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.
Are You Ready For Some…..
What happens today will greatly impact tomorrow. Yes, of course, I'm talking about FOOTBALL. The winners of today's Bears vs Packers (GO BEARS) and Steelers vs Jets (GO STEELERS) games will determine who goes onto the Superbowl in Dallas this year. BUT.......I'm also...
The Sweet Isn’t As Sweet If We’ve Never Tasted The Bitter
"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.". ---Anne Bradstreet No matter where you are with your weight, let's try to embrace today, just as it is, and welcome it. Rarely...
Hang On Tight, The Ride Has Only Just Begun!!!!
By the third week in January, the average American has abandon his or her "New Year's Resolution" and gone back to old ways. Let's address this head on before some of us start to wander! There can be a multitude of reasons we stop working towards our goal of change...
Snack Ideas
New Year. New Program. New YOU! How about some new food ideas to go along with it??? I've been polling other Weight Watchers to see their favorite foods and I thought you might find the ideas useful! I couldn't help but add a few of my favs too!! See list below!...
Tracking?
Good morning and Happy Monday! Just a quick check in as a reminder of our group challenge from last week's meeting: TRACKING. We all have our individual goals set and to meet those goals, tracking WILL be a big help. Coming off the weekend, which for many of us is the...
Get Out of Your Own Way
One of my boys favorite pastimes when they are bored and together is to pick on each other. They won't admit it, but I can tell they thoroughly enjoy thinking of ridiculous things to say to drive the other one off the deep end. Even though the stuff they say to each...
One Day at a Time
"Take care of the minutes and the hours take care of themselves." Author Unknown, Shared with me by Susan Awot In this traditional time of new year's resolutions I find this quote to be particularly fitting. There's nothing wrong with long term goal setting but a HUGE...
Down the Drain (or Disposal)!
"Moving on, is a simple thing, what it leaves behind is hard.". --------------Dave Mustaine *************************** I dumped the last of the eggnog down my kitchen sink as I left for the gym this morning and I'm challenging you to do the same. The cookies, the...
Have a Christmas Laugh on Me!
It's Christmas Eve! I am so excited that I can't even sleep! I wish you and your families all the joy, love and happiness of the season this Christmas weekend. After all, that is what it's REALLY all about. The last few weeks of shopping, cooking, wrapping and running...
Sweet Dreams
Could the season get any "sweeter"? I don't think so! It's a "sweets" frenzy out there! Every time we turn around there's a new delectable temptation staring us in the face! Even the Elburn post office is getting into the game! When I went stopped in to mail my...
Happy Winter Solstice!
Winter Solstice: "Occurs exactly when the Earth's axial tilt is farthest away from the sun at its maximum of 23° 26'. Though the winter solstice lasts only a moment in time, the term is also a turning point to midwinter or the first day of winter to refer to the day...
Keep Yourself In Sync
To maintain or to lose??? That's the question over these next couple of weeks. Of course there is always that third option of gaining weight as well. Which will it be for you? Contrary to our old beliefs, there really is no "wrong" answer. As long as you make a...
I’ve Got Your Number!
Good Morning!This is just a friendly reminder that YOU ARE NOT A NUMBER nor does the quality of your day depend on a number either. We are not "good" (or "bad") because of what number shows up on the scale today or the number of miles we walk or run or even the number...
A Precious Gift To Yourself
In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you. Deepak Chopra As it draws nearer and nearer to Dec 25th, the hustle and bustle is magnified to an even greater extent. Every spare moment is an opportunity to pack in one more "to-do" and mark it off...
Thanks, Natalie!
Hey Terra--- Saw this tip and thought it could apply to how we react to things..it was meant for relationships but thought it was a good one: "Dial down the amount of energy you invest in any stressful situation or person. You are only responsible for how YOU behave...