r


not getting to the gym that third time didn’t mean she had failed or that she couldn’t succeed. Instead I asked her to see how much she had done, especially in light of her husband’s accident and in comparison to what she had been doing just six weeks before. She had already come a long ways and was consis- tently being active three days a week. She looked at me in amaze- ment. It had never occurred to her to acknowledge what she had done or that she had succeeded to be ac- tive three times a week.


Focusing on Successes to Stay Motivated She realized that she had only fo- cused on the negative, coloring her perspective and validating her inner self-criticism. It was eye-opening for her, and she felt excited about the upcoming week. She no longer wanted to throw in the towel. That next week she added a fourth day because she wanted to, not because she feared being harshly judged for missing it.


This made me think back to my mother who, with my help, started exercising just three years ago. She had always been sedentary, and when she didn’t reach the goals we had set for the second week she said “I can’t do this”. But we focused on what she could do and we set goals


ice what has gone rself on the back, what didn’t go so


re is something you m that or not.”


based on what was right for her, not what she was supposed to do. She has been exercising and adding more activities ever since, and today she can’t imagine not wanting to be moving. Yet she has weeks where she just can’t make it happen, and she lets them come and go. She doesn’t dwell on them, but gets right back into the swing of things the following weeks. Without the judgment for what she didn’t do, she focuses on what she can do and enjoys herself.


Allowing for Ups and Downs is Healthier Living This is a lifestyle approach to fitness that allows for flexible goals, ups and downs, and “blowing it” just because life happens. It is also a way to celebrate what is accomplished, learn from what doesn’t, and to pick up where you left off – without the inner criticism.


From now on, notice what has gone well and pat yourself on the back, and then look at what didn’t go so well and see if there is something you can learn from that or not. Either way, let it go and let yourself get back on track without the big stick.


Excerpt taken from “Feel Great in Your Body”


Alice is America’s Healthy Lifestyle Coach and bestselling author. She shows people how to finally succeed at healthy eating, regular exercise and long-term weight loss in a way that is enjoyable and feels so good they stay motivated and can easily maintain their new changes. Receive her e-book “Feel Your Personal Best” with 9 tips for success.


www.AHealthyLifestyleWorks.com/ freegift


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