Worth Repeating: 3 Reasons Why You and I are Fabulous

Because everyone once in a while we need to consciously remind ourselves why we are so wonderful.


Every week, I participate in #fitblog chat on Twitter.  At the end of the discussion, we all gets the chance to brag about something we did this week that made us proud.

This is my favourite part of the chat.  It is so great to hear all of the fantastic accomplishments of my cyber friends.

Without hesitation, everyone tweets about recent weight loss, running that extra mile or completing a project at work.

Funny how we have pride in the things we have done, yet we don't feel the same way about our bodies or our minds?

Being body proud isn't about vanity, it is about loving yourself and being happy with the skin you are in.  Don't be afraid to love who you are, what you look like and the qualities you possess.

I'll start.

I am fabulous just the way I am because...

Worth Repeating: 6 Ways to Love the Skin You're In

When it is hot outside and you find yourself wearing less and less, do you scrutinize every body part before you leave the house? 

This is something that I posted just over 5 years ago and it is definitely worth repeating today.  It sparked some great discussion and a series of post on loving ourselves.

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Being Skinny Does Not Always Equal Being Healthy

During #Fitblog Chats last night, a few of us got into a discussion about the thinking that being skinny = being healthy.  Here is just a snippet of our chat:

Spending Time with Yourself

Happy Monday, friends!

I hope you had a fantastic weekend.  I was home alone and took full advantage of the time to relax.

Exhibit A:  Me in my PJ's at 9pm on a Saturday night.

Everyone needs down time.  After a hectic week of working, school, kids or whatever else keeps you busy, sometimes you just need to spend some quality time with yourself.

A Positive, Healthy Attitude

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We all have a pity party sometimes.

Maybe you are frustrated with your job.  Perhaps you are not reaching your goals or maybe you are just stuck in a rut.

Work-in Week

The last few weeks have been busy, happy and exhausting.

Starting a business is very exciting, but it quite a task.  You don't quite realize how much there is to do between research, promotion and prepping until you are knee deep in it.

Don't get me wrong, I am beyond thrilled about this new opportunity, but I am finding myself a little stressed on this Monday morning.

A Little Patience

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Patience.

Such a simple word, yet it can be so difficult to do.

As a child, we were often told to be patient, (I am sure that many of you are telling that to your children.) but we live in a "now" society. 

We want instant gratification.

If we are trying to lose weight, we get upset if the scale doesn't budge that week.  If we have set a goal, we are frustrated if we haven't accomplished it by our deadline. 

We want to lose weight and reach our goals now.  And if we don't?

We feel like we have failed and often times, we give up. We have all been there, focusing on the negative.

Enter patience.

We have to remember that making any kind of change takes effort and perseverance.  Take a moment to look back at what you have accomplished and get excited about the things yet to come. 

If there is one thing that I have learning in the past few months is that patience isn't just about sitting back and waiting for things to happen.  It is about being proactive with the understanding that all things come in time.

So, sit back, enjoy your coffee and be patient.

Stay Healthy,
Tracy

3 Reasons Why You and I Are Fabulous

Every week, I participate in #fitblog chat on Twitter.  At the end of the discussion, we all gets the chance to brag about something we did this week that made us proud.

This is my favourite part of the chat.  It is so great to hear all of the fantastic accomplishments of my cyber friends.

Without hesitation, everyone tweets about recent weight loss, running that extra mile or completing a project at work.

Funny how we have pride in the things we have done, yet we don't feel the same way about our bodies or our minds?

Being body proud isn't about vanity, it is about loving yourself and being happy with the skin you are in.  Don't be afraid to love who you are, what you look like and the qualities you possess.

I'll start.

I am fabulous just the way I am because...

My laugh is infectious.  It is hearty, distinct and can be heard from across a crowded room. 

My back is strong.  Through  running and strength training, I love how my back is becoming more defined and toned.

I have a baby face.  My cousin's daughter thought I was in my early 20's.  This truly made my day.  For the record, I am not in my early 20's :)

Now it's your turn.

Write down 3 reasons why your are fabulous just the way you are!

Stay Healthy,
Tracy

Self-Esteem and Body Image

I was checking over my blog stats yesterday and I noticed that one of the most comment phrases to direct people to my blog is:

"you are not as fat as you think you are."

Interesting.

I did a post a few year ago with that exact title about what we often see in the mirror is not necessary how others see us in society.  We are often our worst critics.

Caitlin @ the Healthy Tipping Point is paving the way for people, young and old, to not only feel better about themselves, but to help others feel better too with her Operation Beautiful.

For those not familiar with the movement, the idea is that you write an encouraging and positive phrase on a post-it note and leave it a public place for others to read.

To me, the heart of this movement is self-esteem.  When you feel better about yourself, your healthy attitude will rub off on others.  While there are many factors that affect our self-esteem (family, friends, television, magazines etc.), I do feel that it is something that needs to be fostered inside of us.

What really matters is how you feel about yourself, not what other people think you should feel.

So how do you begin this journey of self-discovery to improve your self-esteem?

Here are a few things that have helped me over the years.

• Reflection.  Think about the people, places and things that have influenced your life. Did they positively or negative contribute to the way you feel about yourself?  How does that affect your life now?  Should it affect your life now?

• Daily Affirmations.  Self-talk can go a long way in determining how we feel and what we present to the world.  Try this:  Choose a phrase to state your intentions for the day like, "I will cherish my body today."

• Journaling.  Write down inspiring quotes, exciting events in your life and interesting people you have met. Make sure to look at this book daily.

• Laugh.  Have fun.  Spend time with people who make you smile. Laughing always makes you feel better, guaranteed.

What are your thoughts on self-esteem?  
What tips could you add to list?

Stay Healthy,
Tracy

You Are Not As Fat As You Think You Are

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Look at yourself in the mirror.

What do you see?

I bet many of you were quick to point out all the parts your don't like. Maybe you think your hips are too big or your tummy isn't tight enough.

I can guarantee that you are NOT seeing what everyone else does.

Our perceptions are often very distorted. This distortion can stem from the constant comparison of ourselves to images in the media or perhaps from our own low self esteem.

No matter where it comes from, it is usually a far cry from what others think of you.

The "flaws" that we see in ourselves are usually invisible to others. We are our worst critics.

Your friends will always compliment you on your fabulous legs or killer arms but all you always point out your not-so-firm buttocks.

You respond to this positive attention with a negative response.

Why?

When all you do is criticize yourself, sometimes you really can't see the beauty in your body that others do.

You need to take 2 things from this:

1. Learn how to take a compliment. If someone says something positive about your body, accept it and say thank you. Take another look in the mirror and think about the possibility that your friends may be right!

2. Stop focusing on all the things you don't like about yourself. How we feel about our bodies affects our self confidence and the energy the you put out into the world. Like attracts like. If you can learn to embrace your body, you will be happier and healthier.


So, how do you look now?

Stay Healthy,
Tracy

6 Ways To Love The Skin You're In

It's summer and that can only mean one thing: bikini time!

Instead of the dread your feel when you pull out your 2 piece for the first time since last year only to find a few extra lumps and bumps, I invite to you embrace your body and find something, just one thing, about your body that you truly love. You'll feel better, I promise.


1. Imperfections? What Imperfections?
With all of the beautiful bodies that lace the cover of every magazine,it is very easy for us to be our worst critics. Do yourself a favour -stop picking your body apart. OK, so you don't have legs like J-Lo or abs Jessica Biel but try to focus on what your DO like about your body.
Is it your button nose, or maybe your toned arms. Don't you feel better already?

2. Your Body Is A Wonderland
The way our body functions is a true miracle of nature. It works for us night and day without any complaints. Unfortunately, most of us take it for granted until something goes wrong. So be thankful for your health and stop worrying about your butt!

3. Reality Check
Models are not perfect. They have an entourage of professionals making them beautiful 24/7. Many magazine photos are airbrushed. Are you getting the idea? This is not the real world, don't use it to measure your own beauty.

4. Talk To Yourself
Try to think more positive thoughts toward body image. Repeat to yourself, "I am a beautiful, intelligent woman." You will be surprised how much better you will feel when you start to look at yourself differently.

5. Your Body Is A Temple
Be good to your body, it is the only one you have. Stay active and eat healthy. I know it is simple but it is true. No diet, just balanced nutrition. Do whatever exercises that you love, that keep you motivated. Then, pamper yourself with a massage or a spa night with the girls - you deserve it.

6.Forget About It!
Contrary to what you think, the whole world is NOT looking at you. Forget about what other people think and worry more about how you feel on the inside.

Stay Healthy,

Tracy

The Scale is Only a Number

How often do you weigh yourself? How reliable is your bathroom scale anyway? Well, it is not the only tool that you can use to measure your exercise progress and it may not even be the best one. Read on and find out if you can trust the numbers.

You have been on a regular exercise program for months and you have been stepping on the scale religiously everyday - the number hasn't moved. What gives? While the scale can be a great indicator to measure our progress, there are many things that it does not tell us. This can result in being discouraged instead of inspired. 

Lets get the skinny on scales.

What Are You Made Of?

An important factor is getting healthy is reducing your overall body fat. When you exercise, you increase your lean muscles mass and you burn fat. Muscle is made of 70% water and is very dense. It is a much heavier tissue than fat. When you replace fat with muscle, the scale may tell you that you have gained weight. However, your size may have decreased as muscles take up much less space than fat.

All Diet, No Exercise

If you drastically reduce your caloric intake , you may notice a drop in the scale. This may sound like a great thing but it's not. Your body may be losing muscle mass. You want to increase muscle to boost your metabolism - so you can burn more calories at rest. Calorie restrictive diets will only provide a temporary results - a healthy diet and exercise will help keep you healthy for life!

Jump On!

If you insist on weighing yourself - do it first thing in the morning, before breakfast. This is when your weight will be at it's lowest (and the most encouraging) It is also most representative of your true weight.

How Do You Measure Up?

There are many other ways to measure the success of your fitness program. You don't need to swear of scales forever, but it is important to think about other factors.

Ask yourself:

How do my clothes fit?
How do I look?
How do I feel about myself?
Has my body changed shape?
Do I have more energy?
Are daily tasks becoming easier?

Stay Healthy,

Tracy