it luls me to sleep on a rainy night. I am thankful for the strength of my body, for it helps me lift weights, run miles, and walk to places near and far. I am thankful for each healthy beat my heart makes, and happy to be learning how to take good care of it. I am thankful for my family and friends, for they have taught me how to love, be loyal, and to appreciate each and every. I am thankful for the people who have shared random acts of kindness towards me… the man who gave me 50 cents when I was short buying coffee, and the lady at the grocery store who let me go ahead of her on the line. I am thankful for being aware of myself and others and to have the ability to appreciate all things big and small. I am thankful for the people whom I have never met, but have touched my life in one way or another. I am thankful for my husband, for he loves me, and teaches me things about myself I never know. Wishing you a Wonderful Thanksgiving Valerie, for I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to speak with you and be inspired by your positive energy, bright spirit, and perserverence! Enjoy!
Happy Thanksgiving Val! I am so thankful for my family and friends! Although this has been a tough year, I have been blessed in so many ways!!! You and my RCR family are amazing!!! Thank you!!! Wishing you a wonderful Holiday Season!!!!
Hi Val, I live in Canada and we already had our Thanksgiving, however everyday I am thankful for a chance at another day, thankful for my amazing family and friends who are constantly supportive, thankful for my health, thankful for the love I have in my life, and thankful for my two beautiful pups!! Hope you all enjoy your Thanksgiving!!!
T.
At age 47 I had hip replacement surgery this July. I am so thankful for several nurses and my physical therapist in the hospital. They took amazing care and support. My partner Ted has been amazing, working a new job and taking care of me – another full-time job! I am thankful for my recovery this Fall. My physical therapist Tyson and assistant Pete got me to fall in love with crossfit training and kettlebells. I introduced them to Valslides, and it even kicked their butts! I love how my Valslides have helped my core and flexiblilty. I still cannot put on my shoes and socks as I do not have range of motion, but that is my goal for the coming year.
I am hopeful for recovery and remission for a friend with pancreatic cancer, who was in the hospital the same time as I was. Also hoepful for good recovery for a friend who at 49 had five heart bipass surgeries last week. Bringing him turkey today! Gobble – gobble!
I am thank ful for the people in my life. I lived in an abusive marriage for 15 years and I have learned what damaging relationships can do to people and as a result i have learned how vital it is to have relationships in your life that feed and nourish the soul. I am grateful for positive and uplifting people in my life. I am thankful for my friends and family who are affirming, loving and giving people in my life. I am thank ful for the support of those people, just being who they are. I am thank ful for you Val. Although I have not been in the club long, or posted much…. Your desire and drive to help people take care of themselves and life the as an event; has given me hope and begun to help my mind learn to think in a new way. To make taking care of myself a priority. Lastly, im thankful for my God, for he is the rock behind who i am…
I’m so very thankful for my family and all my wonderful friends. I have been so blessed with two beautiful granddaughters who are the joy of my life and am so thankful to have my health so that I can be around to watch them grow. I am also thankful for the RCR program…it really helps keep this lady’s energy up!!
Aww Valerie – love this blog – definitely gave me a warm fuzzy – and I love seeing picture of your babies and your crew who I also love….. So – I am thankful for my husband Mark, my daughter Chrystal and my beautiful granddaughter Charlee who lights me up inside every time I see her. I am thankful that I have a job, a roof over my head, and food on my table everyday…. I am thankful for you and the joy and friendship I have found in you RCR club with my extended RCR family. I am thankful for this warm heartfelt post which reminded me to think about what I am thankful for today…. Big hug to you Val – Have a wonderful day!! xoxo
I am thankful everyday for my wonderful friends and family. I am greatful for my strong legs that helped me finish 2 12km fun runs this year. My little sister who is due to bring my first nephew into the world your beautiful. For Vals Bikini body program and wonderful updates you have changed my life. My empowering friend who is fighting advanced breast cancer you have shown me what hope is. I am greatful everyday to learn new things and be a fit female!!! xoxo
I am thankful for this amazing technology that enables a Pilates/Fitness/Ballet instructor in Australia to be in touch with the inspiring Hot Trainer Val on the other side of the globe with a click of a mouse!
Regards
Louise x
I’m grateful for loving family, meaningful employment and good health. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
I am greatful that everyday is a new opportunity for me to teach my son (7) and daughter (4) how to build healthy habits and live positive lives. Every morning without fail they see me getting up and working out with my val slides, sometimes my daughter even joins in doing little lunges next to me. Having the flexability to do the val slide workouts at home means it doesn’t just benefit me, but its teaching my kids the importance of daily exercise as well.
Thanks Val!
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