A Positive Mindset is Key

It is interesting how a person's mindset makes such a difference in their ability to cope and deal with a difficult situation in a positive way.  The keys to dealing with these things lies in their resiliency.  We aren't born resilient, resliliency is learned.  People who have success in obtaining good health are able to roll with situations and have an understanding of what the outcome is of their decisions and make good health a priority over temptations.  It is important to be aware of your resiliency killers....

Fooling yourself - you fool yourself when you have a clear knowledge of why a problem occurred, yet you respond in a negative way and place blame elsewhere.

Over generalizing - Don't let yourself fall into this trap . "I can't lose weight, my metabolism is messed up" or "It's hopeless, I don't have any willpower".  Recognize the positive steps you have taken and build on them instead of focusing on the negative.

Magnifying the problem - Making a mountain out of a molehill can make the situation seem hopeless or impossible to change. "I can't handle it anymore, I ate those cookies last night, so why even try".  Realize that a small setback, is just that, a small setback, not defeat!  You CAN get back on track.   Realize what derailed your positive efforts, make a plan for similar situations, then..... forget yesterday and commit to doing better tomorrow. 

Creating unrealistic expectations - Judge your capabilites with accuracy (but lean toward the positive side:).  You don't have to be perfect.  Enjoy the process of learning to improve your health and take small achievable steps to help keep your motivation positive.

Being out of control - Control is the perception that you can influence and explain the events around you.  Control requires effort, curiosity and attention to staying connected daily.  When you give control away to old habits and desires, your motivation and joy are reduced.  And then negativity and feeling of failure are easier to succomb to.

The great cyclist, Lance Armstrong said," It's not about the bike.....it's about the mindset".

Remmeber that if you think you can or you can't...you're right!  Replace negative thoughts with positive ones and learn something from every situation.  You are not alone!  We all have these same struggles and battles.  So let's work together and become masters of our ownselves.  Little by little, small improvements will soon help us achieve our goal of optimal health.


Some of you have been asking where I am on my own journey.......happy to report, fantastic!  I haven't been perfect, but I am definitely making improvements and more important, I am seeing the big picture of good health and learn more every day about how to improve it.  The scale is still going down, but it's not about the scale anymore.  I realize that how I feel is what is important.  I so enjoy having more energy to do the things I love and help the people I love.  I am grateful for a healthy body and have a true desire to take care of it so it can take care of me in the future.  I am still on the 5&1 for the time being till I feel I have reached my own optimal health.  And my knees, and movement abilities are telling me I still have room for improvement.

Thanks to all of you that inspire me daily by your own determination, and examples of perserverance.  I love helping you and though you may not know it....you help me!

Shout out to:   EVERYONE that did something proactive today to improve their health.  A healthy choice that could have been a bad one, is such an accomplishment.  Keep choosing wisely:)

Did you know---  People with larger waists are twice as likely to have a lower lung capacity.  Belly fat may restrict the diaphragm so the lungs can't fully fill with air.  Lower your risk by whittling your waist down to 34" or less for women and 36" or less for men.  Not to mention a myriad of improvements to your internal organs and lessen your chance of metabolic syndrome, heart disease and Type II Diabetes.