January 2009 is coming to an end, are you thinking, “I should have stayed on my diet and would have lost 10 pounds by now.” What happened?
Resolutions don’t work. We are human beings and have our own way of living our lives. Sometimes we are being kind to ourselves and then on the other hand being our own worst enemy.
Are you thinking that living your life without self-control is being kind to yourself or is it self-indulgence? There is a difference.
Self-indulgence is acting on our gratification of desire without thinking about consequences. Looking at a piece of cake and saying to yourself, “One piece won’t hurt” and then continue eating half the cake.
Self-kindness on the other hand is asking yourself first, “What consequences will occur if I act on my desire?” By choosing not to eat that piece of cake and taking a piece of fruit instead you are being kind to You. Once you start making choices which will empower you, your life becomes easier.
I guess your next question is how do I get started? This can be accomplished by taking a small step and with practice you will be making healthy choices without thinking about them.
The first step: before you take an action stop ask yourself, “Will this help or hurt me? Keep practicing this thought provoking step until you see yourself making different changes.
This is a topic I would like to continue exploring. Please let me know your thoughts regarding self-indulgence vs. self-kindness. Together we can create a way for each and everyone of us to practice self-kindness instead of self-indulgence.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Small Positive Change
“Every small positive change
we make in ourselves
repays us in confidence
in the future.”
Alice Walker
Most of us walk through our day focusing on things that are upsetting instead of ways to change our circumstances. All we have to do is take one small step to change our thinking.
I was away for the weekend and came home to find a flood in my basement. Normally I would have gone into panic mode. Instead I moved all the boxes and exercise equipment onto the dry area. Called my neighbor to borrow his dry-vac and vacuumed up the excess water.
Feeling exhausted I was proud of myself for living in the solution instead of panicking over the situation.
What can you do differently to make a small positive change to reward yourself with confidence? You may think, “I can never change my situation.”
I heard a statement the other day that I am repeating over and over again, “If I believe I will see possibilities. So instead of thinking nothing will change just keep saying, “If I believe I will see possibilities” and see what happens.
Are you ready for the small change that will build your self-confidence? Following is a simple action plan that will make you happy.
1. Ask yourself, “What is brothering me right now?
Example: My favorite jeans won’t fit anymore.
2. Will thinking about the situation make it better?
Answer: No.
3. What is something I can do that will make me happy?
Example: Wear my favorite shirt.
4. Make the small change that will make me feel confident.
Example: Take an apple instead of eating a donut.
When you continue taking small positive changes in your life the rewards are countless.
Try the above exercise and let the Love Yourself – It Matters! Community know how your confidence is rising.
If you need support please let us know by leaving a comment on the blog and we will brainstorm ideas together.
What are you doing nice for yourself Today?
Helen
we make in ourselves
repays us in confidence
in the future.”
Alice Walker
Most of us walk through our day focusing on things that are upsetting instead of ways to change our circumstances. All we have to do is take one small step to change our thinking.
I was away for the weekend and came home to find a flood in my basement. Normally I would have gone into panic mode. Instead I moved all the boxes and exercise equipment onto the dry area. Called my neighbor to borrow his dry-vac and vacuumed up the excess water.
Feeling exhausted I was proud of myself for living in the solution instead of panicking over the situation.
What can you do differently to make a small positive change to reward yourself with confidence? You may think, “I can never change my situation.”
I heard a statement the other day that I am repeating over and over again, “If I believe I will see possibilities. So instead of thinking nothing will change just keep saying, “If I believe I will see possibilities” and see what happens.
Are you ready for the small change that will build your self-confidence? Following is a simple action plan that will make you happy.
1. Ask yourself, “What is brothering me right now?
Example: My favorite jeans won’t fit anymore.
2. Will thinking about the situation make it better?
Answer: No.
3. What is something I can do that will make me happy?
Example: Wear my favorite shirt.
4. Make the small change that will make me feel confident.
Example: Take an apple instead of eating a donut.
When you continue taking small positive changes in your life the rewards are countless.
Try the above exercise and let the Love Yourself – It Matters! Community know how your confidence is rising.
If you need support please let us know by leaving a comment on the blog and we will brainstorm ideas together.
What are you doing nice for yourself Today?
Helen
Monday, January 5, 2009
Changing Eating Habits
It’s January!
Have you already whispered quietly to yourself, “This year will be different; I will keep my New Year’s Resolutions and achieve my goals?”
Before you answer … let me share something interesting with you.
Doug Vermeeren (www.douglasvermeeren.com) writes about resolutions. He teaches us that, “The Traditional goal-setting formula most people follow was developed in the early 1900s in manufacturing to enable company executives to monitor the number of units coming out of a factory by a certain date. It’s a great measuring stick if you’re manufacturing products, but if you are trying to improve yourself or achieve something non-tangible, it’s a woefully ineffective and out-of-date process. For example, if your goal is to have a better relationship with your spouse, the traditional goal-setting formula simply won’t work.”
After reading this article, it’s no wonder so many of us become discouraged when our plans to change a behavior(s) does not work out.
What can we do differently?
For starters, we can accept the truth that changing a habit takes practice.
Here are some of my secrets for changing a tough habit:
1. Focus on the new habit one day at a time. Example: Only for today you will eat a healthy breakfast. If you go back to your old habit of just grabbing a cup of coffee, Stop! Acknowledge what you have done and prepare a bowl of cereal for yourself.
2. Seek support from a friend, family member or a professional. Together you can accomplish more with a team effort than alone. Celebrate after you have taken that small step.
3. Be kind to yourself if you slip. As my mother used to say, “Rome was not built in a day.” It takes time to change our habits.
4. Practice, practice and practice some more.
In a nut shell: Be kind to yourself. Acknowledge your small steps of accomplishment.
Action Step: Now it’s your turn!
What habits have you changed in the past? Do you have a tip that works well for you? Share it with everyone in the Love Yourself – It Matters! Community by leaving a comment on the blog.
If you are struggling with food and have questions please leave a comment on the Love Yourself – It Matters Blog and I will address them in my next article.
Helen
Have you already whispered quietly to yourself, “This year will be different; I will keep my New Year’s Resolutions and achieve my goals?”
Before you answer … let me share something interesting with you.
Doug Vermeeren (www.douglasvermeeren.com) writes about resolutions. He teaches us that, “The Traditional goal-setting formula most people follow was developed in the early 1900s in manufacturing to enable company executives to monitor the number of units coming out of a factory by a certain date. It’s a great measuring stick if you’re manufacturing products, but if you are trying to improve yourself or achieve something non-tangible, it’s a woefully ineffective and out-of-date process. For example, if your goal is to have a better relationship with your spouse, the traditional goal-setting formula simply won’t work.”
After reading this article, it’s no wonder so many of us become discouraged when our plans to change a behavior(s) does not work out.
What can we do differently?
For starters, we can accept the truth that changing a habit takes practice.
Here are some of my secrets for changing a tough habit:
1. Focus on the new habit one day at a time. Example: Only for today you will eat a healthy breakfast. If you go back to your old habit of just grabbing a cup of coffee, Stop! Acknowledge what you have done and prepare a bowl of cereal for yourself.
2. Seek support from a friend, family member or a professional. Together you can accomplish more with a team effort than alone. Celebrate after you have taken that small step.
3. Be kind to yourself if you slip. As my mother used to say, “Rome was not built in a day.” It takes time to change our habits.
4. Practice, practice and practice some more.
In a nut shell: Be kind to yourself. Acknowledge your small steps of accomplishment.
Action Step: Now it’s your turn!
What habits have you changed in the past? Do you have a tip that works well for you? Share it with everyone in the Love Yourself – It Matters! Community by leaving a comment on the blog.
If you are struggling with food and have questions please leave a comment on the Love Yourself – It Matters Blog and I will address them in my next article.
Helen
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