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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

TRICK NOT TREAT

First time clients always try to earn my sympathy with tales of how the refuse to "deprave" themselves. They are referring to no longer eating sweets,chips etc. I always ask them to consider what they really have been depraving themselves of? The active lifestyle and comfort in wearing certain clothes. Isn't not being able to wear what you want to wear or do what you want to do the real deprivation?

And yes, I've heard the same cry "You have to live." Which makes me wonder why anyone would assume that my passing on a slice of pizza has made my life less than. And if eating a piece of cake is what you may consider the greatest thing in your life, perhaps you need to exam your life. I think improving the quality of my life is the best way to treat myself.

LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD

You are a complex human beings who experience life on several levels- physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. These are the four planes/levels that real fitness/health take place. All change work occurs on all levels. And the results and benefits occur on all four levels

Emotionally,you can experience a new heightened self image, achieving fitness goals leads to self confidence, improved body image and discipline.

Mentally, being fit and healthy effect over all immune system, meaning a better work and school performance, and fewer missed days at work and school. Also the there is an increase in oxygen which flows throughout the body especially the brain.

Spiritually, you can ask a professional athlete if training is a spiritual experience and they will always answer "yes." Now many people roll their eyes when you start talking about a professional athletics. As if they cannot relate to them. But we can learn a lot from a professional. About their thoughts, their attitude etc. And the respect they have for their temples. Ask any great spiritual teacher and they will tell you the importance of bringing the spiritual connection to the physical.

And of course physically,there are so many changes that occur. Here are just a few;reduces the risk of injury, strengths the heart, lowers blood pressure, assists in anti-aging, digestion, skin, hair etc. Everything depends on circulation and the only way to get things circulating is by moving.

Make your changes count on all levels.

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WOULD YOU APPROVE?

What if the FDA were reviewing an  additive known to have possible side effects that could depress your immune system?. And was known to ruin your health by feeding cancer cells , possibly cause arthritis, increase the size of your liver, increase risk of Alzheimer's disease, cause hormonal imbalances and promoted chronic degenerative diseases. Would you want the FDA to approve it?

Think about your answer. Know that the additive is sugar. What if sugar was just discovered. Would you want the FDA to approve sugar?

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GO AHEAD HAVE THAT EASTER EGG

At brunch I often order a side of eggs. I was allergic to them as a baby but have since grown into being able to eat them. Aside from your basic hard boiled Easter egg--I like eggs. I think they are misunderstood.

Eggs are a great source of protein and "good fat". Assuming you are not frying them. Yes, eggs do contain cholesterol so clearly if you have high cholesterol you shouldn't be eating eggs. But if you are trying to prevent high cholesterol or get healthy, exercise can help by keeping your cholesterol low and preventing heart disease.

Regular sessions of swimming, running, and jogging have been shown to lower cholesterol. If you are changing your lifestyle to being healthier --- don't take away the egg. Add the exercise.

Besides your cholesterol, exercise has many health benefits. It is in my opinion the "fountain of youth. It helps to strengthen your heart, bones, and other muscles of the body, in addition to helping you to lose weight.

IS YOUR INTERNAL BODY A JUNK YARD?

There is a reason certain types of food are referred to as "junk food." They have no significant value. You wouldn't go to the dumpster and bring back a bag of trash to dump on your living room floor. When you consume junk food that is what you are doing to your internal enviroment. When you decide to eat healthy you are making a decision to remain clean. Remember the old saying "you are what you eat?" Think about what it means to go to the junk yard. How much do you respect yourself? Your body? Are you telling yourself you are trash? When do you think you will value yourself?

NAUGHTY OR NICE

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.

We are the ones judging it. There is certainly value 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.

WHAT YOU WISH FOR

You have heard the old cliché, "be careful what you wish for, you just may get it." It may seem at times that words almost take on a life of their own. This is because they are in a sense. When you read words you create an internal representation of it. Much in the same way if you chose to say things like “I just look at a piece of cake and gain five pounds”, you are creating an internal response to the words themselves. You chose that statement and soon it becomes ingrained into your unconscious mind. The unconscious mind then begins to respond to it.

OUT OF SIGHT OUT OF MIND

Clients ask me all the time how to stop snacking at home. I think the first step is very simple. Just don't have it in the house. If you are in your cozy armchair watching television and you know there is a bag of chips in the pantry--you might be tempted. However, if you go to the cupboards and they are empty...it is highly unlikely that you will make the effort to put your clothes on, grab the keys and go to the store.
One of the best ways to overcome temptation is to not put yourself in the position to begin with.

HEALTHY IS ALWAYS IN SEASON

September signifies the end of one season beginning of the next. And for some of us the time to put away and take out the seasonal clothing.

I can never remember what colors are acceptable during what season. And living in California one can escape these faux pas.

I do know that looking good and feeling good are always in season. And you can begin any season, any month, any day ...any moment.

FAT-BURN NOT HEARTBURN

After dining with a friend I noticed that after every meal she took a pill. "There for my heartburn" she informed me. "Do you always get heartburn?" I asked. "Only when I eat certain foods. Now I just take it after every meal. Just a habit" She replied

Now this seems odd to me. First, I can't imagine anyone would make it a habit to take unnecessary medication. And second, I am curious as to why anyone would continue to eat a food that made them ill. Really? Would you prefer to medicate yourself rather than discontinue to eat something?

I suppose it is an individual's choice. I once had a similar conversation with my mother. I told her I could not recall a time I had heartburn. Without hesitation she thought out loud "Maybe I should just stop eating those foods." She now walks daily and does a spin class once a week. I suppose she has traded in burning her internal organs for burning fat. I consider my mom to be a very wise woman.

FILL IT UP

Food is fuel to your body. It's great that we enjoy a wide range of selections. But this only means we have several quality fuels to chose from.
Much in the same way your thoughts are fuel to your motivation and can effect the way you feel. The truth is we have the ability to make a decision about the quality of fuel we want to put into our mind and body. And we can expect results based on that choice.