Over the last 7 days I wrote based on an article by Catherine Cardinal Ph.D., 7 Things You Can Do to Improve Your Body Image & Self Esteem
I was pleased to read someone who is a trained Ph.D. coach / hypnotherapist agree with many of my findings...although I'm not dependent upon having anyone else's approval, it is nice to know that I'm not alone in my thinking!
My thoughts are based on my personal experiences and observations over the course of my 50 some years. As I have struggled with self-esteem, body image and my body size...I became pretty aware that something was not working. Even though I was following "the rules" I wasn't getting the results that were promised. That's when I knew there was something more to it...
Now I know that the mind is the biggest component to successful weight loss. It is way more important to focus our attention and energy on what is going on inside our minds than what we are placing in our mouths. When we focus on our minds we will then automatically begin to adjust our eating and exercise habits! And it will be painless!
I would love to hear your comments on this idea and of course on Dr. Cardinal's article.
In the meantime, be positive. Know that you are beautiful. Be grateful for your health. Become part of a community that supports one another. Take time for yourself. Appreciate what is going right in your life.
And remember to breathe!
Showing posts with label Catherine Cardinal PhD. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Catherine Cardinal PhD. Show all posts
Monday, May 18, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Improve Your Body Image Step 7: Be in the Moment
Living in the now and being grateful for what you have in life is the topic in today's installment in my series based on an article by Catherine Cardinal Ph.D., Dr. Cardinal--
Do you think that being in the moment, being grateful for what you have and being positive cannot all exist at the same time? You are not alone!
It can be a big challenge when faced with negative self image, mounting bills, a job you don't like, or whatever your personal challenges are. By recognizing even small positive aspects in your life you put focus on that and the positive will expand!
Accepting your current reality and loving yourself as you are does not mean that you are not open to improvement! It means that you are done with beating yourself up over the past! Because where you are is really just a result of everything you have done in the past--and you can't change that now! So choose to focus on the positive and work on improving yourself bit by bit!
7. Be in the moment. When you accept the reality of your life exactly as it is now, you stop the futile worrying about the past and the future. Take a moment each day to meditate on what is good about right now and focus on that. Give thanks and gratitude for what is good and believe that things can get better for you. Having these positive thoughts is the secret to a happier life.
Dr. Catherine Cardinal has been a psychotherapist in private practice for 23 years. She has been a featured expert on many national TV shows, and is the best-selling author of A Cure for the Common Life: The Cardinal Rules of Self Esteem.
Visit Dr. Cardinal on FaceBook
Do you think that being in the moment, being grateful for what you have and being positive cannot all exist at the same time? You are not alone!
It can be a big challenge when faced with negative self image, mounting bills, a job you don't like, or whatever your personal challenges are. By recognizing even small positive aspects in your life you put focus on that and the positive will expand!
Accepting your current reality and loving yourself as you are does not mean that you are not open to improvement! It means that you are done with beating yourself up over the past! Because where you are is really just a result of everything you have done in the past--and you can't change that now! So choose to focus on the positive and work on improving yourself bit by bit!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Improve Your Body Image Step 6: Beware the Inner Critic
The inner critic is the topic in today's installment in my series based on an article by Catherine Cardinal Ph.D., Dr. Cardinal--
Have you ever heard that little voice putting yourself down? I sure have! That is a big monster to tame...learning that you are the one in control is a powerful step to taming that monster. It still takes practice...after all you allowed that monster to run free for years, it isn't going to just go away the first time you tell it to take a hike!
When the negative voice comes up...it still does...but less frequently and it is quieter about it these days...I will mentally, or out loud, respond with comments like this--
Try a couple on and see how they feel for you!
6. Be aware of your inner critic. The negative voice in your head which puts you down. When you hear it, tell it to “pipe down and take a hike”! You are in control of your body and mind and no one is going to make you feel less than or not good enough. The critic is a result of all the negative things you have heard or experienced in your life. Let it all go and create positive scenarios in your head. Allow yourself to be creative and imaginative with your new found supportive voices.
Dr. Catherine Cardinal has been a psychotherapist in private practice for 23 years. She has been a featured expert on many national TV shows, and is the best-selling author of A Cure for the Common Life: The Cardinal Rules of Self Esteem.
Visit Dr. Cardinal on FaceBook
Have you ever heard that little voice putting yourself down? I sure have! That is a big monster to tame...learning that you are the one in control is a powerful step to taming that monster. It still takes practice...after all you allowed that monster to run free for years, it isn't going to just go away the first time you tell it to take a hike!
When the negative voice comes up...it still does...but less frequently and it is quieter about it these days...I will mentally, or out loud, respond with comments like this--
Cancel that!
Thanks for sharing...that doesn't serve me.
That is not true for me.
Interesting...I don't believe that any more...I believe ____(fill in the blank)
Try a couple on and see how they feel for you!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Improve Your Body Image Step 5: Fast
Today in my series based on an article by Catherine Cardinal Ph.D., Dr. Cardinal talks about fasting and how it can cleanse and restore your body.
I am not strict about fasting once every two weeks...sometimes I fast more often than that, other times less frequently. I believe that you have to start to listen to your own body. There are lots of different fasts and cleanses available. Some people will "fast" as she suggests with only juices...make sure that they are 100% juice, not stuff with sugars. If you are going to go on a juice fast it is best to make the juice yourself. And you do have to be cautious about juice fasts because fruit (and even some veggies) has a lot of sugar in it.
You might want to discuss fasting with your doctor...or consult with my favorite doctor--Linda Larson...she helped me to know what I could safely do in regards to fasting and cleansing!
You can find Dr. Linda Larson at Your Health And Fitness Source
5. Fast one day every two weeks. Give your body a rest by feeding it only vegetable and/or fruit juices. This cleansing will help keep your weight down, minimize cellulite and give you energy. If you feel good about it, try once a week.
Dr. Catherine Cardinal has been a psychotherapist in private practice for 23 years. She has been a featured expert on many national TV shows, and is the best-selling author of A Cure for the Common Life: The Cardinal Rules of Self Esteem.
Visit Dr. Cardinal on FaceBook
I am not strict about fasting once every two weeks...sometimes I fast more often than that, other times less frequently. I believe that you have to start to listen to your own body. There are lots of different fasts and cleanses available. Some people will "fast" as she suggests with only juices...make sure that they are 100% juice, not stuff with sugars. If you are going to go on a juice fast it is best to make the juice yourself. And you do have to be cautious about juice fasts because fruit (and even some veggies) has a lot of sugar in it.
You might want to discuss fasting with your doctor...or consult with my favorite doctor--Linda Larson...she helped me to know what I could safely do in regards to fasting and cleansing!
You can find Dr. Linda Larson at Your Health And Fitness Source
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Improve Your Body Image Step 4: Take Pride in Your Accomplishments
In this step, which is part of a continuing series based on an article by Catherine Cardinal Ph.D., Dr. Cardinal urges us to recognize and take pride in our accomplishments.
Wow! This is so important...for years...well decades really...I belittled myself and what I had accomplished. I compared myself to others and ALWAYS fell short. I wasn't good enough, fast enough, pretty enough, thin enough, strong enough, smart enough...it didn't matter what "it" was, I wasn't enough.
When I finally started to accept myself and believe that I am enough as I am right now, that is when my life started to turn around--and so did my weight! Ironic that by no longer accepting the message that I was not thin enough I actually started to drop fat!
Instead of minimizing what you have done, celebrate it! This goes back to Sunday's post about goal setting...it is so important to acknowledge that our successes come in small steps. And isn't it way more fun to be able to celebrate many times over...for each step then having to wait until we have accomplished the whole big goal?
4. Take pride in your accomplishments. We are all good at something. Make a list of those things which you feel really good about and read that list every day. “I am kind, courageous, a great swimmer, etc.” Believe in your ability to be competent and also your ability to learn and accomplish new things.
Dr. Catherine Cardinal has been a psychotherapist in private practice for 23 years. She has been a featured expert on many national TV shows, and is the best-selling author of A Cure for the Common Life: The Cardinal Rules of Self Esteem.
Visit Dr. Cardinal on FaceBook
Wow! This is so important...for years...well decades really...I belittled myself and what I had accomplished. I compared myself to others and ALWAYS fell short. I wasn't good enough, fast enough, pretty enough, thin enough, strong enough, smart enough...it didn't matter what "it" was, I wasn't enough.
When I finally started to accept myself and believe that I am enough as I am right now, that is when my life started to turn around--and so did my weight! Ironic that by no longer accepting the message that I was not thin enough I actually started to drop fat!
Instead of minimizing what you have done, celebrate it! This goes back to Sunday's post about goal setting...it is so important to acknowledge that our successes come in small steps. And isn't it way more fun to be able to celebrate many times over...for each step then having to wait until we have accomplished the whole big goal?
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Improve Your Body Image Step 3: Think Before You Speak
Continuing a series based on an article by Catherine Cardinal Ph.D., this time she is discussing listening.
What does being a good listener have to do with having a good body image? I found this interesting...I had never thought of it in this way...
Doesn't it make sense when you think about it? Don't you appreciate the people who really listen to you when you speak? Doesn't that give you a good feeling inside? How many ways would our world be better if we would all just stop and listen for a change!
My challenge to you today is to really listen to the next person who starts to talk to you. Don't think about what you are going to say in response...just listen and take it all in! (Unless they are being a jerk to you--then let it roll off your back!)
What does being a good listener have to do with having a good body image? I found this interesting...I had never thought of it in this way...
3. Think before you speak and be a generous listener. When you take the time to hear others and contemplate what you are saying back, you are likely to have less conflict and form more genuine bonds with others. Receiving the love of great friends who accept us for exactly as we are, is a great asset to helping us love and accept ourselves.
Dr. Catherine Cardinal has been a psychotherapist in private practice for 23 years. She has been a featured expert on many national TV shows, and is the best-selling author of A Cure for the Common Life: The Cardinal Rules of Self Esteem.
Visit Dr. Cardinal on FaceBook
Doesn't it make sense when you think about it? Don't you appreciate the people who really listen to you when you speak? Doesn't that give you a good feeling inside? How many ways would our world be better if we would all just stop and listen for a change!
My challenge to you today is to really listen to the next person who starts to talk to you. Don't think about what you are going to say in response...just listen and take it all in! (Unless they are being a jerk to you--then let it roll off your back!)
Monday, May 11, 2009
Improve Your Body Image Step 2: Find Your Beauty
Second in a series from an article by Catherine Cardinal, Ph.D. on improving your body image and self-esteem.
I'm pleased to share here thoughts with you...I found that we have a lot of common ideas. I learned from personal experience a lot of what she is advocating and have been able to use it to change my health dramatically!
Dr. Cardinal has been a psychotherapist in private practice for 23 years. She has been a featured expert on many national TV shows, and is the best-selling author of A Cure for the Common Life: The Cardinal Rules of Self Esteem.
What part of your body can you focus on? For me I had to start with my eyes...it was what other people would comment on. So even if you don't think you are beautiful, can you find something that other people have complimented you on? Start there...even if you don't LOVE it, if you don't LOATHE it, it is a starting point! The idea is to stop focusing on the love handles or thunder thighs and start focusing on positive images!
To learn more about Catherine Cardinal, visit her on FaceBook
I'm pleased to share here thoughts with you...I found that we have a lot of common ideas. I learned from personal experience a lot of what she is advocating and have been able to use it to change my health dramatically!
Dr. Cardinal has been a psychotherapist in private practice for 23 years. She has been a featured expert on many national TV shows, and is the best-selling author of A Cure for the Common Life: The Cardinal Rules of Self Esteem.
2. Single out what is beautiful about you. Perhaps you love your eyes, or your legs, but are unhappy with other parts. Keep your focus on those parts that work for you and know that everyone has parts they love and parts they wish they could change. Look into a mirror and focus on the good stuff.
What part of your body can you focus on? For me I had to start with my eyes...it was what other people would comment on. So even if you don't think you are beautiful, can you find something that other people have complimented you on? Start there...even if you don't LOVE it, if you don't LOATHE it, it is a starting point! The idea is to stop focusing on the love handles or thunder thighs and start focusing on positive images!
To learn more about Catherine Cardinal, visit her on FaceBook
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