“The happiness of most people we know is not ruined by great catastrophes or fatal errors, but by the repetition of slowly destructive little things.” –Ernes Dimnet, 1866-1954 French Clergyman
Question: What small habits are keeping you from the key to your own happiness?
Believe In Yourself,
Cathy
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” –Chinese proverb
Question: What are you waiting for in taking that first single step to something you want?
Believe In Yourself,
Cathy
Your ability to persist in the face of setbacks and disappointments is vital to all great achievement and it’s always a result of a decision you make. It’s not the external environment, it’s the internal environment. -Brian Tracy
You are stronger and more important than any situation or circumstances that can happen to you. When you feel the urge to emotionally eat, draw on the inner resources of strength, persistence, and commitment to yourself, your weight loss goals, and health. YOU CAN DO IT!
Believe In Yourself,
Cathy
Feeling stressed? Aerobic workouts are fantastic stress beaters.
Exercise helps relieve stress through several different physical mechanisms:
Fifteen minutes of any activity that works the major muscle groups such as walking, running, cycling, swimming, and climbing stairs helps relax the muscles.
Exercise helps your body metabolize stress hormones more quickly.
Exercise releases endorphins, those naturally produced chemicals that relieve stress and promote an exercise “high” along with a sense of “feel good” hormones and well-being.
When you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, take the best reliever for stress: Exercise!
Believe In Yourself,
Cathy
Do you find it difficult to make a decision? Are you afraid of making a mistake when you make a decision? Would you like a crystal ball to know what the best decision is for you and your life?
I don’t have a crystal ball but I use some questions as a strategy to assist in making the best decision that I can with the information I have.
Make a pros and cons list of all the factors and considerations involved in the situation. After the pros/cons list, ask yourself the following questions to obtain a clearer picture of all aspects for your decision.
1. What is my real objective? Why must I decide?
2. What is my deadline for the decision? When must I decide?
3. Can I break the decision down into smaller parts? Can I prioritize the pros/cons on my list?
4. Will my decision be final or can I change my mind later if I want to?
5. What risks are involved? Are they worth it?
6. Is there any new information that I need before I make my decision?
7. Does my decision reflect my the priorities and values of my life?
8. When I project forward and play out all scenarios, which one feels right for me?
Deciding to decide is often the most difficult part. Also, making the decision not to decide something at the current time is a decision you can make. The pros/cons strategy and eight questions can help clarify your thoughts and actions so you can make the decision best for you, and take advantage of all the opportunities and possibilities that come your way.
Believe In Yourself,
Cathy
Do you have people in your life that have went out of their way for you? Has someone given you an opportunity that has made a difference in your life? Has someone made an allowance for you to accomplish something you’ve wanted to do and because of their action it was possible? I sure have. Throughout my life and career, as I reflect back, I’ve had many of those people in my life. Very recently, I’ve had another couple of people that have extended themselves in support of me and my dreams. If you’re like me, you want to show your appreciation and gratitude but the words “thank you” don’t seem adequate enough. My heart is so full because of the kind support that has been extended to me that has made a tremendous difference.
The best way to show your appreciation and to “repay” these special people is to do the same for others. Pay it forward when you have the opportunity to do so yourself. This creates a chain of kindness and a generousity of support to make that same difference for others that has been given to you. Remember the “Random Acts of Kindness” gesture? You can give a directed and specific act of kindness in the same spirit you received.
With deep appreciation,
Cathy
“The tragedy of life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach.” –Benjamin Mays
Rather than resolutions, when the year ends and before the New Year begins, I always review my goals that I wrote at the beginning of the year. Setting goals is very important. Goals in your head aren’t enough - you must have WRITTEN goals. Written goals are important. By the act of writing down your goals, shows a commitment and a promise to yourself.
If you don’t have goals, what are you afraid of? It is important to have something to work on and to look forward to accomplishing. A good practice is to review your goals at least monthly. On the first of every month, review your goals. Revise or update as you need to. By regular review, you are reaffirming the goal and focusing your attention to achieving success in reaching your goals.
So, start writing down your goals as 2007 comes to an end. No resolutions for 2008 - to make 2008 great, set and write down your goals!
Believe In Yourself,
Cathy
After a long hard day, eating can be a habit we’ve created to help us wind down. A favorite escape for many of us from a long day can be the combination of watching television and eating.
For many of us, it is a habit of watching television and eating to calm ourselves and end our day. Many successful post-ops that I’ve coached and worked with find keeping their hands busy with an activity is a good substitute for night time television eating. Some favorites are counted cross-stitching, punchneedle embroidery, knitting, journaling, scrapbooking, crossword puzzles, or word searches. Another great alternative is to combine watching television with exercise such as lifting hand weights during commercials. You can also walk on your treadmill or stationary bike in front of the television.
Television and eating are a zone out activity that encourages mindless eating. You can enjoy television and a healthy non-food activity to save calories, and enjoy a hobby or interest for a winning combination.
Believe In Yourself,
Cathy
Are the holidays really about food? You no longer have to spend your holidays filled with what you get to eat, what you want to eat, avoid eating or dieting on January 1st. That is so joyous and wonderful! Your holidays take on an entire new perspective without the center being around food. You’ve changed your lifestyle and priorities since embracing a healthy lifestyle. Spend the holidays with people you love, and allow your relationships with those people be the center of your holiday and not food.
Purposefully, decide what the holiday season means to YOU. Pause for a moment and look inside yourself. Define the holidays in the way that is meaningful to you. Create your own traditions that reflect your values and priorities in your life. The holidays can be spent without focusing on food. The temporary satisfaction of eating holiday treats doesn’t compare with the true, deep satisfaction of spending the holidays with those you love.
Put the focus on you, enjoy the gift of your health, and your relationships with family and friends. That’s the very best and most long-lasting holiday celebration of all.
Believe In Yourself,
Cathy
We did it this weekend! We adopted a new puppy for my sons. He is very sweet, cute, and a furry ball of love. He is only 8-weeks old so we’re in the beginning stages of potty training. As many of you know, potty training a puppy requires a lot of time, patience, commitment, and dedication. Hmmm…..those are the same qualities required for healthy weight loss and maintenance. I most definitely want the puppy to be trained as soon as possible. It happens though in relation to the time needed to monitor him and his habits, patience, commitment, and dedication to the process. See where I’m going with this?
When we’re losing weight, it takes time. Quantity of time is a requirement. Let’s face it, we didn’t wake up having gained “x” number of pounds overnight. Losing those pounds will also take time. If you’re like me, I want the weight off NOW. I also want the puppy trained NOW. Both take time.
Ah, patience. Unfortunately, patience isn’t one of my strong attributes whether with a puppy’s training or my weight loss. I get impatient because I want it off when I want it off. As in life overall, patience is necessary for weight loss and busting through plateaus. Some of my weight loss and plateaus have really tested my patience.
Commitment and dedication are absolute requirements for anything we truly want and important to us. Commitment and dedication to the puppy’s process will make him and the rest of my family much happier. Commitment and dedication to our own process of weight loss, plateaus, and maintenance are the keys to long-term health success. Reaffirm your commitment and dedication daily to your own process for health. It will make you and your friends and family happier too.
I look forward to many years of unconditional love with our new puppy. Thanks to my appreciation and respect for time, patience, commitment, and dedication, I look forward to many years of continued health. Who would have thought an 8-week old puppy would give me such a valuable lesson?
Believe In Yourself,
Cathy
