IzzyFit Personal Training Evanston Goes to Kindergarten!

I mean, holy cow! 5! IzzyFit is old enough to go to kindergarten! To celebrate, here's what I've learned in the last 5 years training at TruFit Personal Training Studios, ABC-style:

Abs really are made in the kitchen.
Be wary of anyone who tells you there's only one right way to do anything: An exercise, a diet, a way to put on your pants...
CleanSlate28 is the most fun nutrition coaching program I know of and the Fall group kicks off this Monday (sign up here!)
Deadlift for life actions, not for bragging rights.
Ego will likely get you injured or sidelined; see above.
Fat is not what you ARE; it might be something your body has some of; it does not define you.
Growth mindset ALWAYS trumps fixed mindset!!!
Having goals is nice; knowing your priorities is nicer.
Izzy is a nickname my mom does not particularly like (but I had already LLC'd before knowing that)
Judy jumping on boxes taught me to get out of my clients' way.
Kettlebell work help you get out of your head and really teach you the power of your own strength.
Love yourself to good health; have you ever been able to take care of something by hating it?
Medicine ball slams can have a surprisingly huge therapeutic effect.
Now is just as good a time to start a new exercise or nutrition program as any; there's never going to be a "perfect" time.
Original Strength resets have given me more "mind blown" moments in the short time I've been practicing them than most movement protocols I've learned since becoming a trainer!
Practicing skills over time will help you reach your goals and stay where you want to be in the long run.
Question the validity of every "research finds" article you read online or in print or on TV.
Recovery is as essential as training; the harder you train, the harder you have to recover (sleep, soft tissue work, nutritionally-dense meals)
Salads don't have to be boring!
Tacos are amazing, too, and one of the highlights of my career has been sharing my thoughts on them on Josh Hillis' blog.
Using your strengths to get you to where you want to go can help neutralize your "weaknesses".
Vowing to "never" eat something again usually results in binging on that thing in the near future...
What if I didn't care? Still one of my favorite questions.
Xyphoid process: It's that little lump at the end of your sternum. I didn't JUST learn this in the last 5 years, mind you; "x" words are hard to come up with.
You should be your number one health advocate.
Zzzzzzz: Sleep is the best gift you can give yourself.

I am so grateful to every one of you who have trusted me with their fitness and health and well-being, to those of you who have helped me make IzzyFit what it is and to you who love and stand by me when I'm really tired and grumpy ;) Thank you from the bottom of my heart.