‘We never have more than we can bear.
The present hour we are always able to endure.
As is our day, so is our strength.
If the trials of many years were gathered into one,
they would overwhelm us…
but all is so wisely measured to our strength
that the bruised reed is never broken.’
H.E. Manning
What great advice H. E. Manning’s quote illustrates, to only focus on the present moment instead of thinking about what happened in our lives and what the future brings.
Jan (name has been changed) was at her wits end, trying to control her binge eating at night. Every day she would skip breakfast, eat a salad for lunch and a bagel for dinner. Then around 7:00pm every night she would become very hungry and promise herself that she would only eat half of another bagel. Guess what happened, once eating the bagel she would start eating ice cream, cookies and anything else she could get her hands on. After finishing eating she would get into bed and hate herself. The next morning she would exercise for 2 hours and promise herself today would be different. Jan continued this routine for three years.
One day deciding to find another way of living she called me. We started working together and she took very small steps to change her behavior. Today Jan follows a healthy eating plan and is committed to her new lifestyle. Following are some of the small steps Jan takes everyday to ensure she maintains her recovery from binge eating.
1. Getting out of bed each morning Jan writes down a menu of all the foods and beverages she will eat during the day.
2. Eating only the food on her planned menu.
3. Drinking a cup of tea while preparing her meals.
4. Eating meals sitting down either in her kitchen or in a restaurant.
5. Cleaning-up after she is done eating and never eating anything while she is cleaning.
6. Taking a 10 minute mini-vacation everyday. Doing something for herself she really enjoys.
7. Writing in her beautiful Happiness Journal what made her happy during the day and a short sentence describing the event.
By following this Loving Yourself Plan and only focusing on the present moment Jan is able to maintain her goal weight and live a live filled with self-respect, happiness and the knowledge she is taking care of herself.
As usual, I would love to hear from you. Please let me know how you are doing on your journey of life or if you need any support. You can either leave a message on my blog or send me an email at helen@loveyourselfcoaching.net.
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
DIETING SOLUTIONS
MIRACLES HAPPEN BY PUTTING ONE STEP IN FRONT OF THE OTHER
TODAY IS MONDAY AND I AM GOING TO START MY DIET TODAY!!! Does this thought sound familiar? Don’t worry you are not the only one who thinks this way, we all do. What can you do today that is different from every other Monday? One thought is to start living in the solution instead of the problem.
Ok let’s look at the idea of living in the solution not the problem. One practice my clients and I use to live in the solution is to focus on other areas of our lives instead of the food.
Yesterday was a very special time for my grandsons,their parents and grandparents. Both Jeffrey (6 years old) and Dillon (13 years old) participated in their second triathlon. We arrived at the Swim Club at 8:00am in time for registration. The event is organized and managed by a young girl whose sister had cancer. All the proceeds are donated to cancer research. There were about 60 people there and everyone was excited especially the young kids. The event started around 9:00am.
The first group was the 5 to 7 year olds. The bell rang and the kids jumped into the water and swam across the pool, onto their bikes and finished with a run. My heart was beating so fast and I was yelling while Jeffrey was participating. He finally finished with the top participants.
Dillon participated in the last group. The bell rang and he jumped into the water and had to swim 8 laps. We were all screaming and cheering him along. Dillon finally finished the swim towards the end of the group. He jumped onto his bike and made up time while riding and running. He also finished with the top participants.
Jeffrey and Dillon’s participation in the event demonstrates the willingness to finish no matter what happens. They trained before the event and during it put one step in front of the other until they finished.
Living in the solution is the same thing. The willingness and commitment to continue taking the next step until you reach your goal. What is your dream and let’s make it happen.
As always, I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment on my blog or send an email to helen@loveyourselfcoaching.net.
Today’s Affirmation: “I am living in the solution and taking small steps towards my goal.”
TODAY IS MONDAY AND I AM GOING TO START MY DIET TODAY!!! Does this thought sound familiar? Don’t worry you are not the only one who thinks this way, we all do. What can you do today that is different from every other Monday? One thought is to start living in the solution instead of the problem.
Ok let’s look at the idea of living in the solution not the problem. One practice my clients and I use to live in the solution is to focus on other areas of our lives instead of the food.
Yesterday was a very special time for my grandsons,their parents and grandparents. Both Jeffrey (6 years old) and Dillon (13 years old) participated in their second triathlon. We arrived at the Swim Club at 8:00am in time for registration. The event is organized and managed by a young girl whose sister had cancer. All the proceeds are donated to cancer research. There were about 60 people there and everyone was excited especially the young kids. The event started around 9:00am.
The first group was the 5 to 7 year olds. The bell rang and the kids jumped into the water and swam across the pool, onto their bikes and finished with a run. My heart was beating so fast and I was yelling while Jeffrey was participating. He finally finished with the top participants.
Dillon participated in the last group. The bell rang and he jumped into the water and had to swim 8 laps. We were all screaming and cheering him along. Dillon finally finished the swim towards the end of the group. He jumped onto his bike and made up time while riding and running. He also finished with the top participants.
Jeffrey and Dillon’s participation in the event demonstrates the willingness to finish no matter what happens. They trained before the event and during it put one step in front of the other until they finished.
Living in the solution is the same thing. The willingness and commitment to continue taking the next step until you reach your goal. What is your dream and let’s make it happen.
As always, I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment on my blog or send an email to helen@loveyourselfcoaching.net.
Today’s Affirmation: “I am living in the solution and taking small steps towards my goal.”
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
LET'S RESPECT OURSELVES
It is no secret that the word commitment is the key to our success. This is especially true when it comes to respecting ourselves. We have a tendency to always put others, places and things before ourselves. It has been proven over and over again that when we take time for ourselves it enables us to feel content and motivated.
Why is it that we always come last? Is it due to guilt, low self-esteem, self-sabotaging or just plain laziness? I was having a conversation with a friend yesterday about canceling her gym membership and just taking a walk at the mall after work three times a week. She was not going to the gym and wasting money. Her friends were telling her that as long as she had the gym membership she would exercise. What was missing is the commitment to herself that by exercising she was taking care of herself.
Discussing this challenge with everyone gave her the fuel she needed to live in the problem instead of the solution. After discussing this dilemma for awhile she decided to put on her sneakers and walk around the shopping mall. Seeing her later that night I inquired how she made out. She walked around the mall and the only trouble was that she did some shopping while she was there. Another dilemma; shopping. A suggestion was made to leave her wallet in the car while taking her walk. The question is, “Continue making excuses for not exercising or make a commitment that nothing will stop you from taking care of yourself.”
What I am learning through life experiences that by making a commitment to be kind to myself at all times improves my attitude and enables me to feel contentment, happiness and self-respect. What beautiful gifts I am receiving. I love the following inspirational message and think about it whenever I start living in the problem instead of the solution.
"Every small positive change
we make in ourselves
repays us in confidence
in the future."
Alice Walker
As always, I would love to hear how you are making positive changes in your life.
Why is it that we always come last? Is it due to guilt, low self-esteem, self-sabotaging or just plain laziness? I was having a conversation with a friend yesterday about canceling her gym membership and just taking a walk at the mall after work three times a week. She was not going to the gym and wasting money. Her friends were telling her that as long as she had the gym membership she would exercise. What was missing is the commitment to herself that by exercising she was taking care of herself.
Discussing this challenge with everyone gave her the fuel she needed to live in the problem instead of the solution. After discussing this dilemma for awhile she decided to put on her sneakers and walk around the shopping mall. Seeing her later that night I inquired how she made out. She walked around the mall and the only trouble was that she did some shopping while she was there. Another dilemma; shopping. A suggestion was made to leave her wallet in the car while taking her walk. The question is, “Continue making excuses for not exercising or make a commitment that nothing will stop you from taking care of yourself.”
What I am learning through life experiences that by making a commitment to be kind to myself at all times improves my attitude and enables me to feel contentment, happiness and self-respect. What beautiful gifts I am receiving. I love the following inspirational message and think about it whenever I start living in the problem instead of the solution.
"Every small positive change
we make in ourselves
repays us in confidence
in the future."
Alice Walker
As always, I would love to hear how you are making positive changes in your life.
Monday, June 4, 2007
FINDING HAPPINESS
Do you sometimes feel that confusion is your middle name? Everyone is saying the answer to all our problems is to focus on our passion and everything else will take care of itself. You will start feeling fulfilled, make more money and even eat healthy. The BIG Question is “What is my passion and how do I find it?”
Coach Helen to the rescue! I know how it is to feel confused about what makes you happy and not to continue worrying about your weight, making money and achieving happiness. Let’s tear apart this dilemma and see what ideas materialize.
I have been working with a client we will name Linda, who was bored at work and felt confused about what really made her happy. Following are the step we took in uncovering her passion:
Step 1
Completed a written exercises to discover what really made her happy and satisfied her thirst for learning. After completing the exercise and brainstorming ideas during her coaching sessions, she realized that reading stories to small children made her feel like she was on Cloud 9.
Step 2
Explored what options were available in that field which she could take advantage of. Linda realized that working in a library would enable her to read stories to children several different times during the day.
Step 3
Performed informational interviews. She interviewed various Librarians at different libraries to learn what programs were available, if there was a need for her services and what credentials were required.
Step 4
Live your passion. While talking to the Librarian at the her local library, Linda was offered a volunteer position, to read stories to 2 and 3 year olds on Saturday morning. She jumped at the job and started reading stories to toddlers.
Linda now reads stories to children during the week and Saturdays. She says, I have never felt so happy in my life." She has also gone back to college at night and is working towards her degree in Library Science.
Now is Your Chance to discover what really makes you happy! Together we will explore different pportunities in order to make your dream a reality.
As always, I would love to hear how you are growing and progressing on your journey. I am also available, if you need support in dissecting your conflicting thoughts so you can live a vibrant life. Write to me at helen@loveyourselfcoaching.net and I will email you questions to ponder.
Coach Helen to the rescue! I know how it is to feel confused about what makes you happy and not to continue worrying about your weight, making money and achieving happiness. Let’s tear apart this dilemma and see what ideas materialize.
I have been working with a client we will name Linda, who was bored at work and felt confused about what really made her happy. Following are the step we took in uncovering her passion:
Step 1
Completed a written exercises to discover what really made her happy and satisfied her thirst for learning. After completing the exercise and brainstorming ideas during her coaching sessions, she realized that reading stories to small children made her feel like she was on Cloud 9.
Step 2
Explored what options were available in that field which she could take advantage of. Linda realized that working in a library would enable her to read stories to children several different times during the day.
Step 3
Performed informational interviews. She interviewed various Librarians at different libraries to learn what programs were available, if there was a need for her services and what credentials were required.
Step 4
Live your passion. While talking to the Librarian at the her local library, Linda was offered a volunteer position, to read stories to 2 and 3 year olds on Saturday morning. She jumped at the job and started reading stories to toddlers.
Linda now reads stories to children during the week and Saturdays. She says, I have never felt so happy in my life." She has also gone back to college at night and is working towards her degree in Library Science.
Now is Your Chance to discover what really makes you happy! Together we will explore different pportunities in order to make your dream a reality.
As always, I would love to hear how you are growing and progressing on your journey. I am also available, if you need support in dissecting your conflicting thoughts so you can live a vibrant life. Write to me at helen@loveyourselfcoaching.net and I will email you questions to ponder.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Special Breakfast Treat
Getting out of bed this morning were you thinking, “I am so tired of eating healthy and all I want are pancakes with chocolate chips, whipped cream and fresh strawberries?” Then your other voice yells, “STOP THINKING LIKE THAT, you will be the only one to suffer.” Which voice is the winner? They both can be!! Following is a recipe I use to make myself pancakes that are absolutely delicious:
Ingredients
2 packages of Quaker Instant Grits, Original Recipe.
1 egg
¼ cup of non-fat ricotta cheese
1 cup of plain, non-fat yogurt
1 cup of strawberries
Cooking Instructions
Mix cereal, egg and ricotta cheese together.
Spray frying pan with a small amount of oil
Cook pancakes until brown on both sides
Topping
Mix yogurt and strawberries together.
Place on top of pancakes
Enjoy your breakfast!!!
What I am learning is that I don’t have to suffer to eat healthy and take care of myself. There are many different healthy recipes that are low in fat and calories. Take an excursion today to the nearest bookstore and browse through the cookbooks to see which one illustrates recipes that are healthy and look delicious. Then give yourself a gift and buy it!
As always, I would love to hear about your special recipes and which cookbooks you thought were exciting. Write to me through my blog at www.theloveyourselfcoach.blogspot.com
Ingredients
2 packages of Quaker Instant Grits, Original Recipe.
1 egg
¼ cup of non-fat ricotta cheese
1 cup of plain, non-fat yogurt
1 cup of strawberries
Cooking Instructions
Mix cereal, egg and ricotta cheese together.
Spray frying pan with a small amount of oil
Cook pancakes until brown on both sides
Topping
Mix yogurt and strawberries together.
Place on top of pancakes
Enjoy your breakfast!!!
What I am learning is that I don’t have to suffer to eat healthy and take care of myself. There are many different healthy recipes that are low in fat and calories. Take an excursion today to the nearest bookstore and browse through the cookbooks to see which one illustrates recipes that are healthy and look delicious. Then give yourself a gift and buy it!
As always, I would love to hear about your special recipes and which cookbooks you thought were exciting. Write to me through my blog at www.theloveyourselfcoach.blogspot.com
Thursday, May 31, 2007
DIETER'S JOURNEY
Today is a new day on your journey of life. We have a choice either feeling sorry for ourselves for not losing weight or trying a new eating behavior. Our thoughts of losing weight can be like an old friend. The thought is always with us and never challenges us to try something different. Until you are ready to make a commitment that things will be different and have the courage to move in a new direction nothing changes.
The following quote from the book, “Time for Joy”, By Ruth Fishel and Bonny Van de Kamp, illustrates how walking through your fears enables you to live a vibrant life.
It takes great courage to go in new directions.
It takes great courage to try things that others around us have not tried.
One can have courage while one has fear.
Courage does not mean the absence of fear.
To open new doors, to take new steps while walking through our fear
takes the greatest courage of all.
Each new door opened gives us confidence to open the next door.
By trusting the goodness within us and going beyond the fear,
Life is an exciting, satisfying and fulfilling place to be.
As your coach I support you in taking small steps that will make you very strong while making changes in your life. I have found that working with my clients in identifying what is more important in their life than food and reconnecting with what really makes them happy enables them to lose weight and live a vibrant life.
I have a client, lets call her Terri, who originally hired me as a coach so she could lose weight. Instead of only focusing on the food we started exploring what really made her happy and fulfilled. During the coaching sessions, we created the following game she could play:
1. Explored different tools and techniques she felt comfortable implementing while changing her eating behavior.
2. Asked friends and family members what they thought her perfect job would be.
2. Explored the list of professions and narrowed them down to two or three.
3. Performed informational interviews with people in the different fields.
4. Decided she would like to pursue the field of travel.
5. Worked for a Travel Agent on Saturdays as a tour guide in the historic area of her town.
As Terri was pursuing her dream job she stopped focusing on the food, started eating healthy with quantity control, exercising and losing weight at the same time. Today Terri, is at goal weight, founder of a business that plans tours for different groups.
If your deepest desire is to get off the diet merry-go-round and into a vibrant life, I am here to support you. How vibrant do you want your life to be? I can be reached at helen@loveyourselfcoaching.net
The following quote from the book, “Time for Joy”, By Ruth Fishel and Bonny Van de Kamp, illustrates how walking through your fears enables you to live a vibrant life.
It takes great courage to go in new directions.
It takes great courage to try things that others around us have not tried.
One can have courage while one has fear.
Courage does not mean the absence of fear.
To open new doors, to take new steps while walking through our fear
takes the greatest courage of all.
Each new door opened gives us confidence to open the next door.
By trusting the goodness within us and going beyond the fear,
Life is an exciting, satisfying and fulfilling place to be.
As your coach I support you in taking small steps that will make you very strong while making changes in your life. I have found that working with my clients in identifying what is more important in their life than food and reconnecting with what really makes them happy enables them to lose weight and live a vibrant life.
I have a client, lets call her Terri, who originally hired me as a coach so she could lose weight. Instead of only focusing on the food we started exploring what really made her happy and fulfilled. During the coaching sessions, we created the following game she could play:
1. Explored different tools and techniques she felt comfortable implementing while changing her eating behavior.
2. Asked friends and family members what they thought her perfect job would be.
2. Explored the list of professions and narrowed them down to two or three.
3. Performed informational interviews with people in the different fields.
4. Decided she would like to pursue the field of travel.
5. Worked for a Travel Agent on Saturdays as a tour guide in the historic area of her town.
As Terri was pursuing her dream job she stopped focusing on the food, started eating healthy with quantity control, exercising and losing weight at the same time. Today Terri, is at goal weight, founder of a business that plans tours for different groups.
If your deepest desire is to get off the diet merry-go-round and into a vibrant life, I am here to support you. How vibrant do you want your life to be? I can be reached at helen@loveyourselfcoaching.net
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
SOLUTIONS FOR ENJOYING THE SUMMER
SOLUTIONS FOR ENJOYING THE SUMMER
Are you thinking, “Summer is officially here and I will not put on a bathing suit and go to the beach this year.” Welcome to the human race! Most of us with weight issues have this thought and blame ourselves for not losing the weight over the winter so we could wear a bathing suit this summer.
Having this thought is living in the problem instead of the solution. You might be thinking there is NO solution to this problem. Let’s spend some time brainstorming ways of enjoying this summer and the beach.
1. Buy a bathing suit that feels comfortable and a pretty cover-up to go over the bathing suit.
2. Start today taking a small step to change your eating behavior. What small step can you take? An example: just for today light a candle and have a cup of tea or coffee instead of grabbing something from the refrigerator. Tomorrow repeat the same lovely experience.
3. Go to the beach early in the morning when it is less crowded. Early in the morning, I love having a cup of coffee and reading the newspaper on the beach.
4. Take a walk on the beach at sundown.
5. Sit in your backyard sun bathing using a heavy sun blocker.
6. Take a long walk early in the morning; this is my favorite time of day.
7. Schedule time with a good friend to have lunch in an outside café.
8. Invite family and friends over for a picnic and invite everyone to bring a healthy dish. An example: Salad, vegetable sticks with flavored yogurt for dipping, grilled skinless chicken, baked potatoes, fruit and other low calorie dishes. Please let me know what dishes you served at the picnic.
9. Take your children or grandchildren, or nieces or nephews to a water park.
10. Set-up a birdbath and watch the birds and squirrels take a bath.
I would love to hear your ideas for living in the solution for enjoying this summer and spending time on the beach.
Are you thinking, “Summer is officially here and I will not put on a bathing suit and go to the beach this year.” Welcome to the human race! Most of us with weight issues have this thought and blame ourselves for not losing the weight over the winter so we could wear a bathing suit this summer.
Having this thought is living in the problem instead of the solution. You might be thinking there is NO solution to this problem. Let’s spend some time brainstorming ways of enjoying this summer and the beach.
1. Buy a bathing suit that feels comfortable and a pretty cover-up to go over the bathing suit.
2. Start today taking a small step to change your eating behavior. What small step can you take? An example: just for today light a candle and have a cup of tea or coffee instead of grabbing something from the refrigerator. Tomorrow repeat the same lovely experience.
3. Go to the beach early in the morning when it is less crowded. Early in the morning, I love having a cup of coffee and reading the newspaper on the beach.
4. Take a walk on the beach at sundown.
5. Sit in your backyard sun bathing using a heavy sun blocker.
6. Take a long walk early in the morning; this is my favorite time of day.
7. Schedule time with a good friend to have lunch in an outside café.
8. Invite family and friends over for a picnic and invite everyone to bring a healthy dish. An example: Salad, vegetable sticks with flavored yogurt for dipping, grilled skinless chicken, baked potatoes, fruit and other low calorie dishes. Please let me know what dishes you served at the picnic.
9. Take your children or grandchildren, or nieces or nephews to a water park.
10. Set-up a birdbath and watch the birds and squirrels take a bath.
I would love to hear your ideas for living in the solution for enjoying this summer and spending time on the beach.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
BEAUTIFUL DAY
This morning as I watch my friends the birds and squirrels, I realized how lucky I am to have such a beautiful view from my office window. The sun is shinning and the leaves and backs of the squirrels are shimmering from the sun light.
Thinking about the beauty surrounding me, I started to think of all the miracles in my life. Some of the miracles I have in my life are as follows:
• Today I am in recovery from my food addiction.
• Great friends who support me.
• Alfie, my cat, is sitting next to me as I work on the computer.
• Exercised this morning.
• Beautiful day planned with many unsuspected golden moments.
As I read my miracles, I realized that being in recovery from my food addiction enables me to live a vibrant life. Thinking back over eight years ago, weighing close to 200 lbs. the only thing on my mind was how am I going to lose the weight. If I was thin everything would be different and I could start enjoying my life.
One day I made a decision that I was going to stop taking diet supplements, reading all diet books and get the support I needed. I found a nutritionist, therapist that specialized in addictions and went to an OA meeting. These first steps on my new journey supported me in designing and living a new healthy lifestyle free from food obsession. Eight years later I am still on the same journey and weighing 70 lbs. less. Some of the small steps I take are as follows:
• Eating Healthy using quantity control.
• Exercising
• Receiving and giving support to my friends
• Working with a coach so that I continue living a vibrant life.
If your deepest desire is to get off the diet merry-go-round and into a vibrant life, I am here to support you. How vibrant do you want your life to be?
Thinking about the beauty surrounding me, I started to think of all the miracles in my life. Some of the miracles I have in my life are as follows:
• Today I am in recovery from my food addiction.
• Great friends who support me.
• Alfie, my cat, is sitting next to me as I work on the computer.
• Exercised this morning.
• Beautiful day planned with many unsuspected golden moments.
As I read my miracles, I realized that being in recovery from my food addiction enables me to live a vibrant life. Thinking back over eight years ago, weighing close to 200 lbs. the only thing on my mind was how am I going to lose the weight. If I was thin everything would be different and I could start enjoying my life.
One day I made a decision that I was going to stop taking diet supplements, reading all diet books and get the support I needed. I found a nutritionist, therapist that specialized in addictions and went to an OA meeting. These first steps on my new journey supported me in designing and living a new healthy lifestyle free from food obsession. Eight years later I am still on the same journey and weighing 70 lbs. less. Some of the small steps I take are as follows:
• Eating Healthy using quantity control.
• Exercising
• Receiving and giving support to my friends
• Working with a coach so that I continue living a vibrant life.
If your deepest desire is to get off the diet merry-go-round and into a vibrant life, I am here to support you. How vibrant do you want your life to be?
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Special Moments
‘Relax and have fun over the next couple of weeks. Remember, you’re making memories at every moment. Make sure that yours are worth remembering.’
Cheryl Richardson
I was looking for a quote for my Life’s Little Journey Ezine and came across Cheryl Richardson’s quote above. How easy to forget that we are constantly making memories that inspired us and made our lives more enjoyable.
Sometimes I receive a wake-up call to STOP and smell the flowers. The last few weeks I have been working long hours and not taking time to appreciate the special moments in my life. Last night after making final revisions on the Ezine my phone rang and it was my sister. She was telling me about the special moments she shared with her two year old grandson. We had a great time laughing and telling each other how great it was being a grandmother.
When I got off the phone I realized that I was not taking time to enjoy my life; I was always working. This morning one of my intentions was to enjoy the special moments in my day. Following are the special moments that happened to me this morning:
• As I am writing this blog, Alfie my black cat, is sitting next to the computer watching me with such love in his eyes.
• While talking to a Coach this morning, we both realized that we had so much in common and now I have a new friend.
What special moments are occurring in your life right now?
Cheryl Richardson
I was looking for a quote for my Life’s Little Journey Ezine and came across Cheryl Richardson’s quote above. How easy to forget that we are constantly making memories that inspired us and made our lives more enjoyable.
Sometimes I receive a wake-up call to STOP and smell the flowers. The last few weeks I have been working long hours and not taking time to appreciate the special moments in my life. Last night after making final revisions on the Ezine my phone rang and it was my sister. She was telling me about the special moments she shared with her two year old grandson. We had a great time laughing and telling each other how great it was being a grandmother.
When I got off the phone I realized that I was not taking time to enjoy my life; I was always working. This morning one of my intentions was to enjoy the special moments in my day. Following are the special moments that happened to me this morning:
• As I am writing this blog, Alfie my black cat, is sitting next to the computer watching me with such love in his eyes.
• While talking to a Coach this morning, we both realized that we had so much in common and now I have a new friend.
What special moments are occurring in your life right now?
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
NEW DAY
A few weeks ago, I was thinking about my life. Some days I woke up and thought about how am I going to get thru the day. Other days I woke up and was excited about my day. What makes each day different?
After thinking about this phenomenon, I realized that my fears are controlling my thoughts. If I feel overwhelmed with all I have to do, my fears come out in full force to help me. On the other hand, if I am feeling confident about myself and my fears are on vacation, I am excited about experiencing the new day.
WOW!! That was easy.
Last week, I was working with a client who was concerned because some days she was excited about her life and others were a struggle. Sounds familiar? We discussed what was happening and brainstormed different ideas. She came up with the conclusion that when she accomplished a small step towards her goal she felt confident. Going to bed feeling confident enabled her to wake up the next morning excited about her life.
Even though her day took on a life of its own, she was determined to accomplish one small step towards reaching her goal each day. The small step she planned on taking was to eat one healthy meal a day. A week past and I was working with this client again today. She was so excited about how her life had shifted and now every morning she woke up with a smile on her face and looked forward to her day. She told me the only difference was that she ate a healthy breakfast each day and acknowledged herself when she got into bed at night. Now she has planned to eat yogurt and cereal instead of ice cream before going to bed. Stay tuned and I will let you know how she is progressing.
Special Opportunities
If you like, chose one of the activities below and see how your life shifts. The only request I have is to continue the same small step for 21 days and let me know what happens.
When you get up in the morning give yourself a big hug and say, “I love you and I am going to have a great day.”
Each day plan on taking one little step towards reaching your goal. Make sure you can accomplish this small step within 15 minutes. Then before going to bed acknowledge yourself for accomplishing your goal.
Before getting out of bed, thank God for the day before and ask him/her to grant you a beautiful day.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
After thinking about this phenomenon, I realized that my fears are controlling my thoughts. If I feel overwhelmed with all I have to do, my fears come out in full force to help me. On the other hand, if I am feeling confident about myself and my fears are on vacation, I am excited about experiencing the new day.
WOW!! That was easy.
Last week, I was working with a client who was concerned because some days she was excited about her life and others were a struggle. Sounds familiar? We discussed what was happening and brainstormed different ideas. She came up with the conclusion that when she accomplished a small step towards her goal she felt confident. Going to bed feeling confident enabled her to wake up the next morning excited about her life.
Even though her day took on a life of its own, she was determined to accomplish one small step towards reaching her goal each day. The small step she planned on taking was to eat one healthy meal a day. A week past and I was working with this client again today. She was so excited about how her life had shifted and now every morning she woke up with a smile on her face and looked forward to her day. She told me the only difference was that she ate a healthy breakfast each day and acknowledged herself when she got into bed at night. Now she has planned to eat yogurt and cereal instead of ice cream before going to bed. Stay tuned and I will let you know how she is progressing.
Special Opportunities
If you like, chose one of the activities below and see how your life shifts. The only request I have is to continue the same small step for 21 days and let me know what happens.
When you get up in the morning give yourself a big hug and say, “I love you and I am going to have a great day.”
Each day plan on taking one little step towards reaching your goal. Make sure you can accomplish this small step within 15 minutes. Then before going to bed acknowledge yourself for accomplishing your goal.
Before getting out of bed, thank God for the day before and ask him/her to grant you a beautiful day.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Tips from Oscar, the Black Squirrel
As I sit in my office, watching the birds and black squirrel eat from the birdfeeders; it reminds me of how I use to eat compulsively. It is amazing how after eight years of eating healthy and using quantity control it still bothers me watching others eat. I can never forget the fact my disease is doing push-ups in a corner and waiting for the right moment to act out with a vengeance.
I was thinking about this situation and realized I could continue being obsessed with the fact that watching the birds made me feel uncomfortable or look at the situation in a different way. I could watch the birds and appreciate their beautiful colors and acknowledge how lucky I am to have so many different types of birds in my backyard.
As far as the squirrel, named Oscar, watching him gave me motivation and confidence to pursue my dreams. Oscar is very persistent and never gives up until he manages to eat from every birdfeeder until they are empty. He appears early in the morning and gorges himself until he is full. Then he runs around, chasing the birds and disappears until evening. Sometimes when I feel overwhelmed with life I think of Oscar, how nothing stops him from finding food and always plays after he eats. I have been working hard this week inputting information into a database and at the end of the day felt exhausted. I got into bed one night and thought there had to be an easier way. I started thinking about Oscar and how persistent he was and always took time to have fun. Made a decision, I would be like Oscar, to continue pursing my dream and also take a mini-vacation every day at 3:00pm.
A mini-vacation is taking at least 10 minutes for myself to do whatever made me happy. By taking the time for myself eliminates stress and is a great motivator. Everyday at 3:00pm for at least 10 minutes I either took a walk, read a book or called a friend. It is amazing how much better I felt and had renewed energy.
What mini-vacation for at least 10 minutes would you like to take everyday? Please let me know.
I was thinking about this situation and realized I could continue being obsessed with the fact that watching the birds made me feel uncomfortable or look at the situation in a different way. I could watch the birds and appreciate their beautiful colors and acknowledge how lucky I am to have so many different types of birds in my backyard.
As far as the squirrel, named Oscar, watching him gave me motivation and confidence to pursue my dreams. Oscar is very persistent and never gives up until he manages to eat from every birdfeeder until they are empty. He appears early in the morning and gorges himself until he is full. Then he runs around, chasing the birds and disappears until evening. Sometimes when I feel overwhelmed with life I think of Oscar, how nothing stops him from finding food and always plays after he eats. I have been working hard this week inputting information into a database and at the end of the day felt exhausted. I got into bed one night and thought there had to be an easier way. I started thinking about Oscar and how persistent he was and always took time to have fun. Made a decision, I would be like Oscar, to continue pursing my dream and also take a mini-vacation every day at 3:00pm.
A mini-vacation is taking at least 10 minutes for myself to do whatever made me happy. By taking the time for myself eliminates stress and is a great motivator. Everyday at 3:00pm for at least 10 minutes I either took a walk, read a book or called a friend. It is amazing how much better I felt and had renewed energy.
What mini-vacation for at least 10 minutes would you like to take everyday? Please let me know.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
ACHIEVING YOUR GOALS
In my office the desk and computer are in front of two windows. Last summer my husband gave me a beautiful gift by hanging birdfeeders in the trees directly in front of the windows. Now as I am working on the computer I watch the birds and squirrels eat from the feeders.
Each morning around 7:00am there are one gray and two black squirrels trying to eat from the birdfeeders. We have put up special feeders for squirrels and after they have devoured all the food they start on the birdfeeders. Even though some of the feeders are squirrel proof this does not stop them from trying different ways of getting at the food. It is amazing watching them not give up and keep trying. One morning I watched one black squirrel almost fall into a birdbath before running away and then within a few minutes he was back.
While watching the squirrels I keep thinking we are no different when it comes to getting what we want. Sometimes nothing will stop us from reaching a desired outcome and we will do whatever it takes to reach that goal. Other times in order not to reach a goal we will self-sabotage ourselves.
When working with my clients in reaching their goals, together we implement the following coaching process:
• Deciding what do you really want?
• Exploring what is stopping you from reaching your goal?
• Creating an action plan taking into consideration your goals and the tools for overcoming your self-sabotage behavior.
• Taking the action steps that will make your goal a reality.
Opportunity
• Make a list of a very small goal you would like to achieve within a month.
I would love to know your small goal. When I receive your goal I will send you a Daily Action Plan you can use to achieve your goals.
Each morning around 7:00am there are one gray and two black squirrels trying to eat from the birdfeeders. We have put up special feeders for squirrels and after they have devoured all the food they start on the birdfeeders. Even though some of the feeders are squirrel proof this does not stop them from trying different ways of getting at the food. It is amazing watching them not give up and keep trying. One morning I watched one black squirrel almost fall into a birdbath before running away and then within a few minutes he was back.
While watching the squirrels I keep thinking we are no different when it comes to getting what we want. Sometimes nothing will stop us from reaching a desired outcome and we will do whatever it takes to reach that goal. Other times in order not to reach a goal we will self-sabotage ourselves.
When working with my clients in reaching their goals, together we implement the following coaching process:
• Deciding what do you really want?
• Exploring what is stopping you from reaching your goal?
• Creating an action plan taking into consideration your goals and the tools for overcoming your self-sabotage behavior.
• Taking the action steps that will make your goal a reality.
Opportunity
• Make a list of a very small goal you would like to achieve within a month.
I would love to know your small goal. When I receive your goal I will send you a Daily Action Plan you can use to achieve your goals.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
DO YOU BELIEVE IN YOURSELF?
“We cannot rise higher than our thought of ourselves.”
-- Orison Swett Marden
Whenever we have the thought, "When I lose weight, my life will be different" automatically puts your life on hold.
Are you willing to try a little experiment and see what happens?
• For five minutes each day, make a list of all the things you like about yourself.
• Continue this exercise for the next 21 days.
• Every Friday for the next three weeks email me at www.theloveyourselfcoach.blogspot.com five things you like about yourself.
It has been proven over and over again by making this list you will focus on your special qualities and start feeling good about yourself instead of waiting until you lose weight.
I tried this exercise for 21 days, my thinking changed and started to take better care of myself. At first it was hard thinking and writing, "What I liked about myself" and then as time went along it got easier. One of the tools that really helped me was a commitment I made to a friend, on Fridays I would send her my list. The first week was the hardest because I felt I was bragging about myself and when I got her email thanking me I felt better. The second and third week got easier.
Have FUN and together holding hands we will run down the path of SELF-LOVE.
April 5th
What I like about myself
1. I am very friendly and easy to talk to.
2. I feel very pretty and like the way I look.
3. I take very good care of myself by eating healthy and exercising.
4. I am a great coach and help women realize how fantastic they are.
5. I am working on being a better wife and partner.
-- Orison Swett Marden
Whenever we have the thought, "When I lose weight, my life will be different" automatically puts your life on hold.
Are you willing to try a little experiment and see what happens?
• For five minutes each day, make a list of all the things you like about yourself.
• Continue this exercise for the next 21 days.
• Every Friday for the next three weeks email me at www.theloveyourselfcoach.blogspot.com five things you like about yourself.
It has been proven over and over again by making this list you will focus on your special qualities and start feeling good about yourself instead of waiting until you lose weight.
I tried this exercise for 21 days, my thinking changed and started to take better care of myself. At first it was hard thinking and writing, "What I liked about myself" and then as time went along it got easier. One of the tools that really helped me was a commitment I made to a friend, on Fridays I would send her my list. The first week was the hardest because I felt I was bragging about myself and when I got her email thanking me I felt better. The second and third week got easier.
Have FUN and together holding hands we will run down the path of SELF-LOVE.
April 5th
What I like about myself
1. I am very friendly and easy to talk to.
2. I feel very pretty and like the way I look.
3. I take very good care of myself by eating healthy and exercising.
4. I am a great coach and help women realize how fantastic they are.
5. I am working on being a better wife and partner.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
MIRACLES DO HAPPEN
Last Friday night I went to an Overeaters Retreat for the weekend and getting there was a nightmare. My friend and I left around 6:30pm and planned to arrive at our destination in about 45 minutes.
I have a GPS System; we put in the address and entered all the required information. The final step had a different address and neither one of us thought there would be a problem. So off we went following the directions. The GPS lead us onto a dirt road that had the same Street name we were looking for. We were commenting how easy it was to find the Camp. After riding for quite awhile in a wooded area at night in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey; we realized we were on the wrong road. All of a sudden the GPS System announced we arrived at our destination on the left. As we looked to the left we saw a tree. I never felt such panic!
We called 911, told the police our location, how scared we were and to please help us find the Camp. The Policewoman told us not to worry; she stayed on the phone with us and led us to our destination. If ever I thought there was someone watching over us it was that night. Now as I am thinking and writing about our journey, I can laugh.
What I learned from this experience:
• Never use the GPS System if it does not give you the right address.
• Have back-up directions.
• It is OK to ask for help.
• Trust that things will work out.
Once we arrived at our destination and listened to the keynote speaker, I felt relaxed. Then I got into bed and my fears went wild. I could not stop thinking about what could have happened instead of being grateful for the miracle of arriving safely. The next day I started journaling and speaking to many people about my fear based thinking. Nothing made a difference.
I made a decision, if I wanted to enjoy the retreat I would have to start thinking positively. A miracle happened, I was asked to lead a workshop on “Fears and How They Stop Us.” It was a great opportunity for me to explore my fears and learn what other tools people use to feel safe.
Some of the tools that were suggested are as follows:
• When having a fearful thought give yourself a big hug and say, “I am safe.”
• Journal or discuss your fears with another person.
• Remember that FEAR is “False Evidence Appearing Real.”
What tools do you use when you feel fearful, I would love to know.
I have a GPS System; we put in the address and entered all the required information. The final step had a different address and neither one of us thought there would be a problem. So off we went following the directions. The GPS lead us onto a dirt road that had the same Street name we were looking for. We were commenting how easy it was to find the Camp. After riding for quite awhile in a wooded area at night in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey; we realized we were on the wrong road. All of a sudden the GPS System announced we arrived at our destination on the left. As we looked to the left we saw a tree. I never felt such panic!
We called 911, told the police our location, how scared we were and to please help us find the Camp. The Policewoman told us not to worry; she stayed on the phone with us and led us to our destination. If ever I thought there was someone watching over us it was that night. Now as I am thinking and writing about our journey, I can laugh.
What I learned from this experience:
• Never use the GPS System if it does not give you the right address.
• Have back-up directions.
• It is OK to ask for help.
• Trust that things will work out.
Once we arrived at our destination and listened to the keynote speaker, I felt relaxed. Then I got into bed and my fears went wild. I could not stop thinking about what could have happened instead of being grateful for the miracle of arriving safely. The next day I started journaling and speaking to many people about my fear based thinking. Nothing made a difference.
I made a decision, if I wanted to enjoy the retreat I would have to start thinking positively. A miracle happened, I was asked to lead a workshop on “Fears and How They Stop Us.” It was a great opportunity for me to explore my fears and learn what other tools people use to feel safe.
Some of the tools that were suggested are as follows:
• When having a fearful thought give yourself a big hug and say, “I am safe.”
• Journal or discuss your fears with another person.
• Remember that FEAR is “False Evidence Appearing Real.”
What tools do you use when you feel fearful, I would love to know.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
FOOD IS DOING PUSH-UPS IN THE CORNER
Last Saturday morning, I was thinking about my day and realized we were going to a wedding that night. Dreadful thoughts over took me as I started thinking about all the food and having to watch everyone eat.
I have been in recovery from my compulsive overeating for over eight years. Every time I am invited to a party, I always start worrying about how I am going to handle the food. Usually as the day progressed I become more anxious and my fears turned to anger. I start to control everyone, telling them what to do and if they didn’t listen I would get angrier.
This time I decided this day would be different and I was not letting my fear of the food ruin my day. That morning my husband and I took a walk, as we were walking I told him how I felt. While I was walking the dreaded feeling started to disappear. By the time we returned from our walk I felt much better. As it turned out I had a pretty relaxing day.
My husband and I went to the wedding enjoying each other’s company instead of arguing. After the ceremony, my fears came true; we entered a room where there was enough food to feed more than 500 people. I left my husband and started to walk around the room looking for something I could eat. While walking around I started to talk to friends, family members and before I knew it they were calling us into dinner.
Once at the table, I felt much better because I could eat, dance and enjoy seeing my niece and her new husband enjoy their wedding. I ate what was on my food plan and felt fulfilled, powerful and grateful that my food monster did not take control of my day.
Some of the tools I use to ensure my food monster does not have power over my recovery:
• Acknowledge my feelings and talk to someone about them.
• Decide what I am going to eat ahead of time.
• If I want to eat something not on my plan, STOP, ask myself is this the choice I want to make and then take the appropriate action.
• ACKNOWLEDGE MYSELF!
What feelings do you have when you go to a party?
I have been in recovery from my compulsive overeating for over eight years. Every time I am invited to a party, I always start worrying about how I am going to handle the food. Usually as the day progressed I become more anxious and my fears turned to anger. I start to control everyone, telling them what to do and if they didn’t listen I would get angrier.
This time I decided this day would be different and I was not letting my fear of the food ruin my day. That morning my husband and I took a walk, as we were walking I told him how I felt. While I was walking the dreaded feeling started to disappear. By the time we returned from our walk I felt much better. As it turned out I had a pretty relaxing day.
My husband and I went to the wedding enjoying each other’s company instead of arguing. After the ceremony, my fears came true; we entered a room where there was enough food to feed more than 500 people. I left my husband and started to walk around the room looking for something I could eat. While walking around I started to talk to friends, family members and before I knew it they were calling us into dinner.
Once at the table, I felt much better because I could eat, dance and enjoy seeing my niece and her new husband enjoy their wedding. I ate what was on my food plan and felt fulfilled, powerful and grateful that my food monster did not take control of my day.
Some of the tools I use to ensure my food monster does not have power over my recovery:
• Acknowledge my feelings and talk to someone about them.
• Decide what I am going to eat ahead of time.
• If I want to eat something not on my plan, STOP, ask myself is this the choice I want to make and then take the appropriate action.
• ACKNOWLEDGE MYSELF!
What feelings do you have when you go to a party?
Friday, March 16, 2007
Food IS Not the Answer!
I am looking out the window, it is snowing and all the birds are at the birdfeeders eating. It just goes to prove that nothing can stop God’s creatures from eating even if it is cold and snowing.
On cold snowy days I always think about the times when my children were small and we would go sledding, have snowball fights and make a snowman. We had a great time and I was always thinking about what we were going to eat when we went inside. Once everyone was soaked to the bone, we went inside the house, had hot chocolate and ate everything insight. For dinner I always made meatballs and spaghetti. What fun we had!
After writing about the snowy days, I realized what an important part food played in my life. Food was my main focus all day and if I was not eating I was unhappy and worrying about everything. Thinking back makes me sad to think about all the things I missed because my main focus was on the food.
After struggling with food most of my life and riding the diet merry-go-round, I finally grabbed the gold ring and fell off. The gold ring was my commitment to do whatever it takes to live a healthy lifestyle and stop focusing on the food. Some of the tools I use everyday are:
• Whenever I want to eat something not on my food plan, I scream to myself, “One Bite Is Not Enough, I want four cakes to make me happy.”
• Remind myself I am important, loveable and cannot hurt my best friend, Helen.
• Remember I have received a special gift of eating healthy and can’t hurt people who are supporting me.
• Not to use food as an alternative. If I want to eat something not on my eating plan, don’t eat anything else and call a friend instead.
In the morning on New Years Day I was on the treadmill and heard that the number one Resolution for 2007 was to lose weight. If we support each other while on our journey of eating healthy and creating a vibrant lifestyle we can beat this food addiction together. I would love to hear from you and see what we can create together.
Thank you!
Helen
On cold snowy days I always think about the times when my children were small and we would go sledding, have snowball fights and make a snowman. We had a great time and I was always thinking about what we were going to eat when we went inside. Once everyone was soaked to the bone, we went inside the house, had hot chocolate and ate everything insight. For dinner I always made meatballs and spaghetti. What fun we had!
After writing about the snowy days, I realized what an important part food played in my life. Food was my main focus all day and if I was not eating I was unhappy and worrying about everything. Thinking back makes me sad to think about all the things I missed because my main focus was on the food.
After struggling with food most of my life and riding the diet merry-go-round, I finally grabbed the gold ring and fell off. The gold ring was my commitment to do whatever it takes to live a healthy lifestyle and stop focusing on the food. Some of the tools I use everyday are:
• Whenever I want to eat something not on my food plan, I scream to myself, “One Bite Is Not Enough, I want four cakes to make me happy.”
• Remind myself I am important, loveable and cannot hurt my best friend, Helen.
• Remember I have received a special gift of eating healthy and can’t hurt people who are supporting me.
• Not to use food as an alternative. If I want to eat something not on my eating plan, don’t eat anything else and call a friend instead.
In the morning on New Years Day I was on the treadmill and heard that the number one Resolution for 2007 was to lose weight. If we support each other while on our journey of eating healthy and creating a vibrant lifestyle we can beat this food addiction together. I would love to hear from you and see what we can create together.
Thank you!
Helen
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
FOOD TAKES A BACK SEAT
I would like to share with you an extraordinary experience I had last night. On Mondays at 3:30pm I meet my grandson, Jeffrey who is six years old at his school. Yesterday I asked him if he would like to go on a date with me for dinner. After going to the library and doing his homework, we drove to the restaurant. When I parked the car Jeffrey told me to wait in the car and he opened my car door. We went into the restaurant and he told the hostess where we wanted to sit. After deciding what we wanted for dinner, Jeffrey told the waitress what we both wanted. We had a nice time talking and eating, he paid the bill with my credit card. I thanked him for our date and we promised each other we would have another date on my birthday next month.
While Jeffrey and I were at the restaurant talking and eating, I was not thinking about the food on my plate. Once Jeffrey had placed my order with healthy choices, and then choosing how much food I was going to eat, I could enjoy being with Jeffrey instead of obsessing over the food.
The magic cure for me is to keep my commitment at every meal, I will only make wise food choices with quantity control. I have been following this philosophy for over eight years and find for me all it takes is focusing on one meal at a time. Once the food I was going to eat was on my plate, I could enjoy being with Jeffrey. WHAT A MIRACLE!!
I would love to hear about your extraordinary experiences and how food did not play an important role.
While Jeffrey and I were at the restaurant talking and eating, I was not thinking about the food on my plate. Once Jeffrey had placed my order with healthy choices, and then choosing how much food I was going to eat, I could enjoy being with Jeffrey instead of obsessing over the food.
The magic cure for me is to keep my commitment at every meal, I will only make wise food choices with quantity control. I have been following this philosophy for over eight years and find for me all it takes is focusing on one meal at a time. Once the food I was going to eat was on my plate, I could enjoy being with Jeffrey. WHAT A MIRACLE!!
I would love to hear about your extraordinary experiences and how food did not play an important role.
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