7 Helpful Tips to Make Your New Year's Resolution Stick!

I absolutely love this time of year.
A time when we can reflect on the days behind us and to make plans for a brand New Year.

It's a time we set new goals for ourselves. 

Because after all, if we aren't here to grow, to be more, to have more, to do more--- to improve ourselves, then what's the point?

Hopefully you have one or more thoughts on what you are going to do in 2015.

If you're ready to make some real progress on improving your life, I'd like to suggest a few tips to help make your New Year's Resolutions stick, so they become a permanent part of your life this year. 

1. Don't begin on January 1st
   That may sound strange...a New Year resolution always starts on the first day of the year, right? But since it's on a Thursday this year, it might be more strategic to begin the following week. Give yourself the weekend to prepare and start fresh on Monday.  Also, beginning on any day other than the 1st will help to stop the pattern of failure you may have experienced in the past.  There's way too much anticipation attached to that day and your past experience (aka failures) will be associated with it. Let's break that pattern.
2. Make a determined decision
   What do you think of when you hear "New Year's Resolution"?
   
   Some people think that resolutions are made to be broken.  Or that a resolution is something to dread...something you are forcing upon yourself to do and therefor causes anxiety and ultimate failure.
   Try looking at your resolution this year is a determined decision.
   That's powerful stuff right there.
   A determined DECISION. You are deciding that this is exactly what you want for yourself and you are going to succeed--no matter what. That this is going to become who you are. 
3. Share with others
   Tell people about your goal. Put it out there.  Let them know how much it would mean to you to achieve that goal and how much it would mean to you if they would support your efforts. That's not always easy, as sometimes the ones closest to us are not necessarily the ones who will be on board with change, so choose wisely.  Simply declaring your intent makes it real. It makes you accountable... so share on Facebook, talk to your best friend, whatever. Just get it out there--in public.  But no matter what, don't let anyone stop you from accomplishing your goal. Don't give anyone that much power. This is your life.
4. One day at a time 
   Your goal won't feel so daunting or unattainable if you chuck it down to completing it just one day at a time. Deliberately plan your day.  Set yourself up for success by eliminating anything that might tempt you to return to your old (bad) habit.
5. Change your mindset 
   This is a biggie.  Don't look back longingly on that unhealthy habit.  See it as the enemy. As something to despise.  Something that was robbing you of your health and shortening your life. Heck, if some ONE was doing that to you, you'd be ticked off, right? That's the attitude you want to maintain every time that 'urge' hits you. Most of the lifestyle resolutions we make are to break free from some addictive habit we've allowed ourselves to develop...so just know that it will be a battle.  Your greatest weapon is to control your own thoughts---don't let that little voice in your head (which is controlled by that addiction) creep in to sabotage you. And it will try, you can be sure of that. But being aware gives it less control over you.
6. Visualize your success 
   
   If you make this a daily habit, you'll be amazed at how effective this willbe. Every single day, begin and/or end your day visualizing your success. Close your eyes. Relax and breathe deeply.  Think about how you will feel next year when you have succeeded with your goal.  Think of how proud you will be. Imagine how good you will feel and look. Allow yourself to get emotional about it. (That means you too, guys!)
   I'm serious.  The thoughts we intentionally put in our minds are powerful. And when we attach an emotion to that thought, it becomes 100x more powerful. Our brain does not distinguish between real and the imagined.It recognized and reacts to both and that can be a very powerful tool.
   So take control of those thoughts. Just make sure YOU are the one controlling those thoughts and not that stinky little voice in we all have in our head which always likes to remind us of all of our past failures.  The more you are the one in control of your subconscious thoughts, the less that little voice will creep in to undermine your efforts.
   I promise.
7. Don't give up on yourself
   Anticipate roadblocks and be ready to remove them. You might experience weak moments, times when you are absentmindedly allowing that habit to creep back into your life. You are human, not perfect, and bad habits don't die easy. So be gentle with yourself. Don't view that one moment as a failure and a reason to quit. Become aware of how it happened, learn from it and move forward even stronger and more resolved to succeed because of that experience.

Let's make 2015 an epic year! You can do this! 

You are stronger than you think. Just give yourself a chance to prove it. 

Cheers! To Your Thriving Life,
~Anne

Make this Your New Year Resolution> No. More. Dieting .

A bright and shiny New Year is fast approaching and many people are planning their resolutions.

Do yourself a favor. 

Don't make 'go on a diet' one of yours.

That may sound funny coming from someone who is all about health and wellness, so let me ask you a few questions before I begin to explain myself.

• Question 1:  Have you ever made a weight loss New Year's resolution in the past?

• Question 2:  Have you ever cheated within the first month of starting a diet?  
                     I'm not judging. Just asking.  :-)

• Question 2:  Have you tried more than one diet plan in a year?

• Question 3:  Did you end those diets because you just couldn't
                     stand feeling deprived, miserable, or hungry any longer?

• Question 4:  Did you lose weight-- but then gained it all back within a year?

• Question 5:  Do you weigh just a little more at the end of the
                     year than you did at the beginning of the year?

If you answered 'yes' to any (or all) of the above,
then you’ve probably figured out by now that you'll never get ahead of the game if you continue this behavior.

I mean year after year, you starve yourself; 

watch your calories closely; you count all your points, or you take some magic pill (promising to burn fat while you sleep or some such nonsense); and ok, you lose some weight. 

Then you stop and ALL that weight you worked so hard to lose comes back to find you  --- and how fast it comes back is scary, isn't it?! 

Even worse, sometimes you even end up weighing more than when you started. UGH! 

Honestly, diets don’t work and they are detrimental to your health.
It's time to give it a rest and to give yourself a real chance at reaching your health goal this year.

And it won’t be with any stinky diet.

Sure, we all want to look good in jeans or a cute little dress,
but we shouldn't make ourselves sick in the process.
And that's what almost always what happens when you diet.

When you go on a calorie restrictive diet, you don't consume enough quality food or enough healthy nutrition, so your body reacts as if it is being starved--and it begins to conserve energy for future use--- in the form of fat.
That's right. Your body starts storing fat--and will not readily release it.
Instead, it sacrifices your muscle. And that's not good. Not at all.
The more muscle you have, the faster your metabolism--and the more efficiently you are able to lose weight/fat.

So... since you have even less muscle when you end a diet, the next time you try another diet, you would need to eat even less than you did before to experience any significant weight loss.  Crazy, right?
And what's that saying about definition of insanity?
Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results?
In this case, that totally fits.

And, not only do diets eat away at your muscle which slows your metabolism, but some diets plans and products contain dangerous ingredients.
Or they seriously lack nutrition.
Or they contain artificial ingredients.
Each of which could cause some major health issues in your body. 

I set a Google alert for any diet recalls or FDA warnings on all diet-related products, and I get notices sent to me every single day.  

The Diet/Weight Loss business a huge, largely unregulated market and there are many companies just out to get a piece of the action.

Heck, here's a newscast describing how buying weight loss supplements is not only a waste of money, but also dangerous.  Take a look.

Oh, and please don't be fooled by those highly marketed, 'physician recommended' diet programs.   Read the ingredients and the label.  Usually that's enough to give you some good clue as to if it is a healthy program or some slick marketing masking as a 'healthy weight loss program'.

Hint: If there are any artificial flavors, colors, preservatives and/or lots of sugar

...Well, does that sound like a healthy plan to you??

Also, check out the company behind the product.
 If it's a 'processed food company',  it's probably not something you'll want to try.  There is one such diet program that has been so detrimental to so many people, including some close friends of mine, that I use it as an example of what NOT to do for those I coach. 

(I won't name names here, but I will give you a clue.
The company behind it is Nestle. They have excellent marketing but extremely poor nutrition, so you can see where they spend their money. The consumer is the one who pays the ultimate price with poor health.)

So, my suggestion for 2015?  NO MORE DIETING!
Instead, make positive changes. Make wiser choices and keep them as part of a permanent, healthier lifestyle.

But I'm not going to leave you hanging if you are serious about achieving a healthy and sustainable weight loss goal this year.

If that's on your 'to do' list for 2015, then keep an eye out for my next few posts.
Psst: I'm will not you to begin on January 1^st.
We'll start the Monday AFTER the New Year, so you have time to prepare.  And I’ll share reason why in the next post.

I will also teach you what I look for in a healthy weight loss program and I'll share what specific program I am comfortable recommending to my friends and family.   Why?  People get great results, they don't feel like they're dieting, they love it and they get healthier as a side benefit.  

(And I love that!!!)

In January of 2012, my own husband (finally!) made the decision to make this program part of his healthy lifestyle too. The result?
He has lost 45 pounds and has kept it off.  It most likely saved his life.
I'm not exaggerating.  He was headed down a very unhealthy path and he totally turned his health around. That's a huge testament to this program. Especially since he was the typical 'all you can eat meat and potatoes' type of guy.  If he can do it (and love it) so can you.  
No joke.

He is now so proud of the way he looks.
He feels wonderful and he will never go back. Never.
After all, that's really the key, isn't it?

Losing that weight and then keeping it off---for good?

Be well, my friends!
~Anne

Exercise & A Yoga Stretch For Your Brain? You're going to love this!

Everyone knows that exercise is good for the body,
but did you know that it also is very important for a healthy brain?

Left Brain, Right Brain: Cognifit.com a free MindWorks bonus

The "use it or lose it" principle seems to work in our brains as well as for our muscles. 

Studies show aerobic exercise provides a tremendous benefit to a person's memory and demonstrates that it can also reduce both the biological and cognitive consequences of aging. (Sounds good, right?)

In addition to physical exercise, stimulating your brain will also make a significant difference in your cognitive skills. Whether you're trying to get your brain back into shape or you just want to keep it as strong as it is now, doing puzzles, taking on something challenging, learning an instrument, 
---anything to stimulate mental networks in a variety of ways can help the brain stay sharp and focused.

So is your brain worth 13 minutes a day?
It takes just 10 minutes to complete a really cool brain training program and then add an easy 3 minute Yoga exercise to powerfully stimulate healthy brain function. 

If you practice yoga regularly, then good for you!

Super Brain Yoga

You most likely already know that Yoga is scientifically proven to improve cognitive skills.
Just add this simple little exercise to your regimen and you're good to go.

If you aren't familiar with yoga, or you think it's nothing but bunk, you might want to consider that The Cleveland Clinic now recognizes Yoga for its many health benefits.  The Practice of Yoga, which predates even written history, may only have a few studies to prove its many health benefits, but none can argue that it has withstood the test of time. Sometimes common sense must prevail, even without loads of 'scientific proof'. 
So I urge you to take just a few minutes a day to do this targeted brain health Yoga position. It surely won't hurt you and it may just do your brain a world of good.

I have to warn you that this yoga exercise does make you look little goofy while doing it.
(So just make anyone who is around you do it too! LOL)
Here's a short video explaining how to do the Yoga Exercise:




There is a science behind the movements and MRI proof that it does make
a difference. So, come on, a little goofy never hurt anyone.

Just give it a try---your brain is worth it!! It's been shown to help children
and adults alike.
Click here to read the Super Brain Yoga study done on students  This is really exciting stuff!

I just started this week, so I can't really speak to the results yet, but I'm also engaging my parents, including my mom who suffers from severe dementia in the practice, so I'll keep you posted. 

Next, I highly recommend the Brain Training Program, Cognifit,
which is included as part of the MindWorks Healthy Brain Program


CogniFit is a great program which only takes a few minutes a day. 

Once you get in the habit of using it, you'll begin to notice a difference.
(Just like when you exercise your body!)

Here's how CogniFit works:

I love, love, love that Cognifit is included for free as a bonus when I bought MindWorks as part of my complete brain health program. 

MindWorks is a breakthrough brain health supplement from Shaklee,
the #1 Natural Nutrition Company in the U.S.
Lead by MIT-trained neuro-scientist Dr. Laurel Fisher, PhD, 
it took Shaklee's science & research team nearly 5 years to develop MindWorks.
It's been making such an impact in people's lives that it will be featured on
The Dr. Phil Show in November.   More details about that to come soon. 

If you'd like to try MindWorks just click on the photo below to receive a sample in the mail.  (If the link doesn't work, just go to : www.startsamplingcom/mindworks)
Want yours for FREE?  You'll need my referral code:  XA78730 

    While supplies last!   No worries, your address, etc. won't get shared. I respect your privacy!

Just so you know, I've been taking MindWorks for a little over 2 months and I find that I no longer have those 'mind mush days'.  Instead, I'm able to complete my daily to-do lists --sometimes without even looking at my list.  
That is HUGE for me. Usually, I'll start a task, get sidetracked, go to another task and never really get anything accomplished.
Some might call it "Oh Look, Shiny Thing" syndrome. Well, that was me.
Maybe you can relate.  All I know is that I stay much more on-task & focused and I love it.

I already had a subscription to Lumocity (also a good program), but when I got to use CogniFit for free, I thought I would compare the two programs so I could give people user feedback. 

I find I prefer CogniFit and now 'play' it daily.

Both programs work very well to strengthen areas which need attention, but I like the variety of 'games' on Cognifit much better.  Because I know that if isn't at least a little 'fun', I would not take the time to do it.  And now that I get it for free and don't have to pay for a yearly subscription, that's just an added bonus! Heck, who doesn't like to save a few dollars?  :-)

Stay well, my friends and Thrive! 

...Think Fast!

For several years, my beautiful and gentle mother has been demonstrating some serious memory issues.

So, of course, I am constantly looking for things to support brain health which might possibly slow the progression of this undiscriminating and brutal disease.

We don't know for sure whether she has severe dementia or Alzheimer's, and honestly, it doesn't really matter, does it?
The symptoms are similar. And they are devastating.

That's why I was brought to tears when the Shaklee Science & Research Team introduced MindWorks this past summer at the Global Conference.

MindWorks

I knew what this could mean for my own mother and also for all the people who might be helped by this one incredible product.
Not to 'treat' any diagnosis, (because in the U.S. only drugs are given that privilege, --don't get me started )-- but instead to provide powerful nutrients which would support healthy brain function.   I can not tell you how important that is!

For 35 years, I have witnessed how supplementing with quality nutrition could dramatically turn someone's health around.  And when we learned about the science behind MindWorks, it was so very impressive --it gives me hope.
Science is making strides in brain research, thankfully.  And I believe this will be one of those breakthroughs.  The feedback we've received so far strongly supports that theory. (So Exciting!)

Mom mom has been taking MindWorks for a a month and so far, we've noticed she has better focus and is more engaged in conversation. (That's huge for us.)

I have been taking it for 2 weeks and I find that I'm able to complete tasks more efficiently.  I no longer get distracted and I'm getting so much more accomplished each day.  I love it.

My passion now is to teach others about MindWorks. Being science-minded, I'll start by sharing a little about the science behind this product. I love that two of Shaklee's scientists--- not actors or marketers-- will explain in this short  and informative video.


Want to know how serious Shaklee is about valid and cutting-edge science?
They have 75 full-time scientists on staff and a Nobel Prize in Medicine Laureate on their Science Advisory Board.

Pretty impressive, right?
Who wouldn't want to stop their brain from shrinking and help with circulation in the brain?

If you  think you'd like to try MindWorks for yourself, it's pretty cool  that Shaklee also includes free access to CogniFit with your purchase, It's a brain training program and I like it even better than Lumosity. (I've tried both)

Plus you'll also be helping to fund brain research as part of the MindWorks Challenge because Shaklee will give a portion of the proceeds of every bottle to fund brain research. It's so rewarding to know that you can help yourself and help fund research all with one simple decision.

Shaklee is serious about positively impacting at least 1,00,000,000 people in the next few months.  That's why they are making it so super easy to get started. There's no better time to experience what is known as "The Shaklee Difference" and help support the health of your brain.

Click here to order or learn more...
(Money Saving Tip: order 2 bottles/2 month supply and get FREE membership/discounts)

Do you have a love/hate relationship with your bathroom scale?

You get out of the shower and gingerly step on 
the bathroom scale hoping to see a number you'll like.  

After all, you've stuck to your new diet ---you've felt completely miserable for a month and you expect so see some change. Score!  Down 14 pounds.  Time to celebrate, right?

No so fast. You may not have lost the "right kind" of weight to warrant a celebration.  Wait. What?

That's true. When you suddenly reduce your caloric intake or eliminate a nutrient source (carbohydrates/fat) when you on a diet, you can expect a couple of things to happen.  First all you will lose is water weight.

According to the Mayo Clinic,  during the first few weeks of losing weight on a typical diet,  the body gets needed energy by releasing its stores of glycogen, a type of carbohydrate found in the muscles and liver. Glycogen holds on to water, so when glycogen is burned for energy, it also releases water, resulting in substantial weight loss that's mostly water.

Did you notice that you just read glycogen is stored in muscle and it is burned?
 
That is not good.  So really all that you've lost so far is water and muscle
--and very little, if any, F-A-T.

Muscle takes up less room that fat in the body and it also determines how quickly you metabolize calories.  The more muscle you have, the faster you burn calories.
That is good.

So just imagine if you are on a diet and you lose, say, 30 pounds. (Yeah!)
But you realize up to 15 of those pounds could have been muscle. (Boo!)
Then you go off your diet and you gain your weight back plus a little more (Ugh!)
--which is what traditionally happens, right? (Sigh)

So sure, those numbers on that scale will go down...but are they the right kind of numbers?  Well, most likely they are not!

(Click the link to learn more.)

Next, losing weight at a very rapid rate (more than three pounds a week after the first couple of weeks) can create serious health problems. It may also increase your risk for developing gallstones. Your hormones will become unbalanced.
And low calorie diets, which provide less than 800 calories per day could also result in heart rhythm abnormalities, which can be fatal as well as symptoms of malnutrition such as weak nails, thinning hair, fatigue and frequent colds.
Does this sound like a healthy way to lose weight? Or a sustainable one? Nope.

So please choose a healthy plan and do not starve your body!
And after after all, the whole point of losing weight is: 

1. To Feel Healthy
2. To Look Great  
   and 
3. To Keep It Off! 

I'd also like you to consider changing your thought process about dieting in general. Dieting will ALWAYS bring that weight back (and sometimes more of it). What you need to find is a Lifestyle Program designed to help you learn now to eat properly so you lose the right kind of weight-- keeping all your muscle and losing only fat.  So please don't be a slave to your scale. 

Instead, to track your progress simply keep an eye on how your clothes fit.

Your Healthy Thought for the Day

Stop dieting and, instead, choose make healthier food choices everyday.

Go ahead and take measurements all over your body and not just the obvious places, like your waste, hips and thighs.  Include your arms, wrists, neck and ankles.

Noticing you've lost multiple inches all over your body is way more exciting than any number on a bathroom scale anyway.  

Trust me!  :-)

SELF TALK: Does your voice deserve a snap or a clap?

That little voice in our head....
You know what I'm talking about, right?

We all have one and it talks to us all day long. 
The questions is, what is yours telling you?

Our 'voice' develops over years and got its tone from many influences; from the people around us and from our own life experiences (and especially our failures, unfortunately.)

Part of that voice is molded by our parents, for instance.
Were yours the "Go get 'em, you can do anything" type or the "Phfft!! You could never do that, so why are you even trying" type?
Did they steer you towards their limited reality or encourage you to discover your own greatest potential?   

That makes a big difference. And add siblings to the mix or a spouse and the results just multiply.  Good or bad.

If your experience was the good variety,
then I'm joining the choir that says "You Can Do It!  Go Get em!"

If your experience is on the other end of the spectrum, then you'll be pleased to know you can change the channel and find another voice, because that other one's been controlling your life long enough!

The people in your life are doing their best based on  their own 'truth', so you can move on from the blame game and use that knowledge to free yourself from their belief limitations.   
Create your own voice and do it intentionally.

It's not so easy for some, as we are conditioned to 'protect' ourselves from going outside of our current comfort zone, which must happen for anything to change.  Sure we may feel 'safe' there, but the problem for you is that nothing worthwhile will ever happen in that comfy little place. 

Let me ask you a couple of questions.
What do you you recall more quickly, the mistakes you've made in the past or your triumphs and victories?

and

When you think of trying something new and exciting, 
does your 'self talk' try to discourage you or does it cheer you on?

Those are simply learned responses.

Don't believe me?

Just ask any kindergartner what they'd like to be when they grow up, and they'll answer "A Ballerina!", "An Actor!", "A Famous Singer!", "A Football Player", "A Doctor" ...the sky's the limit! And they are very excited and hopeful about their potential!

Ask an adult what their dreams and goals are and the majority will have absolutely none to offer and will look at you like you just asked the most ridiculous question that has ever been uttered.  

Heck, most people are just trying to get 'through the day'.  
They don't even realize that they are living their lives simply to help someone else (their boss or CEO ) achieve their dreams...because, believe me, those CEO's most likely have clearly defined goals and dreams.

So, do yourself a favor and just be conscious of and control your inner voice.  This one thing could improve your life in so many ways!

Consider your goal for a healthier lifestyle for an example.
I want you to be very aware of that little voice in your head as you determine your goal and your why:

Is it possible to lose 50+ pounds?  Is it possible to run/work out again?
Is it possible to get off of all my current medications?  
Is it possible to quit smoking?
Is it possible to stop eating so much sugar?
Is it possible to improve my lifestyle?
Is it possible to feel great???  Is it possible to have energy? To get rid of  chronic symptoms? 

Heck ya!  And you know what? 
YOU are worth the effort AND the investment!

Your Healthy Thought for the Day

So if that stupid little voice tries to discourage you, DON'T LET IT!

Choosing the other channel is simply another healthy habit that you will learn to develop. 

You'll learn now to silence that 'who-the-heck-do-you think-you-are-there's-no-way-you-can-do-that' voice and REPLACE it with, an ' I'm so proud of you, you are great, you can do anything' voice. 

BTW: The same goes for the people around you who are not supporting your efforts....if they don't have anything better to offer you, then choose not to listen to them!!

Some people use 'tricks' to make that inner voice channel switch. 

One trick is to place a rubber band on your wrist 
and every time that nasty little voice speaks up, *snap* that rubber band and replace it with a positive thought and then add a wild applause to that wonderful thought.
That will relate that negative thought with a negative feeling (the snap) and then train it to automatically think POSITIVELY and feel a positive emotion related to that thought.

You will soon begin to hear less and less of that stinky, weak, whiny voice and more from the strong, sexy, determined, energetic and empowered voice of the true you!  And now add a wild round of applause!!!!! 

WOOHOO!

So, right now, take a moment. 
Stop reading and think of a goal you'd like to achieve.

Ok.  Got a good one one?

Now, quick....What's your inner voice telling you?       
 ......  and does it deserve a snap or a clap?

Be well, my friends!
~Anne

How to Conquer the Beast of Self-Sabotage

One thing we know for sure:
The beginning of any action to improve your health usually goes pretty well at first.

Your Healthy Thought for the Day

If you're like most people, you get all pumped up for that new diet or workout (or to become a non-smoker) and you SWEAR to yourself that this time you are going to stick to it!

A few weeks goes by and you start to skip a day  ...or two.  Then your oh-so-busy schedule gets in the way. Then the weather is crappy. Then you had a tough day. Then it's... whatever excuse that little voice in your head gives you. 

But, there's always an excuse lurking in the shadows, isn't there?  Hey, I'm not judging, I'm commiserating.  I know. I've been there!

It's all too common.
IF we were like every other ordinary person on the planet,
we will ALWAYS find an excuse to allow ourselves to be sucked back into our previous unhealthy habits and lifestyle.
Yes, even though those previous choices made us feel tired and miserable and unhappy with ourselves and our bodies. Crazy, right?

Well there are lots of factors that pull us in that direction.

We're bombarded with unhealthy food commercials and unhealthy lifestyles are featured as 'normal' in so many shows on TV. So that message is loud and clear.

We may have friends or family members who are all-too-happy to remain stuck in their beer-and-bacon-wrapped-in-cheese-wiz-world to realize that it's slowly killing them ---and they don't want to go alone!
So they do their very best to make sure we stay with them in their unhealthy lifestyle.

BUT WE KNOW we want something BETTER.

There's only ONE THING that can help us to overcome those trying times and to begin again. 

There's only one thing that will help us to regain our desire and enthusiasm and make it to the finish line of our goal.

There's only ONE thing that will propel us from ordinary ---to extraordinary. From our failures to ultimate success. From feeling let down and depressed-- to feeling completely empowered.  That one thing?
  A STRONG, POWERFUL & EMOTIONAL "WHY".

(That's the magic we all have inside of us)

So ask yourself these questions?

WHY do I want to get healthier?
WHY do I want to lose the fat in my belly, legs, etc.
WHY did I start running/working out?
WHY did I start eating healthier?
WHY did I quit smoking?

That's a good start. But it's not enough to stop there.

When you figure out your starting WHY...then dig a little deeper. Get to the emotion lying under your surface 'why'.

Here's an example.

• I want to lose weight because I want to get back into my favorite pair of jeans.
• I want to get back into my favorite pair of jeans because I will look better.
• I'll feel so much better, too.
• I'll feel better so I will be a better mom, friend, wife, sister, daughter, (or son, husband, father)
• I'll feel better so I won't have any health problems early in life like my parents did/do.
• I want to be a good example for my kids. They learn what I teach them...and a healthy lifestyle is something they'll enjoy for the rest of their lives.  I want them to he healthy.
• I want to be able to have a long AND HEALTHY life...not one where I'm on a pile of medications and can barely walk by the age of ____.
• I don't want to be a burden on anyone.
• I want to live my life to the fullest. There's so much I want to see & do!
• Time goes by so quickly, so I know if I don't do it now, I'll have regrets. 

WHATEVER... The WHY is personal and it's YOURS. 
Just take the time to dig down and find your 'emotional why'
and that will help guide you through those sorry self-sabotaging
moments of your life and power through to another victory.

You will LEARN what triggers you and catch yourself before you get too deep. Each time you do will be another VICTORY for your win column, and each time you'll be teaching yourself how to SUCCEED, in spite of that little voice in your head or what others think/say. 

So, no, it's not the people around us that get in our way. They don't have that power. Only YOU do. 

YOU are the one who controls what you do and don't do. 
And YOU  the one who will find a way-- IF it is important to you.

And I know YOU will.  I have faith in you. 
You're an EXTRAORDINARY person .... and goodness knows we could use more 'extraordinary' in the world. Who wants to be ordinary anyway?
Not me!  Heck, I was born to ROCK this world ---and so were you!

So commit to yourself and your goal for at least 90 days. 
(That's a manageable goal time frame)

Then REMIND yourself of your WHY on a daily basis.

When people choose us as their coach, we send them a  HAPPY EVER AFTER-AFTER wristband to help them remember their goals.

You can also stick post-it notes around your house, on your refrigerator, on your computer, on your bathroom mirror--wherever you will see it during your day.  

Write little encouraging messages to yourself (maybe in your 'future you' voice)  or use a favorite motivating quote. (You'll find a new "Your Healthy Thought for the Day" on each post on this blog) 

Find a photo of an activity you'd like to do, or a photo of yourself at your healthy weight. Then let your notes, photos or this wristband REMIND you of how powerful and extraordinary you are. 

Make it stand for what YOU stand for---your healthy new life.

Your one, beautiful, powerful, extraordinary, healthy new life.

So, let's get this party started!