Nom Nom! Food Crazy!

  Ever felt like this picture?  Have you ever thought about a food so much that you were obcessed by the time you got it and crammed it into your mouth?  Did you even really taste it?

We do that.  We deny ourselves something and quietly it builds up in our mind as the absolute best thing ever.  Like a snowball rolling down the hill, it gains momentum until it is HUGE and we become quite crazed at the thought of getting whatever it is we wanted.

Once you get it, is it really worth all the press your brain gave that food?  In most cases, I would bet no.  This has happened to me many times.  I will start thinking about a food, say in this instance, a cheeseburger from a local joint.  At first it sounds good but the thought lingers.  Then I go through the deny thought process where I tell myself I don't need the calories and should make better choices.  Now that might quell my desire for the cheeseburger for a day or so, but the thought always comes back.

Then I decide that I can make a healthier cheeseburger at home and will do so.  It just doesn't taste like it did at the local burger joint.  Still not satissfied and still want that cheeseburger.  Now, if you are like me, I will finally give in and eat so fast that I feel sick.  I will eat more than I want and usually I come away thinking that is sounded better than it tasted.  Not a happy ending.

I am going to try a new way when the craving for some particular food creeps its way into my brain.  I am going to go and get it.  Stick with me here as you are thinking I am encouraging you to eat unhealthy, etc.  If you find that you are craving something, why spend countless days and calories trying to avoid that particular food, when you can just eat it and move on.  Savor the flavor.  BUT (and there is always a but), follow the rules.  Go slow and only eat until you are full and leave the rest.  If you are honest with yourself it might be only half the cheeseburger.  You got what you wanted and you didn't end up gorging yourself.  Win win if you ask me.

If Not Now, When?

Yesterday,I heard someone say "If not now, when?" and I actually stopped in my tracks.  I have no idea in what context this person was using this statement, but it was a total game changer for me. Why do we wait on making changes?  Let's look at some of the answers people give:

 

"I want to research this"  Really?   Haven't you been thinking about weight loss, moving, going back to school, or whatever it is for awhile now?  Is there a difference between thinking about and 'seriously' thinking about a change?

"I am too busy"  Busy being unhappy.  If there is something on your mind that you know would improve your life, why are you even wasting one more day?  Take a deep breath and leap!

"I am scared" Change is always scary.  You can 'what if' yourself to death.  But you are a strong person and can handle whatever happens.  You have gotten this far in life.  Why cheat yourself out of a victory?  If you do nothing, then nothing is what you will get.  Everyone's mission in life is to move forward.  How will you move forward?

There are so many things going on currently in my life that I would love to say, "Whoa lets slow down for a little while and ponder on these decisions."  That would be the wrong thing to do.  It is very hard to leave the comfort of my bed every morning, but things must move forward.  Life must be lived!  Am I scared?  Yes!  Do I push through?  Yes!  The reward will be fantastic because I have earned it.

I am standing on my soapbox because lately I have seen way too many people who are miserable in their lives, because they are choosing not to live it!  So, I encourage you to take the leap of faith and just go ahead and do it.  Don't try, do!  The worst that can happen is that you end up where you are now.  The best?  Well that is whatever you want it to be.  New Job?  Lose weight? Better relationships and less toxic people in your life?  You name it and then do it!

I can help.  I can guide you through this process.  www.losinggracefully.com
 

 

 

 

 

 

We Are Doomed!

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Albert Einstein
It is so hard to step out of your comfort zone.  It is terribly scary.  People love to say they embrace change, but when asked to truly change, they can find all sorts of reasons why it won't work.  Einstein's statement is so true!  Unfortunately, you spend way too much time repeating your mistakes instead of taking a deep breath and moving forward and changing your life.

If you hate your job, update your resume and starting looking for the next position.  The only thing that is holding you back from success is YOU!  What is the worst thing that will happen to you?  You end up in the same job?  Well, that is what is going on now...you are experiencing the worst.  I am just starting up my own weight loss coaching business.  It is scary to try to market myself and to make those cold calls.  Is it because I am not good at what I do.  Heck no!  I worked hard to earn my certification and I know I am good.  Just because you are good, doesn't mean the clients fall into your lap.  You have to get your name out there and develop your client base.  It takes time and focus.  It would be so easy to just go back and get a job in the weight loss business.  Would I be happy?  Nope.  Right now, though I am afraid of my next step, I am excited to see where it will lead me!  Is it easy?  No way!  This is one of the hardest things I have ever done.

When it comes to weight loss are you doomed to repeat the same mistakes over and over again?  What is keeping you from moving forward?  Why not contact me and we can get your brain working differently on how you see food.  Is it hard?  Yes!  Is there dieting?  No, those don't work.  Will you be successful?  That is up to you.  If you are ready to try something else because the same old diet commitment hasn't ever worked for you, or it worked for awhile and failed, then consider weight loss coaching.  Let's get you to your forever healthy weight.  Train your brain to think differently about food.  Lose the weight.  Be a healthy success story.  You can do this.  I can help.
www.losinggracefully.com

How Are Those Resolutions Working For Ya?

We start the new year off with lots of resolutions.  This year I am getting organized.  No more clutter.  I am going to eat healthier. I will exercise everyday.  I will finally lose the weight.  Sound familiar? 

You have to have the right equipment.  New running shoes, workout clothes, paper products, juicers, diet programs, and all sorts or other paraphernalia are purchased in order to help us get to our goals.We are all full of good intentions and determination, but usually by the end of January, all resolutions are broken or ignored.

The excuses start to roll in.  "Work has gotten so busy."  "The kids have so much going on that there is no time for me."  "It's just too hard".  Go ahead and add your own excuse. Remember it is just that: an excuse. 

You can make all the resolutions you would like, but if you don't start with your thought process, it will be very hard to be successful.  Get right with the mind, then the body will follow.  If you view yourself as a failure at dieting, exercising, etc. you are doomed to prove yourself right.

Want to change those thoughts?  I can help.  I am a certified weight loss coach and can teach you the tips and techniques for success.  So, if you would like 2013 to end with you moving to or at your forever healthy weight, go to www.losinggracefully.com

It is time to treat the cause and the symptom!

A Fixer No More!

Personally, I think the picture is creepy, but it drives the point of my blog.  You see, I am a fixer.  I am happy to fix any problem you have, whether you want me to or not.  This is not always a good thing.

Some people need to fix their own problems even if I can see the obvious solution.  Now you might think I am speaking of kids.  Nope.  I am talking about full grown adults.  These past few days I have shut my mouth in the face of several issues.  I have chosen not to be involved in some decision making because I usually come out looking like the bad guy when I do.  This time I honestly wasn't up for the job.  I have been working on my certification in weight loss coaching and had learned that being a fixer is not the best thing.  So, I am fixing only for myself these days.

I think stepping back was the right thing to do, but the fall out is hard and the problem has not been  solved in a good way.  There was a degree of anger as I would not step in where I usually do.  This brought to mind when I lost a load of weight and my position in the family dynamic changed.  Have any of you experienced this phenomena?  In every family, each person has a certain position.  The smart one, the silly one, the fat one, etc.  My position many years and pounds ago, was the victim.  As I lost weight, my family didn't know what to do with me.  They had to adjust to the new more confident me.  Same thing happened at work.  At the time, it drove my boss crazy because she couldn't dump work on me anymore.  It was wonderful to lose all that weight, but there was an awkward time while everyone adjusted.

I guess I am going through that awkward time now as well.  For 50 years, if I saw a problem, I figured out how to fix it.  I am a planner.  I actually work scenarios through my head to see all possible outcomes and then go with the best.  I try to plan for any hiccups.  An extremely simple example would be, if you have out of town guest coming, and currently people sleeping in what will be their bed, when is the best time to do the sheets?  Simple answer, find out when the person currently occupying said bed is getting up and plan your washing schedule as well as chore schedule around him leaving said bed.  My brain does this all day!

In coaching, I cannot fix.  I can only hold a mirror up to the client and then it is up to the client on how to fix.  Sounds easy?  Not really.  When the client wants to change, it is an amazing process!  It was hard for me to stop fixing people and to coach them on fixing themselves.  It is even harder to apply that into my own life.  It's working and there are some amazing changes taking place.  I wonder if I will always have that tendency to fix, or if after much practice, it will be normal to not fix and let the person fix themselves.

Here's to a new year, new life and new career!  I am so excited about the things to come.

The Holiday Shovel and Scoop!

Tis the season for loads of parties, luncheons, get togethers, etc.  It is a wonderful time to catch up with friends and family that we only see during the holiday season.  Unfortunately, we spend a bunch of time stuffing our faces with yummy foods and festive frosty adult beverages at these events and pack on the pounds.

It is so easy to have that extra glass of wine or not pay attention to the cookies, cakes and candies during events.  Well, I am telling you now, PAY ATTENTION!  Those calories consumed during mindless eating, are the ones that will add the extra pounds to your body.  Then it either starts a shame spiral or adds extra workout activity to your January schedule.

When you are at a party or festive event, enjoy your food, but only eat until you are full.  Think about what is going into your mouth.  Last week, I was at dinner with my husband.  He began shoveling some delicious truffle mac n cheese into his mouth.  I asked him why he was doing this?  He said it tasted wonderful.  Then I asked if he was really tasting it while he was eating so fast.  He thought about it and said no.  He then slowed down and enjoyed the yummy treat.

My father use to tell me when I was eating something fast, "Slow down so you can taste the vanilla."
He was so right.  So, my advice to you this season is to enjoy your treats, but go slow and really taste it.  You might notice you eat less and love it more.  And perhaps you won't be spending extra time in the gym trying to lose the holiday weight.

Cold or Clean Toilets?

I have a cold.  My husband had it last week and for our anniversary, he passed it along.  What a gift!  Love him! Ugh!  I hate to be sick.  It is never convenient to be ill.  I have a list as long as my arm of things I need to do around the house, errands that need to be run, Christmas cards, and Christmas shopping.  The house needs a good cleaning after a great holiday weekend with kids and dogs running, playing and drooling (dogs only on the last one). 

Yesterday, I tried to do some of the things on my list.  I should have stayed in bed and slept.  I didn't.  Today I feel worse and now am having to stay in bed.  Of course, I am doing my blog, but that is my 1 thing to do today. 

If I had just stayed in bed yesterday, maybe I would feel better today.  I never give myself permission to be sick.  I don't think anyone does until they cannot get out of the bed.  Why do I and millions of others feel like I need to be a super hero and push through the cold?  What is wrong with taking care of oneself?  Who set the standard on this?  Am I lazy if I stay home?  Wouldn't more people appreciate me not infecting them with my germs? 

It is all in my mind.  I am putting pressure on myself.  Trust me, the world will still turn if I don't clean the toilets today.  Life will go on.  The post offices won't close down if I don't mail my Christmas cards.  It can all wait until I am healthier.

So, for today I am sick.  I am ok with that.  I am going to take care of me.  Are you taking care of yourself?