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.
Quit Quitting
"If you’re trying in vain to quit something you do compulsively, like overspending or smoking or macramé, try quitting the effort to quit. As therapists like to say, “What we resist, persists,” and this is especially true of bad habits. Imagine trying not to eat one...
Christine’s Snack Ideas
Hi Terra I mentioned a couple of snacks I found with fruits or vegetables in the meeting today. Here are the details... Laughing cow light creamy Swiss 1 wedge Water crackers (4) Thin slices of pear Baba ghanoush 2 tbs (whole foods) Lentil chips with sea salt ( whole...
Happy Valentine’s Day
Valentine Day: a day for the exchange of tokens of affections. Although candy and dinner might be part of the tradition, this year as we celebrate Valentine's Day, let's keep our focus heavier on the affection and the love and less on the food. If you're going to...
Ranch Dip!
Each month in 2013 at Weight Watchers, we are focusing on adding a new, healthy routine to our everyday lives. Our healthy routine for January was ADDING A FRUIT AND/OR VEGGIE TO EVERY MEAL AND SNACK. Because I consider myself a "volume eater" and I've been working to...
#joiningthetwittisphere
OMGosh...Twitter? Because Facebook and blogging just aren't enough, apparently! I'm new to it and still a little unsure, but Cole, my 16 year old son, insists that it's time I jump in and start tweeting. As long as I don't follow his tweets, that is!!...
Snow!
"Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another." Walter Elliott Wow..the snow really fell last night! Walking Oakley this morning was more like a trail hike because the sidewalks were nonexistent! Now it feels like winter! As the weather...
Schedule
"Think about your highest purpose in 2013. Set up your calendar to serve that end, and everything will run better." —Martha Beck, Daily Coach Tips Although it can be a challenge to keep yourself at the top of your priority list, I'm challenging you to do it anyway!!...
Beef Cabbage Soup
This recipe is from Marsha and Karen, Weight Watchers members. Combined, these two friends have lost over 70 pounds!!! Incredible, huh??? The power of the buddy system! It's so much more fun to work toward a common goal along side others than it is alone. Both ladies...
New Week
Success is not a race, be patient. Success leads to success. Success is always a work in progress. Success doesn't come to you--you go to it. Success is a journey, not a destination. Focus on the process. Some people dream about success... while others wake up and...
Say NO to the Blues
"Johnny Winter is one of the best blues players in the world. He's very underrated." -Ritchie Blackmore The weather makes this a hard time of year to stay motivated to move and even though it's been unseasonably warm these past few days, I find this winter no...
Caramel Corn Rice Cakes & Peanut Butter?!? Yes, please!
Hi Terra, I have a tasty Tues idea if you need one. For me, this makes a great afternoon snack. Because of the PB, it's filling, because of the crunch it's satisfying. 1 caramel corn rice cake (I use Fit and Active From Aldi) 2 TBS Better N' Peanut Butter (From Trader...
Portion Distortion
“The more you eat, the less flavor; the less you eat, the more flavor.” ~Chinese Proverb There isn't any food we can't have, if we just take control of the portion size. It takes a conscious effort to pay attention to portions because the amounts we are served and the...
Weekend Planning
"Nothing tastes as good as thin feels." -anyone who has been over weight in the past Choices. Life is all about choices. Sometimes we think we have no choice, but the fact is, there is ALWAYS another choice. As we slide into the weekend on this snow-flurry-filled...
What’s Your BIGGER yes?
"You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage - pleasantly, smilingly, nonapologetically - to say 'no' to other things. And the way to do that is by having a bigger 'yes' burning inside." -Stephen Covey There is no doubt, most of us lead a...
Berry Dessert
As I sit here and write, my thermometer says it's -3* outside!!!!! Now THAT is cold!!! This time of year, when it's difficult to keep our activity level as high as we would like it, it is even more important to track our food intake accurately and consistently. Those...