Greetings!
What happened? It was just July and I was coming home from my daughter Mindi’s IronMan Event in Lake Placid? Now it is December and we are busy preparing for another holiday season.
Life does have a way of flying by…
Before we turn the calendar, I want to thank all of you for being in my life and supporting our Love Yourself Coaching Groups. It has been a pleasure to create group programs that are meaningful and life changing for so many people.
• We have over 50 members in the Coaches’ Coaching Circle (Circle). The members of the Circle are getting paid for their coaching hours, earning ICF certification hours and they are creating new friendships. If you are an experienced coach and would like to join us, please send me an email and we’ll get you enrolled.
• There is a new Circle for coaches who have recently graduated or enrolled in a coaching school. The members are mentored, coached and practicing their coaching skills with an experienced coach. The program is rapidly growing. If you are a new coach, looking for ways to strengthen your coaching skills, this is the perfect circle for you. Please join us.
• The Monday Wake-Up Calls are helping the participants reach their weekly goals. Everyone in the group has become accountable for their action steps and benefiting from learning from the group’s different perspectives. The group has accomplished many rewarding goals. Contact me if you would like to learn more about how you can become efficient in obtaining your goals.
• Get Off the Diet Merry-Go-Round clients are changing their behaviors, thinking and losing weight. I feel privileged to work with this group and watching how they are able to transform their outlook towards food. If you are tired of wishing you could loose some weight, try this successful program.
Most importantly, I want to thank all of you who have helped me through this year without my best friend and husband, Bob. Life can sometimes be difficult and with all the support I am receiving it makes it easier.
My special wish for you is to enjoy the holidays without any stress. As a gift to you, I have created a short video as a reminder to treat yourself with love.
Please take some time out to relax and watch a brief (under 2 minutes) video by clicking this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBxaeqrQoMM
Enjoy!
Wishing you a holiday season sprinkled with happiness, love and abundance!
Helen
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Enjoying Your Office Party
“Faith is taking the first step
even when you don’t
see the whole staircase.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Reading the above quote by Martin Luther King, Jr. points out by taking that first small step without planning how you will accomplish your goal is exhibiting faith in yourself.
Having faith and continuing to take small steps you will automatically reach your goal.
Ida’s Office Christmas Party was in two days and she wanted to lose 20 pounds before the party. The frustrating thought of knowing she could not lose the weight in two days made her angry at herself. Instead of eating healthy low calorie foods she binged on the cookies and cakes everyone brought into work. Not only was Ida self-sabotaging herself she was gaining more weight. Can you identify with this situation?
I am sure everyone at one time in their life could identify with this situation. What could Ida have done differently? As Martin Luther King, Jr. suggests have faith things will work out and take that first step towards your goal.
Thinking about Ida’s situation below are some of the steps Ida could have taken instead of binging on the cookies and cakes.
• Check her closet to find an outfit she felt comfortable wearing. Buying a new sweater or blouse will make a world of difference.
• Make a beauty parlor appointment and have her hair restyled.
• Chose to eat a healthy breakfast. At the next meal chose to eat a healthy lunch. Continue this pattern throughout the day.
• Plan not to eat any cookies or cake until after the office party.
• Arrange to sit with her friends at the party.
• After the party call her phone and leave a message acknowledging herself for who she has become this year.
Now it is your turn to try this experiment. Please let the Love Yourself –It Matters Community! know if taking one of the steps above made a difference when attending a holiday party. Remember all it takes is having faith and taking small steps to reach your goal.
Are you finding it hard to enjoy the holidays? See if my brief video helps you,
Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBxaeqrQoMM
Enjoy!
Helen
even when you don’t
see the whole staircase.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Reading the above quote by Martin Luther King, Jr. points out by taking that first small step without planning how you will accomplish your goal is exhibiting faith in yourself.
Having faith and continuing to take small steps you will automatically reach your goal.
Ida’s Office Christmas Party was in two days and she wanted to lose 20 pounds before the party. The frustrating thought of knowing she could not lose the weight in two days made her angry at herself. Instead of eating healthy low calorie foods she binged on the cookies and cakes everyone brought into work. Not only was Ida self-sabotaging herself she was gaining more weight. Can you identify with this situation?
I am sure everyone at one time in their life could identify with this situation. What could Ida have done differently? As Martin Luther King, Jr. suggests have faith things will work out and take that first step towards your goal.
Thinking about Ida’s situation below are some of the steps Ida could have taken instead of binging on the cookies and cakes.
• Check her closet to find an outfit she felt comfortable wearing. Buying a new sweater or blouse will make a world of difference.
• Make a beauty parlor appointment and have her hair restyled.
• Chose to eat a healthy breakfast. At the next meal chose to eat a healthy lunch. Continue this pattern throughout the day.
• Plan not to eat any cookies or cake until after the office party.
• Arrange to sit with her friends at the party.
• After the party call her phone and leave a message acknowledging herself for who she has become this year.
Now it is your turn to try this experiment. Please let the Love Yourself –It Matters Community! know if taking one of the steps above made a difference when attending a holiday party. Remember all it takes is having faith and taking small steps to reach your goal.
Are you finding it hard to enjoy the holidays? See if my brief video helps you,
Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBxaeqrQoMM
Enjoy!
Helen
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
“One has just to be oneself.
That’s my basic message.
The moment you accept yourself as you are,
All burdens, all mountainous burdens,
simply disappear.
Then life is a sheer joy,
a festival of lights.”
Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh
Indian spiritual master
We constantly hear this same message over and over again. I am sad to say that if we accept ourselves as we are live becomes easier.
Your response might be, “I tried to accept myself and then I hear this little voice in my head screaming, “Who are you trying to kid, you are still fat, can’t lose weight, and get it through your head nothing will ever change.” The thoughts go on and on…
What can you do differently to let the thoughts continue and still at the same time accept yourself? This change in behavior takes time and can be accomplished by practicing small steps daily.
Some of the small steps you can take:
• When a thought enters your mind and starts screaming critical things about you. Picture a STOP sign and instantly say outloud, “I am in the process of… Example: Thought, “I can’t go to the party tonight because I gained twenty pounds.” Picture a STOP sign. Then say out loud, “I am in the process of losing weight and have lost 5 pounds.”
The idea is to change the thought and accept yourself as you are.
• Only wear clothes that fit. I know times are financially difficult for you right now. On the other hand, if you buy one or two inexpensive outfits that makes you feel attractive, it can make a world of difference.
By feeling comfortable in your clothes you will automatically accept yourself and feel attractive.
• Look at your face in the mirror and smile. Focus on the color of your eyes, your smile and say out loud, “You are beautiful, charming and a gift to the world.”
When we acknowledge who we are it gives us a sense of well being and then we start to accept who we are.
• Be kind to yourself. This maybe the hardest step and the one that is the most beneficial. You have a choice to either take an action that will hurt or help you. Example: You have a choice to either say something hurtful to someone or acknowledge them. By acknowledging the person, it gives them a feeling of acceptance and brings a smile to their face. You will also smile and feel good.
When others feel appreciated you start to accept yourself as a loving person.
Now it is your turn to experiment.
For the next four days try one or all of the steps above and see what happens. Please let the Love Yourself – It Matters! Community know what happens and whether you are feeling more accepting about yourself.
My special wish for you is to enjoy the holidays without any stress. As a gift to you, I have created a short video as a reminder to treat yourself with love.
When you can, take some time out to relax and watch a brief (under 2 minutes) video by clicking this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBxaeqrQoMM
Enjoy!
Helen
That’s my basic message.
The moment you accept yourself as you are,
All burdens, all mountainous burdens,
simply disappear.
Then life is a sheer joy,
a festival of lights.”
Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh
Indian spiritual master
We constantly hear this same message over and over again. I am sad to say that if we accept ourselves as we are live becomes easier.
Your response might be, “I tried to accept myself and then I hear this little voice in my head screaming, “Who are you trying to kid, you are still fat, can’t lose weight, and get it through your head nothing will ever change.” The thoughts go on and on…
What can you do differently to let the thoughts continue and still at the same time accept yourself? This change in behavior takes time and can be accomplished by practicing small steps daily.
Some of the small steps you can take:
• When a thought enters your mind and starts screaming critical things about you. Picture a STOP sign and instantly say outloud, “I am in the process of… Example: Thought, “I can’t go to the party tonight because I gained twenty pounds.” Picture a STOP sign. Then say out loud, “I am in the process of losing weight and have lost 5 pounds.”
The idea is to change the thought and accept yourself as you are.
• Only wear clothes that fit. I know times are financially difficult for you right now. On the other hand, if you buy one or two inexpensive outfits that makes you feel attractive, it can make a world of difference.
By feeling comfortable in your clothes you will automatically accept yourself and feel attractive.
• Look at your face in the mirror and smile. Focus on the color of your eyes, your smile and say out loud, “You are beautiful, charming and a gift to the world.”
When we acknowledge who we are it gives us a sense of well being and then we start to accept who we are.
• Be kind to yourself. This maybe the hardest step and the one that is the most beneficial. You have a choice to either take an action that will hurt or help you. Example: You have a choice to either say something hurtful to someone or acknowledge them. By acknowledging the person, it gives them a feeling of acceptance and brings a smile to their face. You will also smile and feel good.
When others feel appreciated you start to accept yourself as a loving person.
Now it is your turn to experiment.
For the next four days try one or all of the steps above and see what happens. Please let the Love Yourself – It Matters! Community know what happens and whether you are feeling more accepting about yourself.
My special wish for you is to enjoy the holidays without any stress. As a gift to you, I have created a short video as a reminder to treat yourself with love.
When you can, take some time out to relax and watch a brief (under 2 minutes) video by clicking this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBxaeqrQoMM
Enjoy!
Helen
Monday, December 1, 2008
Easy Tips to Celebrating the Holidays
Below is an article I wrote which has been published in various publications:
Easy tips to celebrating the holidays.
(from inside a food addict’s world)
You look great! You have been in charge of your eating and exercising all year and you love the way you feel.
Now, with your renewed confidence, you open your first holiday invitation for the season!
Are you ready? What is going through your mind….? Wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy the holidays without worries of losing control of your eating?
If you think you could use some support to get through this season, you are not alone. Most people with diet concerns struggle each holiday season, feeling frustrated and anxious.
Helen Burton, Get Off the Diet Merry-Go-Round Coach for individuals struggling with food, says, “The holidays have been reduced to getting things ‘done’ instead of taking care of ourselves.” Burton gently reminds her clients that “when self-care and self-kindness stop; sabotaging behaviors begin.”
Burton says her clients find this time of year very challenging. “Especially in our current world’s economic stress, many people are having difficulty making healthy food choices.
Burton has been working with clients for 6 years, helping them to build strong behavior habits that help control their eating. “We meet over the phone to strategize the challenges of their week and build strong coping skills. We have been preparing for the holidays since August!” Burton said.
This season, Coach Burton recommends a few easy tips to help you feel confident, before heading to your holiday parties. Use any combination of her ideas to help you enjoy a wonderful holiday season.
• Call the host a few days before the party to find out what they were serving.
• Plan what you will eat before going to the party.
• Put a ‘good luck rock’ in your pocket and touch it often to remind yourself that You are Special.
• Only, put food on your plate that you plan to eat.
• Do not go back for more food, under any circumstances.
• Pick two new people at the party you would like to get to know more about.
Introduce yourself!
• Slip outside or into the bathroom whenever you feel overwhelmed.
• Use Imagery. To help calm any anxiety, picture a bright light protecting yourself.
• Seek out friends at the party and ask for support.
• After the party, tell a friend or professional coach about the experience you had at the party. Talk about which behaviors worked successfully for you.
• Reward yourself by lightening a candle and listening to your favorite music before going to sleep.
With the right choices in behavior and surrounding yourself with supportive people, you can have a wonderful holiday season.
Make this time of year about meeting and spending quality time with people instead of focusing on the food. According to Burton, “All it just takes is a slightly different focus and things can be made easier.”
Action Step: Now it’s your turn!
How are you preparing for the holiday season? Do you have a tip that works well for you? Share it with Helen on her blog at www.theloveyourselfcoach.blogspot.com.
Wishing you a beautiful holiday season sprinkled with many happy memories!
Helen J. Burton, ACC, works with individuals who are tired of struggling with food. Register to receive more tips about how to be kind to yourself while Getting Off the Diet Merry-Go-Round at www.theloveyourselfcoach.blogspot.com.
Easy tips to celebrating the holidays.
(from inside a food addict’s world)
You look great! You have been in charge of your eating and exercising all year and you love the way you feel.
Now, with your renewed confidence, you open your first holiday invitation for the season!
Are you ready? What is going through your mind….? Wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy the holidays without worries of losing control of your eating?
If you think you could use some support to get through this season, you are not alone. Most people with diet concerns struggle each holiday season, feeling frustrated and anxious.
Helen Burton, Get Off the Diet Merry-Go-Round Coach for individuals struggling with food, says, “The holidays have been reduced to getting things ‘done’ instead of taking care of ourselves.” Burton gently reminds her clients that “when self-care and self-kindness stop; sabotaging behaviors begin.”
Burton says her clients find this time of year very challenging. “Especially in our current world’s economic stress, many people are having difficulty making healthy food choices.
Burton has been working with clients for 6 years, helping them to build strong behavior habits that help control their eating. “We meet over the phone to strategize the challenges of their week and build strong coping skills. We have been preparing for the holidays since August!” Burton said.
This season, Coach Burton recommends a few easy tips to help you feel confident, before heading to your holiday parties. Use any combination of her ideas to help you enjoy a wonderful holiday season.
• Call the host a few days before the party to find out what they were serving.
• Plan what you will eat before going to the party.
• Put a ‘good luck rock’ in your pocket and touch it often to remind yourself that You are Special.
• Only, put food on your plate that you plan to eat.
• Do not go back for more food, under any circumstances.
• Pick two new people at the party you would like to get to know more about.
Introduce yourself!
• Slip outside or into the bathroom whenever you feel overwhelmed.
• Use Imagery. To help calm any anxiety, picture a bright light protecting yourself.
• Seek out friends at the party and ask for support.
• After the party, tell a friend or professional coach about the experience you had at the party. Talk about which behaviors worked successfully for you.
• Reward yourself by lightening a candle and listening to your favorite music before going to sleep.
With the right choices in behavior and surrounding yourself with supportive people, you can have a wonderful holiday season.
Make this time of year about meeting and spending quality time with people instead of focusing on the food. According to Burton, “All it just takes is a slightly different focus and things can be made easier.”
Action Step: Now it’s your turn!
How are you preparing for the holiday season? Do you have a tip that works well for you? Share it with Helen on her blog at www.theloveyourselfcoach.blogspot.com.
Wishing you a beautiful holiday season sprinkled with many happy memories!
Helen J. Burton, ACC, works with individuals who are tired of struggling with food. Register to receive more tips about how to be kind to yourself while Getting Off the Diet Merry-Go-Round at www.theloveyourselfcoach.blogspot.com.
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