Every year, you resolve to get into shape but invariably ‘life happens' and your plans to get fit become buried by the demands of work, family and friends. This year can be different. You can learn to beat the most common reasons people fail to keep their new year's fitness resolutions. You'll be able to go green and save money with an exercise routine that easily fits into your schedule. Even better, you can finally discover how to make fitness a permanent part of your lifestyle.

Nationally-known fitness expert and coach Wendie Pett has taught thousands of people across the country how to get visibly fit using their own bodies as their gyms with her new Visibly Fit Firm & Fabulous fitness routines: exercises that slim, sculpt and shape targeted areas of your body without equipment. "Too busy is no longer an excuse," says Pett, who will demonstrate some of her classic moves during this year's Body Mind Life Expo, February 27-28 at the Minneapolis Convention Center (www.101expos.com). The time-saving routines help sculpt buns and thighs; trim and firm abdominal muscles; and shape the arms, shoulders, chest and back.

Pett says this is the ultimate way to go green with your workout and watch your pennies. "You don't need to spend money on gym memberships or equipment, and you are not wasting time or polluting the air by driving to the gym. What's exciting about these workouts is that they can be done anywhere including your office. You don't even have to change clothes."

This year, Pett also will concentrate on teaching the Body Mind Life Expo audience how to tap into their inner strengths so that they can stay motivated to make fitness a permanent part of their lives. Some of her best tips include:

• Work out in small increments throughout the day. "Saying "I'm too busy" is the number one excuse. Carving out 5-10 minutes at a time for exercise is very effective and beneficial."
• Discover why you want to become visibly fit. "Looking good in a swimsuit can get you started but it is too much of a short term goal to become your lasting motivation. Ask yourself why you want to be healthy, and why you deserve to take care of yourself and to get into better shape physically, mentally and physically. It's a mental mindset that you will probably have to re-program."
• Set goals. "It's important to have your goals in place early on. Know your starting point and where you want to be in one month, three months and by this time next year."
• Consider hiring a coach to keep you accountable. "Even the best athletes in the world need coaches. Even coaches need coaches!"
• Keep a fitness journal. "This can be an ideal accountability partner because it's on paper. You will have a log to constantly remind you of your goals and of the work you have already put into reaching them so far."
• Follow the buddy system. "Arrange for a friend to phone or email daily. They should ask, "Did you work out?" "What did you eat today?" This builds encouragement and morale."

Over the years, the Body Mind Life Expo has become a trusted clearinghouse for health-related information. Those watching their pennies appreciate the fact that admission always includes free back-to-back seminars on everything from proper exercise techniques, weight management and anti-aging tips, to the latest on the use of therapeutic essential oils and other fact-based ideas for taking control of your physical, emotional and spiritual health.

People also spend quality time exploring local resources including holistic services, environmentally-friendly products, stress-free vacation ideas, workshops and classes, counseling and motivational centers, clinics, acupuncture/bodywork services and more.

Benefiting underserved women and their families touched by breast cancer.
Mid-America Events & Expos, producers of the Body Mind Life Expo, is donating 50 percent of all ticket sales from its 2010 expos to Hope Chest for Breast Cancer, which will also be given a booth at each show.

Visit www.101expos.com to Shop at the Show before you go. Admission is $3 with the half price coupon available at www.101expos.com, and free to kids 17 and under when accompanied by an adult. More information is on the expo hotline: 612-798-7256.

This year's Body Mind Life Expo is made possible in part by 5 Eyewitness News, KSTC Channel 45, Wendie Pett, The Wellness Advisor, Krech Exteriors and The Edge: Soul of the Cities.

Media Note: To schedule an interview with Robin Kocina, contact Media Relations, Inc. at 612-798-7220.

About WomenVenture

WomenVenture is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to helping women gain economic prosperity. WomenVenture has helped more than 90,000 women succeed in business and in life during its three-decade history. WomenVenture fulfills its mission by teaching women skills to find careers with higher wages; navigate job loss and changes; start and grow small businesses and manage their economic resources.

Biography – Wendie Pett

Wendie Pett, a nationally recognized name in the fitness industry, is passionate about motivating and encouraging people to make fitness and nutrition part of their daily routine. The essence of beauty—mind, body and spirit—is what Wendie Pett is all about. She enthusiastically teaches the care of mind, body and spirit, helping others learn the importance of reaching their full God-given potential through her Visibly Fit program—a total wellness and body weight resistance exercise program. Pett has helped countless numbers of people reach their fitness goals with no wear and tear on joints, tendons or ligaments by teaching simple and easy to do exercises that use your body as your gym. A great way to workout anytime, anywhere—no excuses allowed!

Pett appears regularly on KSTP's Twin Cities Live, nationwide television and speaks at corporate events, churches and universities promoting her health and fitness philosophies. She also works as a fitness coach and consultant. In addition, she contributes as a featured columnist in the Total Wellness Newsletter reaching over 2.5 million readers monthly. She has just released a new Firm and Fabulous set of three DVDs, and is the author of the book Every Woman's Guide to Personal Power.