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.
Do Your Actions Line Up With Your Priorities Even When You Are Busy?
"The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live." -Flora Whittemore I'm starting my day with this quote because it reminds me that everything we do today is a choice. A door that we chose to open or to close. We all have obligations and things we thing...
Expect Good
If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will." Abraham Lincoln quotes This quote certainly proves to be true in life but I also find it to be true in how we see ourselves as well. Its all too easy to point out and focus on our...
May Happiness Follow You Throughout the Week
"Mind is forerunner of action, foremost of deeds. Everything is made up of mind. If your mind is polluted, sorrow will follow, as a wagon wheel trails the hoof of an ox. If your mind is pure, happiness will ensue, the way your shadow trails along wherever you go."...
True Strength
"Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength. --Unknown Adversity rears it's ugly head all too often in life. Although we can't always control when...
November 1st
"The first recipe of happiness - avoid too lengthy meditations on the past. -------- Andre Maurois Movin' up and movin' on! Halloween is over and I hope it was frightfully good for you and your family!!! First thing on the ""to do list"" for today, Monday, November...
Perfect?
"Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.. ---Unknown If we are waiting until we are at the "perfect weight", the "perfect size" or the "perfect fitness level" to be happy, our experience will...
Fanatic About Feeling Good
Good habits are worth being fanatical about. ----John Irving ****************************In my job of helping people gain control of their weight, one of my concerns is always not to scare anyone off. Sometimes the whole process can seem overwhelming and daunting and...
Food Only Satisfies Hunger
"Sometimes the most urgent and vital thing you can possibly do is take a complete rest. -------------Benjamin Franklin ****************************""Complete rest""? What's that and whatever it is, who's got time for it?? That's how I used to feel but I'm learning...
39,743
"That's ME! My bib number for Sunday's Chicago Marathon is 39,743!!! I am one out of 40,000 runners who will be lining up at 730am on Columbus Ave on to run 26.2 miles this Sunday!!!! Although this will be my 4th Chicago Marathon, it makes no difference in the...
Pittsburgh or Bust!!!
"For as far back as we can remember, Chase, my youngest son, has been a Pittsburgh Steelers fan. We don't know why because our family is full of die-hard Bears fans and truth be told, most of us, including Chase, have never even been to the state Pennsylvania! We all...
Written October 1st
"October's Party, by George Cooper: -October gave a party; The leaves by hundreds came; The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples; And leaves of every name.; The Sunshine spread a carpet, And everything was grand, Miss Weather led the dancing, Professor Wind the band. Welcome...
Lasting Contentment
"There is no end of craving. Hence contentment alone is the best way to happiness. Therefore, acquire contentment. ----Swami Sivananda, Indian Yoga master, Physician and Monk****************************Not too long ago one of my boys said something that I couldn't get...
Sometimes Our Own Responses Surprise Us!
"My father used to say to me, 'Whenever you get into a jam, whenever you get into a crisis or an emergency, become the calmest person in the room and you'll be able to figure your way out of it.' -----------Rudolph Giuliani ******* During one of my WW meetings earlier...
The Circus of Life
"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for. --
Don’t Wear Yourself Out
"Our fatigue is often caused not by work, but by worry, frustration and resentment.. ---Dale Carnegie We don't get tired of making healthy food choices, taking better care of ourselves and being more active nearly as often as we get tired of the frustration that comes...