Choose Your Own Direction

WOOOHOO!  Do you know what day it is?

Yes, it is still HUMP day even though it is a short week for most people since Monday was a holiday.

For those who read my blog often, you know I am a HUGE fan of Carrie Wilkerson and Lysa TerKeurst.  Put the two together and talk about motivation….

Lysa TerKeurst shared this quote recently:

‘You steer where you stare.

Okay, we all know this in our head, right?  Think about when you were learning to drive a car.  I was great for looking at things all around me and as a result, the car went in the same direction.  I was also learning to drive a clutch at the same time.  The two definitely did not mix well.  It made for may heated driving lessons with dad.  We all had to learn to focus on where we wanted to go.  I used to do the same thing when I was walking.  Looking at something on the right and the next thing I knew, I was walking towards it, cutting off anyone who was next to me or in my path.

It is the same, If you are focused on envy or fear or scarcity or lack… it will be near impossible not to VEER towards those.  The Universe will bring you want you are focused on.  Positive brings positive.  Negative brings negative.

When I started this new “eating plan” which was very limited to help control my candida, I focused on the things I couldn’t eat.  Everywhere I turned, there was fruit, seafood, dairy and the dreaded gluten.  With the help of my Weight Watchers leader, Michelle, I started looking at food differently.  I focused on the things I could eat.  As a result, I went from feeling deprived and sad about what I couldn’t have to enjoying what I could have.  The result, the other stuff went away (okay, maybe not but I wasn’t looking for them now).

Apply this to just about anything in your life.  I have positive mantras I read every morning.  Some mornings, I don’t want to be bothered and the result is I lose focus.  When we focus on positivity, abundance, tiny successes, encouraging scripture, and affirmations, we do well!  When we focus on negativity, the end result is a “shitty” day, right?

We need to face FRONT!  Thirty-One Gifts founder Cindy Monroe says… ‘I spend more time looking through the windshield than the rearview mirror. Why would I focus there? I’m not going that way!’

Don’t focus on what you’re leaving behind…focus on what you’re running towards!

Dana Wilde, Train Your Brain, shares positive mantras every day so we can adjust our brain and our vision. It takes time but it can happen.  Steer the boat (or your thoughts) in the direction you want to go and it will happen.  Maybe not overnight but it will happen.

I have changed my focus in my weightless journey and the pounds are slowing coming off.  Inching my way back to goal.  In my business, I no longer talk about “no one wants to party”, I am thinking positively and taking steps to make it happen.  The truth is, I can still have a successful business without parties (I proved it in April when I had no parties but hit my personal goal), it is just easier when you have them.

I dare you to adjust your brain, your vision and your focus today!  Share with us the change you are going to make then let us know how it changed your day so we can celebrate with you.  OR share a struggle so we can help you overcome it.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

What is Your Favorite Wellness Tip?

I have spent the last month faithfully going to Weight Watchers, measuring what I eat and sticking to the Candida Diet to detox my body.  I still have a ways to go but I am thrilled with the results. Each day feeling a little bit better.

Recently, I was on an Zoom call with Amber Annette and Desiree where Amber talked to me about how consistency equaled confidence and success.  We talked about the importance of positive mantras every day.   I started spending every morning (about 5 minutes) reading over my mantras and then visualizing my goal. It has set a tone for my day.

While doing all of this, I have found some really good (interesting) wellness tips online.  I hope you enjoy and possibly put to practice some of these life changing wellness tips.  We know the importance of water, sleep and exercise but you may be surprised at some and find a handful of new ideas.

1. Balance. Taking the time to give equal energy to all aspects of your life.

2. Loving yourself, taking care of your body, and appreciating everything around you.

3. Fresh air, sunshine and smiling

4. Use Shea butter on your skin to keep them soft and smooth esp during winter –

5. Love and respect to everyone and around you as well as yourself!

6. Don’t ever deprive your body of anything. If it wants something, give it in moderation. Wellness is about working to be the best version of yourself and embracing yourself wholly for all you are

7. Ground yourself every day (find which method works best for you, whether it’s yoga or meditation or tai chi, etc.)…then imagine white light surrounding you and dissolving the energy cords and negative thoughts and chatter clogging your being so you can glow andSHINE ON!

8. Stress management in your surrounding is so important. Blaming others inwardly or outwardly only de-energizes us. Notice your thought patterns today. Are they of acceptance or judgement? Eliminating all drama can help immensely.

9. Start your morning off with 2 TBSP of coconut vinegar, a bit of coconut nectar, and 4-8oz of warm filtered water to help your stomach acidity. Then take a probiotic because it is best absorbed after vinegar. Anyone ever try this or have a similar morning drink?

10.  Morning lemon juice with water water or apple cider vinegar on a empty stomach + at least 5 mins of morning grateful-positive affirmations help me inject purpose every day, no matter how hard it might be or how many challenges I have in my life, being grateful even for the little things always helps me push through!  Another alternative is fresh carrot juice.

11. Skin oiling before a shower keeps you grounded and vitalized.

12. Eating fruit on an empty stomach, chaga tea anytime, & dry skin brushing for a healthy lymphatic system.

13. Listen to your body and live a life of balance (in spiritual, emotional, and physical aspects). And never underestimate the therapeutic power of giving to others in selfless love and being grateful for what you have

14. 11 minutes of conscious breathing a day. ” if you do not breathe consciously for 11 minutes a day, you lose 40% of the vitality of life… But if you do breathe consciously for 11 minutes a day, you can do exactly what no miracle can do, because our life depends on the breathe of life.” – yogi bhajan

15. Break a sweat at least once a day- good for the body and the mind

16. Surround yourself with those you can laugh with openly. – you know those deep belly laughs.

17. Develop a daily a morning routine consisting of nourishing your mind, body, and spirit and stick to it!

18. Self love is the greatest medicine. when we truly, deeply love ourselves, we will naturally understand how to care for ourselves, mentally, physically and emotionally. Listen to your body & your gut brain!

19. Dandelion root! Best for acne, and great hangover prevention tool.

20. Make sure to do at least one good thing for yourself everyday. It can be as small as drinking enough water, a workout, going to bed early, and eating well.

21. Epsom salt + baking soda in a hot bath with your favorite essential oils

22. See light in every situation and not allowing negativity in

23. Eat an avocado a day

24. Keep a positive outlook in life regardless of your circumstances. Healthy food is essential, but few things can compensate for a negative attitude. Gratitude works wonders

25. Strive for 90% good, 10% naughty. And laugh a lot.

What is your BEST wellness tip?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

 

What Could Be Causing Your Weight Gain

For the last 2 years (since reaching goal weight), I have struggled with maintaing my weight.  I have said it was health issues but always thought it was an excuse.  When the diagnosis of MS came, I figured weight gain was related to it.  Then it was low cortisol – not low enough for doctors to worry but low enough to cause concern for us.  Hubby was vigilant in trying to find answers.  Some would say he was obsessed.  Some say “he reads too much”.  Let me tell you, I am grateful for his persistence. We got the results back from the allergy tests – WOW!  Tops on the list was Candida Albican followed by mozzarella cheese and kidney beans.

What is Candida Albican? In simple terms, it is a a yeast fungus which everyone has BUT sometimes it gets out of control,  Yup, it is out of control in me.  When it is out of control, it sends toxic stuff throughout your body affecting your immune system leaving it open for other diseases.  UGH!  How do I fix it?  A total change in diet – eliminating some of my favorite foods (fruit) for awhile along with gluten.

I tell you all of this to say, be vigilant when you think there is something wrong in your body.  Don’t take “we can’t find anything” or “the tests are inconclusive” as a reason to stop searching for answers.  I remember telling my clients this many years ago so I am now practicing what I preached to them.

So are you putting on some extra pounds or has your weight loss has stalled, but you can’t figure out why, here is the 411 which might help you. Some surprising factors could be sabotaging your weight goals!

#1 Lack of Sleep

It took me a long time to get this.  When you skimp on sleep, you’re more likely to make poor food choices the next day.  Research studies show people who get more sleep weigh less than short sleepers.  I always thought I could run on five hours a night, but that was when I was at my heaviest.  I have made sleep a priority, and start winding down earlier in the evening. The result is not only do I feel rested BUT I make good choices when eating.

#2 Sitting for Too Long

Do you have a job which keeps you desk bound?  Did you know studies show  prolonged periods of sitting can lead to weight gain?  I know it sounds like a no brainer, right?  Do you need to take little breaks here and there, so you aren’t in one spot for hours. Drinking lots of water is a good trick – you get up for refills and the bathroom.

#3 Stress

It’s a harsh reality stress can make us put on weight. Chronic stress can actually boost your hunger!  So, give yourself some down time to clear your head, even if it’s just a few minutes.  It might seem like something you just don’t have time for, but it’s in your best interest to find room in your schedule. Deep breaths…

#4 Your Friends & Family

No, they are not deliberately sabotaging you, but studies have found the people closest to you have an impact on how you eat, since we tend to mirror their behavior. How many times, have you changed your order because you liked what someone else was ordering?  At a big family dinner and everyone is indulging, chances are, you will too. Keep this in mind, and be true to yourself. Don’t be afraid to be the odd man (or woman) out.

#5 Drinking Your Calories

The holidays are here so we know what it going to happen, right?  The truth is  calories from beverages really add up over the course of a day, starting with your coffee with sugar and a generous pour of 2% milk in the morning.  A couple glasses of wine with dinner, and voila — you’ve could add over 400 calories to your day.  Sip carefully, and keep track of drinks in addition to food.

So, what are you doing to remain on traffic on your weightless journey this holiday season?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!