As human beings we are taught to think, act and just BE in very specific ways due to our cultural, societal and family values. We spend the whole of our lives attempting to fit into the box that others tell us to fit in and wonder why the majority of us are overweight, unhealthy, diseased, lost, confused and just plain miserable.What's really sad is knowing that most people are living in the illusion of happiness because they "fit in" but deep down inside random illnesses develop as a way for the body to deal with the underlying sorrow one feels. These distorted views create a feeling of victimization and we begin to hold internal grudges when someone doesn't behave the way we wish they would. Essentially we are all fighting to just be ourselves but can't so we project it out onto the world around us.
This past weekend was monumental in the scope of my spiritual evolution. I embarked on a three year journey at the University of Santa Monica in the Spiritual Psychology program and can already see the benefits of a pivotal program such as this in my daily life. Conceptually the program is aimed at showing us how to be better at loving ourselves and to be authentic but experientially we dig deep into the core of our being to decipher the real reasons we are being held back.
Over the years we build up beliefs that shape the way we see and feel the world around us but these distortions can cloud our thoughts with judgement and fear. As we all know, baggage is a leading cause for many issues with intimacy in relationships both friendship and romantic. Our self-judgements cause us to judge others and we end up not even taking a chance on trusting anyone for fear of getting hurt. Truth is...you can only trust someone to be exactly as they are...period. When we typically trust someone we are making the assumption that they will behave in a way that is suitable and acceptable to our perceptions of how one should act. This includes ourselves. The word "should" is the issue!
At the core of every human being there is only love. It's the perception filters that we develop over time that cause us to see only the bad in others causing a strong web of emotional associations that prevent us from total happiness. When you think about the innocence of a child, you see they're born with no judgment, no color lines, no fears...this is all programming. At this point the word "forgiveness" comes in to play. We must find a way to forgive the person who wronged us or make them apologize in order to move on with our lives, but this comes to be very difficult for many people. Why? Because the root of the issue is still our perception, not their action. We "trusted" them to behave in a certain way and they did not so we feel hurt. It's our choice to react or not react in this way.
Ask yourself "what value does holding on to this hurt have for me?" and take a look deeply into how much it is costing you to house that hurt inside of you. You see, most people hold on to those feelings because they don't value themselves enough to prevent that negativity from entering into their hearts. We begin to identify with the victim role and end up attracting people and situations that validate our victim perception. Do you see the pattern and how far this pulls us away from the core of who we all are?!?!
So here's my suggestion for the day: go back to all those memories and forgive yourself for ever buying into those distorted perceptions of yourself and others. Forgive yourself for expecting that things should or should not have been a specific way. Begin to find ways to have compassion for your journey and the journey of others. Know that healing does not start with an apology from someone else, it begins with you and your view of it. Ego likes to tell us that they must be the ones to apologize for hurting us but in truth we must learn to simply let go of the expected outcome in order to heal.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Excuses...excuses...
When I first started working out I was so disgusted with my body that I feared going into the tiny fitness center at the complex I lived in because I was afraid someone would see me from their bedroom window and think I was some fat cow. Plus, when I would do heavy cardio my face would turn as red as a beet and feel like I had flames shooting from my eyes. Not one of my best looks but I wanted a 6-pack SO bad that I fought the fear and pushed myself. Making a vision board helped me to stay focused on my goal and reminded me each morning to not turn on the TV but to go straight to the gym. Before the vision board I had every excuse in the book to not workout but with clarity in my goal I came in alignment with what I wanted and let nothing stand in my way!
I hear many of these same excuses from people resisting physical activity so I have listed some excuses here with explanations, rebuttles and basic no-nonsense hits to tackle your most challenging objections!! What you read may be harsh but if you want results you have go to stop digging yourself into a hole...
-I DON'T LIKE TO EXERCISE- okay, really?!?! How do you know? Have you tried every type of physical activity there is? If not, then it's time you tried something new!
-I DON'T LIKE TO SWEAT- sweat is a necessary part of having a human body. For many of you women who experience hormonal sweating I can imagine this to be quite uncomfortable. But, sweat releases toxins from your body that are blocked up and with out sweating your body may very well be a toxic waste dump. Is that better than sweating? I think not!
-GYM'S ARE FOR BODYBUILDERS- in this day and age people of every age and fitness level go to gyms for every type of training from weights to Zumba to swimming. There is something for everyone! Plus, when you show up consistently you begin to make friends and feel like a welcome part of the community.
-I FEEL INTIMIDATED IN A GYM- when I first started at Gold's back in 2004 I had clients who would ask me to train them ONLY in the women's gym, secluded from the big "manly" machines. Fear of judgement, failure and rejection all played a huge part in this. Two things- A-tour a few gyms before settling in on one to know how the vibe will be B-if you can not find a gym in your area consider doing a workout program from home. If you are afraid of judgement, sweating off your make-up or just looking dorky in the gym, work out at home. Explore Home Workout Programs Here
-I FEAR INJURY- well, first of all let me say, if you fear something you will make it happen by law of attraction so wipe that thought from your brain. If you are concerned about whether or not you are performing an exercise correctly then maybe it's time you seek help from a personal trainer or fitness professional. Be sure to interview them on their techniques and be confident that they truly will focus on your form. I can't begin to tell you how many trainers I've seen who can not practically apply the knowledge they learned from the books that certified them, so do your research!
-BUT MY BODY HURTS AFTER I WORK OUT- this one is tricky but here goes...when you do any sort of resistance training or weight bearing exercise, microscopic tears happen in your muscle fibers which causes slight swelling in the muscle groups you worked. In addition, as a bi-product of energy production, lactic acid develops which is the burning sensation you feel toward the end of a set. Lactic acid remains in the muscle if your diet is poor and you do not consume enough alkaline foods to neutralize those acids. The recovery period following your workout should be a min of 48 hours until the next time you work the muscle again. To stave off any additional cramping you can do a short set of cardio such as walking on the treadmill immediately after your session to promote circulation and detoxification.
-BUT I DON'T HAVE THE TIME- I ask you this, how much time do you spend in front of the TV, spend in a social setting or searching random Epic Meal Time videos on YouTube? Do you TIVO your favorite shows, meet friends for happy hour during the week or just waste your time away stressing about how hard your life is? Well, I'm here to tell you that you will have the time if you make the time. You know as well as I do that when you want something bad enough, you will do anything to have it. How bad do you want better health, unlimited energy or 6-pack abs? You have to want it so bad that you can see it as if it's already happened. Miraculously you will start finding time in your day. Working out at home is a simple way to make sure you fit it in before work.
-BUT I CAN'T AFFORD IT- Walking is free. Push-ups, sit-ups and squats...all free too! There is a plethora of information online about how to work out with out equipment. Check out YouTube for videos on Calisthenics, yoga, tai chi, kickboxing and more. It's a wealth of information all free to you.
-I DON'T HAVE THE ENERGY- if this is the case, a few things could be happening. You may be a caffeine freak at which case your adrenals are shot and we need to get to work asap! You may be struggling with your nutrition and not feeding your body the fuel it needs to do all you ask of it. There may be some serious stress in your life that causes you to feel overwhelmed at which case your emotional energy is what's drained. You may try using physical activity to get out your aggression or stress. Getting to the gym or pushing play on the DVD player can be half the battle. I can speak from experience in saying that I may feel horrible going into a workout, but half way through, the adrenaline kicks in and I feel like I can conquer the world.
-BUT I'VE TRIED WORKING OUT AND IT DIDN'T WORK- then you didn't do it right or the balance between diet and exercise was not right. Truth is, when you do the research to find out what works right for your body type, personality and your level of time commitment the results will come. You can not follow along with the workout program of a genetically skinny person and expect the same results if you are trying lose weight. If you are not thinking of yourself as an individual with specific needs, if you started a new program and didn't give it 110%, if you didn't take the time to understand how your body works...then you are cheating yourself.
Here's the bottom line: Respect yourself enough to do some research on what you need.
...If you don't know enough and don't plan on being a personal trainer yourself, hire one, purchase a home workout program or check out YouTube.
It's much more simple than you are making it so get over it and start somewhere! For more information on how to get started contact me at alida@bodyeverlasting.com
I hear many of these same excuses from people resisting physical activity so I have listed some excuses here with explanations, rebuttles and basic no-nonsense hits to tackle your most challenging objections!! What you read may be harsh but if you want results you have go to stop digging yourself into a hole...
-I DON'T LIKE TO EXERCISE- okay, really?!?! How do you know? Have you tried every type of physical activity there is? If not, then it's time you tried something new!
-I DON'T LIKE TO SWEAT- sweat is a necessary part of having a human body. For many of you women who experience hormonal sweating I can imagine this to be quite uncomfortable. But, sweat releases toxins from your body that are blocked up and with out sweating your body may very well be a toxic waste dump. Is that better than sweating? I think not!
-GYM'S ARE FOR BODYBUILDERS- in this day and age people of every age and fitness level go to gyms for every type of training from weights to Zumba to swimming. There is something for everyone! Plus, when you show up consistently you begin to make friends and feel like a welcome part of the community.
-I FEEL INTIMIDATED IN A GYM- when I first started at Gold's back in 2004 I had clients who would ask me to train them ONLY in the women's gym, secluded from the big "manly" machines. Fear of judgement, failure and rejection all played a huge part in this. Two things- A-tour a few gyms before settling in on one to know how the vibe will be B-if you can not find a gym in your area consider doing a workout program from home. If you are afraid of judgement, sweating off your make-up or just looking dorky in the gym, work out at home. Explore Home Workout Programs Here
-I FEAR INJURY- well, first of all let me say, if you fear something you will make it happen by law of attraction so wipe that thought from your brain. If you are concerned about whether or not you are performing an exercise correctly then maybe it's time you seek help from a personal trainer or fitness professional. Be sure to interview them on their techniques and be confident that they truly will focus on your form. I can't begin to tell you how many trainers I've seen who can not practically apply the knowledge they learned from the books that certified them, so do your research!
-BUT MY BODY HURTS AFTER I WORK OUT- this one is tricky but here goes...when you do any sort of resistance training or weight bearing exercise, microscopic tears happen in your muscle fibers which causes slight swelling in the muscle groups you worked. In addition, as a bi-product of energy production, lactic acid develops which is the burning sensation you feel toward the end of a set. Lactic acid remains in the muscle if your diet is poor and you do not consume enough alkaline foods to neutralize those acids. The recovery period following your workout should be a min of 48 hours until the next time you work the muscle again. To stave off any additional cramping you can do a short set of cardio such as walking on the treadmill immediately after your session to promote circulation and detoxification.
-BUT I DON'T HAVE THE TIME- I ask you this, how much time do you spend in front of the TV, spend in a social setting or searching random Epic Meal Time videos on YouTube? Do you TIVO your favorite shows, meet friends for happy hour during the week or just waste your time away stressing about how hard your life is? Well, I'm here to tell you that you will have the time if you make the time. You know as well as I do that when you want something bad enough, you will do anything to have it. How bad do you want better health, unlimited energy or 6-pack abs? You have to want it so bad that you can see it as if it's already happened. Miraculously you will start finding time in your day. Working out at home is a simple way to make sure you fit it in before work.
-BUT I CAN'T AFFORD IT- Walking is free. Push-ups, sit-ups and squats...all free too! There is a plethora of information online about how to work out with out equipment. Check out YouTube for videos on Calisthenics, yoga, tai chi, kickboxing and more. It's a wealth of information all free to you.
-I DON'T HAVE THE ENERGY- if this is the case, a few things could be happening. You may be a caffeine freak at which case your adrenals are shot and we need to get to work asap! You may be struggling with your nutrition and not feeding your body the fuel it needs to do all you ask of it. There may be some serious stress in your life that causes you to feel overwhelmed at which case your emotional energy is what's drained. You may try using physical activity to get out your aggression or stress. Getting to the gym or pushing play on the DVD player can be half the battle. I can speak from experience in saying that I may feel horrible going into a workout, but half way through, the adrenaline kicks in and I feel like I can conquer the world.
-BUT I'VE TRIED WORKING OUT AND IT DIDN'T WORK- then you didn't do it right or the balance between diet and exercise was not right. Truth is, when you do the research to find out what works right for your body type, personality and your level of time commitment the results will come. You can not follow along with the workout program of a genetically skinny person and expect the same results if you are trying lose weight. If you are not thinking of yourself as an individual with specific needs, if you started a new program and didn't give it 110%, if you didn't take the time to understand how your body works...then you are cheating yourself.
Here's the bottom line: Respect yourself enough to do some research on what you need.
...If you don't know enough and don't plan on being a personal trainer yourself, hire one, purchase a home workout program or check out YouTube.
It's much more simple than you are making it so get over it and start somewhere! For more information on how to get started contact me at alida@bodyeverlasting.com
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Don't Just Wish For It, Be It.
The way I see it, we all have one of two options- to live or to die....You can choose to live your life with passion and pizzazz or waste each precious moment wishing and hoping that things could get better.
In all sincerity, the words live and die don't have to relate to just the literal meanings but instead I refer to them in a metaphorical way. Ever had a moment where you feel as if the world is out to get you? It's as if nothing you do can go right. Every little thing goes wrong and at the end of the day you feel stressed, frustrated and alone. I know how this feels...I have been there myself. These self-defeating thoughts can actually be making you FAT!!! Fat is our built-in human survival mechanism and our thoughts can activate their protective forces.
Did you know that diet and exercise are not the only contributing factors to weight gain/obesity? They are only secondary! I know this may come as a bit of a shock to some of you but mark my words, it's not that simple. Obese related issues for many adults come from an emotional stimulus that influences food and behavior choices. Perfect example of why diets don't work-we "feel" as though we are being deprived but in reality it actually means there is a part of our lives that is incomplete and we feel a void that must be filled. Food is the easiest way to control the completeness we seek.
Though your brain may deceive you, tell you everything is fine and that your weight is a happy place, deep in the depths of your soul, you know this is not the truth. Inside, your heart breaks every time you pass by a mirror and loath what you see looking back at you. I can laugh about it now but I remember a time when I would only look at myself from the shoulders up to refrain from seeing my quickly expanding hips. Even in my sessions with training clients I have had to turn many of them away from the mirror to deter them from focusing so intently on all the things they found wrong in their appearance.
Your body will match your thoughts, seriously. When you think a thought, your brain creates a hormone peptide to match that emotion and the more you feel it, the more your brain gets addicted to that chemical response. Eventually, you end up becoming super-glued to your thoughts. Before you know it your body creates this layer of fat to protect you from the seemingly vicious world outside. Really, we feel like a victim of society and essentially begin to feel hopeless. Our choices begin to reflect this feeling of self-doubt and lack of self worth.We lose sight of our inner beauty and become a walking example of our deepest, darkest self restricting emotions. The reality then becomes an increase in this layer of fat to protect ourselves FROM ourselves. When the war is over, you no longer need the protection of that fat suit.
Feeling like a victim, unworthy, insecure and not beautiful is easy when the world is not watching you. When we are fat, we blend in. When we are thin, trim and in great shape we get noticed. You can hide in your fat suit and no one will tell you otherwise because this is the new trend. Now you are fitting in with the norm. Yet, all the while you are envious of all those skinny bitches who you tell yourself were "born that way" and decide that you just have bad genetics.
So when does it end? When will you begin to see that you have the power to change? Will you stand up and take the first step or will you just continue to justify your toxification of mind and body? How will your life change if you choose to move forward toward a healthier new you? Can you begin to imagine the way your thoughts will change when you have the body of your dreams? How would you feel and treat this new body?
I will leave you with this thought: once you begin to change the way you see yourself as you are now, the weight will melt off. Each week try one new thing that you know can help you reach your goal. It doesn't have to be big but each step, however large, will contribute to the overall foundation of health you are building. If you chose to "die" and waste your days away doing nothing, then you have nothing to complain about. But, if you chose to live then you will be too busy enjoying your days to see anything wrong with the beautiful creature you truly are. Start living this life today and you will be amazed at how your body reflects your new found mindset!
In all sincerity, the words live and die don't have to relate to just the literal meanings but instead I refer to them in a metaphorical way. Ever had a moment where you feel as if the world is out to get you? It's as if nothing you do can go right. Every little thing goes wrong and at the end of the day you feel stressed, frustrated and alone. I know how this feels...I have been there myself. These self-defeating thoughts can actually be making you FAT!!! Fat is our built-in human survival mechanism and our thoughts can activate their protective forces.
Did you know that diet and exercise are not the only contributing factors to weight gain/obesity? They are only secondary! I know this may come as a bit of a shock to some of you but mark my words, it's not that simple. Obese related issues for many adults come from an emotional stimulus that influences food and behavior choices. Perfect example of why diets don't work-we "feel" as though we are being deprived but in reality it actually means there is a part of our lives that is incomplete and we feel a void that must be filled. Food is the easiest way to control the completeness we seek.
Though your brain may deceive you, tell you everything is fine and that your weight is a happy place, deep in the depths of your soul, you know this is not the truth. Inside, your heart breaks every time you pass by a mirror and loath what you see looking back at you. I can laugh about it now but I remember a time when I would only look at myself from the shoulders up to refrain from seeing my quickly expanding hips. Even in my sessions with training clients I have had to turn many of them away from the mirror to deter them from focusing so intently on all the things they found wrong in their appearance.
Your body will match your thoughts, seriously. When you think a thought, your brain creates a hormone peptide to match that emotion and the more you feel it, the more your brain gets addicted to that chemical response. Eventually, you end up becoming super-glued to your thoughts. Before you know it your body creates this layer of fat to protect you from the seemingly vicious world outside. Really, we feel like a victim of society and essentially begin to feel hopeless. Our choices begin to reflect this feeling of self-doubt and lack of self worth.We lose sight of our inner beauty and become a walking example of our deepest, darkest self restricting emotions. The reality then becomes an increase in this layer of fat to protect ourselves FROM ourselves. When the war is over, you no longer need the protection of that fat suit.
Feeling like a victim, unworthy, insecure and not beautiful is easy when the world is not watching you. When we are fat, we blend in. When we are thin, trim and in great shape we get noticed. You can hide in your fat suit and no one will tell you otherwise because this is the new trend. Now you are fitting in with the norm. Yet, all the while you are envious of all those skinny bitches who you tell yourself were "born that way" and decide that you just have bad genetics.
So when does it end? When will you begin to see that you have the power to change? Will you stand up and take the first step or will you just continue to justify your toxification of mind and body? How will your life change if you choose to move forward toward a healthier new you? Can you begin to imagine the way your thoughts will change when you have the body of your dreams? How would you feel and treat this new body?
I will leave you with this thought: once you begin to change the way you see yourself as you are now, the weight will melt off. Each week try one new thing that you know can help you reach your goal. It doesn't have to be big but each step, however large, will contribute to the overall foundation of health you are building. If you chose to "die" and waste your days away doing nothing, then you have nothing to complain about. But, if you chose to live then you will be too busy enjoying your days to see anything wrong with the beautiful creature you truly are. Start living this life today and you will be amazed at how your body reflects your new found mindset!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Say No to Crack!
I walk around a public place and see many women, and men, with less than perfect bumbums. Cracks are exposed more and more and at alarming rates! And not in a good way. It's the one thing that can be fixed without implants and the one muscle group that women have the most trouble with.
Are you or someone you know suffering from an overabundant, saggy, flat, indented behind or even concave behind? It's become such a problem that people are actually getting implants for it?!? Crazy!
Over the years I became known as the Goddess of Glutes because of my own badunkadunk and my ability to build them on clients of all ages, shapes and sizes. Yes, I have good genetics but there were only two times in my life when I lost my bum: Once when I was in 6th grade after I gained my weight back following a short stint with Jenny Craig and a second time when I was a size 3...
At a time when I had only been a personal trainer for 7 months, and was the thinnest I had ever been, I was approached by the guy working the front desk at my gym. He said to me "You know, I am really proud of your massive weight loss and impressed at your hard work and dedication...but you lost your ass! It was amazing!!" For a girl who has always gotten attention for my behind, that was a ginormous blow to the ego. I vowed never to lose it again!
Squats and lunges became a staples in my training and I began to understand the correlation between flexibility of the hamstrings and proper formation of gluteal muscles. In a nutshell...I had it down pat. It became clear to me that the glutes are a wonderfully easy part of the body to shape and sculpt.
Unfortunately for many women the rump is not a symmetrical balance to the rest of their body so their pants don't fit right (ie: crack attack) causing them to slide down while sitting...reminiscent of my old Ken doll who's polyester pants exposed his crack every time he sat in Barbie's Dream car...or bunch up in the wrong spots while standing/walking. We also have many who are afraid to show it off due to cellulite. So what to do?
Here are a few tips for consideration when building your luscious lady lumps:
1) stay flexible-many women who are stiff end up using their quads to perform a squat or lunge more than their glutes. When you stay flexible you are able to get a better range of motion and activate the glutes more effectively.
2) when doing cardio think stairs or incline-this movement will incorporate the use of glute muscles and help them grow, but make sure you place more of your weight in your heels rather than your toes
3) drink hot water-I know it sounds strange but cellulite is caused many toxins built up in the fat cells and lyphatic system. The easiest way to clear that out is to sip on hot water throughout the day.
Anyone is capable of having the bootie of their dreams. With the right tools, program and healthy eating habits your pants and bikinis will fit like never before!
Are you or someone you know suffering from an overabundant, saggy, flat, indented behind or even concave behind? It's become such a problem that people are actually getting implants for it?!? Crazy!
Over the years I became known as the Goddess of Glutes because of my own badunkadunk and my ability to build them on clients of all ages, shapes and sizes. Yes, I have good genetics but there were only two times in my life when I lost my bum: Once when I was in 6th grade after I gained my weight back following a short stint with Jenny Craig and a second time when I was a size 3...
At a time when I had only been a personal trainer for 7 months, and was the thinnest I had ever been, I was approached by the guy working the front desk at my gym. He said to me "You know, I am really proud of your massive weight loss and impressed at your hard work and dedication...but you lost your ass! It was amazing!!" For a girl who has always gotten attention for my behind, that was a ginormous blow to the ego. I vowed never to lose it again!
Squats and lunges became a staples in my training and I began to understand the correlation between flexibility of the hamstrings and proper formation of gluteal muscles. In a nutshell...I had it down pat. It became clear to me that the glutes are a wonderfully easy part of the body to shape and sculpt.
Unfortunately for many women the rump is not a symmetrical balance to the rest of their body so their pants don't fit right (ie: crack attack) causing them to slide down while sitting...reminiscent of my old Ken doll who's polyester pants exposed his crack every time he sat in Barbie's Dream car...or bunch up in the wrong spots while standing/walking. We also have many who are afraid to show it off due to cellulite. So what to do?
Here are a few tips for consideration when building your luscious lady lumps:
1) stay flexible-many women who are stiff end up using their quads to perform a squat or lunge more than their glutes. When you stay flexible you are able to get a better range of motion and activate the glutes more effectively.
2) when doing cardio think stairs or incline-this movement will incorporate the use of glute muscles and help them grow, but make sure you place more of your weight in your heels rather than your toes
3) drink hot water-I know it sounds strange but cellulite is caused many toxins built up in the fat cells and lyphatic system. The easiest way to clear that out is to sip on hot water throughout the day.
Anyone is capable of having the bootie of their dreams. With the right tools, program and healthy eating habits your pants and bikinis will fit like never before!
Monday, August 29, 2011
Taking a Chance on Yourself
Yep. It happened once again. You trusted someone to do something and they didn't handle it in the way you would have chosen it to be handled. The feelings you are left with may include depression, frustration, sadness, loneliness...but in the end you only have yourself to blame.
This is NOT a doom and gloom story so read on...
We as humans are wired with this funny way of making everyone responsible for our life except the one person who really has the most control: our own selves. We can go around blaming our problems, turmoil and lacking on someone else but have we really sat down to think about how great it would have turned out if we took the initiative to do it ourselves?
Ever meet someone who you just know will be great and you put all your time and effort into building them up only to have them collapse? Where do you end up in that situation? In network marketing, a common misconception is that the team leaders don't care about you because you are not giving them as much time and energy as you feel you need. BUT the team leaders know if they spend all their energy on just one person, who may or may not be a fast business builder, they run the risk of missing out on opportunities to help other team mates who may be self-motivated and actually do something spectacular with their business. Perception of the situation can go both ways and each party feels they are right.
Think about it this way-If I don't study for school, I can't blame anyone for my bad test scores other than myself. So knowing this, I have to take the time to assess each situation before I offer to help someone advance. Without confidence in myself, my mission and my journey it would be easy to let things get in the way and put faith in someone else's courage rather than my own. Without confidence in myself, I can find other people to live out my dreams and put all my faith in them to build them up...this way, if they fail...it's them not me...Make sense?
When we do not go out and live the life that is waiting for us, we can't blame anyone else for our missing pieces. We have no excuse or reason to complain because we are choosing not to take control.
In life, we have a choice each day- to live or to die. If you choose to die (die as in being numb to life and ignoring the opportunities that present themselves daily) then you sit on the couch watching your life be lived by someone else. If you choose to live then you stay present in every moment, live each day to the fullest and essentially suck the marrow from life. This is when you find your true peace, joy and fulfillment.
Take a chance on yourself and start living the life you were born to live. Start taking a chance on you and believe that you are capable of great things. See your true potential as you see in others and go find what it is that truly makes you happy.
An authentic life begins with you!
This is NOT a doom and gloom story so read on...
We as humans are wired with this funny way of making everyone responsible for our life except the one person who really has the most control: our own selves. We can go around blaming our problems, turmoil and lacking on someone else but have we really sat down to think about how great it would have turned out if we took the initiative to do it ourselves?
Ever meet someone who you just know will be great and you put all your time and effort into building them up only to have them collapse? Where do you end up in that situation? In network marketing, a common misconception is that the team leaders don't care about you because you are not giving them as much time and energy as you feel you need. BUT the team leaders know if they spend all their energy on just one person, who may or may not be a fast business builder, they run the risk of missing out on opportunities to help other team mates who may be self-motivated and actually do something spectacular with their business. Perception of the situation can go both ways and each party feels they are right.
Think about it this way-If I don't study for school, I can't blame anyone for my bad test scores other than myself. So knowing this, I have to take the time to assess each situation before I offer to help someone advance. Without confidence in myself, my mission and my journey it would be easy to let things get in the way and put faith in someone else's courage rather than my own. Without confidence in myself, I can find other people to live out my dreams and put all my faith in them to build them up...this way, if they fail...it's them not me...Make sense?
When we do not go out and live the life that is waiting for us, we can't blame anyone else for our missing pieces. We have no excuse or reason to complain because we are choosing not to take control.
In life, we have a choice each day- to live or to die. If you choose to die (die as in being numb to life and ignoring the opportunities that present themselves daily) then you sit on the couch watching your life be lived by someone else. If you choose to live then you stay present in every moment, live each day to the fullest and essentially suck the marrow from life. This is when you find your true peace, joy and fulfillment.
Take a chance on yourself and start living the life you were born to live. Start taking a chance on you and believe that you are capable of great things. See your true potential as you see in others and go find what it is that truly makes you happy.
An authentic life begins with you!
Friday, August 26, 2011
Nutrition in a Bottle?
Okay, it's out there. Millions of supplements claiming to take the place of eating real fruits and vegetables, speed up your metabolism, decrease the effects of stress....yadah...yadah...yadah...The funny part of all these claims is that they call themselves "nutrition" and come packaged in a bottle with a pretty label and colored gelatin tablets most likely made from the hooves a cow...hmmm
Now, don't get me wrong. I fully understand that with agriculture the way it has been for many years, our crops are not yielding a high nutrient dense food and we have to resort to taking a multi-vitamin and various others nutrients every day to fill in the gaps. I get it. BUT here's where I have my issue: weight loss, stress-free living and a lean, sculpted physique comes from more than just a pill.
When we set out to the vitamin store, we usually have a specific ailment that drives us to find a solution. So-called nutrition companies know this so they package your pill in a label that shows how great your life will be after continued use of their product. It's a great way of marketing to target one of the big 3 niches: health and fitness, relationships and dating or business and finances. Some marketing targets all three. For a minimal fee, non-invasive to your wallet, the promise of an amazing body that will attract members of the opposite sex is a HUGE selling point. Translation: a successful marketing campaign showing beautiful women who you will either a- look like or b- attract for a date after supposedly taking their cheaply made and poorly formulated products that sell for an obscenely low price. It's an easy sell. I used to buy into it myself.
Did you know that if your metabolism is slow to begin with that a diet pill can actually make it worse? Ever notice how caffeine doesn't do for you now what it did before? Stimulants create a slow-down of your basal metabolic rate and your sensors become dull. This means you need more of it to create the same effect you had before. In turn it can overload your adrenals and shut down your thyroid. Then what? The companies don't tell you this because they want more sales. Instead, they come out with a more potent version to out-do the one before.
You have surely seen the protein powders that deliver 50-75 grams of whey protein in one scoop for a ridiculously low price but non of those companies tell you that the quality is one step above live stock feed. It's no wonder you have gas and bloating....it's not normal. The sad thing is, because of the poor quality and isolated content, your body can only assimilate 10-30 percent of that 50-75g per serving so really wouldn't it behoove you to buy an excellent quality to get only 20g per serving. At least this way you know you would be getting everything the label says.
Now, take into consideration that this is YOUR body. You work hard on it in the gym, eating right and doing what it takes, and yet, you don't take the time to do the research on how these companies produce the items in the supplements you buy. You take it because it says you will look and feel great...and because some pretty actress or athlete was paid to say they use it. Odds are, they don't and wouldn't even touch the stuff.
Nutrition involves eating foods that are nutrient dense meaning they have high amounts of nutrients your body needs to be at an optimal level. Processed foods do not contain these nutrients so companies have to add in synthetic versions of vitamins and minerals. If you are buying non-organic foods there is a ginormous chance that your food has only a third of the nutrient density it had only 20 years ago due to not rotating crops, shipping from other countries, growing foods out of region or season and genetic modification.
Media programs, infomercials and various articles preach about the pros and cons of food items and tell you about random holistic items to help with your ailment. Without someone to help you sort through it all, you may take a wrong turn and end up doing more harm than good. Take time to find out what your body truly needs. You are unique and need different things than the Joe-schmo who told you about some miracle pill.
Remember, this is your body, the only one you get. Respect it by doing your research into what you really need, what supplement companies are really doing when they produce your products and how you can optimize your nutrition through diet, exercise and primary foods first. Your body will be in better balance, your mind will be less stressed and your outer physique will show signs of peace and harmony. After all, this is what we are striving for!
If you find that you are having trouble figuring it all out, email me at alida@bodyeverlasting.com to set up a FREE health history.
Now, don't get me wrong. I fully understand that with agriculture the way it has been for many years, our crops are not yielding a high nutrient dense food and we have to resort to taking a multi-vitamin and various others nutrients every day to fill in the gaps. I get it. BUT here's where I have my issue: weight loss, stress-free living and a lean, sculpted physique comes from more than just a pill.
When we set out to the vitamin store, we usually have a specific ailment that drives us to find a solution. So-called nutrition companies know this so they package your pill in a label that shows how great your life will be after continued use of their product. It's a great way of marketing to target one of the big 3 niches: health and fitness, relationships and dating or business and finances. Some marketing targets all three. For a minimal fee, non-invasive to your wallet, the promise of an amazing body that will attract members of the opposite sex is a HUGE selling point. Translation: a successful marketing campaign showing beautiful women who you will either a- look like or b- attract for a date after supposedly taking their cheaply made and poorly formulated products that sell for an obscenely low price. It's an easy sell. I used to buy into it myself.
Did you know that if your metabolism is slow to begin with that a diet pill can actually make it worse? Ever notice how caffeine doesn't do for you now what it did before? Stimulants create a slow-down of your basal metabolic rate and your sensors become dull. This means you need more of it to create the same effect you had before. In turn it can overload your adrenals and shut down your thyroid. Then what? The companies don't tell you this because they want more sales. Instead, they come out with a more potent version to out-do the one before.
You have surely seen the protein powders that deliver 50-75 grams of whey protein in one scoop for a ridiculously low price but non of those companies tell you that the quality is one step above live stock feed. It's no wonder you have gas and bloating....it's not normal. The sad thing is, because of the poor quality and isolated content, your body can only assimilate 10-30 percent of that 50-75g per serving so really wouldn't it behoove you to buy an excellent quality to get only 20g per serving. At least this way you know you would be getting everything the label says.
Now, take into consideration that this is YOUR body. You work hard on it in the gym, eating right and doing what it takes, and yet, you don't take the time to do the research on how these companies produce the items in the supplements you buy. You take it because it says you will look and feel great...and because some pretty actress or athlete was paid to say they use it. Odds are, they don't and wouldn't even touch the stuff.
Nutrition involves eating foods that are nutrient dense meaning they have high amounts of nutrients your body needs to be at an optimal level. Processed foods do not contain these nutrients so companies have to add in synthetic versions of vitamins and minerals. If you are buying non-organic foods there is a ginormous chance that your food has only a third of the nutrient density it had only 20 years ago due to not rotating crops, shipping from other countries, growing foods out of region or season and genetic modification.
Media programs, infomercials and various articles preach about the pros and cons of food items and tell you about random holistic items to help with your ailment. Without someone to help you sort through it all, you may take a wrong turn and end up doing more harm than good. Take time to find out what your body truly needs. You are unique and need different things than the Joe-schmo who told you about some miracle pill.
Remember, this is your body, the only one you get. Respect it by doing your research into what you really need, what supplement companies are really doing when they produce your products and how you can optimize your nutrition through diet, exercise and primary foods first. Your body will be in better balance, your mind will be less stressed and your outer physique will show signs of peace and harmony. After all, this is what we are striving for!
If you find that you are having trouble figuring it all out, email me at alida@bodyeverlasting.com to set up a FREE health history.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
A Dose of My Own Medicine...O_o
Have you ever had a moment where you felt as though a higher power was speaking through your words or your fingers as you wrote? It's that moment where you have absolute clarity and are fully connected to source energy. No walls, no writer's block. The inner voice speaks loud and clear with the message needing to be heard, drowning out the fear in your brain trying to lead you blindly. This message is usually delivered to someone else but deep down inside it really applies to you.
I feel this when I write my blogs. The topic will present itself with a client or person in my life and I see the message to write about. As I type, I sometimes feel like my fingers move on their own and I have no struggle to release the message...these are the best ways to know that I am writing what needs to be written. Not fluff.
As humans, we have an amazing ability to give advice to everyone around us and have difficulties taking that advice ourselves. HAHA I'm sure you know how this works. Humans can be the worst at taking their own advice because they spend their lives making sure the people around them are taken care of and at the end of the day have nothing left to give to themselves. I love being a health coach because I now use every opportunity as an excuse to turn myself into a human guinea pig! I can't recommend something if I haven't tried it myself. The beauty of writing a blog with instinct and not my well thought out, perfectly planned topic discussions allows the message to reach out to me and others without censorship. A clear vision of truth and insight is easy when you are in alignment and difficult when you are in a place of fear of lack of abundance...the message we both need to hear.
When I urge clients to enjoy the journey, stop and smell the roses and various other ways of loving the experience of change, I am not only speaking to them and you I am speaking to myself as well. After going back and reading a blog I wrote last week I felt the message hit me hard. I needed to hear it and be reminded of the journey I once made to lose weight. It was the time of my life. There was so much intensity in my actions and my focus that nothing could stand in my way. At the same time I was able to be more productive and had so much energy that I couldn't sleep some days. The drive to reach my goal was incredible and unforgettable. Those are times I want to always remember, especially when I am feeling disconnected or not on track. Moments on that path will remind me of what I am truly capable of and how far I can push myself...also shows me how little I may be challenging myself at this point in my life...
Listen to the words you speak and hear the messages you give to those around you. Think of each day as a journey and opportunity to learn. If you have reached a point in your life where you have nothing to excite you, to challenge your brain or to inspire you so greatly that you can't wait to wake up and jump in head first then it's time for a new goal!! In my new goal of losing the last ten pounds I have started a video blog using Ustream on the Body Everlasting channel and on YouTube as the GoddessOfGlutes. It gives me a way to share my obstacles and triumphs as well as document the steps for others to follow. Sharing my journey with all of you allows me to document the steps and be accountable to enjoy the process.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
I feel this when I write my blogs. The topic will present itself with a client or person in my life and I see the message to write about. As I type, I sometimes feel like my fingers move on their own and I have no struggle to release the message...these are the best ways to know that I am writing what needs to be written. Not fluff.
As humans, we have an amazing ability to give advice to everyone around us and have difficulties taking that advice ourselves. HAHA I'm sure you know how this works. Humans can be the worst at taking their own advice because they spend their lives making sure the people around them are taken care of and at the end of the day have nothing left to give to themselves. I love being a health coach because I now use every opportunity as an excuse to turn myself into a human guinea pig! I can't recommend something if I haven't tried it myself. The beauty of writing a blog with instinct and not my well thought out, perfectly planned topic discussions allows the message to reach out to me and others without censorship. A clear vision of truth and insight is easy when you are in alignment and difficult when you are in a place of fear of lack of abundance...the message we both need to hear.
When I urge clients to enjoy the journey, stop and smell the roses and various other ways of loving the experience of change, I am not only speaking to them and you I am speaking to myself as well. After going back and reading a blog I wrote last week I felt the message hit me hard. I needed to hear it and be reminded of the journey I once made to lose weight. It was the time of my life. There was so much intensity in my actions and my focus that nothing could stand in my way. At the same time I was able to be more productive and had so much energy that I couldn't sleep some days. The drive to reach my goal was incredible and unforgettable. Those are times I want to always remember, especially when I am feeling disconnected or not on track. Moments on that path will remind me of what I am truly capable of and how far I can push myself...also shows me how little I may be challenging myself at this point in my life...
Listen to the words you speak and hear the messages you give to those around you. Think of each day as a journey and opportunity to learn. If you have reached a point in your life where you have nothing to excite you, to challenge your brain or to inspire you so greatly that you can't wait to wake up and jump in head first then it's time for a new goal!! In my new goal of losing the last ten pounds I have started a video blog using Ustream on the Body Everlasting channel and on YouTube as the GoddessOfGlutes. It gives me a way to share my obstacles and triumphs as well as document the steps for others to follow. Sharing my journey with all of you allows me to document the steps and be accountable to enjoy the process.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Friday, August 12, 2011
I'm Calling it QUITS!!!
I know, I know...Nobody likes a quitter. But hear me out-
Remember the times when ice cream and hot sunny day went hand in hand? The days when salty chips with ranch dip and a ice cold, hurt-your-teeth-sweet soda made the long day at the pool complete...the childhood memories skim on the palette like a symphony of notes playfully dancing the waltz with your taste buds.
Now, it's as if we have forgotten what it's like to live, just for the moment and be so present that we give every last bit of energy we have to that experience. As a kid, we can remember each and every detail- the sites, smells and sounds.
As an adult, we get so wrapped up in the past or the future that we forget to live in this moment, right now. If you have ever looked back at a time or event in your life and wished that you would have stopped to look around a bit so you could remember more of it, you know exactly what I am talking about.
So how does this all impact our overall health? Just like this: when you are wagging a war in your heart over any of your primary foods(career, spirituality, relationships or physical activity) your body goes into survival mode. This means you automatically store fat rather than burn it. It's like a barrier or shield to protect you from the blows of life.
Did you know that when you gain weight, the fat cells actually store the chemical emotion linked to the time in your life that you gained the weight? That means you store baggage whether you want to or not! EEK!!! Now also understand that as you lose weight, those emotions are released into your blood stream and you feel depressed, angry and frustrated because chemically you are reliving that experience. This is a common problem for people who are attempting to lose weight. It's not that they don't have will power because they do. It's not that they don't try, they do. The issue is that the ANT's(automatic negative thoughts) are crawling out of the fat cells as they burn and infesting the brain with gook!
The easiest way to combat this is to remain present. Focus on the beauty around you right now and think of how blessed you are to be here. Imagine how energetic you feel when you work out and eat right. Feel the connection you have with your inner self. Create moments to spend quality time with your loved ones. Find a career that suits your personality and allows you to grow.
When I say that I'm calling it quits, I am. I live life being true to my authentic self. If something is not working I'll change it rather than complain about it. No longer will I allow my external forces to determine my health. From where I stand my war is over. I don't need to fight because I am too focused on enjoying the present moment. Worry and doubt have no place in my heart...my body reflects it, as will yours!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Remember the times when ice cream and hot sunny day went hand in hand? The days when salty chips with ranch dip and a ice cold, hurt-your-teeth-sweet soda made the long day at the pool complete...the childhood memories skim on the palette like a symphony of notes playfully dancing the waltz with your taste buds.
Now, it's as if we have forgotten what it's like to live, just for the moment and be so present that we give every last bit of energy we have to that experience. As a kid, we can remember each and every detail- the sites, smells and sounds.
As an adult, we get so wrapped up in the past or the future that we forget to live in this moment, right now. If you have ever looked back at a time or event in your life and wished that you would have stopped to look around a bit so you could remember more of it, you know exactly what I am talking about.
So how does this all impact our overall health? Just like this: when you are wagging a war in your heart over any of your primary foods(career, spirituality, relationships or physical activity) your body goes into survival mode. This means you automatically store fat rather than burn it. It's like a barrier or shield to protect you from the blows of life.
Did you know that when you gain weight, the fat cells actually store the chemical emotion linked to the time in your life that you gained the weight? That means you store baggage whether you want to or not! EEK!!! Now also understand that as you lose weight, those emotions are released into your blood stream and you feel depressed, angry and frustrated because chemically you are reliving that experience. This is a common problem for people who are attempting to lose weight. It's not that they don't have will power because they do. It's not that they don't try, they do. The issue is that the ANT's(automatic negative thoughts) are crawling out of the fat cells as they burn and infesting the brain with gook!
The easiest way to combat this is to remain present. Focus on the beauty around you right now and think of how blessed you are to be here. Imagine how energetic you feel when you work out and eat right. Feel the connection you have with your inner self. Create moments to spend quality time with your loved ones. Find a career that suits your personality and allows you to grow.
When I say that I'm calling it quits, I am. I live life being true to my authentic self. If something is not working I'll change it rather than complain about it. No longer will I allow my external forces to determine my health. From where I stand my war is over. I don't need to fight because I am too focused on enjoying the present moment. Worry and doubt have no place in my heart...my body reflects it, as will yours!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Can't Tell Me NUTHIN!!
In 1999 I was diagnosed by a third doctor to go on Prozac. It was a familiar diagnosis as I had dealt with depression all my life. The doctor who diagnosed me said that I needed a change, something to make me happy...as he wrote my prescription. I thought "He doesn't know me! How could he possibly know that I needed a change?!?!" After a brief chat and some tears with my mom, I walked out of the pharmacy, without my Prozac, and searched for holistic answers. There was no way I was going to be held hostage to a drug for my happiness!!!
One solution came from supplementing magnesium in large doses. That was an amazing relief after the st. john's wart and kava kava had me curled up in fetal position crying for three straight days. lol Magnesium was the greatest thing ever but it was only a good, quick fix for my depression on a chemical level. I was a compulsive over-eater and addicted to foods that would sedate me. I knew I had to change something major and the one lifestyle change that had to be made was the one that would change my life forever.
On my way home from college one day I passed by a culinary school. They had a killer deal- $40 per semester to take as many classes as you want!?!?! What? Heck yeah I could afford that!!!
At that time I was working three part time jobs and going to school. I loved to cook and the idea of going to culinary school really got me excited. I had a plan...I'd schedule my work around my culinary classes and continue a lighter schedule in college to make my mom happy. When I came home and told my mom my grandiose plans she was actually open to the idea on a bigger plane. Instead of letting me settle on a less than perfect school, she found the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco.
During an entrance interview between my mom and the director of education he said to her "are you sure she is ready for this? You know, women have a difficult time in the culinary industry. Maybe she should think more about this more before she jumps in." Yeah...obviously he has never met me!! Clearly he has no clue that when you tell me it's impossible, I'll prove you wrong.
Long story short, I completed the first program and stayed for the second because I thoroughly enjoyed the education I was receiving. Plus, the idea of making foods that I was addicted to healthy for me, and others, enticed me.
During my time at that school I came across many chefs who told me I would never be able to make food healthy and taste good. "Fat is flavor and you can't bake without sugar!" Again with the "YOU CAN'TS" and I again set out to prove them wrong. In my time working as a chef I was recruited to design menus for a medical wellness program linked to a local resort and conducted cooking classes and educational grocery shopping trips to help clients find tasty, fitness friendly options. Nothing is impossible in my world! NOTHING.
The moral of this story is, if you want something bad enough no one can stand in your way. Plain and simple. If you find yourself struggling to fight obstacles and overcome objections then either one of two things is happening a-you have not chosen the right thing or b-your level of commitment is not high enough.
I use this story to fuel many things in my life. It reminds me of what I am truly capable of and how far I can push myself beyond my comfort zone limits. Do you have a moment in you life that gives you this type of insight? Can you pin point a time where you proved to yourself that you could triumph over anything that comes your way? Journal it, acknowledge your achievements and remind yourself of these times when life gets hard. It's easy to get lost in the every rungs but taking time out to pat yourself on the back every once in a while will help you stay motivated to continue your journey.
One solution came from supplementing magnesium in large doses. That was an amazing relief after the st. john's wart and kava kava had me curled up in fetal position crying for three straight days. lol Magnesium was the greatest thing ever but it was only a good, quick fix for my depression on a chemical level. I was a compulsive over-eater and addicted to foods that would sedate me. I knew I had to change something major and the one lifestyle change that had to be made was the one that would change my life forever.
On my way home from college one day I passed by a culinary school. They had a killer deal- $40 per semester to take as many classes as you want!?!?! What? Heck yeah I could afford that!!!
At that time I was working three part time jobs and going to school. I loved to cook and the idea of going to culinary school really got me excited. I had a plan...I'd schedule my work around my culinary classes and continue a lighter schedule in college to make my mom happy. When I came home and told my mom my grandiose plans she was actually open to the idea on a bigger plane. Instead of letting me settle on a less than perfect school, she found the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco.
During an entrance interview between my mom and the director of education he said to her "are you sure she is ready for this? You know, women have a difficult time in the culinary industry. Maybe she should think more about this more before she jumps in." Yeah...obviously he has never met me!! Clearly he has no clue that when you tell me it's impossible, I'll prove you wrong.
Long story short, I completed the first program and stayed for the second because I thoroughly enjoyed the education I was receiving. Plus, the idea of making foods that I was addicted to healthy for me, and others, enticed me.
During my time at that school I came across many chefs who told me I would never be able to make food healthy and taste good. "Fat is flavor and you can't bake without sugar!" Again with the "YOU CAN'TS" and I again set out to prove them wrong. In my time working as a chef I was recruited to design menus for a medical wellness program linked to a local resort and conducted cooking classes and educational grocery shopping trips to help clients find tasty, fitness friendly options. Nothing is impossible in my world! NOTHING.
The moral of this story is, if you want something bad enough no one can stand in your way. Plain and simple. If you find yourself struggling to fight obstacles and overcome objections then either one of two things is happening a-you have not chosen the right thing or b-your level of commitment is not high enough.
I use this story to fuel many things in my life. It reminds me of what I am truly capable of and how far I can push myself beyond my comfort zone limits. Do you have a moment in you life that gives you this type of insight? Can you pin point a time where you proved to yourself that you could triumph over anything that comes your way? Journal it, acknowledge your achievements and remind yourself of these times when life gets hard. It's easy to get lost in the every rungs but taking time out to pat yourself on the back every once in a while will help you stay motivated to continue your journey.
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