4. “I don’t want to give up my favorite foods.” –

I think a lot about food. More than what’s considered normal, I’m sure. Rumor has it that some lucky souls eat when they’re hungry and stop when they’re full. Simple right? So what about the rest of us, who lack the fundamental instinct of full/hungry, stop/go, want/need? I got high as a kite on a dark chocolate protein bar today…twice. This experience reinforced the point for me, that food provides a feeling beyond satisfying just the hunger in my belly. It’s this particular desire that drives many people to overeat. Portion control can be learned and will become second nature after retraining your body and mind. It happened to me. True story.

Junk food is tasty, but it isn’t the fuel your body needs. It will actually make you feel worse. That being said, treats are still on my menu once a week for my free day reward. If I enjoy them in moderation, I’m ok. More often than not though, I overindulge and pay the price by feeling ill. I’ve been better at not overdoing it lately. The first 3 bites of something taste the best, so just getting a sample of a treat should be good enough. You really don’t have to eat the whole thing. ;)

I like healthy food now. It’s what my body craves and what keeps me feeling good. There are so many low-fat substitutions and great recipes to make your usual favorite meals health conscious, without sacrificing taste. I make a mean whole wheat, low-fat lasagna for example, and my family likes it just as much as the evil version. Shhh, don’t tell them it’s healthy. That will be our little secret.

There are remedies to all of the above excuses.so let’s talk about some ways to get past them.

1. “I don’t have the time.” –

Out of the 24 hours in a day, how many do you think you waste watching TV, playing around on the computer, hitting the snooze button in the morning,or generally wasting time? We all do it to some degree, but carving out 30-60 minutes from your day isn’t as hard as it seems. Look at how you spend your day, and somewhere in there activities can be switched around to squeeze in some exercise.

2. “I don’t have the energy” –

This can be a tough one to overcome. On the days I’m just not in my groove, I tell myself to get those workout clothes on and see how 10 minutes goes. I have yet to stop when the 10 minutes is up, but I give myself that out just in case. I always feel better mentally and physically once I get started and especially when I’m finished!  Regular exercise is proven to actually give you more energy. If you can slog through getting started, you will be greatly rewarded!

3. “I don’t like to exercise.” –

One thing everyone starting out should be aware of…It won’t feel like hell forever! It really does get less painful and uncomfortable as the weight comes off. Pushing yourself past the point when you feel the need to stop will lead you to the runner’s high people always talk about (that I didn’t quite believe existed ;) ). Forget diamonds, endorphins are a girl’s best friend. I never thought I’d enjoy working out, but life’s full of surprises. :) Running is cheaper than therapy…I need that bumper sticker.

SongCircle Music, formerly The New York Songwriters’ Circle, is currently accepting submissions for its fifth annual Songwriting Contest. The “independent music development and A&R community” organization established the competition to discovery aspiring artists whose musical promise warrants a bigger stage. So far, the SongCircle Music contest has helped launch the careers of previous grand-prize winners Kate Voegele (Interscope), Company of Thieves (Wind-Up/Sony), Mieka Pauley, and Reed Waddle.

$25,000 in cash and prizes is up for grabs:

The grand prize winner will be offered a recording, publishing and full-label services joint-venture agreement with SongCircle Music distributed by EMI; $10,000; a Gibson “Songwriter Deluxe” guitar; a slot in one of SongCircle Music’s industry showcases; a performance on New York City’s Q104.3 “Out of the Box” show with DJ Jonathan Clarke; and a 10-hour recording session with Grammy-winning producer Glenn Barrett.

Capturing second place will result in a prize package that includes $3,000; a Martin LX guitar; and a slot in one of SongCircle Music’s industry showcases.

The third place winner will receive $1,500 and a slot in one of SongCircle Music’s industry showcases. Additional awards include the International Winner, who will receive $1,000 and Gibson “Songwriter Deluxe” guitar, as well as the Young Person Award, which will entitle the winner to $1,000; a recording session with producer Steve Greenwell; and rock camp sessions at the Gowanus Music Club in Brooklyn.

Finalists will be notified by November 5, when they will be invited to perform live before the panel of judges as part of the finals event, slated for November 18 and 19 in New York City. BMI is a proud sponsor of the 2010 SongCircle Music Songwriting Contest.

You must be a member of SongCircle Music to enter. Join now, and submit before the October 31 deadline.

Read the contest guidelines and find out more at SongCircleMusic.com

9/6/2010 per Music Industry News