The 5 minute workout

Can't drag yourself up to exercise?  Does the thought of hitting the treadmill make you physically ill?  Do you have the P90X workout CD collection sitting where you put it after it arrived in the mail?  Have you talked yourself into thinking that you can combat hight blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity with pills and who needs exercise??  If so, don't feel like the Lone Ranger.  There is always a good excuse NOT to exercise because let's face it - the thought of exercising can really suck.  But we have to exercise. 

Here is a suggestion.  Just exercise for 5 minutes each day!!  Don't tell yourself you're going to do the entire boring workout - just get out there and walk or turn on the exercise CD or hop on your treadmill or bike for just 5 minutes!!!  If you're done physically and mentally after 5 minutes then STOP!!  The 5 minute exercise session often turns into a full workout and it is SO much nicer to look forward to only 5 minutes rather than an hour!! Try it - you won't be dissapointed.  Hey -  5 minutes is better than 0 minutes :)

Stick to it & Stick it to THEM!

Misery loves company - an old saying but SO TRUE!  People will sabotage your good efforts to eat healthfully because of their own failures.  Don't let it happen to you!  Smile politely and continue with your plan.  Even people that love us get weird when they see us succeed.  Be a role model - don't give in.  Don't ever worry about hurting feelings because you are moving forward with your goals.  The only feelings you hurt by giving in are yours.  Every minute, every hour, every day - pay attention and stick to it.  If you're having a difficult time choosing or preparing low fat, low calorie foods - refer to Weight Watchers !!

Realizing Relapse

Relapse is a natural course of any behavior change.  Relapse is a result of not tapping into inner strength and power to create a steady course of success EVERY DAY.  While making positive, healthy changes in your lifestyle.....address your fight against relapse.  Meet relapse head on by fighting against it in the beginning of your behavior change process.  Pay attention to the fact that behavior change needs to be thought of as a daily, weekly, monthly, yearly process.  Stay true to your course of change by planning ahead, and avoiding peer pressure......take it one day at a time and be a true role model to yourself, your family and your friends.

Figure out how to keep your figure!

When we take more calories IN than we BURN OFF...we gain weight.  Florence Henderson said it wonderfully last night after being voted off of Dancing.....she hoped that she inspired people to "get off their behinds" and dance !!  Look at Florence -  72 years old, slim and in the kind of shape it takes to go a few rounds in Dancing.........Set a goal to be fit, healthy and MOBILE at age 72.  My mother is turning 86 in a few days.  She takes no medications, participates in a senior theater group and at 5'6" - still looks great (under 130 lbs).  Active in mind and body, watches her intake and keeps moving!  Walk, Yoga, aerobics all in front of your favorite TV show.  The only excuses are the ones we create.  Today is the day to Become.  It is up to you.

Working through the "pang".....

You may find that in following a healthy meal plan and consuming a healthy, low fat, low calorie diet - you may still feel the "pang" of hunger !!   This is a result of your own Thought Behavior pattern that whispers to you "there are crackers and peanut butter in the pantry waiting for you".........  Reverse this Thought Behavior Pattern by accepting the fact that you have probably given in so many times in the past that it just seems like its OK to give in now.  Put a STOP to this nagging Thought Behavior Pattern by picturing a big red STOP sign in your mind, and then allow those pangs of hunger to turn into feelings of success and joy.  Don't think of that emptiness as hunger and the need to cheat - think of it as your body working to burn those stored calories that make your jeans too tight.  Enjoy the feeling of emptiness and know that for every minute, hour you feel empty (until your next healthy, small, planned meal) your body is going in the right direction - toward health, fitness and an appropriate weight for your height.  THE POWER OF THE MIND IS THE ROAD TO BECOMING THE PERSON YOU KNOW YOU CAN BE !!

Weight control "pill"

Visit your local vitamin store and purchase a good multi-vitamin.  When taking it each day, imagine in your mind that it is a super weight control pill.....and then let it work for you.  Actually feel the pill working - feel your appetite being under control, feel your body utilizing stored calories for energy and allow the pill to set your "cravings" for vegetables and a healthy meal plan.  Allow the power of your mind to work FOR YOU!  You have the power, you have the control and it is there for you 24/7.  Adding the visual of your vitamin pill being your super weight control pill will have a powerful impact............try it and you will be amazed.

Thought Behavior patterns

Thought Behaviors are patterns of thinking that we have adopted over time as a means of coping, rationalizing or explaining to ourselves what to expect next.  Thought Behaviors can be positive, such as looking forward to a vacation, planning fun times with good friends or anticipating buying that handbag or new car.  These types of positive Thought Behavior patterns are healthy and energizing.  However, too often we find ourselves getting paralyzed by negative Thought Behavior patterns that sap our energy and lead us down the path of failure.  These negative Thought Behavior patterns may be thinking there is no hope for happiness or there is no use in trying to make the right decisions regarding our health because we have failed so many times in the past.  Negative Thought Behavior patterns can be modified (changed) - systematically, with your own inner strength and power.  Tapping into your internal strength and power to modify your negative Thought Behavior Patterns is possible and you are in control.  Don't look for someone or something else to do it for you.  Ask me more about my Thought Behavior Modification Process as you move forward to a life of happiness and good health.  We have only one life - let's make it the best it can be.  Become the person you know you can be.