How to kick cravings with eating meditation
happiness, inspiration, mindfulness, mindset, self care
4th Apr 2012
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Want to break your sugar habit or mindless snacking? Try this mindful eating exercise:
I learned about eating meditation around the time when I started on my path to wellness. At the time, I had started learning about ayurveda, yoga, and meditation with my teacher Frank Jude Boccio. The meditation group that I attended would have occasional tea ceremonies where we would practice eating meditation. It was the practice of mindful eating – and walking and breathing – that taught me how to be present in the moment and in my body. Once I started this practice, my eating habits became much healthier because I was so much more aware of how food affected me, when I was hungry, and when I felt full.
Have you tried eating meditation? Let me know about your experiences in the comments section below.
How I lost 5 pounds while still eating chocolate
cleanse, diet, mindset
26th Mar 2012
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As a health coach, I always feel like I need to be perfect when it comes to food. But let’s face reality here – I’m not.
In fact, I’ve had a habit of eating when I’m not hungry, but tired, angry, sad or lonely. I used to eat giant chocolate chip cookies every day (no longer for several years now).
And even as I’ve been coaching people to overcome unhelpful eating habits, I’ve been struggling with my cravings for chocolate and peanut butter. I knew there was something going on in my mind that had me overindulging, and I couldn’t figure out what it was.
Then I discovered Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), which helps you make rapid breakthroughs in areas of your life where you feel stuck. It works by helping you interrupt thinking patterns that lead to a behavior that’s not working (i.e., eating chocolate) to create a new thinking pattern that results in a new behavior.
I took Joel Elfman’s NLP and Weight Loss class in February, and I made some amazing progress in this area. I discovered that eating chocolate was a way of an indulgent escape, or like taking a mini vacation. Once I realize that I was eating it to create a form of pleasure, I discovered how to create pleasure without eating chocolate.
Joel and I co-taught an eating meditation to the group, which had us practicing eating our favorite foods mindfully. Combining mindfulness eating with NLP techniques easily helped shift the habits of the group by practicing enjoying a small amount of the food we loved, getting enjoyment out of each moment, and then stopping, fully satisfied, after just a couple of small bites.
Here’s the most amazing part: because we practiced savoring our favorite foods so fully, I learned how I can embrace my desire for chocolate and just eat one little square (I used to eat almost a whole bar at a time). And I’m happy to report that even though the class is over, I’m still not craving chocolate like I used to.
And yes, it’s true: I did lose 5 pounds while eating chocolate (mindfully) during the class, and I’m slowly continuing to shrink.
Did you know that you can also learn the eating meditation technique (and much more) in my new 4-week Button Fly Jumpstart program? Take a look at the Skinny Jeans Sexy cleanse page, and see if that program appeals to you. If you’re not sure, request a 15-minute breakthrough session with me to decide.
How to make your thoughts attract what you want
mindset
4th Mar 2012
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Do you want to lose weight, exercise more, stress less, love your body, or have more fun?
All of these things are possible right now.
The only thing that’s stopping you from achieving any and all of your health goals? The thoughts that you think.
Consider this: results that you have right now were created with the thoughts that you had – beliefs, feelings, and emotions that caused you to take certain actions. Those actions produced certain results.
So, what if you simply started thinking different thoughts?
Wouldn’t you take different action?
Maybe it’s easier said than done. That’s why I have this exercise for you to try – see how your thoughts shift:
1. Write down a goal that you have, and write it in the present tense (as if it exists right now: for example
I am healthy and fit: I work out 5 days per week.
2. Write down all the reasons you have about why you can’t have this goal: for example
- No time to work out
- Low energy
- Too busy with work
- Need to take care of my family
3. For each of these reasons you have about why you can’t, write down reasons of how you CAN have them – i.e., what you can do to solve the issues:
Not time to work out –> Do shorter workouts, take the stairs, walk further
Low energy –> Go to bed earlier, drink more water, use Christy’s “3 mistakes” special report
Too busy with work –> reprioritize assignments, cut out unnecessary meetings
Need to take care of my family –> get help from spouse, prioritize myself with “me time”
What do you think of this exercise? Let me know how it worked for you in the comments! And pass this post on if you liked it 
Melt your stress now
inspiration, mindset
7th Dec 2011
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The holidays are here! Are you having fun or stressing out?
If you’re feeling stressed, and you don’t want to be, what would you rather feel?
I say, be unreasonable. Let me explain…
I was sleeping soundly at 5:30 am this morning until my alarm went off. Yes, that’s an unreasonable time to get up. But I had already decided that I wasn’t going to let my excuses get in my way of doing what I need to get done. One of which is an exciting new project that I will tell you about soon…
So, I needed to get up extra early to write. My best hours for writing are really early in the morning.
I could have used many reasons for staying in bed, like:
- The sun isn’t even up yet, why should I get up?
- It’s so nice and toasty in here
- I didn’t quite get enough sleep
- Maybe I can do it later when I’m more awake
- You know, I don’t really feel like it
But guess what? I decided not to let my reasons (which are perfectly good ones) keep me from doing what I wanted to do. So, I let go of them and became “unreasonable” i.e., without reason.
You know how much easier it was to write this blog post once I decided to just sit down and do it? The writing seemed to flow out of me as naturally as if we were talking. It feels good to just write and tell you exactly what’s on my mind.
Here’s the thing. You probably have lots of reasons (and good ones, too) of why you are stressed. They might be things like:
- There are too many people in the stores
- There’s too much work to do at work
- My family is driving me crazy
- I have to make all this food for all these people
- I don’t have enough time to get it done
- There’s no time left for me
But what if it was the reasons that were keeping you stressed? Then imagine what life would be like if you could let go of all of those reasons.
Imagine what the holidays could be if you were “unreasonable.” Maybe you could choose to ignore the shoppers in the stores, go to less crowded places, shop online, or shop at local stores.
Or, you could see your work as a blessing – because you do love your job and you’re now working on projects that are stimulating, challenging and make you think.
Or, you could realize that you’re doing the cooking because you volunteered to do it and you really do love preparing foods for your friends and relatives. And it’s fun to finally get to slow down and share each other’s company for a while.
Or, you could choose to make time for yourself and do something that you really want to do. Just because.
I encourage you to try something without reasons today. See what happens if you just choose to do it. Then ask yourself, “Am I feeling stressed now?” You probably forgot all about the stress that was plaguing you.
I’ve been nominated as one of the best health bloggers of 2011 – but I need your vote to win!
Here’s what to do:
Go to this page
Search for Live A Delicious Life if not in the top 10
Click the Vote button next to Live A Delicious Life
You can do this once per day until the end of voting. Please vote often!
Happy thanksgiving
happiness, love, mindset
24th Nov 2011
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I’m so grateful for all of the gifts I have in my life right now – the wonderful family, friends, love, play, work, health, and fun.
Enjoy your thanksgiving. And take a moment to appreciate all that you have today – whatever it is you appreciate in your life.
Life is right now
happiness, inspiration, mindset
3rd Oct 2011
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It’s Monday. Are you starting your diet or workout routine (or anything) over again?
You don’t have to wait until Monday to start living the life you know you want. Every moment is your new day.
You don’t even need to wait until tomorrow when you know that you’re going to be “better” or more disciplined or well rested or smarter or prettier or have a better hair day.
You don’t even need to wait until the next hour to start your new day. You can start right now.
Or right now.
Or right now.
As a wise teacher of mine likes to say, “Life is not a dress rehearsal.”
It’s up to you what you choose. You can choose your own thoughts, which influence your feelings, which influence your actions, which produce your results.
What thoughts do you choose now, in this moment?
Ask yourself: What kind of future do I want? What can I do right now that will move me powerfully in that direction?
Tell me what answer you get by leaving a comment at the end of this post.
Delicious thoughts for a beautiful body: How to tame mind chatter
happiness, inspiration, mindset, self care
5th Sep 2011
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You probably have heard the little voice one time or another. It’s that one that tries to keep you from progressing.
You’re working hard to get healthier, and then something trips you up. You miss a workout, or you eat too much chocolate. The voice usually says something like, “I messed up again. What’s wrong with me?”
Or you do something amazing – like run a 5k, or heal your digestive issues so that you’re not on meds anymore. You’re thrilled by your progress, but that voice comes back and says, “It’s no big deal. Anyone can do that.”
It’s easy to believe these thoughts – after all, they’re in your head. Why would false thoughts be in there?
That’s just the trouble. Your thinking may have been influenced by others and their beliefs about themselves, the world and how things work. And who knows where they got their thoughts from…
You have a choice what to believe. You can choose your own thoughts. Why not choose great ones about yourself?
Choose loving thoughts and your body will naturally respond. Don’t you just love getting a random compliment from someone? And if you’re thinking, “Well, usually I just brush it off…” Time to change that pattern!
Choose loving thoughts and your body will naturally respond. When you love yourself with loving throughs, you feel happier. When you feel good, you start looking better. People respond to you because you’re acting with more confidence. And you will increase your ability to attract what you want.
Here are five steps to creating delicious thoughts for a beautiful body:
- Get happy – whatever puts you in an instantly good mood, do it. I like dancing to a favorite song on my iPod. Any movement can change your mood quickly.
- Smile – it makes you happy. Feel the happiness as lightness in your heart, a softening of tense shoulders, a tingling on your skin. Enjoy the feeling.
- Affirm – look yourself “in the eyes” (in a mirror) and say your positive affirmation. Try something like, “I love me,” or “I am beautiful,” or anything else that makes you feel good.
- Appreciate – keep a running list or journal about your accomplishments. No matter how big or small, add a few to it each day.
- Accept – allow yourself to acknowledge compliments that come your way with a simple “Thank you!” It makes you (and the complimentor) feel good.
Make better New Year’s Resolutions
diet, happiness, inspiration, mindset
30th Dec 2010
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What is your top new year’s resolution? Losing weight? Doubling your energy? Making more money? Having more time for yourself?
Whatever you want to accomplish, you will be more effective at achieving your goal if you do this one thing. Watch my quick tip to learn what you must do first to get what you want:
How I lost weight over Thanksgiving weekend
diet, inspiration, mindset
29th Nov 2010
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It’s the Monday after Thanksgiving, and I’m actually a couple pounds lighter than when I started the weekend.
The thing is that I wasn’t on any sort of special diet. And I didn’t skimp on my Thanksgiving Day meal – I some of everything that all of us made for the feast. And it was all delicious! I even had one piece of each of my mom’s homemade apple and pecan pies… heavenly.
And yet, today my pants are actually looser than they were before last Wednesday.
So, what made the difference?
One thing that really helped me was that I got more sleep. Yes, I’ve been a little short in the snoozing department over the past few weeks, so I made it a priority to get the Zzzs that I knew my body needed and was craving.
And, as I mentioned in my free holiday survival teleclass, sleep is one of the key ways you can start naturally shedding pounds – even when you’re in the midst of the busy holiday season.
The reason why sleep is so important is because it helps regulate the hormones that signal whether you’re hungry or full. When you have enough sleep, you feel satisfied more easily. But when you shortchange yourself, you actually increase your appetite and cravings for unhealthy carbs and sweets.
This is just one of several strategies that I mention in my holiday survival teleclass. And it’s not too late to get all of the juicy details – and take advantage of the special offer that I mention at the end of the call. All you need to do to get the replay is go here.
Being Grateful – Happy Thanksgiving
fun, happiness, inspiration, mindset, spirituality
24th Nov 2010
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I’m very grateful for many blessing that I have in my life. I’ve always noticed that the more I feel happy and grateful for everything that I have, the more good comes my way.
There’s a cool article in the Wall Street Journal about how gratitude can improve our health and our lives. Studies show that people who are frequently grateful have more energy, more friends, stay healthier, and have more happiness.
But you don’t really need science to tell you this. All you need to do is write your own list. I wrote this post after being inspired by a Let Your Life Bloom blog post written by @CoachVanessa around her birthday. (Oh by the way, Vanessa is an amazing intuitive healer – I highly recommend working with her.)
Blessings – the things for which I’m grateful - in no particular order:
1. Taking in cool, fresh air on a brisk walk outside, and followed by a cup of hot tea inside
2. Curling up under a blanket on the couch to read a good book
3. Listening to rock music on the weekend while I am cleaning the house
4. Writing. I love to write. I’ve been doing it since I was a kid, and I’m so happy that I was encouraged to keep writing from a young age.
5. The feel of warm golden sand under my bare feet as I gaze into impossibly blue seas off tropical islands
6. Watching the sun rise at the running track in my local park as it slowly illuminates the trees, the fluffy clouds and the sky
7. The rush of gliding down a wide, powdery trail on a snowboard in the Colorado Rockies
8. Hula hooping! So much fun and good exercise, too
9. Resting in Savasana after an energizing yoga class
10. Listening to my iPod on the subway
11. My dear husband – I am so happy for the wonderful days we share together. I am so happy that fate brought us together eight years ago
12. My parents, my sister, aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents and in-laws and extended family with whom I’m blessed to share my life
13. Shorty, aka, Short Round, aka Cat Mouth – our furry kitty with the non-stop purr
14. My wonderful friends – all of them kind, brilliant, talented and beautiful people
15. My mentors – past, present, and future – who have gently but firmly guided me to become who I am today
16. My spiritual guides – thanks for being there, even when I didn’t know it
17. Everyone who reads my blog – thank you for listening, leaving your comments and spreading the light in the world
18. The many people I’ve met in my life while traveling around the world
19. The excitement of exploring a new place that I’ve never been – especially wandering around a new town without a plan, only a map
20. The quiet peace of early mornings when I’m the first to wake up
21. Watching the sun rise
22. Reading and writing hand-written letters
23. The Internets
24. The calm and meditative mood I get from of chopping vegetables, folding laundry and washing dishes
25. Eating fresh sautéed leafy greens
26. The healing power of spices
27. Garlic – delicious, and a magic cure-all
28. Singing along to the radio while driving
29. Hot coffee with cinnamon
30. Mom’s homemade waffles and baked goods – they’re magical.
31. Christmas lights
32. Warm outdoor fire pits on cool summer nights
33. Dark chocolate
34. Crisp apples and chunky peanut butter
35. Halloween, especially in NYC with the crazy Greenwich Village parade
36. My teenage self – when I dressed like a goth, moped around, and when every day was halloween
37. The view of the Manhattan skyline from the waterfront park in my neighborhood
38. Long walks around different neighborhoods in the city
39. Biking through Central Park on warm summer days
40. The crazy, fun and non-stop energy of New York City
Your turn: what are you grateful for? What makes you smile? What brightens your day? Let me know in the comments.
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