Easter Egg on Your Face?

Easter is over and the candy aisle at my local supermarket are stocked with 70% off items. Boy, in the past I would have totally stocked up.

I had to laugh as I watched a couple--both thin, by the way--having loads of fun "stocking up."

The big difference was they were buying 1 bag of candy and a couple Cadbury eggs--not lots of bags and the entire stash of eggs!

This is how people who are thin think and behave. A good lesson for me.

Chocolate freezes, right?

The funniest part was the guy actually suggested they get another bag--"it will freeze, won't it?" I couldn't resist and said, yes it freezes, but it will never make it to the freezer. The lady totally busted up and he said, "You're right, it probably won't make it through the weekend!"

The biggest difference isn't that they don't enjoy eating candy, it is they know it is not the best decision for their body and that they will regret it later. They will feel physically ill and so they choose to restrict what they bring into the house as a way to do a favor to themselves.

Pretty smart.

Do yourself a favor, and follow their example for weight loss success!

To your healthy, energetic and slender body--you deserve it!

Groundhog Day Lesson: Don't Repeat Weight Loss Failures

Do you remember the movie Groundhog Day? It was a funny, thought-provoking movie from 1993 starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. In the movie, Bill Murray's character, "Phil", has to relive the same day (Groundhog Day) over and over and over and over. How often do we do that, reliving our weight loss failures over and over and over?

Fortunately he is given the opportunity to revise his day: Phil is not doomed to repeat the same mistakes over and over.

This is the most important lesson we can learn from the movie. Even though we won't live Feb. 2, 2011 (or thankfully 1993 either) over again, we can choose to live essentially the same days repeatedly. Or, we can choose to change our lives and get out of our ruts and live the lives we want.

In order to have weight loss success rather than failure we must decide to take control of our lives and steer our days in a different direction.

What we have right now...our current weight for example...are results of our decisions in the past. We will continue to wake to the same result until we choose to take different actions.

Fortunately we don't have to make huge changes. Nor do we have to make all the changes in one day, or even one year.

We didn't become overweight because we ate too much food one time. We became overweight because of the accumulation of lots of small actions--eating instead of expressing our feelings, eating without thinking about it, not making healthy food choices, eating too much sugar, not moving our bodies--over a period of years. For some of us this period has been our entire lives.

We can become weight loss success stories! By making small changes consistently we will improve our health. It MUST improve, it cannot NOT improve!

The only way we are failures is to give up. We give up when we try to do too much all at once and we get overwhelmed or frustrated because we are not seeing immediate results.

Do yourself a favor and start now...start small, but start. Then just keep putting one foot in front of the other on the path of your choosing. You'll get out of the rut and find yourself with a whole new script for a healthy, happy life!

Traveling, Tech Troubles and Feeling Fat, Triple Whammy of Weight Loss Challenges

I'm visiting my mom right now. Visiting is technically accurate, but really only partially true. She had surgery on Monday and I wanted to be here to help her through it. I am glad I came and really appreciate that I have the ability to!

Traveling in general can be rough on our health and fitness goals...for me, visiting family is a bigger challenge than a business trip or simply going on vacation. They all have their challenges but being in my mom's home sets off lots of triggers for me. I love my mom, but there are tons of memories that come up and the stresses of being under someone else's roof that just does a number on my head and emotions. Top that off with the fact that she is aging and I'm having to face her increasingly fleeting memory and her dwindling size...it is just a bit scary and I don't want to have to face it. Tempting to bury myself in a few gallons of ice cream. Doesn't really make it go away, but I can forget about it for a while...maybe...not really. It doesn't work any better now than it did when I was a kid...or any of the hundred + pounds in between!

Ironically, I have had major technology issues during this trip. Ironic because I am in San Jose, California...the Silicon Valley...home of so much of this fantastic technology. Fortunately my brother, much more of a tech-head than I, was able to get things sorted out...but I was left with little ability to be online for several days. That left me with fewer things to keep my hands busy...not a good thing to have when ice cream calls from the freezer!

To top all this off, I am feeling fat...it is an interesting concept, that of self-image. I look in the mirror and see this huge person, yet I put on my clothes and they only feel a little tighter than normal. Have I really put on weight in just a few days? Lord knows it is possible for me to do...but haven't I learned all about emotional eating and how to avoid it? I mean, after all, didn't I just write a book about it???

So, I decided to take a closer look and I noticed a couple things. First I noticed that my fingers are pudgier...hmmm...that does not happen from a few days of stress eating...then I noticed my legs...where my socks stop there is a marked indentation that normally isn't there. Ah ha, Dr. Watson, I have figured it out! I am bloated! OK, makes sense...flying...drinking less water than normal...stress...hurray! I'm not fat--it is just water!

What a great relief that was...I don't have to hide my head in shame...the weight loss without dieting expert has not somehow magically gained 100 pounds in a week...and fortunately I took the time to really look at my hands...they were for me the big give away.

The truth is, I have eaten more ice cream than normal this week. And I have also NOT eaten ice cream on numerous occasions when I felt like it...because I took a moment to interrupt the urge and recognize it was the siren call of emotional eating, not physical or even pleasurable eating...or even eating just because it was there.

I'm proud of myself for all the successes I've had this week...and I may (or may not) go home weighing a pound or two more than when I arrived...but I am reassured any weight gain I do experience will be minimal and temporary. I have reconnected with support folks who help me when I am stressed...I have my walking shoes ready to roll...all is good.

Why is all this important to you? Because if I can do it, then you can too! Learning to be gentle with ourselves and not always expect perfection is a very important factor for those of us who suffer from "good girl syndrome"....we must learn to allow ourselves to have flaws and weaknesses...ironically, by allowing for these weaknesses we actually suffer from them less!

If you are feeling fat, take a minute and check out your fingers, your legs...or whatever will help you to identify if this is real or just bloat...if you are having tech troubles, or some other challenge that is causing you some stress and making you want to eat, who can you call on to help you through it...and if you are traveling, then drink your water, walk, and cut yourself a little slack!

Avoid These Holiday Weight Loss Success Mistakes

Treats are everywhere this time of year and that can make it hard to lose weight. Even if you have the best intentions. There are 3 common mistakes that people frequently make during the holidays:

1. Deprivation

By being too restrictive we can actually sabotage our weight loss success. By not believing in forbidden foods and giving ourselves permission to enjoy the special treats of the season we will not only be merrier, but we will actually eat less!

2. Drinking

While I don't believe in forbidden foods (or drinks) be careful with the booze. It relaxes us...and we tend to eat more--LOTS more! So mix in some sparkling water with or between the alcohol and you will reduce the calories you drink and eat.

3. Flagellation

When we fall short of perfection at keeping to our resolution to eat healthily, the tendency is to chastise, criticize or otherwise beat the drum of our "failure." Be gentle, this is the season of forgiveness--and that, like charity, begins at home.

Have a very happy holiday season--enjoy this time thoroughly and start the New Year in good health!

Weight Loss Success Means Daily Choices

To achieve weight loss success we must make choices every day to support that success.

This can seem daunting at first, but let's think about what it really means.

We choose to brush our teeth and wash our faces and bodies every day...or at least I hope we all do! If not, then we face the consequences, right? Those consequences may be bad breath, rotten teeth, acne and body odor...most of us don't want those things so we do what we can on a regular basis to protect against it.

It is the same with our eating and exercise habits. It isn't about will power. It is about caring enough about ourselves, and not wanting the negative consequences of what will happen if we don't take care of ourselves.

The only reason it seems easier to wash our face and brush our teeth on a regular basis is because we have already developed the habit! Our parents started us off early in life making sure we brushed our teeth and cleaned behind our ears...so we "hear" those messages and act on them daily.

We may not have gotten the same sorts of messages regarding eating and exercising. So we have to practice ourselves and love ourselves into the new pattern.

If you forget to brush you teeth once in a while your teeth aren't going to all fall out. Similarly, if you don't exercise once in a while you aren't lazy. If you eat cake once in a while you won't be fat. It is the regular application of the behavior that causes the result.

Every day you have the power to choose how you will act.

"Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it." - Groucho Marx

Choose to be happy and healthy...or not...it is up to you! You can lose weight through your positive attitude and mindset...and choosing daily to support that attitude.

No One Put a Gun to My Head

If we want to achieve health then we must decide to accept responsibility for our bodies, for the condition they are in right now.

Rather than blaming others--our parents, the media, friends, family, spouse, stress, our genes, our busy schedules--we must realize that the common denominator in our situations is US.

I chose to put every bit of food into my mouth. I chose to react by overeating. No one put a gun to my head and forced me to swallow! I imagine the same is true for you...you chose what, when, how much and why you ate...

I'm not trying to lay a guilt trip on anyone, or make you feel bad. It isn't about being wrong or "bad"! Accepting responsibility doesn't mean beating yourself up over it. It is done, over, finito. Feeling bad about it now won't change anything.

When we accept responsibility it is so empowering. If you are responsible for where you are now then you are responsible for where you will be. That means you have the POWER! You are IN CONTROL! You are not a victim of anyone or anything!

Remember, we have the power to change our lives! One thought at a time! One belief at a time! One bite at a time!

Weight Loss Tip: Focus on the Positive

How many times do we find fault with ourselves? We're too fat, our hips are too big, our belly sticks out, we're out of shape, we eat too much...

Instead of finding fault with ourselves, if we really want to achieve health, we want to turn our focus on the positive.

So, think about what is working in your life? What is good about your body? What blessings do you have that you can express gratitude for freely?

I could choose to bemoan that my build is such that I will never be a beauty queen (I'm too short, or my bones are too big, or, the list could go on) or I can choose to be grateful that I have good strong bones and muscles that carry me through life easily!

It is all about choice and how you want to look at it...so why not choose an attitude that is supportive and positive? Not only will you feel better, you will be more fun to be around AND you will find that you start to lose weight as you are more positive and loving about your body!

I love that my taste buds let me experience a variety of flavors, I am grateful that I have a strong body, I am thrilled with the progress I have made in achieving health, I give thanks that my eyes see the beauty around me...

I am strong, generous, kind, loving and gifted...

How about you? What will YOU choose to focus on today?

Self Acceptance Key for Weight Loss

I am really enjoying being on Twitter. If you haven't already gotten an account, go out to Twitter and sign up now. (If you have questions about how to get started let me know--but relax, it is really easy!)

One of the reasons I like Twitter is that I have been able to meet some fantastic people from around the world--people I would never have had the chance to cross paths with otherwise.

One of the great "Tweeps" I have met is Karen Anderson. Her thoughts about weight loss and fitness are fantastic and I want to share them with you. Following is a snippet from a blog post that she wrote that I thought was exceptional. At the end of the "teaser" I've included a link so you can read more that this wise woman wrote (OK, it should be has written but I like the way this sounds!)

In Quest for Health, Self-Acceptance Comes First

...as 2008 came to a close, I was in a pretty bad place. Deep down inside I knew that more than anything, more than a diet or a magic pill, what I needed was to love and accept myself.

Then I heard about a class being offered by a local registered nurse and holistic health counselor. Called “Living Lighter: A Holistic Approach to Weight Loss,” the 12-week class was described this way: “get motivated and find inspiration to keep you on track; leave with tools to help you through your week, including menus, logs, and reminders; learn how to keep your metabolism on all day; let go of the emotional blocks that stand in your way; learn self hypnosis techniques to get your subconscious mind in line with, and supportive of, what you really want; and get started on some physical movement, including isotonic exercises, tai chi, hula-hooping and more.”

My first reaction was, “But I know all of that already! I know how to count calories. I know what healthy food is. I don’t need menus, and I exercise at least five times a week.”

My second reaction was, “yeah, I know all that, but I don’t want to do it.” So the idea of being able to let go of emotional blocks and get my subconscious mind in line with what I really want, attracted me.

I signed up for the class, but many of my old fears surfaced: I was afraid to set a goal and I was afraid it wouldn’t work. I was, at the same time, accepting of practical advice, but also resistant to it. I was not, however, afraid of doing the emotional work. In fact, doing the emotional work resulted in my blog – Why Weight: One Woman’s Journey From Struggle To Acceptance.

Karen's blog is Why Weight: One Woman’s Journey From Struggle To Acceptance
This specific post was written as a guest post to another great blog FitWoman.com, you can read the entire post by clicking HERE.

One of the things that resonates with me about this post is how Karen realized that her emotions were her biggest stumbling block to her weight success. I love how she finally accepted that she had fears and was willing to move forward anyway. How many times have I faced these fears and allowed them to be stronger than my desire for health? It is something we have all done...all of us who are on this journey to health!

I also appreciate her willingness to state that she KNEW what to do already but hadn't been actually DOING it. That is a boat we frequently find ourselves in. Finding the motivation to do what we know is best for us is so frequently the key to our ultimate success!

Thanks Karen for sharing your words and wisdom with me and the world. I know I am better off for having met you...

BTW, you can follow me on Twitter, my handle is Laurie_Tossy. I look forward to hearing from you.

Tweet ya later!

Weight Loss Without Dieting Tip: Don't Eat and Drive

Another tip for losing weight with out going on a diet is to avoid eating while you drive.

Because you are focusing on your driving...at least I hope you are...eating while you drive is at best a semi-conscious event.

Not only are you less aware of what you're eating--so you'll be inclined to eat more and enjoy it less--the options you typically have for car food are limited...and tend to be high fat and/or sugar.

Instead of eating behind the wheel, stop the car to eat. Be aware of every bite. Choose foods that you really want to nourish your body with--instead of selecting foods base on "can I eat it and not make a mess of my clothes?"

Give yourself those few extra minutes to be able to eat in a more relaxed and conscious way and you will naturally find yourself eating less, being less stressed and losing weight.

Another reason people tend to eat and drive is out of boredom! This is especially on long trips, whether it is a lengthy commute to work or a road trip.

Rather than eating to keep yourself preoccupied, use this time to expand your mind instead of your hips--listen to a book "on tape", practice your affirmations (but don't try to meditate while you drive!) or just sing and do things that bring joy to your body. Any of these activities will help your overall health and help you to lose weight--without being on a diet!

That's the road I'm choosing to motor down!

Lose Weight by Law of Attraction

I have now shed 120 pounds--and it all started with the Law of Attraction.

Huh? Shed through attraction...that doesn't make sense, does it?

Actually it does. This is my story.

A few short years ago I was over 120 pounds heavier than I am today.

I made a conscious decision to change my life by changing my mind--by changing my thinking.

I didn't focus on foods to eat or not, exercises to do or not. I focused on my attitude about myself, about food, about my body, about my ability to be healthy. This is what made the difference.

I began to attract teachers and tools that helped me to facilitate my weight loss. From learning to listen to my own body, to affirmations that help me accept and appreciate what I had, to being open to the possibility that I actually could become a healthy weight.

I learned that it was more about my mind than the foods going into my mouth.

For years I had followed diet and exercise plans without success. It wasn't until I actually mentally and emotionally let go of the fat that I had attracted in the first place that I was able to drop the pounds.

I accepted responsibility for my physical condition. I acknowledged that on many levels my weight had protected me. I also let myself know that while I was grateful for that protection, I no longer needed it--I now had other, better, more healthy ways to protect myself and so it was free to leave me. I would be be safe.

That's my story (and I'm sticking to it!) So don't tell me the Law of Attraction doesn't work.

Weight Loss: Family Help or Hinder

Weight and family are a tough combo. Whether your family taught you unhealthy habits or contributed to your "fat genes", your family can and will have a huge impact on your weight loss goals--IF YOU LET THEM! This can be a help. Or a hindrance. It is really UP TO YOU!

Your experience with your family will be different from mine...and even different from that of your siblings (if you have them.) Even though we theoretically grew up in the same family, my brother's experiences were decidedly different from mine and so we have different experiences today when visiting.

The bottom line for any family visit is to remember that your family loves you. It doesn't always feel that way...and sure there are some families out there that are so dysfunctional that love is not part of the equation...but if you are visiting them I'm going to presume there is love involved!

Sometimes that love is expressed as unconditional support for your goals. Some families will bend over backwards to help you to eat healthy and move your body and happily join you on the adventure. Other families will be supportive but not be willing to change any of their routines. And then some families will be downright combative about any change--even if it is for your health.

How your family chooses to help may be wildly different as well. Sometimes in an effort to "help" my mother would comment on every bite that went into my mouth. We talked about that years ago--she understands that for me that was not helpful and I asked her for specific things that she could do to help me instead. That way she didn't feel judged too harshly and she felt like she was helping me, which truly was her intention all along.

Keep in mind, if you have been one way your entire life, then your family is used to dealing with that version of you. If you are making changes then it will take some education so they know what you expect--don't think they will KNOW how you want to be treated and what you need. They cannot read your mind...even though we think they should be able to!

The biggest thing to remember is that your results are strictly up to you. No blaming the families help or lack of help.

Weight Loss Tips: Business Trips and Booze

Alcohol on business trips can be the biggest trip up...set your limit BEFORE you get to the restaurant or bar. Make it a business decision and then stick to it, like you would any business decision.

Know what you like to drink BESIDES alcohol, so you don't have to think about it.

If you are out with a client or co-worker with whom you have partied heartily on previous trips, they may be surprised at the change. But don't build it up in your mind to be more than it probably is.

Be fun, be jovial and let others drink as much as they want...

No matter what, be confident in your order. Don't apologize or make excuses for your order. If you don't make a big deal out of it, chances are good no one else will either.

Remember you are doing this for YOU and your health. And don't let anyone bully you into drinking beyond the limit you established for yourself. Keep in your own mind (even though you are not announcing this to your colleagues) that by keeping your health promises you are demonstrating personal strength, power, control and integrity. These are all excellent business skills!

My plan is to have one drink with dinner. I don't have cocktails before hand...I find that even one drink without food loosens my resolve and makes it much harder to stick to my health goals.

Rather than fighting with myself, I know that I want to have a nice glass of wine with my meal and really enjoy that, so if I'll be at the bar before I'll have a seltzer or mineral water with lime.

I have friends who love iced tea or coffee so they choose that. For these purposes, don't worry about the sugar...unless you are diabetic...but that's a whole different subject... the sugar is less of a demon for the night than the alcohol which is sugar AND relaxer!

Hunger Pangs: What to do?

So you want to lose some pounds, you are eating healthy, but gosh, you're just plain hungry, what do you do?

First thing I do when I feel hungry is to stop for a second (instead of just reacting and grabbing food) and analyze the situation to determine if I am really hungry or if it is something else...

I ask myself a couple of questions:

• Am I hungry in my stomach or in my mouth?
• Am I hungry for a specific food?
• When did I last eat?
• Have I had enough water?
• Am I bored?
• Am I feeling stressed? (boredom and stress are 2 of my emotional triggers, they may be different for you)
• Am I avoiding doing something or saying something?

I typically find that if I am "hungry" but it is really centered in my mouth as opposed to real stomach hunger pangs, then I may be craving something and that is almost always an emotional thing rather than real hunger.

Similarly, if I am hungry for a specific food (especially if that food is high sugar or fat, like ice cream or chocolate) then I'm not really physically hungry. It may sound great, but probably I got some trigger from either a visual cue (like I just saw someone eating ice cream, or an ad for a chocolate bar) or I am reacting to a situation emotionally.

Generally speaking if it has been 3-4 hours since I last ate, it is possible that I am actually physically hungry. I still run through the rest of the questions. However, If I am having mouth hunger of specific cravings AND it has been 3, 4 or more hours since I last ate, it is possible that I have waited TOO long and gone beyond the stomach hunger point.

If it hasn't been that long since I last ate, then I definitely want to look at my water intake. Many times we think we are hungry when we are really thirsty. That is why I always have water with me.

If it hasn't been that long since I ate and I have been drinking enough water, then I want to look at my emotions.

If I find that I can honestly say that I'm not reacting out of an emotion--in other words I'm not trying to "stuff" my emotions by eating, then I will eat something. Even if it has only been an hour or so since I last eat.

I just eat something like, high in protein and/or complex carbs.

It is important to learn to listen to our bodies...we just need to practice listening! We are in the process of changing our habits and learning to listen to our healthy bodies and make healthy choices!

More About Mindset

So how do you get your head in the game, like discussed yesterday?

I've said this many times before, but affirmations are a great tool for changing your head.

I know that I started and failed many diets over the years. I had myself convinced that I actually COULD NOT SUCCEED. Sure enough, as long as I held that belief I didn't.

What changed for me? I started by being open to the possibility that maybe I could be healthy.

Sound simple? Well, if you have been struggling for years (almost 40 in my case) to be healthy then it may be simple but it is far from easy!

If you are struggling with affirmations--or struggling with the idea that it is even possible for you to lose weight, then review some of my past posts that deal with the subject of affirmation. I have several posts that give specific affirmations as well as how I have used them in the past.

If you are still challenged with affirmations and your mindset I suggest you give yourself the gift of some help. Louise Hay has been a great help to me. I love You Can Heal Your Life. I have the extended version with the affirmation tool kit and listen to that daily. I also meditate with Wayne Dyer. I suggest you start with one, and I would start with Louise Hay. Then as you get more comfortable with affirmations you can add some other tools.

Bottom line is to be loving to yourself! Give yourself the gift of health. You deserve it! Be open to the possibility of health for you.

Get Your Head in the Game

This is one of my favorite sayings...and it is true for just about anything that you want to do in life. It refers to your mindset.

It is "the secret" to success!

You must first and foremost make a decision that you are going to do something, whether it is to lose weight, increase your fitness level, quit smoking, get off sugar or caffeine, or learn something new. It doesn't really matter what "it" is--you CAN achieve it as long as you truly commit to it.

It seems like losing weight is harder than some other things to commit to. That is true--if you let yourself believe that. If, on the other hand, you choose to believe that it is about attitude and choice and it is no different from any other choice then you will have an easier time.

If you do not believe in your heart, soul, the very core of your being that this time you can be successful at achieving your goal, then you probably won't be.

That doesn't mean you are destined to be obese for the rest of your life! It means that your work must start with getting your head in the game. Working on the mental and emotional attitude first. Then you can work on the foods themselves!

I'm Proud of Myself

I am proud! I have been at a very intensive course for the past several days (hence no posts!)

Sessions starting early in the morning and running to midnight could have easily led me to revert to unhealthy eating habits. There was quick access to high caffeine, high sugar, high simple carb foods which give energy surges, followed by the inevitable crash.

Instead, I kept my energy level constant by eating complex carbs, nuts, lean protein and drinking lots of water. Although not as much water as I normally do (there was so much info and very few bathroom breaks and I didn't want to miss a word!)

I brought my healthy food with me and that made it EASY to CHOOSE to eat what was healthiest for me.

Of course that meant I had to plan before hand. Most importantly I had to decide that I was important enough to be taken care of! I deserve to keep my healthy habits up and keep up with my health and weight loss goals!

I also exercised every day--even though I would have liked the extra sleep--I knew that sitting on my rear for 4 days was not good for my muscles or getting oxygen to my body. Quick walks during dinner breaks, walking flights of stairs rather than using the elevator, long walks at night all contributed to my healthy routine.

So after 4 days I feel stronger and healthy and proud of myself for learning and for exercising my determination for personal health!

LOVE and Weight Loss

Love is the best measuring stick to determine if we are making healthy food and exercise choices for ourselves.

All choices come down to either LOVE or lack of love, which I have come to define as fear.

If I feel "compelled" to eat chocolate for example, I can ask myself if this desire is coming from LOVE (a small piece of dark chocolate which has lots of great antioxidants, for example) or fear (that chocolate is on sale and I may never be able to find it again, for example.)

If the desire is coming from LOVE then I find that I am satisfied with a small quantity and I am able to fully enjoy the experience. Even if the item I want to eat has no nutritional value at all.

If the desire is coming from fear, then I find I am not satisfied...I could stuff myself with the food and still not feel satisfied. That's because I cannot get love, satisfaction or fulfillment when I base it in the lack of love!

The path to permanent weight loss is to eat (and to move) out of love for ourselves. This may take longer than a crash diet...but in the long-run it really doesn't! And we have the benefit of our health improving over time rather than be subject to the roller-coaster ride that accompanies the crash diet!

This is a life-long path of learning and reprogramming. I've had a lot of years of experience at eating without love. It is likely that I will face challenges on this path of growth and change and when I do, if I face those challenges from a loving place then I know I will succeed. So when I stumble, I will love myself back up onto the path of health. I will support myself in my efforts and know that I did my best at that moment in time and that every time I do my best I make it easier and easier for me to be my best the next time!

Affirmation:

I love myself as I am today. Because I love myself I take care of my body and make healthy choices. I know that I am doing my best and being my best becomes easier and easier. Thank you for my healthy body and the healthy choices I make.

Listen to Your Body

Yesterday I said it is important to love ourselves and to listen to our bodies in order to achieve our ideal weight and health.

There is a lot of documentation that supports the concept that left to our own choices, as young children we will choose the foods that give us the nutrition we need to grow and thrive in the world.

I am not suggesting that you not provide your child with guidance on making nutritional choices and expanding the food vocabulary. I am suggesting that we have an inner wisdom, we are "programmed" if you will, to know what is good and not so good for us.

The challenge comes in that most of us who have weight issues have used food for emotional support rather than nutritional support. Food is the most popular "drug of choice" to help us get through the day. It is relatively inexpensive, easy to get, and legal.

By abusing food, either mildly or massively, we have reprogrammed our brains. We have flooded our brains and bodies with chemicals and hormones that do not encourage our thriving. Caffeine and sugar are the easiest for us to understand, but they are not the only elements that are polluting our bodies and preventing the natural progression of health.

In order to be able to trust the messages you are getting from your body, you must first be sure that it is not the sugar, caffeine or other "bad apples" talking.

One way to do that is to be conscious about what you eat. Decide today that you will eat only when you are 100% aware. Ask yourself why you want to eat and what you want to eat. Then ask yourself if the thing you think you want to eat will support you in your health goals.

Another question that works wonders for me--is the desire to eat (or drink) this coming from LOVE? If I can honestly say YES to this question, then I give that item a green light!

Affirmation:

I choose to eat foods that support the health of my mind, body and spirit.

We'll talk more about LOVE and food tomorrow.

Weight Loss is Not a Simple Math Equation

Thank goodness! Math is not my strong suit! LOL!

There are lots of "experts" who maintain that losing weight is simply a matter of expending more calories than you ingest. That's a fancy way of saying eating less than you burn!

It is possible that it is that "simple" on a short-term, basic, theory kind of level.

However, personal experience (mine and that of millions of other folks around the world) proves that this math equation is not the long-term, real solution.

Yes, to have our optimum health we must make choices in what we eat that support our health. Our bodies need certain vitamins and minerals and nutrients in order to survive--and to thrive. (I vote for thriving!)

Yes, to have our optimum health we must move our bodies. By challenging our muscles and our bones we improve our strength, our flexibility, our circulation. All these challenges give us improved health for our entire lives...not just from a losing weight stand point.

Sometimes, even when we are doing these things we do not lose weight. I think that may be one of the great mysteries on earth! Each of our bodies is unique. That means what is the right balance for me might not work for you and vice versa. The right number and type of calories to be eaten for my body type and temperament to achieve ideal weight and health might lead to another person being overweight or underweight.

That is why we have to start by loving ourselves and listening to our own bodies.

Tomorrow we'll talk more about listening...

Controlling Cravings Tips

Fifth in a series on controlling cravings!

Today's Success Tip:

Know WHY you want to improve your health

This is a way to give cravings the one-two punch by bringing to the forefront of your mind the reasons why you want to lose weight, gain strength, have more endurance--whatever your health goal is.

Take the time to think about why you want to lose weight (or whatever...). Get some paper and write your reason(s) down.

There are no wrong answers--as long as the "why" is honest and for YOU then it is okay.

Review the list...and mark through any that are "shoulds"--the ones that come from guilt...they tend to not motivate. Instead they give us an excuse to punish ourselves for any small infraction! "Should" whys include things like, "My doctor/wife/husband wants me to lose weight", "I look disgusting and should take better care of myself", "No one will love me at this weight", "I will be happy when I have lost 5/10/50/100 pounds"

Instead of the 'shoulds' on the list, focus on the ones that feel empowering and loving, ones that help you to want to make the changes for good...if you don't have any on your list yet, take some more time and write some more!

Examples of empowering 'whys' include--"I love my baby so much I really want to be around for her wedding", "I enjoy being outdoors and I want to be able to spend more time in nature moving easily and effortlessly", "I deserve to look and feel and live up to my full potential", "I want the health and vitality I had when I was younger and at a healthier weight", "I am a good, loving person and I love myself enough to take care of my body"

Can you feel the difference in the two types of "whys"... the shoulds are negative based, the empowering ones are positive, love based.

Keep your positive, loving "WHY" with you at all times. Write it down on a card that you keep in your wallet or pocket. Post it at your computer. Put it on the mirror where you brush your teeth. Put it as many places as you want--places where you will see it many, many times during the day.

These positive thoughts WILL help you reduce your cravings and keep you on track!