Weight loss is about delayed gratification. We need to appreciate that the work we’re doing today to make our lives better will reap great rewards but that it’s going to take time, which is important to remember so that we don’t get discouraged and give up our efforts when the going gets tough. READ REST OF POST…

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There was a story in the paper last week about fishermen in Los Angeles being warned against eating a number of species of fish they caught off L.A. shores that have been determined to be toxic. The response of the fishermen was basically, “We’re going to eat them anyway.”

This is fascinating to me. The fish are clearly unsafe to eat and yet these fishermen presumably don’t care. Their attitude reminds me of another story that came out a few weeks ago about Americans not being afraid to live near nuclear reactors.

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One of the reasons why people who have the desire to lose weight are unable to stick to a diet program is because they also have a psychological resistance to losing weight.  That resistance can be expressed in terms of three fears related to change in general and one fear related specifically to losing weight. … READ MORE…

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Rip Esselstyn, a Texas Firefighter, has developed a “28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that Lowers Cholesterol and Burns Away the Pounds.” It’s motto, “Eat More, Lose More, is particularly appealing to me, being someone who is excessively dedicated to food consumption.

What is profound about this book is that it will teach you how to eat right, how to eliminate all the foods and substances getting in the way of optimal physical and emotional health, while at the same time providing you with no sense of sacrifice, the end of guilt and shame, immeasurable epicurean pleasure in terms of food and drink, renewed energy and vigor, happiness, and a tremendous sense of self-empowerment.

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If you think God works in mysterious ways, take a look in the mirror. Can you honestly say that the things you do make a whole lot of sense? You may be the exception to the rule but, the fact is, a great many people profess love for their loved ones and yet treat them in very unloving, invalidating and emotionally abusive ways. Read rest of blog

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“Doing a geographic” is an expression that I believe originated in the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous to describe what many alcoholics and addicts do when their lives have become unmanageable.

Rather than address the core problem which is their alcohol or drug addiction, they blame the people around them who don’t understand them, they blame unfortunate circumstances that befall them, they blame their parents, they blame bad luck, they blame God. They blame everyone and everything except themselves.

They define the problem outside of themselves and therefore they never find the solution. They think that, “If I move to another city and start over with a new job and new friends and a fresh start, my life will work and everything will get better.”

It never does. It’s a con. The alcoholic or addict will never get better and their lives will never work for them the way they’d like until they address the real problem rather than see it outside of themselves.

This is true for everyone, not just alcoholics and addicts. Most of us are blind to the source of our problems and blame other people and other things for the difficulties in our lives rather than recognizing the ways in which we are sabotaging ourselves and forever depriving ourselves of happiness and prosperity.

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In today’s multi-tasking, pressure-cooker world of too much to do and not enough time to do it, it’s oftentimes impossible to not feel overwhelmed, to not get stressed out, and to not get down on ourselves about what we’ve failed to accomplish despite how hard we’ve worked. The following are some ways to assert yourself over that stress and negativity, so try one or more of them the next time you’re feeling down or anxious.

1. Replace Negative Self-Talk with Positive Mantras

Bombarding yourself with negative self-talk can be one of the most stressful things you experience each day. The good news is that you can control this big stressor by recognizing negative self-talk when it occurs and replacing it with positive thoughts. For example, if you tell yourself that you’re stupid for failing to remember something important, stop that thought in its tracks and focus on something you’ve done successfully. Remembering your successes can help you realize that you don’t deserve to be stressed out by your inner critic.

2. Use Breathing Techniques

It’s beneficial to take deep breaths when you’re feeling stressed. Simply inhale deeply for five seconds, filling your lungs – now hold your breath for five seconds before expelling all the air in your lungs for another five seconds. Try the same exercise with ten- and fifteen-second intervals as you start to feel calmer.

Another technique to try is cyclical breathing through your nose. Fold the index and middle fingers of one hand in toward your palm, then use the thumb of the same hand to block one nostril. Inhale through the other nostril, then use your ring finger to block that one as well. Hold your breath, then release your thumb and exhale through the unblocked nostril. Replace your thumb, remove your ring finger, and inhale again. Repeat until you begin to feel calmer.

3. Do Yoga & Stretches

Practicing yoga is always helpful when you want to relieve stress, so try some of these yoga-inspired stretches to relax your mind and body when you need it most.

• Cat stretch – start on your hands and knees, preferably on a non-slip surface like a yoga mat. Let the weight of your head lengthen your spine toward the floor as you arch your back while inhaling. When you’re ready to exhale, bring your head up until your chin is level with the floor and allow your spine to relax into a concave shape as you release your breath. Repeat to release tension in your back and neck.
• Spinal stretch – lie on your back on the floor with your legs resting against a wall at an angle somewhere between 45 and 90 degrees. Focus on allowing this position to lengthen your spine as you breathe deeply.
• Twist stretch – sitting in a chair, place one hand on the outside of the opposite knee and twist your upper body in the direction of that knee, looking over your shoulder and keeping your chin parallel to the floor. Repeat on the other side to complete one rep, then do as many as you need to in order to release the tension in your spine and neck.

4. Get a Massage

Give yourself the gift of a professional massage. This releases toxins and tension, removing the stress from your body. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water after your massage to flush out the toxins that have been released from your muscle tissue. If you don’t want to go out for your massage, persuade your partner or significant other to have a massage night – you’ll both benefit from this romantic and stress-relieving experience.

5. Treat Yourself to Music, Candles & Aromatherapy

As you practice the above techniques, add soft music, candles, and scented oils to give yourself a truly relaxing experience. Soft jazz or classical music can be used to release stress, and the calming effects of scented candles and oils might help you, too. Choose lavender, jasmine, chamomile, sandalwood, vanilla, or sage for some of the best stress-relieving results.

Bio: Alexis Bonari is currently a resident blogger at College Scholarships, where recently she’s been researching scholarships for dietitians as well as scholarship thank you template. Whenever this WAHM gets some free time she enjoys doing yoga, cooking with the freshest organic in-season fare, and practicing the art of coupon clipping.

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