Partly Cloudy with a Chance of Rain

After a four week absence, I’m back to blog about the weather. Well, actually I’m not going to write about the weather, except to say that I’m READY for spring and warm sunshine!

As you may know, I participated in some coaching ‘continuing education’ in Tucson in early March. It was a wonderful experience – challenging, exciting, frustrating, and fun, all wrapped up in 5 days of incredible training. I have been meaning to write, however, have found myself struggling with the “What Do I Do Now” syndrome, so my computer keyboard has been sadly neglected. I’ve been pondering, reading, making lists, talking with people, then pondering some more. It felt like I was back in high school driver education navigating the cloverleaf loop on the interstate and forgetting that I had to get out of the exit ramp lane to actually get on to the interstate in order to go somewhere!

To my amazement and joy, I received the link to a timely blog post in my email box this morning which helped me decide that I want to continue to support and coach women who want to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle as well as work with women entrepreneurs to grow successful businesses. Written for entrepreneurs by Monica Shah, this message was just the one I needed to hear! It’s titled Stop Trying to Make Decisions in the Dark!, and speaks to those times when confusion and indecision keep us from moving forward. Monica shared three steps for business owners about how to stop making decisions in the dark and release the pressure of having to “know” what the right thing to do is before you move forward.

For today, I’d like to build on what Monica shared and ask you: are you avoiding dealing with or hiding out from your weight and health issues? Are you trying to figure out which diet to use or exercise program to follow? Are you tired of feeling tired? Do you want to have more energy and feel better about the way your body looks? Are you dreading the warm days of summer because of swimsuits, tank tops and shorts? If you answered yes to any of these questions, here are three steps you can take to get out of hiding and move forward toward a healthy, happy life:

1. Take a moment and think about what you’d really like to look like and feel like five years from now. Now, honestly answer the question: if nothing changes in the food that I eat, the exercise I’m doing (or not doing), or in the way in which I’m choosing to live my life, what’s at stake? Where will I be health-wise in 5 years? How will this affect my relationships family and friends? What impact will this have on my ability to work, play or enjoy life?

2. Think about one small step you can take TODAY that will get you started on your New Journey to good health and your ideal weight.

3. Pick up the phone or send an email RIGHT NOW to one person that you know you can count on for positive support.

If you’re ready to get out of hiding, bask in the warm sunshine, and take those first steps toward a thinner, healthier you, please contact me at NewJourneysLC@gmail.com and let me know! I’d love to celebrate your decision with you and I’d be delighted to be part of your support team and help you accomplish your goals. And, if you’re looking for a travel map to make this journey easier, stop by lose10lbsin12wks.com and purchase the Lose10lbsin12wks Body & Mind Makeover Home Study Guide. You’ll be glad you did!

Change

WOW! When I wrote the blog last week and said it was too early to put away the mittens, I was right! Today, the snow is flying, our vehicles and horses are already lightly dusted and the ground is almost white.

Change truly is inevitable. It is invited, unexpected, anticipated, dreaded, celebrated, endured, avoided, experienced. Sometimes change brings relief and joy. Sometimes it creates confusion and anger. Change is life!

I’m looking forward to an anticipated and planned for change, a New Journey, that will happen in my life next week. I will be attending a coaching training led by Kendall Summerhawk that will give me new skills and possibly new direction in building my coaching business. I can’t wait! From past experiences, I know I will be absorbing lots of new information, meeting amazing people and building my network. At the same time, I’ll be heading into uncharted territory, challenging self-limiting thoughts, and working hard to push through my growing edges. I’ll be learning new techniques, acquiring new tools for dealing with money issues and exploring ways to incorporate all of this to help the people I coach live the lives they truly want to live.

What about you? What New Journey will you experience next week? What change do you want to make in the next seven days that will help you be a healthier, happier, more successful person? How will you invite, experience and embrace this change in your life?

Think about it and let me know. I’d love to hear from you.

Be ready

Spring is just around the corner! I can feel it in the air this week, with the winds that blew through here yesterday, the warmer temperatures, and seeing my horses swim in the pond. I’m looking forward to more time outdoors after the cold and snow of the winter. And yet, I know in my heart, that’s it’s much too early to put away my boots, hat, coat and mittens. So, what to do in the interim? Enjoy the days that I can and be ready for those few chilly, nasty days that we still might experience as winter draws to a close.

That’s really a great way to look at losing weight, too. There will be those days that are just amazing – everything goes according to plan, progress is obvious, and all is well. Then – BLAM! – you catch a nasty cold, something triggers an old unhealthy eating habit, it’s cloudy and rainy for three days in a row and you just can’t get motivated to do your workouts. So, what do you do? Celebrate on those days when all goes well. Savor them. Enjoy them. Share them. And when the BLAMs get you? Be ready! See them for just that – a day or two that you might get a little off track. It’s not the end of the journey or a cliff where you leap off into the unknown. It’s just a jog in the trail or maneuvering around or over a downed tree. Get back on the path and keep on moving forward. Celebrate your successes and be ready to overcome your challenges. And, yes, take some time to enjoy those spring-like days, too!!

EXCITING NEWS!

That’s always a great title for a blog post, isn’t it? This week’s exciting news could be that the temperatures will not only be above freezing, they are supposed to climb into the 40’s by the end of the weekend! After the last three weeks of subzero and single digit temperatures, not to mention nasty, nasty wind chills, I will admit that I’m pretty excited about that warm weather forecast.

However, the real EXCITING NEWS around here is that the NEW Lose10lbsin10wks Body&Mind Makeover Home Study Program will be launched on Thursday, February 24! The program will include 12 recorded modules which will be delivered to your email once a week, along with worksheets, check-lists and other handouts. Simply follow along each week and you can finally lose that first 10 pounds you’ve been thinking about losing or lose the last 10 pounds that you just haven’t been able to get rid of. You’ll look and feel great this summer!

PLUS……after you enroll, you’ll have the option to UPGRADE your package to Business Class or First Class, so you can get the level of individual, personalized support that you desire!

AND, HERE’S EVEN MORE EXCITING NEWS: Enroll before midnight on February 23, and you will qualify for the EARLY BIRD INVESTMENT of only $99! That’s less than $10 a week for the entire program!

Want more information? Drop by the website or send me an email at NewJourneysLC@gmail.com.

IT’S TIME…for you to lose the weight you want, so you can live the life you want!

Blizzard and Cravings

What a week it’s been here at the ranch! Like a big chunk of the country, we’ve had snow (I’m guessing about a foot + 3 foot drifts) and frigid temperatures.

View from the front porch

That means horses in the barn, lots of clean-up, frozen water in the buckets and shoveling snow. It also means planning ahead because it’s no simple thing to run to the store. We stopped at the grocery store and stocked up on essentials last Sunday and haven’t left our property since. At this stage of the game, we’re doing a great job (actually, my husband is doing a great job) of being creative with frozen foods and what’s left in the cupboard.

Will we ever get out of this driveway?

I’ve had several of my ‘usual’ cravings while cooped up inside – ice cream, Entemann’s chocolate covered doughnuts, chocolate almond Hershey bars, cookies, potato chips, pizza, taco chips – and am pretty amazed at what happens when you absolutely don’t have the means to cave in to those cravings! I guess I’ve had a little time on my hands (and maybe a touch of cabin fever) so I came up with a list of ways that I’ve used to resist my cravings. I’ve called it “FIVE JUICY GEMS TO CRUSH YOUR CRAVINGS” and it’s available FREE on the website. Take a minute to subscribe, then let me know what you think. I’d love to hear how you CRUSH YOUR CRAVINGS.

Stay warm!

Unstuck

As I write this, much of the country has been dealing with winter weather. My truck is in the snowy driveway directly in my line of sight and I can see the deep ruts it’s made in the snow and ice. I’ve had to push the car out twice in the last two weeks and still hear that familiar “zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz” of spinning tires.

Wouldn’t it be great if we had some kind of sign, sound or alarm that would go off when we’re stuck? Consider the ways you might be or have been stuck in the past month or so: stuck in some sort of unhealthy behavior, the way you’ve responded or thought about a situation, stuck in an unfulfilling job or relationship, or stuck between wanting to make a change and actually making it happen.

Are you still stuck or were you able to get out? If you are stuck right now, what got you ‘unstuck’ and back on track the last time you were stuck (whether it was the same place or not!)?

When I think about this in terms of winter driving and other times in my life when I’ve been stuck, I’ve managed to get unstuck in several different ways: backed up and pulled forward slowly; backed up and sped forward; turned the wheel and made a new path or took a different route; got out of the car and dug; used tools that I may or may not have had handy; and, sometimes I’ve needed assistance from one or more people.

If you’re stuck, those tactics should be of some help. And, if you’ve tried on your own and are still stuck, send me a note at NewJourneysLC@gmail.com. I’d be happy to provide some roadside assistance. Together, we’ll get you out of the rut and back on track to a joyful, prosperous, successful life.

My Top Ten to Drop Ten

Here’s my Top Ten reasons for dropping ten pounds (in no particular order):

Fit into those clothes you’ve been saving in your closet. We both know you’ve been hanging on to some ‘special pieces’ that you plan to wear someday after you lose that 10 pounds (or more).

Ease the stress on your joints (hips, knees, ankles, etc.). Want to feel the difference? Find two items that weigh five pounds each and carry them around your house for an hour. Be sure to do the steps once or twice, too. Or, the next time you’re at the grocery store, carry a five pound bag of sugar in each arm and take a lap around the store. You’ll notice the difference when you put them back on the shelf.

Boost your energy. This is not rocket science. You’ll have more energy because you’ll be carrying less weight.

Lower your cholesterol. Yes, studies have shown that dropping a paltry ten pounds can lower your cholesterol which also reduces your chances for heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke.

Lower your blood sugar. Lowering your blood sugar can mean less dependence on insulin, less chance for kidney disease, high blood pressure or any of the other symptoms of diabetes.

Lower your blood pressure. As mentioned above, this lowers your chances for developing heart disease or having a stroke.
(SPECIAL NOTE: You may need to lose more than 10 pounds in order for your cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure to be within the ‘normal’ range. However, sometimes losing just ten pounds can still lower these numbers and impact your health in a positive way. Also — NEVER change your medication without consulting your doctor.)

Sleep better. If you feel better and have more energy, you’re more likely to be active during the day and you’ll sleep better at night. Plus, studies have shown that losing weight can sometimes clear up snoring and symptoms related to sleep apnea.

Save Money! Yes, when you lose those extra pounds, you can save money! You may be able to take less medication (more $$$$ in your pocket), you’ll be healthier and won’t have to go to the doctor or miss work as often (more $$$$ in your pocket), and you might even be able to save money on gas because if you have more energy, you could drive less and walk or use a bicycle more often (more $$$$ in your pocket).

Feel better. Let’s face it, if you’re getting more sleep and have more energy, chances are you are more inclined to feel better which means that you’ll probably be more productive at work and that your relationships with family, friends and co-workers will grow, too! You’ll be playing with the kids or grandkids, getting out and enjoying the outdoors, all that stuff that you used to think about doing as you sat on the couch watching TV and munching chips after supper.

Look better. Wouldn’t it be GREAT to see yourself in those skinny jeans again! And just imagine how fabulous you’ll feel when you see yourself in the next set of family photos or catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror, looking thinner and healthier!

There you are. My Top Ten reasons to Drop Ten pounds. Are you ready to get started? My Lose10lbsin12wks Body & Mind Makeover is designed to help you succeed in dropping ten pounds in the next twelve weeks. I’d be happy to take you through the process individually or get a group of friends together and we’ll do it as a group! Contact me at NewJourneysLC@gmail.com and let’s get started!

KICK-START 2011

That old phrase “TIME FLIES!” certainly seems to ring true in my life. Since I last wrote, Christmas, New Year, Chanukah, and Kwanzaa have all taken place. I’ve traveled to Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and New Mexico, hosted family, attended my daughter’s wedding, and had my yard dug up with a trencher to repair a broken water pipe. The news has been filled with “feel good” holiday stories, “hard luck” holiday stories, and information about traumatic national and world events.

All that being said, I find it hard to believe I haven’t blogged for four weeks! I suppose I could say I haven’t written because I had major writer’s block, or maybe the holidays took all my strength, or perhaps it was excitement, travel and things to do over the holidays, or the disruption of my regular routine when the water pipe in our yard broke and we had 34,000 gallons of water and a hockey rink in the pasture. No matter what the reason, the end result is that the blog wasn’t written.

Same thing happens to us with weight loss, doesn’t it? Life gets in the way and we find all sorts of reasons to justify why we can’t lose the weight we want and live healthier lives.

Well, here we are, half-way through the first month of the New Year. Did you make some New Year’s Resolutions? Are you sticking to them? Do you feel better, worse or the same as last year at this time? Do you weigh more, less or the same as last year at this time? Are you ready to take action to lose that first 10 lbs of the weight you need to drop to be healthy? Are you ready to finally get rid of that last 10 lbs you’ve been trying to lose? Are you ready to lose the weight you want and keep it off forever?

GOOD NEWS FOR YOU! I’m offering a FREE Kick-Start Your Weight-Loss Program and Find the Thinner, Healthier You THIS WEEK 30 minute consultation to help you make your weight loss dream a reality. Stop watching those ‘BUY THIS EXERCISER TODAY’ or ‘TAKE THIS MIRACLE SUPPLEMENT AND LOSE 15 POUNDS THIS WEEK’ ads. Stop wishing you could lose weight and make it a reality in 2011! If you’ve tried all the diets, gadgets, gizmos and supplements, bought the gym membership but never went, or simply have made up your mind that this is gonna be the year that you FINALLY get it done — take advantage of this opportunity and set yourself up for success! This offer will be available only for the next week, so contact me soon so you don’t miss out! Lose the weight you want so you can look GREAT and feel GREAT in 2011.

Organizing for Joy

That’s not an original title. Seth Godin actually published a blog post with this title in October. I came across it as I was clearing out and cleaning up some old emails and it sounded like an appropriate title for this post. I confess, I didn’t open the link and re-read the article, the words just caught my eye and made me consider something I’ve been neglecting recently.

I have been busy like most other folks this holiday season and each day I create to do lists to be certain that I don’t overlook anything that needs to be done. The tasks on my holiday ‘to do’ lists generally include the following: decorate the house, get the annual Christmas letter written, sign, address and mail the cards, pick up those last minute gifts, clean the house for holiday guests, wrap the gifts, find the perfect outfit to wear to the party, bake cookies, deliver the gifts, pay the bills, get groceries, prepare meals for guests, etc. As I look over the lists and think about all these tasks, I realize that neither organizing for nor adding joy have been things I’ve thought about very much. And, I’m beginning to think that if I not only organized for joy, but actually added a little JOY to my to do list every day, life would be a bit brighter, more fun and less stressful!

It’s easy to organize for and add joy because it can be the smallest, simplest effort (a few minutes to connect with a friend through a note, card, phone call, email or face-to-face visit, a moment to share a smile or enjoy the feeling and crisp smell of a cold, sunny or snowy day, the taste of a warm cup of hot chocolate, the sounds and smells of a crackling wood fire, a relaxing hot bath). OK, so if it’s easy to do, why haven’t I done it? Because it means I have to take time to for myself every day. Rather than investing every waking moment in getting stuff done, I have to schedule and organize my life so there is time to enjoy the joy! And, in order to do that, I need to take time to focus my thoughts and actions on those things that bring me joy, be aware of, experience and savor feelings of joy, fuel my body with healthy food and get plenty of sleep and exercise, and deepen my sense of spiritual joy. I need to take care of myself. In this season of sharing, I have to find a way to balance the joy in giving and the joy in receiving, because joy in receiving adds joy to the giver’s life, too!

So, here’s your challenge in the week ahead: make note of the ways that you organize and add joy to your life in the next week, by giving generously to yourself (healthy eating, daily exercise, plenty of sleep, time to experience and do those things that bring you joy!) and by being a grateful and joyful receiver. Then share your JOY by commenting on this blog.

Have a JOY-FILLED week!

Women, Horses & Health

We’re already looking forward to January here at the ranch! New Journeys Life Coaching will be hosting “Women, Horses & Health: A One-Day Retreat for a Better You” on Saturday, January 29, 2011. This special day, open only to women who want to change their lives and be healthier and happier in 2011 offers the following:

+ Set and achieve personal health goals in 2011
+ Identify unhealthy patterns and change them
+ Enjoy a fabulous lunch that you can replicate at home
+ Learn to cook easy, healthy, low-waste meals
+ Take home a kitchen cooking guide with recipes and tips
+ Unplug, decompress and re-energize with nature
+ Benefit from personal, one-on-one coaching
+ Pre-event and post-event telephone consultations
+ Be guided through the process by equine staff
+ Experience a day of fun and adventure!
….AND MORE!!

This event will have very limited enrollment. It will be a wonderful opportunity to chase away your winter blues by spending time with kindred souls and our friendly horses in an indoor arena. Our sous chef, Kent Door, is looking forward to serving a delicious lunch AND will be sharing his knowledge and experience to make cooking fun and flavorful for even the most challenged cook.

This would be a FABULOUS, UNIQUE Christmas gift for that special woman in your life! Significant savings are available for early enrollment and if you bring a friend, so contact me today at NewJourneysLC@gmail.com for more information and to get your registration form.