Dorothy and her Friends.

My brain is a strange thing it comes up with some of the craziest things and at the strangest times.

I wrote yesterday about dreaming and the importance of it. Dreaming is the first step in the process. We have to believe that we are capable of accomplishing that dream. We may need more money, more education or a change in something else but we should believe that no matter what we can accomplish the dream.

When I think of the Wizard of Oz and the characters in the movie it makes me think about how each of us have many of the tools inside of us to bring those dreams to a reality, we sometimes just need someone to point them out to us or perhaps a brushing up on some of those skills.

It’s important for us to take an inventory of the skills and abilities that we do have and to cherish them and use them to better ourselves.

Tell me what skills and abilities do you have that are helping you to move in the right direction?

The Wonderful World of Disney

Most people have been to Disneyland or at a minimum have watched Disney movies.

Walt Disney said " If you can dream it, you can do it"

and he did. The Magical Kingdom is that because of the dreams and aspirations that Mr. Disney had. It takes us to a place or time where anything is possible. The underdog wins and all is good.

So many times in our fitness and weight loss journey we think of little things. Yes, all those little things will add up to something bigger but are you really dreaming dreams and stretching yourself to think of the possibilities that are bigger and greater than maybe you even thought possible.

As long as we think & dream small we will stay small, we will never achieve those bigger results because we haven't put them inside us. If we dream of not just the possible but the nearly impossible and keep it in front of us we are likely to move closer to it.

Dream large and live life.

Props to the girls

This week I had the honor of running with Karen, Deb and Michelle. They are three WW members in my Monday night meeting. During the spring I gave an open invitation to my members to come and walk or run with me on Saturday morning.

We started the Couch to 5K program. It's an awesome program for anyone that wants to learn to be a runner. One year ago I started the same program. http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

It was just amazing to watch these ladies transform over nine weeks. I'll never forget the first impressions I had of them. One I thought for sure was doing it just to drag her friend along. What a great friend she was to support her friend in this weight loss adventure. The friend, I thought would never come back after week one. The lady who I think of the most though was so concerned on week three when she would have to run three minutes. She actually told me that she wished I would NOT have given her the schedule.

Now, nine weeks later these ladies are wanting instructions on how to train for a 10k race coming up in September and I think next year I'll have them on the 1/2 marathon wagon with me.

What this shows me is that little things we do in our lives can have enormous impact on those around us.

So this week my hat is off to Karen, Deb and Michelle. I'm so proud of you three. Keep it up and never look back!

What Not To Wear

Do ya’ll just love this show or what? As ruthless as they are I would love to be on there. I’ll be the first to raise my hand to wearing clothes that just don’t flatter me and yes my favorite word is “comfortable” BRRRRR just must make Stacey and Clinton shiver when they here that.

I thought that today I would talk about some of things that you can do during your journey to feel better and look better. I mean after all this is a journey and we are learning about ourselves in all aspects why should learning how to dress ourselves in a flattering way be any different.

1. Take an inventory of all your clothes. If you have been holding onto them for the last few years until you could fit into it, you probably shouldn’t be wearing it even if you could fit into it J let’s just get rid of it and move on, shall we?

2. Go and get fit for a good undergarment. Ladies undergarments are essential. We need to have “the girls” where they belong and it isn’t in our mid section either. No matter what size you are good fitter undergarments are a must.

3. Do some research on the type of body you have and dress IT to the nines! It will change over time so make sure that you are re-evaluating as time goes by. Plus size gals can look and feel great about themselves in the clothes that are available in many of the stores.

4. Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize. Remember how you loved playing on your mom’s jewelry. A pretty pair of earrings, a necklace and some bracelets goes a long way to top us off. A pair of nice shoes with open backs and toes also helps to accessorize and elongate our bodies.

5. Take time to see what colors and fabrics fit you best. Take a friend with you that can help you see the different styles and such. This is no time to bring little Joey or little Sue, this is your time so take it and enjoy.

These are a few things that you can do to help you through the transition. It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Share clothing or shop at a local thrift store. You would be amazed at what you can find if you take a little bit of time.

You are changing during this time and need to show yourself and everyone how far you have come even if you aren’t at your goal. You are beautiful on the inside and a little bit of planning and preparation can show the world that you are on the outside too.

The Patterns of our Journey

“To understand is to perceive patterns” Isaiah Berlin

Have you ever looked at quilt, checker board or anything that has a pattern and thought, WOW, that isn’t right, or perhaps you felt it was a complicated pattern but when you step back the entire picture just works. It works because of the pattern. It might not be something that you understand but the artist or whoever put it there, because it works for them. Others might or might not “get it”

Our eating and exercise lifestyle has a pattern and when we understand that pattern we will be in more aware of what we are doing.

A great way to figure out your pattern is to:

1. Write down everything you eat and drink and WHEN.

Why you ask does it matter when I eat something. It matters because you need to establish your own unique pattern. You may not be eating enough, you may be eating too frequently and if you don’t really know, then how can you make a correction.

2. Write down how you are feeling and your physical satisfaction when you eat.

You may find that by writing down how you are feeling that you really aren’t hungry. You are reaching for the food because of some other reason. Again, recognize a patter.

3. Make the adjustments as necessary.

Once we have identified the when, what’s and why’s we can make adjustments as necessary.

Finding out pattern and learning to change it when it is necessary is a key to being successful in this journey.

Tell me what you see as your pattern.

Fire it Up

Wow, it has been some time since I've jotted down the crazies that run through my head. So much has happened. I'm starting a second WW meeting as a leader. I just love the one I have now, I'm working towards my Personal Training certification and can't wait to fire up some people over exercising or moving more and eating healthy.

So many times I hear people say that they lack "the motivation" to continue or get started on a healthy eating and exercising plan. Here are a few things that you can do to get motivated.

1. Write down what you want. Not just a simple statement either. Write down, how it will feel, look, smell or even taste. Yes, success has a taste!

2. Start planning how you can make the goal become a reality. If you don't know how, then reach out for help. Attend a Weight Watcher meeting or get with an on-line trainer. Our Phit-n-Phat.com group is a blast. We workout hard, eat right and encourage people.

"Motivation is the fuel, necessary to keep the human engine running" Zig Ziglar

What is your fuel?