Tag Archives: lifestyle

Lifestyle :: Update 1

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So its a month since I made a pact with myself to change my lifestyle for the better. So far I have updated you on my journey once. You can read that post here.

There has been a shift in my mental attitude and that has been the biggest change for me. I am choosing to focus on how I am feeling rather than how I look or how much I weigh. (Don’t get me wrong I am keeping tabs on the scales and so far I have lost 7 pounds reducing my BMI from 29.4 to 27.4 ) these things are still really important to monitor progress, but the point is they are not the be-all-and-end-all to your progress. The scales don’t know how much effort you are putting in, whether you are eating right and how you feel. We shouldn’t give them so much power over us.

Tips to stay focussed on your journey

#1. Focus on the intrinsic motivators rather than extrinsic.

How you feel rather than what you weigh…

#2. Be your own best friend

You wouldn’t dream of telling a friend who has had a bad day, or eaten something ‘wrong’ that she is useless, weak and doomed to be fat forever! You would tell her not to worry, a lifestyle change doesn’t happen in a day, we are all human, no-one is perfect and take it as an opportunity  to learn and move on in knowledge that the next time she will know how to handle the situation she found herself in today. Cut the self-abuse. Sometimes we are our own worst enemies.

#3. Visualise your goals

It is important to have something to work towards and remind us why we are making a change. For me I put together a set of images and mantras from Pinterest and put it as a screensaver to remind me of my path.

#4. Monitor

Ok so I said before not to get worked up by the scales, we still need to use them, just give them less of an importance. Set up a spreadsheet with your goals, interim goals and monitor your progress. Take your measurements and BMI. On days when you haven’t lost you can always check your measurements – just because you haven’t lost pounds doesn’t mean you haven’t toned up. Monitoring applies to your emotions also. Keep a journal. Highlight positives in your feelings and in your day.

#5. Reward

Reward yourself for the positives and don’t dwell on the negatives. Set yourself mini-goals and when you reach them mark it somehow, and give yourself the praise you deserve for all your hard work and effort. Making changes isn’t easy and you should acknowledge that.

How do you create a new habit?

Catherine, xo

images (1) Pinterest (2)  Shinyhappylife (2) motivationintohabit

Remember … To be thankful

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Its been a really good couple of weeks, although there have been a few ups and downs. I got bad news and good news, but I have consciously reminded myself of all the things in my life I have to be happy about and I stamp out any negative thoughts that may creep into my head or words and replace with positive ones. This is not always easily done and it is a habit that needs to be practised. It is now 3 weeks since I have made a concerted effort to make lifestyle changes, with my attitude, food, and exercise. And the effects have been amazing.

#1. My mood is fantastic…

I feel like a different person. Not only have I managed to reduce the amount of sugar in my diet which has really helped my cravings and mood swings, but I have lost 5 pounds in weight.

#2. I exercise every day…

Whether it be going for a run, doing a circuits class or simply walking the dog. I move. Every. day. And I am loving it!

#3. I eat whole foods

I have eliminated all processed food. I cook everything from scratch, and I cut the crap.

#4. I have cut out Alcohol

This is not something which I plan to do long term, I’d miss my glass of wine too much! But for now, whilst trying to get in shape I am having an alcohol-free beer instead. And I honestly don’t feel like I’m missing out…

#5. I believe in myself

I know that I can do this. I know it is going to take time and patience. But it will be so worth it. And I will do it.

 

Catherine, xo

All images Pinterest

Make a start…

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I have recently been contemplating a number of areas of my life in which I feel need addressing/direction. Becoming overwhelmed by this and not wishing to end up procrastinating I have decided to share my initial to-do list and to help gain clarity on how I want to move forward. I have also been reminding myself;

Personal Life

- Become healthier (and all the associated benefits that brings, more energy, clear skin and weight loss)

- Work harder on my blog! Develop my pages, blogroll and make 2-3 posts per week consistently!

- Get organised (this is something which I fool myself that I am – but I actually need to get sorted)

- Get capsule wardrobe nailed & fit into the 1/2 of my wardrobe which has become too small!

- Make my 30 before 30 list! I will have 1 year to complete, what a good motivator

Career

- I am developing a blog for my work which I need to get underway ASAP!

- Identify my 10 year goal and how I can progress towards this

-Currently reading…

I was lucky to be at one of Ken Robinsons Lectures recently and I cannot recommend enough that you check out this book or watch one of his talks online. His talk on TED has had over 10 million hits! It is truly inspirational and thought provoking.

I picked up this book in an airport bookshop recently. It is also available on amazon. It has very useful information on addressing your fears, benefits of writing a journal and how to set effective goals. Read my review here.

Another inspirational talk I watched recently is Randy Pausch Last Lecture

So as you can see I’ve been really working to get myself geared up to start work on my   To-do’s – reading books, watching videos and I think its finally time to make a start on it!

So here’s blog post numero uno of the week! The rest of the weeks will be all on the same topic and how I’m progressing. Whenever I find myself getting tangled up in life there are two things necessary

#1. Step back and breathe (but not for too long & this is key!) Reassess where you are at and where you are going. How are you going to get there?

#2. MAKE A START! Do something small every day to help progress towards your goal.

I used this image in a previous post How to be happy - I love it. It is so true. Don’t let time pass you by – seize the moment.

How do you set goals/organise your life?

Catherine, xo

Images (1) squidoo (2) Play (3) Robert Kelsey (4) Aaron Moslow

 

Make a Change…

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Every once in a while it is important to take time out from our busy lives. To reassess where we are and where we want to be. Are we on the right track? And if not how do we get onto it?

No matter how far down the wrong road we go it is never to late to turn

#1.

#2. Take control of your own life. YOU are the only person who is responsible for your happiness. If you are not satisfied, make a change. 

#3. You will know how serious and motivated you are to make the necessary changes by your actions. Remember actions speak louder than words.

#4. Make sure you consider all aspects of your life and how they impact on your happiness, satisfaction and goals.

#5. Remember always be true to yourself. You are the person that has to live YOUR life and be happy with the decisions you make. Don’t let others talk you out of your dreams just because they gave up on theirs.

#6. Have fun & remember to be thankful of all the blessings in your life….

Has anyone made any life changes recently?

Catherine, xo

Images all pinterest