Chill out time

So the weekend is almost here, and so is the time of many great family get togethers - and lots of beautiful food!

I know that I'm going to enjoy the down time, relax and unwind. I'm trying something way different - going out of my comfort zone - with a possible crocodile spotting tour - what about you?

Time to ourselves is a great time to learn something new about us. Try finding something new about you - whether it be a facing a fear (hope we're not going on a tinnie!), a new activity you like, a new food you like or maybe a book?

Holidays tend to mean over-indulgence - but not if we're listening to our bodies! Including plenty of fresh and alive foods along with foods that we know make our bodies feel better (the ones you may have noticed made you feel good after you read this post) will mean that when we choose to indulge - our body can handle it better!  These days it's definitely quality over quantity for me!

All in all - enjoy a relaxing weekend!

Focus: "From Little Things....

So, it's not rocket science I know - but when we continue to make better choices than we we would have previously, it's going to result in a better version of ourselves!

When we make premium choices, that's when the results are really evident - only a blind man could miss them! (and even then, he may be more perceptive than some men I know!)

So we don't have to be perfect. YAY!! Perfection is overrated anyway!

Just consistent.

Consistency is the name of the game with changing our health. The only way we can continue to consistently make better choices is to know our reason to change.

Why do we want better health?
Why do we want to be slimmer?
Why do we want more self-confidence?

I know these questions are fairly obvious, and are closely related to my posts from last week, but these are really important questions that we need to answer otherwise permanent success will always elude us.

When times get tough, if we don't have a reason as to why to make the better choice, it's easy to give in to the "If you can't beat 'em, join in" voice in our head!

So the challenge for this week is to find your purpose.  What are your answers for the above questions?  You don't have to tell anyone - though feel free to share if you like - and it's entirely dependent on how you feel - not what you think other people expect of you.

Happy soul searching.

Oh, and in case you don't know the rest of the post title - it's "Big Things Grow" (written by Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody)

Self-Respect

The more I research health, fitness and nutrition, the more I realise that at the heart lies respect for ourselves, our bodies and the gift of life.

This is obviously a key point highlighted in the wonderful movie Hungry for Change and it reminded me of how central to changing our lives this concept is. It was also highlighted in a few episodes of "Biggest Loser" this week (which I confess to watching occasionally!)

If we don't respect ourselves enough to show care and love for our bodies, then we certainly can't expect anyone else to. Is it any wonder that relationships can struggle under the strain of health and weight related difficulties - we're not in a nice place emotionally.

How do you show yourself that you care for yourself?  Do you have any rituals or self-devised rules that you follow?  I would love to hear them!

Have a happy day!

Focus: Relearning our approach to Food

This post is a little later this week partly because I don't like to write a post unless I have inspiration - waffling on is a speciality of mine in real life whereas I prefer my blog to be a little more poised, articulate and considered!

My aim is to inspire a change of health in others with a more holistic approach than most of us read about in the average health related newspaper article, magazine or diet book - on an intuitive level.

So after finishing watching the fantastic movie "Hungry For Change", it occurred to me that THIS film could be a great place to start for those who don't know where to begin relearning their approach to food. 

Although quite often we know what we should be doing, sometimes it takes a "kick up the butt" to move us into action.

Watching this movie may be just the "kick" that you need to propel you forward on your journey to better health and vibrant living!

This movie is free online until the 31st of March - make the most of it while it's available free - and share it with friends and family that you care about - it may not only change your life, but theirs as well!

"Be the change you wish to see in the world" Mahatma Gandhi

Hungry for Change

I know one thing that I'm definitely doing this weekend!  No Romantic Comedy for me this Saturday night, I will be watching this much anticipated film "Hungry for Change" from the makers of the brilliant and much needed "Food Matters."

It's a film about food quality and how most foods in todays' society are not food, but in fact food-like substances.  

I can't wait to watch this movie, as I've only heard brilliant things about it. If you are questioning what is healthy, and are unsure, from what I've heard, this is a great place to start.

I found the key to changing my health and wellness was through learning and listening and while it may not seem as attractive as popping on the latest Reese Witherspoon movie (or action pic if that's more up your alley) this may help create the change you need in light of your own health. Your food is (or should be!) after all, your medicine.

Have a great weekend - let me know what you think if you watch it!





 

Oh the possibilities.....

We all have times were we doubt ourselves, and we struggle to figure out how and why we should stay on the path we're already on - even if it is something we are truly passionate about. I'm at this point now, and maybe it's been coming for a little while - as I've been really apprehensive about this year with my baby starting school. Even yesterday on a beautiful sunny autumn day I drove past the park we used to hang out at after going for a bike ride - I missed him and I felt a lump in my throat. I stopped the car and walked through that park as a symbol of the new part of the journey I am on.


So, in an effort to help clear my head, I am sharing my thoughts with you, and hope that somehow this will help me with direction. I suppose I'm thinking out loud. I apologize for the lack of clarity in the following - I'm not ready to divulge all of myself yet.


Lately I've felt compelled to follow a path that is so blindingly obvious, that I'm already on it - well for myself anyway! I have felt passionate about this area for as long as I can remember, though the way I relate to this area of interest has changed with the decades. 


I feel drawn to do "big things" and help others in this particular area, as I feel my experiences can help. Yet I look around me and I see that I'm no different to anyone else - what makes me think I'm more "qualified" to follow this path?  


I see more and more people telling the same sorts of stories and sharing similar ideas just with different packaging. Why would I go to the effort of launching myself into a mammoth project just to have it fizzle out? Would it fizzle out? How embarrassing if it did fizzle out? Would I fight to the death to prevent it fizzling out but risk my closest friends and family in the meantime while all of my energy and effort is diverted elsewhere?


Why does sharing just with my friends and family not feel like enough? (besides the fact that they'll probably get sick to death of me, and stop inviting us over!) Why do I feel like I have to help not one, not one hundred, but at least one thousand people?


My brain is answering all of these as I write and I'm not sure I want it to. 
My soul is telling me because I want to leave a legacy - not money, or stuff (because God knows I already have enough clutter - and no - my kids don't want more toys for presents this year! LOL!) - I want to leave a legacy of good health, goodwill and knowledge.


I've always loved books and as a kid I remember feeling anxious when I was in about grade three or four when I visited the library and it was a big deal because it was the first time we were allowed to do something (or maybe it was a the first time they opened it? I can't remember) but I felt anxious because I thought - how will I possibly be able to read my way through all of these books before the end of grade seven???? 


That sums me up to this day. I didn't want to read all of the books in the library because  I wanted to "do it perfectly" - I wanted to read them all because there is SO much out there to learn - and when you're a kid who doesn't have a driver's license or passport and the internet was not yet heard of in the average Australian family home back then (early 90's) then books are the perfect place to start. 


This thirst for knowledge is propelling me forward now. While I enjoy what I'm currently doing and it does change people's lives - my other passion has the power to change so many more lives and I want to help shape a legacy of knowledge and good health - for the generations yet to come. 


I can serve a purpose to help others and to help shape a brighter future.






   

Focus: Maintain Momentum!

In the process of my journey - I bought SO many books and magazines - they were literally piled around me. I read so many different theories on nutrition, magazines for improving running technique, gleaned other magazines for tips on designing workouts for particular reasons and so on. But NONE of this mattered if I didn't take what I learnt and then put it into action. 


Just knowing information doesn't mean that it will make us healthy. Quite often we know isn't working for us, and we also know what we generally should be doing - but we choose not to. We are making a decision at that point - to put our head in the sand. I know - I've done it myself so many times. 


It takes the recognition that we're not happy with our current state, and the realization that "if you do what you've always done, you'll get what you always get!" 


So if you are wanting a different outcome, or perhaps you've started making changes but you're struggling to keep it going - start finding a way to maintain a positive momentum of change. Look at your vision board, work on your passions, play your "theme song," do things that "satisfy your soul without compromising your goal" (my own little saying) - so baking a whole cake for yourself is out!    


These small things help to create a positive shift in your thinking which will hopefully lead you to make choices regarding your health that show appreciation for, and nurture, your body.


Start loving yourself more by making an effort to be less critical of yourself, and making choices that you know will nourish and care for your body, and you will be amazed at how this will help you keep moving towards a healthier and happier you. 



Are you feeling me? What is your gut reaction to this post? Let me know how you feel about this topic - I'd love to hear more thoughts!



Have a great week!