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.
PB&J!! – On The Go Style!
PB&J...that's it??? YEP!!! Somedays it really has to be THAT simple! With fall sports in full swing and everyone scrambling to get the last of the summertime activities in before school starts, it's nice to know that peanut butter and honey (or jelly) sandwiches...
My Challenge To You…..
It's AUGUST already!! Where's the summer gone?!? I've walked Oakley by this sign (photo below) a 100 times this summer but today it seemed to really stand out! I realized that Aug 22, the first day of school out here in Elburn, is only 19 days away!! So here's the...
Arugula, goat cheese & peaches
Greetings from Naples, Florida!!!! Darin and I are on a kid-free, long weekend down here celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary. We are on the beach and it's hot and sunny! Life is GOOD! I'm relaxing and reading in my beach chair (on my iPad) and thought it...
Yogen Fruz to Keep Us Cool Today!
"Then followed that beautiful season... Summer.... Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood."-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow The Weather Channel says that temperatures today will top...
Pizza Wrap
Pizza Wrap I pack a small cooler most weekdays because I'm on the road a lot for work. I've grown tired of my usual wraps and sandwiches, so I experimented with this one and it turns out to be delicious! Give it a try! Pizza Wrap Soft Tortilla Shell (I use the Lawash...
Curbing Night Time Eating
“My fault, my failure, is not in the passions I have, but in my lack of control of them.” - Jack Kerouac, American Poet and Novelist Obviously food is a big part of being human and it's meant to be enjoyed and savored. There's nothing unhealthy about eating meals and...
Root Beer Float Smoothie
Root Beer Float Smoothie Hey Everyone! They say today there's a good chance that today is going to be the hottest day of the summer! It's supposed to reach temps of over 100*! What a cooker! So today's Tasty Tuesday is the perfect snack on a hot summer afternoon or...
Recap of the Week, So Far….
"There are souls in this world which have the gift of finding joy everywhere and of leaving it behind them when they go." -Frederick Wm. Faber Thanks to everyone who attended our discussion about "Dining Out Locally". It was so much fun to be able to chat and interact...
Veggie Pasta Salad
Veggie Pasta Salad I made this Veggie Salad with Pasta on Sunday and I am taking a one cup serving with me each day this week for lunch. It's fresh alternative to the sandwiches and wraps I usually take and it just tastes like summer! Give it a try and let me know...
MOCK-A-RITA
HELLO All! With tomorrow being the 4th of July and the weather looking hot and steamy, it seems like the perfect time to revisit one of my favorite recipes...The Mock-A-Rita! This week in the meetings we are talking about how to stay on-program while on vacation or...
BUDDY UP!
“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” ~C.S. Lewis If I had to name all the emotions that go along with being over-weight or feeling over-weight, isolation would definitely be one of them. A...
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
OK, I am typically NOT a fan of brussels sprouts. My Mom loves them and growing up, the smell of her steaming them made me GAG, so eating them was absolutely out of the question! Sorry Mom! I know you say I was always "over dramatic", but you have to admit that they...
Crunchy Champagne Pear Salad
Happy Tuesday, AGAIN! Today's salad is AMAZING when it comes to taste AND ease of preparation. OH YEAH...my two favorite qualities in a dish! I hope you like it as much as my family and I do! So just to be clear....My middle name is not "Trader" or "Joe", but, yes, I...
Watermelon Granita
Hello Reader! Today's Tasty Tuesday idea comes from a WW member who is just getting ready to celebrate losing 5% of her body weight! Yay! Achieving the 5% weight loss goal is when most of us can really start to feel the weight loss adding up and wow, does that control...
Your Future’s So Bright, You Gotta Wear Shades!
Last week, we started discussing our goals for this summer. The goal setting part of weight loss and weight maintenance plays a HUGE role in our success. I love planning because it helps me to feel organized and in control and goal setting is basically long or...