Big Change Takes Simple Steps
I think that things come into my life for a reason. I continue to find the website www.dailyom.com to be inspirational. It is so inspirational and so on target that I decided that the post from yesterday was right in line with my intent for this month’s posts…so why re-invent the wheel when it is already perfect. So I am leaving you today with this link to this wonderful post. Happy reading…. om. http://www.dailyom.com/articles/2008/15057.html
Fitness From Within
Living life fully helps you realize that there is more to life than your weight, the number on the scale, your fitness level or your pant size.
Sometimes we focus on the outside stuff so much that we forget that we have to love ourselves enough to do what is best for us. Focusing inward on our beliefs, thought patterns and habits can be a catalyst for change. Learning self-acceptance is one of the first steps in self-care. Knowing and accepting that you are wonderful just because you are you can be the first step in clearing road blocks to a healthier and fit you. Read more
Becoming Your Priority
Are you juggling a lot? Do you keep setting goals, even achieving some of them, but still don’t feel happy?
You may be dropping the ball on your personal priorities which is leaving you feeling unsettled, stuck and dissatisfied.
Here are some tips to help you re-prioritize: Read more
Keep It Simple
I have written several posts about goal setting and developing action plans. I keep addressing the topic, because I know that “walking the talk” is tough…especially when we make everything else a priority over ourselves.
That is why I love the book “Simple Steps - 10 Weeks to Getting Control of Your Life” (New American Library 2003) by Lisa Lelas, Linda McClintock, and Beverly Zingarella. This book walks you through 40 steps developed by the trio of ladies that get implemented (compounded) over 10 weeks.
When I review this book it reminds me to keep my action plans simple so I don’t get overwhelmed. I have also worked with focusing my goals on the four areas that they suggest: health, weight, home and spirit. Broken down into achievable steps, you can’t help but be successful.
So what step can you take this week addressing health, weight, home or spirit? Don’t get overwhelmed…just do it!
“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” ~Chinese Proverb
Becoming a Creature of Habit
In my last post I discussed setting SMART goals. Using the SMART technique will help propel you toward success. But how do you get to the point of creating healthy habits…ones that you no longer have to think about.
Those who succeed at a healthy life style learn how to create a habit that pulls at them.
Psychologists say that repetition for 21 consecutive days can help an action become a habit. So start today. Develop three new habits or actions that will lead to a healthier lifestyle.
Using the goal in the previous post as an example here are three suggestions: schedule your cardio workout for the same time each day of the week and put it in your calendar; layout your workout clothes the night before; eliminate seconds at lunch and dinner.
After you master the three selected actions for 21 days, add more. Even though these actions seem tiny they help create habits that stick. Accomplishing a seemingly small task helps build confidence and provides a sense of control which can build commitment.
What are you waiting for?
If you need help defining your SMART goals or daily actions, contact me to schedule a free 30 minute coaching session.
Do You Limit Yourself?
Your values or beliefs were developed from the lessons you learned as a child.
Sometimes these beliefs can be self-limiting because they may no longer fit you. Yet you allow these beliefs to rule your life.
Have you ever wondered by you are unable to make changes? You set a goal, you write down the action steps and begin implementing the actions (or not), but here you are still stuck in the same place. Sometimes you have to re-evaluate and possibly change your values or limiting beliefs (rules to live by) in order to allow personal change to happen.
For example, you may have grown up in a household that believed that loyalty to your place of employment was important and defined you as having a good work ethic. This belief may be keeping you stuck in a job that no longer challenges you. Now may be a good time to ask yourself if this rule is still true for you.
So what do YOU value? What are YOUR beliefs? Do they currently fit the person you are today? What values or beliefs do you want to drive your daily choices? What matters most to you? If you haven’t already done so after you took inventory, review your values/beliefs/rules to live by to see if they still fit. If they don’t, you have the freedom to revise them.
If you would like a complimentary 30-minute life coaching session to help you begin the process of becoming unstuck and to see if coaching is for you contact me.
A Definition for Discipline
The word discipline “came to me” when I was on the elliptical trainer the other day. I am not sure why it popped into my head. Maybe it is because of a fall and an injury to my arm almost two weeks ago. This last week I had to spend more time talking myself into working out than I have for a while.
So I had to look up the definition. While I found several meanings here are two that struck me:
dis·ci·pline 1: training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character. 2 a: control gained by enforcing obedience or order b: orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior. c: self-control.
Reaching our goals, whether they are fitness-related, career-focused, aimed at finding balance or financial success, happens when we implement daily practices that support our vision for the future.
Are your daily practices supporting your vision for yourself?
Exercise for the Health of It
Did you make a resolution this year to increase your fitness level or the amount of exercise you do in your life? It is now March and if you are still exercising, congratulations! But if you are like many you may have fallen back into your comfort zone and stopped exercising.
I have had my own challenges over the years in keeping my commitment to exercise. But I have found one thing that works for me. The one thing that I am consistent with is my appointment to do my strength training with my trainer, Cherie Houston, of Houston Fitness Consultants in Highland, MI.
Doing this one thing for myself on a consistent basis helps me handle stress and moves me toward my intention of being fit and fabulous. On days when I arrive for my session and say I am exhausted; when I don’t think that I can lift a weight - magically I have more energy after my session.
Exercise is one of the best things for our mind and body. Check out the Houston Fitness Consultants website: www.houstonfc.com to learn about their chili pepper theory of exercise. It is the one thing that keeps me going because I know that I will accomplish the best workout that I can when I exercise with my trainer even when I think I can’t….I can’t wait for my next session.
What step can you take today to be fit and fabulous?
A New Year - The Same Old Resolution
Do you find yourself, like many others, making the same resolution year after year?
So why are you stuck? Maybe you are caught in the comfort zone. Or in other words are you doing the same thing and getting the same results because it is easier?
Are you ready to really keep that resolution this year?
In the book “The Comfort Trap or What If You’re Riding A Dead Horse?” Judith Sills, Ph.D., suggests seven steps to break out of the comfort zone. While they all resonated with me the three that stuck out were create a vision, identify your pattern and face your fear.
So where are you stuck and what step can you take toward success?