Recently I watched a documentary on obese teenagers and the many struggles they have in breaking free from the cycle. It was heartbreaking on so many levels, for them and their families as they all do their best to bring about change and save their lives. 

So much of their struggle rang true with me and I could empathize with them on the level that knowing what not to eat does not stop us wanting to eat it and that will power alone will never concur wanting over the long-haul. 

I also related to the denial that allows the weight to escalate un-noticed.   

I’ve written about this before, we make adjustment after adjustment so we don’t see that we’re gaining: 

• We stop getting on the scales 
• We adjust our belts one notch at a time 
• We wear looser clothing 
• We wear the same sets of clothes 

I always hated the bathroom scales, and gave them too much power over my happiness. 

Until I realised I was asking them for the wrong information.  

Instead of asking ...

I was sitting in the sun yesterday enjoying a cloudless blue sky and brilliant sunshine, staring lazily at the world around me, thinking about nothing in particular, just letting my mind rest and my body enjoy the warmth of the sunshine. 

Sometimes I think Superman and I must be related, a good dose of sunshine recharges me too, it's a remedy for everything and gives me life. 

As I was sitting there, all empty head and morning stares, my thoughts drifted over an endless flow of different things like cool water over pebbles in a mountain stream. 

I thought about my friend's children who'll turn 18 and 21 later this year and remembered when I was that young and how back then, especially at 21, how mature I felt, like I'd arrived at adulthood. 

I was doing all the things that I’d equated with maturity, working, driving, and living with my boyfriend of the time, keeping house and generally being an adult in every way, no longer looking to my parents to take care of my needs...

I know it’s only Feb and we’ve not long had Christmas holidays but I felt I hadn’t had quite enough down time, so I had a cheeky week off to live free and follow my heart.  

I did some road trips, no destination in mind, just heading south west where the roads are clear, straight, gorgeous scenery, expansive wide open spaces, and a reminder that there is a more relaxed way of living.  

It was great to:  

• Switch off 
  
• Explore new places 
  
• Walk in nature 
  
• Blow out the cobwebs 
  
• Think about nothing 
  
• Connect with the wider perspective  
  
• Remember there are more ways to live life 

Our constant focus on living our best life, doing the next right thing, reaching our goals, being healthy, staying motivated and being our best selves is what makes us great and gives us those feelings of achievement and success that we love. 

 
And letting go, loosening up, and living free brings in a whole new realm of:  

• Energy  
• Inspiration 
• Relaxation 
• Clarity 
• Awe 
• Trust  
• Confide...

If your body was a rental, would you get your bond back? If not, then it’s never too late to make a change.  

If we want our future to be fit, healthy, happy and active, then we need to practice now to make that happen.  

• An athlete, who wants to win gold at the Olympics, doesn’t just show up on the day, unprepared. They practice every day for the imagined time in their future 
  

• Arnold Schwarzenegger didn’t turn up to a body building competition without having done the training every day beforehand. 
  

• No one gets to the top of their game without focusing consistently and persistently on what it is they want to achieve. 

They all practice now for the future they want for themselves. 

PRACTICE CAN BE FUN

If you’re thinking about being fit, healthy, and happy in your future, now is the time you’re in training for that. 

What you’re doing every day, including today, is the practice that will determine that. 

5 THINGS YOU CAN PRACTICE TODAY F...

There is too much to do! My life is too busy, there’s just too many things to overcome, I can’t see how on earth I’ll ever be able to ditch this weight! I've got to have my freedom, it's all just too much, I just can’t get my head around it! 

DEALING WITH OVERWHELM  

It happens doesn’t it, we find ourselves looking at the scales and wondering how the heck did that happen? When did that number get so big? And how on earth are going to get it back down?  

It can be very overwhelming, but it can also be very empowering. 

Because it’s in those moments we wake up and decide enough is enough, it’s time to do something.  

But life is busy and losing weight can seem like a huge mountain we have to climb and we’re not sure how to we’re going to get there. The first thing is to take a deep breath, you don't have to do it all now, and you’re not looking for perfection, you’re looking for progress. 

Let's break this down into manageable steps that you can start implement...

My wonderful, beautiful sister bought me a copy of “The Rule of 10-10-10” by Suzy Welch many years ago and it was one of the easiest and most helpful reads because she provides a super simple decision making strategy that can be used for everything from what you’re putting in your mouth to how you’re living your life. 

Every time Suzi finds herself in a situation where there appears to be no solution that will make everyone happy, she asks herself three questions: 

What are the consequences of my decision: 

• In 10 minutes? 
• In 10 months? 
• And in 10 years? 

HOW TO USE THIS SIMPLE STRATEGY 

Ask yourself daily: 

• How will the choices and decisions I’m making now, this minute, about everything (how to use my time, energy, thoughts, focus, attention, body, my choices and decisions, about what I eat, drink, spend my money on and the people I have in my life or not have in my life) 

• Matter in 10 minutes, 10 months, 10 years 

LOOKING AHEAD 

The k...

Are you a rule follower or a rule breaker? 

Did you know rules are to stop anarchy? If there were no rules then life would be chaotic. But the rules we live by are often out-dated and preventing us from reaching our goals and ambitions. 

So as you step into 2024, think about the rules you were raised on: 

• Rules of your family 
• Rules of school 
• Rules of religion 
• Rules in your social groups 
• Rules in every facet of your life 

Now think about your own person rules that you live your life by: 

• Rules about weight loss 
• Rules about work 
• Rules about love 

• Rules about money 
• Rules about others 
• Rules about what success you can have 
• Rules about what you allow yourself to experience 
• Rules about life 

• Rules about the home 

Your rules are the collection of rules gathered throughout your life and this is how you're living your life right now.  

“Some rules are nothing but old habits that people are afraid to change.”  

Therese Fowler 

It’s ti...

Woop woop, it’s nearly Christmas!  

Here’s 8 Ways to Make Christmas 2023 Your Merriest Christmas Ever 

1. Laughter really is the best medicine (see last week’s blog for more on that!). Christmas can be a real mixed bag of emotions as we know and there doesn’t always feel like there is a lot to laugh about, yet with a little poking, a little prodding, a little tickle here and a little chuckle there, we can elevate our own mood and (sometimes) the mood of others. If you’ve got something super serious and intense going on, firstly, I’m sorry to hear that, because that stuff sucks, and secondly, a little chuckle or giggle here and there is important just to break through that tension, we all need relief, and so do you. 
    
2. Beat the festive season blues with happy tunes to dance to, the geekier the better: Kylie Minogue Locomotion, Abba Dancing Queen or just some good old favourites Status Quo Rockin’ All Over The World, Slade Gudbuy T Jane and their own fab Christmas song, Skyhooks, ...

Life can feel very serious sometimes can’t it?  

There are always a zillion reasons to feel cautious, concerned or even afraid, but equally there are always a zillion reasons to feel interested, light-hearted and a little bit playful.  

What if we remind ourselves every morning when we get up, that “today, I will remember to pause for some playfulness”? 

But why should you pause for playfulness I hear you ask?   

Because we‘ve have a brain that’s always on alert for things to be concerned about and all our internal chatter and dialogue, which is negatively geared because it is on alert, never stops. 

We’re also emotional beings and by default, your emotions are always reactionary to your environment.   

We need to stay playful and make the most of this totally mystifying thing called life. 

We don't know why we're here so we might as well do things that make us feel those good feelings and enjoy every waking hour as much as we can.  

If you’re overwei...

I've put together a list of simple yet effective ways for you to embrace the joy of Christmas this year.  

Let’s take a proactive, relaxed approach to 🎅Christmas and enjoy the festivities by taking the pressure off: 

😃💲Take the pressure off of your credit card and bank account: 

If people are old enough that they no longer believe in Santa, flying reindeer and elves, feel comfortable to give the gift of connection. This will relieve you of the pressure of gift preparation and the financial burdens that excessive gift giving can create. The best gift is genuine connection:  

• having real conversations with people 
• listening deeply  
• giving the gift of loving touch, hold someone’s hand, give them a longer than normal hug.  

So many people are never touched lovingly and neutrally by other human beings. Did you know that we need 5 hugs a day for general well-being and happiness? 

😃🧡Take the pressure off of your friends and families credit card and bank accou...