DO WHAT YOU CAN

It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do a little. Do what you can. (Sydney Smith).

While this quote rings true in so much of our lives I am focusing or should I say blogging today with regards to exercise. So many times I hear from friends, family and clients that I just don't have the time to exercise. All I can say to that is start with a little at a time, don't put it off because you don't have the time but begin gradually. Find out what you like to do, take a walk, jumprope, get out in the garden, go for a bike ride but get out there and do something. It doesn't mean you have to sweat or that it has to be rigorous. Make it appropriate for yourself and thats how you will win. Just by adding exercise into your life, pair it with a healthy diet and you are well on your way to amazing.

Imagination is Everything

Imagination is everything. I can imagine whatever I want to be and I want to be an amazing Health Coach. I just got back from a three day Isagenix Conference. Not only did it reaffirm just how great the products are that I've been taking since last August (not that I needed anyone else to tell me how great I feel when I take them) but I just made some great new friends that I know have become part of my extended family. I get to be a part of an organization that supports each other no matter what, believes 100% in what they are sharing with others, and truly wants to make the world we live in a better place. I just made new friends from Minnesota all the way to North Carolina to New Jersey and New York. I don't know that a year ago I could have imagined that my life would be headed in the direction it is. I think some of the negative thoughts in my head were getting in the way of my heart and my ability to figure out where I wanted to be headed. I have been given the ability to rewrite my story once again and I'm doing it. I'm going to focus on the positive as I've been taught that what I focus on expands. I am going to be the change I want to be and its going to be amazing! Can you imagine that?

I ENJOY EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY

Taken from my affirmation calender, Wednesday, June 17th "I enjoy every minute of whatever I am doing today". OK, so we can only hope! I had a great workout at the gym, went to the grocery store, fed my kids, cleaned and now getting work done. Does it sound amazing to you? I don't know but I'm trying to enjoy the moments. Trying to get some things done as I'm headed to a three day conference for work today. The conference promises to be motivating, empowering, educational and who knows what else. David Wood is the key speaker and from what I hear he is better than amazing! The Super Bowl of all Isagenix events so I'm told. Whatever the case, I am excited to drive three hours, see an old high school friend nearby and head there first thing tomorrow morning. Alot to do before I get myself out the door but I'm going to try my best to enjoy every minute (or atleast most). I wish for all my friends and family to enjoy the day today and the days ahead.

Its a NEW DAY, Amaze Yourself why don't you?

And get out there and make sure you atleast enjoy something today. Might be the only nice day the rest of the week!

KEEP YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE

Some helpful hints taken from Julia Cameron, author of The Artists Way and most recently The Writers Diet.

While it seems like so many of us are trying to lose weight we sometimes forget some of the simplest things to keep ourselves on track. The questions and recommendations below are great for everyone to think about as we all should be accountable for the foods we put in our mouths.

Ask yourself the following questions when going for something to eat:

1. Am I hungry? or am I bored, anxious, angry, etc..?
2. Is this what I want to eat?
3. Is this whatt I want to eat now?
4. Is there something else I can eat instead?

If you stop to ask yourself these questions before grabbing for the first thing that you can get your hands on you might just be able to make the right choice.

Recommendations for success:

1. First thing go for the glass of water and drink 8 ounces of water.
2. Start to change the contents of your refrigerator and cupboards. Keep in mind that OVERPROCESSED usually means OVERWEIGHT.
3. Once a week go do something fun by yourself.
4. HALT - am I too Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired.
5. Have a buddy nearby that can help you through the difficult times. Don't pick someone too strict but then again stay away from the enabler.

Take a minute, think about what you have in your kitchen and start to think about the changes you can make. Some of the smallest changes can make the most difference.

Its a NEW DAY. Amaze Yourself.

NO ONE DIET WORKS FOR EVERYONE

I am now three weekends away from receiving my certificate in Health Counseling at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN) and I must say that its been an amazing and empowering experience. I have been introduced to numerous dietary theories covering almost every type of food that there is out there. Most of IIN’s lectures are given by an assortment of the world’s most prominent authorities on wellness, nutrition and counseling. I have come to expect that every day I walk out of class I will want to try yet another new way of eating. One day its whole grains and kale, another its Raw Food and yet another it is all about Superfoods in my Smoothie. After this past weekend I can say for sure that I might never want to touch a piece of Red Meat again. Alot of talk about the cattle industry and a great lecture by Howard Lyman, fourth-generation family farmer in Montana, former president of Earth Save, and the activist that turned Oprah Winfrey against hamburgers. That being said, I am home now and what really resonates loud and clear is that NO ONE DIET WORKS FOR EVERYONE including myself. We are introduced to all the various theories and lecturers for this very reason. There are so many ways of eating and what works for one may not work for another. It is the schools goal to teach us this and its my goal to pass this information along to you.

As your Health Coach, I want to create a Happy, Healthy life that works for you. I want to discover the food and lifestyle choices that best support you. I want to improve your eating habits, explore new foods with you, understand and help you to reduce your cravings and most of all I want you to feel better in your body. The changes can be gradual, the benefits plentiful! The results AMAZING!

"Wouldn't it be wonderful if..."

As for next year, "Wouldn't it be wonderful if..."

A good friend of mine gave me my first affirmation calendar a year ago and I loved turning the pages everyday to read my daily affirmation. Sort of like reading the word for the day but instead it was something that hopefully was going to make me feel good about the day ahead and give me some inspiration and motivation. As I opened my new calendar for 2009 the first page read, As for next year, "Wouldn't it be wonderful if...". I cut this out, taped it to the side of my desk and have been reading it every day since.

Woudn't it be wonderful if I could get my business off the ground. Wouldn't it be wonderful if I could get a logo, name for my business and maybe even a website. Wouldn't it be wonderful if I could do this and still have enough time to be the mother I want to be for my three kids.

Well its now almost 6 months later and it has not only been wonderful but its been AMAZING. I am two months shy of getting my certificate in nutritional counseling. I have worked with an extremely talented creative team (Keith Lane, Creative Director, Deb Norris, Web Designer, Scott Lanes, Photographer and Adam Kaufmann, Programmer) to come up with the name for my company and help design my logo and website. I have begun my new career as Health Coach and I'm loving every minute of it. All this and I think I would say I'm still taking pretty good care of my three children. They still seem to love their Mom.

I guess I'm writing all this as today is the day my website has launched and suddenly I'm feeling official. I've had business cards for a while and clients that I've been working with for months now. Once again though its something else I can cross off my list and move forward.

Thanks to Keith and Deb for all their long hours making so much of this possible. Sometimes it is those around you that will help to make it all wonderful and amazing so don't forget that it is OK to ask for help. We don't always have to do it alone. Take this moment if you are reading my blog and ask yourself "Wouldn't it be wonderful if..." and see what comes up in your mind. Take it one step at a time, one day at a time and make something happen. There is so much going on around you everyday and while we can always find distractions and reasons NOT to do something its so much more rewarding when you actually find it within to accomplish something and not only make it wonderful but make it amazing. It can be small yet meaningful but find the wonderful within yourself and make it happen.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me up to now. I can't wait for tomorrow to see what else will come my way. You too can make it happen.
Don't forget,
Its a NEW DAY
Amaze Yourself
(check out my website at http://www.amazingnewday.com/)