Use the feelings of "fatness"- don't let it slow you down

One of my good friends said to me the other day :
"I'm not even going to step on the scale for a few weeks after the holiday- it's not worth it- I know it will be higher than it should be."

Everyone I know is like stepping out of a cave when it comes to health. The food was never ending, the work needed to make the food happen was exhausting, and the exercise was either non-existent, or not as it should be.

But- we can do it- it's time to take a deep breathe, and jump right back in to doing the things that we know will get our body back to where it needs to be.

So feel that extra bit of flab, that extra tightness of your clothes, or look at the higher numbers on the scale- then take a deep breathe and say to yourself:

"This is to be expected because of the reality of my last few weeks- but I won't let it get me down as it doesn't can't ever define ME- I will choose to use it as motivation- I will use it as my push to get off the couch and exercise, I will remember this feeling every time I reach for the (add craving food here), and I will use it every time I think that I can have just one more helping of unplanned foods at a meal. I am going to burn this uncomfortable, yucky, demoralizing, feeling of what I DON'T want into my memory so that I can use it again and again- and I am going to step by step do what I need to do to be the healthy person I want to be once more."

The trick is to not feel that you're starting over

The key to this is not turning this into a pity party and further proof of why you are not capable of doing this,.

You can do this- stop putting yourself down and make a plan.

Three things you can do to turn that "fat" feeling into action:
-Learn what a proper portion size is- and commit to stick to it at every meal for a whole week
-Write our a weekly meal plan- write out everything you're going to eat ahead of it and stick to it no matter what
-Commit to exercise one more time than you're used to this week- you don't need a class or a machine to get it done- look up a strength or cardio workout that you can do in your own living room for 20 minutes

Lastly- I am starting two new groups within the next few weeks- contact me if you're interested. Getting the encouragement of a group and committing to a 12 week class is one of the best things you can do to make the changes you want to see in your life.

I leave you with one of my favorite inspiration videos about what it means to change your life- it can be running- it can be anything- the goal is to just do it- and as in this video- the goal is not just about health- it's about self esteem and becoming the happier person you want to be

Me Before You? But Matzah Before Me?

There's a popular book out right now called 'Me Before You'. When I saw the title of the book I thought to myself, is that a question or a statement?

A lot of the women I talk to, work with, am friends with, am related to, etc.- they all have the same problem. Where do they rank in priority list?

Me before the cleaning?
Me before the cooking?
Me before the shopping?
Me before the bedtime stories?
Me before the date night with the husband?
Me before the homework and the new shoes because there's holes in the old ones?

What do I mean with this priority list?

Exercising and eating healthy takes time, attention, and concentration- no two ways about it.

So something has to give....... something has to be put farther down on the list........

A lot of women have spent their lives putting other people before them- now that's a hard habit to break.

As women- there's a high emphasis on being caring, giving, and selfless- and doing things to help take care of yourself at the "expense of others" seems to go against that. "I don't want to be one of those selfish women"- is something many people in my groups have told me.

But the picture is skewed- the situation is being looked at through a fuzzy looking glass.

To take care of yourself so that you feel refreshed and renewed and can go into each of the relationships in your life in a more whole hearted way?

To take care of your health so that you can dance the night away at your childs wedding, run around with your grandkids at the park, and live years longer to enjoy what blessings G-d gave you.....

Does that sound selfish to you?

Pesach, Passover, The Matzah holiday- its coming soon, and its coming fast.

Stress runs high, tempers run short, and there is a lot to do.

But that doesn't mean you can't plan out what you're eating this week, and even next week.

That doesn't mean you should stop exercising. Quite the opposite- you need it now more than ever.

And if you're taking the time to take care of yourself in the middle of this storm, not only will you be more pleasant to be around- but you will be modeling for all the loved ones around you how to balance stressful life situations with the need to replenish yourself as well.

Get outside, breathe in the air (still cold, but better than last month), and remind yourself that there's a whole world still pumping around you.

Dance, run, job, walk, yoga, whatever- do something for you- because you deserve it, and because it makes you an even better you to be able to share with other people.

And as always- make a plan- here are some suggestions:

-plan out each meal, even on yontif, and don't skip having a healthy breakfast each and every day
-walk and move your body every day
-plan in exercise- at least 2 to 3 times during the week
-give yourself dessert limits like: I can choose one dessert or two dessert items per day- and have fruit otherwise
-drink lots of water (especially since wine at the Seder can dehydrate you easily if you don't replenish
-Enjoy yourself and live in the moment- don't spend the whole holiday worrying about the next part

Lastly- as always- we all make mistakes- just catch yourself as quickly as possible and move on to a healthier day the next day.

Chag Kasher V'Sameach