Friday, April 24, 2009

Cleaning Out Your Resolution Closet

It's easier than you think. Stop believing the gift of a healthy, organized lifestyle is too hard!

You've been asking me for simple solutions to your quest for fitness, an answer for overwhelm and SIMPLE solutions for disorder! While technical answers to these questions are easy, what continues to keep me up at night (in a good way) is WHY we do what we do (or don't do) and how that relates to HOW we are or aren't sticking with our healthy lifestyle goals.

Since I began the process of evolving my organizing business into healthy lifestyle coaching, I've been researching, masterminding, and coaching with other coaches.

And I'm excited to share with you my personal Top 7 Simple Mind Shifts I use with my private coaching clients and that have radically altered my life - meaning I have better health, more energy and have more time to do what I love - in an easy and relaxed manner and a healthy and positive way!

At 51 years of age, (my birthday is in two weeks!) I don't want to spend even one minute on a life I don't totally enjoy! I need my energy! No matter how you slice it, I've already lived more of it than I've got left! Regardless of your age, I want to create an urgency in you to live better now - don't wait!

What disorganization and life chaos does to you goes far beyond chronic lateness or not being able to find things. It's erodes your self esteem, your energy and well-being - making it harder for you to live your divine purpose and give the gift of yourself to those you love.

Getting to the benefits of stresslessness shouldn't be stressful! If you're wondering what happened to your life fitness resolutions (getting organized and fit heading the top of all lists!) you're not alone.

Henry David Thoreau said it best: "Things do not change; we change." When we address and deal with the fears and insecurities inside of us - real change happens. You take it one step at a time.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

4 Ways to Recharge Your Motivational Batteries

I received this comment on my blog recently.

"I am trying to become more organized and it is a daily awareness when I see papers piled, dust on the bureau, a messy area. I love to be organized and I love cleanliness...I have gotten lazy about staying on top of staying organized and keep waiting for the spirit to "move me". I am struggling with my energy to get organized and clean my house...which I know supports my life everyday."

Disorganization is more than just piles of stuff without a home. It's an expression of blockage in our lives - physically, mentally, and spiritually. And until we deal with the "why to" we won't ever keep up the energy to "how to." Clutter, whether it is in our homes, on our hips, or in our head is about feelings. It hampers how we feel about ourselves, our jobs, our social lives and our finances.

If you struggle with keeping up the energy to organize and maintain a healthy lifestyle - you're not alone. Life happens when you were making plans to declutter the house, work out 5 days a week and eat clean, nutritious meals 5 or 6 times a day. Suddenly you find yourself back in your rut wondering how you're going to get back on the life fitness horse. Here are 4 ways to re-charge those motivational batteries:

1. Focus on your RBGs (Really Big Goals). Identify what's REALLY important to you and use it to inspire you. Shallow goals won't keep you motivated for very long. What are you passionate about that you need a health, energy, and a fit lifestyle to maintain? Your business? Your family? Write down your RBG's and keep a copy with you to remind you what it's all about for you.

2. Start Doing instead of To Doing. To Do implies "ought to." There's no action behind it. In fact, our natural inertia and rebelliousness often flares up when we contemplate "To Dos." It means you've gone beyond thinking about it, but you aren't ready to take action. You're "fixing to do it", as they say down South. To Do something keeps us from committing to getting it done. Replace the To Do list with a Doing List. The Doing List motivates you to commit to a set of actions that you are taking right now, in the present. And the present is the only moment you have.

3. Do it afraid. We all make mistakes And our fear of making mistakes, which too often manifests as perfectionism and procrastination is teied up with our self-esteem. I know, I've been there. Perfectionism was "protectionism" for me. If I didn't finish a project, I could always say I was still working on it and not take the risk of what the outcome would be. It's sometimes safer not to make a decision, not to remove what's cluttering up our lives - or so our dark side will tell us. Not true! Be process oriented. Trust yourself and decide to decide. Regardless of the course of action you take, you'll be motivated and charged simply by taking that action.

4. Don't go it alone. There's strength in numbers so the saying goes and it is true. Join a mastermind group, hire a coach, or get yourself a clutter or work out buddy. Find a MeetUps Group. When you're tempted to stay on the couch (mentally or physically), you've got someone else to help you recharge your motivation.

Remember - baby steps taken consistently yield transformational results. Don't let fear and overwhelm sap your energy and keep you from living powerfully!

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Preventing Metabolic Syndrome - What's That?

According to the American Heart Association, about 50 milliion Americans have metabolic syndrome - which is a precursor to type 2 diabetes.

This condition is characterized by:

high triglycerides
low HDL cholesterol (50 mg/deciliter or lower)
high blood sugar (120 or higher)
high blood pressure (above 120/80)
above average waistline (for women that's about 35 inches)

Genetics do play a role in metabolic syndrome, but it is mostly lifestyle according to doctors.

Exercise and eating clean are extremely important to combat this. Cut out the high fat, sugar and processed foods for a start. Regular cardio and resistance training sessions should be added as well. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends moderately intense cardio 30 minutes per day, five days a week (or vigorously intense cardio 20 minutes a day, 3 days a week) - plus 8 to 10 strength training exercises (with 8 to 12 reps of each exercise) twice a week.

Visit www.oxygenmag.com/metabolic for more information on how a healthy lifestyle can help you avoid dangerous medical conditions

Want to Be More Confident? Get Active!



Living a healthy lifestyle takes a lot of self discipline. The good news is, the greater the challenge, the more reward you get!

The premise is, if you can be successful in one area of your life, then you feel confident taking on other challenges. By living a healthy life you get a real sense that you can accomplish anything. Success breeds success in other words. You're more likely to set and reach your goals, and to rebound from failure.

Living healthy also lowers your risk of depression according to a 2007 study published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. Exercise is an active behavior, and active behaviors (versus sedentary ones) lead to a feeling of accomplishment. Studies also show that from a physical standpoint, exercise can greatly reduce anxiety. in fact, the study authors argued that workouts and clean eating (specifically a diet high in omega 3 fatty acids) can be a prescription to treat depression and anxiety.

When we're stressed, our body releases both adrenaline and cortisol. We need some cortisol to build muscle tissue, but too much can lead to a number of problems including lower immune system, weight gain (particularly increased belly fat) and general malaise.

Clean eating and working out is important to balance cortisol levels and keep them in check. You feel less stressed mentally and your body actually is less stressed - win win for you!