Posts
What are your 10% stories? Share how you gave the extra 10% more, or made the additional effort and what the result was. Or share your struggles, funny stories or even tales of missing the 10%. Just share!
Thanks! Maria
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Summer Stressors: The Bathing Suit
For 15 % of you, summer stress is all about getting into those summer clothes, in particular, the dreaded “B” word. Here are some responses that sum it up!
Getting into a bathing suit (OMG--yikes)--even wearing shorts--cellulite city. Robin
Trying to squeeze my big white butt into a bathing suit and still pretend that I look good in it. Not to mention that I need to go buy a new one and humilate myself by having to look at myself in the mirror and try not to throw up or laugh in hysterics. Other than that, I love the summer and can't wait for warm weather. Cynthia
How to survive bathing suit season
1. Start moving. I mean, you could exercise yourself senseless all through June with one to two workouts a day, after joining an expensive gym. The problem? This generally ends in disaster. We usually can’t go from 0 to 60 with a good result. Most of us who have tried this end up with a gym membership we never use and a crushed ego when we don’t see the body of our dreams in the mirror after 4 weeks. What if instead we tried getting moving? Taking a 15 minute walk after lunch and dinner, maybe riding the bike once a week or so, even taking the stairs will point us in the right direction.
2. Tweak the diet. It seems so easy to go on a fad diet. These are a great form of torture that lead us to a quick loss of water weight, but for most of us, they don’t last. Our behavior and our minds can’t keep up the routine. What about reducing a little here and there? Adding some water, not eating late at night. Those little changes will add up over time.
3. Wear a tarp all summer. By tarp, I don’t mean a giant piece of canvas they used to make lean-tos with in the 70’s. Yes, I am flashing back to my childhood. Put a tarp over all those nasty little thoughts you have about yourself. Give yourself a break and cover up negative thinking. Maybe putting a tarp over our thoughts is one was to escape the dread of bathing suit season.
4. Fast forward 20. Try picturing yourself 20 years from now. I have worked with countless patients who spent so much of their lives berating their bodies. And it is always the same story. When they look at a picture of themselves at another time in their lives, they ask the same question, “What didn’t I like about myself? I looked great back then.” Consider getting some coaching from an older and wiser you. 20 years from now this body you have will be looking pretty good. Put it in perspective and see what happens.
5. Laugh it off. Self deprication can be funny at times, with balance. Don’t take your appearance quite so serious. Embrace who you are and laugh about it. Life is too short to let cellulite and love handles stop you from living.
6. Chose wisely. Consider what you wear. Educate yourself a bit about what flatters your body type, what colors look good on you. Just know your body’s strengths and work with them. Pewter may be the color of the season but if it makes you look like a carcass, take a pass and work with what you got!
7. Find your fabulousness. What are your assets? Spend some time with those, okay? Know what you have going for you and do battle with those negative thoughts by reminding yourself about your “good side.” Don’t be telling me you don’t have any. That is ridiculous. Find them and know them and face the big “B” with a smile on your face and courage in your step.
Because whether you admit it or not, there is some serious fabulousness happening with your body. Grab onto it and enjoy the season!
What bugs you about bathing suit season and what do you do to cope? Share your answers, funny stories and feedback in the comments section. Thanks!
Maria
Getting into a bathing suit (OMG--yikes)--even wearing shorts--cellulite city. Robin
Trying to squeeze my big white butt into a bathing suit and still pretend that I look good in it. Not to mention that I need to go buy a new one and humilate myself by having to look at myself in the mirror and try not to throw up or laugh in hysterics. Other than that, I love the summer and can't wait for warm weather. Cynthia
How to survive bathing suit season
1. Start moving. I mean, you could exercise yourself senseless all through June with one to two workouts a day, after joining an expensive gym. The problem? This generally ends in disaster. We usually can’t go from 0 to 60 with a good result. Most of us who have tried this end up with a gym membership we never use and a crushed ego when we don’t see the body of our dreams in the mirror after 4 weeks. What if instead we tried getting moving? Taking a 15 minute walk after lunch and dinner, maybe riding the bike once a week or so, even taking the stairs will point us in the right direction.
2. Tweak the diet. It seems so easy to go on a fad diet. These are a great form of torture that lead us to a quick loss of water weight, but for most of us, they don’t last. Our behavior and our minds can’t keep up the routine. What about reducing a little here and there? Adding some water, not eating late at night. Those little changes will add up over time.
3. Wear a tarp all summer. By tarp, I don’t mean a giant piece of canvas they used to make lean-tos with in the 70’s. Yes, I am flashing back to my childhood. Put a tarp over all those nasty little thoughts you have about yourself. Give yourself a break and cover up negative thinking. Maybe putting a tarp over our thoughts is one was to escape the dread of bathing suit season.
4. Fast forward 20. Try picturing yourself 20 years from now. I have worked with countless patients who spent so much of their lives berating their bodies. And it is always the same story. When they look at a picture of themselves at another time in their lives, they ask the same question, “What didn’t I like about myself? I looked great back then.” Consider getting some coaching from an older and wiser you. 20 years from now this body you have will be looking pretty good. Put it in perspective and see what happens.
5. Laugh it off. Self deprication can be funny at times, with balance. Don’t take your appearance quite so serious. Embrace who you are and laugh about it. Life is too short to let cellulite and love handles stop you from living.
6. Chose wisely. Consider what you wear. Educate yourself a bit about what flatters your body type, what colors look good on you. Just know your body’s strengths and work with them. Pewter may be the color of the season but if it makes you look like a carcass, take a pass and work with what you got!
7. Find your fabulousness. What are your assets? Spend some time with those, okay? Know what you have going for you and do battle with those negative thoughts by reminding yourself about your “good side.” Don’t be telling me you don’t have any. That is ridiculous. Find them and know them and face the big “B” with a smile on your face and courage in your step.
Because whether you admit it or not, there is some serious fabulousness happening with your body. Grab onto it and enjoy the season!
What bugs you about bathing suit season and what do you do to cope? Share your answers, funny stories and feedback in the comments section. Thanks!
Maria
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Organize your life, satisfy your soul
This is a guest post by professional organizer, Kim Cossette. You can find her here. Consider signing up for her newsletter. She has great tips and ideas each month!
5 KEY QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF in order to create an Organized living space to support your busy lifestyle and satisfy your soul
We all get the urge at some point to "Get Organized!" This urge stems from a feeling that something is out of synch. But what? How do we truly create an organized living space that supports our busy lifestyle and satisfies our soul? Before you go out and buy all sorts of containers and dig in - here are 5 key questions to ask yourself:
1. What is important in your life? Brainstorm and make a list of all the activities and interests that impact your life. Ideally, each of these critical life areas should be supported in your home. Here are some potential categories:
Family - Is there public and private space for everyone? Is there a designated area to share meals together?
Finances/Household Management - is there a central place for household papers? Bill paying?
Health - Is your home stocked with healthy, natural cleaning products? Is your pantry stocked with fresh, nutritious food?
Recreation - When the mood strikes, is all the equipment for your favorite activity ready to grab and go?
Creativity - When your creative juices are flowing, are all supplies together for your favorite project?
Education - Is there ample room to study? Enjoy books? Learn a new skill?
Personal Interests - Does your home reflect you and your personal interests?
Career - Do you have a designated home office? Can you step into your closet and quickly pull your best self together when necessary?
Relationships - Is your bedroom a calm, peaceful, sacred space reserved just for you and your relationship.
2. What is no longer important in your life? Have your children outgrown their toys? Do you have supplies around for events long since over? Have a purging day and make a donation, or have a sale and be done with it.
3. Never forget the mantra: "Do I need it, do I use it, do I love it?" Only welcome into your world those possessions and activities that are important to you. It's really as simple as that. Everything else can be moved on.
Now that you've asked the big questions: What is important? What is not important? A few more key questions . . .
4. Who will access and use the space? Do you live alone or with other family members? Have hired help? Are household belongings accessible to whoever uses them? Does everything have a clear and labeled home so everyone involved can be self-sufficient? Keep all these factors in mind when setting up your space.
5. What feel do you want in your space? What are your favorite colors, textures, materials? Do you like things in sight, or out of view? Keep these questions and answers in your mind as you are organizing your space and selecting your containers. If your space is visually appealing to you, you are more likely to maintain it as well as just plain enjoy it!
Answer these five questions and you are well on your way to a living space which is organized, efficient and uniquely your own!
©2008 Kim Cossette.
Kim Cossette is a Certified Professional Organizer (CPO®) and Owner of The Organized Approach - a professional organizing company dedicated to helping busy homeowners create calm, uncluttered, joyful living spaces. If you are ready to get organized, receive Kim’s FREE "10 Simple Steps to Get Organized and Change Your Life!" by visiting www.theorganizedapproach
5 KEY QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF in order to create an Organized living space to support your busy lifestyle and satisfy your soul
We all get the urge at some point to "Get Organized!" This urge stems from a feeling that something is out of synch. But what? How do we truly create an organized living space that supports our busy lifestyle and satisfies our soul? Before you go out and buy all sorts of containers and dig in - here are 5 key questions to ask yourself:
1. What is important in your life? Brainstorm and make a list of all the activities and interests that impact your life. Ideally, each of these critical life areas should be supported in your home. Here are some potential categories:
Family - Is there public and private space for everyone? Is there a designated area to share meals together?
Finances/Household Management - is there a central place for household papers? Bill paying?
Health - Is your home stocked with healthy, natural cleaning products? Is your pantry stocked with fresh, nutritious food?
Recreation - When the mood strikes, is all the equipment for your favorite activity ready to grab and go?
Creativity - When your creative juices are flowing, are all supplies together for your favorite project?
Education - Is there ample room to study? Enjoy books? Learn a new skill?
Personal Interests - Does your home reflect you and your personal interests?
Career - Do you have a designated home office? Can you step into your closet and quickly pull your best self together when necessary?
Relationships - Is your bedroom a calm, peaceful, sacred space reserved just for you and your relationship.
2. What is no longer important in your life? Have your children outgrown their toys? Do you have supplies around for events long since over? Have a purging day and make a donation, or have a sale and be done with it.
3. Never forget the mantra: "Do I need it, do I use it, do I love it?" Only welcome into your world those possessions and activities that are important to you. It's really as simple as that. Everything else can be moved on.
Now that you've asked the big questions: What is important? What is not important? A few more key questions . . .
4. Who will access and use the space? Do you live alone or with other family members? Have hired help? Are household belongings accessible to whoever uses them? Does everything have a clear and labeled home so everyone involved can be self-sufficient? Keep all these factors in mind when setting up your space.
5. What feel do you want in your space? What are your favorite colors, textures, materials? Do you like things in sight, or out of view? Keep these questions and answers in your mind as you are organizing your space and selecting your containers. If your space is visually appealing to you, you are more likely to maintain it as well as just plain enjoy it!
Answer these five questions and you are well on your way to a living space which is organized, efficient and uniquely your own!
©2008 Kim Cossette.
Kim Cossette is a Certified Professional Organizer (CPO®) and Owner of The Organized Approach - a professional organizing company dedicated to helping busy homeowners create calm, uncluttered, joyful living spaces. If you are ready to get organized, receive Kim’s FREE "10 Simple Steps to Get Organized and Change Your Life!" by visiting www.theorganizedapproach
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Free Chore Charts for Individuals, Families and Kids
Chores can be a pain, but chore charts can ease the "ouch." Just by writing it down and assigning a "spot" for chores, we take part of the pressure off.
Get my free mini-packet of Chore Charts. Click here and sign up under "e-letter and other free stuff." Select "Chore Charts - Simply Put."
Have a great week!
Maria
Get my free mini-packet of Chore Charts. Click here and sign up under "e-letter and other free stuff." Select "Chore Charts - Simply Put."
Have a great week!
Maria
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