You Don’t Need to Be Perfect – The 1 thing you need to do to get in great shape
Are you perfect?
I’m not. There are days when I don’t get my workout in and eat the way that makes me feel the best…… Being perfect is impossible. Too many people I see, say I can’t start now, I have a wedding to go to, a girls night away, the bathroom needs finishing, I will start when I lose weight, when the kids are older, I’m really busy this week and so on…… If you wait for the perfect moment to start or think you can’t start because you are too tired, too busy, not in shape or because you don't have time, it might never happen that the stars align and everything is right. Stop beating yourself up! Start… you will feel better I promise you…. Getting in great shape should be a fun, rewarding process and not punishment. Your life doesn’t need to revolve around eating and training. Who needs to be perfect? We are aiming for healthy, happy and energetic! Your self-worth is not directly related to your body fat percentage, no matter how little or how much you have. You don’t need a six-pack or a perfectly round perky butt to indicate your success or validate your self-worth. Working out, eating well, and creating and maintaining the physique you want should enhance your life and not dominate it. Enjoy the journey of creating a stronger, leaner, healthier body. When we start a new journey or a new fitness program we want to do it perfectly in the first few days. We want to be that person who is diligent and focused and who does it all perfectly. So when life gets in the way and you end up not being perfect, you think you just can’t do it, and it’s all too much hard work. So you either give up or beat yourself up about it and reach for the biccies or wine.What If It Just Doesn't Happen?
I understand that stuff happens. Just when you had made a plan to get up to exercise first thing in the morning, baby is sick in the night or restless and you feel exhausted by morning. So have a plan and stick to it the best you can, if something happens get straight back to that plan again once you have rested, just because you eat one thing that wasn’t on your plan, don’t go stuff it, and compound it, get back on your healthy eating plan and you will find you feel so great you won’t want that stuff anymore. There is no one in the world that is 100% perfect 100% of the time. Instead I think your goal should be to understand that you are on the right path, that s**** happens. Move on, carry on and get on with it. If I were to tell you I eat organic 100% of the time and get enough sleep 100% of the time and exercise perfectly 100% of the time, I would be lying. I do my best, I aim to get to bed by 10pm, grow what I can and buy what I can afford. Too many people tell me that they can’t eat healthy, because its too expensive to buy organic foods, so instead they just buy processed food or whatever is cheapest. I understand having to be careful with money. Make your own food and look for in season food and good quality food on special. I’m also told that they can’t exercise because they don’t have the right gear or the time. It is impossible to be perfect 100% of the time, however if you are smart enough to understand that eating protein and vegetables that you can afford, whether they are organic or not, is far better than eating a TV dinner or takeaways. That going for a walk and doing a single workout is better than nothing..What Is It About?
- It is about understanding your body, and doing your very best to give it the best quality food, exercise and lifestyle you can.
- It is about building the right habits and routines. Plan them don’t leave it to chance!
- It is about having confidence in yourself. You are amazing.
- It is about focusing on what your body can do and not just how it looks. Challenge yourself because you can.
- It is about not obsessing over the tiny ‘imperfections’ you see on your body.
- It is about saying, ‘stuff perfection’ and instead training to be healthy and awesome.
- It is about no longer comparing yourself to anyone else.
- It is being proud of what you’ve already accomplished, no matter how much or little you perceive it to be.
- It’s about taking the time to appreciate what you’ve done.
- It is setting positive, motivating and inspiring goals that make you the best version of yourself.
No.1 thing you need?
To start….
Wherever you are start NOW, I would love to help you, www.squareonefitness.tv, the Online Gym with everything you need to get you healthy, fit and in great shape for life. See you in there..
3 Tips To Lose Weight While Eating
In our busy, busy world, we rush from appointment to appointment, task to task, stopping to eat in a rush, or eating on the go. Eating like this can take a toll on our mental and physical wellbeing, causing weight gain and quick meal choices of whatever is at hand. It doesn’t have to be this way. You can nourish your body with clean, simple, healthy, and tasty foods. But nourishing is more than just picking the right foods to eat; how you eat them is important too. Plan and block out time in your diary to have your meal, and give your meal time the attention it deserves. Get up early enough to sit down for breakfast, stop work and move away from your desk for lunch, take a mid morning and afternoon break, and enjoy an evening meal without rushing to do the dishes. I know this is easier said than done sometimes. Paying attention to your food will stop mindless eating, as your body will recognise feelings of satiety and prevent the overeating which can lead to weight gain. Focusing on your meal or snack will not only lead to greater enjoyment of whatever you’re eating, but also a greater awareness of your hunger and satiety cues. Here are three of my favourite tips on how to eat more mindfully.1. Slow Down
I’m guilty of this one. I want to rush, but I’ve become really conscious now of chewing instead of inhaling my food. People who eat slowly tend to consume less than fast eaters. If you have trouble slowing down your eating, try chewing your food about 20 times before swallowing. Try to get in the habit of putting your fork down between bites. Be the first person at the table to pick up your fork, and the last person to finish your meal. Take the time to pay attention to your food, breathe in the delicious smell of it, admire the way it looks; the shapes and colours before you take a bite, feeling and tasting the burst of flavour. Be completely present and allow your whole body to be a part of the experience, savouring every bite.2. Be Present
Have you found if you eat while you work or surf the Internet, you end up inhaling your food and not really tasting it? You look down and the food has gone and all you’re left with is a strong urge for more, because you don’t really remember eating it? You stare at your empty plate and wonder where the food went?Be present in the moment and give full attention to your food. Do you notice on days when you’re distracted or in a rush, you end up eating as fast as you can chew? Eliminate distractions by leaving your desk if at work, or having your meal in a nice peaceful place like outside. Stop what you are doing. step away from your work, and take the time to eat with intention. Distracted eating is a major contributor to unintentional overeating.3. Only Eat How Much You Need
A lot of factors can contribute to the size of your meals, but if you listen to your body, it can tell you how much you need to consume. Stop eating when you feel satisfied, but not completely full, as eating too much can make you feel uncomfortable, and be more than you really need. Try eating off a smaller plate, dishing up your meal in the kitchen, and popping any leftovers straight away in a container in the fridge. Eating with other people is a beautiful thing, but can also lead to eating more. When we eat with other people, we consume on average 44% more food than we do when dining alone, according to American psychologist John de Castro. It was thought that this might have something to do with mealtimes being longer when eaten in company, but was found to be more likely due to the influence of others around us, and how much and how fast they eat. We also tend to eat faster and eat more when in relaxed company, than with people we don’t know well. Concentrate on your plate as well as the conversation around you, and pause between bites to give full attention to your dinner companions and to your meal! So try to eat mindfully, be aware of your surroundings, mind, body, and spirit. When you eat with intention you enjoy your food more and you stop stress eating. When you are eating mindfully, you just eat when you are hungry and as much as your body needs, which consciously leads to better health and your optimal weight.
10 Things You Can Do If You Hate Dieting and Exercise But Want To Lose Weight
Yeah I know, I know, you hate dieting and exercise. Why isn’t there a magic pill or quick fix you ask? There are plenty of people out there promising the next miracle diet or drink or pill, but sorry, none of these work long-term and you want to be in great shape for life don't you? I don’t like the word diet as it conjures up images of starvation and deprivation. There is no getting around it, its good nutrition and exercising the right way. Now hold on, don’t stop reading just yet, it doesn’t have to be about boiled chicken and broccoli and long boring workouts. Its time to change your mindset, don’t think about what you CAN’T have think about what you CAN have. All the yummy food you can eat. You can even have a nice glass of red wine! First lets talk nutrition, that’s easy, no counting calories and weighing stuff or low fat this and that, think natural and as close to nature as possible food. NEVER go hungry, pop a reminder in your phone to remind you to eat and what you are going to eat. Plan your food for that day and every day, leave nothing to chance and you will succeed. It sounds like a lot of work but the time spent doing this each week saves heaps more time spent staring into the fridge or staring at the supermarket shelves for inspiration. AGAIN, don’t get hungry, eat well, feel satisfied and you won’t want to reach for the ice-cream or chippes later. (Don’t even have that stuff in your house). If crap food comes around at work or you are out and there are no healthy food options, that boiled egg or handful of nuts you packed earlier will save you every time. You won't need the cookies or cake. Once you eat the food you just HAD to have its never as good as you thought, you will most likely feel gross and annoyed at yourself for eating it. Now lets talk exercise, do it right, get it done first thing if you can, a quick HIIT of 15 minutes or less, get your workout gear on and just do it! Don’t think about the exercise and how you can’t be bothered, think instead about its only 15 minutes I can do that and about the feeling on the other side, how amazing you will feel after you have completed your workout.- Have a litre of water first thing; add lemon, ginger and a pinch of sea salt.
- Enjoy a protein-rich breakfast, start the day the right way and fuel your body with the food it needs to work optimally.
- Do your HIIT or Strength workout early in the day if you can. I know its exercise, but its less than 15 minutes, so short and effective. Move your body. Do a Stretch or a Yoga workout or a walk if you are feeling tired.
- Take time outside in your lunch break or schedule a break outside. Walk around. Get your 15 minutes in the sun. This will energise you.
- Have your dinner at 6pm if you can, so your body can metabolise your food well before bed.
- In bed by 10pm.
- Include protein, vegetables and healthy fats in every meal.
- Take your rest and relaxation days so your body can repair itself, otherwise your body will hold onto fat.
- Get as much low intensity movement into your day as possible, walk to work or park your car further away, take the stairs, dance, play with your kids.
- Plan your meals, your workouts and your time. If something happens you didn’t expect, no worries, don’t beat yourself up, get back on track.
Is Paleo Just Another Celebrity Diet? 5 Myths Busted.
According to enthusiasts Paleo isn’t just a "diet" – it’s a lifestyle; applying the principles of how our ancestors lived to our modern lives in order to take back control of our health and live a life of optimal wellness. Paleo is a way of life and a balanced approach to returning to eating the most natural foods available, straight from their source. I didn’t mean to "go paleo". It wasn’t some conscious decision that I was going to eat this way. I already ate a conventionally healthy diet. I thought the Paleo diet sounded restrictive and was all about eating lots of meat with no wholegrains. What would I do without my muesli and yoghurt, or Vogels bread? It’s just another diet I thought. I already eat healthy. I don’t eat processed food, or drink sugary drinks. Up until two years ago I believed in the 'everything in moderation’ path, and I had never had a weight problem, so I thought, "if nothing is broken, there's no need to fix it". As a personal trainer and group fitness instructor I exercised a lot! I was tired a lot sure, but coffee and a nice glass of Central Otago (NZ) pinot helped with that, :). But then my world came tumbling down; everything (that I thought at the time) that could go wrong did. I lost a lot all at once: my marriage, my unborn child, my house, my business, the people that I thought were friends, and my identity, and I spiraled into adrenal fatigue and depression. I spent a couple of years self-medicating with alcohol and my energy and health plummeted. Something had to change. So to cut a long story short, I changed my life, including my eating habits, and changed my family to the Paleo way of eating and we have never looked back. It plus other lifestyle changes were the catalyst in my return to physical and mental health. If you are thinking of changing to this way of eating, here are some myths you might have heard about Paleo.Myth 1
It’s restrictive. Sure, you can’t eat grains, dairy and sugar, but trust me; once you remove these things and look at what you can eat you won’t miss them at all. By removing all processed food from my diet and eating whole real food, I have actually opened up a whole new range of flavours, foods, and recipes that I never would have tried before. The Paleo way of life is not at all restrictive; there is no counting calories or cutting down meals to the point that you’re constantly hungry, and weight loss is a bonus.Myth 2
It’s a diet high in meat and saturated fat, and therefore increases the risk of heart disease. Everyone is different and what foods work for you might not work for your friend. A paleo approach to eating encourages eating organic, pasture-fed-meats, wild seafood from unpolluted waters, free-range poultry, organic fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and healthy sources of natural fats.Myth 3
It lacks vegetables and fruits. Some people with a paleo approach to diet could be classed as 80% vegetarian. Do what works for you and what makes you feel good. Listen to your body and experiment and you will find what works. Eating a mostly plant-based diet with some substantially raised meat, fish and poultry works well for me.Myth 4
It’s lacking in B vitamins. B vitamins have an important role in changing carbohydrates, fats and proteins into energy. Wholegrains are promoted as being the best source of B vitamins, but B vitamins occur naturally in whole, unprocessed foods such as eggs, organ meats, poultry, and vegetables.Myth 5
There is a one-size-fits all paleo diet. There is no one paleo diet for all. The principles are the same, the real whole food way is the same, but how the diet is adapted to suit someone depends on a lot of individual factors. Experimenting with what foods work for you is important. Find out what foods energise you and what foods make you feel bad. In a nutshell, eat delicious, nutrient-dense real food that nourishes your body and mind. So, yes, I went "paleo" – it’s not a fad diet, it’s a healthy, sustainable, nutrient-rich, delicious way to eat. I have been helping people for the last few years change their eating habits and I am amazed everyday at the health improvements (whether physical or mental) of my clients. The most profound thing I have seen is how eating real food helps so many people heal their relationship with food, lower inflammation in the body, lose weight, and other health benefits including helping to lift depression. Not convinced? Give it a try for 21 days. Maybe you can go full out and adapt the paleo way straight away, or you may need to gradually adopt this lifestyle, but each step forward is one step closer towards a longer, healthier, happier life. Need help transitioning to eating clean (paleo)? I'm just an email away and I'd love to help anytime or try our FREE 7 day introductory program. This program incorporates the principals of the paleo way of eating with recipes and meal plans, plus video workouts for all fitness levels and lots of education on living well. Give it a try today!
Wednesday WOW – Workout Of the Week
No time for exercise today? Got 7 minutes? Knock out our Workout Of the Week and feel amazing!
7 Natural Tips For Beautiful Skin
Your skin is often a reflection of your overall health. Unfortunately there is no fountain of youth, but the food we eat and how we treat ourselves can prevent or even reverse aging. Your body needs the right nutrients to fight off damage, and your skin is no different. Processed foods, stress, toxins, and low-nutrient diets will accelerate aging. Protecting yourself from harmful chemicals while getting enough sleep, relaxation and exercise, will all help you maintain beautiful, natural, healthy skin. You know that eating foods that are covered in chemicals are harmful to your health, but many people aren’t aware that a lot of what we put on our skin is absorbed straight into our bloodstream. We may choose organic food and avoid junk food to stay healthy, but then use chemically laden beauty products on our skin. From the moment we wake up we involuntarily use hundreds of chemicals found in products such as toothpaste, make-up, moisturiser, perfume, deodorant, hand soap, shaving cream, and many others. It is scary to think about how many chemicals we are applying to our skin every day. As our skin is our largest organ it is very important to keep it healthy. Once these chemicals enter the bloodstream they disrupt normal hormonal functions and have toxic effects throughout the body. The health of our skin goes far beyond what we are applying topically. All the expensive exfoliating scrubs, moisturisers, and cleansers in the world won’t undo what’s going on inside. We all want healthy, glowing, youthful skin, and many people are willing to spend loads of money to get it, but it doesn't have to be so difficult or expensive. Try these 7 tips to get beautiful skin, naturally.1. You Are What You Eat – So Get Real!
The health of your skin can be a mirror of your gut health. If you want vibrant, clear skin, just find your way back to simple and real food. If your body is healthy and nourished, your skin will glow, but if you are lacking vital nutrients, or are unable to digest nutrients properly, your skin may show stress and early signs of aging.Say NO to processed foods.
Avoid inflammatory foods like gluten, dairy, and refined sugar, all of which cause inflammation and an acidic environment in the body. Eliminating these foods will decongest your digestive system and support your liver and in turn noticeably increase your energy and skin clarity.Don’t be afraid of fat.
Incorporating good fats such as coconut oil, avocados, olive oil, flax seeds, nuts, and ghee into your diet is important. The fatty acids are crucial for your skin to look youthful.Limit alcohol and caffeine.
Both of these are dehydrating substances, so save yourself the dry, grey look by having drinks containing alcohol and caffeine as little as possible. Try something like kombucha or lemon and ginger tea instead.Get your green on.
Eat a truckload of leafy greens! They’re rich in vitamins and minerals and have anti-inflammatory properties that do wonders for the vibrancy of your skin.Eat foods with antioxidants.
Antioxidants are the best resources your body has to fight disease and aging by reducing damage and inflammation. Inflammation is a leading cause of wrinkle formation. Some of the best sources of antioxidants include blueberries, pomegranates, acai berries, goji berries, spinach, raspberries, nuts and seeds, dark chocolate (70% or higher cocoa content), and organic green tea.Eat organic foods.
Eating clean foods free of pesticides and chemicals curtails consumption of aging toxins. Eat fermented foods such as cultured veggies and kefir, sauerkraut and kombucha for probiotics.
2. Clean Up Your Act
Clean up your skincare. Chemicals and toxins from products absorb into the bloodstream, only adding to the body’s toxic load. A body free of toxins doesn’t need expensive anti-aging products. Many skincare products contain harsh chemicals. When choosing moisturisers or make-up, opt for natural skin products. Make sure the ingredient list doesn’t read like a chemistry lesson, or even better, make your own. If you are a bit of a DIY person and also want to save money you can make your own cleansers and moisturisers. There is a great website called www.gonative.co.nz where you can buy mango butter, coco butter, essential oils, and much more. You can use these to make your own blend of body butters or lotions. Use coconut oil for cleansing and moisturising. Wait for a few minutes for the oil to absorb after applying if you want to add make-up. Try exfoliating with baking soda mixed into a paste with an essential oil or a carrier oil like apricot or coconut. You can also use coconut oil as a natural sunblock. It has a SPF of approximately 7. Combining it with a physical sun block like powdered zinc oxide can give you full spectrum sun protection and minimise your exposure to the toxic chemicals found in conventional sun cream.
3. Hydrate
Water hydrates your body, which keeps your skin supple so you can rock that dewy glow. Yes, I know, you’ve heard this time and time again, but getting enough water is the simplest, cleanest way to hydrate your cells and give you that refreshed look. Even with a small amount of dehydration, your body functions in a less optimal way. The instant you're dehydrated, it will take a toll on your skin, causing it to look dull and lifeless. Carry around your water bottle and hydrate from the inside out. Warm water and lemon is one of the best things you could do for yourself in the morning. Not only does it help to wake up your senses but also it flushes and purifies your body of toxins and stimulates digestion.4. Get Your ZZZ’s
I can be guilty of not getting enough sleep, but when I do, I really notice a difference in my skin. Especially as I’ve gotten older, the ability to bounce back after a late night with dewy skin, well, that’s not really happening anymore! Your skin rejuvenates and repairs itself mostly while you are asleep. Getting plenty of rest encourages regeneration of body cells and tissues, so lack of sleep will definitely show in your skin. Make sure that you not only sleep for eight hours a night but you get to bed before 10pm.5. Move
Exercise increases the blood flow to every single organ of your body, including the skin, and will always produce an improved complexion and a healthy glow.Exercise releases toxins through sweat, which leads to clearer, firmer skin. A brisk walk, a light jog, or some groovy dance moves will keep your skin looking fresh, radiant and beautiful. When you exercise, your skin begins to produce more of its natural oils that help skin look supple and healthy. Exercising and getting a sweat on will leave your complexion looking fantastic for hours after you put your workout clothes away.6. Sunshine
Sunlight is healing! It has numerous benefits besides being a great non-supplemental source of Vitamin D,and it adds a nice, healthy look to your skin. Small amounts of daily sun are beneficial, but too much sun will damage your skin. Aim for 15-20 minutes of sun on your skin daily. Don’t forget to wear your sunglasses, and use zinc or natural sunscreen if you are in the sun longer than this.7. Looking Within – Beyond Skin Deep
To promote inner harmony and clear skin we need to look at reducing stress and maintaining a calm positive attitude. In life, sometimes stress is inevitable and wreaks havoc on our appearance. Stress is a powerful thing. High levels of stress and negativity can wear you down and compromise your skin. Don’t panic, you can reverse the damage. Stop, breathe deep and put everything into perspective. Decide what is really important. Look after yourself, take time with friends and family and time alone, to reflect and engage in activities that relieve stress and make your heart sing. Try yoga or meditating your way to radiant skin. I believe yoga and meditation can truly rejuvenate your skin, transforming all your cells and tissues. The effect of yoga and meditation, when practiced consistently, is like an anti-aging pill that cleanses your skin and rejuvenates your complexion. So, remember to smile, take time out for yourself, quiet the mind, eat well, nourish your skin with natural products and practice the art of self-care and you will enjoy the benefits of beautiful, glowing skin, naturally.
The 3 Things You Must Know To Be The Greatest Mum
"All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother." - Abraham Lincoln
As a mum of three children, the best advice I have for you to be the best mum you can be is:1. Look after yourself.
Take care of yourself. From the minute our beautiful little ones are born, we mums give and give and forget to give to ourselves. It doesn’t have to be much, but maybe a bath at the end of a busy day, taking time to go for a walk, do a workout, or practice relaxing yoga. Maybe a date night with your partner, or having a coffee with a girlfriend, these can all do wonders for a busy mum. Taking care of yourself and making self-care a priority is not a luxury – it is a necessity. If you want to be able to care for others you need to care for yourself. So plan to take care of YOU, make the time. Go On…2. Listen
Here's a scenario that happens in my house sometimes when I am writing; I’m deep in thought, and the words are flowing onto the page. Then I hear Mum, Mum, Mum… I have to tell you…… or show you….. My daughter wants to tell me or show me something she finds exciting right NOW. I’m busy, so I sometimes say, just let me finish this thought and I will be with you, she goes away to play and I continue writing, time stretches on… and the moment is forgotten. I started thinking about this and I realised that those times when your child wants to talk and be with you go sooooo fast. I decided to look at it differently, rather than as an interruption, I looked at it as the opportunity to connect with my child. I decided it’s the Universe telling me to stop and take the time with her. The next time I was writing and my daughter called me, I stopped and went out for a walk and a chat with her. Now we have an almost daily ¾ hour walk time, where we are arm in arm and chat about her day and what is important in her world. I love this time. She is 10, who knows how long she will want to do this for? She smiles and chats away, (my daughter loves to talk J) and says to me she loves our walk time together. Funnily enough, I found that when I returned to my writing, I instantly saw ways to improve it. The break gave me a new perspective. Instead of fighting against the Universe’s requests, instead go with the flow and look for a lesson to be learned. Take time to stop and listen to your child, those times are precious and become more so as they get older.3. Forgive Yourself
No ones perfect. Don’t try to be the perfect mum, with the perfect hair and make-up, immaculate clothes, slim; as you dropped the baby weight in 4 weeks, with the spotless house, the perfect breastfeed baby who sleeps through the night at 6 weeks. (Do these mums exist?) Do the best you can, you are probably sleep-deprived, have no time to shower, do your hair or get the washing done some days. Just do what you can, schedule in some exercise, as it will make you feel better, but if that doesn’t work that day, try tomorrow, or get out for a quick walk for some fresh air. Don’t beat yourself up, remember you are the fabulous mum of a lucky wee man or little lady.Do these 3 things and you will be the best mum ever!
If you need any help with fitness, nutrition or living well, I would love to help, so check out the Online Gym or our new Antenatal/Postnatal program with everything you need to help you get back in shape for life.
9 Simple Actions You Can Do Now To Become More Positive
“Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habit. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.” ― Lao Tzu What we think and what we say every day can have a huge impact on the type of energy we put out into the world, and the energy we attract to ourselves. Our thoughts and actions determine our mindset, which in turn determines our behaviour, causing a ripple effect which extends to all parts of our life. Studies show that if you have a positive outlook on life, you will achieve more, feel happier, and take better care of yourself. Sometimes it is difficult to be positive and we all have THOSE days, but you CAN choose to have inspirational, positive thoughts. Use these nine tips to help you infuse positivity into your life and brighten your view of the world.1. Change Negative to Positive
Don’t give negative thoughts the power to consume you. Next time you are thinking negatively, or you catch yourself judging others, take notice of the thought, process it, and then take a moment to change each negative thought into a positive observation. Don’t judge yourself or the thought, just notice that the thought is negative. This simple practice will refocus your brain’s attention, eliminating the negative thoughts.2. Dream It, Believe It, and Achieve It
If you can dream it, you can achieve it. Believe in yourself. Know that you have something special to offer the world and that you are capable of significant achievement. Positive people have a deep inner self-belief.3. Visualise Your Success
Imagine yourself achieving your goals. Visualise your book being published, winning the race, delivering an amazing speech, standing on the winner’s podium, accepting an award. Let your mind create your reality.4. Show Up And Take Responsibility
Don’t blame other people or circumstances for your life choices. If you are unhappy with any part of your life, then create a plan, take action, and make the change.5. Be Your Own Cheerleader
Become your own motivator by telling yourself positive things. Each morning, say out loud positive and encouraging affirmations. You might say something like “I am going to make real progress towards my goals today”. Use positive self-talk to reprogram the conscious mind and overcome any doubts, worries, and negative thoughts. Face up to any problems you encounter with a constructive and optimistic attitude.6. Associate with Positive People
Gravitate towards and spend more time with optimistic, positive, and upbeat friends, family, or acquaintances, and limit time spent with negative, cynical, and pessimistic people. The optimistic people will encourage and inspire you, while the pessimists will make you doubt yourself and feed your insecurities. Surround yourself with positive people and you will feel more energised and uplifted. If you find yourself in a negative conversation, tactfully try to change the subject to something more positive.7. Count Your Blessings
Shift your focus away from negativity, and list the things in your life for which you are grateful. You could be grateful to live in a beautiful country, to have a job, to do a job you love, to have a place to sleep each night, to have good food to eat, to have a healthy body, to be the mother of amazing children, to have a loving partner, or you could be grateful that the sun shone this morning. Practicing gratefulness can cause an immediate shift in your perspective. Keep a daily gratitude journal, or you could do as I do, and say in your prayers at night what you are grateful for that day. This has you going to bed content with life and excited for the new day ahead.8. Relax and Enjoy Life More
Laugh out loud and lighten up a little. If you can laugh at things then you will find they are easier to cope with. This is one I try to concentrate on. As a single mum working on my own business, I frequently have ‘to-do’ lists that are way too long! Don’t try to do everything at once and become overburdened with work and all the things you ‘should’ be doing. Make time for yourself and do things that make your heart sing. Dance, dance, dance…9. Do Something Kind
It’s easy to get wrapped up in our own world and ‘to-do’ lists and to forget about the people around us. Make the time to do one nice thing for someone else each day. Compliment a stranger, call a friend in need of a kind word, or go out of your way to help someone. Even just a smile and a friendly hello could make someone’s day. Each of us has a set of messages that play over and over in our minds. Too often this pattern of self-talk is negative. We tell ourselves we can’t do this and we can’t achieve that. Our thoughts have a magnetic power and this can mean that if we expect a negative life, that unfortunately is what we will get. Many studies confirm the correlation between positive thinking and success. The Takeaway: So why do we choose to think negatively if positive thinkers achieve more, are happier, and live longer than negative thinkers? I think the answer is that sometimes it’s easier to think negatively to avoid disappointment, though this is counterintuitive as this only leads to a pessimistic view of life. So takeaway these 9 simple steps and start thinking positively today!