Winning the Battle of the Bulge

Christmas is Coming is it only the Goose Getting Fat

2010-12-09T10:21:00.000+01:00

The countdown to Christmas and pressures from family, friends and society in general are all screaming at you food, drink, party, but the only voice with the strength to make you act is the one between your ears!

We like to say it was the time of the year or this friend made me do it, that is an excuse! If you want to have a drink or eat that mince pie..... enjoy but no guilt, no lements afterwards. It is your choice, your body shape, your health, nobody else lives in your skin.

It is all about CHOICE, if you are in charge of your choices then it makes life much easier. We have all seen the evolution of drink driving campaigns over the years, now it is classed as not acceptable, smoking is also now been hit in most countries as socially unacceptable but it does not stop people smoking, they choose what they want to do, just the same as we choose what we eat and drink.

Life is not about denial or a constant battle it is about self respect and living your life on the best terms for you. Getting hold of the reigns and enjoy it, there is nobody that does not indulge sometimes, but whether you control your weight or your weight controls you and your moods, is your choice.

If you are struggling with your choices or you need support just let me know, 2011 can be as great as you want it to be.

Eating Right in Healthy Aging

2010-11-19T09:41:00.003+01:00

You have to eat right in order to stay healthy. If you do not eat right, your body does not receive the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. You have to eat so it fuels your body. Similar to a motor vehicle, which you add gas to travel; the body requires food that promotes energy, making it go. Too much food is not good for you and not enough of the right food can be harmful to your health.

Choosing good foods to eat:

Not all foods is good for you, yet liver is loaded with iron which is good for your blood, but to much isn’t good for you either. Fruits and vegetables are good for you but again not too much because the fruit will turn into sugar and that’s not good for you. Too much may give you the gibes, especially if you have to watch your weight. You can get high cholesterol as well from food if your not careful. High cholesterol can lead to harden arteries, which follows by strokes or heart attacks. So you need to eat but watch what you are eating and how much of it in a days time.

How will I know if am not eating right?

When you go to your doctor, he will tell you if you need to go on a diet. Your doctor will be able to tell by your weight. Then he may put you on a diet to lose weight or a diet to help you gain weight. He will tell you want to eat and how much as well as what not to eat. Then he may tell you to excise everyday. You have to be able to burn up what you take in so it will not turn into sugar or fat.

Remember that you should try to feast from the four food groups. Try to make sure that you only eat the amount your suppose to, and get your excise that you need to make you healthy. You can always call your family doctor to ask him how to do something if you don’t know how they will also help you to learn how to count your calories as well it is a big job when it comes to dieting you have to know how to count your calories and weigh your food. If you don’t you are not going to do want your suppose to do.

The world is filled with support groups that will help you if need support. More then likely you can go to your local hospital and they will know how to get you in touch with a group. These groups are great. The groups will give you support during the time that you need help. At group meetings, you will meet people with the same problems you have and you can give each other the support. Just remember to set a goal but don’t make it so high that you can’t do it and give up. Start out a little at a time and then as you get better you can get a increase your plans. In addition, what ever you do try to stick to it, it takes will power and control.

Willpower the master:

Willpower is a powerful mechanism inside you. If you want to find this willpower take a seat, sit down and talk with you to see what you can find. As you learn more about you, you gain willpower that takes you beyond your abilities, which means you will have a healthy aging in the future.

Focuses on the fundamentals of human behaviour

http://www.lindasagementoring.com/

Dealing with Diabetes to Enjoy Healthy Aging

2010-11-19T09:03:00.001+01:00

Learning to deal with diabetes is never easy. It is bad enough we have to live in a greed-based world filled with confusion, violence, media junk, and so on. Still, those with diabetes can live healthy providing they adhere to diet, medications and exercise. Diabetes is a serious condition. The disease is the mother of all disease in the world and it is a killer.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that you can get if you do not eat right or take care of your body. Genetics play a part in diabetes as well. In fact, hereditary is a hard cause of the problem. The disease can cause blindness. The disease can lead to amputation of legs, or feet. Diabetes is a disease that when your body does not produce enough insulin to break down sugar in the bloodstream. Diabetes includes two types, yet various levels are considered. Diabetes includes Diabetes Insipidus and Mellitus.

The first diabetes is where your body is incapable of producing enough insulin to do what its supposed to do. This type of diabetes is treatable. You will need medications, exercise and strict diet to maintain your health. Diabetes Mellitus has five types. Each type results from insulin interruptions whereas the system is disrupted. The disruption causes chaos within the body’s ability to function. The body cannot act naturally and it takes insulin shots to treat this condition depending on the type.

How would I know that I have this disease called diabetes?

If you go to your doctors on a regular basis, your doctor will monitor your health. If you have family history of diabetes, let your doctor know so he/she can conduct random testing. A glucose test is necessary to find diabetes. Blood lab tests are useful also to spot diabetes.

What you should watch for?

Drinking but not filling your thirst quench. If you feel fatigue often and don’t know, then you should be tested. Diabetes, depending on the type makes a person feels weak, endure pain, lose weight, gain weight, etc. The disease is so confusing to the bodily functions that it doesn’t know the direction to head.

What can I do to help me not to get this disease?

No one has control over disease but you. If you adhere to regular checkups, the doctor can spot the disease at an early stage, which the disease then can be managed. You need to eat right and do excises daily to help maintain your weight, since diabetes takes delight in feeding the disease to the point of death.

What happens to those with diabetes?

Unfortunately, the disease is not partial. The disease targets young and old alike. Once the disease develops it puts the person at risk of blindness.

Some people lose their legs or other limbs resulting from diabetes. Most people with diabetes are at risk of kidney failure. If you already have diabetes then listen to your doctor and follow all instructions. One of the top recommendations to diabetes patients is to consume much fluids. Your body is losing fluids as diabetes drains your bodily organs of its natural elements. You will also need to avoid saturated fat foods and basic sugars. In addition, your doctor will need to test you regularly to control your illness.

You want to take care when diabetes is present since it can lead to meningitis, headaches, tachycardia, dehydration, muscle weakness, pain, and so on. In addition, you may endure blurred vision, sexual dysfunctions, slow healing, and so on. Again, diabetes is a killer; so take care of your health.

Focuses on the fundamentals of human behaviour

http://www.lindasagementoring.com/

Controlling Disease in Healthy Aging

2010-11-19T08:29:00.002+01:00

Once you have learned that you have an illness like cancer or heart disease, it can be hard on you mentally and emotionally. At this time, you want to take control of your disease. When you feel like giving up, you only allow the disease to take control of your life. Remember you have people who care about you, and when you give up you give up on them too.

Controlling Disease in Healthy Aging

How you can help you live through healthy aging:

The first thing you have to do is to accept the fact that you are sick. This can be hard for you but if you are mentally able, you have to do this. Once you accepted it is easier to move ahead and take the next step. Acceptance will help you to better understand your disease. Remember, you are not the disease the illnesses is something that is reducing your abilities to function healthy in life. Still, you can function healthy by taking necessary actions.

You can get the information off the Internet if you would like to learn more about your condition. Learning will help you by allowing you to understand your disease. In fact, learning will help you to find interventions, preventions, and perhaps cures for your disease. You can talk with your doctor as well. Learn what you can from your family doctor. Once you have accepted what you have and have learned about it then you can move on to the next step. Which is to, to live your life to the fullest? Do what you can do while you can, go see places that you would not normally.

How will my disease affect me emotionally and mentally?

It depends on the disease, but most illnesses we can safely tell you causes depression. You may feel like being alone. At times, you will endure mood swings and not feel like having anyone near you. You may feel hopeless.

How would I get a second opinion?

Getting a second opinion is always important if you’ve been diagnosed with any disease. You can start with talking to your family doctor and see what he/she may think. Although a second opinion is good for you to have if your not feeling comfortable, you want to continue seeking advice. It is in your best interest to find a qualified doctor to give you a second opinion. Sadly, you may have to visit a few doctors to find one that makes you feel comfortable.

What can I do to help myself?

We all have the power to help ourselves. We can take action by eating right. We can improve health by taking vitamins and supplements intended to help fight disease and make you stronger. You want to socialize and avoid isolating you. Be social and don’t stay in your room crying to yourself. Doctors persistently ask their patients to express their feelings. Expressing your feelings is helping you to fight for healthy aging.

Make sure you make all your family doctors appointments. You want to stay on your toes when dealing with disease. Visiting your doctor regularly will help you stay in control. When you feel blue, walk. If not outside maybe, you can walk around your house. Walking will help you to stay strong.

You may benefit from participating with a support group of some sort. We all need support; yet having someone that understands your disease makes better friendship. At meetings, you can vent your emotions. What a wonderful way to follow doctors orders, thus expressing your emotions. You also want to consider friends who will allow you to express your emotions.

If you don’t want to go out and be around your friends then why not get a pet as a friend they can help you though this as well they will walk with you and play with you and be your best friend though all of this.

Focuses on the fundamentals of human behaviour

http://www.lindasagementoring.com/

Bodily Changes and Healthy Aging

2010-11-19T08:16:00.001+01:00

From the beginning of our birth, our body endures many changes. As we reach young adolescence, however the body experiences a series of senescence, or bodily changes abnormal, which the bodily functions start to decline. The body makes these changes, which most people will notice, the difference.

The musculoskeletal system is the first area that most diseases and illnesses start. For this reason once, a person turns 35 years of age regardless of their activities, athletic nature, etc. Still, one can reduce such disease by avoiding injuries to the muscles and joints. You can do this by avoiding accidents when possible, abuse, excessive alcohol, drugs, tobacco and so on. You can increase your health by exercising, eating healthy, socializing with positive people, and avoiding environmental toxins.

Visiting your doctor is essential to prevent disease as well. When you visit your doctor, he takes the time to study your physical status based on the family history you gave to him. The doctor will consider family history, including hereditary diseases. Your doctor will take family history into consideration as he studies diagnostics, cures, prevention, and treatment to help you avoid disease. As noted earlier, our body starts to refuse by age 35, which our sensory organs will also start to take a rain check. At this time, the eyes are affected since they cannot remain focused on objects up close. In medical terms, this condition is known as presbyopia. This is why you see many people in the world over the age 40 wearing glasses, contact lens, bifocals and so on. Still, you see the younger generation with these same needs, which is a clear sign that aging progression is starting earlier for some. This is a note signaling hereditary makeup, or lifestyle based on environment, etc.

Many people as they grow older lose a degree of hearing. In some instances, people go deaf after 40. This condition is called presbycusis, which is a sign of aging. Since this condition is common for those aging, it is natural to dislike things you once liked. For instance, if you enjoyed concerts when you were younger, and now find that you do not enjoy concerts at all, it is because your hearing has changed, which means that the high-pitch of hearing is affected, which slowly wore down the lower hearing tone. When hearing is impaired, it often seems like those talking are inarticulate. Since the hearing is tarnished, the person will hear speech differently. For instance, the use of K may sound distorted, which affects comprehension. In other words, a person older may here the CH in a word, such as Chute Up, and think that someone is telling them to shut-up. The CH is distorted. You can help those with hearing difficulties by learning sign and body languages to help them relate to you. These people can also benefit from hearing aids, or Assistive Listening Devices. The devices act as hearing aids, since it allows a person to block out noise in the background while focusing on the speaker.

We see natural healthy aging in this picture, yet in some instances aging signs are unnatural. For instance, if you incur lung cancer based on your history of smoking, or being around second-hand smoke, then the cause is unnatural.

As a person grows older his or her, weight changes as well and more so for those with family history of obesity. The body fat starts to change up to 30% by the time a person reaches 40. The changes affect the body tremendously, since this is the start of wrinkles and other natural aging signs.

Focuses on the fundamentals of human behaviour

http://www.lindasagementoring.com/

Activities Promoting Healthy Aging

2010-11-19T07:35:00.000+01:00

Lack of activities can prevent you from living healthy. When you do not enjoy activities, you may feel fatigue or find it difficult to sleep at night. When you awake in the morning, you may feel tired until you finally fall asleep. As we, age our body change and we have to make changes to accommodate our lives.

Activities Promoting Healthy Aging

Having a good night sleep makes the mind think more clearly. A good night sleep also boosts your energy while controlling your weight. You can also make decisions with less stress. Sleeping well at night makes our immune system stronger to keep us healthier. Researchers have proved that a good nights sleep is necessary for our health. Researchers have found that lack of sleep reduces the growth hormones in our bodies, since it changes muscles to fat. Sleep overall is most important, yet it stands behind activities. To improve your health, try walking each day.

Walking will help to loosen our muscles, reduces stress and depression along with anxiety. By reliving these things, it will help us to sleep for a longer and deeper period. So, when we wake up in the morning we feel happier and more rested.

When you exercise, you get a good night sleep, which promotes metabolism. Without the right amount of sleep, our bodies crave energy. Our body will release insulin or glucose into the bloodstream, which slows down metabolism. This action causes the body to gain weight, rather than control weight.

When a person feels exhausted, they will feel weak and repressed from enjoying activities. This leads to additional problems. Sleeping right balances out our bodies giving us, more energy leading to more activities that will satisfy our sleep needs.

What to avoid:
To rest proper and feel active you must reduce your intake of caffeine, nicotine, harmful chemicals, such as over-the-counter meds that keep you awake, alcohol and so on. The chemicals and substances will keep you awake. Try to avoid drinking anything after 8 p.m. in the evening. Nicotine should be avoid if possible, yet if you must smoke try to avoid smoking after 8 p.m.

Start a walking program in the morning to help wake you up, while boosting your energy. You will feel better since the joints will feel flexible enough to move freely. In addition, walking will help you burn fat and calories. You’ll notice a big change in how you feel the rest of the day. Start out walking at a slow steady pace for as far as your comfortable. Each day pick up the pace a bit and walk further. Just remember when walking that you want to work up to a steady brisk walk to make you sweat but not out of breath. Take a short walk before and after meals to calm your nerves, and burn calories too, it will give you energy, relieve that stress from the long day and help you sleep.

If you start a walking program for yourself, it is a lot more fun if you have someone to go with you. Talk to that neighbor you don’t know and maybe they’ll walk with you. Just think about it; you’ll be acquainted with someone new, talk about new things will relieve stress and get in you exercise as well. This might help that neighbor too who maybe hasn’t seen or talked to anyone in a couple of days and than they can sleep better at night.

After walking that brisk walk your doing be sure to cool down. When walking at a vigorous pace your heart rate will go up and it needs to be back to normal. Just walk a bit slow and relaxing until you’ve cooled down.

If you can’t go to sleep at night instead of getting up and turning on the TV try pacing around the house. Do some stretching and shake your arms and legs. Even walking around the house can relax you especially when everyone else is in bed and you can relax more.

Focuses on the fundamentals of human behaviour

Chocolate or Flowers

2010-11-09T12:27:00.000+01:00

How we talk to ourselves is often the key to unlocking of the reasons for failed dieting!!

If we go into something thinking we cannot do it, or you know what you are like, you don't stick to anything!! Then very likely that you will fulfill your thoughts. It seems a strange thing to say but if you actually listen to yourself you just might realize how bad you make yourself feel. If you spoke to a friend like it, would they be your friend for long?

We tend not to believe that we are in charge of our own programming, it is easy to say it is her/his fault, it is my job/boss/colleagues, it is the bank/credit card for making me miserable...so I eat!!! I know I have been there and made every excuse under the sun.

The great news is, it is not their fault it is our excuse! That is a bitter pill to take, but once we do accept responsibility for our actions, and control of how we talk to ourselves, you have won the battle.

There is no magic wand or genie, we are all powerful for ourselves, it is in the choices we make. Next time you want to buy some chocolate, buy yourself some flowers instead they will last a lot longer, they will brighten up your room and your mood. There will be no guilt or additions to the hips!!

My Life with Herbalife

2010-10-31T11:21:00.001+01:00

I am 6 stones (84lbs, or 38Kg) lighter and 20 years younger. I am happier, healthier, fitter and more confident, having been a “professional” dieter for most of my adult life what was the key to unlock my happiness?

I did not want to spend hours cooking special dishes, weighing, measuring and counting calories (I had done it all before). I found Herbalife online and my life started to change, I could not believe that in just a few days I could feel the difference, I had more energy, vitality and stopped picking between meals.

The delcious shakes are super easy, quick and can be as varied as your imagination, so there is never any reason to get bored with the taste or texture. As the pounds started to melt away, I felt a new person was emerging. I started wanting to exercise and I had gained more hours in my day, no falling asleep on the sofa in front of the TV.

My self confidence soared and I even then had the personal strength to end a very bad relationship that I had been locked into for several years. I started to like the person looking back at me in the mirror.

There are many people who tried to burst my bubble with negative views about Herbalife and the products, I am walking, talking living proof that they do what they say they will do on each and every packet. I am willing to work with anyone that wants to make a change in their lives, just get in touch.

A Food History Lesson - Know what you Eat

2010-10-08T11:53:00.000+02:00

When we look through history books and films never do we see fat Cavemen or women, nor Vikings or Saxons, come to that Lancelot and William Wallis were all fine figures of men. The only blip on this muscle bound histroy is of course Henry Tudor or better known as Henry VIII, but he was physically fit and healthy when young, only did gluttony set in as the years went on.

Right up to after the Second World War people seemed to keep their shapes and obesity was a very obscure word. Yes, there had been, famines, plagues and wars, and food in general had been very scarce at times. This however is not the key! The reason that obesity has exploded globally is manufacturing, mass market and mass production.

The additives, preservatives, colourants, E numbers, emolsifiers and enhancers that are added to our foods are what has caused the root of the problem. There are two main reasons WHY!

1. All of these man made chemicals are foreign to our bodies and is like trying to biodegrade a plastic bag internally, we have not evolved to be able to do that as humans. That is why there are so many intolerances, allegies and side effects to many of the added chemicals. Which also have a knock on effect to so many other medical conditions such as migrines, IBS, ADHD, etc.

2. The man made additives also have additional effects within our bodies, sending messages to our nervous system and brain, messages that over ride the natural triggers to say when the stomach is full or to create addictive cravings for certain foods.

Convenience and Diet foods are not good for you no matter what you read on the lables, keep it simple, know what you have on your plate and exactly what is going into your body. That way you stay in control and so can your body. There is no magic cure, but there are loads of ways you can help your body to work at an optimum.

In the next Blog I am going to look at simple exercise to enhance fat burning.

Happy eating

Prepare for Christmas

2010-09-29T12:09:00.000+02:00

Hi,

Well, this year is ebbing into the last three months and we all know where that is going, back to the "Festive Season", the rounds of family, friends eating and drinking.

But does it have to be like that? Can we enjoy Christmas without feeling like a stuffed Turkey? The answer is of course we can, but what is even better we have 12 Weeks to prepare for it. So there is no reason why we struggle into the party wear, or worse go out and buy a bigger size than last year!

Now is the time to get the glad rags out, dust them off and try them on. If they are comfortable then great a bonus, if they are not then action is needed.NOW....

As dieters we are great at procrastinating, we are wonderful at saying, yes I will start on Monday, or after the wedding, or after Christmas, not much point now! We make excuses that does not help ourselves, in this time you could still lose a stone for Christmas, how great would that be?

Then you really could be treating yourself for Christmas and feeling fantastic to go with it. A true Christmas Cracker!

Take up the 12 Week Weightloss Challenge TODAY then you will have your sparkle back for Christmas. After all what have you got to lose?

I know I am glad I did

Getting into Clothes

2010-09-20T17:34:00.000+02:00

I am not sure about where you are living but thankfully Autumn has arrived here! The glare and the bite of the July and August sun has gone, nice days now are warm, balmy evenings but with cool nights. Probably for me the nicest time of the year.

As we change seasons, it is time to change wardrobes again. Bringing clothes out that we have not worn for months is a nerve racking experience, will they fit or won't they? I had years of wardrobe hell, baggy jumpers and elastic waisted skirts, so I was always sure that I had some lea way in my sizes. Untill even they were expanded to their limit! (not that I saw it at the time)

I hear a lot of my clients say that, going into winter clothes is easier than going into summer ones. Mainly I suppose because you can cover up more! However it is only 13 weeks til the festive season is upon us for another year, how soon that has come around! Getting into those slinky numbers for parties and Gala Dinners is often a challenge. So now is the time to get started on the countdown and preparation.

For an easy to follow plan visit my website and have a look at how I can help combat that bulge with the 12 Week Weightloss Challenge my nightmares of cancelling appointments and crying on the sofa, have gone for good, but not forgotten; that is why helping other people have happy, healthy lives makes everyday worthwhile.

Join me on the Challenge TODAY, what have you got to lose?

Are Advertising Men Satan in Disguise?

2010-09-18T15:58:00.000+02:00

Hi,
How we love to see the comercial and adverts for "healthy" food, all the "Diet", "Low Calorie", "No or Low Fat", how simple they make our life........HA! If only that were true.

The advertising men are paid mega bucks to influence you to buy products, they are working for a client who wants to increase their sales and their part of the market. A good advert can make millions overnight, and make a certain product a household name. People in general believe what they are told, but the do not question subliminal messages, or people who are generally accepted as a "know it" person. By that a celeb or a known sports person.

Celebs that endorse products increase their value and entice people to buy, if you see a slim celeb by a swimming pool eating a bowl of cereal, the underlaying message is; look at me I am slim...like you want to be and I am eating this product, then a beautiful figure dives gracefully into the pool. The message you do not pick up is the exercise message after eating, as all cereal does is turn into sugar in your system.

We only see and hear the part of message that we want to, and that is also the main message that the ad man is sending you. No Fat Yogurt, if it is made with skimmed milk there is not fat in there anyway! Fat free alcohol....there has NEVER been any fat in alcohol, but in both these products there are elevated amounts of sugar! Plus alcohol slows down your metabolic rate, so you store fat quicker!!!

Anything with chemical sweetners are far worse for your body than any natural sweetners like honey and unrefined sugar. Use a tin of coke to clean your car engine, toilet or jewelery and see what a great job it makes of it, then think what that is doing to your insides! Carbonated soft drinks are nobody's friend!

Don't be swayed by a celeb saying this is good for you, or believing that you are going to drop a dress size overnight by taking any product, because it is not true. Shop with your thinking head on and always after a meal, never food shop on an empty tummy or you will buy loads of rubbish. It is also true if you buy it, it is because you intend to eat it! So if you are putting 2 chocolate bars, or a packet of biscuits in your shopping trolley, it is because you have the intention of consuming them!

Don't let the ad man win, buy natural, buy healthy (unrefined or unprocessed) foods and when sales of the other products decline.....see what happends to the ads, as if by magic they disappear!

Have a happy, healthy shop!!!

Black Jacks and Fruit Salad Friend or Foe

2010-09-06T17:59:00.000+02:00

Hi,

I was just on a trip down memory lane, runnning out of school when the bell sounded, still full of energy, trying to make it to the small village sweet shop before the hordes, to get my treat for the walk home. Opening up that black and white paper that always stuck to part of the Black Jack chewy sweet, I used to get 4 for a penny. The smell of the liquorice just as I popped it in my mouth mmmm, then by the time I had eaten the 4 sweets my teeth and tongue were black.

I always used to eat three of them and then the Fruit Salad chewy ones, they were warpped in white paper with different fruits on the wrappers. Again 4 for a penny, I got into such a routine that the walk home used to last exactly the eight sweets. Or rather I had got the pace of the walk exactly to the munching of the eight sweets!!

I always kept the last Black Jack to the end, as I really liked them much more than the Fruit Salad, I never thought till many years later, why I always got the Fruit Salad as well, instead of getting 8 of the Black Jacks!! Not a care in the world about nutrients, calories, carbs or fiber, so when you think I did that on a daily routine, for five years, five days a week, 40 weeks of the year, that is a grand total of 8,000 sweets eaten aarrhhhh, just as well life then was more energetic, out on our scooters, or bikes. Running through the fields (much to the farmer's annoyance at times!) playing rounders and hide n seek, hopscotch, only going in when it got dark. No mobile phones or tracking devices, and nobody worried.

This is just one example of emotional attachment to food, if I smell liquorice even now; I can remember those days and feelings of freedom and happiness. For many people food is emotional, it can be a crutch to eat or not depending on the memories. Food is the symptom not the cause or the problem; until the relationship or belifs about food are changed then yo yo dieting or an eating disorder is very likely.

I often hear in my clinic, when I was that weight I was happy, if I can be that weight my life would be great. When I ask how long ago they were at that weight it can be anything up to several decades ago. A certain weight is not the happiness button that people strive for. Your body will go through many densities all of which affect your weight, so setting unrealist goals does not help your self esteem. Working with your body fat should be the main agenda, reducing that will enhance your life, and lifestyle.

Stop thinking as food as a friend or as an enemy, it is nutrition, fuel to enable you to function. Bring in some reality about food and you have a great starting place to get some comtrol back into your body and your mind.

So....what have you been using as a trip down memory lane for comfort?

Building Confidence in New Areas

2010-09-01T16:24:00.000+02:00

As we enter another month, I am feeling energized and hopeful, lots of new horizons to explore. In Spain August is almost a complete washout work wise. Most of Spain is on holiday, so there are no suppliers and people usually stay away from the heat.

I have used this August to learn many new skills on the internet and in marketing, that way I can persue a new concept in business. Anyone who knows me, or has read many of my earlier Blogs will know that my cyber ability could be fitted onto a pin head! I am not stupid but I "knew" how I was with technical stuff! Excuse not to bother to try and learn, because it was not important in my life. Now that it has become a high priority it is amazing how "clever" I can be.....learning new skills easily and using them on a daily basis.

All I ever used to hear was "how complicated" or "how difficult" it was, so that kept me in my nice safe world. When will I ever learn!!!! Things are only overwhelming when we let them, only over complicated when we wear blinkers. We can send a man to and from the moon, landing within millimetres of where he is expected to be, but we still strive to conquer the space between our ears!!

You would think that when we had done it once it would be easy to do again....but, we get comfortable in our beliefs and want to stay there rather than move on, until the need is greater than our mental discomfort to move on. The amazing thing is, when we do start to move on and find how easy it is, we wonder why we did not do it before!!! Doh!!! comes to mind.

I am not beating myself up, as I am now enjoying this new technology to enhance my life and business. But as another day dawns, I realise just how limiting some of my own beliefs are, how blinkered I can be without realising it. They were the same limiting beliefs that trapped me in an overweight, over size body for so many years.

That's me on the right, at a Charity Event on Saturday, before I would have made every excuse under the sun not to have been there, I would never have gone in swim wear and would have run (ok waddled) a mile at just seeing a camera, let alone even thinking of having a photo taken. Liberation is a great feeling...are you holding yourself back?

Day 42 to a New Me

2010-08-26T16:37:00.000+02:00

If losing weight and shedding body fat were as easy as 1,2,3 or learning a mathmatical formula live would be so very much easier!

There again, when we do get in to a regime correctly how easy does it seem??? So, what is the one big factor that makes such a difference? Your mind set. You are your own worst enemy or your own best allay. Can you remember when you set your mind to do something, no matter what came along you would do it, ride a bike, drive a car, go out with a boyfriend/girlfriend nobody liked, ringing any bells???

Our minds make us capable of amazing feats picking up cars, or buses when a child is in danger, diving into water to save somebody, when you don't know how to swim , the list is endless. So why is it so hard to keep a promise to ourselves?

The first issue is self esteem or self worth, if we do not rate ourself worthy then we will sabotage any attempt to make things better for ourself. If the picture we hold of ourself is one of a negative, insulting form it will be so very hard, just to be different. So that is why sometime when we set a goal for other people, ie going to a daughter's wedding, a sister's anniversary party etc we will hold ourself to it, not perfectly but better than if we were doing it for ourself. This is because we rate their needs to have a slim mum or sister at the function, or not wanting to embarress them with a huge relation! In the long term this will never work, after the function you will put it all back on again and more besides.

The only truely successful way to get change in your mind is to have a strong WHY, yes it can still be the wedding or the party, but because you want to be your best for YOU. You see yourself as beautiful , elegant, sexy, until the picture you hold of yourself changes for you, it will feel that trying to lose any weight or inches is like puching that car up a hill, the first stone or pot hole in the road you will give up. Only to reinforce the negative opinion of yourself as a failure!

I know I can lose weight because I have done it before, I have no wish to go back to where I was before, but I have never chosen to have a reason to set a big goal since changing my life and gaining 20 years! I had got complacent, lazy and even a bit of denial was creeping in as the odd splurge of carbs or vino was adding to my normal intake.

Today I got an email about a Nike challenge, I ahve never wanted to run in my life! Marathon runners must all be mad I thought! So, today I challenged myself with the Nike website to run for 25mins in 12 weeks!!!! can I do it? My mind set has to go through a huge change to see myself as a runner.

So keep reading and we will see how I go from today!! Here I make my committment to be a runner in 12 weeks????

If you fancy a challenge go to Nike website and join up too. There are challenges for new and experienced people.....so lets go!!!

Day 41 - 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-08-19T18:20:00.001+02:00

Hi
Hey a rainy day in Spain in August, so make the most of it....respite from the sun!!

Ok it is easy to blame the sun and heat for lethergy, lack of energy and vitality, wanting to sleep more as we feel hot and bothered after we move any muscle!!

But once we start on that slippery slope, I think it is easy to slide down rather than try to climb up again because that takes effort and we don't have much of that in the heat! A really vicious cycle to get into, poor sleeping patterns at night, leads to a more docile day, drinking caffinated drinks, cold or hot all they do is dehydrate even more. Sipping alcohol whilst lounging by a pool, sounds like paradise to some, but can be very dangerous! Alcohol dehydrates the body very quickly, getting up from a prone position in the heat often causes light headedness or feinting, knock on effect is a fall.

If you are eating rubbish, ie fast, refined foods high in fat and sugar, this will slow your brain down and cause many digestion problems, as the organs heat up in the body they require water, minerals, salts, fibres and proteins to balance out the over heating effect. Drinking iced drinks when you body is over heating is making it work harder, like putting iced water onto a hob after you have turned it off, it is a huge shock to the system. Natural tempurature water is better for hydration and for the organs.

Eating less is often used as an excuse when it is hot, but missing meals or huge gaps will not help any healing process or helping your body to cope with the heat. Also you will keep up to 40% more fat next time you eat!

Light meals. little and often with lots of water with the meals and between, anything spring to mind??? Tapas wonder why they are so popular here, think the Spanish just maybe know a thing or two!!

Enjoy the summer, make the most of the great weather, try the local way of eating.....and your body will be able to respond in a positive way and be the best it can be.

Bye for now
Linda

Day 40 to a New Me

2010-08-17T17:38:00.000+02:00

Hi,
Today started well, I am full of energy, sleeping well and all through the night, which is a great blessing!!

I am into having fruit off of my own trees, oranges, apricots, figs not to mention the lemons, what a brilliant way to start the day. We are lucky at the moment that the sun has had some respite, though it is not good for people on holiday!

I went down to Rojales to the Town Hall to pick some papers up, 2nd journey for the same papers! But that is normal, and the morning was pleasant, even managed to aprk at that early hour.

Getting back home before I went to work and in time for my shake, I have almsot always kept the Herbalife shake up at least for breakfast, it is fast, full of nutrients, vitamins and protein, better and quicker than anything I could prepare myself.

What with the changes in my business and the new pathway I am treading image and self confidence are a must, I must lead by example. I have not been training with a trainer for the past couple of months, but it has made me more self reliant because when you have an appointment with a trainer it makes you keep it, but takes the self motivation away and when the appointment is not there, it is easy to slip into comfortable potato couch mode.

I am proud of the fact that I have not done that and in fact found other ways to train, being with the same person for a long time also gets you into a safe mode, using the local facilities and walking about Quesada with weights bound to my ankles and wrists before I would not have been seen dead doing it. Even when I lost my weight my self confidence still took time to catch up, especially in fit fit clothes!!! But it has been good for me, and I have learnt from it.

Getting into the habit of doing something is better than doing nothing, sooooo switch on that music, have a dance pump it up, how great do you feel after??? Even is you are sitting in a chair you can move your arms and legs, whether your choice is Meatloaf or Jim Reeves it will help your circulation and add adreneline to the brain, that makes you feel more energetic and happier.

So you see it is not hard to get back into doing a bit now and again, a few mins several times a day soon adds up, and that helps you move onto more things, so a great way just to start. little steps conquer great mountains, but it needs to be regular little steps!!!!!

Weighing in day for me today....... 2.3/4lbs not usual for me, but the last couple of weeks have been slow, so it shows keep on doing what you know is right and your body will catch up. More incentive to do more this coming week.

See ya tomorrow

Linda

Day 39 To a New Me

2010-08-11T18:42:00.000+02:00

Spain in Aug, so yes it is hot, it is humid, and it is sticky!! but how bad would it be if it was not??? We really would have something to talk about the weather then!

This is the time of year at least here, that most people get into grind to a halt mood, everything in Spain closes down in Aug, so we can......it is not true and it is not logical. People are in fact more at risk of heart attacks, strokes and accidents through feinting at this time of year due to the heat and dehydration.

Sounds like paradise to sit round a pool with a beer, especially if you are reading this in Glasgow or Grimsby (nothing against either place, but they are not known for the best of weathers), but alcohol dehydrates and can make you feel light headed when you come from a laying or sitting position to upright, so can easily lead to accidents and breaks.

The swimming pool or beach can also be a psychological nightmare for anyone who had any issues with their body or weight, it takes courage to expose yourself to the eyes of others, I know I was locked in that situation for many years. Yes, I have been the one on the beach in clothes, building sandcastles, pretending to have a good time, making any excuse up as to why I am so comfortable in my clothes and not have a swimsuit with me, I forgot it on the way out. I lied I did not even own one, let alone wear it in public.

When I moved to Spain that was one of my sancturies, I had my own pool, so nobody would have to see me! That was when my daughter took these photos

But not only did she take them she sent them all around the world on Facebook, so my secret was well and truely out!!!!!

At the time I was mortified, angry, hurt, blaming her for doing such a thing. It took me 10 days to take the responsibility and admit to myself, I was angry with myself for letting me get to this and feeling the way I did.

Denial is an easier place to live and when you keep making excuses to yourself, you believe them. Self confidence hits the floor and it has a knock on effect into all areas of your life and relationships.

I have come a long way from there mentally and physically, but each step of that journey has made me who and what I am today, to see me now click here

The great news is, if anyone has any bells ringing with my story, then I can help you to a happier, healthier you. Just get in touch info@lindasage.com

Take care for now

Regards

Linda

Day 38 to a New Me

2010-08-07T18:30:00.000+02:00

Hi
Well, as you can see there have been a few delays between Blogs due to many things, but there has not been a stop to my progress or that of my shape!

I had been going through some personal and professional changes when we left off, and there has been many major changes to date. Most of all my head is back in a more centred position and I am clearly seeing my future online. My business has moved premises and I now love working from home.

Sitting here writing with the sun on th palm tree leaves and the cat sprawled out on the pink gravel without a care in the world...except where is the next tastey morsel coming from after I have slept for a while!!

I want to thank you for you patience and will be back in the drivers seat of my challenge from today. I am really looking forward to getting to grips with my progress again.

Meanwhile if you want to be looking at what else I have been doing, in Life with Linda in the www.soltimes.com the Costa Blanca editions and The Human Puzzle in the Costa Blanca Leader www.yourlocalnewspaper.com I hope you will enjoy and I will be back with you in full swing tomorrow.

Have a wonderful evening.
Linda

Day 37 - 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-03-22T17:28:00.000+01:00

Well, life does deal us with some great miracles, my daughter has had many personal problems for many years but finally seems to have come through the dark tunnel, I have been on my own for many years, as that all illusive romance seemed to have passed me by, but all of a sudden both are making my life a great place to be.

Emotional eating is not just for the bad times, when we have good time and achieving our own goals, then we have yet another reason to indulge!!! In the end it always comes to us making our own choices.

I talked early on in this Blog about making our own Goal List and Achievement Sheet, each tick stimulates us to want to achieve the next. As we motivate ourselves it is easier to get more and more done. Though over extending yourself will have adverse effects as well, so making sure you can give 100% of your attention to whatever task it is you are doing is important too. So making sure that you have time to give to tasks is a great learning curve, and it does get easier!!!!

People have moved in and out of my life just in these 5 weeks, new doors have open when ones have closed. People have come back as others have left, it is a little bit like a revolving door, the only time it will stop is when we stop, not when others stop.

I used to worry about people leaving me, but not now... we all have people in our lives for a reason, when you teach it is normal that students come and go, some of them you hear from or see later on in life...most of them you don´t. But just knowing that your input may have helped is enough. So why do we feel different if it is a friend, spouse or child.... they all have minds and choices of their own. Who is to say that we are not being held back holding on to them??? Just recently I have found that to be the case....be your own best friend and do things for you, if others want to be there great, if they don´t so what.......just do it anyway.

I have always thought that a relationship has been hard work, effort and a lot of the time walking en egg shells, but now I have found that because I am ready to say "no" or "disagree" with some reason that it is ok, I wanted to please in my relationships......but I accepted less from the other person, now I don´t and what a difference it makes.

So now I have at last "a partner" and it is refreshing and stimulating.....I had to change me before I could find somebody to be in a "different" relationship with.

Many of us go back to exactly the same type of relationship that we have left, even with friends, until we change then the relationships can´t be any different.

Linda

Day 36 - 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-03-22T14:41:00.000+01:00

Hi ,

Clouds, grey skies and rain greet me this morning but learning that we hold the key to our own happiness, makes these things unimportant. Unless we use them as excuses to put things off... or see a get out clause for something we really did not want to do. Funy thing is when we want to really do something or find out some info, then it can be done very easily. Not that the finding of the information or the learning is any more or less dificult, but our desire or need is different.

Do you remember the subjects at school, all the ones you liked were easy to learn, all the ones you hated were boring...... but that is not true; our own attitude is what makes the difference. So why do we choose to make difficult for ourselves??? Because of our own beliefs about ourselves, up know how you are!!! good learner? or poor student?, quick thinker, or just plain dumb!! Laying the blame on the teacher, or the difficult class, or useless information gives our own personal responsibility away, and by doing that we give away ourself..and when we don´t care about us......get what...others get the message and don´t bother either.

If there was one gift of experience we could give children it would be, a gift of self esteem, knowing yourself would save such a huge amount of heartache and bring such a huge amount of pleasure in doing the things that we really enjoy rather than trying to fit into the crowd and do things because others think that it is "cool".

Emotional eating is very much like that, when we feel out of kilt in ourselves we tend to try to compensate and often it is with food, alcohol, or drugs. Learning to live without these crutches, is often a long and painful process, but well worth the effort when we come out the other side.

Food was my magical blanket, I could feel invisible if I felt ugly, nobody would bother with me, if I did not bother with me. but life is amazing and should be. For all the unhappy times, and tears that my misuse has caused me and my family as like any addict, I could not see the knock-on effect, until I made the changes.

Today everyday is a new adventure, a day to make a difference. What about you?

Linda

Day 35 - 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-03-17T19:59:00.000+01:00

Well 5 weeks now have passed, here I am again faced with the scales and tape measure. My achievment has been slow, but some good achievement on the personal targets.

I have seesawed on the sclaes and the inches have held their own, I have trained well, three times a week and feel fitter in myself, more resilient and stronger. My personal achievements have out weighed the weighloss achievements to date, but now that my goals are stonger, so will be my drive to achieve. It is easy to get side tracked by people and things, taking time to know, feel and understand your own goals is essential.

I have achieved a lot today, many of my daily targets had been lost due to the time I was spending at work. Now they have been incorporated and my ticklist is back on parr. I have been invited to write for another newspaper, my daughter is more settled and happy, my romance is blooming, work is booming, so I need to focus on the achievements. My clients are getting results and new people come through the door of the Centre each day.....

Negative thoughts are destroyers, so keep it happy and keep your smile there, you never have to look far to find people a lot worse off than you are.

I, like you have a choice to be happy or sad, negative or postive, we all have 24hrs in a day...choose how they will be spent and wish for what you really want, believe you deserve it, see yourself living with it, then go out and find a way to get it....think, believe and receive.

I now have a great place to start, 7 weeks to go where will I be then???? What about you where will you be then?

Here goes to next bit....

Linda

Day 34 - 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-03-15T14:34:00.000+01:00

Hi

As a beautiful day dawns, it makes me realise just how much can be taken for granted. I know all of us get hooked up on the small things of life and they tend to take over the big things. Our view point is not unbiased or unemotional, that makes many decisions illogical; love, likes, dislikes, phobias to name but a few defy logic.

Belief is special too, it brings a lot of comfort, support and upliftment, but can also bring a lot of heartbreak and set brother against brother, something so personal, maybe the best to learn to accept and be tolerent.

I have come to realise that I need to change, not just because lately friends have left, but because I need something different from life. I have had a long time "off" from learning something new, most of my life I have been "qualifying" or "studying" for something, but recently that had been forgotten or passed over. I feel now is the time to do just that, as when we are learning something new, our mind is open and aware of new opportunities and people around us, where as when we are not receptive they can just pass us by.

Techno stuff really is not my bag!!! but because I have trusted others to do websites and promotion for me, it has been lost or frayed at the edges. I have to hold my hands up and take personal responsibility - I let them get away with it.....but no I am on the case. My first lesson is booked today, this will in the long run save me money and give me better creative and promotional control over my company, products and services; so why has it taken me so long to recognise this????

One of the area I talk to people about are scotomas, or blind spots....ever left your keys laying around and not been able to find them, no matter how hard you look, then somebody asks "are these them?", you get annoyed and say that they must have just put them there, as they were not there before, as you have just looked there!!!! Problem with blind spots is we don´t know we have them until we have them pointed out, or we choose the see them!!! I have known that technology is a weak link for me, but I was not bothered about doing anything about it, now it is important to me....information, classes, know-how floods in.

As humans we are very selective about what we want, or need, when we make it important to us, we can seek out the resources and gain the information and knowledge. So here goes, into a new techno life.......

Achieving a new goal is great, but it is also a stepping stone to getting nearer to your bigger goals. You may be thinking or even saying, this is all very well but I did not see this need when I set my goals a few weeks ago, but it has arisen because of the change in me and my needs, friendships or relationships change because of this. All we know is that we are treading the path towards a new outcome, we do not need to know the how we will get to our new goal, just the why has to be strong enough to get round, overcome or conquer any obsitacle that come along.

So what is there out there to be learnt today ?

Told you that this is not just about weight but about a New Me.

See you tomorrow

Linda

Day 33 - 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-03-15T13:50:00.001+01:00

Hi
Time is passing and I am learning so much more about me this time, before I had many personal issues to deal with when I initially started to lose weight.

I was caring for two elderly parents and in a very bad relationship, my daughter has many learning difficulties what making my life emotionally very difficult, with in six months I had lost a parent and my partner, along with all finacial stability. I had a huge mortgage, one wheelchair bound parent, still my daughter, but at long last I started to learn that I had myself. I had to run a business to exist, over a long period of 4 years I have come full cycle, but there was no quick remedy or magic pill. Each small milestone has helped me onto the next one.

Just coming to terms with the first losses, my house split and subsided, my father deteriorated and died after 2 year, my ex-husband and daughters father died suddenly within 10 days of my dad. My daughter had already got herself exculded from school and was well onto the drugs, and alcohol route, she was physically and verbally aggressive and violent which only to got much worse after these two losses. My business rose and fell with the betrayal of staff, I found my self esteem and started to work my way back up.

Now four and a half years later, I am at last on top of things, the house has been rebuilt - but not finished, there is a good new romance in my life, my daughter is on her way to a milatary career and my business is booming. (not that I am not still getting up every day and trying to get better), So, for anyone who thinks that it is ok for me, but I don´t know what you are going through.....I think this is all called life.

I have learnt a lot about me, about what I want out of life and what I am willing and not willing to accept. This self acceptance is the key and it does not all happen at once (unfortunately), but we can enjoy the learning curve and then look at the view of where we have come from. The great thing about this whole time is that some of my goals are the same, many have been achieved and then newer and bigger ones replaced them.

Where ever you are in life, you can progress and make changes, your first one is to choose to......

What are you waiting for?

Linda

Day 32 - 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-03-15T13:16:00.000+01:00

Well great to be back,

The weather is nothing like people imagine Spain to be, we are also not used to continual rain and cold. The houses here are not built to hold the warmth, but with a good gas fire and the log burner, it can make things much better. Though darker days day offer us a wonderful opportunity to either get on line to know new things, or read a great book.

Many, many years ago by one of my very first mentors gave me a gem of information and that was to get up one hour earlier a day and spend that time reading or listening to, or watching self development information, it sets your day of on a very positive note and enthuses you to achieve. I also find writing at that time of day is very easy as my mind is sharp and clear. I have a particular sunroom in my house, it was a balcony at one time but is all glassed in, the huge panels of glass windows in aliminum frames pull back to completely open up in the summer. But the first rays of light and watching the sun come up there, makes me realise just how good a day can be. It is also spectacular sitting there watching a storm roll in from the coast. So easy to take things for granted.

I also still keep a daily log, from my teacher training days, it is great to recall what the achievements have been for the day. what miracles you have noticed, it gives you a wonderful tool to refer back to at any later dates to clear up disagreements too!! But most of all it is a legacy, to a partner/spouse/children of who you really are and what you have been thinking. It also brings me a lot of comfort looking back at them and seeing how far I have come and what I have achieved. So many pluses and no negatives as I can see!

Living a life with great memories can be inspiring to yourself and to others who have been in similar situations. No matter what your literacy skills are, your efforts will be loved and appreciated. I have many letter from my mum, there were not emails or txt then or mobiles come to that.....for many people now that must seem so strange, but none of these have the personal touch of a hand written letter. As I sit and read them through it is as if I can hear her talking to me, a wonderful gift.

Work is gaining momentom, my relationship is progrssing, my daughter seems more settled, have all these things and people changed or is it a change in me????? The more we look at how our world develops with us or around us, makes or own changes seem almost like destiny but we have orchestrated them and our own self esteem and self belief, lets us move forward where as before we would make excuses up to stay exacctly where and who we were.

Exciting isn´t it.......

What´s next???

Linda

Day 31 - 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-03-15T11:49:00.000+01:00

Well a month has come and gone, I am not exactly where I imagined I would be by now, but I am still focused and feeling better in myself. yes I could have been blinkered and stuck to my regime but as I say on many occasions, I am but human and because of that I have free will..... a double edged sword as all my achievements are purely down to me and so are my less productive days, this is called personal responsibility and it is easy to give away ownership of this, blame, finger pointing and just plain procrastination leave us wide open to disappointment. Why should anyone else care about our happiness and achievments if we don´t do it for ourselves.

A saying that I use very much from a very much admired Jim Rohn, "For things to get better, I must get better, for things to change, I must change" After all, the choices that we have made up to now, have got us to where we are, if we want a different outcome then we have to make different choices.

As I have said in some previous Blogs unfortunately some people do not always come through the journey of life with us, so we have to make choices about who we have round us. negative people drain us, and people who want to use us a stepping stone will spring onto the next carrier as soon as they are ready, or as soon as we start putting up barriers to carrying them.

Knowledge is a gift we receive it from others and then we pass it on, as others learn from us, it is a compliment that they want to go on learning, but that is always their choice, just as it is ours to accept being put upon. When our self esteem stops making excuses for their behaviour, and helps us see that actually our own life and progress are being halted or even stopped by their behaviour, it is time to cut them lose and make time for ourself and our own needs. This is the only way to move forward.

This journey and the change I need for me at the moment has meant a major decision about a friendship, but looking at it in reality, there has not been a two way friendship there for a longtime, I have bit my tongue, made excuses not to be with them, but I don´t always listen to the first warning, or second, or third come to that, but I do listen when I know that an assocition is making me unhappy. Another saying that is good guidance "as one door closes another opens", when we are blinkered by a situation, we do not always see what opportunities we have around us, then we let them go by. Luckily there are always new oppotunities and new doors to open when we are ready.

Dealing with emotional erruptions or stress, has a knock-on effect with weight and cravings, the body will crave sugar or carbs, and when you are feeling less then on top of the world, comfort eating is like an old friend. Again it is about thinking rationally, is this a friend worth keeping, or can I do better for myself?

The cold weather, stress, loss, were all previous triggers to indulge myself "woe is me" or "poor me" or even "why me", but my choices are now different. Pamper yourself, put some great music on, crank it up and dance, who cares what the neigbours think!! You can change your mood anytime you want to, it is your mood, you own it, so you have the power and strength to change it.

Life is amazing and so are we as human beings, so make the most of each and everyday. This is why 12 Weeks to a New Me is not just weight and inches related, as your body changes your mind will lead the way.

So lets see what tomorrow will bring!!!

Linda

Day 30 - 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-03-15T11:33:00.000+01:00

Well finally I had to say cheerio to my visitor and bring myself back into line, even with the best intentions it is easy to give into tempation. The difference here is not to feel guilty or go over and over in your mind "why was I so stupid" or "why did I let them lead me of course", "if only I had not had that drink/pudding/etc" Going over and over things in your mind does not help. Accetp your choices and move on.

Thankfully we have another day to make better choices, and that is a great bonus!! the sooner we learn the lesson that no matter how hard we try we cannot change or modify the past, the sooner we can move forward to our out come. Life is not fair and it is not plain sailing, and our weight and figure do not determine who we are or what sort of person we are. But making choices for ourselves and keeping them, does help us be a different type of person, dedication and self appreciation means that we will keep our word to ourself. But after all we are human!!

If you are finding it hard to keep your promises to yourself because of the company you are keeping or the negative comments you get from people around you, then you need to look at changing them, for your own self worth; as you will never be able to change another person.

I love my life and know all these ideas, but I am not perfect nor would I want to be. Enjoying your life and having a feeling of contentment is so much more important, yes you can move onto or achieve more things but it is a very powerful plac to start from.

I know I need to go back to the drawing board and set my goals out again, but this is fine the more we re-evaluate the stronger the visions of our own goals become and we can move towards them.

Don´t be hard on yourself and don´t expect miracles, baby steps are great, they will cover a lot of ground in the long run.

Look farward, enjoy the view and take each day as a new adventure.

See you tomorrow

Linda

Day 29 - 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-03-01T19:11:00.000+01:00

Well, anoth/er day of entertaining but today it will come to an end, I have learnt lots and gain a new and brighter perspective on myself and where I am going.

I am sitting down and going back to the drawing board, looking at my want list, what are my goals?, have I been blinkered in the way I was looking at them? Happiness is on everybody´s list I should imagine, but what brings us that happiness? Don´t be afraid to say what you really want, as we usually sell ourselves short as we do not see how we can do that, or get there..how´s leave us in a dark tunnel. We are very resourceful when we want to be, so leave the gates open.

One of the things I hear a lot is "if I were thinner I would be happier", "if I was less tired, I would be happier" , "if I were taller/shorter I would be happy", "if I lived in Spain/USA/Canada I would be happier" guess what......not true you would take your unhappiness with you, between your ears.

Look around you and be grateful for what you have while you work on what you want, then you will find your way of getting it. The mind is very powerful at searching out information and getting relevant messages, then act on it. This is where change comes from....you create then need then find the way.

I will be saying goodbye to Mike but hopefully what I have learnt about myself with his help, I can move towards my goals with a lot more security......that´s what special friends do....

Early night ....can´t replace sleep

Linda

Day 28 - 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-03-01T18:56:00.000+01:00

HI well

Here we are at the first 4 week post! How far I have come and how far I have to go.......

I thought I was confident and set on my way when I stared, but you have a way of finding out life is not always just what and as you assume. Take it by the horns and enjoy the ride.

I have been out more this week with my matey, but not drinking very much as I was driver and the boys do like to have a tipple hehe (well he was on holiday). So weigh-in day and here we go, yippee.....lost a pound and 3 ins but I feel like I have lost a great weight off on my shoulders, just becasuse I now have other sights in my views and I am not being pushed or coerced by others, towards their dreams!!!!

I have a postive partner who is not afraid of me being me, or doing what I want, does not see my independence as a threat. Why do I still take time to see that others do not have the drive, determination or ideals to want to work as I do, maybe that is one of my goals to have less expectations of others.

So where have these four weeks got me towards my goals? My health and fitness have improved, I am stronger and more determined, my ticklist of my everyday achievements gets longer, my self esteem is higher and I am happier in myself than I have been for a long time.

How have you done? So where will we be in at the next 4 week post? Just getting exciting isn´t it!!!!!

Until tomorrow.

Linda

Day 26 - 12 Weeks to a New You

2010-03-01T18:27:00.000+01:00

Hi,

Well, this morning came very quickly, or perhaps it was the late night that went on a bit!!! Whatever! (thanks Catherine Tate), there are somedays that you just want to dive under the duvet and others you can take on the world.....what makes the difference? The way we think and talk to ourselves, great expectations....cause great happenings.

Too many people accept "this is life" whilst others "want more", as a teacher I felt it was part of my job to make young people feel the second one, though there is a clause that they do not like!!! responsibility that goes with it. Going through life some people touch it for an instant, others stay a bit longer and others a lifetime....but all will bring something into our world.

At the moment I have my old matey Mike with me and that makes me look back to at my physical inprovement as well as at my psychological improvement, but remembering everday is a day to learn. Jim Rohn another great legend of development, said "you can reach the books on the top shelf by stepping up on the books you have read" this goes for many things in our lives, we do not start out as experts in any area, but can learn by reading, listening and trying.

I am taking a turn in my life and will be leaving some people behind me, unfortunately we cannot make choices for others, so that means sticking to our own goals and dreams new people will replace those left behind. They will be going their own way. This is not always easy, but you know when you fell that you are being tied down, or held back, the longer you fight it the more uncomfortable you feel in yourself.

It has taken a new pair of eye for me to see this, well honestly I have known for a while but chose not to do anything about it. Now it is glaring at me......I need to surround myself with like minded people...trying to carry others to where you want to go, saps your energy and slows you down and they feel very uncomfortable as they really do not want to be going in that direction anyway.

Your likes, dislikes and boundaries need to be set and you need to be ready to stick by them and defend them. In most battles there are casulaties, maybe frienships are this casualty but even saying this now makes it feel so much easier to do.. You cannot maintain any relationship on pity, it will turn to hate at sometime.

So, today is a landmark.....enjoy being you and live your life just as you would like to.

There is only you stopping you, just as I have been stopping me... now the gates are open....what freedom.

Here´s to tomorrow ....thanks Mikex

Linda

Day 25 - 12 Weeks to a New You

2010-03-01T18:09:00.000+01:00

Well, wet, windy rainy and not like Spain at all, people don´t want to do things or go places, but again this about choice, life is what we make it.

I have an old friend "well" he is not old in age, just in years of knowing him hehe. He was one of my first mentors in the weight management business, I felt awful talking to a man at the start of our mentoring, but soon learnt he was warm, welcoming and a great inspiration with his own weightloss story. His enthusiasm for life, was tangible even through the phone, he has been a great asset in my life and my own personal development. Mr Mike Page.....has a lot to answer for hehe, but as we became firm friends he has seen me through many ups n downs in my life as I have him, so now it is great that we are both at very happy places in our lives. Thankfully his wife (who I introduced him to!!...that is another story) and my partner can understand and support our friendship, which makes things great (so a big thank you to both of them).

There is probably not much worse than sitting listening to a conversation about past histories that you were not part of, so that is why Mike and I sit and talk and can enjoy each other´s company. He has done so well in his life and I know that Kathy and Mike have a wonderful life together ahead of them.....wheyhey!!!!! He is not in New York, then on to Toronto, Miami all for hos work and back to UK, see what working for yourself can open up......I am still working on that.

Our goals can be our guide lines, so set them out, keep to them and watch how you get there almost like miracles everyday. Whether you are looking at your health, wellbeing, weight, finances, relationships, or work it can all work with the same guidelines, and we usually have to work on more than one area, remember the Balance Wheel, a nice even use of all areas in our lives.

So, we will be spending the next few days with a house guest......so nice to see people, show them your lifestyle and enjoy good company.

Heres to FRIENDSHIP cheers!

Linda

Day 24- 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-02-19T13:56:00.000+01:00

Grey sky, more rain and very cold......but here in the warmth of the duvet the world is bright. I am beginning to feel yonger as I become more content in myself. Last night I was up talking till 3am, not something I have done for a long time, mind you the company was great and the conversation bubbled.

Self confidence comes with the strength of my self belief, when I was carrying so much extra fat, I wanted to fee invisible and not call any attention to myself. I was convinced everybody would not like me or want to know me, because I did not feel I was wothwhile knowing. Everybody was happier, prettier, sexier, funnier....you name it I was at the bottom of the list (in my own estimation) of course this is not reality but our beliefs cause or create our own reality, so to me it was real.

The bars that I go in now are the same as 5 years ago, but they seem to have have much nicer people....more social, chatty, easy to talk to, again in reality they are mostly the same people, with some additions of course, but the one person who has changed is me. I talk more, smile more and am more inviting towards people, makes me less daunting to others. Would you want to walk up to somebody who frowns a lot, or keeps their head down? We do that as a protection but keeping out hurt, we also keep out fun, happiness, friendship and love. But the straight jacket I wore became comfortable. Freedom was scary and I definately was not ready for it then.......baby steps once again. Now I can look back, there are so many mile stones in my progress, but each one came along just when I was ready for it......strange that isn´t it!!!!!!!!!!!

Body fat causes emotional stress which has a knock on effect of making you feel isolated as a person, in a relationship and socially. It is a difficult downward spiral to break, but you can do it and only you can do it.

Make one promise to yourself today and then keep it, tomnorrow make 2 promises and keep them, start as a game or a challenge, then it will become a way of life.

This is not a sprint, it is a marathon, but then again we did not get to our low point over night either.

Today is the first day of making promises and keeping them, to yourself.

Baby steps......

See you tomorrow

Linda

Day 23 - 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-02-19T12:17:00.000+01:00

Hi there,

Mid week and early start, I find this my worst morning to find the time to visualise especially as the mornings are so cold. So, compromise I have my notepad by the bed so I can make time before I get up to visualise, as I don´t have breakfast here. So change to the morning routine, but keep the important things.

One of my first mentors, said that getting up one hour earlier each day and use that time for me, read, write, watch a motivational DVD or listen to a motivational or educational cd, it adds impact to your day and you start feeling more energised. Ihr a day = 7 hrs a week, = 28 hrs a month so you gain a whole day a month just for yourself!!!!

I am finding that this time I want to enjoy my change in me, before I was so focused on the end result that the journey was lost in dealing with everyday things and I did not give myself the full benefits of my achievements, this time is different, maybe there is a lesson there you can learn from me.

Each day is a baby step towards your goals, they all add up to one amazing journey.

Mid week I do not usually have any worries about alcohol or overindulging as I never usually go out. but tonight is different, now that I am having a social life I have other challenges. Alcohol is not usually a challenge for me, like many it is the carbs, so being out I choose to drink only water and stay away from the crisps and nuts!! Have a good meal before going out then the tendancy to want to pick is not there, not drinking alcohol stops the "munchies", so all in all a much happier, social eve with no guilt or remorse the next day!!

How is it going for you?

Day 22 - 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-02-19T10:33:00.000+01:00

Well it is true......the weather affects moods, motivation and eating.......but only if you let it!!!!!

So much for living in sunny Spain, I feel as if I am turning into a duck, but that is the easy way out, or the excuse. Take the reigns and talk to yourself again, going back to your self talk is the key to unlock your beliefs.

Workloads are another usual escape route, as much for overeating, or bad choices (eating on the run or at a desk), or long gaps between meals, elevated stress levels and often an increase in alcohol consumption; or not eating at all through the day....none of which are healthy or helpful to your body. Taking time to make sure you get the right fuel in, at regular intervals just as you would for your car on any journey!!

Everyday is our journey, so we have to make the most of it, feeling sluggish, tired, emotional and drained makes it much harder to achieve and enjoy life. We all go through "down" times, many of which are needed, a bereavement, of any kind whether it is a death, divorce, relationship breakdown, redundancy, bankrupcy or house move. It does take time to heal and move forward, but it is essential to go through the grieving process because if you don´t you cannot heal and move on, which is essential to personal progress.

Taking time to sit for a few mins in the morning and evening to visualise will enhance your ability to improve your mental strength and use the techniques to get to your goals, it is like exercising anything you cannot do it once and be an olympic athete, time and practice are the keys.

We are human beings, not robots that are programmed and we can change moods, have feelings but a robot once programmed has no control over what they do, that is a choice we have. Learning that lesson gives us the greatest insight and changes our outlook on life permanently.

Keeping up motivation is always a challenge, but it can be an interesting challenge. The same as leaving some food on your plate, especially I was brought up in a family where I was told to always clear your plate, but learning when your body is full and leaving behind unwanted beliefs is very liberating.

What baggage are you carrying that is holding you back?

Worth sitting and thinking about that

Linda

Day 21 - 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-02-16T16:42:00.000+01:00

Well the start of the third week......seems as if the time has just flown by!!!

Getting into work and then facing the scales and tape measure. The same excitement but with some trepidation..... well here goes Ok well..... suppose I cannot expect miracles. I am still the same, no movement!! well no gain anyway.

This is where I see many people then go and hit the carbs and snacks....no need your body needs time to catch up as less body fat needs less blood, gastic juices, acids etc....so this all takes time. That way your "container" will shrink in conjunction with the inside reduction, if not then it is very easy to get baggy skin and the only way then is under the knife!! After all the skin did not burst out split on the way up, so there is no reason that it cannot reduce as long as it is given the time and the vitamins to do so.

Your weightloss is like cooking a stew on the back burner, life goes on, as long as you keep putting the right ingredients in and keep it topped up then it will turn out fine. If you deviate and add all kinds of odd things or forget the water, then the result will be different. None of us gained the weight overnight, but we want and even expect to lose it that way, it is neither logical, healthy or practical....nor will it happen!! So, taking it slowing and doing it healthily will make it much easier.

No regrets this week, no guilt or self loathing, learn and move on. Three weeks down and nine to go......

New week, fresh start.

See what tomorrow brings

Linda

Day 20 - 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-02-16T15:44:00.000+01:00

Super Sunday Greetings

Well snuggling up under the duvet, feeling happy and good to be alive. The weekend now seems to be much longer than when I was lounging on the sofa or meeting mates, what are all these contented feelings???? Maybe this is the warmth and the cuddles to find what I really wanted??? Not that I am saying I was not happy and self sufficient as a singleton, but there is a softness that comes with a partnership that is easy to lose.

Sharing simple things, such as a lazy Sunday morning, even though I am pottering and he is snoring!! Bless....there again that may change with time!!!!

When you are acustomed to making decisions alone and not answering, it seems strange learning to share again. Also one of my "friends" has become quite alien, as she sees this new person as a threat to maybe the life as we knew it. She is not dealing with it well, which then gives an added pressure and maybe even lead to more choices for me to make.

It is surprising though that we never seems to get too many challenges, but we often need to increase our skills to get through the challenges!!! Learning about ourselves and improving means change whatever way we look at it, if not we would not have started this programme, we wanted to be somewhere different to the place we were in.....determination and goals will get us there.

Sunday is grey, cold and wet, but I am having a wonderful time, good conversation and laughter, that has been missing from my life for a long time....long may it last!!!

Before I would sit and snack on the sofa, now the old nibbles don´t seem so inviting...funny that!!!

Having a positive view makes everyday a new adventure and where will this one get us?

Enjoy, relax and be yourself.

Linda

Day 19 - 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-02-16T15:27:00.000+01:00

Weekend....hey!!

Here we are again, yesterday I felt as if it was a little flat, I don´t know why but today sorry to say no whit clouds and blue sky but my mood is lighter, maybe it has something to do with the great company and meal out last night????

When you are on a constant "DIET", social events or a nice meal out seems to take on a monster´s head, pushing all our buttons. It does not have to be like that, if you know you are out and about in the evening, enjoy being a little more reserved during the day, then there is no need for guilt or regret. The last thing you want to be doing whilst looking at a menu is thinking "what am I allowed to have", have what you want and enjoy, that way when the meal is over, so are all the thoughts about it. Dwelling on it afterwards takes all the enjoyment away, make good memories.

Weekends are often more of a challenge when the environment is different and trying to get a mountain of housework done if you are out at work all week, but it does not mean that you have to go all to pot. Have some easy at hand snacks and keep the kettle on the boil for hot water drinks, you will be amazed how that helps to keep your energy up. Put some music on while you work and have a dance now and again....great exercise!!!!

Enjoy a meal together or with friends, food is not your master, you are not a slave......enjoy and take time for food, eating on the run is not any good for anybody. We all know the difference in sitting down in comfortable jeans, to sitting and feeling as if we are being cut in two!!!, it is back to choices ....which do you prefer?

Taking time to do your visualisation and enjoying it will help set you and keep you on the route you want to be on!!!

Happy Saturday.....what are you going to achieve today?

Linda

Day 18 - 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-02-16T15:05:00.000+01:00

Hey

This week has seen a few ongoing challenges that I have never really put to rest, sometimes leaving things unfinished is a false way of saving time, because they usually return to deal with the frayed edges.

When things get emotional, then we often go for the crutch we have used in the past, my like many is food...well lets be honest carbs the quick fix!! Along with the weather being grotty, very cold and raining means that I have not made such an effort to get out walking. So all in all not such a magic week, although I am looking forward to the weekend. Having spend several years on my own, it is great to have some company.

It is time like these that it is easy to forget how much has been achieved and just how well the self talk, visualisation and goal setting works. Take a step back and start totting up all the ticks on the achieved pages, look at your goal sheets and give yourself a pat on the back for just the fact you can.

There are not enough times in our lives that we jsut say to ourself "well done", "great job" and enjoy the moment. Make it a definate choice to enjoy each day.

So, easy day today, off to meet some friends for a drink.....one has just been given the all clear from the hospital after having had been through Cancer treatment......so how lucky am I!!!!

Lets go celebrate life

See yo tomorrow

Linda

Day 17 - 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-02-12T18:31:00.000+01:00

So a bright hello on this wondrful morning,

How long has it been since you sprang out of bed and realised how great the world was and what a terrific life you have? If you had asked me that even a couple of years ago I would have found it hard to answer, but not now, each day is a gift to make the most of.

I sit and do my visualistion each morning and as miracles happen I have started to tick things off and add new ones to the list, this is fun it is like going shopping with somebody else´s credit card, order what you want and then you will work towards it. I can´t tell you if it will take one day, one week, a month or longer, but I am certain that if you don´t try and take the first step it will never happen. When your goals are set and you have them clear in your own mind you become very receptive to find the skills, jobs, people, books, money etc that you need to achieve them, before these would have passed you by.

Determination and dedication, if you look at most of the great inventions, there were many people who thought they were a waste of time until they became accepted by others. An architect is commissioned to design a house on a cliff face, he does not see that as the problem, it is seen as needed to achieve the desired outcome, his skills and abilities find ways to overcome esrlimitations. This works for us all, challenges and new arenas offer new horizons!! Let´s face it if Columbus had believed that the world had been flat just like most the people in the world at the time, life, travel and the planet would not be the place it is today.

How much do you believe in your dream/goal.....enough to be a Columbus???

Lets see??? What can you achieve today to move towards your goal? I am now off to work at mine. See you tomorrow

Linda

Day 16 - 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-02-12T18:07:00.000+01:00

Mid week and feeling a little tired this morning as it is always an early start, marketing a business needs all types of skills and when it is your own name issues of self esteem range very high on you list. I would have come to meetings and never have opened my mouth, did not want to draw attention to myself, be very agreeable to keep the peace at all costs. I would always doubt my opinions and feel that others would not be interested in them. When you don´t like yourself that much, you cannot see much reason why anyone else would either.

I used my vision board to see myself as a competent speaker, you may well think that as I was an experienced teacher, trainer, lecturer this would seem easy to me. Well to be honest the talking in public part was not the issue, it was the belief that people would pay money to come and see me and want to listen to me when they were not required to on a course. Nobody has an automatic shield against self negativity, it has to be worked at and improved on a daily basis.

It is like a blank piece of paper for a writer, anybody can write however bad their grammar or spelling, it is just the confidence to believe that somebody would want to read it, that makes the difference. We only limit ourselves with our own view of ourselves, others can see potential in us even when we cannot, just as we can see it in others when they can´t. This is why the visualisation skills are key, as you sit in a quiet room, relax and feel what life would be like when you achieve/own whatever it is that you want, really feel the emotion and make the picture in your mind as vivid as possible, smell, textures see it in 3D.

This time is not wasted it is invested, you are your best asset whether working for yourself or attending an interview for your most wanted job. You belief in yourself is your best reference.

Enjoy learning about yourself and become your own expert, so that others opinions of you are seen as just that.....their view which you can choose to accept or not.

Be your best friend, look in the mirror with a smile and like what you see, this does take time, but it is so inportant.

I will leave you with this today go enjoy your goals........

Linda

Day 15 - 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-02-11T18:01:00.000+01:00

Hi ya all,

Well, with a great day for the start of this week under my belt I must admit that feeling the sense of achievement when the scales lower whether it is for me or for a client is undeniable, it means that each inch is an inch of control and self worth.

By now I hope that your self talk like mine is not the raging tiger that is was, roaming about without any restricitons causing havock and devistation in its wake. Now you hold the reigns and at least most of the time can correct any little slip into negitive land. Keep working if you are not there yet as I am sure that it is easier than it was when you first started and will be keep getting easier the more you do it.

The tick list should be almost second nature by now, even if you are wondering how did I live without it all these years???? Your Balance Wheel is something you can do again any time you want to to plot your progress. Don´t throw your old ones away as they will show you how much you have changed. As we tend to forget as we develop!!

Setting your goals now should be a bit further than when you started, little ones for today, some for this week, then then month, 6 months, a year and on.......

We touched on the visualisation process of seeing ourselves where we want to be, looking like we ant to look, wearing what we want to wear, living where we want to live, loving who we want to love, drive what we want to drive---ok it can go on for ever and why not???? Get a pin board cut out pictures, download pics and then build it up to look like the life you want. Don´t sell yourself short on this, don´t look at what you have now and think narr that will never be me, or I can´t see how I will get that.....we will get into this later. Just for now trust me and come along for the ride.

Then each day sit and look at this board, close your eyes and feel what it would be like to be there, have that... see it clearly with your eyes closed as you can with them open. This is not a chore, enjoy.......... A few mins a day morning and night will build this picture of your new life style up into a reality, then you will find a way of moving towards it.

So for today, keep imagining and enjoy, wooohooo in your car!!!

What a feeling

Linda

Day 14 - 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-02-11T17:42:00.000+01:00

Well here we are again day of the 2nd weigh in and measure, no matter how long I have been doing this it is still the buzz of excitement on my way to work to see what my results will be. Times before the buzz may have been more of terror, but once you get your head around the part of who is in charge of your choices and outcomes, it becomes a buzz.

This past week there has been a welcome addition to my social life, finally some enjoyable male company, as a singleton for a very long time this has been very much appreciated. However the reverse of this instant glee is that, I have been out for meals and drinks where as usually my only appointment would have been with my sofa, the lap top and a bottle of water. I am sure that the outcome will show that common sense I showed whilst making the most of my evenings!!!!

A bright sunny morning as I am thankfully accostomed to, opening my Wellbeing Centre the warmth and peace hits me, some quiet time just for me a very precious commodity in my world. As I make my way to my room and the expecation of the scales and tape measure, the phone breaks my revelry, too early to worry about that....here we go.

As I step onto a plate that used to be in my mind my worst enemy, my heart races a little, and as the digital figuers flicker up and down I hold my breath .........Bingo, yippeee!!! a pound down and that shows that I can have a life and still be in control of what goes into my mouth. Now the inches this is my most concern as I talk to all my clients about the adverse effects of body fat and the illnesses that they are connected with......ok 2 and a half off.....yes!! see it is possible to have everything. Life, excitement, and the figure of our dreams.....ok well perhaps I am not there yet!!!

But I know that each step is moving me towards my goals and as I feel better about my achievements and I keep notching up the ticks, I become more confident and confident.....what another great day this is going to be!!!!

What about you????

See ya tomorrow.

Linda

Day 13 - 12 Week to a New Me

2010-02-08T19:34:00.000+01:00

Lazy Sunday

One of those days that is a good typical Sunday, relax, read, eat and do just what you want. Taking the pressure off of ourselves helps us stay younger, healthier and happier. Learning the art of saying NO to people and enjoying some ME time without any guilt, is a major step forward. You are worth the best and worth some recuperation time, working, running a home and a family all take tolls on us, so recharging the batteries is never a bad idea. Do things you like to do, make it a choice and then enjoy every moment of it.

In our throw away society, we often look at relationships in the same way, oh well if it does not work I can get a divorce, if I don´t like the job I can get another one, I am not saying that there is not a place for these thoughts but most things in life we have to work at them, they do not get to be done and dusted all in a rush or overnight. But the one thing we do seem to forget it to enjoy the ride, or the journey. We rush everywhere any most things, eating on the hoof or whilst driving the car. Conversation and social interaction are the keys towards making any relationship work. Even one with yourself....self talk is a key element to a successful attitude and building winning behaviours.

Time and time again we face challenges and make choices, this is what life is about, the stronger we are in ourselves the better we can cope with them. Often though we use crutches at a time of need or emotional stress, it can be food, alcohol, gambling, drugs amongst many, but in all cases these are not the core problem they are symptoms that lead you or very often cover up the root problem as they are less traumatic to deal with. Learning to see your behaviour as a learnt skill means it can be unlearnt or changed, but only if you want to. Being comfortable even in an uncomfortable place will seem better than the trauma of change.

It has taken me a long time to value myself as a person, as a professional I believe I have a good value, as a friend I am a valuable asset but me as a social butterfly.......well that is a different view point. Though I am sure if we were to ask others how they saw me, it would not be the same as my own view....funny what others see and we do not. Yet we can do that to others and it seems so easy!!!!

I am labouring this point as I feel it is one that most people will skip over or rush through, but valuing yourself and giving yourself the same attention and dedication that you would give to another, seems to be hard for a lot of people. Often we can do it in one area of our lives and not in another.....remember the Balance Wheel....we are not perfect and neither are we infallible, we usually do not expect it of others but we do demand it of our self....which in itself is illogical.

Sometimes it does take a view or nudge from a caring "other" to make us think about what we are doing to or asking of our self, then comes the challenge to say OK enough is enough, or no I am happy with this, we have the reigns to navigate where we want. Once we have realized this, and want to do something about it, mean we have taken responsibility for our self. Great place to be, shame it takes us (usually) so many years to get to this place.

So, back to Sunday unlike the last weekend, no parties or social challenges to worry about with food and alcohol, so fingers crossed D Day tomorrow will be a result.

Happy Sunday choose to do with it what you will and enjoy.

See you all tomorrow

Linda

Day 12 - 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-02-08T18:49:00.000+01:00

Hey Good morning
So here we are at the weekend yet again....the sky is blue and as the day starts snuggled in my duvet with the cat wrapped around my feet; I feel relaxed and in control of my world. What a great feeling to wake up to, not so long ago I would be thinking very differently.

Having been single for a long time, one of the many illogical thoughts that went over and over in my mind was "if I was slimmer, I would be happier", "If I was in a relationship, I would be happier", but neither one of these or the million other "if onlys" would make me any of us any happier. It is from the outside in that happiness blooms, if we cannot like ourselves, how can anybody else??? Many times on the Balance Wheel we leave out "ourself" or the "relationship with ourselves" we look at all the other relationships and wonder why they are not working for us 100%, well very likely it is something to do with how we look and feel about ourselves in the relationship. One thing is guaranteed, we cannot change anybody else. Their reactions to us may change because of our change in the way we feel about ourselves, so our actions or emotions are different.

The more disgusted I became with myself and what I saw in a mirror, the worse I was beating myself up and the more difficult I found it was to be around other people, I withdrew from many of my friends and cancelled social appointment after appointment, not thinking how I was letting them down, just how unhappy I was and did not want to be seen. It is very easy to become self absorbed in the wallow pool, denial land is murky and dark. Everybody else´s life was easier, happier, safer, they did not have to problems and stresses I had, they looked great when they went out, I know why other people would want to talk to them and not me!!! so many negative and inflated thoughts. None of which stand up to any logically testing questions. But in my head I was right, nobody else could know what it was like to be ME!!!

When I look back and think about how I was and who I was, I count myself very fortunate to have any old friends, people that have met me since the major weight loss, cannot imagine the old me, yes you can see the pictures, and the sadness in my eyes, but the desperation and the pain were well hidden. People get covers over their personalities to cope with low self esteem, they get very happy and silly, playing the clown that everybody laughs at, or a control maniac shouting and screaming at others for the least reason, or a hermit and withdraw from any social environment, all of them have the same root and can only be changed by the person them self.

Weight loss is not just about lbs and inches, it is like a butterfly emerging from the caterpillar, or the swan from the ugly duckling, the psychological journey is the magical mystery journey, the changing of mind, attitude and beliefs is where the success lies. Learning to look into a mirror and liking what you see, makes the whole world look different. A world to be conquered rather than frightened of.

Thank goodness I have another 24hrs to make a difference, what will you do with yours?

Great start to the day......where will I be by tomorrow?

Take care

Linda

Day 11 - 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-02-05T17:41:00.000+01:00

Well a very good morning to you all,

Time has ticked away and the days seem to pass with just a blink of an eye. This week so far has been a challenge as I managed to hurt my back, so exercising has been almost non-existant and now I can feel the difference. Work is great and I am enjoying more of a social life, but being used to train and then having to miss it even for a couple of days makes me feel sluggish and heavy.

This is where a boost is needed to my self talk, it would be so very easy to fall into the carb comfort trap, the enticing feeling of comfort foods and drinks when you don´t quite feel the best. I now know this so, try to make a concentrated effort to get over it. Cleaning your teeth is always a good fall back, you don´t fancy eating when your teeth are clean!! and wine tastes even worse, yes I have tried!!

Surrounding yourself with positive people and positive attitudes makes your life a lot easier, negative people have a very draining effect on you; especially when you are not quite on form. So, making to choice to seek out a funny film or happy music will help you rise up and gain your happy thoughts. Nobody is happy and bubbly 24hrs, 7days a week but life is amazing and should be everyday, none of us have to look far to find people with many more challenges.

I am starting to learn what is good for me and why I should not compromise my goals, my self esteem is being reinforced by the positive self talk that I am now generating, and I believe that I am as entitled to achieve my goals, as the is the next person.

I have talked a little about visualisation, but this is the key to combining all of what we have been working towards these days. You can not do too much or too often, but the emotion and feeling, the positivity of the achievement is paramount, don´t cut corners, or rush this is never a chore. It also has the domino effect as one goal starts to come true, move on to your next one, this is fun and ongoing....the sky ....no the universe.....no there is no limit really; only the ones that we are putting there!!!

Well, yet another day has flown and my achievement boxes are filling up....how are you doing?

Have a great evening.....util tomorrow

Linda

Day 10 - 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-02-04T18:21:00.000+01:00

Hey well here we are again!!

How time passes when you are having fun, and it seems when you are doing something that you really enjoy time stands still, you can do it forever and all the pieces of the jigsaw fall into place on their own. So why do we seem to struggle at other times???? Mainly down to our own thoughts and beliefs, how many times have the thoughts gone through out heads when things are going right "this can not last", so then we do something to screw it up and hey presto out beliefs come true.

Accepting that we are human and execting good things to happen, encourages us to see things in a positive way, then the same thing happens....more good things happen to us!!! so we can be right whatever way we think.

I have now been working away on my new goals and have ticked off many achievements, which helps me to want to do more. Almost like a route map, find things along the way to see that we are travelling in the right direction. We also meet travellers along the way that will help and support us, others that cross our paths that make us slow down a bit, but no need to stop.

When you have been listening to your self-talk, and know that it is much nicer to listen to good thoughts, it is then when we need to find like minded people who have good thoughts too. This may mean making new friends, changing your routine and doing new things, but change will not come by staying the same. How bad do you want it......where is your life going.......knowing what you don´t want is not a bad thing, it can make your choices easier.

We are all born in the same way(more or less), we all die at sometime but what we make of the time between is very much up to us as a person. Many people reading this will be thinking, ok for you to say and he/she won´t let me, or I can´t, the answer is YES YOU CAN, choose to. It is not going to happen without work, so spending five mins a day or twice a day in the quiet, maybe darkened room, and see your goals in your mind´s eye, make it real and with as much detail and emotion as possible, if you have been there in your mind you can go there in your physical body. We choose our limits and our horizons, we choose our thoughts and our beliefs, choose wisely to make your life easier, happier, healthier, richer, freer, what ever it is you really want.

I am not going to achieve my goal weight or fitness over night, nor am I going to do it sitting in an armchair or on a bar stool, so my choices become clear, do a little everyday to make your goals come true, we all saw how last week, my daily baby steps made a good achievement for the end of the week...your will be just the same.

At the moment work is manic, my social life is better than in many years, emotionally I am stronger and I am coping well, almost never a thought of curling up on the sofa with the duvet over my head!!!! So on a scale of things how you doing so far?????

Lets see what tomorrow brings, now it is getting exciting .......bring it on!!!

Linda

Day 9 - 12 Weeks to a New You

2010-02-03T18:02:00.000+01:00

Good morning

Well week two here we come...what will this bring? There have been lessons learnt and choices made.

The days are getting lighter, so maybe I can tag a hours exercise on the end now without being out in the dark.

Having reached my first goal, I can aim higher this week and with my knowledge that it worked before, I am more confident that it will work again.

Learning to shop for the things that I need rather than the things that I fancy, always going to the supermarket on a full tummy (then the treats don´t look so good!!) I usually plan to cook at weekends and freeze meals for the weekdays, getting in after work I don´t feel like cooking, so makes it easier for me and I am less likely to pick if I have a meal only a few minutes away. Keeping my water supply to hand keeps it flowing, dehydration is one of the main causes of people picking, we tend to think that we are hungry rather than thirsty. But thirst is the killer long before starvation.

Dehydration shows in your skin tone, deepens wrinkles, makes your hair dry and brittle, the whites of your are dull and your nails thin and break easily. Not to mention all the effects on your intestines, bowel and vital organs, to say that your body needs water is an understatement it really is your life blood, without it your body just does not function at anywhere near its optimum. Tea, coffee, squash or even a lemon slice changes the chemical balance of water, so they do not do the same job of hydrating.

So this week my aim is to achieve the daily intake of 2ltrs of water, if you cannot face a single bottle as 2ltrs looks like a monster, then break it down into 4 50cl bottles these fit into a handbag easily to be carried about.

Eating every three and a half hours, because at the four hour mark, you body will absorb up to 40% more of the fat next time you eat, so keeping to little and often will help make your daily intake easier to manage and the pangs of hunger a thing of the past.

Getting used to planning the days with food and drink along with the goals that we set for ourselves weekly and daily help up to achieve more and more, with our increased self confidence nothing seems unobtainable. This in turn helps us look at challenges in a new light, soon the problems will seem to be more like bite size rather than eating an elephant in one go.

Taking sometime to relax is also important both mentally and physically, it does not need to be hours but a few mins really does help.

Remember each little step take us nearer the goals we set.

So I am now off to put my feet up and enjoy a funny film...nothing like laughter to end the day on a high note.

Until tomorrow
Linda

Day 8 - 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-02-02T17:48:00.000+01:00

Hi ya,

Well Monday morning and a monumental day, 1st weigh and measure!! After a great weekend normally I would be taking water tablets or senna the night before, just to up my chances, but not today!!!

I am starting to see myself as an achiever and even if I do not lose any weight or inches, I am not a failure as a human being, I just need to make better choices in the future to achieve my goals. I had a wonderful weekend and respect the choices that I made at the time. NO GUILT or WHAT IFs.

I am up and running in the morning, the chores that seemed to drag on my time before, now flow easily and time seems to fit into me, rather than me always chasing it!!!

As I get to work with a smile of my face and a swing in my step, I have no nerves about the awaiting appointment, just a peace of mind that I can accept responsibility for my week, it was nobody else´s fault I had that extra glass or two of wine, or the nibbles at the party.....this is life and finally this is living!

On the scales and ....... hey pesto! 1lb loss, no groans please your body cannot work with major weight losses, it needs to reduce the packaging that we come in, the skin did not split and tear as we increased in size, so it needs time to adjust to the reducing. No baggy skin or lines, so a great result.....then the inches overall 3 inches... great. Good breakfast with about 10-15grms of protein, and fruit, then a healthy mid morning snack, a lunch with around 20grams of protein, then another healthy snack in the afternoon, good evening meal with a portion of carbs..rice, pasta or potatoes and veg. Fitting the fruit and 2 ltrs water in throughout the day means the odd extra is not such a major problem.

No matter what your results are, it is not the end of the world....this is where you self talk and belief in yourself comes into play...., look for the reasons and accept responsibility for the actions, ie lifting the hand up and and putting the food or liquid in your own mouth!! Then with a steely resolve set your targets for next week. Write them down and keep them with you, keep looking at them everyday....lets see what happens.

On we go to week two........
Linda

Day 7 - 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-02-02T17:03:00.000+01:00

Hi all,

Well, Sunday morning and snuggled up in my safe little wonderland, sun coming in through the windows and the cat insisting that it is breakfast time. Oh only 8.30am and after only a few hrs sleep do I really want to jump into the human race?.......Just a little longer in this nest that I haev made for myself with the pillows and duvets. Yes I do mean duvets...it has been that cold at night lately.

Made it through a big Saturday night out with great style and still managed to add ticks to my achievements, see this does get easier as it goes. Today could be one of those lazy days to enjoy, but here I am again propped up in bed compiling my TO DO list, it is really infectious!! Work in the garden, washing and cleaning; not exciting but makes me feel better when my environment is neat, clean and comfortable.

I have not been near a pair of scales all this week, my water intake has improved and my energy levels have soared, so even if nothing else has changed, my hole outlook has opened up and I have started to see new horizons.

From the Balance Wheel we have written out things that we want to change in our lives, then these have to be worked on individually, it is no good wishing things were better, we have to make them better and to do that we have to make changes. These will not happen over night, but as we have seen from just these 7 days, how a little effort each day can soon become a mole hill that in time will become that mountain and we will be on top of it.

Life is all about choices and the ones we have made up to now, have to us to this point of our lives, if tomorrow is to be different then the choices have to be different. Make them definate and clear in your mind. If you are wanting better relationships, then what is it you want for a relationship, what characteristics does this new partner need? I know what you are thinking, do I really have to sit and write these out? You can answer your own question, has your previous way got you the results you wanted? is not you have nothing to lose and maybe everything to gain by trying to do it in a different way!!!

Whatever area of our lives we are looking at, it works just the same. Work, house, finance, romance, travel etc etc.... break it down and say what you really want...not just what you think you ought to want. Be honest with yourself!!! no limits. This is or should be fun never a chore. Then these have to be transferred into thoughts with pictures, emotions, smells, colours, texture. This we do by looking at what we have written down and then closing our eyes and picture what it would be like when we have achieved that goal. At first it will seem strange, but again the more you do it, the better you become at it and the easier it is to do.

People often say to me that changes need to be instant, or it is not working....we did not get to where we are in our lives at this moment in an instant, so you will not get out of it that way. We do not only ever wash once and think we are clean then for a couple of days, or a week, or a month or a year!!! we wash everyday so these changes of thoughts need to have the same dedication, then it is a regular routine and it only takes you as long as it does to wash or shower but the results are a lot bigger and better.

Today, I am off on my own yellow brick road, to meet a "new friend" for lunch, my self talk and belief system has not been my best ally in this department, so driving there was like a clash of the Titans, knees knocking to walk into yet another bar...alone and meet a stranger. What a great feeling to slay all these demons. Leave them behind and have a great time, how many long, weekends have I spent alone on my sofa? Not any more! Adventure here I come..........

How many 1st can you count on the journey of just this week? That is just the start......

Isn´t funny last weekend I had spent the weekend worrying about food, overeating, what would I eat .....this weekend I have a life and the knock-on effect that thoughts of food as not as high on the agenda, they take their rightful place ......down the line, and because of I have not been over indulging, no guilt, tears or negative self talk....are you starting to see where this upward spiral will be taking us in the days, weeks and months to come. Suddenly that mountain top does not seem that invincible....

See you tomorrow for the weigh in.....
Linda

Day 6 - 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-02-01T17:52:00.000+01:00

Good sparkling morning,

The sun is shining and I am all snuggled up ready for a new day of adventures, I feel the difference of waking with the sense of woe or of being tired before the day even starts. A focus on your journey always helps to spur you on. Plus it is the weekend!!!

Well like a good part of the population I work on a Saturday, well only half a day. This does mean that the time for washing clothes and getting them out to dry has to be early. Not the best reason to start the day but one at least.

Saturday at work never seems like the rest of the week, people are more relaxed and open, so we usually manage to have a great laugh and banter. It also helps me not to slob around the house wasting time, when I do get some time like that I appreciate it that much more!!

No problems and I was organised with my packed lunch, so the TO DO list is working and it gives me ticks along the improvement on the Balance Wheel. So my sense of achievement grows daily. The weekend though can offer other challenges in itself, more social - tonight I have a party to go to!! Don´t be so hard on myself, life is for living and being healthy and feeling great is just part of it, not a separate torture treatment!

Saturday afternoon, I went to blow the cobwebs away with a good long walk with a friend, this puts many things into perspective, no phones, no computer just good old conversation. Although there are times that we work together and also socialize together, both being busy it is a great feeling just chatting...it is also surprising the amount of good ideas that flow, when you are not in the constraints of your office or four walls. Plus which the little bar that we have found with the coffee and brandy to help us on our journey home is most welcome!!

By the time I get back home the evening light is giving shadows over the garden and walls, just giving me time to wash, dress and polish myself before hitting the party. Before this would have been traumatic and many times standing before the wardrobe crying and wallowing in self disgust, at all the bulges that still showed through no matter how many layers I put on. What a joy to stand before the open wardrobe thinking, what shall I wear instead of what can I wear??

Along with this new found freedom is a new found confidence, I would never have gone to a party and walked into an unknown bar. I would have phoned a friend to meet me outside and take me in. Now I don´t mind who turns round and looks when I walk in, as I do not imagine how they will be comparing me negatively to every other female in the place. A strong stride, head high and a beautiful smile, what a great difference in the voices in my head, no put me downs now.

Guess what.....I had a great evening, chatting and dancing with many strangers, who knows some of them may become friends!! Also although the wine was flowing freely, I chose not to partake, my brilliant evening on only water.

Just goes to show your baby steps forward, soon add up to a major change and that leads you on to the next and so it goes....magic and fun. I drove home singing after a great eve, I snuggled back into my bed and drifted off to sleep with the same warmth and glow as had started in that very place this morning......what a wonderful life and tomorrow Sunday what lays ahead?????

Where have your achievements got you?
See you tomorrow
Linda

Day 5 - 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-01-30T12:26:00.000+01:00

Hi,
Great morning, sleep is better and I awake with my brain buzzing....what can I achieve today?

With my TO DO lists have accumulated many ticks throughout these days, helps me feel that I want to do more with each day. My Balance Wheel has given me some guidance of what I am very happy with in my life and where I personally want change to happen. Then listening to myself and people around me, has made me much more aware of who I really want to spend time with and who is generally sapping my energy.

Just 5 days and I can feel a change in me, taking back control of my brain, thoughts, body and choices, it will not take five minutes but each step is one in the right direction. Empowerment is a strong tool that we give away too easily. Waiting for others to make us happy, means we will be waiting for a very long time, and what a burden we give them!!!

My first Friday...usually a day of popping out for a drink or two after work, never a late night as I work on a Saturday, but I enjoy the early doors with some live music to listen to and catch up with some friends. Though this usually means an intake of alcohol and then pretty rubbish food when I get home. Can I choose to make today different? Yes of course I can, I know that but will I? Peer pressure is not just for the teenagers, am I strong enough to have just one drink...I know I am, but....on this occasion I chose not to. My first slip; does that make a failure? No just a normal human being that is not perfect.

Accepting that we are not perfect, warts and all, gives us a much easier time emotionally; because trying to be perfect is hard work.....and it never happens. Because I have chosen to have four in total glasses of wine does not make me less of a person, or even less determined to achieve my goals. It just means I have to take responsibility for the choices I have made and then get on with it.

Alcohol is a choice in everybody´s life, many have to make the same choices about that, as I am making about food, it is a part of society how much of it we choose to have and being in control of that choice is the most important thing.

Tonight I do not go to bed with regrets or negative self talk, because I chose to have a drink, I appreciate the good company, the enjoyable evening and relaxing time I had.

Tomorrow is another day and I can make other choices.....so can you!

What will the weekend bring?

Linda

Day 4- 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-01-30T11:53:00.000+01:00

Good morning,

How the days are passing, choices are jumping up at me right, left and centre, some are easier to make than others.....why does this still surprise me??? Life is full of pathways and we can try many of them, one thing is for sure we will learn something about ourselves along each one.

Keeping busy during the day, but making a marked effort to eat at regular times, then I can save the extra 40% of fat storing, like stoking the boilers of the steam trains, never just let the fire die down, the metabolic rate needs maintaining and stimulating, that will stop cravings and binge eating.

Having done my Balance Wheel, I can see certain areas of my life where I can do some work, over eating is a symptom not a problem, like most people food tends to be a comfort at times, and my life has many similarities to a rollercoaster at times (probably most people could say the same). Taking back control of our own life is what is the key. Having identified areas we need to work on is a good step, but without action and determination they will just stay notes on a piece of paper.

From the results of the Balance Wheel, we need to listen to the way we talk to ourselves, it is said that we have 60,000 thoughts a day, being on top of them all seems like a mountain to climb, but it can be done one step at a time. Start to listen to what we are saying to ourselves, do we like what we hear? Is it how we would want others to talk to us? So the task for today is just to listen; listen to ourselves internally, listen to people around us, listen to the type of programmes we watch on TV, listen to the type of music we are listening to. Are they encouraging, enthusiastic and positive?

This is quite a task for today, 24hrs of listening......there is a reason why we have two ears and only one mouth!!!

It has been said that mankind has now conquered one of the greatest frontiers .......space, but the biggest and most important space we need to conquer is between our ears.

Good luck and look forward to knowing what you have been listening to.

Have a great day
Linda

Day 3 - 12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-01-28T11:50:00.000+01:00

Good bouncy, sunny, happy morning.

As I awoke to sun beaming through my bedroom window, a great sense of wellbeing and contentment came over me. Snuggled up deep in my duvet with the cat purring his greeting loudly from the bottom of the bed what a way to start a day.

Then the first word that popped into my mind was PROCRASTINATION, mmmm as my thoughts leaped back to yesterday. Wednesday is always an early start for me as I go to a networking business meeting, plus the day was grey, windy and cold!! Though it is good to be there when I arrived.

From there to working all day, thankfully in this financial time we are doing well, but everyday is a push to keep going. The day passed quickly and I even got time to talk to my daughter on Facebook, I am learning to be a cyber Babe!!

Because of the length of the day starting at 7am and not finishing until 7pm, I had not kept my eating times in check, which had lead me to mid afternoon cravings!! I who know better, but time seems to get the better of me......I had a great workout with my trainer, but my stamina was low, I do know what a difference it makes....so why do I still let it happen???

Then after this long working day, I have to go to the supermarket, anyone who has tried to lose weight in their life knows that you never go to a supermarket or shopping on an empty tummy!!!...yes 2nd cardinal rule and I broke it!! Though I must admit, I was having devil and angle conversations all the way round and did buy more than I set out to, but logic prevailed and I only brought healthy snacks.

Getting home with bags, shopping, laptop all I then feel like doing is flopping in a chair, by the time I have put the shopping away, fed the very vocal cat, heating on, food zapped in the microwave and kettle boiled, the sofa and TV seem a nice place to be. That is the slobbing zone, one hour of TV leads into another and before I realize it four hours have passed and time for bed!!

This is where my TO DO list needs more work and so does my self motivation, it is giving up responsibility to anything or anybody else, just the same as my eating habits during the day. I need to be back in charge. There is so very much more to life than, slobbing!!

So one of my TO DOs for tomorrow is allocate the TV time, add reading, learning time to that as well. The half an hour in the morning is great, but there is no reason why that has to be it. A very good exercise to see how our life is balanced is the wheel.

Draw a large circle and then draw lines through it to look like spokes in a bike wheel, for each spoke write a part of your life, family, friends, reading, learning, financial, home, social, church etc etc anything in your life, then between the centre to the outside edge on each one make a dot, the outside being a value of 10 so things are great and just how you want them to be and the middle is 0 totally how you don´t want the situation to be. Once you have done this on each line, join the dots up and it will show you how uneven or unbalanced your life is, that is a good starting point to do something about it.

You may be there staying why should I be bothered to do this.....if you want change and you want something different tomorrow then you like me are going to have to make changes. The only thing stopping us is PROCRASTINATION...so on my TO DO list for today is a Balance Wheel and lets see what difference I can make for me.

1. organise my eating times.....take a packed lunch...make time to eat at work
2. keep my water intake up at work
3. use my time in the evenings to my advantage and for a better future.

Lets see where these take us.
What can you achieve by tomorrow?

Linda

Day 2 - 12 Weeks to A New Me

2010-01-27T10:29:00.000+01:00

Hi
The day passed quickly what with work demands and a social engagement for the eve. Funny how the day seems less streamed around what to eat and when.

The day was grey, wet and windy not like the vision of Spain that we all have, but even with water seeping under the door in the Centre causing a mini flood and people coming in wrapped up like packages in all their layers, the sun seemed to be shining in my head.

My focus set clearly on goals is the same a driving with the headlights on, you see so much and the next part of life will unfold as you go along. Ticking off the TO DO list by the end of the day helps me feel a sense of satisfaction and achievement. Then I am ready to make the list for the next day, the surprising thing is that this list seems to grow, as I grow in my own belief in myself.

Today the Centre was buzzing which in itself makes me want to dance around and feel happy, many of the clients are now seeing results for themselves, so that also makes the chatter light and lively. In fact I wonder where the hours go when it is 6pm, it does not seem like work at all, when I think of all the years that I spent driving for hours to a meeting, teaching people that did not want to be there and writing reports for prisoners that were only sorry that they had been caught!!

Changing our focus to what we have in our lives, makes it easy to bring more joy into our lives, by focusing on the things we don´t want or are not happy with keeps out attention in the wrong place.

Changing our focus can be as easy as listening to some happy music and dancing about, even if you are sitting in a chair, looking at a funny film or old photos with happy memories, your pet is a great way to lift your spirits.

So, with my positive mind it is amazing the positive things that are coming to me. Taking the half an hour to read each morning helps focus the day in a positive way my choice is Jim Rohn, a Master of self development and a great loss to mankind recently.

I am now looking forward to seeing what today brings......how are things going for you?

Regards
Linda

Day 1 To a New Me

2010-01-26T08:30:00.000+01:00

Hi
Morning from a not so sunny Spain, in fact it is very windy, cold and raining, but this morning I was just wake and buzzing to get out of bed. Why is this morning different from the last few weeks? I have a mission!!

I have been very lucky in my lifetime and had some superb mentors but even knowing the things I know does not mean that I can't and don't fall off the path at times. One of the first things I learnt from Jim Rohn was to get up half an hour earlier each day and that 30 mins was "ME" time, read some inspiring book, as this starts your day in a positive way.

Make a list of your "TO DOs" for that day, there is nothing more rewarding than ticking them off as you go, you are also inflating your sense of achievement with every tick. A list of "GOALS" short term for the week maybe, then a month, then a year, even 5 and ten year plans. These give us a road to move along and a focus.

My Goals for the 12 weeks are to drop 14lbs (a stone), feel brighter and bubbly in myself, have a body that I feel more comfortable in.

This week my Goals are to lose 2lbs, and 2 inches (body fat is the most important issue), exercise 4 times, and make the 2lts of water intacke everyday. Also I need to get to grips with this cyber stuff.....

If you are coming along with me, your GOALS are key to your success, make them personal, and fun. Starting out don't try to make too many or you will feel overwhelmed, these will increase with your confidence and your achievements.

So, my first day past well, the change in my thoughts about my new me, seemed to banish the mid afternoon snack craze I had got into, I did have a training session and because I was not feeling like I was dragging myself there, hey presto the session was a great one!!

Being a singleton coming home and feeding one is a major down for many of us, we get into "I can't be bothered mode" or "I am too tired" and then just have rubbish or something quick, so this is where you planning and a shopping list comes in!! Prepare some food in a large amount ie curry, chilli etc and freeze them into portions, it takes the same time to defreeze a portion in the microwave as to cook the pasta, rice, pototoes and veg. Again it gets easier as you get used to doing it. I usually try to cook in bulk on a Saturday afternoon, but you can plan it into your week somewhere.

Keeping a log or a diary is a great thing, it is a legacy to others to know you better when we are no longer here and it gives us an opportunity of reflecting over the day, we can notice the miracles that have happened to us, that at the time we take them for granted, something simple like a parking pkace exactly where we wanted it, all green lights on our journey, a smile or a compliment from a stranger. When we start to look for them it is funny how many we can find, that usually we take for granted. Again this only takes a few mins, but it is surprising what we can learn from looking back over our day.

So, I am now at the start of day two, I wonder what this will bring.........have a great day and don't forget I would love to know how things are going for people out there. I can't be the only person on a quest for a better me!!!

www.quesadawellbeing.com or www.lindasage.com

12 Weeks to a New Me

2010-01-25T10:30:00.000+01:00

Hi all
25 days into Jan and I am still struggling to get myself over the Christmas excesses, mind you there have been some emotional times with my daughter and of course my birthday. Here in Spain we not only have Christmas and New Year but the 3 Kings as well. So, 3 weeks of excuses for indulging!!!

Every Jan I start off with great strength and enthusiasm, but this years seems a little different; I have wondered through these days and got nowhere, so I am setting myself a challenge to make lots of changes in the next 12 weeks. If you feel the same as me, then you are welcome to join me.

I am not just going to shed inches (body fat is the health issue) but I am going to make each day a challenge to achieve something towards a new me.

This is my first challenge as anybody that knows me, knows I am no techno Babe (well I am now learning!). If you look at my websites www.quesadawellbeingcentre.com and wwwlindasage.com you will learn a lot more about me. On the Quesada Wellbeing site you can sign up for the 12 Week Weight Challenge as well, so no matter where you are in the world it is there for you, but now I am adding to it with my personal daily challenges as well.

So, lets see where we are on the 19th April, what have you got to lose, and what can we gain in experiences and challenges in that time?

Will be back later to update you.
Have a great day. Yippeeee 1st weigh in coming up!
Linda