"Oh, you did it the hard way". 

This was the feedback that one of my clients received when she responded to the question about how she had lost so much weight.  She simply stated "I hired a coach to learn how to eat and exercise."

Pretty sad that learning how to eat healthy and exercising regularly to achieve a weight loss goal is considered doing it the hard way by many. 

Quick fixes rarely last long term, but society still flocks to the "lose weight now" establishments in droves.  More, faster, now... the mantra of our modern day world.

When are we going to have that light bulb moment and realize our health is the most valuable thing we have?  When will achieving weight loss the hard way become the BEST way? This post is not about casting judgment it is simply my commentary on an attitude around learning to eat healthy and exercise that is shared by too many.

It's not comfortable, nor familiar or easy for many of us but neither is setting budgets or paying down debt.  At some point, you have to pull your head out of the sand, take responsibility and decide to do things differently.

Get off your butt and move.  Clean up your kitchen and get rid of the garbage food.  Get conscious about what you are eating.  DO SOMETHING TODAY that you didn't do yesterday.  Take ONE step forward even if it's small because even small steps move you forward.  Make mistakes because even if you fail you are still falling forward.  ASK FOR HELP.  Seriously, if you struggle on your own to stay consistent or are confused about what you should be doing find a coach and let them help you, help yourself.

If nothing changes, nothing changes.

~L

2012

2012 the year of unexpected change and growth.

Some of the best gifts in life are things we didn't want, never asked for and would have gladly returned had we been given the choice.  Its all about perspective.  2012 was a year full of new perspectives and creating clarity on a personal and professional level.  It was a year that I achieved growth beyond what I even believed possible.  The catalyst for this hit unexpectedly and my life immediately took a hard left.  All of a sudden I had walked into something I couldn't walk out of, and so my journey began.
The universe doesn't just hand us our hopes and dreams in a pretty package. Many of my greatest accomplishments and achievements, as I reflect back, were delivered in something closer resembling a beat up, run over, bashed in, over handled, and dirty looking UPS package. 

Now that the fog has cleared, I am so grateful for the path the universe put me on in 2012 and all the amazing gifts that blossomed because of it.  In the end it was all about perspective and choosing to open up that dirty, bashed in package to find the beautiful gifts inside.  I have learned new ways of thinking and feeling about life and it happened because I was able to get uncomfortable, try something new, practise courage over fear, be vulnerable and learn to reach out for help.  Yes, I was a coach who had a hard time asking for help. I also realized I had let go of my own self care and that I had forgotten what it even looked like most days. I have always prided myself and my business on leading by example but, just like many of you, as the demands of being a mom, caring for my business, my clients and my family it meant I had moved my own needs to the back burner. 

2013 I have declared the year of this coach being coached!  I still have more gremlins who sing their worn out tunes in my head that need to giddy up and get gone, so I have life coaches, business coaches, fitness coaches, colleagues and friends in place to support me.  We all become better people when we look to others to help us find the answers that are already inside us.  Yes, I believe we all hold the key to our success but when the journey gets uncomfortable I want to know that I have people in place to shine a light on the path.  I pledge to continue to step into and through my fears and to hold the hands of the people who I coach through theirs.

Take a look at the pieces of your life that aren't pretty and tied up with a shiny red bow.  Look at the people, places and circumstances that really rub you the wrong way.  The things you want to turn and walk away  strike that and lets say sprint in the opposite direction from, may be the ones you really need to lean into and get curious about (thanks for this perspective Keri-Anne). Take a look at what's really going on inside of you.  A wise woman once told me that no one can push your buttons if you are ready to explore and discover what your buttons are and heal them.  Don't just accept the status quo.  Stop worrying about what everyone else is thinking and feeling about you because the truth is they are too busy worrying about themselves.  Step into your light, find your place in this universe and make your mark.  Our greatness lies in the simple things we contribute to the world every day.  Be grateful that your feet are on the ground, you have air in your lungs and you were given the gift of being alive and do something everyday to celebrate that gift.

I have set my intentions for what I want for 2013, put them to paper and will continue to create clarity and energy around them.  It is great to set goals but don't lose sight of the fact that what you do day to day is where the magic happens. Set your intentions for the year, write them down and then let them go and bring your focus back to today, this moment and the simplicity in accomplishing the small things that move you forward towards those bigger goals. Be moved and motivated by your own intentions and not the tidal wave of "get fit now!" energy that we are bombarded with every January and your opportunity for success will dramatically increase.

Thank you to all my clients, colleagues, friends, family and BUC supporters who continue to be a part of my journey.   May 2013 be a year filled with good health, curiosity, love, happiness and success in whatever form you choose.

~Lisa