Showing posts with label beginnings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beginnings. Show all posts
2.10.2014

Do these 6 things if you want to make big (& lasting) changes in your life!


Let’s be real.
 
How many times have you declared to yourself (possibly shouting from your cubicle <--I’ve been there): “I’M READY! This is my moment/month/year of transformation!!” ...only to fall back into the very same patterns that you’ve been trying so hard to overcome?

Whether it’s a daily intention, a New Year resolution or a life goal, there will always be obstacles and resistance in the way of real, lasting change. Often times these challenges can have you feeling discouraged, hopeless, tired and... well... sh*tty. When this happens, remember that you are still in control of your life and that we all need tools and support to help us along the way.

 
Here are 6 things you can do to make real lasting change in your life:

 
1. Make like Barbara Walters and ask the hard questions

Is fitting into those skinny jeans going to alter your universe?
What will quitting smoking/sugar/your job really do for you?
 
In order to make changes that last, you first need to ask what it is that you truly want... and then ask why you want it. Dig deep. You want to find the “why” that gets your heart beating and soul talking - you’ll know it when you feel it. The “why” has to be big enough to carry you through challenges and pitfalls. Once you have your “why,” check in on your goals to see if they align.

 
Next is to identify any triggers and patterns, and notice the emotions attached to them. For example, you may notice that you feel lonely or a lack of love right before you crave that pint of rocky road icecream. Perhaps you’re not feeling the love in your relationship, causing you to crave sweetness in other areas of your life. In this case, a goal of quitting sugar won’t last unless you find the love in your life.

 
2. Come clean

What is the story going through your head each day? Write down all the ways you see yourself failing and why. While positive thinking is all well and good, we need to acknowledge our self doubts and weaknesses so that they can be addressed in a healthy way. Come clean and let it all out. Be radically honest with yourself. Do this without judgement - be compassionately curious here. We tell ourselves stories all the time and when you see it on paper, it’s easier to see patterns and question the validity and truth behind them.
 
Ask yourself, what if the opposite were true?


 
3. Go small or go bust

It’s awesome to have huge aspirations, but often times our resolutions and goals can be so big and elusive that they become difficult to attain. Take your big intentions and break them down into bite size actionable steps. For example, going from the Standard American Diet (SAD) to raw vegan overnight is like jumping over a valley from one cliff to another in one leap - it’s risky but possible if you have, say, a paraglide and months of training. Not recommended for everyone.

Instead, traversing thru the valley one step at a time will ensure that you not only get to the other side more safely, but the journey will be highly educational and rewarding.
 
Ask yourself what is one small action you can take every day that fits within the bigger picture? Every step counts!

 
4. Have a clear vision for yourself
 
What are you working toward? What does it look and feel like? This is where a vision board can be really helpful - find images and words that fit with how you visualize yourself once you’ve already made the changes. Keep it somewhere that you’ll see every day. When we get really clear on how we want to look and feel, we start to internalize it and act the way our future selves would. This means acting as if you’ve already created lasting change and making decisions from that place, rather than the old version of yourself.

 
5. Ritualize and systematize

Rituals and systems are key in creating lasting changes. Schedule in your action steps throughout the day. Make reasonable deadlines for yourself. Join a movement, challenge, community, or program that will provide structure and motivation. Enlist a partner in crime to hold you accountable. And most importantly, ditch what no longer serves you - naysayers, clutter, energy draining people and activities.
 
What needs to be in place to set you up for success?

 
6. Be kind and unwind

Keeping abreast of our daily action steps and goals can get a little overwhelming at times *total understatement*. Be kind to yourself in this process and carve out time to replenish. It’s just as constructive to take an hour for that candlelit lavender epsom salt bath as it is researching for that job interview. Don’t underestimate the basics in your self care! Balance is required.
 
There’s always the possibility of falling off the wagon and getting down on yourself. Be forgiving and make sure not to get too attached to results or outcome. Pick yourself up and get back into the game of life. It’s your unique journey, so appreciate every single moment and savor the victories.



​It's your turn to share... which one of these steps is one that you've struggled with before and what action are you going to take to make real lasting change in your life? Put it in the comments below! 
1.30.2014

My Top Secret To Staying Healthy + Somethin' New!

Are those resolutions starting to suck?  

 

Has Polar Vortex 2.0 got you feeling down in the arctic dumps, making you want to cuddle up in your leopard print snuggie (actually exists... and i want one) and sip on a heated box of tomato soup from 2 winters ago because it’s too damn cold to go out and do groceries? I can hear the collective grumbling...

While staying on top of our health game can be challenging all year round, the winter time has a way of making it seem impossible.  The holidays have come and gone, and most likely left us overstuffed, exhausted and with really dry skin. With a trail of fruit cake, gingerbread cookies and hot toddies behind us, we attempt to salvage what’s left of our health by declaring our intentions for the rest of the year... the year of transformation, of course.

That is, until Valentine’s Day rolls around and we conveniently forget our 5x/week gym commitment or the fact that the nutella graham cracker cheesecake we’ve been eating every afternoon is not actually #paleo #dairyfree or #glutenfree (denial is an ugly thing).
So how the heck does one stay healthy all year round?

After many moons of self reflection and experience working with my clients, I have distilled all of the wisdom down into one bite size morsel. You ready for it?  

My top secret to staying healthy is...

Be tremendously kind & loving to yourself.


That’s it folks. The big ole secret that’s been keeping me going on a super space jam kinda health kick for years.

Don’t roll your eyes... I saw that.

It’s far too easy to dismiss this simple, and yet profound, statement.

Here’s why it works:

When you are tremendously kind and loving to yourself...

You are your biggest cheerleader.

You allow yourself to fall and make mistakes, then dust yourself off and try again.

You’re committed to yourself till the end.

You’ll give everything your best shot.

You want to take care of your magnificent mind, body and soul.

You’ll eat the foods that nourish and energize you.

You’ll do whatever it takes to grow and get happy.

You won’t sacrifice your health or well being for temporary fixes or destructive behaviors.

You’ll do the work.

Whether or not healthy eating is a resolution of yours, it’s an important piece in making lasting change. Why? Because when you feel good, have energy and mental clarity, and eat the right foods for your body, you’re more likely to stay motivated and invested in yourself. Staying positive is a huge factor in achieving goals and considering 95% of serotonin is manufactured in the gut, you want to make sure you’re keeping that area in tip top shape!

One of my favorite ways of doing all that is a seasonal detox. A detox for me is more than adding juices or eliminating certain foods. It’s a chance to show up for myself in a BIG LOVE kinda way - to give my body a well deserved break and reset with the seasons.

Today I’m super excited to share a my new winter detox program: 


This is a Do-It-Yourself Digital Detox....

That means YOU get to choose your start date. 

Anytime. Anywhere. At your fingertips.


This detox is for you if... 


✓  You're done with resolutions that get tossed by Valentine’s day and make you feel guilty.

✓  You're over the diets and programs that haven’t given you the results you were looking for and you need a program that works for your busy schedule.

✓  You're looking to uncover hidden food sensitivities and allergies that are contributing to resistant weight loss and stubborn health issues.

✓  You're tired of craving unhealthy foods that are sabotaging your weight-loss efforts and making those resolutions seem frickin' impossible.

✓  You want more energy and less trips to the coffee machine or the vending machine at 4pm.

✓  You're ready to actually feel the way you deserve to feel.

With this DIY digital detox, you're getting:
  • A complete detox guide book
  • Winter season recipe book
  • Suggested meal plan and shopping list
  • Daily email support from me
  • AND a *new* success kit to help you achieve your New Year goals (so many tools you can use for a lifetime up in there...priceless)
And because I want you to have the best detox experience ever, you'll also get a free 30 min. post-detox breakthrough session with me where I'll coach you on any questions or challenges you may be having to ensure your transition is a healthy one. I'm here to support you!

This DIY detox is only available thru Feb. 21, so be sure to check it out before it goes *poof*.

To your health & some seriously big self love!

♥ ✌


7.22.2013

Make Your Life TODAY. Yes, I'm lookin at you Crankypants.

I couldn't stop thinking about this hilarious horoscope that my friend found in the Red Eye. It so aptly refers to what most of us do - not just those cranky Leos ;) 

Consciously or not, we all do this on a day to day basis: complain, complain, complain. 

Then we wonder why we aren't content with certain aspects in our lives. I'm not saying we have to express gratitude 24/7 - I'm a (semi)realist. But it is important to look at yourself in the mirror and every so often tell that inner gremlin to SHUT UP. Your health depends on it! Truly, this one act alone can improve your health in ways we can't even measure yet.

We all know that we should be grateful for everything we have, etc and so forth, but sometimes it's just so gosh darn hard to remember... 

Here's a truth:

We have the power to change our lives. 

If you don't like the way things have panned out thus far - do something about it! And if you don't think that you can do it all by yourself, reach out and find someone that can help you.

My mom always told us that we need to make things happen for ourselves, we are in charge of our own lives - no one else

Sometimes fate chimes in and has it where things change around us or things happen to us, for better or worse. How many things can you think of that have been blessings in disguise? (Hint: probably more times than you'd like to admit). Sometimes those things have a way of working out themselves, but most of the time you have to roll up your sleeves and make lemonade.

If fate hasn't kicked you in the butt yet and you're sitting around thinking, wishing, hoping, lamenting - that's the exact moment you should make your move. Don't waste another minute of your life "hoping" something will change.

This reminds me of how my parents decided to finally get married - it wasn't exactly the romantic, spontaneous event I had imagined... 

Story time!

After quite a few years of dating, my mom was ready for their relationship to enter the next level. I mean after 8 years and 2 days of dating, woman was getting restless! Tired of waiting for her man to make his move, she made hers: the ultimatum. That's right. She told my dad that her clock was a-tickin' and she was NOT gonna wait much longer, plus Spain was looking really good. So move it or lose it buddy.

So of course, my dad had to oblige - she was a catch and he knew better! Shortly thereafter, he slipped a ring into her wine glass during a romantic dinner :) 
Good move champ.

Obviously my point here is to demonstrate how my mom wanted something to happen and chose to do something about it. Was it the romantic spontaneous event she had probably wanted? Nope. But she was willing to let go of that in order to make her life. I'm not endorsing that you drop ultimatum bombs left and right. But I do call for mindful action

So let's try it. Here's your assignment: 

Take action on at least one thing you have been complaining about for a while, or that has been on your list of "things to do" for as long as you can remember.
(You know, that one item that makes you cringe every time you come across it on your list - it taunts me!)

I promise, it will feel goooooood!


In the comments below, tell me one thing that you can take action on today, or if you did something about it, what was it?!


P.S. Dad: sorry I totally called you out here. You're the best and I'm so glad mom made you marry her :) 

6.19.2013

This one's for YOU! Doesn't have to be a cruel summer after all...


Alright, so I've got somethin' new for you.
And I'm all giddy like a little school girl on a post-Taylor-Swift-concert high...


It's a program I've been working on for some time now based on what I have found to be an invaluable tool and total game-changer for myself and my clients. FOR REALZ.

Most people come to me with total confusion on what foods or diets work best for them, and usually have a long list of complaints like foggy brain, fatigue & low energy, resistant weight loss, bloating and digestive issues... and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

That's what my client "Mary" (her real name is much cooler) dealt with. She was eating what she considered a healthy diet - she had cut out most processed foods, didn't drink any soda and stayed away from sugar-laden foods. On top of that she was exercising on a pretty regular basis. So then why the heck was she still gaining weight and feeling tired all of the time?? It just didn't seem fair.

Sound familiar? If you find yourself dealing with these health issues, especially resistant weight loss, and
you're all like...
 
ENOUGH OF THIS BULL$*#@!!!


(even Yeezy is over it)

I'M SICK AND TIRED
OF BEING SICK AND TIRED!


...DON'T DESPAIR! There's something you can do about it! That's the beauty about these magnificent machines we call our bodies - they are built to repair and renew. We just have to show it some BIG LOVE and give it a chance to do it's job!

Summer Sizzle Detox is a 7-day whole foods detox program based off of the same proven method I use with my clients. It's been my secret project that I've been working on for a while and it's going to help you 

have more energy

have more happiness

feel less tired

lose weight with ease

get rid of unwanted bloat

Symptoms like low energy, bloating, digestive issues, resistant weight loss, foggy brain, bad PMS and mood swings are good signs that... 

A. you're not eating the right foods for YOUR body

B. you're toxic, baby


Let's look at each point, shall we?

One person's superfood is another person's poison. Bioindividuality means that we each have our own unique blueprint for what works for our own body. If you're not eating the right foods for YOUR body, then foods that may be considered healthy can actually be wreaking havoc in your system! 

With the 7-day Summer Sizzle Detox, you will learn

  • What that blueprint looks like for your unique body
  • The RIGHT foods to feed your body, overcoming confusion and dis-ease.
Toxicity... unfortunately it's unavoidable. We live in a toxic world! Chemicals, pesticides, genetically modified foods, pollutants, allergens, molds, bad relationships, negative thoughts (yes - even those are real toxins in your body!)... it's frikin' SCARY to think about everything we are exposed to on a daily basis.

In the 7-day Summer Sizzle Detox, you will

  • Release toxins that have been building up for years, safely
  • Let go of everything that no longer serves you!
After "Mary" went through my detox program, she not only found out what foods made her feel crappy and which foods were healing for her body - she also released 5 pounds in a week and feels better than she has in 10 years. Das what I'm talkin' about!

It's the SUMMER and we should be flying our freak flags, cruising to Ace of Base and feeling UH-MAZING - not sick, bloated and tired.

Are you ready to show yourself some detox love?
Then click here to go to the Summer Sizzle Detox page to find out how.

I say we reclaim our health, finally feel good in our own skin and sizzle this summer!
 
♥ ✌



P.S. Wondering if you're in need of a detox? Want to know how toxic you are?

Then take my free 2 minute Unveil My Toxic Load! Quiz to find out!
At the end, click on the link provided to get an evaluation based on your results.


P.P.S. Have specific questions/concerns about the detox? First click here for more info. And if your questions still aren't answered, then email me and I'd love to help!

 
4.23.2013

Some Earth Day love for you: A new spotlight series I'm stoked to share!


Hello fellow Earthling!

Did you get a chance to honor Earth Day yesterday? Finally sent those cans to the recycling center? Rocked that upcycled dress that used to be grandma’s? Went vegan for a day? Participated in a drum circle chanting to the animal gods?

So how about today...? Tomorrow...?

Now, I’ma ‘bout to get real here.

While I love that there’s a day designated to honoring this magnificent home of ours urging us to take part in an eco-friendly action to show our respect, I am NOT about the “hit it ‘n quit it” mentality that most of us fall under. You know what I’m talking about... you decide that for a single day you’re gonna be the greenest tree-hugging do-gooder ever, only to drop that green gusto like a bad habit (ok, faster than that) for all the rest of the 364 days of the year. So let’s be really honest with ourselves here and own up to it.... are you a green poser?

I know you’re not - so don’t fall for it!


Real change arrives from conviction and persistence.  


Not a “one and done” deal. That applies to everything from your own health and fitness to the state of the environment. And there are TONS of people, organizations and companies that are on a mission to make a real lasting positive difference. So how about we keep this party going and celebrate each and every day?! 

That’s why I’m starting a new spotlight series called: 

Healthy People::Healthy Planet

Oh yes! I’m showcasing cool people, projects, movements, businesses and more that are making a positive difference in this world and contributing to the health and sustainability of the planet AND the people that live in it. 

For the very first video spotlight of Healthy People::Healthy Planet, I’m excited to share a project I encountered in Costa Rica. I was lucky enough to do some pretty cool eco-related things there - this one tops them all! 
 

Here I have Peter Garcar - engineer and canopy pioneer extraordinaire - talking about his eco-project and business Nature Observatorio in the video below. Find out how they are successfully saving the rainforest AND making a profit, proving that business can indeed be good for people & planet. The mission in their own words:


The Observatorio project is truly unique, and it is quite simple. We want to prove that a living tree is more valuable than a dead tree. All types of forests, and especially tropical rain forests, are disappearing. The reason is that in our “modern society,” a living tree has little or no value. So it is cut. Turned into lumber and by-products. The land-use is transformed. Every day, precious hectares of rain forest are being converted into cow fields and banana plantations. And once itʼs done, itʼs done. THIS DESTRUCTION IS IRREVERSIBLE ! An Emergens, the oldest and tallest trees in the jungle, have an irreplaceable role in the ecosystem of Planet Earth.

Watch the video below to hear his vision for the future of our rainforests and world!


 

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