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.
Summer Is Around the Corner!
"What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade." ~Gertrude Jekyll June? YES, June! Almost. It's right around the...
One Finish Line Crossed
“Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task.” — William James It was another fun year at the Nashville Country Music Half Marathon! I forgot what a hilly, challenging course it is, but our group all finished successfully. As you...
My Personal Activity Challenge
We are big on tradition at my house. Now that we are in to the 3rd year of this blog together, many of you already know that!!! Every June almost my entire family takes the same summer vaca together to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, in January or February we make...
Courage
"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow.'" - Mary Anne Radmacher Everyday isn't going to turn out to be what we consider "our perfect day". Some days we will do things, say things...
“Get Up And Do More Activity Than You Have Been Doing Challenge”
We are in the midst of our annual Weight Watchers Walk It Challenge. It's really a "Get Up And Do More Activity Than You Have Been Doing Challenge" because you don't have to walk a 5k, but that's the general theme. You can walk it, run it, complete it walking in...
And The Winner Is….ME
I received the following email with the subject line was "And The Winner Is...ME" from a dear, dear friend and WW member yesterday morning. It not only made me SMILE, it inspired me! I asked Amy if she minded if I share it with all of you and she said " Sure you can...
Take a Breath~It’s OK
"Mindfulness is the aware, balanced acceptance of the present experience. It isn't more complicated that. It is opening to or receiving the present moment, pleasant or unpleasant, just as it is, without either clinging to it or rejecting it. " Sylvia Boorstein All of...
Feeling Fat
Raising my boys, there have been a few "off limit" words at our house besides the obvious profanity and rudeness. We try not to say "hate" and we don't call people "fat". The word fat sends chills down my spine and it's a feeling that unless you've felt fat before...
Dawning of a New Day
"Failure is often that early morning hour of darkness which precedes the dawning of the day of success."— Leigh Mitchell Hodges Our health is an ongoing journey and it's a big part of our life. There are going to be days we don't make the healthiest choices....they...
Ditch The Fear, Guilt And Worry
Fall seven times, stand up eight. ~Japanese Proverb It's so easy to get frustrated with ourselves when we "fall off" or behave in ways that we know are not in-line with our weight loss goals and often it happens on the weekends. Managing our weight is important to us...
Snow?? Really???
"Patience is waiting. Not passively waiting. That is laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow-that is patience." --Author Unknown It's cold outside now and it's going to be a cold for the next several days. Those of us that are NOT heading south on...
Take Control of Emotions
" Humiliation, guilt, anger and shame are inherent in most diet and lifestyle programs, these are among the most toxic emotions." ----Marianne Williamson Do not let these emotions become part of the new, healthy lifestyle you are designing. Take a stand with yourself...
Rest in Peace
"Why does our culture only say "Rest in peace" when we're dead? Take five minutes today and rest in peace while it still does some good." —Martha Beck You know a quote is "speaking to you" when you cannot get it out of your thought. I cannot remember what I had for...
Cheesy Sausage & Egg Scramble
Cheesy Sausage & Egg Scramble Ingredients: 3 egg whites 1 egg 1 Wedge of Laughing Cow Light Cheese 1/2C Butterball All Natural Turkey Breakfast Sausage Crumbles Splash of preferred variety of milk Salt & Pepper to taste By popular demand I am posting Julie's,...
Super Shining Star, Melinda Bernhard
Super Shining Stars may become my favorite part of this blog. I love hearing genuine, authentic stories about the journey of self discovery. We can all learn so much from each other! My plan is to post Super Shining Star entries when I receive them as regular blog...