We're doing the Mediterranean

My close friend (and an amazing personal chef/caterer) and I are going on a trip to the Mediterranean - diet that is. Long touted by health gurus like Dr. Andrew Weil, it's simple to follow - for weight loss and maintenance, nutritional health and anti-inflammatory properties.

It's relatively low in meat products - except for healthy fish, free range chicken (and a bit of hormone free beef thrown in). Eat lots of fruits and vegetables from the rainbow (all colors), healthy fats (extra virgin olive oil, nuts, avocados) and whole grain, high fiber, non-refined carbohydrates.

What I'm discovering is that there's no contradiction between food that tastes good and food that's good for you. And what I used to think was willpower (how does she ignore that cheeseburger and fries on the menu in favor of a sesame salmon salad?) really isn't.

The better I feel from eating healthy and exercising in a variety of fun ways, the more I'm unwilling to give up that feeling for a junk food fest! By George I think I've got it.

And if this dyed in the wool junkaholic can do it - ANYONE can!

Creating Wellness in Your Home

Every aspect of your life — the place you live, the people you live with, your friends and acquaintances, the things you do or don't do, the things you own, your work, even things like pets, music, and color affect how you feel. If you are concerned about your mental health or the quality of your life, you can do many things and make changes in your life that will help you to feel much better.

The space where you live — your home — profoundly affects your wellbeing. Does your space reflect what you want in your life? the following questions may help you decide if you need to make some changes in living space.
Do you look forward to going home and do you feel comfortable in your home?
o If not, why not? For instance, you may not like your living space because it is cluttered and messy. Or it may be too noisy. What could you change about your home that would make you want to go there and feel comfortable there?

Do you feel safe and secure when you are at home?
o If not, why not? What could you do that would make you feel safe and secure when you are at home (for example, get new locks, move to a safer neighborhood)?
You deserve private space in your own home for your own things, a place where you can go and know you will not be disturbed. Do you have private space in your home that others respect?
o If not, why not? What could you do to have private space in your home that is respected by others (for example, collaborate with the people you live to arrange private space for everyone, divide off a section of a room with furniture and make it your space)?
The people you live with should treat you well and help you feel better. You should be supportive of each other. If you live with others, do they treat you well and help you to feel better?
o If not, why not? What could you do so the people you live with treat you well and help you feel better (for example, discuss it with them, telling them how you want and need to be treated, move out, ask others to move)?
Some homes require lots of upkeep while others practically take care of themselves. If your home requires lots of upkeep, it may be difficult for you to keep up when you are having a hard time. The stress of not taking care of things that need attention can cause or worsen difficult symptoms.
o Is your home easy to take care of? If not, why not? What could you do to resolve this problem (for example, move, hire someone to do some of the upkeep, ask for help from family members or friends, trade tasks with others)?

What's Stopping You?

You’ve got the symptoms of C.H.A.O.S. (Can’t Handle All the Overload Syndrome)

 Spending too much money and time replacing items lost to clutter
 A cluttered, crowded space – too many possessions and no storage system
 Mountains of paper and no idea what to do with it
 Wasted time hunting for important documents (paper or electronic)
 Late or missed appointments or meetings
 Crunched time schedules, feeling rushed – never enough time
 Spending too much time on low priority items, not aligned with important goals
 Unfinished projects or tasks which keep resurfacing and cause frustration
 The feeling you are constantly working but never accomplishing anything meaningful
 You aren’t enjoying your life!

Don’t believe the myths. . .

Myth #1: Getting organized is too complex and time consuming.
Fact: It doesn’t have to be! Take baby steps. Consistency on even a small scale will give you momentum, motivation, and results. Start right where you are!

Myth #2: If you’re disorganized in one area; you’re disorganized everywhere.
Fact: No one is disorganized everywhere. The trick is to use the skills where
you are organized to apply to the areas where you aren’t.

Myth #3: Being organized will stifle creativity and spontaneity.
Fact: Wrong! Organization increases your self confidence and adds to your worth and value both at work and in your personal life. It helps you deal proactively instead of reactively with people and situations. You are less distracted and therefore able to be more creative.

Myth #4: You can’t get organized unless you have time to do it all at once.
Fact: Organizing even a tiny area of your space, schedule, or priorities can bring immediate and satisfying results. The point is to just get started.

If you feel shame or embarrassment. . .
Reality: Facing your situation and making a decision to change is the first step to breaking the bondage of clutter. Congratulate yourself – don’t beat yourself up!

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.

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!

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!