Why you need to give your new years resolutions the flip

One week has passed since 2016 commenced and you likely set your new years resolutions. LIke you, I also spent some time considering this years pledges to myself. But then I realized something. Every year, my resolutions are actually the same. And while they might appear in a long list, there is only one resolution. I suspect you fall in to the same trap. You make the same agreements with yourself. Let's boil it down.

Reflection - 5 lists for 2015

While it’s common practice to starting thinking about goals for the coming year as we approach it, it’s also a great time to reflect on the year that’s passed.

We are all so busy with the day to day of life, it’s easy to lose sight of our accomplishments and experiences. And in doing so, it’s easy to miss the big picture. While this flies in the face of my life mantra of living in the present moment, it also doesn’t. Because the kind of reflecting I’m talking about, purposely evokes feeling good in the here and now. And we all deserve a piece of that.

Always do your best (the forth agreement)

Be impeccable with your word. Don't take anything personally. Don't make assumptions. Always do your best. The Four Agreements.

I have been taking my time reading this book here and there, figuring I would no doubt read what I needed to when I did. Which brings me to today, when I got to the forth and final agreement. Always do your best.

Hope is not big enough, without attaching it to dreams

I am at a cross roads. This week, I officially completed all of my health coaching studies and graduation requirements. Whilst I still have to wait for my Certificate, the fact is I am now a qualified, certified Health Coach. In some regards this is cause for celebration, in others, it's signified a big change. And change is scary. At least it is if you don't have an eye on what you want to achieve big picture. When you do, change often times becomes more exciting and liberating than fear ridden.

The magic of 'coincidence'

A couple of weeks ago, over dinner the book 'The Four Agreements' was recommended to me by a friend. We share many of the same beliefs when it comes to our guru's and guides in life. I wrote down the title in my little black book (I mean iphones notes) knowing I would get to it in time. Then I got back to eating.

Two days later, the picture featured here was re-posted on instagram by the brand I'm wearing in it (which is K-Deer, they make AWESOME tights). Randomly the pic was hashtagged with 'thefouragreements' amongst other things. I have no idea why, I mean what has a picture of me in my tights got to do with this book? What I do know is that I am unquestionably meant to read it. One click on Amazon later and it was winging it's way to me.

Why the Whole30 didn't meet my expectations

This week I finished my Whole30. In fact today is considered to be Day 34. Overall I am super pleased I took on the challenge and got to the end without any major slips. I would say ANY slips but on the last night I acccidentally ate a mouthful of cheese.  And whilst if that occurs at any point on the W30 you are supposed to start from day 1, that is not on my agenda 29.7 days into the job!

At the end of the 30 days I was a bag of mixed emotions. I found that while I had some wins (my blood pressure was the best I've seen it in years), I also had some losses. The biggest being my running stamina. It was off from the start and yet even when carefully following the pre and post work out directions, it never righted itself. Yes there is the theory that I just need some more time for my body to kick into fat burning mode. Maybe that's a reality. I'm just not convinced. My other issue on the energy front is that my bar is so high. I have never lacked energy. So asking for some 'tiger blood' to come forth was maybe setting myself up for failure?! Do I feel energetic in general after the Whole30? YES.  Do I feel more energetic after the Whole30?  I don't know!

Do you surround yourself with people who energize you?

This week I spent some time with one of my truly great friends. Not my 'longest' or my 'closest' friend but absolutely one of my greatest. Sometimes we see each other every week and at other times it's months apart. It doesn't matter, whenever we hang out the result is the same. I feel uplifted, loved, supported and better for having her in my life. I believe this is how you should feel after spending time with a great friend (outside of those difficult times for either of you).

Soul Food week four & delayed gratification

Firstly a quick update on week three. I was 'pretty good' with my intentions but not perfect. On the cutting back on coffee front I broke once to treat myself (see previous post). The social media rules I set myself I stuck to. I learned that coffee has become more important to me of late and it was much harder to cut back than I expected it to be. As I move into week two of this change I expect it will get easier . Social media wise I feel free of some old behavior that I was stuck in. So that is a real win!