Lose Weight Find Life

Give yourself a treat and enhance your shower by turning it into a spa.  To create a spa-like experience while taking your shower, put the stopper in to let water accumulate in the tub.  Add 1 or 2 drops of essential eucalyptus oil to the water.  The steam and aroma will be invigorating.

Alternatively, you can use your favorite aroma (lavender for calming) essential oil.  This is an inexpensive yet very nurturing way to give to yourself.  Enjoy!!

Believe In Yourself,
Cathy, Certified Life Coach
Weight Loss Surgery Coach

We give presents at birthdays and other holidays, but what about a “just because” gift.  Wrap it up, complete with a pretty bow.  SURPRISE!!  This is great to do for your partner, children, family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. 

What about you?  Have you ever given yourself a gift?  Buy yourself something you’ve wanted, wrap it up, complete with a beautiful bow.  A gift from you to you!  How perfect!

Surprise someone you care about with a gift to show them how special they are to you.

Believe In Yourself,
Cathy, Certified Life Coach, Weight Loss Surgery Coach

As my clients and friends know, I post almost daily to my blog.  However, as you can tell, I haven’t lately.  I’m committed to providing education, support, and motivation through my blog so it would take something major to occur for me to be MIA-missing in action.

A week ago, I pinched a nerve in my upper back and neck.  The pain has been awful.  It has gone down into my arm so even small movements are a reminder that I’m not 100%. 

This experience has been an additional reminder or wake-up call that we cannot take our health and well-being for granted.  I’ve known that but to go through the chronic pain of a physical issue, impacts us not only physically but mentally and emotionally too. 

Thank you to my clients and friends for understanding my MIA status on my blog.  I wanted to share my experience with you so you can benefit from my wake-up call to value and treasure our health.  It is easy to take for granted.  Our health and well-being are priceless and should be treasured and honored daily. 

For today, make a choice that enhances your health and well-being.  I know I will!

Believe In Yourself,
Cathy, Certified Life Coach, Weight Loss Surgery Coach

Have a good day, your own way!!

Tell a joke.
Say a prayer.
Take your own time out.
Take good care of you.
Draw a soaking bubble bath.
Light a candle.
Know there is nothing you can’t handle.
Close your eyes and listen to your breath.
Dream a dream.
Cry a little.
Laugh a lot.
Hold your own hand.
Tell your feelings they are okay.
Let your soul come out and play.
You are you.
You are free.
Be who only YOU can be.
Be the best YOU can be.

Believe In Yourself,
Cathy

Areas of our lives can deteriorate so slowly that we don’t notice problems until they are at boiling proportions.  Unhealthy relationships often start slowly and rise to a point where we accept the unacceptable. 

Money problems often begin with small debts that grow into choking obligations.  We can stop and deal with difficulties when we take the time to notice them early on.

Do you know about the story with the frog and boiling water?  It makes my point perfectly.  If you put a frog into a shallow pan of cool water, the frog is like to be quite happy and enjoy it by sitting in it for awhile.  If you take the frog out and heat the water to boil, and then put the frog back in, the frog will jump out immediately.  If you put cool water in a pan, put the frog in, and then slowly heat the water to boiling, the frog’s nervous system will not register the changing, rising temperature.  The frog will sit there until it dies.  If the frog had the ability to register the gradual changes as they were happening, it might live. 

Thanks to our frog in this story, the point of taking time for yourself is shown.  If we’re in a situation that is not healthy for us, we may not recognize the boiling temperature until we step back and assess our life and the situation.  The benefits of regularly taking time to step back and get on track are numerous:  relaxation, fresh perspective, and a renewed energy to build a life with more happiness, health, love, and wealth.

Remember the frog and avoid boiling situations in your life.  Make sure to regularly take time for yourself.

Believe In Yourself,
Cathy

Some of us are as uncomfortable receiving compliments as we are receiving criticisms.  Some of us find it even more difficult to accept compliments than criticism.  We find ourselves discounting the compliment in some way.  To avoid appearing conceited or self-centered, we might think we should discredit the compliment.

In reality, discounting a compliment is an insult not only to ourselves but also to the person giving it.  Do any of these sound familiar?

Oh, it was really nothing.
It wasn’t that good.  I messed up in several places.
This thing?  It’s so old.
If you knew the truth, you wouldn’t think it was so great.
Well, thanks but _________ (you fill in the blank!)

Each of these comments is a subtle way of telling the person that they don’t know what they are talking about and are wrong.

When we have low self-esteem or a negative self-image and we hear a message that contradicts that image, the message is difficult to accept so we reject it.  The person that gives the compliment can feel shut down.

An effective strategy for accepting compliments is to remember that we are loveable and worthy.  Accepting a complimnt acknowledges both ourselves and the person giving it.  A simple way to accept a compliement is to say,” Thank you.  I appreciate that.” 

A compliment is a gift from the person saying it and to ourselves.  Give yourself the gift if a compliment.  You deserve it.

Believe In Yourself,
Cathy

What are some things that make you smile?  Each of us have our own personal list of things that give us an inner warm glow.   Make a list of things that make you smile inside with an inner glow.  Here’s some examples for you to start your own list.  Give thoughtful consideration to each one before reading the next one.

1.    A brilliant sunrise or sunset.
2.    Having a list of errands that go smoothly and accomplish every single one on your list.
3.    Sharing an inside joke with a loved one, laughing together.
4.    Taking a drive on a pretty road.
5.    Taking a walk on a trail and listening to the sticks break as you walk.
6.    Listening to the rain outside.
7.    Sleeping on freshly washed, crisp sheets.
8.    Hearing your favorite song.
9.    Seeing one of my favorite type of birds.
10.  A great conversation.
11.  Flowers blooming.
12.  Finding $20 in your coat from last winter.
13.  Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.
14.  Playing with your pet.
15.  Having a good hair day.
16.  Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.
17.  Play on playground equipment at a park.
18.  Accomplishing a task and the fulfillment of doing a good job.
19.  No line at the grocery store.
20.  Holding hands with someone you love.
21.  Reading a book that you don’t want to put down.
22.  Eating a delicious piece of fresh, sweet fruit.
23.  Playing a board game with your friends and family.
24.  Knowing you’ve done the right thing, no matter what other people think.

What’s yours?  Enjoy!

Believe In Yourself,
Cathy

I want to share three ways to make your holiday season and gifts that you give extra special:

1.  As an option to giving gifts (or add to a gift), write thank you cards.  Thank the person for the impact they have on your life and what you appreciate about them. 

2.  Do some detective work and give thought to what the important people in your life really want.  Give them something specific to what they would really like to make them feel valued and appreciated.  The cost isn’t important.  The importance lies in the gift being personal to them.

3.  While unwrapping gifts, as someone unwraps a gift from you, take a moment to let them know what you appreciate about them.

Place your focus this holiday season on connecting with those close to you by taking the time to express your love and appreciation.  The gift of appreciation is one that lasts all year long. 

Believe In Yourself,
Cathy

Have you purchased all the gifts for those special people on your list?  Really?  Did you purchase something for yourself?  You are someone very special. 

You are the person who matters most to you and definitely deserves to be treated very special and treasured.  We spend so much time, energy, and money to go out of our way to find that perfect gift for our family, friends, and business associates.  Treat yourself just as you would anyone else in your life that you included on your holiday gift list.

Many of us are not accustomed to doing special things for ourselves.  This is a great time to start!  Make sure to give yourself a YOU gift.

Believe In Yourself,
Cathy

Are you going to be away from home during the holidays?  If so, make sure that you don’t forget to take care of your home while you’re away.  You need to do more than lock the door and drive away.  

Protect your home from intruders that may notice you’re gone.  Use automatic timers that turn lights on/off in several rooms at different times throughout the day and night.  You can also purchase timers that will turn your television on and off as well. 

Make sure to go to the Post Office and stop your mail delivery.  Stop delivery of your newspapers as well.  Ask your trusted neighbors or friends to pick up any packages that are delivered to your home and check your home.  In many areas, you can also call your local police department to let them know you’ll be away for periodic drive-bys.

It is important to protect your home while you’re away by taking some proactive measures before you leave.  Keep your holidays happy and safe.

Believe In Yourself,
Cathy