Overcoming Laziness
Those feelings may come from things like losing your job, settling into your routine or simply boredom.
Other times, distractions and just a general feeling of complacency pushes us into a place of laziness, keeping us from doing our best and performing at our most effective.
Never fear! There are ways of countering that lull in energy and lack of confidence. Some of them may be easy to do while others may seem like they are a little bit more difficult to achieve. But they're worth a shot, especially when you're stuck in a rut.
1. Get out of bed, or the couch, or the house....you get the picture!
When we are unmotivated, it's very easy to just stay home, under the covers, or on the couch...you name it. All the more reason, then, to get off your behind and move.
Go for a walk.
Get in your car and go for a drive.
Go visit friends, or buy some flowers, or go pay some bills.
Anything to get you out of the house and absorbing some sunshine.
2. Run errands
Face it: the electric bill isn't going to pay itself. The packages you need to mail won't hop to the post office on command. Your groceries won't magically arrive at your doorstep.
Running some errands will not only get you moving, but it will inject in you a real sense of urgency and need.
If you don't get these things done now, you'll have to do them eventually. So why not do them now, when you need some motivation anyway?
3. Keep a positive things journal
Create a journal in which every day, you make a list of ten things that you are good at, things that inspire you (people, places or things: anything that inspires you), things that you see yourself doing in ten years, ten months, ten days, ten hours, even ten minutes!
The idea is to create a positive flow of thoughts and feelings that keep your confidence up.
4. Post a bulletin board in your house or your office with things that inspire you.
I have one in my home office that has everything from phrases and headlines from magazines, to poems, to articles about inspirational people, to comic strips and even notes and drawings given to me by friends.
I look at it every day and add to it when I see something worthy. These things remind me that I have reasons to remain confident and they keep me from gravitating towards laziness.
5. Listen to some music
Find something that will keep you energized and ready for anything. Listen to feel-good, catchy songs. Cheesy pop music, as much as you may hate it, is great for revving up some much-needed energy!
Don't worry. Go ahead and dance your butt off. You're at home; no-one's looking.
6. Drink LOTS of water
Why? This may not seem obvious, but the way we feel mentally often is affected by the way our bodies react to stress. Keeping yourself well hydrated will keep you energized and awake and will give your body some much-needed fuel.
Caffeine, while a quick energy boost, will ultimately dehydrate you, which will not only not help you, but it may also give you more issues like headaches and sudden drop in energy.
7. Surround yourself with motivating people
When I lose confidence in myself or get a little lazy, I have a list of about 10 people that I can call that will make me feel instantly better.
Some of them are gentle pushers; others are the ‘get-off-your-butt-and-do-something-already!’ sort of folks.
Regardless of their methods, sometimes family and friends know exactly what to say to get you going. Let them.
When life hits us with abrupt changes, or even when it just teases us with quirky little annoyances, it can be easier for us to fall victims to our own self-doubt and laziness.
The key is to have a plan of action so that we don't succumb to those self-defeating vices.
Author's Bio
Peter Murphy is a peak performance expert. He recently produced a very popular free report that reveals how to crush procrastination and sustain lasting motivation.
Is Your Chicken Too Fat?
Most shoppers think chicken is good for their health. Little do they know that their favorite bird is loaded with “additives” that are bad for their heart.
About 30% of chickens sold in the U.S. – even those labeled “100% all natural” – are “plumped.” That’s a fancy word for poultry that’s processed with saltwater, chicken stock, seaweed and other ingredients to make it juicy and tasty.
These additives are also a hidden source of sodium, which at high levels is linked with high blood pressure,heart attack and stroke. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends no more than 1,500 milligrams per day – about 5/8 teaspoon.
But Americans consume more than twice that amount of sodium, much of it from processed Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health (University of California Press). “Consumers are paying for water, not meat, and nobody needs extra salt anyway.”
A 4-ounce serving of unplumped chicken has less than 75 milligrams of naturally occurring sodium. A 4-ounce serving of enhanced chicken can contain up to 440 milligrams – as much or more than a large order of fries. And if you eat half a chicken breast for dinner, you may be getting even more sodium, because a cooked chicken breast half weighs anywhere from 4 -1/2 to 6 ounces.
(MORE)
Is Your Chicken Too Fat? | Lifescript.com
Change (and NOT the Obama kind)
It's funny, but I can equate this to so much of my previous life, and not just in fitness and weight loss. My former career went forward in much the same way. Just as my life seemed to settle, and I was used to a job and a city, and had a circle of friends whom I loved, an opportunity would be thrust in my face. I could have just stayed complacent and kept that job, but there was always something in me that said "This is your opportunity to move forward. This is your opportunity to change it up." So I did. And each time, it was just that much better. And if I hadn't of take those chances that I did, I never would have met my husband and his wonderful kids, had the children that we had together, and I wouldn't have this wonderful life where I get to influence my friends and family to get their lives back on the fitness and good health track.
Every minute of every day offers an opportunity to change. It doesn't always have to be the same day in and day out. We all have the incredible ability to change the direction we are headed at a moments notice. The problem is that some of us are so complacent in our actions and our decisions and our lives that we forget just how amazingly wonderful a little change can be. And I mean a small change. It doesn't have to be huge, like the changes I have made in my life. They can start small...because even a small change will lead to bigger changes down the road. Why? Because change opens up doors. Change invites opportunities. Change is what can take you from a life of despair to a life filled with hope. Change turns the "what if's" into "I'm so grateful I did's". Change is what we all need once in a while.
If I were granted one wish, it would to be able to have everyone know how wonderful that feeling of change can be and how it can turn your life around in an instant. And how changing something so slight, like adding that fitness routine to your life, or eating healthier, or making positive choices will turn it all around for you. And it is a thrill to see someone I love see that light. When they realize that it is their time to change, the hope and enthusiasm they hold is like experiencing it myself for the first time. There is nothing quite like it!
The thing that we all need to realize is that no one can make these changes for us. Not our spouse, not our children, not our friends, not our government...We need to change it ourselves. We need to be the ones who make the change. Or else, we won't appreciate the effort that we put into it.
Everyday, I am grateful for my life. I am grateful I have made this change to be healthy and fit. I am grateful that I influence my family and friends to do the same. And I am grateful that they listen. Because I want them to be in my life for a long time.
Drink your water, people!
I've always been one to believe that you should drink when you are thirsty. Sounds easy, doesn't it? I think most of the time, we do just that. The problem is, we don't drink the right thing when we get thirsty. We reach for the cola, or the sweetened beverage. Sometimes we reach for the coffee, and sometimes even the beer or wine, or the alcoholic beverage. The simplest thirst quencher seems so out of reach. Why is that?
The fact of the matter is that our bodies are comprised mostly of water. The human body is made up of over 70% water. Our blood is more than 80% water‚ our brain over 75% water‚ and the human liver is an amazing 96% water!
Our energy level is greatly affected by the amount of water we drink. It has been proven that a 5% drop in body fluids will cause a 25% to 30% loss of energy in the average person... a 15% drop in body fluids causes death! Water is what our liver uses to metabolize fat into usable energy. It is estimated that over 80% of our population suffers energy loss due to minor dehydration.
All this because we don't drink enough water.
Now, you can be one of the "green" people who refuse to drink water from a plastic bottle. Or, you can be one of the "naturalist" group who refuse to drink water from the tap. Or, you may just not appreciate the taste of plain old water. I don't particularly care which group you fall in. Just find a way to drink your water.
There are a few ways to become a water drinker. And I'm not against bottled water drinkers. In a pinch, it is better than nothing. But it gets warm quickly and if you don't have any refrigeration nearby, then the cold water lovers like myself are out of luck. But I found a great solution that might be worth the investment for you.
I had, for years, been searching for the right "sippy cup" for my girls. After much trial and error, I found the solution for them. It was a Thermos with a straw insert. Seemed simple enough. One hot day, I happened to pick up their "sippy cup" to take a swig for myself and realized that even after 8 hours, the water was still ice cold and refreshing! It is no wonder my girls were better water drinkers than I was...I had found the perfect drinking container! Immediately, I gathered them up and we headed right to Target so that I could purchase one for myself. I was so surprised and excited to see that they made a larger version...perfect for moi!
These are made by Thermos brand. They are thermos's but not the breakable kind. They are all steel, with a handy little straw insert inside a plastic cap that is spill proof, yet can be covered with a quick flip of the lid. You can also go to the Thermos website and order extra straw inserts (because after a few months, they can get a little gnarly). The best thing about this Thermos is that you fill it full of ice water, and it stays cold ALL DAY, or OVERNIGHT. I'm not kidding! I find myself drinking so much more of it because it is that darn delicious. They are a little pricey...but if you are against the water bottle thing, then I'd invest in one. The smaller kid size (I believe they are 12 oz) are about $14.99 but the larger adult size (18 oz) will cost about $19.99. These are the best thing on the market. They are convenient and easy to drink from. They don't spill down your shirt, and they don't break.
I carry mine everywhere. And I find that I fill it up about 4 times a day. So, that being the case, 4x18=72 oz, which is well over the gallon of water that some recommend drinking daily. Granted, one of those fills is usually some green tea that I brew beforehand. I love my green tea, and this particular kind is awesome! It has great flavor without the aftertaste, and it is a great thirst quencher. I highly recommend Celestial Seasonings Mandarin Orchard DECAF Green Tea. I use about 6 tea bags per 2 liters of hot water. I make a new pitcher about every three days and keep it in the fridge for a little change up from the water.
I can't stress enough that just changing what you drink can change your whole life. Get off the soda kick. Even the diet sodas. It just isn't what your bodies were meant to ingest. Coffee in moderation and an alcoholic beverage now and again is OK, but make the water the main thirst quencher of your day.
10 Reasons Your Workouts Aren't Working
The best thing about Beachbody workouts is that they ALL incorporate "the fixes" in the following article. And since it comes in DVD form, your workout is all lain out for you...every day, week after week...all you have to do is put in the DVD and push play and follow along.
If you need someone to discipline you, if you need someone to push you, if you need someone to motivate you, please get a Beachbody workout! I guarantee it is exactly what you need.
10 Reasons Your Workouts Aren't Working
Children and Food Choices
As enforcers of food rules, parents seek the delicate balance between setting rules about food choices and ensuring that they are followed. Parents are a major influence on the food choices of their children. They make decisions about which foods are available at home, and where and when foods can be eaten in the house. As enforcers of food rules, parents seek the delicate balance between setting rules about food choices and ensuring that they are followed. For example, a parent may decide to limit the supply of treats like chips and cookies that are stocked in the kitchen.
Rigid Food Restrictions May Backfire
Guiding food choices helps children learn to make smart decisions rather than simply learning that foods are either OK to eat or forbidden. Banning particular foods can make them even more appealing to children. The best strategy is to include some of these foods in the child's choice of treats.
Striking a balance is particularly crucial when parenting a child who is trying to reach a healthy weight. Rigid food restrictions may teach the child that healthy weight is about following a highly structured regimen. The negative effects may be compounded if the same rules are not enforced in thin or healthy-weight siblings. To avoid this, it is vital that parents provide the same food guidelines to everyone in the household.
Healthy Foods Served Without Fanfare
Parents who are overly enthusiastic about healthy foods as a way to encourage children to eat them may find that the strategy backfires. Extreme verbal responses and obvious body language affect the child's beliefs and preferences for foods, so the best approach is neutral and equal reactions to all foods.
When the Child Is a Picky Eater
Virtually all young children have the potential to become "picky eaters." This is because they are naturally neophobic, that is, they are afraid of new things, including foods. The way that parents introduce new foods can help lessen food neophobia. For example, research has found that it may take up to 10 "exposures" to a new food for a child to feel brave enough to try it. A useful strategy for parents is to keep serving the same food day after day, but without calling undue attention to it. In time, and without prodding, many children will try the new food. Seeing parents eating a new food also takes away some of the fear factor for the young child.
From Weight Watchers.com
5 Steps to a 5-Star Body
By Lucy Danziger, SELF Editor-in-Chief - Posted on Thu, Mar 12, 2009, 4:16 pm PDT
Getting your best body can be as simple as counting to five every day. Really! No matter what goal you’re pursuing—shedding those 10 pounds that have been hanging around too long, toning your trouble zones or simply eating healthier. It's so easy. I think of it as my five-star day. The five-star day is so simple—you just give yourself a star for everything you do right. You get stars for:
Sleep! Try to catch 7 to 9 hours each night. This, I know from personal experience, can seem like an unrealistic goal, but the amount of research that supports the connection between shut-eye and health makes me shoot for this star every day. For starters, catching enough zzz’s can help you lose weight. In a study of more than 68,000 women, those who dozed seven hours a night weighed 5.5 pounds less than women who slept five hours or less. Ample sleep encourages your body to make more of the fullness hormone leptin and less of the hunger hormone ghrelin, so you’re not as hungry. Snoozing can also curb anxiety and depression, both of which can lead to emotional eating. As if that’s not enough reason, too little rest can cloud moral judgment, too. Try going to bed just 30 minutes earlier each night to see how much you’ll benefit.
Exercise! Yes, breaking a sweat can help you lose weight, but it can also curb cravings, help you live longer, reduce stress, undo some of the damage of eating fatty foods—and those are just a few of the benefits. Aim for 30 minutes a day—even a walk counts toward your tally—and give yourself a star each time you fulfill that goal with any one of your favorite workouts.
Eat right! No, you don’t have to count calories. You can eat healthy and have delicious, filling and satisfying meals (snacks, too!). If you’re doing the 2009 SELF Challenge, give yourself a star for every day that you eat according to the Challenge meal plan and log your meals in your online food diary. If you’re not doing the Challenge, you can still snag a star when you’ve eaten in a way that makes your body feel good—and you feel proud. For me, that’s when I opt for yogurt with berries rather than a muffin at breakfast, have a salad with tofu for lunch and choose salmon over steak at dinner, then skip the ice cream pig-out late at night. Yes, it’s that simple! I’m not perfect, and there are definitely days when I have a second glass of wine or a too-generous square of my favorite dark chocolate bar, but I find that once I start building that five-star day, I get invested in it and want to keep it up.
Stretch! Limbering up is a way to thank your muscles for all the hard work they do for you each day. It can also help you increase your overall range of motion, making exercise seem less difficult. And when workouts are less daunting, you’ll not only enjoy them more, but you also will probably do them more often, too! To me, yoga and pilates count, as does just stretching at the kitchen counter as I watch the headlines in the morning. No need to set aside a huge block of time! However you choose to go Gumby, give yourself a star for treating your body to a break.
Talk yourself up! This might be the most important part of the five-star plan: Giving yourself a well-deserved pat on the back for simply being strong, smart and healthy. Even on days when you only notch one or two other stars, take a moment to give yourself credit for being a truly amazing human being. Talking yourself up carries over to other areas of your life: Not only will you feel more confident, but research shows you will also get sick about 30 percent less frequently, stave off emotional eating and reduce your cancer risk. There are plenty of other reasons to celebrate your body. Pretty impressive for a few pats on the back!
Create your own five-star days: When you join the Challenge, you can use our free online logs to track the stars you earn each day. Counting stars is motivating, and rewarding yourself for smart, healthy behavior is more inspiring than the negative mind-sets required by most "diets." I had to create a system in my own head that was simple, easy to track and optimistic. The best part is that you get to start fresh every day, so even if you only manage one or two stars one day, you can stay with it by going to sleep early and telling yourself, like Scarlett O’Hara, tomorrow is another day!
