Every so often we blog about what we call Trade Secrets - the things that we have found to consistently work in an abundant healthy lifestyle. We have talked about drinking water, the power of herbs and spices, the importance of sleep. One thing I don't think we have covered in the blog, and is an important "trade secret" is the power of community.
Knowing that you are not alone as you reach for your goals, can helpt to establish a foundation for success. Being part of a team means that you are accountable. The team can cheer you on and lift you up.
As Empowerment Partners, we are the most imprtant "Trade Secret" in this whole journey. As the song says - "We all need somebody to lean on."
Here's to an empowering experience for us all.
Love, Tee
Friday, November 19, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Goals!
The funny thing about goals is that they are so important yet so easy to ignore or overlook. Take me for example. I set a goal earlier this year to have my AHL written on the Friday before the Sunday it needed to be posted. Well, here it is Tuesday. Not sure that my goal for posting on the blog is working.
Do you have goals that do not seem to be working? Goals seem simple but in fact they are complicated. They require thought and attention. They need to be realistic and measurable. Too often, people set lofty goals - I will run 10 miles by the weekend - without laying the foundation. How about just setting a goal to run one mile? And then build up from there.
There is a saying - How do you eat an elephant? One bit at a time. Well the same thing can be said for losing weight - except you take one less bite at a time. Small movements on the scale are easier to plan for and easier to achieve. And, they are healthier, One to two pounds a week is manageable, measurable, achievable.
Another key thing about goals is accountability. Who is in your corner reminding you of what you hope to achieve? It may be annoying in the moment to have somone remind you to "put down that peanut butter cup" but if it reminds you of your goals, then it is worth it.
I'm cheering for you!
Love,
Tee
Activities and Questions:
Look at your goal list. Are they measurable and attainable?
If they are - how are you doing so far? Is there cause for celebration?
If they are not - how are you doing so far? Is there cause for correction?
Do you have goals that do not seem to be working? Goals seem simple but in fact they are complicated. They require thought and attention. They need to be realistic and measurable. Too often, people set lofty goals - I will run 10 miles by the weekend - without laying the foundation. How about just setting a goal to run one mile? And then build up from there.
There is a saying - How do you eat an elephant? One bit at a time. Well the same thing can be said for losing weight - except you take one less bite at a time. Small movements on the scale are easier to plan for and easier to achieve. And, they are healthier, One to two pounds a week is manageable, measurable, achievable.
Another key thing about goals is accountability. Who is in your corner reminding you of what you hope to achieve? It may be annoying in the moment to have somone remind you to "put down that peanut butter cup" but if it reminds you of your goals, then it is worth it.
I'm cheering for you!
Love,
Tee
Activities and Questions:
Look at your goal list. Are they measurable and attainable?
If they are - how are you doing so far? Is there cause for celebration?
If they are not - how are you doing so far? Is there cause for correction?
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Keeping Your Word ... to YOURSELF!
Keeping Your Word to Yourself
This Abundant Healthy Living Principle was a real 'eye opener' for me. While I pride myself in keeping my word to others, I was constantly letting my self off the hook for commitments that I made to myself.
When you keep your word or as coach extraordinaire, Mark Fournier, likes to say when you be your word you begin to trust yourself more, rely on yourself more and create different results in your life.
Best Selling Author, Robert Kiyosaki says we each have a winner and a loser inside of us. Who are you going to let run your life? If your loser wakes up in the morning and says you can skip exercise today, you roll over and go back to sleep and let yourself off the hook. What happens is that your self esteem goes down a notch. It's nothing huge but a continual pattern of these actions and you won't have any faith in your ability to follow through.
Start keeping track of your promises, commitments, intentions. when making them, catch yourself and make sure that are really attainable and then do your best to follow through.
Acknowledge and celebrate when you keep your word to yourself. Strengthen the muscle and soon you will notice that you have a new attitude about yourself.
QUESTIONS FOR THE BLOG
What area of your life do you allow yourself the most do-overs?
What do you think will change if you begin to keep your word to YOU?
ABUNDANT HEALTHY LIVING ACTIONS
Take one day this week and honor yourself by keeping your word to all of your intentions.
This Abundant Healthy Living Principle was a real 'eye opener' for me. While I pride myself in keeping my word to others, I was constantly letting my self off the hook for commitments that I made to myself.
When you keep your word or as coach extraordinaire, Mark Fournier, likes to say when you be your word you begin to trust yourself more, rely on yourself more and create different results in your life.
Best Selling Author, Robert Kiyosaki says we each have a winner and a loser inside of us. Who are you going to let run your life? If your loser wakes up in the morning and says you can skip exercise today, you roll over and go back to sleep and let yourself off the hook. What happens is that your self esteem goes down a notch. It's nothing huge but a continual pattern of these actions and you won't have any faith in your ability to follow through.
Start keeping track of your promises, commitments, intentions. when making them, catch yourself and make sure that are really attainable and then do your best to follow through.
Acknowledge and celebrate when you keep your word to yourself. Strengthen the muscle and soon you will notice that you have a new attitude about yourself.
QUESTIONS FOR THE BLOG
What area of your life do you allow yourself the most do-overs?
What do you think will change if you begin to keep your word to YOU?
ABUNDANT HEALTHY LIVING ACTIONS
Take one day this week and honor yourself by keeping your word to all of your intentions.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Sometimes the Message Catches You Off Guard
I woke up in my hotel room yesterday morning at the crack of dawn and clicked on the TV remote. I figured I would wake up for a few minutes with a Sunday morning infomercial. I moved through the channels and settled not on an infomercial, but on a church service led by Joel Osteen. I like Joel and decided to listen for a bit.
Joel's message was on the power of the positive mind and on forgiveness and how you needed to clear your head from messages of self-doubt and anger in order for God to work in your life (feel free to insert the name of your own divine power, here. Mine just happens to be God). I continued to listen because I could feel it was a message meant for me.
My topic for the blog is Bright Train/Dark Train. And Joel's message was timely. I realized that while I have made great strides toward getting myself and my goals back in alignment, I was also firmly on the dark train about some things. I need to work on forgiveness. Unless I do, my bright train will not be as bright as it can be.
Country artist Josh Turner sings - "...The Devil is driving that long black train."
So, sometimes, the message about getting on the bright train comes from the strangest places - your hotel room, a stranger, a dream, a song lyric. Are you listening?
So, to Joel, Josh, and God - I hear you.
Love, Tee
Questions:
Are you firmly in your seat on the bright train? Is your view a little cloudy?
Do you feel that by having a seat on the dark train - even for one stop - is holding you back from your goals and dreams?
Activities:
Look through your baggage before getting on your bright train. Decide what bags you can leave at the station.
Spend a day aware of each situation and your reaction to it. What direction does your mind go to? If it's negative, catch yourself and switch the moment to a positive. What happened?
Joel's message was on the power of the positive mind and on forgiveness and how you needed to clear your head from messages of self-doubt and anger in order for God to work in your life (feel free to insert the name of your own divine power, here. Mine just happens to be God). I continued to listen because I could feel it was a message meant for me.
My topic for the blog is Bright Train/Dark Train. And Joel's message was timely. I realized that while I have made great strides toward getting myself and my goals back in alignment, I was also firmly on the dark train about some things. I need to work on forgiveness. Unless I do, my bright train will not be as bright as it can be.
Country artist Josh Turner sings - "...The Devil is driving that long black train."
So, sometimes, the message about getting on the bright train comes from the strangest places - your hotel room, a stranger, a dream, a song lyric. Are you listening?
So, to Joel, Josh, and God - I hear you.
Love, Tee
Questions:
Are you firmly in your seat on the bright train? Is your view a little cloudy?
Do you feel that by having a seat on the dark train - even for one stop - is holding you back from your goals and dreams?
Activities:
Look through your baggage before getting on your bright train. Decide what bags you can leave at the station.
Spend a day aware of each situation and your reaction to it. What direction does your mind go to? If it's negative, catch yourself and switch the moment to a positive. What happened?
Monday, October 4, 2010
What You Think You Are...You Are
Our thoughts are powerful. Everything exists twice. Everything. First as thought, and then as form.
So how is this good news for those of us on an Abundant Healthy Living journey?
When we focus out thoughts to be supportive of the healthy fit person we know we are, then our actions will begin to support thoughts and our life will show up in healthier happier ways.
A great book to use that will help you on this journey is "Law of Attraction" by Michael J. Losier. There are many exercises in this book and I highly recommend you take the time to do them. You'll find this helps you create some powerful shifts in your thinking and that's only the beginning.
Here's one tip from the book. When creating affirmations it might be a stretch for you to say "I am a healthy fit person now!" Your mind may resist this and fight against this if you have a lot of challenges. So, let's change these words to say "I am in the process of becoming healthier and more fit each and every day." YES! We are in constant change. And if you have a commitment to your health and wellness, then you ARE in the process of becoming healthier and more fit.
Life IS a self fulfilling prophecy. You decide what you think about YOU!
QUESTIONS FOR THE BLOG
- Were you ever told things as a child that made you think 'small', made you hesistate, to not try new things? Do those early messages still affect you today? How can you change these thoughts?
- Share at least one empowering statement you either have been using or just created.
ABUNDANT HEALTHY LIVING ACTIONS
- Start with the phrase: "I am in the process of..." Write out 3 or 4 healthy fit statements and begin and end your day reading these.
- Sometimes it's easier to listen to the words someone else says than to listen to your own words. Take time to really listen when in conversation with some else. Do you hear limiting thoughts expressed? Do you recognize those same thoughts in yourself? Find a way to open the converstion to rephrasing these thoughts to more empowering statements. After all, friends exist to build each other up!
So how is this good news for those of us on an Abundant Healthy Living journey?
When we focus out thoughts to be supportive of the healthy fit person we know we are, then our actions will begin to support thoughts and our life will show up in healthier happier ways.
A great book to use that will help you on this journey is "Law of Attraction" by Michael J. Losier. There are many exercises in this book and I highly recommend you take the time to do them. You'll find this helps you create some powerful shifts in your thinking and that's only the beginning.
Here's one tip from the book. When creating affirmations it might be a stretch for you to say "I am a healthy fit person now!" Your mind may resist this and fight against this if you have a lot of challenges. So, let's change these words to say "I am in the process of becoming healthier and more fit each and every day." YES! We are in constant change. And if you have a commitment to your health and wellness, then you ARE in the process of becoming healthier and more fit.
Life IS a self fulfilling prophecy. You decide what you think about YOU!
QUESTIONS FOR THE BLOG
- Were you ever told things as a child that made you think 'small', made you hesistate, to not try new things? Do those early messages still affect you today? How can you change these thoughts?
- Share at least one empowering statement you either have been using or just created.
ABUNDANT HEALTHY LIVING ACTIONS
- Start with the phrase: "I am in the process of..." Write out 3 or 4 healthy fit statements and begin and end your day reading these.
- Sometimes it's easier to listen to the words someone else says than to listen to your own words. Take time to really listen when in conversation with some else. Do you hear limiting thoughts expressed? Do you recognize those same thoughts in yourself? Find a way to open the converstion to rephrasing these thoughts to more empowering statements. After all, friends exist to build each other up!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
A TRADE SECRET ... SLEEP!
I love the really simple TRADE SECRETS that the Abundant Healthy Living partners have found.
Did you know that getting enough sleep can actually help you reach your desired weight?!
Turns out that we need a minimum of 7.5 hours to produce the right hormone that helps us lose weight. See the complete article by following the link and Happy Sleeping!
www.glamour.com/magazine/2009/02/lose-weight-while-you-sleep
QUESTIONS FOR THE BLOG:
Do you currently get enough sleep? How many hours is right for you?
What is the one thing you could change to get better sleep?
Are you willing to make adjustments here to reach your wellness goal?
ABUNDANT HEALTHY LIVING ACTIONS:
Determine if you need to add activities to help you transition to sleep.
Make a list of actions that might help you. Here are some suggestions ... prayer, meditation, journaling, stretching, a warm bath, a light snack, reading a chapter in a book, etc.
Will you commit to doing them for one week?
Did you know that getting enough sleep can actually help you reach your desired weight?!
Turns out that we need a minimum of 7.5 hours to produce the right hormone that helps us lose weight. See the complete article by following the link and Happy Sleeping!
www.glamour.com/magazine/2009/02/lose-weight-while-you-sleep
QUESTIONS FOR THE BLOG:
Do you currently get enough sleep? How many hours is right for you?
What is the one thing you could change to get better sleep?
Are you willing to make adjustments here to reach your wellness goal?
ABUNDANT HEALTHY LIVING ACTIONS:
Determine if you need to add activities to help you transition to sleep.
Make a list of actions that might help you. Here are some suggestions ... prayer, meditation, journaling, stretching, a warm bath, a light snack, reading a chapter in a book, etc.
Will you commit to doing them for one week?
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
In any language
och aye (Scotch) ola kala (Greek)
oke or okeh (Choctaw Indian)
aux Cayes (French)
au quai (also French)
Okay (English)
In any language, Okay is our post topic today.
When I think about Okay I think about acceptance. And acceptance is an important component of forward momentum and change. See, in order for you to have the clear focus to move ahead, you have to be okay with where you are. If you are not okay, then that creates a significant road block to all that you want for yourself because you are stuck.
How do you get to Okay? One way is to do an exercise called Mirror Work. Every morning and every night when you are going through your self-care routine - add a minute or two to look yourself in the eye and say - out loud - I'm okay and because I am okay, I am free to pursue and achieve my goals. Some people even add "I love myself" and that makes it more powerful. You can find more information on Mirror Work and other techniques to bring you to Okay in the book The Art of Extreme Self-Care: Transform Your Life One Month at a Time by Cheryl Richardson .
To be honest, this past year, I have not been okay. After my husband lost his job last fall I became stuck in a web of - I'm not okay and EVERYTHING is not okay. I couldn't break out of my slump and even the AHL techniques that I KNOW WORK didn't seem to help. I couldn't get off of the Dark Train. My weight went up, my spirits went down and everything in my life seemed to stall.
And then summer came and I went in for ankle surgery and was home most of the summer. Slowly, the stillness of not being able to walk around -first not at all and then not very much - settled into my brain. What was I doing? I started to want to break out of the fog, to see myself and my dreams again. I needed to get back to Okay. So I took the steps to get there and in fact, I am still taking steps. I started with getting back on the Bright Train (what is Okay about the situation? What is GOOD about the situation?). Then I tackled my weight - all of the AHL principles of clean, healthy, focused eating. And so on. I am still tackling things - with the big one being my belief - looking at myself in the mirror and reminding myself that everyday I am okay and that my dreams are out there for me. And trust me, I am okay with that.
With love and okayness,
Tee
Questions
- What are the small or large things you can do to help you start and maintain each day at "Okay"?
Activities
- Buy or borrow Cheryl Richardson's book The Art of Self Care. Plan to do each monthly exercise.
- Remind yourself everyday that you are okay and that this day is going to be special.
- Share the love. Tell someone else something nice about them. Help them get to okay.
oke or okeh (Choctaw Indian)
aux Cayes (French)
au quai (also French)
Okay (English)
In any language, Okay is our post topic today.
When I think about Okay I think about acceptance. And acceptance is an important component of forward momentum and change. See, in order for you to have the clear focus to move ahead, you have to be okay with where you are. If you are not okay, then that creates a significant road block to all that you want for yourself because you are stuck.
How do you get to Okay? One way is to do an exercise called Mirror Work. Every morning and every night when you are going through your self-care routine - add a minute or two to look yourself in the eye and say - out loud - I'm okay and because I am okay, I am free to pursue and achieve my goals. Some people even add "I love myself" and that makes it more powerful. You can find more information on Mirror Work and other techniques to bring you to Okay in the book The Art of Extreme Self-Care: Transform Your Life One Month at a Time by Cheryl Richardson .
To be honest, this past year, I have not been okay. After my husband lost his job last fall I became stuck in a web of - I'm not okay and EVERYTHING is not okay. I couldn't break out of my slump and even the AHL techniques that I KNOW WORK didn't seem to help. I couldn't get off of the Dark Train. My weight went up, my spirits went down and everything in my life seemed to stall.
And then summer came and I went in for ankle surgery and was home most of the summer. Slowly, the stillness of not being able to walk around -first not at all and then not very much - settled into my brain. What was I doing? I started to want to break out of the fog, to see myself and my dreams again. I needed to get back to Okay. So I took the steps to get there and in fact, I am still taking steps. I started with getting back on the Bright Train (what is Okay about the situation? What is GOOD about the situation?). Then I tackled my weight - all of the AHL principles of clean, healthy, focused eating. And so on. I am still tackling things - with the big one being my belief - looking at myself in the mirror and reminding myself that everyday I am okay and that my dreams are out there for me. And trust me, I am okay with that.
With love and okayness,
Tee
Questions
- What are the small or large things you can do to help you start and maintain each day at "Okay"?
Activities
- Buy or borrow Cheryl Richardson's book The Art of Self Care. Plan to do each monthly exercise.
- Remind yourself everyday that you are okay and that this day is going to be special.
- Share the love. Tell someone else something nice about them. Help them get to okay.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Energize!
How do you keep your body charged and ready? How do you keep your mind alert and open to life's possibilities? What do you feed your mind and body to improve your ability to live a happy, healthy and vibrant life?
Are your foods and drinks full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, or are they empty calories?
How about what you read? What you listen to? Who you talk to? Do these things raise your energy level or deplete it? Do they open your mind to possibilities and opportunities? Do they make you curious around other people or suspicious?
What we feed our body and mind matters. Is it Poison or is it Fuel? Are you giving yourself the high test or the cheap stuff? That's really your choice. Is there an athlete that you really admire? What do you think they would say if they saw what you ate? What do you think they eat to stay healthy?
This is a key principle to integrate into your life to enhance your ability to live an Abundant Healthy Life. You are being asked to take great care of your self and to learn to do what really serves YOU! These are not always easy changes for us to make but we will keep coming back to this. Raising your awareness is always the first step.
Remember, last week's post - you have to think healthy and fit thoughts first. Healthy and fit thoughts are FUEL for your mind which help you make better decisions about providing fuel for your body.
QUESTIONS FOR THE BLOG ...
Are your foods and drinks full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, or are they empty calories?
How about what you read? What you listen to? Who you talk to? Do these things raise your energy level or deplete it? Do they open your mind to possibilities and opportunities? Do they make you curious around other people or suspicious?
What we feed our body and mind matters. Is it Poison or is it Fuel? Are you giving yourself the high test or the cheap stuff? That's really your choice. Is there an athlete that you really admire? What do you think they would say if they saw what you ate? What do you think they eat to stay healthy?
This is a key principle to integrate into your life to enhance your ability to live an Abundant Healthy Life. You are being asked to take great care of your self and to learn to do what really serves YOU! These are not always easy changes for us to make but we will keep coming back to this. Raising your awareness is always the first step.
Remember, last week's post - you have to think healthy and fit thoughts first. Healthy and fit thoughts are FUEL for your mind which help you make better decisions about providing fuel for your body.
QUESTIONS FOR THE BLOG ...
- How do you start your day? Do you feed your body fuel? Do you feed your mind fuel? Does it make a difference to your attitude for the rest of the day?
- What do you REALLY think about the concept of everything being either Fuel or Poison - no middle ground?
- For one day, just be aware of whether your feeding your body and mind Poison or Fuel. No judgements. Just awareness. Just taking the time to be aware can create new possibilities.
- Challenge yourself to go for one day eating and drinking only FUEL for your body. How does it feel? Is there resistance?
Monday, September 6, 2010
Healthy Fit Thinking PRECEDES Being Healthy and Fit!
I really love this simple sentence because it reminds us that being healthy and fit is really more about our belief and focus than anything else. If you are not thinking the right thoughts you will never reach your optimal goal. If through sheer willpower you do reach the goal you probably won't be able to maintain the results.
We must develop the mindset of a healthy fit person before we become a healthy fit person. This is why so much of our program is about creating new beliefs about who we are and what we want. We must change our thinking before we create the results we want.
Those of us in Arbonne have recently heard ... 'Your brain believes what it hears the most'. It is true here too and the AHL program keeps the right thoughts in front of you week after week so congratulations for being here.
I used to think ...
- I will exercise when I have more energy. No, actually the exercise will give you more energy.
- I will journal when I wake up feeling good. No, actually writing in your journal will help you feel good.
- I will dress better when I drop some pounds. No, actually dressing better now will make you feel good about yourself and help you stay focused on dropping pounds.
- I will finally be fit when ... fill in the blank. No, actually you begin the journey by seeing yourself as fit and taking the actions of a fit person now.
QUESTIONS FOR THE BLOG ...
- What is your strongest thought or belief that keeps you on the path to wellness?
- What is your strongest thought or belief that keeps you from achieving your desired goal?
- Think about your own thoughts. What is one that you could change for September?
- What actions will you take to achieve it?
- Check out our AHL Mindset List under the Healthy and Fit Mindset Tab
- Print it, read it and put it to work for you.Place it where you will see it often, on your mirror, in your car, in your planner, wallet or purse, where ever you will see it often.
Monday, August 30, 2010
You are What You Eat
I know. I know. I have said this before and it is certainly a very well-worn saying. But, sometimes, you need to hear things at least a million times before the message sinks in.
During our time together - on the phone and in the blog - you have heard me go on about my love of SuperFoods (http://www.superfoodsrx.com/). Well, recently, I re-discovered a philosophy that walks hand-in-hand with not only SuperFoods, but with the abundant healthy living philosophy we've been embracing.
The practice is called Eat Clean (www.eatcleandiet.com). The maven of the Eat Clean movement is a gal called Tosca Reno. I encourage you to pick up one of her books - The Eat Clean Diet or The Eat Clean Diet Recharged are good starting points. I have been eating clean for almost three weeks now and have lost 7 pounds. My head is clearer and I no longer have the mid-day energy lull.
The basics of Eating Clean are no white flour, white sugar (or white sugar derivative), or foods that are over processed. If the label has more than five ingredients, or words you cannot pronounce it is not clean. An interesting blog about food additives can be found at www.fooddemocracy.wordpress.com.
Additionally, eating clean involves buying local and using herbs and spices to bring out the real flavor of foods. The plan also calls for small meals six times a day and for drinking plenty of water. Sound familiar? We know this! The eat clean books are so reader friendly and they do a great job of tying it all together with other key components like exercise, rest, and perspective.
I have started taking a cooler of clean food with me each week for work. I bring lean protein (turkey, chicken tenders, hard boiled eggs) and fresh fruit and veggies and rice cakes, nuts, and other healthy snacks. It takes no time at all to pull a cooler together for the whole week on Sunday night.
I also have started making sure I have food with me every time I go out. Yesterday we went to the State Fair and I took a sliced apple with natural peanut butter and a Clif Mojo Bar (70% organic, most delicious bar EVER - you can get them at Target). I had a couple of bites of Fair food but I did not over indulge.
One of the best tricks I have learned from the eat clean books is the oatmeal bag. Take a Ziploc baggie and put in 1/2 cup of quick cook whole oats (not instant) and a handful of dried fruit or raisins. Stick the baggies in your handbag, your carry on, your glove box. The baggies provide a nearly instant clean meal - all you need is a cup of hot water which you can get anywhere (and usually for free). I have this for breakfast every weekday.
The most successful way to lose weight and be healthy is to ignore the diet fads and stick to what we know works in the long run, clean, non-processed, super foods.
My oatmeal is calling!
Tee
Questions
During our time together - on the phone and in the blog - you have heard me go on about my love of SuperFoods (http://www.superfoodsrx.com/). Well, recently, I re-discovered a philosophy that walks hand-in-hand with not only SuperFoods, but with the abundant healthy living philosophy we've been embracing.
The practice is called Eat Clean (www.eatcleandiet.com). The maven of the Eat Clean movement is a gal called Tosca Reno. I encourage you to pick up one of her books - The Eat Clean Diet or The Eat Clean Diet Recharged are good starting points. I have been eating clean for almost three weeks now and have lost 7 pounds. My head is clearer and I no longer have the mid-day energy lull.
The basics of Eating Clean are no white flour, white sugar (or white sugar derivative), or foods that are over processed. If the label has more than five ingredients, or words you cannot pronounce it is not clean. An interesting blog about food additives can be found at www.fooddemocracy.wordpress.com.
Additionally, eating clean involves buying local and using herbs and spices to bring out the real flavor of foods. The plan also calls for small meals six times a day and for drinking plenty of water. Sound familiar? We know this! The eat clean books are so reader friendly and they do a great job of tying it all together with other key components like exercise, rest, and perspective.
I have started taking a cooler of clean food with me each week for work. I bring lean protein (turkey, chicken tenders, hard boiled eggs) and fresh fruit and veggies and rice cakes, nuts, and other healthy snacks. It takes no time at all to pull a cooler together for the whole week on Sunday night.
I also have started making sure I have food with me every time I go out. Yesterday we went to the State Fair and I took a sliced apple with natural peanut butter and a Clif Mojo Bar (70% organic, most delicious bar EVER - you can get them at Target). I had a couple of bites of Fair food but I did not over indulge.
One of the best tricks I have learned from the eat clean books is the oatmeal bag. Take a Ziploc baggie and put in 1/2 cup of quick cook whole oats (not instant) and a handful of dried fruit or raisins. Stick the baggies in your handbag, your carry on, your glove box. The baggies provide a nearly instant clean meal - all you need is a cup of hot water which you can get anywhere (and usually for free). I have this for breakfast every weekday.
The most successful way to lose weight and be healthy is to ignore the diet fads and stick to what we know works in the long run, clean, non-processed, super foods.
My oatmeal is calling!
Tee
Questions
- What impact does making the commitment to eat clean or to choose SuperFoods have on you? On the environment? On the economy?
- What can you do today to re-embrace the abundant healthy life you know you deserve?
- spend some time learning or reminding yourself about the principles of clean, local eating. The library, the bookstore, the Internet
- go to a Farmer's Market, or your own garden and come up with meals using only the ingredients found there. A delicious plate of grilled veggies - onions, squash, tomatoes, beans, cucumbers - sprinkled with Old Bay. Delicious!
- Make up some oatmeal bags. Go to Trader Joe's and check out their individual packs of dried fruit and nuts. Prepare yourself for when you are not prepared! :-)
Monday, August 23, 2010
Life's Elixer
Water – This is probably the most essential nourishment for our overall health and therefore an obvious choice to give special attention to in our weekly post.
Water has an extensive range of functions essential to life.
- Water assists digestion, absorption and assimilation of food. If you don't drink enough water you can't get the full benefit of nutrients in the food you eat.
- If you don't drink enough water you get constipated and put your kidneys under stress.
- Water is also essential to regulating your body temperature. If you don't drink enough water you compromise the evaporation process your skin uses to keep you cool.
- Staying hydrated will also improve your cognitive ability.
Those reasons are significant enough to make me take note. And if your goal is to lose weight, there are even more reasons to reach for water. Few people realize at first just how essential water is to the success of their weight-loss program.
Water is a natural appetite suppressant. Your brain does not differentiate between hunger and thirst. So, when you think you are feeling hungry, your body may in fact be signaling to you that you are thirsty! So reach for that glass or bottle of water before you reach for anything else!
If your diet has been one that did not provide you with adequate water, your body will have developed a pattern of storing water. It's part of the body's survival mechanism - to store up the essential nutrients in short supply - just in case they aren't available in the future. So if you don't drink enough water, you are 'conditioning' your body to store water. And water is bulk and unwanted inches.
It's so simple...drink water! But how much? The most common answer we hear is to drink 6-8 large glasses a day. I like the guideline to drink half your body weight in ounces. So if you weigh 150, you should drink at least 75 ounces of water a day. Now if you want to increase your water intake I recommend increasing the amount gradually until you get to your ideal intake – after all you are really stretching your water comfort zone. This is a great place to implement our Plus One technique!
And if you drink coffee or an alcoholic beverage, you will need to drink another TWO glasses of water to contract the diuretic effect! And what about soda? A study at the University of Texas Health Science Center found that there was a 41 percent increase in the risk for being overweight for every single can of diet soda a person consumed daily.
So realize that alcohol, caffeinated drinks and sodas are NOT an alternative for water. If you don’t like the taste of water you can look to Arbonne for a couple of options. Try adding Arbonne’s Fizzy Tabs. They not only make water easier to drink but provide the added benefits of a focused energy boost, appetite control and increased metabolism! And you can also explore the world of herbal teas instead – like Arbonne’s Detox Tea, you may be pleasantly surprised!
When you make a choice for what to drink, you’re better off making it an informed choice. That’s what we want to offer you here.
QUESTIONS FOR THE BLOG
- Be honest, how do you really feel about drinking water?! What are your stumbling blocks?
- If you’ve successfully achieved a healthy intake of water, what have you noticed about how you feel? Sharing this can be great encouragement for others.
ABUNDANT HEALTHY LIVING ACTION
- For one day, write down how much water you are drinking. Simply observe and record.
- If there is a gap between how much water you are drinking and what is recommended for you, use the Plus One technique to gradually increase your consumption of water.
Water has an extensive range of functions essential to life.
- Water assists digestion, absorption and assimilation of food. If you don't drink enough water you can't get the full benefit of nutrients in the food you eat.
- If you don't drink enough water you get constipated and put your kidneys under stress.
- Water is also essential to regulating your body temperature. If you don't drink enough water you compromise the evaporation process your skin uses to keep you cool.
- Staying hydrated will also improve your cognitive ability.
Those reasons are significant enough to make me take note. And if your goal is to lose weight, there are even more reasons to reach for water. Few people realize at first just how essential water is to the success of their weight-loss program.
Water is a natural appetite suppressant. Your brain does not differentiate between hunger and thirst. So, when you think you are feeling hungry, your body may in fact be signaling to you that you are thirsty! So reach for that glass or bottle of water before you reach for anything else!
If your diet has been one that did not provide you with adequate water, your body will have developed a pattern of storing water. It's part of the body's survival mechanism - to store up the essential nutrients in short supply - just in case they aren't available in the future. So if you don't drink enough water, you are 'conditioning' your body to store water. And water is bulk and unwanted inches.
It's so simple...drink water! But how much? The most common answer we hear is to drink 6-8 large glasses a day. I like the guideline to drink half your body weight in ounces. So if you weigh 150, you should drink at least 75 ounces of water a day. Now if you want to increase your water intake I recommend increasing the amount gradually until you get to your ideal intake – after all you are really stretching your water comfort zone. This is a great place to implement our Plus One technique!
And if you drink coffee or an alcoholic beverage, you will need to drink another TWO glasses of water to contract the diuretic effect! And what about soda? A study at the University of Texas Health Science Center found that there was a 41 percent increase in the risk for being overweight for every single can of diet soda a person consumed daily.
So realize that alcohol, caffeinated drinks and sodas are NOT an alternative for water. If you don’t like the taste of water you can look to Arbonne for a couple of options. Try adding Arbonne’s Fizzy Tabs. They not only make water easier to drink but provide the added benefits of a focused energy boost, appetite control and increased metabolism! And you can also explore the world of herbal teas instead – like Arbonne’s Detox Tea, you may be pleasantly surprised!
When you make a choice for what to drink, you’re better off making it an informed choice. That’s what we want to offer you here.
QUESTIONS FOR THE BLOG
- Be honest, how do you really feel about drinking water?! What are your stumbling blocks?
- If you’ve successfully achieved a healthy intake of water, what have you noticed about how you feel? Sharing this can be great encouragement for others.
ABUNDANT HEALTHY LIVING ACTION
- For one day, write down how much water you are drinking. Simply observe and record.
- If there is a gap between how much water you are drinking and what is recommended for you, use the Plus One technique to gradually increase your consumption of water.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
FALLING OFF THE WAGON!
This principle addresses the fact that on our journey to Abundant Healthy Living we will have times when we 'fall off the wagon' or get off track. Usually for me it happens when I travel whether it is for business or pleasure. I am sure that some of us are in vacation mode right now.
Giving ourselves some grace is our approach and as with all of the Abundant Healthy Living principles this approach is empowering because it teaches us ...
QUESTIONS FOR THE BLOG
Giving ourselves some grace is our approach and as with all of the Abundant Healthy Living principles this approach is empowering because it teaches us ...
- To NOT to beat ourselves up
- To acknowledge that it is normal behavior
- To reassess our progress
- To make a new goal and commitment
- To get back to the choices that ultimately serve us.
QUESTIONS FOR THE BLOG
- Think about how your summer is going and ask yourself if you have 'fallen of the wagon' in any area? By sharing your situation on the Blog you can inspire your AHL Team and get yourself back on track.
- What have you done to take advantage of summer?
- What one thing do you want to put at the top of your list as we head into the end of summer?
- Set a new measurable goal to meet by August 31st!
Monday, August 9, 2010
Exceptions Should Not be the Rule
As I have been on this AHL path - one thing has become very clear to me. We are willing to put up with behavior in ourselves that we would not put up with in others. If we go to a store, or restaurant or to visit a professional service provider we expect to get what we want - not for the place or the person to substitute something else.
We know what we need to do each day to live an abundant, healthy life, yet - we allow ourselves to make exceptions and permit behavior that is contrary to what we want and what we are working for.
I struggle with exceptions. It's not always easy to keep in line with our goals. Situations and loss of mindset derail us. We make choices that we are not happy with. The key to dealing with exceptions is two-fold - realize that they happen and to be aware that making exceptions cannot become the rule. An exception is something that happens on occasion, not daily. If you are making exceptions daily - it's time for a course adjustment and to recommit.
As always, a foundational principle of the AHL program is awareness. If you are aware, you can make the change you need to be back on track.
Activities
- think about the times where you are likely to make an exception. Devise a "plan B" or "option 2" that you can have in your back pocket when you feel an exception coming on. For example - do you always make an exception for dessert? Well, then perhaps your plan B is to always order the fruit or the sorbet. Then you have satisfied your interest in dessert but in a more healthy way.
- if you've been making a lot of exceptions - then it's time to recommit.
Enjoy August!
Tee
We know what we need to do each day to live an abundant, healthy life, yet - we allow ourselves to make exceptions and permit behavior that is contrary to what we want and what we are working for.
I struggle with exceptions. It's not always easy to keep in line with our goals. Situations and loss of mindset derail us. We make choices that we are not happy with. The key to dealing with exceptions is two-fold - realize that they happen and to be aware that making exceptions cannot become the rule. An exception is something that happens on occasion, not daily. If you are making exceptions daily - it's time for a course adjustment and to recommit.
As always, a foundational principle of the AHL program is awareness. If you are aware, you can make the change you need to be back on track.
Activities
- think about the times where you are likely to make an exception. Devise a "plan B" or "option 2" that you can have in your back pocket when you feel an exception coming on. For example - do you always make an exception for dessert? Well, then perhaps your plan B is to always order the fruit or the sorbet. Then you have satisfied your interest in dessert but in a more healthy way.
- if you've been making a lot of exceptions - then it's time to recommit.
Enjoy August!
Tee
Monday, August 2, 2010
Sneak Eating - Who Are We Hiding From?
Sneak Eating…yeah, you know what this means. Whether it’s adding that candy bar at the check-out and eating it in the car, or having a ‘special drawer’ in your office that you open when you’re really stressed, or waiting for your spouse to go work outside so you can open the pantry…it’s all the same. And who are we kidding? Who do we think we’re really hiding from? Who always knows? We do.
This behavior isn’t empowering. It isn’t part of the Abundant Healthy Fit mindset. When we hide or sneak, it’s as if we are accepting that “this is the way it will always be”. It’s actually a form of self-sabotage. So let’s change it! The first step is to bring it out in the open. Shed some light on it. You may still have that snack, and then again, in the light of day you may realize you deserve to treat yourself better.
And what’s better? Adopting a mindset of grazing…or refueling. Healthy Fit thinking is about asking ourselves – what FUEL does my body need next? The next time you think of snacking – picture that you’re putting sand in your gas tank – do you really want to do that?
So, what’s in your kitchen? Do you have unhealthy temptations within easy reach? Or are your options weighted in favor of healthy, nutrition-rich options? Preparation is the first step. Create your own master list of healthy foods you can graze on, post this in your pantry, carry it with you when you shop.
Make it easy to make the choices that keep your body tuned and fueled so you can be a shining example of an Abundant Healthy Fit person!
QUESTIONS FOR THE BLOG
1. When do you find yourself sneaking food? What are you feeling right beforehand? What experiences trigger this behavior? How can you bring awareness to this behavior and create a new healthier way to respond to the triggers?
2. What are your favorite healthy grazing foods? What do you do to make these convenient choices to reach for instead of sneak eating?
ABUNDANT HEALTHY ACTIONS
1. Make us of one (or more) of the techniques we’ve shared on this blog when you find yourself sneaking. Ask yourself ‘Is this Poison or is this Fuel? Decide to wait 5 minutes and see if the desire is still there. Drink a glass of water first! Share what you try on the blog!!
This behavior isn’t empowering. It isn’t part of the Abundant Healthy Fit mindset. When we hide or sneak, it’s as if we are accepting that “this is the way it will always be”. It’s actually a form of self-sabotage. So let’s change it! The first step is to bring it out in the open. Shed some light on it. You may still have that snack, and then again, in the light of day you may realize you deserve to treat yourself better.
And what’s better? Adopting a mindset of grazing…or refueling. Healthy Fit thinking is about asking ourselves – what FUEL does my body need next? The next time you think of snacking – picture that you’re putting sand in your gas tank – do you really want to do that?
So, what’s in your kitchen? Do you have unhealthy temptations within easy reach? Or are your options weighted in favor of healthy, nutrition-rich options? Preparation is the first step. Create your own master list of healthy foods you can graze on, post this in your pantry, carry it with you when you shop.
Make it easy to make the choices that keep your body tuned and fueled so you can be a shining example of an Abundant Healthy Fit person!
QUESTIONS FOR THE BLOG
1. When do you find yourself sneaking food? What are you feeling right beforehand? What experiences trigger this behavior? How can you bring awareness to this behavior and create a new healthier way to respond to the triggers?
2. What are your favorite healthy grazing foods? What do you do to make these convenient choices to reach for instead of sneak eating?
ABUNDANT HEALTHY ACTIONS
1. Make us of one (or more) of the techniques we’ve shared on this blog when you find yourself sneaking. Ask yourself ‘Is this Poison or is this Fuel? Decide to wait 5 minutes and see if the desire is still there. Drink a glass of water first! Share what you try on the blog!!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Creating Change by Stretching your Comfort Zone
To create new and different results we must stretch beyond our current comfort zone.
CHANGE just doesn't happen within the comfort and safety of your current operating system!
This doesn't necessarily mean you need to turn your life upside down, quite the contrary, we have found that small incremental steps will create lasting change and real results.
Think of your comfort zone as a rubber band. Stretch it on Monday by walking an extra mile and on Tuesday morning when you get up that rubber band may have contracted a bit but never all the way. It is easier to do again because you've done it once. There are a million other examples but you get the picture.
If you continually stretch and add a moderate or even a tiny bit more whether it's restraint or progression your comfort zone will be always be in a state of expansion. The great news is that this is true in your quest to be healthy, happy, successful ... really all areas of your life!
Abundant Health is our goal and every choice we make all day long moves us up and down the Wellness Continuum.
Picture a scale with a state of disease and despair on one end and ultimate health and joy on the other. With each choice you make you are moving towards one or the other.
One ice cream sundae is not going to make you ill and one walk is not going to make you healthy but you get the picture. It is the cumulative sum of all your choices that make you
one or the other.
QUESTIONS FOR THE BLOG
1. What is one area of your life where you have successfully stretched your comfort zone?
2. What is the next thing you want to work on and how will you stretch your comfort zone?
ABUNDANT HEALTHY LIVING ACTION
1. This week, commit to that ONE new action to stretch your comfort zone.
CHANGE just doesn't happen within the comfort and safety of your current operating system!
This doesn't necessarily mean you need to turn your life upside down, quite the contrary, we have found that small incremental steps will create lasting change and real results.
Think of your comfort zone as a rubber band. Stretch it on Monday by walking an extra mile and on Tuesday morning when you get up that rubber band may have contracted a bit but never all the way. It is easier to do again because you've done it once. There are a million other examples but you get the picture.
If you continually stretch and add a moderate or even a tiny bit more whether it's restraint or progression your comfort zone will be always be in a state of expansion. The great news is that this is true in your quest to be healthy, happy, successful ... really all areas of your life!
Abundant Health is our goal and every choice we make all day long moves us up and down the Wellness Continuum.
Picture a scale with a state of disease and despair on one end and ultimate health and joy on the other. With each choice you make you are moving towards one or the other.
One ice cream sundae is not going to make you ill and one walk is not going to make you healthy but you get the picture. It is the cumulative sum of all your choices that make you
one or the other.
QUESTIONS FOR THE BLOG
1. What is one area of your life where you have successfully stretched your comfort zone?
2. What is the next thing you want to work on and how will you stretch your comfort zone?
ABUNDANT HEALTHY LIVING ACTION
1. This week, commit to that ONE new action to stretch your comfort zone.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Willpower
I wanted to examine the root words for the concept of willpower. According to Dictionary.com - will means to wish or desire and power means the ability to do or act. So it would follow that willpower means to wish or desire the ability to do or act. To be successful requires willpower. But does it? That seems contrary to the definition which clearly states that it is merely a wish for power - not a guarantee for success.
My Pop Pop used to say, "If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride." He also said, "If wishes and buts were candy and nuts, my what a Christmas we'd have." His point was that wishes aren't going to make it happen.
Willpower cannot be achieved without first gaining power over your mind or your mindset. There are so many platitudes that remind us of this fact -
QUESTIONS FOR THE BLOG :
Have you ever experienced what it is like to try and accomplish something based merely on will - or the wish for success. What did that feel like?
Now think about a time where you set out to achieve a goal with your mind, heart and body set for success. How was that different.
ABUNDANT HEALTHY ACTIONS:
Think of a small goal. Spend a day wishing for the power (willpower) to achieve the goal. At the end of the day, how successful were you? Then spend another day working toward the same goal with a firm plan, an open heart and a spirit of success. Compare the results.
My Pop Pop used to say, "If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride." He also said, "If wishes and buts were candy and nuts, my what a Christmas we'd have." His point was that wishes aren't going to make it happen.
Willpower cannot be achieved without first gaining power over your mind or your mindset. There are so many platitudes that remind us of this fact -
- If you think it - you can do it.
- If it's important you can make it happen.
- Thoughts become things - make them good ones.
QUESTIONS FOR THE BLOG :
Have you ever experienced what it is like to try and accomplish something based merely on will - or the wish for success. What did that feel like?
Now think about a time where you set out to achieve a goal with your mind, heart and body set for success. How was that different.
ABUNDANT HEALTHY ACTIONS:
Think of a small goal. Spend a day wishing for the power (willpower) to achieve the goal. At the end of the day, how successful were you? Then spend another day working toward the same goal with a firm plan, an open heart and a spirit of success. Compare the results.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Helping You to Stop and Go
This week we’re going to look at some specific applications of Anything Is Better Than Nothing. These are techniques that you can implement in a variety of ways to keep you moving in the right direction. Sometimes we want to make progress in stopping or delaying a behavior or action. And other times we want to find the motivation to stretch a little more towards our healthy goals. These are techniques that can be used to help you do both. And the best thing is – they are simple!
When we make little changes, stretch our comfort zone just a small amount, we don’t resist the change so much. And when we do that consistently, soon our comfort zone has changed, and we are that much healthier.
Our first technique is called Plus One
• Plus One is about doing one more minute, one more mile, one more block, one more repetition … your goal is to stretch the action and benefit just a little more than you did yesterday or the week before. Any stretch beyond your usual level of activity is a positive step and works in your favor.
• This is easy to apply to exercise. It can also be used with other things, like increasing your water intake – one more glass, one more gulp. Apply this to reading you do for personal development – one more page, one more chapter.
• This works with any beneficial activity – get extra benefit by applying the Plus One technique.
Then we have those habits or actions that really don’t serve us. Here is a place to apply a Five Minute Mission.
• Five Minute Missions are when you choice to delay an action. Delaying eating a snack or having a glass of wine for just five minutes more
• In the moment you might say I can’t do this but if you take it five minutes at a time you can do it. Commit to holding out just five more minutes and you are expanding your Comfort Zone. Just think about the next five minutes. If that’s too much, think about the next five seconds; stay in the immediate moment.
• Even if we postpone eating the cake for five or ten minutes and then have some, we’ve still successfully delayed that bite. Every time you wait a little longer, you get better at waiting and before you know you have changed your Basic Nature and you don’t even want cake anymore.
• This technique doesn’t just apply to eating either! If you’re goal is to quit smoking, you could try waiting 5 minutes before lighting up. If you have a big project or chore to do, decide to spend 5 extra minutes on it the next time you work on it. Get creative!
QUESTIONS FOR THE BLOG
- When do you feel like you have your ‘weak moments.’ When do you feel like you slip the most? Could a Five Minute Mission help in these times? Blog about how you feel after you’ve been able to use this technique.
- Share your most creative ways you employed the Plus One technique. Have fun with this! Did you park on row further away from the entrance? Did you go up and down the stairs one more time…just because? Let’s see how many different ways this technique can be put into practice this week!
ABUNDANT HEALTHY ACTIONS
- Pick a healthy activity that you currently do and apply the Plus One technique. Use this technique to increase your activity just a little bit. Depending on the activity, add a little bit more each day or every few days. You’ll be surprised at how much progress you’ll make by doing this!
- Choose to use a 5 minute mission on some task or action this week. Use a timer, if it helps.
When we make little changes, stretch our comfort zone just a small amount, we don’t resist the change so much. And when we do that consistently, soon our comfort zone has changed, and we are that much healthier.
Our first technique is called Plus One
• Plus One is about doing one more minute, one more mile, one more block, one more repetition … your goal is to stretch the action and benefit just a little more than you did yesterday or the week before. Any stretch beyond your usual level of activity is a positive step and works in your favor.
• This is easy to apply to exercise. It can also be used with other things, like increasing your water intake – one more glass, one more gulp. Apply this to reading you do for personal development – one more page, one more chapter.
• This works with any beneficial activity – get extra benefit by applying the Plus One technique.
Then we have those habits or actions that really don’t serve us. Here is a place to apply a Five Minute Mission.
• Five Minute Missions are when you choice to delay an action. Delaying eating a snack or having a glass of wine for just five minutes more
• In the moment you might say I can’t do this but if you take it five minutes at a time you can do it. Commit to holding out just five more minutes and you are expanding your Comfort Zone. Just think about the next five minutes. If that’s too much, think about the next five seconds; stay in the immediate moment.
• Even if we postpone eating the cake for five or ten minutes and then have some, we’ve still successfully delayed that bite. Every time you wait a little longer, you get better at waiting and before you know you have changed your Basic Nature and you don’t even want cake anymore.
• This technique doesn’t just apply to eating either! If you’re goal is to quit smoking, you could try waiting 5 minutes before lighting up. If you have a big project or chore to do, decide to spend 5 extra minutes on it the next time you work on it. Get creative!
QUESTIONS FOR THE BLOG
- When do you feel like you have your ‘weak moments.’ When do you feel like you slip the most? Could a Five Minute Mission help in these times? Blog about how you feel after you’ve been able to use this technique.
- Share your most creative ways you employed the Plus One technique. Have fun with this! Did you park on row further away from the entrance? Did you go up and down the stairs one more time…just because? Let’s see how many different ways this technique can be put into practice this week!
ABUNDANT HEALTHY ACTIONS
- Pick a healthy activity that you currently do and apply the Plus One technique. Use this technique to increase your activity just a little bit. Depending on the activity, add a little bit more each day or every few days. You’ll be surprised at how much progress you’ll make by doing this!
- Choose to use a 5 minute mission on some task or action this week. Use a timer, if it helps.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Anything is Better Than Nothing
This is such a powerful principle and one that totally changed how I look at the world ... in both health and other areas too!~
This principle is not complicated, it is about not stopping yourself from accomplishing a little bit just because you don't have the time, energy, money, whatever to do it all.
You get it, it's simple, simple, simple but IT WORKS!! All of your smaller efforts add up and ... anything is better than nothing!!
ABUNDANT HEALTHY ACTIONS
Pick something where you could take some action, right now. Blog about it.
Pick a day this week to challenge yourself to make short bursts of progress in as many areas as you can.
QUESTIONS FOR THE BLOG
What is area that you are best in making little steps towards that greater goal?
What is the one thing that you always push off because you can't tackle the entire expectation/goal?
What do you think stops you from making progress towards your goal?
Share where you will will apply this principle this week.
This principle is not complicated, it is about not stopping yourself from accomplishing a little bit just because you don't have the time, energy, money, whatever to do it all.
- Can't walk five miles, fine, walk to the mail box.
- Can't be perfect with your fuel selections for an entire day, how about one meal or two?
- Can't make all of the calls on your list, sit down for 15 minutes and do a few.
You get it, it's simple, simple, simple but IT WORKS!! All of your smaller efforts add up and ... anything is better than nothing!!
ABUNDANT HEALTHY ACTIONS
Pick something where you could take some action, right now. Blog about it.
Pick a day this week to challenge yourself to make short bursts of progress in as many areas as you can.
QUESTIONS FOR THE BLOG
What is area that you are best in making little steps towards that greater goal?
What is the one thing that you always push off because you can't tackle the entire expectation/goal?
What do you think stops you from making progress towards your goal?
Share where you will will apply this principle this week.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Howdy Partners!
“Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends. “
The Beatles always seem to have a lyric to compliment just about anything you need/want to discuss. I thought this line from Sgt. Peppers was perfect to open a discussion about Empowerment Partners.
One of the most powerful aspects of the Abundant Healthy Living Program is the fact that you are not in it alone. A community of like – minded people makes working toward any goal easier. Empowerment Partners takes community to a whole new level.
When a community of people empowers you – it serves to shore up your own foundation. The power of many strengthens your quest to achieve and abundant healthy lifestyle. When you have partners it connotes a vested rather than a casual interest in your success. Empowerment Partners.
Your challenge may mirror mine and I draw strength from you. We may experience very similar successes and goals achieved. When we support each other and add our own success and challenges to the experience, what results in a richer learning environment and a stronger desire for personal and group success.
QUESTIONS FOR THE BLOG
- Think about a time where you attempted to accomplish a goal alone. Were you successful? How did it feel?
- Now think about something you attempted as part of supportive community or with a partner? How was that experience different?
ABUNDANT HEALTHY LIVING ACTION
- This week pay attention to the different aspects of your life. When do you feel most supported? Why? How can you replicate that across multiple areas of you life? How can you make having Empowerment Partners standard in your life?
The Beatles always seem to have a lyric to compliment just about anything you need/want to discuss. I thought this line from Sgt. Peppers was perfect to open a discussion about Empowerment Partners.
One of the most powerful aspects of the Abundant Healthy Living Program is the fact that you are not in it alone. A community of like – minded people makes working toward any goal easier. Empowerment Partners takes community to a whole new level.
When a community of people empowers you – it serves to shore up your own foundation. The power of many strengthens your quest to achieve and abundant healthy lifestyle. When you have partners it connotes a vested rather than a casual interest in your success. Empowerment Partners.
Your challenge may mirror mine and I draw strength from you. We may experience very similar successes and goals achieved. When we support each other and add our own success and challenges to the experience, what results in a richer learning environment and a stronger desire for personal and group success.
QUESTIONS FOR THE BLOG
- Think about a time where you attempted to accomplish a goal alone. Were you successful? How did it feel?
- Now think about something you attempted as part of supportive community or with a partner? How was that experience different?
ABUNDANT HEALTHY LIVING ACTION
- This week pay attention to the different aspects of your life. When do you feel most supported? Why? How can you replicate that across multiple areas of you life? How can you make having Empowerment Partners standard in your life?
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Comparing Yourself to Others Does Not Serve
Interesting word – compare. I looked this up in the dictionary and here is the main definition: to examine (two or more objects, ideas, people, etc.) in order to note similarities and differences.
Another interesting note I found stated: compare emphasizes the similarities between or among things, though not losing sight of the differences; contrast emphasizes the differences.
So what do we really mean when we say – Don’t compare yourself to others? We seem to have rewritten the definition of this word to be a synonym for contrast. I know for me, this sentence brings to mind that I would focus on the differences and especially on those I found lacking in myself, and thus bring my self image down. When we compare ourselves to others, and focus on the negative, we never win.
Yet, what are we usually comparing? What we usually do is compare our worst or our weaknesses to someone else’s best or their strengths. Does this make sense? Of course not! Unless all things are equal (i.e. family history, diet through the years, activity level, body shape, height, etc.), then we’re really not comparing like things, so it’s not a valid comparison. We’re really finding the contrasts – we’re focusing on how we are different, not how we are alike.
And even the act of identifying what’s different isn’t necessarily negative or destructive. Where we get in trouble is then making the CHOICE to label one thing as better than another. We decide that we are not as good. What’s great about that is that we can also decide to rewrite this particular story.
We can’t change our height, our general body shape, the size of our feet. So what good does it do to compare that to someone else and wish we had their height, body shape or foot size. If you got inside their head, they would more than likely have their own set of comparisons that cause them to be unhappy about themselves.
What a waste of our energy. Focus on what brings you joy. Find a way to rewrite your story about your imagined shortcomings. Yes – you are responsible for deciding they are shortcomings so pony up and decide what great about them! Free yourself to be your best YOU.
QUESTIONS FOR THE BLOG
- Who have you compared yourself to? Did it ever make you feel better? Or worse?
- How would you finish this sentence…’I wish I were more like…because they are…’. Now change the beginning of this sentence and say…’I admire this person because they are…’ If you take your ego out of the comparison, does that change make you feel any different?
ABUNDANT HEALTHY LIVING ACTION
- Here’s a challenge. Every morning, for at least a week, look in the mirror, look into your own eyes and say: I love you exactly as you are. Repeat it more than once. Notice how your body feels after you say this a few times.
Another interesting note I found stated: compare emphasizes the similarities between or among things, though not losing sight of the differences; contrast emphasizes the differences.
So what do we really mean when we say – Don’t compare yourself to others? We seem to have rewritten the definition of this word to be a synonym for contrast. I know for me, this sentence brings to mind that I would focus on the differences and especially on those I found lacking in myself, and thus bring my self image down. When we compare ourselves to others, and focus on the negative, we never win.
Yet, what are we usually comparing? What we usually do is compare our worst or our weaknesses to someone else’s best or their strengths. Does this make sense? Of course not! Unless all things are equal (i.e. family history, diet through the years, activity level, body shape, height, etc.), then we’re really not comparing like things, so it’s not a valid comparison. We’re really finding the contrasts – we’re focusing on how we are different, not how we are alike.
And even the act of identifying what’s different isn’t necessarily negative or destructive. Where we get in trouble is then making the CHOICE to label one thing as better than another. We decide that we are not as good. What’s great about that is that we can also decide to rewrite this particular story.
We can’t change our height, our general body shape, the size of our feet. So what good does it do to compare that to someone else and wish we had their height, body shape or foot size. If you got inside their head, they would more than likely have their own set of comparisons that cause them to be unhappy about themselves.
What a waste of our energy. Focus on what brings you joy. Find a way to rewrite your story about your imagined shortcomings. Yes – you are responsible for deciding they are shortcomings so pony up and decide what great about them! Free yourself to be your best YOU.
QUESTIONS FOR THE BLOG
- Who have you compared yourself to? Did it ever make you feel better? Or worse?
- How would you finish this sentence…’I wish I were more like…because they are…’. Now change the beginning of this sentence and say…’I admire this person because they are…’ If you take your ego out of the comparison, does that change make you feel any different?
ABUNDANT HEALTHY LIVING ACTION
- Here’s a challenge. Every morning, for at least a week, look in the mirror, look into your own eyes and say: I love you exactly as you are. Repeat it more than once. Notice how your body feels after you say this a few times.
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