This last year put me into a tail spin. I’ve had more change in that one year than ever before. Stop already!
I feel like I’m flapping parallel to the ground, holding on to a flimsy flag poll. I need to catch my breath.
What ever happened to moderation? You know, things in small, manageable pieces? I need another vacation!
Now is when I have to remind myself that “this too will pass.” My new mantra.
Now is when I need to be faithful with my affirmation, my positive reinforcing statements of gratefulness. My frame of mind seems to change for the better when I do my affirmations.
For example: “Thank you God for my health, thank you for my discipline, and thank you God for my courage, conviction and determination.”
Or: “Thank you God for my health, thank you for my discipline, and thank you God for my determination, success and happiness.”
The idea of affirmations is that the first statement is being thankful for something you have already accomplished. The second statement is being thankful for something you are currently working on. The third statement is being thankful for 3 things you want to accomplish.
Again, this needs some soul searching. Be honest with your choices. No one has to know. But the power of affirmations is documented, and well worth the exercise. The act of reinforcing your goals is a constant reminder of what you want to accomplish. It seeds the goals into your subconscious, where they are worked on behind the scenes. The more you open yourself up to accomplishment, the sooner it will happen.
Recite your affirmations in the morning before you get out of bed, sometime midday when you can focus on them, and at night before you go to sleep. These statements need to be the first thing on your mind in the morning, and the last thing on your mind at night.
Think of it, focus on it, and make it happen!
Happy Living!
Christia
The Most Selfish Woman in America!
Is there some obstacle lingering in your path to accomplishing your Dream Life? You know, something you can’t quite put your finger on… but it’s holding you back?
Could it be YOU? Could it be your lack of belief if YOURSELF?
It’s time for you to believe in yourself again. Believe in your abilities to make your life happy again. Make your new career highly successful. Make your Dream Life a reality.
It takes tapping into your inner strength, and trusting your abilities. You have to be courageous. Too long have you let your courage and belief in yourself wain. You must get that back!
It’s your turn to be SELFISH. It’s your turn to get paid for your passion. It’s your turn to be as fabulous as you were meant to be! And the time is NOW!
Are you doing your visualizations faithfully? You know, visualizing your new life, what it looks like, what you look like in it, where you live, what you drive, the type of person your new partner will be… For a refresher, read my “Secrets to Transforming Your Old Life into Your Dream Life” blog entry.
It is mandatory that you are visualizing the life you want to accomplish at least every morning and every night. The first thing you do before your feet hit the floor, and the last thing you do before you start sawing those logs.
The more detail you give to the vision, the sooner it will become a reality. And don’t edit yourself. Be as lavish in your vision as you want your life to be. You are only limited by your imagination and belief in yourself!
Reminder: You’ve cut out all the negative influences and people from your life, at least for now, right? If not, what are you waiting for? Nothing sucks out the courage and belief in yourself like hearing other people criticize or critique you. And who knows what baggage they’re carrying, or where their comments are coming from. All I know is you have to get away from all that negative nonsense, and focus on your inner strength, courage and conviction to make your Dream Life a reality. Period.
Happy Living!
Christia
The Most Selfish Woman in America!
This is another time for you to be SELFISH.
When you exercise, it is all about YOU, no one else. No cell phones, no business, no diverting your focus.
If you must multi-task, do it in your breathing, your awareness and your enjoyment.
A few tips before you start:
1. Get music on your i-Pod that has the same beat of the speed that you want to walk. That makes it easier to stay at a consistent pace without too much thought. Always have the volume low enough that you can hear what is going on around you. You are empowered and in control now, act like it!
2. The better your breathing, the easier, and longer you can exercise. Breathe in through your nose, and out your mouth. Breathe in for the count of 5 and out for the count of 3. In through your nose for 5, and out through your mouth for 3. Even when you get winded, stay in control of your breathing. In 5, out 3. Controlled breathing will help keep you from panting, and help keep your heart rate at a safe level. If you can’t maintain this breathing pattern, slow down!
3. Use a heart rate monitor. Just go buy one, and use it each time. The monitor will keep you informed of how efficiently you are working out. You want to stay within a “fat burning” zone. The optimal zone will be between 130 to 145 beats per minute. The monitor tells you what your heart rate is, based on your physique . If you get higher than 145, slow down. If you are interval training, you can go as hard as you can for about a minute, then slow back down for 5 minutes until your heart rate gets back down to 130, then go again. As far as length of time, your goal is 45 minutes, 4 to 5 times a week.
4. If the temperature is 85 degrees or hotter, take water with you. Don’t run the risk of getting overheated. It’s not worth it! Also be relentless with the sunscreen. From the base of the neck up, use at least 45 spf zinc oxide sunscreen. SkinCeuticals has a good one. And a hat or visor is a must.
If you will power walk, instead of run, you will get all of the cardio benefits without the wear and tear on your body. Hugely important.
Drink water! Drink water! Drink water! Stay hydrated.
When you are walking, make sure you know what is going on around you. Safety is the key! Take your dog, if you have one. Also choose a route that is aesthetically pleasing. A neighborhood with big houses, a local park with lots of trees and shade. Whatever you have access to, make sure you don’t get bored visually. This will increase your enjoyment.
Try to tighten your abdominal muscles while you walk. It will take awhile to do it automatically, but the more you tighten your stomach muscles, the firmer your torso will become. Also, bend your arms at the elbow and pump them with each step. You will burn more calories this way.
If your lower back starts hurting, it may be because your hamstrings need to be stretched out. After the first 5 to 10 minutes of your walk, stop and stretch your calf muscles by putting the ball of your feet on the top of a curb, and lower your heels down to the street level. It’s easier to do this leaning on a mail box or light poll. Give the stretch 1 to 2 minutes, and don’t bounce.
Then with your knees slightly bent, lean over to touch the ground. Let your body hold that position for at least a minute to stretch the hamstrings. Again, no bouncing. Then get back to the rest of your power walk.
At the end of your walk, give yourself the last 5 minutes to cool down. Slow down your pace, so that your body can naturally cool down without completely stopping.
Use this exercise time with yourself, for yourself. Do your affirmations, work out your current problems, reinforce your new attitude and approach to life. What you focus on expands. Use this time to focus on the NEW YOU.
With every step you take, you are reinforcing your new direction in Life. See it! Live it! Be it!
Happy Living!
Christia
The Most Selfish Woman in America!
