5 Ways to Keep Your New Year’s Promises
You can keep your New Year's Resolution!
It has been said that the only sure things in life are death and taxes. Although not as certain as these, breaking New Year's resolutions is close.
Just a day or two before the calendar year changes, millions of us will make a personal promise to change our behavior for the following year. Some of our promises will be as broad as living a better life; others as refined as eliminating high fructose corn syrup from our diets. Both are commendable goals. The problem is that we fail to properly prepare for what will undoubtedly be an uphill battle.
Humans do not let go of familiar, long-standing behaviors easily. This is particularly true for behaviors that provide immediate and intermittent satisfaction (smoking) or prevent unwanted and annoying immediate outcomes (not exercising to avoid being winded).
It is possible to change. It just takes working hard and smart. Below are a few things that will increase your chances of success.
Be specific. Make sure your outcome can be measured in some way. For example, saying that you "want to live a better life" will be nearly impossible to accomplish. Why? Because living a better life can mean hundreds of things. Instead, set the goal of going to church or temple once a week, donating five hours a week to a charity or calling your parents weekly.
Don't overdo it. If you set too many goals, you are certain to become overwhelmed and give up. Similarly, don't try to change the world by March. Simple and realistic goals will more likely be met.
Keep your resolution in sight. There is truth in the saying "out of sight, out of mind." Put a note on your dashboard. Write your resolution on your bathroom mirror. Do anything that will provide you a constant reminder of what you promised yourself.
Form an alliance. If your buddy wants to stop smoking, make a pact with him. If you need to drop 10 pounds, find someone else who needs to lose weight. It is easier to accomplish a goal with another person who wants to succeed.
Move swiftly. The nail in the coffin of any good New Year's resolution is procrastination. If you made the decision to get into shape, then go to the store that day and buy some new running shoes. Don't wait until February to renew your gym membership. And certainly, don't say "I'll start when the weather gets better."
Meeting your New Year's resolution is not easy, but it is doable. If you are specific, realistic, aware, supportive and fast, you will be a new person this time next year.
3 Proven Ways to Change a Bad Habit
Want to change a bad habit? Use the right strategy. .
Each year, we see January 1st as a time for fresh starts - for tackling our bad habits head on and replacing them with new, healthier ones. Maybe you want to start exercising regularly, quit smoking, lose a few pounds, or remember to call your mother more often. Now Spring is here, and many of us are no closer to changing our bad habits than we were three months ago. But don't give up yet! No matter what it is you would like to do differently, these simple, scientifically-tested strategies will help you to finally make the real, lasting changes you're looking for.
1. Get Specific. Very Specific.
One of the most common mistakes we make when trying to reach a goal is not being specific enough about what we want, and what we we're going to do to make it happen. We say things like "I want to lose some weight" - but how much exactly do you want to lose? Studies show that it is much easier to stay motivated when we have a very specific end point in mind, and can know at any moment exactly how far we still have to go.
Next, make sure you think about the specific actions you'll need to take to succeed. Don't just say "I'll eat less." Less of what? And how much less? Don't just say "I'll save more money each month." Decide exactly what will you spend less on to make that happen. The more detailed you make your plan, the more likely you are to actually stick to it.
2. Embrace this Fact: It's Going to Be Hard.
People will tell you that it is important to stay positive and be confident in order to reach any goal, and that's perfectly true. But there's an important difference between believing you will succeed, and believing you will succeed easily. When you are tackling a difficult challenge, like losing weight or stopping smoking, you will be much better off if you accept the fact that it's not going to be smooth sailing.
Studies show that people who are realistic about what it will take to succeed naturally plan more, put in more effort, and persist longer in pursuit of their goals. They expect to have to work hard, so that's exactly what they do.
For example, in one study, women in a weight loss program who believed that it would be hard to resist the temptation of snack foods lost 24 pounds more than women who believed they could easily ignore the allure of doughnuts and potato chips. Because they accepted that it would be hard, they avoided being anywhere near tempting foods, and were much more successful because of it.
3. Willpower is Like a Muscle. Plan What You'll Do When It Gets Tired.
Research shows that your capacity for self-control is very much like the muscles in your body - it can grow stronger with regular exercise. But just as well-developed biceps sometimes get tired and jelly-like after too much use, coping with the daily stresses of career and family can exhaust your supply of willpower. When you tax it too much at once, or for too long, the well of self-control strength runs dry. It is in these moments that the doughnut wins.
If you've spent all your self-control handling other challenges, you will not have much left at the end of the day for resisting bad habits. So it's important to think about when you are most likely to feel drained and vulnerable, and make a plan to keep yourself out of harm's way. Be prepared in advance with an alternate activity or a low-calorie snack, whichever applies.
How to leave longer and healthier
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height.
Let the doctor worry about them. That is why you pay him/her.
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever.
Never let the brain idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop."
And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on.
The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves.
Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it.
If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips.
Take a trip to the mall, to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
Principles for Better Health and Living.
1. HEREDITY:
This is what you are given from your parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents. If your mother or father had heart trouble, or any organ of their body did not work the way God intended that organ to work, then you know you may have a weakness towards that organ. We know if there is a history of disease in the family you should take extra care of your health regarding that disease. Heredity is something you are born with. However, it is what you do and how you live with what God gives you that will determine your health.
2. DIET:
It has been said, "you are what your eat." While heredity does play a large role in everyone's health, it is not the only factor. A diet with good old common sense is essential! By eating the food God has given us, you will strengthen the organs of the body. You will have pep, vigor and be full of life. What does a proper good old common sense diet mean? A diet chuck full of natural God-given food. We can always remind ourselves, that what man makes he make for a profit (money); what God makes he makes with love, for man's good. Eat abundantly of herbs, raw or gently cooked vegetables, fruits of all kinds and raw nuts. By eating the natural foods God has given us we strengthen the entire body, giving nourishment to a weak organ, helping eliminate waste matter from the body, and most importantly, cleansing and purifying the blood. Eat natural foods as often as possible. The Bible says, "Herbs were given to man as his food and medicine."
3. WILL:
Your mental state of mind. How much do you want to be well, free of disease, discomfort and pain? You and you alone can improve the heredity factor. Eat the proper food with good old common sense. Keep the body clean and exercise each day. Your good health is a life long commitment of your will, your attitude, and your thinking. Always remember, God loves you and wants you to be healthy.
4. EXERCISE:
Exercise means staying active. Look to each day as a day of activity. To be able to work is a blessing. Try to take a good long walk each day. Do not be afraid to use your body the way God intended. Exercise so that you breath deeply. Oxygen is very important to your body's needs. Research has shown that people in nursing homes, both men and women, in their 70s, 80s even 90s, who have been put on a daily exercise program feel better, and their health has improved. They even feel better about themselves. Do not let a day go by without some form of exercise
Believe In Yourself And You Will Succeed!
Whatever you want to succeed in, make no doubt about it you will succeed if you believe in yourself. It is that simple.
If you do not believe in yourself you will fail. You will fall at the first hurdle.
Winning is not about having the best product or the most inventive ideas. Sure, these are important, but it's not everything. Success is about creating the right mindset!
This is extremely important. Without it, you will have a difficult time finding success.
You can have the best tools and strategies at your disposal, but if you don't believe in yourself, those tools and strategies will not do you much good.
If you want to succeed, believe in yourself, pull out all the stops and use all that you have. Your mind is the greatest asset you possess.
You have to believe that you CAN get whatever results you're after, and then you will succeed. If your goal is to have a successful online business, you have to convince yourself that you can do it.
The easiest way to do it is to spend time looking at the successful people around you. Read about them. Watch videos about them. Learn from them. Believe in their success. Listen to others talk about them. Do whatever you have to do to FOCUS on success, and spend time around like-minded people.
Something very interesting happens when you shift your focus in this way. There is a universal law that tends to attract you to whatever it is you most focus on. Whatever you focus on most gets drawn to you.
For example, when you start taking drama lessons, you will suddenly find that there are so many others around you who are also into drama. They are drawn to you. You suddenly become aware of like-minded people simply by focusing in a certain direction.
So, start looking for proof around you. Read stories and case studies about others who are already doing what you want to do. Let their stories motivate you and make a believer out of you.
The reality is that whatever it is that you want in your life, you can have it, IF you first believe that you can have it.
If others can do it, you can do it. It's that simple! Believe in yourself and you will succeed.
Basic Health Tips To Practice Everyday!
In today’s world, we seem to be moving at a lot faster pace but not getting any exercise. Our movement seems to be by computer, telephone, car, train, plane and a multitude of other fast paced modes of transportation along physical and informational highways.
We never seem to have the time to actually exercise by riding a bike or swimming, hiking or just playing a nice game of football at the park down the street. We have a telephone, computer, gps and Ipod in one hand and a shake, hamburger and fries in the other. This is surely a recipe for unhealthy living.
We need to learn to empty both hands and let them relax a little. Sit down or lay down and let the world slow down around you. This doesn’t mean drop into your bed in exhaustion, it means take some time to yourself, sit by the pool, read a book or other form of literature (reading the Wall Street Journal doesn’t count) ;-)
Listen to some relaxing music, practice some deep breathing techniques and really learn how to help your body totally relax.
Eat a more balanced meal ( this doesn’t mean balancing a shake and a hamburger in both hands while trying to control the steering wheel) and eat at regular intervals. Actually sit down and have a nice healthy bowl of soup, or a nice balanced meal with meat, veggies and other good for you items. Take time to yourself, get reacquainted with your family and friends.
Health wellness motivation
Look Better ... Feel Better ... Live Longer:
Make Water Your Drink of Choice
Water is your most essential nutrient, and every system in your body depends on it. Unfortunately, chronic dehydration is widespread ... and there's a convincing hypothesis that it is a root cause of many degenerative diseases.
To achieve optimal health, make water your drink of choice. Unless you're exercising, your body cannot process more than about 8 ounces per hour, so it's best to drink it in small sips throughout the day. Not only will adequate hydration improve your health, it will also suppress your appetite and help to metabolize stored fat.
Whenever possible, avoid tap water unless it has been filtered to remove fluoride and chlorine. Best to stick to spring water from a trusted source.
Motivational & Self Improvement & Live a Longer and Healthier Life.
You should balance your activities with the proper amount of rest. Some of the leading experts in the field of aging now believe that regular exercise along with the proper amount of rest may actually add years to the life span. Results from a number of tests indicate that speed and muscular strength of many of the elderly can be extended.
Leading authorities agree that this new data is going to shatter many of the myths about aging and physical performance. The conclusion now is that the performance and ability of the elderly has long been underestimated. Diet, proper sleep and exercise along with rest and relaxation are all important factors in preserving our bodies.
Laughter is one of the best things for your mental and physical state. People are naturally attracted to someone who has a good sense of humor. You can develop a good outlook and a good sense of humor by associating with and surrounding yourself with pleasant happy people.
Recognize that stress is a killer. A life filled with stress can really wreck havoc on your body, causing a number of illnesses such as heart attacks, strokes, asthma, gastric problems, menstrual disorders, ulcerative colitis, angina, irritable colon, increased blood pressure, ulcers, headaches, etc.
There are different types of stress such as mental, emotional and physical. Emotional stress seems to take the greatest toll on everyone. All stress is not bad; in fact life would not be very interesting if it were not met with challenges. However, too much stress, too often with no effective and appropriate outlet, does not allow the body and soul to recuperate. You might review a typical week to see if you can identify things that might be making you anxious or causing you stress. Once identified, stressors can be attacked and eliminated.
Are you a worrier? Chronic worriers don't have more serious problems than others - they just think they do. Many worriers try to cope by trying not to think about their problems, but this just makes things worse. Doctors say that chronic worriers feel less anxious if they actually spend a half-hour a day thinking specifically about their problems.
Get plenty of exercise. People who are physically fit look good and feel good. A good exercise regimen will lengthen your life, improve your appearance, build self confidence and help delay the aging process.
Remember that you need to do something physical every day. If you don't use your joints, quite simply they'll tighten up with age to create the stooped, bent and worn out appearance we so often associate with old age. Studies have shown that people with arthritis experience less pain if they continue to keep their joints flexible. As one gets older, the bones tend to get brittle which is why it is common for senior citizens to break bones and especially their hips when they fall.
Eating right, getting proper sleep and learning to relax are all very valuable in maintaining a healthy body and mind. And keep in mind that eating healthy foods and avoiding those high in fats, sodium and cholesterol will help decrease your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and associated problems.
Nature's Miracle Energy Boosters.
There are a number of nature's miracle energy boosters that you can take advantage of. Most people don't consider the value of foods, exercising and common sense when it comes to our daily lives.
OXYGEN: Fills the body and beats fatigue. If you're feeling tired, just take a few deep breaths. Revitalize your mind by finding a quiet place and breathing deeply for ten minutes.
QUICK-FIX FOODS: These should not include candy. When you're feeling low, reach for fruit, pasta or whole-grain muffins. Don't snack on sugar filled sweets if you want to pep up. After the initial sugar high, you will just sink lower than ever.
EXCESS WEIGHT: We all know that being overweight is bad for a person's health and makes energy levels plummet. Your body has to work harder and longer just to move and breathe! Each pound you lose will add to your vitality.
ZINC: An ideal remedy for fatigue, say most researchers. You can find the marvelous mineral in lean meats, eggs, cheese, breakfast cereals and whole-grain breads. Or, buy it in tablet form at any health food store.
USE YOUR MUSCLES: Too much rest can be exhausting. If your muscles are not worked for 24 hours, they'll weaken - and you'll feel tired. But there's an easy remedy. Simply do any exercise for at least ten minutes a day. You'll have so much pep in your step, you'll want more.
WATER: Keeps your energy levels high. Your body needs at least two pints a day to function well. So drink up - and you'll feel ready to tackle anything.
BREAKFAST: The most important meal of the day. Jump start your body into action with a healthy meal of low-fat favorites,, such as low-fat yogurt, fruit, unsweetened fruit juice or whole-grain cereal. A tasty treat in the morning will fortify you and help prevent an energy slump by lunchtime.
FITNESS: Is as easy as a 20 minute exercise session three times a week. Walking, swimming, jogging or easy stretching charges your battery and releases hormones that make you happy and make your body look younger and firmer.
LAUGHTER: Really is the best medicine. Go ahead and giggle. It speeds up your metabolism and makes your body work at peak efficiency. When you're feeling fatigued, watch a sitcom, read the funnies or ask a friend if they have heard a good joke lately. You'll feel better before the punch line.
IRON: Fortifies your blood. It's a mineral you can't be low on if you want to be full of vim and vigor. Make sure your daily diet includes plenty of iron-rich foods by eating liver, eggs, apricots, whole-grain bread, dark leafy green vegetables and fortified breakfast cereals.
KEEP ACTIVE: Activity begets more activity. Laziness only makes you lazier. The more you do, the more you want to do. Make a daily list in the morning and check off the things you accomplish as you finish them. Before you know it, you'll be adding a second page.
How to Boost Your Moods.
Do you wake up in the morning and dread facing the day ahead? Are you tired of housework? Did the boss put on too much pressure? Do you have too many personal problems? With the fast pace of today's world it doesn't take much to put us in a bad frame of mind. But a bad mood can be overcome if we try. Here are some suggestions:
- Go out into the fresh air or by an open window and breathe in and out slowly. Repeat several times.
- Clench fists and arms tightly and hold a few seconds, then relax. Repeat same procedure with shoulders, legs and feet.
- Relax on a chair or sofa. Visualize a relaxing stream of water or mountain of trees... anything tranquil. You can actually lower your blood pressure by 10 points or more within two or three minutes using this procedure.
- Take a short walk, possibly in an area you are not familiar with.
- Spend some time with your favorite hobby and forget everything else.
- Listen to your favorite music.
- Dark rooms can also have an effect on your frame of mind. Turn on lights and music if available. Open windows and doors.
- Avoid getting in a bad mood by never expecting too much. Nothing is perfect. Go about your daily routines and just do the best you can. That's all anyone can do.
- Call friends on the phone. Visit your favorite club. Do something for your church so that you can be with people you do not see daily. Do something different
Maintain a Healthy Body and Mind.
Eating right, getting proper sleep, learning to relax – they’re all valuable in maintaining a healthy body and mind. And most people don't consider the importance of proper foods, exercising and common sense when it comes to taking care of our selves.
WATER: Keeps your energy levels high. Your body needs at least two pints of water a day to function well. So drink up - and you'll feel ready to tackle anything.
BREAKFAST: The most important meal of the day. Jump-start your body into action with a healthful meal of low-fat favorites, such as low-fat yogurt, fruit, unsweetened fruit juice or whole-grain cereal. A tasty treat in the morning will fortify you and help prevent an energy slump by lunchtime.
OXYGEN: Fills the body and beats fatigue. If you're feeling tired, just take a few deep breaths. Revitalize your mind by finding a quiet place and breathing deeply for ten minutes.
EXCESS WEIGHT: We all know that being overweight is bad for a person's health and makes energy levels plummet. your body has to work harder and longer just to move and breathe! Each pound you lose will add to your vitality.
USE YOUR MUSCLES: Too much rest can be exhausting. If your muscles are not worked for 24 hours, they'll weaken - and you'll feel tired. But there's an easy remedy. Simply do any exercise for at least ten minutes a day. You'll have so much pep in your step, you'll want more.
FITNESS: Is as easy as a 20 minute exercise session three times a week. Walking, swim-ming, jobbing or easy stretching charges your battery and releases hormones that make you happy and make your body look younger and firmer. Remember that activity begets more activity. Laziness only makes you lazier. The more you do, the more you'll want to do.
SLEEP RIGHT: Erratic sleeping patterns often lead to irritability and lack of concentra-tion. Experiment to find the sleep/wake rhythm that is right for your and your lifestyle.
LOVE COMPLETELY: The love you give will come back to you. Try to surround your-self with loving people and remember when dealing with others that no one loves a grouch or mean-spirited person. Live fully and show your happiness. Youre right here, right now. Make the most out of every day and accept those things that you cannot change.
Medical experts now believe that man is built to last about 100 years; and with the advances in medicine plus more healthful living habits, we may soon be living longer. The interest in health foods and exercising seems to have taking the country by storm and now almost every family has some kind of exercise activity. Some enjoy biking, swimming, walking and jog-ging while others may join and health club and get into some form of serious bodybuilding.
Laughter is one of the best things for your mental and physical state. People are naturally attracted to someone who has a good sense of humor. You can develop a good outlook and a good sense of humor by associating with and surrounding yourself with pleasant happy people
Basic Health Tips To Practice Everyday!
In today’s world, we seem to be moving at a lot faster pace but not getting any exercise. Our movement seems to be by computer, telephone, car, train, plane and a multitude of other fast paced modes of transportation along physical and informational highways.
We never seem to have the time to actually exercise by riding a bike or swimming, hiking or just playing a nice game of football at the park down the street. We have a telephone, computer, gps and Ipod in one hand and a shake, hamburger and fries in the other. This is surely a recipe for unhealthy living.
We need to learn to empty both hands and let them relax a little. Sit down or lay down and let the world slow down around you. This doesn’t mean drop into your bed in exhaustion, it means take some time to yourself, sit by the pool, read a book or other form of literature (reading the Wall Street Journal doesn’t count) ;-)
Listen to some relaxing music, practice some deep breathing techniques and really learn how to help your body totally relax.
Eat a more balanced meal ( this doesn’t mean balancing a shake and a hamburger in both hands while trying to control the steering wheel) and eat at regular intervals. Actually sit down and have a nice healthy bowl of soup, or a nice balanced meal with meat, veggies and other good for you items. Take time to yourself, get reacquainted with your family and friends.
Believe In Yourself And You Will Succeed!
Whatever you want to succeed in, make no doubt about it you will succeed if you believe in yourself. It is that simple.
If you do not believe in yourself you will fail. You will fall at the first hurdle.
Winning is not about having the best product or the most inventive ideas. Sure, these are important, but it's not everything. Success is about creating the right mindset!
This is extremely important. Without it, you will have a difficult time finding success.
You can have the best tools and strategies at your disposal, but if you don't believe in yourself, those tools and strategies will not do you much good.
If you want to succeed, believe in yourself, pull out all the stops and use all that you have. Your mind is the greatest asset you possess.
You have to believe that you CAN get whatever results you're after, and then you will succeed. If your goal is to have a successful online business, you have to convince yourself that you can do it.
The easiest way to do it is to spend time looking at the successful people around you. Read about them. Watch videos about them. Learn from them. Believe in their success. Listen to others talk about them. Do whatever you have to do to FOCUS on success, and spend time around like-minded people.
Something very interesting happens when you shift your focus in this way. There is a universal law that tends to attract you to whatever it is you most focus on. Whatever you focus on most gets drawn to you.
For example, when you start taking drama lessons, you will suddenly find that there are so many others around you who are also into drama. They are drawn to you. You suddenly become aware of like-minded people simply by focusing in a certain direction.
So, start looking for proof around you. Read stories and case studies about others who are already doing what you want to do. Let their stories motivate you and make a believer out of you.
The reality is that whatever it is that you want in your life, you can have it, IF you first believe that you can have it.
If others can do it, you can do it. It's that simple! Believe in yourself and you will succeed.
How to leave longer and healthier
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height.
Let the doctor worry about them. That is why you pay him/her.
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever.
Never let the brain idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop."
And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on.
The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves.
Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it.
If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips.
Take a trip to the mall, to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
Principles for Better Health and Living.
1. HEREDITY:
This is what you are given from your parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents. If your mother or father had heart trouble, or any organ of their body did not work the way God intended that organ to work, then you know you may have a weakness towards that organ. We know if there is a history of disease in the family you should take extra care of your health regarding that disease. Heredity is something you are born with. However, it is what you do and how you live with what God gives you that will determine your health.
2. DIET:
It has been said, "you are what your eat." While heredity does play a large role in everyone's health, it is not the only factor. A diet with good old common sense is essential! By eating the food God has given us, you will strengthen the organs of the body. You will have pep, vigor and be full of life. What does a proper good old common sense diet mean? A diet chuck full of natural God-given food. We can always remind ourselves, that what man makes he make for a profit (money); what God makes he makes with love, for man's good. Eat abundantly of herbs, raw or gently cooked vegetables, fruits of all kinds and raw nuts. By eating the natural foods God has given us we strengthen the entire body, giving nourishment to a weak organ, helping eliminate waste matter from the body, and most importantly, cleansing and purifying the blood. Eat natural foods as often as possible. The Bible says, "Herbs were given to man as his food and medicine."
3. WILL:
Your mental state of mind. How much do you want to be well, free of disease, discomfort and pain? You and you alone can improve the heredity factor. Eat the proper food with good old common sense. Keep the body clean and exercise each day. Your good health is a life long commitment of your will, your attitude, and your thinking. Always remember, God loves you and wants you to be healthy.
4. EXERCISE:
Exercise means staying active. Look to each day as a day of activity. To be able to work is a blessing. Try to take a good long walk each day. Do not be afraid to use your body the way God intended. Exercise so that you breath deeply. Oxygen is very important to your body's needs. Research has shown that people in nursing homes, both men and women, in their 70s, 80s even 90s, who have been put on a daily exercise program feel better, and their health has improved. They even feel better about themselves. Do not let a day go by without some form of exercise
How to Increase Your Self-Esteem
Motivational and Self Improvement :
Self-esteem is one of those things you earn by doing things. If you are not doing all you’re capable of, you know this, and so you can’t talk yourself into self-esteem. It’s hard to fool the most important person – you. Take some action today that will make you feel good about yourself. This could be something as simple as cleaning out one closet! We always feel good after a “job well done.”
Then work on your self-talk. How we talk to ourselves generates over a lifetime. First become aware of what you say to yourself all day long. 80% of our “conversation” is with ourselves. If you’re saying, “I’m a failure,” this is what your brain is hearing, and it will work to make this come true. Cancel this thought (say “cancel, cancel”) and put something else in there, “I, Marianne Delmer, am on my way to success,” or something like that.
Be careful how you word things like this, because your subconscious will hear it without the negative, i.e., you don’t want to be saying, “I, Peter Aylward, am not a failure,” because your subconscious hears “failure.” See the difference? You can also try an affirmation such as “Every day I’m getting better and better.” Envision the end goal. Don’t limit things by being too specific. If you want to feel better about yourself, that’s the place to start.
The 12-Step Programs suggest if you don’t want to quit, first pray to want to quit. If you want to succeed, first pray to want to succeed. Wanting something gives us motivation!
Remember that your ___ years, whatever your age is, have produced your current self-talk, and so this won’t change overnight. Affirmations only work if you are diligent and consistent, and this will be a good exercise for you because you need to work on diligence and consistency as well.
At different points during the day, work on your self-talk. Cancel negative thoughts and replace them with positive thoughts about yourself.
You would also benefit from subscribing to a good eZine. I have a nice informational and inspirational one, and there are others. Look up “free eZines” on a search engine.
Whatever you do, avoid the “victim” stance, i.e., believing that you’re “helpless and hopeless.” There’s an affirmation you can use: “I am able to help myself and I have hope.” Set small goals, take baby steps and look at this as a new, long-term, exciting project.
Work on learning optimism. I have a course on this, and there are other resources on the Internet. It’s a state-of-mind that you can learn that increases your chance of success and happiness.
In Emotional Intelligence, we recommend solution-focused problem-solving, not emotional-based problem-solving. Just as in physics, two objects can’t occupy the same space, so your mind can’t hold both negative and positive thoughts at the same time.
When you find yourself getting negative, “cancel” and put something positive in its place. In other words, distract yourself while you take action to remedy things. The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. Give yourself incremental learning goals, and reward yourself copiously for each thing you do that takes you further toward your goal.
It’s okay to make mistakes.
"Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, thereis always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficultiesarising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course ofaction and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldierneeds. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Always remind yourself that it’s okay to make mistakes.
Give yourself permission to make mistakes. It’s perfectly okay. You’re only human. Even the highest achievers in the world make them. In fact, everybody makes them. (Make the decision ahead of time, before speaking in front of any group, that you will allow yourself to make mistakes…to look awkward or foolish.)
Basically, what I’m suggesting is that you go out there and do your best, or give your all, while at the same time, know that you are willing to forgive yourself (and willing to continue to accept yourself) whatever the outcome may be. It does not make you a bad person or a fool if you make mistakes unintentionally. (If you do it intentionally, then that’s a different story. Besides, who in their right mind would “plan” to make mistakes in advance?) Learn from your mistakes, then move on.
By giving yourself permission this way, you will become more relaxed. Why? Because what creates tension, stress, or nervousness in the first place is when a part of you is saying, “You must be perfect. You must do this perfectly. You can’t screw up no matter what happens or else people will see you as a failure.” While another part of you just wants to naturally go with the flow...not giving a care for anything. This kind of inner conflict (between the different parts of you) is what causes tension, stress, or nervousness.
Think You Are Doing Your Body A Favor By Ordering A Salad?
Many of us believe that eating salad at a restaurant is good for us. Sometimes we may be right but in most cases it is far from the truth. Most coffee shops serve a salad made from iceberg lettuce. This lettuce has no nutritional value, it is very basically fiber held together by water. In the digestive system iceberg lettuce has the nasty habit of turning into a slime that your body then has to break down.
On top of this leafy non-nutritional plate or bowl full, we pour all sorts of different types of salad dressings. Most of these dressings are a creamy sort that is full of fat and sugars. Why do we use these dressings in such large amounts on this particular salad? Because by itself iceberg lettuce has very little taste and this is because, as I said before, it is simply fiber and water.
So next time you think you are going to suffer through a salad in order to feel like you’re doing your body some good, consider this article and maybe decide to go with soup instead. The soup may not be all that good for you but at least you are getting some good flavor for your trouble and you aren’t telling yourself stories.
If a salad is available that has deep green vegetables of all kinds, that one will be healthy for you, but again, dousing it with a large dollop of dressing will negate it’s value to a degree.
Dieting motivation
"This is the true joy in life--the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy."
- George Bernard Shaw
When we are motivated by goals that have deep meaning, by dreams that need completion, by pure love that needs expressing, then we truly live life.
Greg Anderson
Diet Tip of the Day:
Get Moving!
Begin each exercise session with at least five minutes of a slow warm-up. Chose an exercise routine that will raise your heart rate to your target zone. Stay in your target zone for 20 minutes. Start your cool down, it should last for 5 minutes.
If your target zone is 50% of your maximum heart rate you will burn body fat, lower your cholesterol, blood pressure and risk factors for degenerative diseases. Be careful to keep your heart rate at 50 to 60% of your target zone at first, increasing the intensity of your work-out as your fitness level improves.
10 WAYS TO LOSE 5KG
Forget weird and wacky diets if you really want to lose weight…
Miracle diets that promise instant results may be tempting but they’re generally complicated, time consuming and ban our favorite foods. And though they help us lose weight, the effects are usually short lived and the weight piles back on.
That’s why top nutrition and fitness experts say the easiest way to fight the flab- and keep it off- is to make small, simple changes that fit into our lifestyle. In fact, changing just a few regular habits can, over time, help us lose weight.
So if you want to look and feel your best without being constantly hungry or giving up your favorites follow these no-effort tips and watch 5kg drop off.
1. DITCH THE FIZZY DRINKS
They’re packed with kilojoules and sugar (around 7 teaspoons per can). And new research shows fizzy drinks may encourage weight gain, as the type of sugar in them alters appetite-controlling hormones so we eat more.
2. HIDE THE REMOTE CONTROL
A remote-control addict can easily change channels 30 times in an evening. Get off the sofa this often and you’ll walk for around eight minutes! That’s enough to lose 5kg in two-and-a-half years, plus you’ll tone up your legs and bum.
3. BE A DOMESTIC GODDESS
Forget the gym! Three hours of scrubbing and vacuuming each week burns 3000kj, resulting in a 5kg weight loss in 11 months. And cooking uses about 500kj in half an hour so make dinner each night and lose 5kg in 10 months.
4. EAT MORE GRAPEFRUIT
In a 12-week US study, participants who ate half a grapefruit or drank grapefruit juice 3 times a day lost, on average, 1-2kg, although some lost a staggering 5 kg! It’s thought grapefruit works by stabilizing hunger pangs.
5. BUY NON-STICK PANS
Invest in non-stick pans and you’ll be able to cook without using oil or fat- and save masses of kilojoules. In fact, one tablespoon of oil contains 420kj. Cut this out of your diet every day and over a year 5kg will disappear!
6. TAKE UP A HOBBY
Do something creative like knitting, writing or painting while you watch TV. You’ll burn kilojoules and won’t want to snack. Four hours of using your hands each evening uses 300kj- leaving you 5kg lighter in 16 months!
7. BUY A CORDLESS PHONE
Simply walking around while you’re on the phone will burn an extra 335kj during a 20 minute conversation. Four telephone chats like that each day and you’ll lose 5kg in just 16 weeks!
8. GET ENOUGH SLEEP
A lack of sleep can pile on the pounds. One study’s shown people who don’t sleep enough consume up to 1200 more kilojoules the next day. Get eight hours sleep a night and you could lose 5kg in four months.
9. DOWNSIZE THOSE PORTIONS
You only need to save 420kj a day for a year to lose 5kg- that’s equal to skipping two tablespoons of muesli, one slice of toast with low-fat spread, a matchbox-sized piece of Edam cheese or two choc-chip cookies!
10. MAKE LOVE EVERY DAY ;-)
Providing you put in a bit of effort, activity between the sheets can burn up to 580kj in 20 minutes- a daily dose of that and you’ll lose 5kg in less than nine months!
Kilojoules burnt are approximate and based on a woman who weighs 67kg. Men and heavier women will burn more kilojoules; lighter women will burn fewer.
Some More Diet Tips:
• Trim all fat from meats before cooking. You’ll be amazed at how much you reduce your fat intake if you take this one small step.
• Eliminate fried foods. Do we need to say why?
• Cream sauces like alfredo and hollandaise are loaded with fat. Use tomato-based sauces instead of cream.
• Use lemon juice or low sodium soy sauce for flavor.
• Don’t skip meals. When you do, you eat more at your next meal and usually eat the wrong foods.
• Read labels – check fat, sugar and salt content.
• Stop buying on impulse. Never shop for groceries without a list.
• Avoid shopping when you are hungry – eat first!
• Shop for groceries once a week and only buy from your prepared list.
• Head directly to the fruit and vegetable aisles when you enter the grocery store. Fill up your basket in these aisles and you’ll be less likely to buy binge food.
• If you have a local “farmers market” where you can buy your fruits and veggies off the truck, by all means do so. They’ll be fresher, healthier, and tastier.
7 Weeks To A Happier Life
while there are things that none of us can control -- weather, economy, construction crews, other people -- there are many things that you are in charge of. These are the things that help you lead a happier life. Put one into place in the SPECIFICS of your life, and at the end of 7 weeks you'll have a happier, easier, better life than ever before.
1. Choose Consciously: Make an effort to decide that YOU choose how to spend your time, money, energy, and spirit.
As long as you accept the consequences, and make the choice with your eyes open, you'll feel more in control.
Consciously choosing your TV time, or surfing time, is a lot different than just realizing you spent 4 hours clicking channels. Ask yourself, "I have from 7 pm until bedtime. How do I want to spend that time?"
2. Set Priorities. If the annoyances of life are living your life for you, you're never going to win the foot- race of life. You'll simply run out of time, devoting it to things that you chose in the moment, instead of what you really wanted the most.
Don't put what you want right now above what you really want in the long run. Ask yourself, "Self, I have raised my standard to not buy anything else on credit.
But I really want this outfit for my meeting next week. What's more important to me?"
3. Nurture It: Protect It: What you focus on in your life will flourish If you focus on problems, and lack, and hatred, and guilt, and self doubt, that's what you'll find growing in your garden of life.
Instead plant seeds of change, conviction, courage, and choice. No, it's not just about thinking positive thoughts -- but it's a heck of a good place to start!
4. Be Consistent. Anything that you do consistently, day after day, week after week, adds up. Good results or bad results are the product of repeating the same behavior over and over.
If you consistently save, you'll have money in the bank; if you consistently over-spend, you'll be in debt.
Choose what you want, and take one small step, consistently day after day, and see what happens.
5. Stop Reading, Start Doing: We live in an amazing world of information. Most people have access to more choices and information than they've ever had.
Even our children are faced with decisions based on their broader ability to receive information. But information without action is useless.
Stop looking for a Quick Fix in the next book. Put the information you already have to work in your life. Ask yourself, "What can I do today to start to build up a reserve (of cash, of time, of food, of friends) that will help me live without fear?"
6. Stop Analyzing, Start Living. A lot of psycho- babble teaches us that we need to know the "why" about our behavior before we can address it. And the "why" can sometimes help correct a problem, or give you a reason for your action.
But most of what we all do on a daily basis is not the product of some deep dark psychological reason. It's habit.
Change your habits, and you'll change your life. Change your attitude and you'll change your life. Change your environment and you'll change your life.
Ask yourself, "What habit is the biggest obstacle to achieving my goals?"
7. Ask For What You Want. It's time to stop expecting other people to read your mind. Think about how frustrating it is for you when someone expects you to know what they are thinking.
It's just a set up for failure. Be willing to ask concisely, pleasantly, and honestly for what you want and need in your life.
Ask yourself, "Do I expect people in my life to 'just know' what I need and want? Am I able to do that for other people on a 99% correct basis? No!
So I will respect others by telling them what I need, and asking them to tell me as well."
Power Tips for motivation to lose weight
Is Someone Sabotaging Your Weight Loss Success?
Are there any people you know who are sabotaging your diet and fitness efforts?
To avoid being manipulated, you need to recognize their ploys to get you off-track.
And then, depending on who those people are, either:
* Have a heart-to-heart talk and explain that you don’t appreciate their actions
* Ignore them (laughing inside at their “nice tries”)
* Avoid dealing with them unless absolutely necessary
So you have a desire to change, I think that's great! No matter what level we are at, change for the better is always good for our self-esteem. If we stop progressing mentally or physically, we will often become bored and unhappy with ourselves.
In this free blog you will learn what to do and what not to do regarding fitness and weight loss programs. It is divided into five chapters and is easy reading. All the major aspects of a weight loss program are covered and maybe even some things you haven't considered.
The pages are designed for you to Share it with anyone you like. I would like to say that in fitness, especially weight loss in particular, that almost nothing is written in stone. In other words, if you find something that works, stick with it! No one can tell you otherwise.
Chapter 1
Dealing With Failure
For this first and very important chapter we will discuss a few key things in order for you to really succeed at what you're doing. With these essentials cleared up you will have a clearer vision of where you are going and most importantly, how to get there. These things are:
1. How Do I Know I am Ready?
2. When Do I Start?
3. What Will Happen If I Don't Succeed?
Let's start off with the first issue. You should only start when you are absolutely convinced that you are doing this for yourself. Don't do it because someone close to you is pushing you. You will be a lot less motivated this way and also a lot more frustrated. When you are doing this for yourself you will be more inclined to do the proper research and will also be more likely to put all of your heart and resources into it, whether it be emotional, physical or financial.
While it is important to care about what others think it shouldn't be your primary objective. You must do this out of respect for yourself and then for others. When it boils down to it, you are the one who has to see yourself everyday. In other words, as long as you are happy with your appearance that is all that should matter.
Secondly, when do you start? Again, start when you are ready. You must be in the proper frame of mind in order to begin this process, as it demands a clear head. If you have failed at another approach, take awhile off and wait until you think you can handle it. There is no point running from one program to another, this only leads to confusion and burnout.
And last but not least, what if you fail? The key idea is to learn from your mistakes. Remember where you think you went wrong and do your best to avoid repeating it. Everyone is different and through trial and error you will find what works the best for you.
I am not saying that everything you try won't work. That would be silly!
You can think positive and be assured that any sincere efforts you put into this endeavor will not be in vain. There will always be valuable life lessons you can grab when attempting to do something. In reality, anything you try to improve yourself will be met with results of some kind. You just want to find that perfect fitness target that's all!
Key points:-
* Do this for yourself and not others. It will be easier on you.
* Your primary objective should be what you think of yourself and not what others think
* Start when you are ready in order to be in the proper frame of mind
* Learn from your mistakes, don't be discouraged, and start over
* All sincere efforts will be rewarded
Chapter 2
How to Eat…Without Losing the Will to Live!
No fitness book would be complete without a chapter on positive eating habits. You not only want to enjoy what foods you are eating but you also want to be fulfilled after you have eaten them. This chapter will briefly outline steps you can take to achieve this goal.
A lot of people quit dieting because they think they have to partake in things like rice cakes and broccoli! This is simply not the case! Never mind quit, some won't even start a weight loss program because of this. They are discouraged…
Another reason is that people become discouraged because they become hungry. And that is surely not good. While it is realistic to become moderately hungry you don't want to be starving. You are not a robot but a human being. Don't torture yourself. No one continues to do anything they don't like. The few that do are often miserable.
Below are some steps you can study and follow to get your eating habits together.
• Eat the foods you like. Now don't get me wrong. I'm not talking about hot dogs and chocolate cake. At least not all the time. But just eat what you usually do on a regular basis, you know things like sandwiches for example while decreasing your portions a little.
• Eat enough. Most people are too much in a hurry to lose weight quickly. If they don't see 6 pounds come off in the first week they start panicking. Don’t! Remember that most people who are overweight eat for other reasons. Habit, boredom, depression, control etc. Only eat when you are hungry. Ask yourself this question, it is important. When you feel that you have had enough to hold out until another meal just stop. Drink a few glasses of water and 20 minutes later you won't even think about it for awhile until you are.
• Stick to how many meals you would normally eat. At first you want to try and mimic your old habits as close as possible. This way it won't be so much of a shock. If you eat 2 meals, eat two meals. To keep your metabolism running better just introduce 1 or 2 meal replacements like a homemade shake or food supplements making sure they are over 200 calories each.
• Take in the smallest quantity before bed. For example, eat your regular meals first and take your supplemental meals at night. You'd be surprised how well this will work. You don’t want to have to burn as many calories while you are sleeping because obviously you aren't as active. This is an area where a lot of people fail.
I hope you find these ideas practical and easy to apply. The main point I want to stress is that you should feel as comfortable and happy as possible while going through this initial phase. The next step after losing the weight is maintaining it, which is no where near as difficult as losing it. Once you have laid down a foundation and you get used to the minor adjustments in your lifestyle it should be a piece of cake!
Key points:-
- Avoid unnecessary hunger or foods that you really dislike
- Consume less quantities near bedtime
- Eat normally at first while decreasing portions a little at a time
- Only eat when hungry, examine your reasons before eating
- Keep meal times the same while adding supplemental meals to avoid
Chapter 3
Don't Cheat But Treat!
I'm sure you have heard the saying "Big surprises come in small packages," but have you ever heard the saying "Even bigger surprises come in bigger packages?" Well, while not true in all cases, it will usually hold true for eating while you are dieting.
A treat is just that, a treat. Therefore you should treat it, as a treat…am I confusing you? Hold on. A treat is great as long as it's planned. That's the key word friend. If it's planned smartly, then it's not cheating, but treating. Cheating is where it is not planned. If hunger gets the best of you for example, or someone offers you something sweet to eat and you just don't have the tact or will to refuse it. Cheating is also characterized by a feeling of guilt afterwards.
Are there any reasons for treating? You bet! The first reason being it keeps you from uncontrolled bingeing. If you go too long without the real foods you like, no matter how strong your will power is you will eventually break. And that's not the best thing for your head.
Second, it helps to keep your metabolism up. Let me explain. If you keep eating the same amount of restricted calories day in and day out your body will become used to it therefore regulating itself. But if you introduce a higher amount of calories, say once a week, your body will then be given a higher number to work with and the end result will be an increased metabolic rate. The body will think, "Whoa, what's going on here! I better shape up!"
How do you regulate this? Just pick one day in seven like a Saturday and just eat normal foods while not counting calories. Also, throw in some junk foods for good measure. As mentioned above this will cure those cravings! Thirdly, this is great if you know you have to go to a social or something like a wedding where food will constantly be around you. You won't have to worry for that day and you also won't have to worry about blowing your diet.
Many times people get discouraged because they feel 'forced' to cheat because of the pressure and they also don't want to come across as rude. This is true, a lot of people don't understand what you're going through but this little tidbit of information will fix the problem.
Once a person gets stuck in this rut it is very hard for some to get out. They often think that because they let this happen that they will never achieve their goals. Well, this isn't the case! They also feel depressed because they feel they have lost their direction and they have to start over. "Well, back to the old drawing board!"
But! If you know something like your treat day is logically planned and has scientific backing to it you will not feel guilty but good! You will also feel good knowing that you didn't cheat and that you deserve it! And once you start losing the weight, people might wonder how you do it!
With a bit of common sense you can work with this idea. If your junk day is on Friday for example and you have that party on Saturday just improvise! Switch your days and be flexible. Remember that with fitness, nothing is written in stone.
Key points :-
- Using these techniques you can be flexible and guilt free
- Treats are planned while cheating is not
- Treating keeps you from uncontrolled bingeing and will cure
- Treating helps to increase your metabolism therefore burning
- With treating you never have to worry about being forced into unwanted cheating
Chapter 4
Sudden Change-Unlock Your Hidden Potential
Are you surprised, discouraged or perhaps even amused by those before and after diet ads that show people miraculously transformed in a matter of months? Well, while some of them are legitimate some are often not. I say they are not legitimate not in the sense that they didn’t work but rather how they go about it.
What they fail to mention is that often the models are tanned, pulling in their stomachs more than they were at first, and have their wardrobes slightly adjusted. That's what gives them that 'polished' look. Even if these things were not done there would be noticeable results I'm sure. My point? It is possible!
Then you often have the crash diet pictures where the models are often clothed. While harder to tell, probably most of these people have tried to lose the weight without any kind of physical activity whatsoever. If you could see them unclothed they generally would look like a smaller version of what they were before.
Most of the cases that I just mentioned in the second example are the ones who are more likely to put the weight back on than the ones who exercise. The more you put into it the more you get out of it. The less you change your lifestyle, the less you get out of it…
While I'm not saying you'll always have to exercise as much or even at all, it will help tremendously when starting out. What you want is the fastest, safest changes you can manage so you can get on enjoying life! Not too fast though, as with your eating program you want to be comfortable and enjoying what you're doing.
First you want to get into some kind of cardiovascular activity. This will help the greatest in burning fat. Here's a sample beginner program that you can try:
Week 1
Day 1- walking-20 minutes
Day 3- walking-25 minutes
Day 5- walking-20 minutes
Week 2
Day 1- walking-25 minutes
Day 3- walking-20 minutes
Day 5- walking-25 minutes and so on…
Keep this up until you are satisfied with yourself and/or your time constraints. You don't have to necessarily walk either. If you have or prefer a stationary bike for example you could use that.
Second, you need some type of resistance training. This will help you burn more calories at rest and will also help to shape your body so that you will create the illusion of a slimmer person by widening your shoulders and your outer thighs. This will help make your waist appear smaller. Again, here is a sample program:
Monday - Pushups, as many as you can for 3 sets. Side laterals, 3 sets of 15 repetitions
Wednesday - Lunges, 15-20 for 3 sets. Rowing, 3 sets of 15 repetitions
Friday - Bicep Curls and Tricep Presses, 3 Sets of 15 repetitions
You can do abdominal crunches as well after each workout. Try three sets of 20 but do not use any resistance. You don't want your waist any thicker! Incase you don't know, a repetition or rep for short is one performance of an exercise and a set is a group of repetitions. You can rest a minute or so between sets, usually when your breathing returns to normal.
To warm up before your exercises just stretch whatever muscle groups you are working and/or do some light cardiovascular activity for 5 minutes. This will get your blood flowing and your muscles warm. Since you are not training heavy or for really big muscles there is less risk of injury.
Any kind of resistance will do. You can use free weights, machines, soup cans, or rubber bands. Whatever is available to you and most convenient. Remember that pretty well anything will work if you use it!
There! Doing this program will ensure you greater success than if you didn't exercise at all.
* It is possible to change your appearance in a relatively short period
* Those who exercise tend to keep the weight off longer than those who
* Cardiovascular activity is the most effective for immediate fat
* Resistance training is the most effective for long term weight loss
* Almost any exercise will produce results if you are consistent
Chapter 5
Avoid the Pain…Maintain!
Most people who do manage to lose weight will gain it back again. A lot of crash diets fail in this area. While this fact might seem obvious it bears repeating. Don't let this happen to you! Don't be another statistic! There are a few simple steps you can use to avoid letting this happen to you. There are also warning signs to watch for, let's look at them:
1. Speed. Avoid any kind of program or diet that either promises rapid weight loss or makes you lose weight too fast. This is a definite warning sign. The longer it takes you to get the weight off the longer you will keep it off, period. The idea of losing weight fast might be tempting and can be done but why take the chance? Why risk something you don't need to? Usually losing weight too quickly means starving yourself and when it's over you will start to eat more again to compensate. Your body will be craving food and you'll have to give in.
2. Monitor. When you first lose the weight and especially if you are inexperienced you need to frequently monitor your weight before it is too late. Once you get used to your habits a little more and experiment you will be able to go longer periods of time between weigh-ins. The key here is to catch the weight before it becomes noticeable to you and to others. When the scale says you’re over by two pounds it won't show, you still have time. If the scale says you’re over by seven…chances are you waited too long and by this point you will see it.
3. Don't push it too far. Sure you can eat more and for longer periods of time now that you are thin but don't get carried away! You could even binge for a week if your metabolism is cranked enough but watch one week doesn't become two and so on. The thing with food is that's it's very addicting. It doesn't take long if you are not careful to get back fully into your old habits. Save your bingeing for when you really need it like the Christmas holidays or vacations!
4. Boredom or depression. Sometimes you can just say ‘you've had it’ because you’re tired of constantly thinking of the timing of meals and when to exercise etc. This is very understandable. In this case you want to just drop everything. Take a week or two off and do things you like. Read, watch movies, or anything to get your mind off of it all. Before you know it, you will miss these things and be craving to get back into the swing of things like your exercise or making a delicious chocolate shake. Whatever your routine is.
If you keep these steps in mind after you have lost the weight it will become very difficult to put it back on. Don't get stuck in a rut. You'll be where you want to be and looking the way you want. The world is yours! Climb the next mountain and tackle the next barrier in your life! Good luck!
Key points
* Avoid losing weight too fast, you will be starving your body of vital nutrients
* Implement frequent weigh-ins at first to avoid noticeable weight
* You can eat more after it is off but watch you don't take it too far
* If you grow tired of everything just drop it all and take a week or two off
* Stay focused and aware of what you are doing
Happiness motivation
EXERCISE MAY BE THE BEST APHRODISIAC:
Researchers and common sense have long held that exercise enhances health and makes people feel better about themselves and their bodies. This, in turn, makes them more sexually attractive and responsive.
Now studies are suggesting that exercise is a potent stimulus to hormone production in both men and women. It may, in fact, chemically increase basic libido by stepping up the levels of such hormones as testosterone.
Motivational Self Improvement Article of the Day:
Create Happiness with a Positive Life Outlook, self help article by Robert Elias Najemy
Changing what we believe about life, others and most important of all, ourselves.
The mind is the molder of our personal and communal world.
Every event we perceive through our senses is analyzed, evaluated and registered in the mind as pleasant, unpleasant or neutral. Our belief systems seek to determine whether each perceived input is something, which will "protect" or "endanger" our security, self-worth and / or freedom.
When life’s events are interpreted by our programmed mind as threatening, fearful or unpleasant, we experience a state of anxiety and tension. When anxiety and nervous tension become a chronic situation, then the body and mind are gradually worn down into a state of weakness and ill health. A psychosomatic illness is created.
The energy flow, concentration and clarity of the mind are disturbed. Organs begin to malfunction. Negative emotional states such as depression, bitterness, fear, anger, hate, envy, jealousy and resentment dominate the mind. Our relationships begin to deteriorate and a feeling of alienation can set it. It is time for «Attitude Therapy».
«Attitude Therapy»
In «Attitude Therapy» we transform attitudes, beliefs or perceptions, which prevent us from experiencing health, happiness and harmony. Negative, life-destroying attitudes are replaced by positive life-building ones. Let us consider some of these beneficial attitudes.
1) I Alone Am Responsible for My Life, Health and Happiness
We create our health, illness, happiness, unhappiness, unity, alienation, joys and problems through our ways of thinking, behaving, eating, sleeping, living and interacting. When we eat poorly, do not exercise, sleep too little or too much, do not breathe properly and waste our mental and emotional energy on so many superficial pursuits, we will naturally lose our health and peace of mind.
We create our reality in four basic ways.
a. Our choices, thoughts, actions and reactions of the past create corresponding results in our present life and psychosomatic state. (If in fact there is such a reality as reincarnation, then our past will also include all our choices of past lives.) Thus, a considerable amount of our present reality is dictated by our previous actions, choices and reactions.
b. We have chosen (as souls) to learn certain "lessons" at each stage of our evolutionary process.
1. If we have chosen to learn to learn self-acceptance it is natural to experience rejection from others so that we can develop inner self-worth.
2. If we have chosen to develop self-confidence, we will naturally have chosen to experience an absence of external support.
3. If we have chosen to learn forgiveness and unconditional love, we will have made a secret "soul agreement" with others to harm us so that we can then develop that type of forgiveness and love.
c. Our present conscious and subconscious beliefs are perhaps the greatest cause of our preset reality. We attract to ourselves behaviors, events and life situations, which in some way "mirror" or "vibrate sympathetically" with how we think and feel in the present. Our present positive and negative conscious and subconscious beliefs, desires, needs, expectations and emotions such as fear, guilt, shame, love, peace and anger all combine to attract to us a corresponding external (and certainly internal) reality.
d. In addition to attracting certain realities, we also interpret what is happening according to our beliefs. We give greater or lesser importance to specific issues and thus allow them to affect our state of mind to a greater or lesser degree. When we give great importance to our appearance or to how others perceive us or behave towards us, then our reality will change greatly every time we receive an input concerning our appearance or what others think.
Of these four factors we have control over only the last two at this point in time. We cannot change our past choices and our soul lessons are an integral part of our presence in these bodies. Thus we are left with changing our present conscious and subconscious beliefs. Firstly this will allow us to attract more positive behaviors, events and situations toward our being. Secondly, we will perceive life more positively so that even when we are not getting our preferred reality we feel secure, worthy and free to be our selves.
This is our point of power.
Changing what we believe about life, others and most important of all, ourselves. Some of those alternative ways of perceiving life will be described in this series.
Some of them are:
1. We alone are responsible for our lives, health and happiness as individuals and as a group.
2. We have the inner power and resourcefulness to deal with whatever life brings us.
3. Our self-worth is a function on our inner being and has nothing to do with appearance, affluence, position, knowledge or what others think.
4. Life is always giving us exactly what we need to create happiness and to continue our evolutionary process.
5. We are free to live our lives according to our own inner ideals and goals and to change our reality if we chose to.
6. We deeply love and seek to help our loved ones, while simultaneously remembering they are souls in the process of evolution who have chosen heir specific lessons.
7. We are all eternal souls in the evolutionary process of rediscovering and manifesting our inner divine nature.
8. Each being is divine creation and deserves our love and respect including us.
9. Our life purpose is to individually and collectively transform our reality into a more enlightened and loving one.
10. Our basic lesson is Love.
11. All of this universe is an expression of the one Universal Omnipresent and Omnipotent Being - Consciousness.
12. We as co-creators with the Divine have been created to bless, spiritualize and transform the material world.
Be more confident
Self-contentment Leads to Confidence Being self-content means accepting and acknowledging who you are at your core and becoming satisfied -- maybe not perfect, but satisfied -- in all areas of your life. When you learn to better understand, better appreciate and eventually love yourself, you exude a quiet confidence that will open doors to what you want in life.
One way to develop a strong sense of self-contentment is to give yourself the gift of self-appreciation. Offer yourself the same respect and kindness you give to others you care deeply for. In doing so, you will feel more at peace with yourself, be strong in your convictions and easily stand up for yourself. Here are three ways to support you in becoming more confident.
1. Silence Your Inner Critic
Many people have a tendency to focus on what is "wrong" about themselves rather than what is "right." We tend to pick out and pick on the parts of ourselves we like the least. This disapproving inner critic (that little voice inside our head that points our faults and undermines our achievements) needs to be silenced. Instead of focusing on what you don't like about yourself, do your best to acknowledge and appreciate what makes you unique. Your smile. Your sense of humor. Your eyes. Now go further. What qualities define you as a person? Resist the temptation to criticize yourself. This is a learned behavior and it can be unlearned with intentional action.
2. Surround Yourself with Positive Environments
In order to remain confident or regain confidence, you have to ensure that you surround yourself with positive environments – emotionally and physically. This means cultivating friendships that enrich your life. A well-meaning friend that consistently points out your faults may be undermining your sense of self. Seek out people who care about you and can list all your lovely qualities instead. Fill your personal space with objects that inspire you, such as pictures of loved ones, keepsakes and favorite books.
3. Acknowledge Your Achievements
Like most women, you may have been brought up not to be boastful. However, there is a distinction between bragging and not recognizing your accomplishments and contributions. We have all achieved things in our lives, both big and small, personally and professionally. But oftentimes, we cross that achievement off our "to-do" list and quickly move to the next item, with little or no celebration. When you give yourself permission to feel positive about your accomplishments and refuse to listen to your inner critic, you will feel pleased within yourself. You will proudly share your wins, rather than apologize for them. You might even amaze yourself when triumphal works such as "I am one awesome person," "I am the best mother ever," or "I rock" roll off your tongue with hardly at thought.
Starting Over to Discover Your True Life Purpose
People make mistakes. Of course, this statement is no big revelation. Life is all about learning, and sometimes, you do learn the hard way. While you can’t erase the past, you may feel the need to start fresh. There are so many who believe that you simply can’t turn back the clock and live a new kind of life. But the truth is, many have made wonderful changes. The most important thing is that you be brave about it.
A fresh start sometimes means that you pave the way for a calmer routine. Knowing that you want a change is easy, but knowing where to start is another thing altogether. It needs careful planning. You just can’t jump onboard and take too much too soon. With baby steps, you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve. Whether it’s de-cluttering your life or making time for your loved ones, you can finally make a decision that you can stick to until the very end. You have your future at the palm of your hand and it is your job to set things right.
Sometimes, you need to shake things up a bit and take risks. Though figuring out what to change is difficult. When you don’t know what to do, you are left frustrated, restless, and annoyed. Then you wonder how come you don’t know what to change. First, you have to realize that desires can be muddled by concern for the feelings of other people. You are afraid of the consequences of your actions. Nonetheless, you need mental acuity to be able to pinpoint your goals. Take a step back and write down your emotions, worries, desires, and goals. This is a good way to clear your head, confront the things you are most afraid of, and secure a deeper level of commitment.
Take a look at your life from different perspectives so you know where to begin. It helps to know how you feel about each area of your life. Make a wish list if you must and then decide how you are able to prioritize each goal. This is basically a way to organize your list. Once you’ve mulled over things, it’s time to plan out your action. Set goals so you can focus on what you want to achieve.
A plan is an effective way to make a map. Fine-tune your goals by giving them a winning edge. It is important to be specific, measurable, and of course, realistic. You can first focus your attention on one task so that things don’t become too much to handle. When you need to fulfill too many things at one time, you won’t perfect a craft. You become a jack of all traits but a master at one. That’s why, learn to say no to those who demand too much of you. Then, take a moment every now and then to stop and listen to your body. It’s time to try something new and discover your other skills. Carpe diem! Stop whining over past failures and see how you can fashion a better future.
Discover Your Life Purpose | Dare to Change
The 21st century people are privileged to inherit many hard-won rights and life options: we can live independently, study and work to pursue our passions, and if we choose, we can be leaders in our own rights. So, what comes next for us? A meaningful life is based on a longer-lasting kind of satisfaction that comes from acting for something bigger. This stage of further human development comes only after we hurdle the other stages of living: our individual survival, wellbeing, immediate family and the friends we have, and personal fulfillment. When we do something for the good of someone else, we attain higher levels of satisfaction. Besides, the world needs us now. The planet needs saving, there are those who suffer from poverty and hunger, and there are those reeling after a catastrophe. There is no time better to shed our apathetic ways and become involved in helping make the world better.
Changing the world will take every person in the community. There are organizations that encourage societal change through inner transformation. Everybody is free to contribute based on their unique talents as individuals. Besides, taking up a cause could make our life even more interesting. To stick to the journey of change, we all must like what we do. And you don’t need to take the streets if you don’t want to. Find your comfort level and do something you can be confident in. You could even volunteer for an organization that you believe in. There should be a group out there that caters to at least one of your interests. Focus on what you’re good at as well. The point is, there is always a way for you to help.
To help the world, you should also know that everything doesn’t have to be just black and white. It’s not an all or nothing kind of event. It also helps if you put it within your routine. Yes, you also have a life to lead and responsibilities to fulfill. These organizations know that, and anything you can contribute would be more than enough. If you just have too many on your plate, it helps to start slow and easy. Choose one thing and start doing it at a comfortable pace. You could even commit to only two hours weekly at an organization that carries your cause. Just remember, even one person can do so much. Worldwide concerns and issues can be very overwhelming. Just remind yourself of the power of one because as an individual, you can do something. This is not just in terms of direct effects, but also by influencing others to follow in your footsteps.
You can seek out the company of people you can relate to. If you feel that you have been awakened and you want to do something about it, there are those who will be able to understand how you’ll feel. Your key belief should start by believing that a change in the world can only happen if you change what’s inside of you at first. This may eventually spread to others when they see how much more fulfilled you are.
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