I started writing this blog in 2007 and continue today, hoping it will make its way to anyone who feels stuck while trying to make lifestyle changes to live at a healthy weight. Changing behaviors can be tricky if we don’t evaluate our perspective and adjust our expectations and mindset. I believe the foundation of lasting behavior change starts with four key elements:
1.) Self-compassion 2.) A growth mindset 3.) Joy in the journey 4.) Gratitude
Self-compassion is recognizing our humanity. It’s realizing and accepting that no human can be perfect 100% of the time. Therefore, when we make choices that aren’t in line with our goals, it’s an opportunity to learn, modify and move forward. This is called a Growth Mindset, and it leads to lasting success and facilitates joy in the journey! The fourth foundation of lasting behavior change is the practice of gratitude for today and using the good feeling energy of appreciation to propel us forward into the actions we want to take.
Cucumbers
What I've been doing is simple and it might not seem all that creative, but it works!! Wash the cucumber(s), slice them up like chips, throw them in a zip lock bag, add dill, salt and pepper to taste and shake and shake and shake!!! I put them in individual baggies...
Choose Your Hard
I've posted this quote before and I will probably post it again because it's a message that really resonates with me. Maybe it does with you too? About 10 minutes after I stopped leading Weight Watchers meetings, my weight started to creep up! With 13 YEARS of...
BLT Salad
My husband's parents came for a visit last weekend and brought us a ton of the most beautiful, dark red, ripe tomatoes from their garden!! Simple, simple, simple. All I did was fill the bottom of my glass dish with shredded lettuce. I buy my lettuce already shredded,...
100 Women Who Care, Geneva
Good Morning, Everyone! Today is a HUGE day for the ladies at Stone Tower Properties because it brings the accomplishment of one of our biggest new year's resolutions for 2015....the kick off of the charitable organization called 100 Women Who Care! Teresa Keenan (the...
The Sun Is Shining On A New Day
Mondays can be difficult for all of us, especially when we've had a fun filled weekend, but fight the urge to let yourself feel down or discouraged about your choices. A true healthy lifestyle includes days "off" from your everyday routines, so look back and be glad...
How’s It Going???
I hope your 2015 is off to a great start. If there are things you'd like to change, there's no better time to start than today!!!! Love, Terra:-))
It’s No Coincidence They’re Called Eating HABITS
For some of us, it can be easy to feel like food has control over us. We say things like “The ice-cream was calling my name” and sometimes it feels like it really is!! Of course food is an inanimate object and can’t talk. The cravings, the urges and the...
Don’t Hide!
I know it isn't the most fun thought in the world right now....stepping on the scale after two weeks of holiday celebrations, but it's time. You are NOT alone! Come and feel the support and energy that will bring us all back to our healthy habits. Don't be...
Pumpkin Pie Parfait Treat
Dear Terra- This is one of those mini dessert glasses. I crushed some nilla wafers and mixed with a little melted butter and sugar for the crumb bottom. Then I piped in canned pumpkin mixed with sugar free fat free pudding mix. Next a little sprinkling of chopped...
See You Today At 830am or 930am!
"Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another." -Walter Elliott It's so much easier to achieve goals and successful change when we break it down into steps. Any long term goal will look daunting from the start, so let's switch our focus to...
Thank YOU!
It is early morning on Thanksgiving Day. It's still dark outside and the house is quiet....my FAVORITE time of day! As I am thinking about all the things I've been blessed with in my life, I couldn't help but think of all of you. Your support has made an...
Tuna Melt – Coming Home
I'm writing quickly this morning because I don't have much time. I've waited weeks for today to arrive and now that it's here, I feel as happy as if it were Christmas morning!! Today I drive to La Crosse, WI to pick up Cole for Thanksgiving!! I cannot wait to have him...
We Don’t Have To Earn Self Love
Goals and goal setting are great ways to help us clarify what we want and how to achieve it. Goals help to point our behaviors in the direction we want them to go, which is a good thing. But what about when we fall short of the goal? From an intellectual...
Cottage Cheese Tips
Last week had a "cottage cheese" theme to it!! I had 2 people, on different days, share really unique (to me at least me) ways of using cottage cheese. I've tried both and they're delicious!! The cottage cheese not only tastes really good in both, it power packs...
See You This Morning
It's easy to feel overwhelmed and even a bit scared when you're on the brink or in the midst of making a life change. Those are feelings most of us experience anytime we step outside of our comfort zone or our "norm". But just because change is uncomfortable doesn't...