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.
Courage Over Despair
"Faith is courage; it is creative while despair is always destructive.
Change ‘Er Up!
"If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it.
Hibernation?
"Ahhhh...the first day of a new week and new month! For those of us who love order, it's the perfect day to start a fresh chapter in our healthy lifestyle journey!! A new beginning, so to speak, gives us a clean slate to do with whatever we choose. If you feel like...
Enjoying vs Enduring
"I recently had a long discussion with a good friend who was very upset with her weight loss progress lately. As we talked she kept saying to me "Terra, I'm just working SO hard and nothing is happening.". I sure know how she feels but it sounded so much like a diet...
Mole Hill-Not Mountain
"A sense of humor is a major defense against minor troubles. ----------Mignon McLaughlin A good reminder going into the weekend not to hold on too tight. Don't make taking care of yourself and losing weight a stressful production. Its a rough time of year and many...
Wisdom Comes From Experience
"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest. -----Confucius It's not just what we do, it is how we do it. We don't know why things happen or why...
This Too Shall Pass
What can you do in this moment to feel and be a little more healthy?" ----- Terra Ayres Over the weekend I was hit hard with that awful flu bug or whatever it is and although I'm better, I still have not felt myself yet. Awful! When you're down and out but still have...
Shakin’ In My Slippers
"I'm trying to write something inspirational about weight loss but all I can think about is the earthquake that woke me up and scared me out of my mind this at 3:55 morning! Someone on Facebook said it measured 4.3 and was centered in Virgil/Dekalb area. All I know...
How Rather Than What
"What you do is secondary. How you do it is primary.. -Eckhart Tolle When it comes to a true lifestyle change this quote hits it on the head. The difference between lasting change and temporary action as just a means to an end (diet) is whether or not we have embraced...
Confucius
"Do not be desirous of having things done quickly. Do not look at small advantages. Desire to have things done quickly prevents their being done thoroughly. Looking at small advantages prevents great affairs from being accomplished.. -------Confucius (551 B.C.-479...
Perfect Attitude
"As the snow falls, each flake is in its perfect place. --Ancient Zen Proverb Sometimes the best thing we can do is to relax and NOT try so hard. When we put too much emphasis on every little detail it is easy to become overwhelmed and frustrated, making it very...
So Different, Yet So Alike
"I find in my experience in helping others gain and keep control of their weight that challenges come in "themes". Someone will express concern to me over a challenge they are experiencing and it's not uncommon for me to turn around and hear nearly the same...
10% What Happens, 90% Your Reaction
"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or...
Why?
"People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the first secret of success.-----Norman Vincent Peale If you feel like the biggest challenge you have on this healthy lifestyle journey...
Stifle it!!
"Some days making healthy choices is easy, some days it's not. Some days we need to let ourselves rest, some days we need to work harder. There is most definitely a flow to our physical bodies that is important to pay attention to, but there is also a flow of our...