First up, here’s a few of my thoughts on yesterday’s events. Sorry it wasn’t in the news (which is what my newsletter is about usually) but it was me, and I want you to know more about me. I’m a real person and it was my birthday yesterday, and a big one at that!
I used to feel ashamed celebrating anything or talking about who I am in public. Starting a business can really push you out of your comfort zone. I had to get a Facebook account, which was so not me. When I met my husband (I was only 22) birthdays became a very private affair. I used to feel rather ashamed speaking up for myself and even telling anyone my birthday was coming up. I thought people would judge me for wanting attention. I thought they would think I expected something from them. I used to think I was making a fuss, I had a big ego, and this is something nice girls don’t do. Birthdays are for children, and I am an adult, so that means no more fun and excitement.
Being a coach and studying human psychology has been an amazing journey that is ongoing. I challenge my beliefs every day. I now realise it simply doesn’t matter what other people think. If they want to think I’m a drama queen, and they don’t want to listen to me or work with me, that’s fine. You don’t blame or judge a child who is excited, so why do that to an adult?
We all have an inner child. A part of us that needs attention, needs comforting, and needs to have fun, just like we did when we were small and young. Being intentional about getting excited makes me a better person. People who are very serious, workaholics and worriers are not fun to be around. I want to be able to laugh and sing and enjoy my life, not worry about what might happen, or have regrets.
Not caring about what other people think is liberating.
It was all non-sense. How much time did I spend trying to second guess other people, wanting to please them when I was overweight? Or thinking that when I lost all the weight my life would be perfect? How many people do I help coach through their weight loss by changing their hormone balance and their thoughts? (All of them!)
If you want to change your life, you have to change your thoughts.
How do you do this? With support and accountability and by trusting yourself that the decision you have made to lose weight and feel better about yourself is the right decision.
What the heck is The ‘pegan’ diet?
Is it another fad diet (The Pecan Diet book is available on Amazon and other good bookstores) conjured up by some remote nutrition guru living in California who really doesn’t understand what you are going through?! (Sorry I don’t even know where he’s from;)
That’s what I thought and had to agree with a radio broadcaster I heard ridicule a diet that includes meat but is described as being vegan. It sounds counterintuitive and a bit crazy.
It’s a clever book title because it grabs your attention, making you curious to know more. Author Mark Hyman says his focus is ‘plant based’ and paleo, which focuses on eating the way our ancestors lived and ate in Paleolithic times. The paleo diet sometimes gets a bad reputation for being a heavy meat-eating diet. Vegans have a much louder voice these days, and it’s become trendy. However, I feel they like to shame people who choose to eat meat as not being animal-loving. I don’t think that is fair. I was veggie for 7 years but I love animals. My doggie is like my baby. I spoil her, cuddle her (and don’t do a great job disciplining her). I fail to understand how anyone can equate cruelty to animals with eating meat or fish. I believe our bodies and physiologies were designed to eat meat.
The correct definition of the paleo diet does include plants. So does the keto diet. There are a number of diets that our ancestors ate and thrived under suffering no heart disease, dementia or cancer. But they were all different. The Kitavans of Papua New Guinea have a totally different diet to the Masai. But both are paleo.
I don’t believe shame is a helpful emotion to encourage anyone to improve their health, nutrition or overall happiness. People need to understand why having foods (for example beef) labelled as murderous is emotional blackmail. If you want to be a vegan, I respect your point of view, but I advise certain supplements need to be taken to ensure no vitamin or mineral deficiencies. When did you last have your blood tested to see what your state of health is?
It is only when you realise which foods put your body into fat storage mode and which delicious foods give you sustained energy and wellbeing, and help you burn your own body fat that you can feel empowered to implement the changes. Losing weight is highly motivating and the way your body feels is absolutely amazing.
I can help you do this as I have helped many people before you and will keep on doing. If you are suffering with cravings, lethargy, joint problems, reliance on multiple medications, or alcohol, shame, guilt, emptiness or feeling unwell, you can seriously improve your health.
One thing you can do to prove that you are serious is share your food diary and lifestyle with me for an hour. See for yourself the impact your unique recommendations will have on the rest of your life. I guarantee it will be worth at least ten times the value. But you have to try it.
Doing nothing changes nothing. Taking action is always rewarded.