Sometimes Me Gets Lost

I have a very full life.  I have a husband, 5 fantastic stepchildren, and 2 dogs that continuously shed!  I have a great career as a coach with clients I adore.  We are currently making some changes to our home and that require a good deal of time interacting with contractors, inspectors, et al.  There is a lot going on at our house all the time.

I am not complaining, but sometimes I get a little lost when there is so much going on.  Husband needs things, kids have issues that need attention, and the dogs want the ball!  Taxes need to be done.  Items need to be moved from one area to another.  I have no place to have my office during the renovation.  There are never enough hours in the day!  It is so easy to lose Me when life is busy.  The old Cynthia would have been grumpy and  whining to any and all who will listen while shoving a cheeseburger and fries into my face as fast as possible.  Oh and I would wash it all down with a side of chocolate cake and a huge vat of wine!

Through out all the craziness of my day to day life, I have found that if I take at least an hour for myself, I can deal with anything that lands in my lap.  I would not consider myself as an exercise junkie, but during crazy times, I have found that in order to keep my focus, an hour of Zumba or Bar Method gives me sanity and keeps the unneeded calories away.  I have also got meditation on my to try list, just don't have time for that yet.

My point is that no matter what is going on in your life and how busy things can be, take some time for yourself.  Remember that you have to be you in order to be at your best for everyone else!  So what keeps you sane?

Take The Leap!

I have not written in a few weeks but so much has happened that I believe I will have plenty of material for multiple blogs! 
That is me flying through the air.  A few weeks ago I went on a girls trip to my favorite place, Miraval in Tuscon, Arizona.  It has become a very special place to me.  Last year, while at Miraval, I learned about being Mindful and made the decision to become a life coach.  I spent the rest of the year studying and getting certified.

This year, I decided to try the Quantum Leap.  This is where you climb up a 35 foot telephone pole and get on to a one foot by 2 foot board, stand up and look around, say something profound and jump!  When I saw the climb, I thought I would never make it.  They made me go first.  Deep breath!  So, harnessed up and shaking, I started up the ladder.  Made it up there pretty quickly with no issues.  Now I needed to climb onto the actual pole.  The pegs or staples are spaced for normal height people.  I had to wrap my hand around the pole as I was climbing up to the next staple.  I was amazed that I could lift my body weight so easily.  I was able to get to the top at a normal pace.  Then I had to climb onto the teeny tiny platform.

It was a windy day and the pole was swaying from that height.  My legs were shaking as well.  I took awhile before I stood up.  I didn't want to give up and just fall.  The goal was to stand up on the top of the pole.  So, I did.  I stood up and just jumped. 

IT WAS AWESOME!

I never thought that I would be able to climb up a pole and jump off the pole 35 feet in the air.  I was amazed that I wasn't scared to leap.  I knew all was ok.

My take away from the exercise?  It is good to experience things that will make your heart beat a bit faster. I am in better shape than I thought.  It is ok to trust.  The rewards are amazing!  I still giggle when I think about it or see the pictures.

What will you find out about yourself if you were going to climb up and leap off of a 35 ft telephone pole?  How about if you go ahead and commit to that food plan.  What's the worst that could happen?  The best that could happen?

I can help you get to the point where you can enjoy a challange.  www.losinggracefully.com
Contact me for a free 30 minute session.

Thank God For Coaching!

This is a view from my back door.  It has been this way for the past week.  What was going to be a 3 day event, has turned into a week and counting. 

The reason the incompleted fence is crazy and out of mine and my contractor's hands.  The City of Dallas is currently ruling over this situation.  It is enough to place someone on an IV of valium.

In past years, I would have been ranting and raving and stuffing my face with every sweet available.  When I got the phone call about the stop work order, I must admit that I did growl for a minute, but that was all.

My mind immediately went to all the information I have learned on how to handle things.  This situation was out of my control, so I wasn't going to lose control.  I was able to coach myself out of a dangerous moment.  Nary a cookie was eaten and all the people I have had to interact with over this matter have gotten the kind and relaxed Cynthia and not the angry, out of control Cynthia.  It felt wonderful!

I hate that my backyard looks trashy and icky, but I love the fact that I stayed calm and focused and that I know my coaching ability.  The backyard will get done, just not as quick as I would like.

Wow!  I am an awesome coach! 

I would like to help you feel wonderful and focused too.  www.losinggracefully.com

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!