How Bad Do You Want It? February 5, 2010

Whether it’s fat loss, muscle gain or better health…HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT???

Do you ever get sick of hearing yourself  talk and talk about all the things you plan to do, and then never do? Or maybe you know someone like that. I am working on a big project right now, and one thing that came up at a meeting yesterday, was that gap that so many people suffer from. It’s the gap between, what we know and what we do. You probably know how to eat healthy, what to eat, what exercises to do. I mean, I know some of the most unfit people, who know what to do but just don’t do it. What’s up with this? If you know what to do, why aren’t you doing it? You must not really want to do those things or to reap the benefits from doing those things. That’s sure what it seems like right???

So the million dollar question…HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT??? I have found in my experience, that when I really want something, I am willing to go to ANY lengths to get it. Are you willing to go to any lengths to live in a body you love, so you can feel fully expressed as your true self?

I have a client that kept saying she wanted to lose weight. She lost over 50 lbs a couple years ago, but she’d been hanging around the same weight for about a year, and so obviously she’d hit a plateau. As her trainer, it is my job to get inside of her head and figure out what is blocking her. I asked her why she was not making the choices that are in alignment with her goals. What we finally figured out was that she had a conflicting intention. She wanted to lose weight, but she was also in fear of loosing weight. She fears that if she looses the next bunch of weight, her skin will sag, her breasts will droop, and she will look old. I said to her, well how do you expect to lose weight, if you have these conflicting intentions going on. She was sending out mixed signals to the universe and the universe was not able to bring her back anything except more of where she already was, hence the plateau.

Secretly, my client was happy enough where she was to risk loosing her beautiful skin and perky breasts for the next 30 lbs of weight loss. So, therefore, she wanted to lose weight but she didn’t. That’s why she just stayed exactly the same for a whole year!!! Once we were able to dig this up and bring her awareness to it, she could make a conscious choice about what it is she really wants. I told her to just get the weight off, and then go from there, because most likely none of her fears will even happen, and meanwhile she is living in a body that could be MUCH healthier. So now that she has been able to clear that up, she is clear about what she wants and unafraid of losing the weight. I have never seen her so motivated!

It all comes down to HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT??? If you aren’t doing what it takes, then some part of you doesn’t want it and you should take a new look at things. I would love to hear from you if you relate to this at all. Are you struggling with conflicting intentions? Please share with me here on the blog! Here’s To Your Health!!!

“Inspiration is Within” January 22, 2010

Hey everyone. I have been thinking a lot about what keeps some people motivated, while others use anything and everything for an excuse to give up on themselves. I know that I am a person who feels and stays motivated when I feel inspired. Inspiration is when we are “In Spirit.” I stay inspired as much as I can because inspiration is the fire within me, that launches me into inspired action. When I feel aligned with the universe and my highest purpose, I am literally PULLED into action. How do I stay inspired???

I use many methods to keep me inspired. Some of which include meditation, Agape, reading books that educate me and put life into perspective for me, continuing my education in the things I’m most passionate about, surrounding myself with the people, places, and things that serve me in the highest and most beautiful way, and eating really clean so that I stay clear and alive and energized. Inspiration is there for all of us, waiting to be tapped in to. It just takes a little effort on our parts to connect with what lies within us all. If you want to get up every day and fall in love with yourself and your life, then get aligned, and tap into that inspiration that is inside of you.

How might you find ways to feel inspired? What methods do you use now? Do you feel inspired or are you struggling to find motivation that pulls you forward in your life? Please share! Leave all your questions and comments here for me on the blog! I love hearing from all of you! Here’s To Your Health, Wellness, and Vitality!!!

Motivation- “Biggest Loser Home Challenge” January 17, 2010

Well, it is a pleasure for me to tell you guys a little story that just may inspire the fat right off your body:-) Recently, I was sought out by a woman at the gym. Her name is Caren Day, and she was looking for someone to teach her about self myofascial release, or “rolling out,” and my good friend Jo Jo, at the front desk, introduced us and gave her my number. I heard from Caren about 2 days later. We talked a little bit about where she was in her life and all the pain she is feeling in her body. She’s been hitting the gym really hard, and I’ll tell you why, but she was suffering with aches and feeling beat up. She has recently decided to shape up after a long run of hardships and tragedies that manifested themselves in her own personal weight gain.

In our “getting to know each other” phone call, I learned Caren was actually competing with The Biggest Loser TV show, in her very own home. Caren actually applied to be on the show, and when she wasn’t selected, she got really serious anyway, and decided if she can’t go to the ranch, then she’ll make her own ranch. What a great idea! So Caren weighs in with the contestants every week! Please visit her blog at http://thebiggestloserhomechallenge.wordpress.com/, and follow her each day as she shares the trials and tribulations of being her own personal trainer, nutritionist, and motivator. Show her some support as she weighs in each week and compares her weight loss and progression each week, to that of the actual TV contestants!!!

I decided to interview Caren about her journey thus far, and here are some of the things I asked her:

ME: What was your motivation behind the blog?

CAREN: A friend and I were watching it last season and my friend mentioned how great I’d be on the show. That planted a seed in my head and from that day forward I decided I was going to lose weight. I auditioned for the show, but was not selected, and not long after that, I hurt my back pretty severely. After about 6 weeks of little to no movement and lots of depression, I began working with a physical therapist and finally got myself back into the gym. Something hit me and I said to myself, “I can do this on my own!” I narrowed down my priorities in order to get some focus in my life and since I’m a writer, I found that writing and loosing weight were at the top of my list, and there you have it! That’s how this all came to be.

ME: Wow, that’s truly amazing Caren, you are an inspiration. What is one thing you’d really like to share with people about your experience thus far?

CAREN: Well it looks so easy when you are watching the show because the contestants are able to completely focus on just their food and exercise and they have their own trainer. But what I’ve realized is that this is a lifestyle change, and in order to make it work, and keep the weight off forever, it takes ME. It’s all up to the individual, whether or not he or she is succesful in the long-term. There isn’t always going to be a trainer around. Buddha says it like this: “99% of the battle is a private battle inside yourself.”  It takes real commitment, and that word, COMMITMENT, has taken on  a whole new meaning to me.

ME: Incredible! I am so happy for you and really want to acknowledge you for such drive and passion. What would you say has been the hardest thing for you so far?

CAREN: Well, sugar is my weakness, so keeping that under control has been a real challenge. I also have this deeply rooted fear that has a voice, and it is constantly telling me that “no matter what I do, nothing will ever change.”  I am working through it one day at a time. However, I have learned to stop using the word “try,” because I am either doing something or I’m not. There’s no in between. To me, the word “try” is just a cop-out or an excuse to under-achieve.

ME: I think you made a brilliant point there Caren, I definitely can agree with you. I think you are doing amazing! Would you say that it is helping your process, to write the blog? And if so, how?

CAREN: I have always expressed myself through words, so the blog definitely enables me to look at each day as a mini life lesson. I am finding inspiration in even the smallest things. I have put myself out there, which is scary, because now I really have to wake up each day and just DO! However, I am really making much more conscious choices and the awareness inside of me is growing rapidly. I do run into negative influences sometimes, or those who unconsciously or consciously want to sabatoge me, but I feel that having the blog holds me accountable and makes it easier to stay on track. I am not perfect and there are times that I indulge a little. However, I believe the splurges are minimized greatly because I have people who are supporting me and tuning in to my every day experiences. Most importantly, I do it all for myself, and that feels really good.

 ME: Congratulations Caren, you have already won so much as far as I’m concerned. I always tell my clients that the best part of the getting fit journey, is the journey within. Thanks for sharing your story with me.

To get to know Caren better and to follow her each day, please check out her blog! If you’d like to contact me, please leave all your questions and comments here for me on the blog! Until next time, Here’s To Your Health!!!!! MWAH!

It’s 2010- “New Years Resolutions” January 8, 2010

Hey everyone! I hope you all had a really nice holiday break. It’s now 2010 ans I know that there are hundreds of thousands of people who are kicking off another new year with another list of resolutions. Are you one of them? What are some of the things you wish to accomplish for yourself this year? How do you think you can make this year different, and actually see all your goals through to the end of completion? I think that it feels so great to actually make progress. Getting fit and healthy is definitely a process, so please remember that it’s always about progress, not perfection. You don’t want to stress yourself out. It’s important to set realistic goals, and to add in healthy habits that work well with your schedule and your life. By adding the good stuff in, the not so good stuff begins to fall away. However, being healthy is a main priority, because without it, we have nothing!

Today I want to keep it simple. I want to leave you with 5 nutrition tips that you should begin implementing into your life immediately if you want to get healthy and look and feel better. Start with these 5 things, and when you are consistent, then you can take the next step and get even healthier and hotter!

1) ONLY BUY ORGANIC!!!!! Especially if you eat dairy and meat, only buy them if they are organic. Produce as well. This is so important I cannot stress it enough. Foods that are not organic are either full of poisons from pesticides and chemicals, or they are genetically modified with hormones, antibiotics and steroids, or all the above. If you read the lists of what is found in non-organic food when tested, you would be appalled. Believe me…you do not want that stuff in your bodies!!!!! You really “ARE what you eat.”

2) Eat one large organic, raw salad per day. That means a salad with nothing cooked in it. So for example: Lettuce, spinach, celery, cucumber, tomato, carrot, radish, maybe apple or berries (all organic ingredients of course) with olive oil, lemon, pepper, garlic powder and sea salt for flavor.

3) Get in tune with your body. PAY ATTENTION to how you feel after you eat everything!!! It’s so important to do this because your body knows what it needs and the more you tune in and pay attention to what it feels, the more you will begin to understand its communication with you about what to eat and what not to eat. Our bodies are magnificent and brilliant and when you tune in, your intuition  will be your own personal nutrition guide!!!

4) Drink Water!!!! Most people these days are walking around dehydrated. Do not drink tap water either. Buy bottled water or install a filtering system. Water from the tap cannot be trusted. Drink water from a bottle for a week, and then try to drink tap water. You will taste a huge difference! Try to drink at least 1-2 liters a day. Also, *recycle your plastic bottles if you buy bottled water

5) Stick to eating mostly or all WHOLE FOODS. Foods that are still in their natural form, have not been processed and tinkered with by man, and are the most nutrient rich foods. That means our bodies know what to do with them, and can break them down and use them for fuel much easier. Packaged, processed foods will encourage disease and fat storage in the body. Stick to the outsides of the grocery store…fruits, veggies, whole grains.

If you have any questions please leave them for me here. I am really serious about this. People must realize what is happening to them as a result of the food quality they are consuming. It is killing us. Please take your health seriously. You are too beautiful and special to waste away on junk! Here’s To Your Health!!!

Below are some good resources to check out:

http://www.living-foods.com/articles/davidinterview.html

http://www.foodpolitics.com/

http://www.foodincmovie.com/about-the-issues.php

Happy Holidays- “4 Esteemable Acts to Take into the NEW YEAR!!!” December 22, 2009

Happy Holidays everyone!!! Wooo Hooo, this has been quite a year for me. I have been extra busy lately, as we near the end of the year, because lots of people have been wanting to jump-start their New Year’s resolutions early!!! Therefore I have been doing a ton of wellness coaching, personal training, and speaking. I recently gave an amazing talk at the Bodhi Tree, called “Changing from the Inside Out.” I did that talk with my colleague Devon Crabtree. Last sunday I was also invited to speak, by the Nohopreneurs, a North Hollywood entrepreneur meet-up group. Today I will talk about the material I gave to them called “4 Esteemable Acts.”

You see there are four things that, if you do them, will assure you a happier and healthier life. Lets’s Begin!

1) Proper nourishment through nutrition:

- Use a technique called “Crowding Out.” It’s not always easy to switch your diet by taking away everything you love. Therefore, Crowding Out focuses on adding in really healthy choices into your daily food intake, and naturally the not so healthy options will fall away. Also stick to organic products, especially when buying meat and dairy products. Another great tip is to eat and drink at least 3-4 servings of greens, 2-3 servings of whole grains, and 1 liter of water a day.

2) Exercise for your Soul!

-Excerise should be used as a tool to connect to something greater than yourself. It’s a time during the day, just for you, away from the hustle and bustle of life. Just Do It! Find something that speaks to you, such as a dance class, or a walk or hike, or maybe you like to run, lift weights or do yoga. I personally like to mix it up and do them all:)

3) Have FUN!!!

-This is sooooo important to our well-being! We all need to ENJOY our lives. If we don’t allow ourselves to play, what is the point of all the hard work??? Do 1 special thing for yourself each week. Take no less than an hour each week, just to do something completely different. Go to a museum, draw a picture in a park, see a movie, go enjoy the ballet. Whatever it is that makes you happy…do it!!! You will be much more productive and happy as a result.

4) REST.

-So many of us take rest for granted, myself included. This is not something we can shave time off of, if we need a little more time to work or play, or whatever. Certain types of play can serve as rest, but the rest I’m talking about here, is meditation and sleep. Give yourself at least 5 minutes a day of quiet time, to separate yourself from all your crazy thoughts. Also, figure out, and be honest, how much sleep you truly need to function correctly, and stick up for it. We are like computers…if we don’t get shut down often enough or for long enough periods of time, we will begin to slow down and funky things will start to happen.

I guarantee if you add these 4 things into your life tomorrow, or heck, today, you will be well on your way to a leaner, more productive, happier and healthier YOU! If you have any questions or comments, please leave them here for me on the blog. See you in the New Year! Heare’s To Your Health!!!

Workout Wednesday- “Changing From the Inside Out” November 25, 2009

It’s that time of year again…the leaves are fall colors, we are almost ready to dig out our winter wardrobes, we are eating more sweet potatoes and pumpkin, and Christmas is all over the television. Personally, I LOVE this time of year. With Thanksgiving tomorrow, and Christmas not far behind it, we are faced with all kinds of temptations that make it difficult to stay healthy. It is ok to indulge in pumpkin pie or Christmas cookies and fudge once in a while, but the truth is, most of us do it more often than not, and we slowly but surely STOP WORKING OUT as well! Am I right?

My colleague Devon Crabtree and I are fully aware that our clients, as well as many others, maybe even you, need more education when it comes to food and exercise. We feel that if you all really understood how to approach nutrition and fitness, especially through the holidays, it would become a way of life that comes naturally to you, rather than a forced routine you only stick to January-April consistently, then on and off again for the rest of the year. We are doing a talk next Thursday 12/03/09 called “Changing from the Inside Out.” We will be covering 4 main topics: Prevention, Energy, Stress Relief, and Fat Loss. Our bodies and health are so important because without them, we can not have much else. Therefore we are really focused on helping those who attend, create healthier relationships with food and exercise, so that they feel more motivated internally, and therefore are pulled into action, and thus begin the journey to a healthier way of life. I do hope you will join us if you are in L.A. or the surrounding areas. We look forward to sharing this amazing information with as many people as we can, and sending you into the new year with awareness and the tools you need to live a FIT Life!

If you won’t be able to make it, we will hopefully have a recording of it (still working on the details). If that works out well, I will be posting that up here on the blog so you can purchase them for yourself as an early Christmas gift and life long blessing! Also, please let me know any questions you are having. Whether you want to join us, cannot due to location, or have other plans, please know your feedback is encouraged and appreciated. If you were going to attend, what would you like us to cover? What do you feel is something you could use some guidance on? Please leave all your questions and comments for me here on the blog! Here’s To Your Health!!!

Nutrition Tuesday- “Healthy Shopping- Part 2″ November 24, 2009

Hey all! I am back this week with part two of how to shop healthy for you and your family. Here’s the thing…it just fascinates me to learn how I can literally look better, age slower, heal myself, and feel amazing, just by knowing what to eat and doing what I know. The things we eat effect the way we think, and the way we think effects EVERYTHING in our lives!!! If you want to live a fitter life, you must start by changing what you eat, and that will then begin to make bigger shifts in you internally, and result in the manifestation of a life beyond your wildest dreams today. Is that something you want??? I’m going to assume that’s a yes, and continue with the 2nd half of how to shop for good quality, healthy produce, what to look for, and why to eat certain fruits and veggies.

Fist of all, fruits and veggies are seasonal. It’s important to eat the produce that is in season for a few reasons. Eating in season will assure you get tastier produce, and your body will get much more of what Nature intends for you at that time of year. Also, in season foods are less expensive. Depending on where you live, and the climate, there will be certain foods to look for to compliment your environment, thus giving your body everything it needs. Check out this link to learn more : http://blog.integrativenutrition.com/2008/04/16/seasonal-eating_43/

For example, spring time fruits and veggies are lighter, uplifting, and refreshing. They are meant to balance out the heavier foods we eat in the winter. Some foods that come into season for the spring are avocados, asparagus, lettuce, and sprouts. In the summer, it is best to eat foods like watermelon, peaches, raspberries, blueberries, and cucumbers. Some fall foods are sweet potatoes, pumpkin,  collard greens, brussel sprouts, butternut squash, acorn squash, apples, cranberries, and pomegranates. For winter, we are best off eating foods that warm us up (if we live in a colder climate) like wild mushrooms, turnips, potatoes, and onions.

Using herbs to flavor your food is also a great, healthy way to add flavor without salt. Fresh is always better to use and make sure you buy all different textures and avoid buying anything wilted looking.

Sweet veggies like yams, sweet potatoes, carrots, and onions, are great for adding the sweet taste into your diet and usually help people who have sugar cravings. Adding sweet veggies into your diet will almost guarantee the elimination or reduction of refined sugars such as cookies and cakes by curbing the sweet tooth.

Also, make sure you take advantage of the full flavor and healing properties of ginger and garlic. They are great for adding a zest to any dish as well as adding anti-biotic qualities. Ginger also helps sooth the stomach when it is upset.

As you can see, there is so much variety as far as fruits and veggies go. If you eat what is in season, then all throughout the year you will be feeding your body with the best nutrients, as well as keeping variety in your diet by switching it up and trying new things every few months.

Has this sparked any curiosity in you? I’d love to hear what you are thinking! Leave all questions and comments here for me on the blog.  Here’s To Your Health!!!

SEE BELOW FOR A GREAT FALL RECIPE

Stuffed Roasted Acorn

Posted on November 20th, 2009 by Integrative Nutrition

It’s that time of year.   Are you planning your Thanksgiving dinner menu?  Here is a recipe that is healthy and delicious!  Enjoy!

Stuffed Roasted Acorn

Prep Time:    10 minutes
Cooking Time:    45 minutes
Yields:    4 servings

Ingredients:   
2 acorn squash
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
Sea salt and pepper
½ cup toasted pumpkin seed, chopped
½ cup parsley, chopped

Stuffing:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, finely diced
1 tablespoon curry
¼ cup golden raisins or currants
1 cup cooked whole grain (quinoa, brown rice, millet, barley)
½ cup parsley, chopped
1 zucchini, diced
   
Directions:
1.    Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2.    Cut acorn squash in half and clean out seeds and fibers. Cut a very thin slice off bottom, so that acorn squash halves can sit flat like soup bowls.
3.    Brush with olive oil and distribute garlic evenly over 4 halves.
4.    Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper, place on a baking sheet and bake for 35 minutes.
5.    While squash is baking prepare stuffing.
6.    In a skillet heat oil and sauté onions, curry and raisins for 3 minutes. Add cooked grains andstir   for 5 minutes.
7.    Remove skillet from heat and mix in parsley and zucchini.
8.    Fill each squash cup with stuffing and top with chopped pumpkin seeds.
9.    Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until the squash is soft (when a butter knife sinks into the squash with ease).
10.    Garnish with parsley and serve.

 

Workout Wednesday- “Missing the Gym” November 18, 2009

Yep, that’s what I said…I am MISSING the gym. I have been so busy with school, work, artistic workshops, coaching, and expanding my business, that I have found little time or energy left over for me and my own health and workouts. I find that what has happened, is I’ve overloaded myself with so much “to do” that I have trouble resting. I am learning once again, the hard way, that not enough rest, will keep me out of the gym.

Last week I was so exhausted I hurt my back. Therefore, not only was I already not getting my usual workouts in, but for the last 5 days now, I’ve been pretty much immobile. I will finally go back to work tomorrow. My whole point here is…if you like to feel good, then treat yourself well. If I took rest when I really needed it, then I wouldn’t be forced to take rest as well as forced out of the gym for a week.

I am missing the gym because I know it is what I need to feel good. I have better energy, I feel cleaner, lighter on my feet, and happier when I am getting in my workouts. Knowing this, I will remember next time, to rest when I feel tired, because if  I don’t…my body will make me!

Work Smarter, NOT harder What’s going on with you lately? Spill it here! Here’s To Your Health!

Nutrition Tuesday- “Healthy Shopping- Part 1″ November 16, 2009

What’s up guys and girls! Today I want to talk to you a little bit about Healthy Shopping. There is a lot to cover so for now, I just want to cover as much about PRODUCE as I can in one blog :)

First of all you want to look for 100% certified USDA organic fruits and veggies. Most regular supermarkets will not carry it, so I suggest shopping at your local health food store or farmers market from now on, if you want fresh, organic produce. The reason why organic is so much better is because there is no radiation, no bio-engineering (which is when the food is genetically altered with steroids and hormones), there are no pesticides used on the food, and the food has been grown with NON-synthetic fertilizers. You know how the saying goes…”You are what you eat.” So be aware of what you are putting into your body, and treat yourself with respect. If you cannot find organic, or it is just a little too pricey for your budget right now, then it’s ok. Eating an array of non-organic veggies and fruits is better than not at all. However, make sure you look for the PLU code on the food. Organic foods have a 5 digit number and begin with a 9. Conventional fruits/veggies, that are not organic, but aren’t bio-engineered either, have a 4 digit number. WATCH OUT for any fruit or veggies that has a 5 digit number beginning with an 8!!! This means they have been bio-engineered, which means they have been pumped with hormones and chemicals to make them grow bigger and faster. These have been proven to be cancer causing. Stay away from foods with a PLU code of 5 digits that begin with an 8!!!

The next thing I wan to talk about is color. It is important to fill your cart with an array of colors because each color serves our body in a specific way. We need all the colors in order to function the best.

Green Foods- some examples include: kale, collard greens, and mustard. Greens are the #1 missing ingredient from American diets today. They provide our bodies with calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, vitamins A, C, and E, fiber, folic acid, and chlorophyl. They purify the blood, strengthen the immune system, and LIFT THE SPIRIT Experience an array of greens, but especially the dark leafy kind!

Red Foods- Red foods are rich in phytochemicals that reduce free radical damage, and support heart health and memory function. Some examples are: tomatoes, pomegranates, and red bell peppers.

Orange Foods- some examples include: oranges, sweet potatoes, and carrots. Just like our mothers said…orange foods help us see better! Orange foods support night vision, and the deep orange foods are rich in Beta Carotene and Vitamin C.

Yellow Foods- some examples include: yellow squash, yellow peppers, bananas, and pineapples. Yellow foods are great for improving our circulation and strengthening our immune system!

White Foods- some examples include: artichokes, fennel, parsnips, and onions. White foods are known for being like  “Nature’s Pharmacy.” They help reduce blood pressure and LDL cholesterol (the bad kind). Also, ginger, garlic, and onions have anti-viral and anti-bacterial phytochemicals so they can be used as natural antibiotics.

Blue and Purple Foods- some examples include grapes and eggplant. These foods are rich in very powerful antioxidants that prevent early signs of aging and heart disease!

Another thing to be looking for when shopping for produce is the TEXTURE. Different textures will ensure you are getting a variety of nutrients as well as a more interesting eating experience. Pick delicate and leafy textures, dense and strong, and others that are light and crispy. For example pair some arugula with sweet potatoes or roasted red peppers. This will make eating not only more interesting, but your meals will feel more filling as well.

Next week I will continue on the subject of Healthy Shopping. I intend to cover Seasonal Eating, Dairy, Meat, Fish, Sea Vegetables, Herbs and Spices, Cereals and Snacks, etc. over the next couple weeks. It is my goal to help create awareness among Americans about how to really shop and eat healthy for themselves and their families. As you know, I am attending New York’s Institute for Integrative Nutrtion, so I am learning just how much information there is that very few people are aware of. This makes it difficult for Americans to know what the truth is about how to feed themselves and others. Stay tuned! Also, if you have your own, personal questions about how to eat and shop healthy, please leave them here for me on the blog and I will be sure to address them!

Holistic Thursday- “The Observer Self” November 12, 2009

Be the Observer Self

Woooooo Hooooo, Today was an intense day for me! It was one of those days where I felt like I was being tempted into battle with my own head. Have you ever experienced what I am talking about, you know, all that chatter in your head telling you a million different things that have one intention…to make you feel like crap? Yes, I admit it…I still have to work hard at feeling and thus radiating joy some days. Days like today are a constant struggle to shift my thoughts, remind myself to be gentle and loving towards myself and others, and to not entertain, or give power to, the thoughts that do not serve my highest good. Even when I know what I need to do, it can feel so bad to feel so much resistance toward doing the best thing for myself, which is not feeding into the lies and b.s. in my head.

Our ego voice can speak so loudly sometimes. It is important that we recognize the difference between it and our true selves. Our most authentic self is one that only loves all people and things unconditionally. My highest self intends peace and happiness for me, so anything that causes chaos, stress, and pain is not coming from a good place. Therefore, as we begin to hear these chattering voices tell us very discouraging things, it is up to us to have a default mode of shifting into our observer self, so we can just observe what is happening without getting caught up in it.

Today I realized that my default mode is still somewhat in victim mode, or in other words, “poor me” mode It was not easy to accept, however, at least I am aware now. By tonight, I can feel grateful that all the yuck of today actually created a lot of awareness for me. Now that I see I am still defaulting into old habits that do not serve me, I can work on changing them. Once I really got the hang of this today, I remembered everything I know about the observer self and ego self relationship. I simply observed my ego trying with all its mite to take me down, ruin my day, and send me home all beat up. Instead of allowing it to or trying to fight back, I just softly said, “Thank you for your advice. I know you are just trying to help me, however I do not need your help. You can take a seat. I got this covered today.” At first I had to say it over and over, but overall, I won. I got through this day with integrity, I had some good laughs with a good friend, and actually had an enjoyable day.

Next time you are all up in your head, beating yourself up for something, or listening to the voices calling you bad, not good enough, stupid, whatever…take a pause. Take a few deep breaths, and then simply and calmly tell that voice and its negativity, that you acknowledge it, but do not need its help. See what happens. Be the observer self! Let me know your thoughts and questions! Leave them here for me on the blog. Here’s To Your Health!!!

Check out this link http://kathyberman.com/2009/10/mental-finding-your-observer-self/ as well as the one above (click on Be the observer self), for some cool insight into what the Observer self is vs. the Ego self, and how to become more of the observer. Cheers!