Archives 2012

Is the prospect of Christmas making you mildly anxious?

Are you already in a sweat about ‘surviving’ the festive period?

Whether it’s the traffic you’re dreading or managing the extended family, here’s five super simple rituals to help you thrive during the holiday season. Actually, any season.

These small, daily rituals can make a BIG difference in how deeply you experience the holidays, and your life.

Feel free to begin implementing them right away…

Here they are:

Immediately upon waking: drink a glass of water

Your body loses water while you sleep, so you wake up dehydrated. A glass of water helps kick-start your system…especially if you’ve been hitting the dance floor or festive drinks the night before. Extra points if you add a dash of lemon juice. When do you drink your first glass of water each day?

Every morning: name your daily ‘top three’

Christmas schedules can get pretty darn hectic. It can get so busy we don’t even really experience the holidays. Keep your inner peace by asking yourself, “What are the three most important tasks for me to complete today?” then use the answers as a compass to navigate your day. So, what’s your top three today?

As & when required: manage your mind

Christmas, and changes to your normal routine, bring up all sorts of emotions. Some of them are a delight to unwrap, some of them you might want to bolt from – anxiety, for example. If you do find yourself feeling anxious, just state it – “I’m feeling anxious.” There…you said it. Once you acknowledge what you’re feeling, you’ll feel better. Getting real is always the first step towards feelin’ good.

Every day: get your sweat on

Our bodies are works of art (yes, even yours). Mother Nature designed them to move. Movement keeps us healthy, boosts energy and mood, and relieves stress. Make it your intention to get your sweat on every day for half-an-hour, even if it’s only three blocks of walking for 10 minutes. How will you get your sweat on today?

Every evening: express your gratitude, deeply

Gratitude fosters happy endorphins and connects you to the here and now. Every evening, perhaps as you’re brushing your teeth, pause and reflect on these three questions:

“What surprised me today?”
“What am I grateful for today?”
“What touched my heart today?”

Be really specific so you benefit from the heightened feeling of appreciation.

So…your turn, sweetheart.

What surprised you today? What are you grateful for today? What touched your heart today?

Happy holidays E.V.E.R.Y.O.N.E xxx

Mistletoe love etc, Avril

PS: We all know the adage – “first we make our habits, then our habits make us”. If you’re tired of struggling with eating or exercise habits that keep you overweight and need a hand changing them, drop me a line. Why not let 2013 be the year you create the body you love?

Has this ever happened to you?

You got motivated.

Yup.

You were on fire to lose weight.

You were going to drop the extra kilos, get yourself a sexy silhouette.

Maybe you’d joined the gym, colour-coded your meal plans – you were feeling super-duper focused.

And, for a couple of days – or even weeks – you’re doing it. Wooooot woooooot!

But then…

….. life happened.

Perhaps, there was some drama that made you believe you needed to just hit the “pause” button on your health plans.

Then, while you were on hold, something else happened. And that needed your attention too.

And then, slowly one thing led to another and you forgot to remember your promise to yourself. Your progress ground to a halt.

And then, we know what happens don’t we, ladies?

Yup, the self-hatin’ starts. Our self-talk becomes a scream of negativity.

“You did it again – F for fail.”

“What a loser.”

“Who are you to think you could be slim, fit, strong, healthy?”

Instead of feeling full of health, fitness and confidence – all you feel is p*ssed off.

The good news is there is something you can do about it. Here’s what…

I believe that health and personal fitness is the foundation of doing anything in this world.

Being healthy and fit has the ability to create a confidence that ripples across your entire world.

For example, when you show yourself that you can run 5kms when you didn’t think you could walk around the block or you run a marathon when you thought 10km would max you out, you start to build confidence in yourself.

And that confidence compounds and turns up in other areas of your life.

If you show yourself you can lose 25kgs (or let’s start with 5kg), who’s to say you can’t double sales in your business next year or find your life partner?

Suddenly new things become possible.

The ‘impossible’ starts to become your new normal.

All we need to do is start conditioning ourselves to do the little things that we didn’t think we could.

It’s best to start small – real small. Perhaps a single step or one meal at a time. It really can be that easy. Do not overcomplicate this.

As you’re making these small daily repeatable steps, the thing to remember is this:

No. 1 rule – you must only control what YOU can control

Much of our life is outside of our control. You can’t control the weather, a recession, being made redundant, your children, your husband …..

Trying to control any of these would be like attempting to staple jelly to a tree – impossible and very frustrating.

Your health however is NOT in this category.

Your health is directly within your reach.

For example, no one can tell you that you can’t eat a huge green salad for lunch.

No one can keep you from walking around the block as a way to start your day.

No one can prevent you from pushing your own physical limits to see what your gorgeous body is really capable of.

That’s the most beautiful thing about it. Your health and how you treat your body is 100% in your control. Good or good?!

But so many people give that power away.

We find excuse after excuse.

“I’m too busy looking after the kids.”

“I like sweets waaaay too much to lose weight.”

“I don’t have the time to focus on myself and take exercise.”

I mean, “COME ON people!!!”

The clock is ticking….you’ve only got one body….when are you going to make your health and fitness a priority?

Now.

Take action.

Fitness. Changes. Everything.

Love etc, Avril

PS: We all know what to do to get fit and healthy. The real challenge is so few of us build habits which lead to long term results. If your habits are keeping you at your unhappy weight and you’re really, really ready to get yourself a sexy silhouette, perhaps hypnotherapy is the answer. Drop me a line here – let it be easy.

Are you worried about the amount of sugar your child eats?

Do you feel concerned at the quantity of sodas and ‘energy’ drinks your little one consumes?

There was a time, when sodas and chocolate-sprinkled treats were eaten at birthday parties or special gatherings like Christmas.

Can you recall the old days when sugary foods were considered an ‘occasional’ food, not an everyday food?

Over the years, the amount of sugar children eat has increased dramatically. Now, it seems that everything is sweetened with sugar, from cereal to yoghurt.

Many, many mums I see share their concern and despair at how much sugar junior is eating.

It seems that nothing they do – no amount of nagging, restricting sugary foods in the lunch box, or even threats of dentist visits – seem to reduce the passion for the sweet stuff.

Maybe you’re there right now. What’s a mum to do?

As a weight loss hypnotherapist, what I do is help many of these concerned mums kick their own sugar habit. Here’s a story I share with them….

A woman came to see Mahatma Gandhi, waiting in line for more than half a day with her son at her side in order to have an audience with him. When at last it was their turn to speak to him, the woman said,

“Mahatma, please. Tell my son he must stop eating sugar. It is ruining his health, his teeth, it affects his mood. Every time he has it, I see the change in him and there is nothing I can do to stop him from eating it, and then eating more. He’s a good boy, but when it comes to sugar, he becomes a liar and a thief and a cheat and I’m afraid it will ruin his life. Please, Gandhiji, tell him to stop.”

Gandhi looked at the boy for the longest time as he cowered there, trying to hide in his mother’s sari. Finally, Gandhi broke the silence and said,

“Come back to me in two weeks time.”

Two weeks later the woman returned with her child and once again waited in line for hours before finally it was again their turn to see the Master.

“Mahatma,” said the mother. “We have returned. We came to you for help with this boy and eating sugar and you asked us to come back after two weeks.”

“Yes, of course I remember,” said the master. “Come here, child.” He motioned the boy forward.

The boy, at the urging and prodding of his mother, disentangled himself from her sari and stepped up to the Mahatma who reached out, putting his hands on the boy’s shoulders and pulling him in close. He looked the boy squarely in the eye and said, firmly,

“Don’t eat sugar,” then released him.

“That’s it?” said the mother. “That’s all you’re going to say?” She was flabbergasted. “Why didn’t you just tell him that two weeks ago?”

“Because,” replied Gandhi, “Two weeks ago I was still eating sugar.”

Ouch.

Sorry if that stings a bit.

While it might seem that our children don’t listen to what we say because they’re busy goofing off, growing up, being a kid – they do watch everything you (and dad) do.

E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G.

So next time you ask them to “leave that chocolate alone”, ask yourself “What example am I setting?”

Love etc, Avril

PS: Giving up sugar can be hard – it’s so ingrained in our culture now. If you know that you need a helping hand to let go of your own sugar addiction so you can lead by example for your family, c’mon over, drop me a line…

Are you someone who can’t stop eating sugary treats once you start?

Are you plagued with constant cravings for refined carbohydrates, like pasta, bread or potato chips?

Oh, how I understand!

That white, powdery substance makes you feel soooooooooo good, doesn’t it?!

You know it’s less than ideal for you, and yet, the more you have, the more you want…

And frustratingly, in this age of processed foods, even if you abstain from the sugar bowl, there’s plenty of trickster ways it sneaks onto our plate.

What can you do?

Here’s what….

I recently read Suicide by Sugar: A Startling Look at Our #1 National Addiction. It’s a thoroughly researched book with more citations than you can shake a stick at.

Dr Appleton arms you with facts, statistics and information that, quite frankly, scares you into reducing your sugar intake.

Which – based on obesity and diabetes statistics – is probably a good thing.

There’s a generous serving of helpful information in the book but of special interest to me were the 141 ways in which sugar ruins our health.

I’ve included the abridged list here for two reasons, 1. Knowledge is power, and 2. I hope it gives you the nudge you need (as it did me) to reduce your sugar consumption.

So, go on, read the list and get empowered – take ownership and learn exactly how the sweet stuff negatively impacts your weight, your moods and your energy.

For example, did you know that sugar releases a feel-good chemical called Serotonin in our brains? This is why we often crave it when we’re stressed or want comfort.

Think of how you feel after indulging in a sugary treat—almost euphoric, right?

Sadly, the ‘rush’ is short-lived as we crash into lethargy, tiredness and irritability. Then, to emerge from the lethargy we crave another shot of sugar, which creates a vicious cycle, ultimately ending in weight gain.

Go on, off you pop, arm yourself with knowledge that’ll kick your sweet tooth into the dim and distant past. You’ll be pleased you did.

Naturally-sweetened love etc, Avril.

PS: We all know that a little bit of the sweet stuff is good for the soul but if you are aware that sugar is a nemesis you need a helping hand with, hypnosis can help you lick the habit. Drop me a line over here.

Who hasn’t been there?

You’re nibbling on something yum.

Maybe it’s your favourite meal or it’s the bowl of salted chips at the party.

Your tummy is physically full. Your body’s satisfied. You are replete.

But, you hear this voice in your head saying “Just caaaaaaaaaaaaan’t stop….” and you go back for more food.

“Just can’t stop….. until it’s all gone….until I’m completely stuffed…or sick.” What is it for you, I wonder?

Afterwards (there always is an afterwards, isn’t there), the real pain kicks in. You feel helpless….guilty…out of control…ashamed…powerless.

Perhaps, in that moment, you tell yourself “I just don’t care.”

“I want to keep eating….I could stop if I wanted to….just this mouthful…” (and this one …and this one too…..).

Do you know what these are?

They’re fibs.

Untruths.

All of them.

Your mind is having you on.

Here’s the truth.

When you eat past the point of physical satiety, your body doesn’t want to keep eating. Your mind does. It’s simply your trickster mind playing tricks on your body.

Truth No. 1: You are in always in total and complete control of what and how much you eat. A.L.W.A.Y.S.

Know this … when you tell yourself you’re not, you’ll act like you’re not. You see, food isn’t the problem. It’s the way you behave around the food that’s the problem. And when you think and tell yourself that you’re in charge, guess what? That’s right, stopping eating won’t be a big deal.

Truth No. 2: You do care.

You always care. It’s just that sometimes you forget to care. But you always remember in the end. It’s why when you’ve finished overeating, you feel regret and guilt with the obligatory sprinkle of self-hate as you mentally beat yourself up.

Take back control from your trickster mind

If you want to stop eating when your tummy has had enough….. pause. Just stop eating. Step away from the food. Give yourself a moment to think, and check in with yourself, “Am I still physically hungry in my tummy?” If you are, eat a little bit more and check in with yourself again. If you’re not, stop. Just stop.

Take a gentle leap of faith and listen to your body. If you need to, tell your mind, “SHUT UP, I’ve got this! Now, walk through the discomfort of not eating.

It’s not hard. It’s just unfamiliar and uncomfortable.

Once you do this a few times, it won’t seem as hard as it does now. Yes, it will be uncomfortable and unfamiliar in the beginning. Keep on listening to your body. Uncomfortable and unfamiliar is all, not impossible.

Truth No. 3: You Can Do This. YOU CAN DO IT. You REALLY can.

Love etc, Avril

PS: I know what it feels like to be in a constant fight with food. Hypnotherapy can end this battle. If you’re ready to leave the food battlefield once and for all, and you really, really, really want to lose weight now, we should probably talk.