TREAT YOURSELF BY TRICKING YOURSELF

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.

HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT EATING

One phrase that seems to be fashionable amongst the overweight is "emotional eater".I suppose they are stating that they eat when the experience an emotion. I am curious to know if there is any moments when they are experiencing the void of any emotion. Being human, I too , experience a wide range of emotions. However, I don't necessarily equate eating a cup cake as a way to negate the negative feeling.

Feelings can alter from one experience to the next. There are going to be times in our life when things happen that we may not be too happy about—but can recognize that emotions are temporary. And when they go you will still be here. Ready to experience the next one.

What you are feeling should not dictate what we are going to eat, or how we feel about ourselves, health etc.

Eating a bag of chips or cookies will not make the "feeling" go away. It may change your focus for ten minutes, but you can change your focus by engaging in any activity. The truth is covering your feelings by eating something unhealthy will only make you feel worse. You are causing yourself to be trapped in a cycle. Whatever is troubling you WILL change. But the consequences of what you choose to do about it may linger for much longer.

JUST DO IT

No one is harboring any deep secrets about success. Many successful people have gladly volunteered their so-called “secret formulas.” One would think we would have a world full of happy, healthy successful people. But it is not enough to receive instructions and to get inspired. It requires the commitment to actually apply the mental exercises and do the work. The one who is willing to keep going will always cross the finish line. When clients ask me how long "change" will take, I answer, “Until you get the results you want.”

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.

BE EXTRAORDINARY NOT EXTREME

For some people weight control 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 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.

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.

HOW YOUNG ARE YOU?

In honor of the month of my birth, I have decided to address what I seem to hear with every passage from my "realistic" friends out there. Nothing seems to be more fulfilling for them but to remind me that there will come a birthday that will mark the end of my health and fitness.

Or the need to justify their lack of health responsibilities with such statements as "it gets harder when you're older." I don't think anyone is saying it's easy at any age. And no doubt our hormone levels decrease with the years. However, you can decide to be the healthiest you can be and look your best at ANY age.

And remember , Brad Pitt was forty years old when he filmed the movie TROY. It’s true he gets paid to look great, however he certainly exemplifies that it is possible to look that great at any age. Ask yourself, if you were getting paid to get into shape would you do it? Most people would answer “yes”, but without money as an incentive, they have plenty of great excuses. If that is you, then perhaps you need to re-examine your priorities and what is truly important to you.