YOUR MIND IS ALWAYS LABORING

If you are worried about that Labor day barbeque because you are uncertain if you can make a healthy choice ask yourself if you are using this event to predict failure. Be honest with yourself in an effort to recognize the situations and circumstances where you need to retrain yourself. You should take 100% responsibility for your choices.

You can help retrain yourself by repeating certain new habits such as eating slowly. Not only chewing your food slowly but also placing your utensil down between each bite and do not pick it up until you have completely chewed and swallowed each piece. Make a commitment to eat only at the table and do not pick at the food while it's cooking. You can serve yourself on a smaller plate and leave at least a bite of each item on the plate. This will help you train yourself to stop eating when you are full.

Think your choices through. Behavior modification works only if you are consistently repeating new behaviors.

YOU ARE INDEPENDENT NOT DEPENDENT

With today's holiday celebration, food becomes an even more significant issue for those whose objectives are weight loss. The key is to not allow a single day to prevent you from continuing with your program.

Now I'm not saying that a 4th of July BBQ is an excuse to predict failure. You should take 100% responsibility for your choices. Create an easy to follow plan to overcome each situation.

Remember what the holiday signifies--independence. How will you chose to declare you independence? Perhaps by taking control of your choices.

INDEPENDENT CHOICES

With the holiday weekend on the horizon, food becomes an even more significant
issue for those whose objectives are weight loss. It is almost certain that you will
not "stick to your diet." It is usually expected since you have not reprogrammed
or reconditioned your usual behavior. The key is to not allow this step back to
prevent you from continuing with your program.

Now I'm not saying that an upcoming event (a 4th of July BBQ?) is an excuse
to predict failure. You should take 100% responsibility for your choices. Create an
easy to follow plan to overcome each situation. Do not look at a summer get together
as a roadblock or a stumbling point. Instead as an opportunity to shift your mindset
and relearn new habits. After all, habit patterns are things you learned. And if you
learned them you can unlearn them.

MAD AT DAD?

In honor of Fathers Day (this Sunday) I want to remind you that when it comes to health and fitness-genetics does not dictate fate. They are just a factor. Mom and dad may have determined how tall you are, your skin color and the color of your eyes. You would not work hard at becoming 4 inches taller. Nor to you take spin class in an effort to become Chinese. However, you understand that if you exercise and eat healthy, you can become healthier and slimmer.

Having an overweight Dad might have effected your eating habits, beliefs and other aspects. However, bad habits can be replaced with better habits. Habits that can assist in overcoming these things.

ALL SEASONS LONG

It is summertime. A time for picnics, vacations, and for some sheer panic. For some the idea of wearing less clothing means going to extreme measures to lose a few pounds. Unless those measures are kick up the work outs and/or eliminating junk food, I am not an advocate of traumatizing your body.

Unless you are doing a cleanse for religious or medical purposes, I can not understand why anyone would put themselves in potentially dangerous situation by fasting. Fasting to lose weight just isn't smart. Anorexia, bulimia and bingeing can have serious irreversible side effects. Here are a few taken from the March Issue of Health magazine :infertility, heart problems, tooth decay, bloating and overdosing on self medications.

I am surprised that people would rather hurt themselves than help themselves by (lets say) running a few miles. And why not begin anytime of the year? There is always going to be a summer. And looking good and feeling good are always in season.

MOM DID NOT MAKE YOUR DAY

In honor of Mother's Day, let us acknowledge that poor Mom seems to take a lot of heat for attributes we may not like. However you are what you are today because of the choices you have made and the information and programming you have absorbed and acted upon throughout your life.

At any time you have the power to change the way you see yourself and to change your beliefs. Also you can change you attitude about food and your body right now. You were born with the power of choice.

Truth be told, genetic only plays a 35% role in your physical health and make up. The rest is determined by the choices you make. And what precedes that choice? Your thoughts. Subconscious thoughts are seven to nine times more powerful than conscious awareness.

So instead of focusing your thoughts on blaming mom's genes, think about what thoughts you would like to have instead.

BELIEVE

GOOD FOR GOODNESS SAKE

I am always amused when clients define themselves, food or an entire day by the terms "good" or "bad". 

This judgement is usually determined by their actions, or an event that has occurred. I typically remark that both adjectives seem a bit extreme. People, food and a twenty four hour period are neither good nor bad. They just are.

Now the real value comes in observing something. If I determine that a certain behavior or food item may be harmful to me, I may consider eliminating it. 

Rather than waste time replaying and criticizing, it may be more helpful to decide what to do about it.

SANTA KNOWS

Winter Warlock:
If I want to change the reflection I see in the mirror each mourn. You mean its just my election to vote for a chance to be reborn!

Both:
You put one foot in front of the other. And so you'll be walking out the door

GO AHEAD IT'S THE HOLIDAYS DON'T TAKE ONE

For many the holiday season just around represents a time of "fear". The fear of being tempted by the holiday cookies, cakes, pies and other desserts. Most will talked about it as if it is beyond their control. This seems really absurd to me. The notion that a bunch of items from a bakery can "control" one's decision seems to be a massive public brainwashing.

A piece of candy has no more control over you than anything else outside of you. If you decide to be a victim you are still the one deciding. Take responsibility for the decisions you make in your life. Including what you put into your body.

FULL OF THANKSGIVING

For most people Thanksgiving is not just a time for turkey and stuffing but an opportunity to stuff themselves. In fact many will act as if it is a necessary part of the celebration. I am not suggesting that one bypasses the celebration, but I think one can commemorate the day without making the food the guest of honor.

It is certainly possible to give thanks without overeating. It makes more sense to be full of thanks than to be full of extra calories.

THE BATTLE INSIDE YOU

For those of you who feel and or have ever described yourself as a soldier battling a weight problem—let me remind you that how you view something does and will affect the outcome. In other words if you are anticipating and experiencing things as a difficult war zone, it will not be something you want to face on a regular basis. It might actually prompt you to quit.

Suppose that you were to examine at the same situation and view it differently. Let’s say, you were to describe it a “challenge” or “character builder”. Something that is not so ominous and denotes a sense of personal achievement upon completion. You would be more likely to be drawn to it. Think about how you feel about your body, your health program, and your exercise routine. Now take a moment, be creative and begin to perceive it differently. And just notice how begins to change things.

REFORM YOUR OWN HEALTH

I support someone seeking professional medical advice especially to prevent future health issues.

Now what I am puzzled about is why some people would prefer to get ill versus taking better care of themselves in the first place. The future of health care is prevention. Seek assistance to prevent illness and promote health. With the continue rise of health care and no real solution on the horizon, not taking care of yourself is just financially irresponsible.

YOU CAN GET SATISFACTION

It was brought to my attention that in many languages the words pleasure and satisfaction were not synonymous.

The word pleasure was defined as short term. Satisfaction is associated with long term. I suppose you can decide which you would prefer--immediate pleasure or long term satisfaction. But keep in mind they are not the same. 

And ask yourself if the immediate is worth it. Or is the long term more rewarding?

QUALITY COUNTS

While attending a group function a woman was kind enough to bring coffee and a batch of chocolate chip cookies. I thought it was very kind and generous of her. I accepted the coffee but took a pass on the sugar as did another member. He was trying to lose weight, and I just chose not to put sugar into my body.
One of the very thin ladies grabbed a handful and boasted in front of the rest of us how she was not concerned with calories. She was bragging about her choice to eat anything she wanted.
My only reply was that I too could eat anything I wanted to. In fact, everyone is eating by choice. I  think you should consider the quality of your caloric intake. If my body only needs a certain amount of calories a day it just makes sense to consume quality foods. My belief is that the quality of the food is always important.
You do have the freedom to chose. You can chose to be healthy. To fill your body with the beneficial nutrients. Or you can chose to an unhealthy body---thin or not.

COMPARE OR INSPIRE ?

One thing overweight people do best is compare themselves. I suppose that’s true for a majority of people as well.  Healthy comparisons can be good. It can inspire you to move toward greater goals or take action toward improvements. However, if you don’t have confidence-comparing yourself can lead to less confidence. Most of the time the greatest improvements are made when you concentrate on your own achievements. Regardless of why you may compare yourself, ultimately it takes away from the one thing that does matter—what you want. I think it best to let go of any judgements, be clear about your desires, and focus focus focus.

YOUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP

Good relationships start with good communication, but relatively few of us communicate effectively. Psychology teaches us that effective communication starts with the ability to create rapport.

Rapport is the state of ease and trust, where communication flows without resistance. You are naturally in rapport with 25% of the people you come in contact with. It doesn't happen consciously. When someone says "I feel like I've known you all my life" or "It's so easy to be with you," this is unconscious rapport.

Good communicators establish and maintain rapport unconsciously. You can create the same results through conscious awareness. This is important not just with relationships outside ourselves,nut the relationship we have with ourselves.

Most of us go about our day without communicating with our physical bodies. Without rapport, no meaningful exchange is possible. From a health point of view, you are more likely to make better choices when you bring the needs of your physical body to your conscious awareness.

Develop a more effective relationship with your physical body.

CONSTANTLY COMPARING VS HEALTHY COMPETITION

One thing overweight people do best is compare themselves. I suppose that’s true for a majority of people as well. The comparison seems to be the basis of how people may view themselves. “My body will never look like that” or “I ran a mile but Bob ran two.” Healthy comparisons can be good. It can inspire you to move toward greater goals or take action toward improvements. However, if you don’t have confidence-comparing yourself can lead to less confidence. Most of the time the greatest improvements are made when you concentrate on your own achievements. Regardless of why you may compare yourself, ultimately it takes away from the one thing that does matter—what you want. I think it best to let go of any judgements, be clear about your desires, and focus focus focus.

MIND YOUR OWN FOOD BUSINESS

My clients who have decided to fine tune their eating habits are sometimes  met with resistance from their friends or families. Often it is with "innocent/caring" statements  such as "Let's just have fun. You can worry about it tomorrow." "Nobody wants to go out to eat with you anymore." or  "You are making me feel bad about my food."

Criticism that isn't supportive undermines our progress. And personally I think when people feel a need to comment on my food choices it's just plain rude. However, i remind myself that typically the comments others make tends to highlight their insecurities.  If you are the one making the comments ask yourself why you think the other person isn't "fun"?  Is food so central to your having fun. Or do you feel guilty about the choices you are not making?

HAPPY NEW YOU!

The New Year often brings about feelings of new opportunities. New beginnings. The truth is every moment is a new opportunity and new beginning. Every second you are making a choice and that choice will lead you away or toward becoming healthier.

You don't have to wait til you lose ten or twenty pounds to become healthy. You don't have to wait til next week, after "that" event etc. You don't have to wait at all. You can decide to be healthy right now. Be you only better. Be the you you want to be--right now.