How are you starting your New Year?

The New Year is a funny time isn't it?  Suddenly the gym is bustling with new members, and everyone seems to be tackling every project and to do list that has been sitting idle for too long.  This year I was a little more proactive than I have been in years prior.  I decided to keep my holiday celebrations (and treats....cookies, chocolates, and all of the things that I usually overdo......and I mean REALLY) under control.  I'm so glad that I did, because so far, the month of January has been incredibly busy for me, and I *gasp* have only made it to the gym a few times.  This is very unusual for me, and within a few weeks, I will be seamlessly back in my workout routine.  If you fall out of your workout routine, just remember that it happens to all of us at one time or another, ant that if you continue to eat in a mindful way, you will be more than ok at the end of it.

Wishing you happiness, health, and all the best in the New Year.

Megan

Who told you not to get your hopes up???????

Yesterday I was having a chat with a lovely client of mine, and as we talked about her upcoming job interview.....she was a little nervous (who wouldn't be? ) and said that she was worried, because she knew other people who had interviewed with the same company, and were not hired.  First of all, she's smart as a whip, funny, educated, kind and dare I say drop dead gorgeous?  The job is in the fashion industry, and it's right up her alley.

I told her that for the next few days I want her to visualize herself through all of the steps of the interview process....arriving on time:), giving clear and concise answers during the interview, accepting an offer, and actually seeing herself at work, and happy at the job.  So many times we create a self fulfilling prophecy because we "don't want to get out hopes up"....well guess what?  If you want to succeed, then you MUST think big, believe in future opportunities, and have hope.   When you see something in your minds eye, your body will follow!

When I was in high school, and struggling a bit as a downhill ski racer, I found a book on visualization on the bookshelf at my mom's house.  It was a thin, outdated copy from the mid seventies.....but it told me all that I needed to know.  I started closing my eyes for a few minutes every night, and imagining myself at a ski race.  I saw myself in the gate anxious and excited for my run, and approaching each gate with an early line of preparation, carving my edges smoothly into the snow, overcoming the deep ruts left by the earlier skiers effortlessly.  I imagined my team mates hugging me with excitement, and my mom talking about how proud she was.....  I can't even tell you how fast I advanced in my skiing the year I started visualizing.  People were amazed at how fast I improved, and the confidence I suddenly seemed to have.  Just like I said in another post, what you focus on....is what will be.  If in your mind, you think that you will hook your ski tip on a gate, you will.  Everything that you want, needs to start with your beliefs.

80 percent:)

Call it what you will, I can imagine you've had one too.  A day where you had no intention of eating too much, but managed to eat a bit of anything and everything.  This happens to me: after a few weeks of dieting, anytime I have a very emotional situation, and....anytime I start to eat too much sugar.  Sometimes it seems like once you start eating "bad things", why bother stopping?  I'll tell you why:  Success is based on the percentage of times that you get things right, which means that you don't have to be perfect all the time.....but reigning in your bad habits will keep you on track for your goals.

Don't use a temporary slip up in your diet as an excuse to go completely off plan for weeks and weeks.  I see this all the time, around Christmas and vacations.  People talk about it as if they have no choice, and they MUST forget about sane eating habits......no way!  There will always be a birthday, a work dinner, a holiday....or a yummy bag of cookies that someone dropped off for you that's "irresistible".  There is always more of whatever goody you pass up today, don't panic!  If you still need chocolate tomorrow, there will be a million places to buy some..........

So if you have a slip up (and you probably will) , let it go.   Know that you are human, and if you do things right 80 percent of the time (with your diet) you will have a great body.