"Sometimes it's okay if the only thing you did today was breathe!"

Some days suck.  Period!  Those are the days when being kind to yourself and just taking a breath is the best medicine.  It doesn't mean (sorry!) that we drown our selves in food and liquor, ha, ha....(however, it may be a good day to use your extra food and activity points and not feel guilty about it:)

On days when you feel the life being sucked right out of you, pause, take a breath and then zap those sucky horrible feelings by reflecting and be thankful and grateful....yes, thankful AND grateful.  Being thankful and grateful for who you are and what you already have will heal your soul faster than any amount of food!  And zero Points Plus Value's!  

Then....be kind to someone else.  When we acknowledge someone else's pain and upset, it's like the window we opened to help nurse their pain lets in a fresh restorative air that flows over us.  It's not that their sadness cheers us up, it's that the sharing, and caring, of another's strife lightens the load for all involved.

Maya Angelou said it best....

If you're not getting the weekly email from WW, subscribe to it.  It always has wonderful tips!
http://www.weightwatchers.ca/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=139180

If you hate starting over, stop quitting....:)

How many times have you stopped working the program because... it's just not working?  It's too hard?  It's never ending?  It costs too much?  You're tired of the routine? You're tired of lettuce?

And how many times after stopping the program have you thought, "I need to get back to WW!!"?  How long did it take you to walk back in through those doors?  Were you embarrassed?  Was your weight up? Did you ever start back and your hadn't gained most or all of the weight back? Were you back to ALL of your old unhealthy habits?  Were you unhappy and angry with yourself for quitting the program, again?  How many times have you thought,  "I just don't want to have to start ALL over again."?  How many times? Seriously, how many times??

If you're like me you've had a life time of starting and stopping, years of weight up and weight down, countless negative thoughts about how you've failed...yet again.  Do you want to be done with all that?  Here's how... stop quitting.  If you hate starting over, then stop quitting!  Never give up. 

It finally dawned on me that it never ends...it never, never, never, EVER ends!  We don't call it Lifetime for nothin"!  And, yes, it's still an effort but it's truly GLORIOUS because it means you have changed!  You've changed your destructive behavior, changed your negative thoughts, changed your unhealthy routines....you've changed your life!

Now, I know you're thinking, "What if I never give up, keep on working the plan but don't reach Lifetime?" What if that happens, what does that mean?  What it means is that you have not reached the goal weight you've set and maintained it for 6 weeks, that's all.  It does not mean that you're not healthier, thinner, and happier!  You're more fit, more accepting, more positive and you're "inside numbers" are singing! 

I can almost guarantee all those wonderful health benefits
would not be yours if you quit.

AND finally...

 Never, EVER, be embarrassed to walk into a meeting,

for the first time or for the hundredth time,

it is a place where you are loved, accepted and understood.

Always.

Maybe you need a new reason?

If you're like me the reason you exercise is to lose weight....everything I do seems to be to lose weight! When I was a kid my Mother taught us to end our nightly prayer with "God Bless Mommy and Daddy, Nan and Jim, Grandma and June".  When I was at the age to go to bed and say prayers on my own my prayer was "God Bless Mommy and Daddy, Nan and Jim, Grandma and June, and please help me to lose weight". I kid you not.  

Very soon in my young life I became obsessed with losing weight and what happens when we become obsessed with anything?  Well, in my experience, obsessions are really time consuming and leave little room for anything else.  I missed out on so much because I was so insecure about my looks that I wanted to be thin before joining in...what a waste of youth!  Does this sound familiar?  If it doesn't sound familiar, it may seem dumb and ridiculous but it was my reality.  Loosing weight was the driving force in my life and became my "reason".    

What I want to focus this week is the "reason".  Really, and truly, the ONLY reason I used to work-out or join a gym was to lose weight!  I never, ever, thought about taking a walk to enjoy nature or clear my head, ride my bike for fun, or go swimming to cool off on a hot summer day.  And until recently, very recently....maybe a few months ago, I still used my walks to help me lose weight.  Sure, I felt good afterward, but that was not the REASON I walked out the door.  I laced up my shoes, walked out my door to lose weight, period.

But recently I've noticed I have some new "reasons" to walk...

• I walk to clear my head of busyness or negativity and relax into my good thoughts.  
• I walk to get away from my desk work and miraculously come back with solutions.
• I walk to move my body and give my back some much needed love.
• I walk to spend time with my husband (and dog Super James, of course!).
• I walk to daydream. 
• I walk to plan our next vacation. 
• I walk to help me lose weight...still a great reason, just not my only reason anymore!
• I walk to think about what to write in my blog this week....and this is what came to me this morning!  

Why do I have a new reason(s)?  My reasons have changed because I've changed.  

I no longer want just to lose weight. I want to live a happy and peaceful existence, period.  \

Oh look, another great reason to walk....:)

So, if you're like me,
maybe you need to use a new reason to go for that walk, bike ride or swim!!

Just go do it everyday...

 and the weight will take care of itself ...

Just take the first step!

Today is one of those days when everything is colliding and I don't know which on my to-do list to do first!  Then I think..."just do something...just take a step!!!".  Usually the best step is to write down what needs to be done first and when I do that, everything gets done and with me left with most of my hair!

It's the same way with activity...you just have to take a step.  You don't have to see yourself finishing a marathon, just see yourself putting on your shoes and walking down the driveway.  If you walk down the driveway, chances are you'll walk down the road.  And just like that you've added activity into your day!  If that seems simple, it's because it is.

  

You just have to take that first step and the next step will automatically follow...

if it doesn't, you'll fall over...but at least you'll be moving! :)

Life is an echo...

This week at WW we're talking about "the ripple" effect and we're all familiar with how 1 potato chip can turn into an entire bag and beyond!  But this week we're going to focus on the positive ripple effects of the good habits and changes we all work so hard on.  Focus on the positive, we become what we practice most.

I came across the Chinese proverb below and thought it fitted in perfectly with the ripple effect.  If you doubt this to be true, think of someone who YOU think has the world by the tail.  Now think about how that person moves through their life......grateful? giving? forgiving? happy? inspiring? lighthearted? joyful? optimistic? open minded? encouraging? embracing? loving? accepting? peaceful?   

You can be that person too!  "Life is an echo, what you send out comes back" is so inspiring because each and everyone of us sends out an echo many, many times a day, and here's the great thing, we have the power to change it if we realize we've been sending out the wrong one!

Listen to your echo, what are you sending out?  Are you happy with it?  If you're not, take a close look at the messages you're sending with your actions, words and demeanor.  Are they....grateful? giving? forgiving? happy? inspiring? lighthearted? joyful? optimistic? open minded? encouraging? embracing? loving? accepting? peaceful?  If not, pick one and try it, I KNOW you will be pleasantly surprised because remember the whole echo thing?  Yup, right back at you!

"For a happy life want what you have"

Darlene mentioned the subject line in response to last weeks blog and it's so beautiful and true in it's simplicity.  This connects perfectly with Shawn Achor's idea of turning the model for success around....rather than concentrating on becoming successful to make us happy, be happy with who we are and what we have and we are already successful.
Once basic human needs of food and shelter are taken care of there are people who are happy and people who are unhappy, regardless of their individual levels of success. We know that's true because we all know people who have a lot of STUFF and aren't happy and we know people who have very little and are very happy. So that means happiness is available to us all and it starts with loving and wanting what you already have!

And just in case you're not convinced watch this!

https://www.ted.com/talks/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work

"Don't worry, be happy"...if only it was that easy!

It may not be that easy but it may be easier than we think!

(If you haven't the time, (or the desire, ha, ha) to read to the end of this blog, please, PLEASE do yourself a favour and watch the 12 min TED talk given by Shawn Achor.)

As someone who's had "moments" of unhappiness, I have sought out many ways over the years to treat my unhappiness.  Like most people I came to the conclusion that if I could just be successful (you know...lose weight, get married, good job, lose weight, lose weight, lose weight) then I would be happy.  Oddly enough, that never worked.  Now I know why.  Every time I lost some weight, I changed the goal...I'll be happy when I lose more.  Rushed to get married because my friends were married, so, of course, that didn't work.

But I am nothing if not diligent so I continue to search for ways to be happy.  One of my favourite ways is to give my brain some positive messages and one such way is Oprah's "Super Soul Sunday"...love, love this show!  Each Sunday she interviews experts in various areas of enlightenment. Some I identify with, some not. One amazing interview was with Shawn Achor, a Harvard grad who studied and now teaches Positive Psychology.  He talked about the traditional model of finding happiness..."If I work harder, I'll be more successful, then I'll be happier."  Wow, that was me! But then he said, "Every time we have a success, we change the goal post."  If you got good grades, now you have to get better grades, a good job, now you need a better job etc.,  Wow, me again!  Is this you too?? Shawn also said this, "If happiness is on the other side of success, your brain never gets there".  Makes sense doesn't it?  How do we know that to be true? Because most of us are living proof....we never get to the other side.  But we are also living proof that happiness makes us more successful.  I've had them, you've had them, you know, those moments of happiness when everything in life just seems easier?  They were easier because as Shawn says, "...Dopamine, which floods your system when your positive, has 2 functions: not only does it make you happier, it turns on all the learning centers of your brain allowing you to adapt in the world in different ways."

Shawn says we can "reverse the formula of happiness and success" and here's how:

Re-train your brain daily to create positive change:

• Write down 3 different things your grateful for each day 
• Keep a journal of the times our are happy (giving your brain a chance to relive them)
• Exercise
• Meditation
• Random acts of kindness

Ummm, notice how none of them require a degree in 

Rocket Science!  

Like I said, being happier may be easier than we think.  

Shawn Achor
http://www.ted.com/talks/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work

What inspires you?

When I started to make a list of what inspired me it became very evident that I'm inspired by people.  Don't get me wrong I marvel at sunsets, humming birds and art as much as the next person but here's what came out of my brain and in no specific order of importance.

1.  People who take life as it comes and make the best of it. -  This trait has always impressed and, until very recently, eluded me.  My Great-Aunt Eva was a master.  She used to say "Well, we just won't worry about it" and she didn't.  She was the most content person I've ever known and some days, don't you just want to be content?

2.  People who get that "this is it, this is our one and only life" and live it as such. - We all say "this is not a dress rehearsal" but to see someone who actually lives full on is truly inspiring.  Perhaps it's because the "I'm on" energy they exude is contagious.

3. People who live fearlessly. - This is a HUGE goal of mine. "There is nothing to fear but fear itself."  It really boils down to a fear of failure, doesn't it?  Im workin' on it.

4. People who live a purpose driven life. - I am in awe of those who know the reason for their existence. And here's the super, fantastic thing about this one that I'm slowly grasping: you don't have to be Oprah! There is no right or wrong, better or worse, too big or too little purpose.  All that really matters is that it's your purpose and it drives you!  

5. People who start a new career or embark on a life changing journey....at 50! - So inspired by those with the confidence and chutzpah (personal confidence or courage that allows someone to do or say things that may seem shocking to others) to step out from their comfort zone and go for it when society tells them to just pay off their mortgage and save for retirement.

6. Unwavering belief, and acceptance, that life is as it should be. - This a big concept to wrap ones head around but, wow, I am inspired to continue to get my head wrapped! 

7. People who can let it go, and honestly, move on. - Seriously, what a way to live your life!

8. People who are passionate about something/anything in their life. - The great thing about this one is that it doesn't matter what the passion is directed towards!  The mere action of being passionate about something brings meaning and fulfillment into ones life. And there's a good chance you'll make others happy in the process. 

9. Perseverance - This one is practiced by everyone who inspires me!..."continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure or opposition".  To the WW members who commit, and recommit, to their personal weight loss goals week after week, your perseverance and dedication is what keeps me going! Thank you, thank you.

10.  People who choose to be kind....key word: choose 

11. My Son:

-This kid (man) lives fearlessly! And for that I am so grateful.  He knows what he wants and is not afraid to go for it.  He succeeded and he's failed but has never wavered in his belief of his abilities. Again, so grateful even though this trait skipped a generation.

-He gets, actually GETS, that this is it, and lives accordingly (and doesn't call and ask for money to fund this life).

-He chooses to be kind. - Perhaps only my son will understand how much this inspires me.

12.  My dog:  I cannot help but be inspired by our super dog James...his zest for life is unequaled!

- he takes life as it comes and if it comes with a ball stuffed with peanut butter, all the better

-he has a passion for balls, of all sorts

-believes life is as is should be....full of love, running and, of course....balls

We could all learn from our furry friends and family members! 

And last (but not least, I just happen to have a image to go with this one), 

I am inspired by people who believe age is just a number...

especially as my number gets higher! 

So, what inspires you???

Relax, manage and enjoy!

This week think about letting go of control, relaxing into your new life style through management. When we refuse to relax and accept the reality of our lives we're actually setting up all sorts of doors, windows and road blocks to our happiness and success.  I believe a successful life is all about management.  For years, and years, I'd tried to control EVERYTHING and failed miserably.  I now realize it was not because I didn't try hard enough, it was because it was not my job to control, it was my job to manage. Control and management may seem like the same action, and they can indeed create similar outcomes on certain situations, but only one of them can leave you in a peaceful, doors-wide-open, state if things don't work out as hoped or planned which is sometimes the case in life.

So which are you in your life, a Controller or a Manager?  

Do you work fiercely with a do or die attitude with your happiness hinging on a perfect outcome?  Or do you decide what you want, make your best plan and strive to execute it to the best of your ability with your happiness securely in place and not based on the outcome?  

Which of these methods do you think will bring peace to your life?

Tools of the trade...do you use ALL of the tools in your toolbox?

Every task has it's own set of "tools" and losing weight is no different.  You wouldn't expect to build a house with just a screw driver right?  Of course not and we can't expect to build our weight loss with just one tool either.  If you've been at this for any length of you time you will no doubt have figured out just working part of the plan is not enough.  Certain times and events require different tools...which brings us to BBQ TIME!

BBQ....three letters that simultaneously fill us with joy and dread!  BBQ's, in most of our minds, mean grilled meats, several mayonaisy salads, potato chips and booze and lot's of it!  Sigh...my mouth is watering already....and I won't go into the dessert menu....sorry about that!  

Whenever I think of going to a BBQ and trying to "fit" the hosts menu into my daily PPV's I just laugh...not going to happen.  So I have 2 choices: go off (way off, like Albuquerque, New Mexico off)  Plan OR take at least 2 Plan friendly dishes myself.  I have learned, and accepted, that I cannot resist gorging on the BBQ food. So I take food I can fill up on first and then am able to make much better choices.  Rather simple but it works.

And there are plenty of Plan friendly recipes...they're in your tool box, didn't you see them?  They're right along side of "eat some protein before you go", "drink lots of water", "earn extra activity points", "write down YOUR planned menu", "save your 49"....so many tools!  Oh, and don't forget one of our most effective tools "want power"!  How do you WANT your summer weight loss to go?

So, enjoy your summer, plan your summer and lose the weight!  

And, of course, never leave home without your tool box!