How often is using the same process the game plan we use? Whether it’s losing weight, stopping smoking, starting an exercise program, being more patient, getting more organized, creating and following a schedule. More often than not, when we get ready to try again, we head down the same path. ESPECIALLY if it worked even once before. I know, I’ve been there and done that.

As promised in my last blog I’m going to share a personal journey I had with change that took more than a few years to get it right and make it stick. I’ve spent over 25 years studying brain function and the impact our thoughts, mindset and beliefs have on our ability to accomplish things in our lives. It truly fascinates me. Both the power of our brains and the lack of control we sometimes exercise over them. We are so easily fooled into thinking we have no choice, we’re stuck and have no willpower when it comes to giving something up that we really enjoy and know isn’t good for us. It’s easy to find all kinds of excuses why we can’t make it happen.

If you’re read my book, It Started with Pop-Tarts you know that after I stopped binging I merely shifted my numbing out exercise to drinking. It wasn’t until I started to write my book that I realized it. That’s why I call addiction, “The Whack-A-Mole” Syndrome. Until you connect with what’s at the core and deal with the root of the problem you just move the symptom over to something else. So once I got to the root of the problem and let it go I still had a life-long, deeply ingrained habit to deal with.

I’ve stopped drinking numerous times. Not because I had a problem with it. But because I could tell my body needed a break. The older I get, I just don’t process the alcohol very well (and it’s easier to keep my girlish figure without it). Over the past five years I’ve thought more and more about giving it up. Then I would think of all the situations where not drinking would be uncomfortable, the times when I just enjoy having a glass of wine and reminded myself that this was indeed, “my last remaining vice.” But in addition, to the fact that my body was tired of it, because I talk about the impact and destruction of sugar on our health and the Sugar Train when I speak, I felt I needed to cut the ties to vino.

Last fall I started experimenting, in numerous social situations I chose not to drink. Then I would compare how I felt physically and mentally over several days when I did indulge and when I didn’t. I gave myself time to process the differences and really get into the feeling of what being sugar-free would do or me.  Each time I experimented, I went longer without it and the better I felt. So this time instead of setting some big goal or cut off…I just let myself BE in the new experience – I made it real. It became so inviting and tantilizing I wanted more of the new thing, the new way. And what was really interesting to me is that all the times I quit before and when I still wasn’t sure I was ready to, other people would rag on me to have a drink. But this time because I was happy in my decision, and comfortable with it not one person made a comment or asked why.

I decided to let it go. I walked away, moved forward and simply left the old pattern behind. The reward for doing so has been incredible. After being completely sugar-free for several weeks I discovered a new level of mental clarity, my days are much calmer, any cravings are merely blips and quickly pass. It turns out letting go of ego was one of the biggest parts to my success.

So if you’re contemplating making a change where you’re concerned what other people think or say. Or perhaps you’ve tried numerous times to lose weight, change a habit or don’t believe you can get to work on time go about it a different way. Experimence and try on the new habit and see how it feels. Then allow yourself to be in the comfortable old pattern and make a comparison. This is a process you need to do consciously. Write or journal about your experience and explore the details of what is happening. Reflection is a great tool for assisting you with making changes that may seem difficult, come to you easily.

Coach Lori

If you need help making difficult change come easier in your life, visit www.Learn2Balance.com

Then you decide that if you’re going to make a change you’ve got to do it perfect, and encompass everything about this one thing all at once. That often brings a feeling of overwhelm. So you decide you will “try” to make the change and are now you’re whipped before you’ve even started.

“Try” tells your subconscious mind that you are going to fail. Think about it. Have you ever asked someone to come to your party or do something with you and they said they will “try.” Did they show up? NO!

It only takes six weeks to establish a new habit. The best way to accomplish any change is to break it up into manageable pieces.

#1 – Set a goal. Why do you want this change? What is motivating it? Is the motivation strong enough for you to keep with it?

#2 – Decide to do one thing each week to bring about this change in your life.

#3 – Commit to doing one thing every day that will help you achieve your task for the week and stay on track.

Change your list and “to do” items regularly to keep you challenged and moving forward. If you miss a deadline, let it be okay. Put it back on the list and do it next time. Don’t beat up on yourself, but continue to push yourself to reach the goal. If it’s important enough to you, you’ll do it.

Recognize that sometimes if something isn’t happening for you that perhaps it isn’t the right time to make this change and let it be okay. If it’s really important it will come back to you and you’ll know when to tackle it.

In our next blog I’ll share a personal story of making a big change in my life and how I made it easy.

Coach Lori

Visit www.Learn2Balance.com for help in making difficult change in your life come easy.

Lori’s Wonderful Winter Stew

Serves 6-8

In a Crockpot combine the following ingredients:

½ red onion diced

4 cloves of garlic sliced

1 cup pinto beans (rinsed)

½ cup wild rice (rinsed)

¼ cup quinoa (rinsed)

Add water to fill Crockpot (leave 1 to 1½ inches at top for rice and beans to expand)

3 leafs of green kale chopped into 1 inch pieces (adds flavor and color)

1 can diced tomatoes (Mexican style)

1 small can tomato sauce

1 Tbsp McKay’s Chicken Seasoning (vegetarian)

1 Tbsp Bragg Liquid Aminos (I use Bragg for salt)

1 tsp Sea Salt if desired

Turn Crockpot on high and let cook for 6-8 hours. Check occasionally. When beans are done, it’s ready to eat.

Copyright 2012 Learn2Balance

Join us tonight, for this VIP Connection Club, Special Guest Interview wtih Rayni at 7pm MT (9 pm ET, 6pm PT). Here’s the cool thing, if you are busy and can’t join us tonight, you can listen later when it’s convenient for you.

What is the Learn2Balance VIP Connection Club and how do I sign up? This is a special forum to give you information on all facets of healthy living all year round. Read more

Rayni Joan

Rayni Joan, author of The Skinny: Adventures of America’s First Bulimic, a semi- autobiographical novel,  is a teacher, activist, poet, musician, teller of tales, actor, improv artist,  consciousness group facilitator, businesswoman, mother of sons, grandmother of granddaughters, minister, wedding officiant, astrologer, shaman, spiritual counselor, and cultural pioneer. She lives and loves in Santa Monica, CA. Learn more about Rayni www.RayniJoan.com

I’m excited about tonight’s interview with Rayni. She is a joy to talk with and full of wonderful inspiration.

Coach Lori

www.Learn2Balance.com

It takes practice to get to the point of being fully engaged and in the moment. For most people this is difficult because they are caught up in the next moment and what they’re going to do, or need to do, or pissed about the last moment and stewing about what already happened. Learning to live in and stay in the moment you’re in is one of the critical keys to calming the chaos and reducing stress.

This is something I practice when Sasha and I go for our morning walks. On the weekends we have two routes we take that are longer. It takes us an hour, but we walk down a couple of country roads near our house and visit the neighborhood. What’s cool about our path is we encounter all kinds of animals.

One of Sasha’s favorite things is to go see the horses that are close by. One barn has five horses that are very friendly, but we can’t get close to them because a ravine is between us. On the other side is a home with alpaca’s and horses, one of which is a gorgeous Clydesdale (best known for their Budweiser ad appearances). We always stop and talk to them so they know us.

In full disclosure, my affinity for horses started years ago. Growing up, in the “formative” years we lived on 5 1/2 acres just outside Columbus, Ohio. We had horses and used to ride them in the fifteen acre field next to our house. What I loved best was riding bare-back (no saddle) and sometimes without a halter either. It breeds a special connection between you and this incredible animal. I love animals and always have. I have my favorites, but part of what I love about animals is their purity of spirit and communication. So for me, this is a great place to practice being in the moment and making a connection.

This morning was extra special. After a short conversation with the five horses on one farm that were busy eating breakfast we walked a few feet farther to visit with the alpacas and horses on the other side. I called to them and got all three horses to come fairly close s to us. They all stood there ears forward tuned in and listening intently as I talked to them. Then even Sasha who is usually jumping about in excitement, sat and watched them.

I was totally absorbed in that moment, in awe of the size of the incredible Clydesdale and how proudly he walked. I pegged one horse as the impish playful one and the third seemed pretty shy. We must have stood there for about seven minutes. Nothing else mattered but what was happening in that moment. We made a heart to heart connection.

Animals are a great place to start. But just being in nature will bring you the same benefits. Or taking five minutes when you get up or before you go to bed. Be still, listen, be in only the current moment…observe, be fully present and watch what happens.

For more information on creating balance in your life, visit us Learn2Balance

Coach Lori

• Why do you want to make the change?
  I want to feel good about myself. I want to walk up stairs without getting out of breath. I want more energy.
• What is the payoff for making this change in your life? How will it improve your life?
  I will have more confidence. I’ll feel better about pushing myself to step out of my comfort zone. I will wake up in the moring and look forward to my day. I will be empowered because by being healthy, I’ll be taking care of myself and be the best me I can be.
• Ask yourself (and be honest) what is stopping you from making these changes in your life. What excuses do you use that keep you stuck in your comfort zone? Excuses are ugly justifications for not doing something we know we can do
  I hate exercise, I don’t know what to eat. I don’t like to cook. I can’t get up early to work out. I’m too tired after work to exercise. I have no discipline. I can’t live without chocolate…
• Give consideration to what beliefs you may have had since birth are contibuting to your lack of ability to make a change?
  I don’t deserve to be happy. It’s in my genes. I can’t take time for myself, it’s my responsibility to look after my kids and family first. Taking care of myself is selfish.
• Now close your eyes and picture yourself living your life with the change already in place. How does it feel? Be in the moment of having this change…like it’s a movie you’re watching…and you’re the star. How does it make you feel?
  When I close my eyes, I feel brand alive. I wake up energized. Go for a run or hit the gym and enjoy the endorphins I get from exercise. My confidence is at an all time high. I’ve learned how to cook simple, balanced meals and have shifted my focus from food to food as fuel. It’s not an obsession any more. I feel incredible and wouldn’t trade it. I’m so glad I made a commitment to myself and improved my health this year.

2 – Limit Watching TV to 3 nights a week

• Why do you want to make the change?
  I waste too much time watching TV every night. I fall asleep in front of the TV and then can’t sleep when I go to bed.
• What is the payoff for making this change in your life? How will it improve your life?
  I can be more productive without so much TV. I can read books, study things I’m interested in. Play with the dog more. Read the kids bedtime stories. Journal and enjoy quiet time just for me. AND I’ll sleep better.
• Ask yourself (and be honest) what is stopping you from making these changes in your life. What excuses do you use that keep you stuck in your comfort zone? Excuses are ugly justifications for not doing something we know we can do.
  It’s a well engrained habit. I come home, I turn on the TV. I feel weird without the TV on. If I don’t watch TV I won’t be able to swap TV stories at work the next day.
• Give consideration to what beliefs you may have had since birth are contibuting to your lack of ability to make a change?
  I can’t change, this is how I am. We always watched TV at night, what’s really wrong with it? Changing habits is HARD! This will cause drama in the family.
  
• Now close your eyes and picture yourself living your life with the change already in place. How does it feel? Be in the moment of having this change…like it’s a movie you’re watching…and you’re the star. How does it make you feel?
  When I close my eyes, I feel so good about myself. I’ve read two books every month this year. I’m close with my kids because I read to them every night. My dog is happier because I walk him twice a day now. I no longer have guilt about what I do in the evenings. I’ve started volunteering at the local domestic abuse shelter one night a week. My life is fulfilling now.
  

3 – Get a new job

• Why do you want to make the change?
  I hate my job and my boss. It’s a toxic work environment. I’m bored and I hate getting up in the morning.
• What is the payoff for making this change in your life? How will it improve your life?
  I would be happy. I would have more motivation. I could make more money. I could save money for my trip to Greece.
• Ask yourself (and be honest) what is stopping you from making these changes in your life. What excuses do you use that keep you stuck in your comfort zone? Excuses are ugly justifications for not doing something we know we can do.
  With the economy the way it is there are no jobs out there. I don’t interview well. I don’t have time to look for a new job. I guess I’m scared to leave where I’m at even though I hate it.
• Give consideration to what beliefs you may have had since birth are contibuting to your lack of ability to make a change?
  I’ve achieved all I can in my career. I don’t have what it takes to be promoted to a boss or Vice President, or to run my own company. I’m not smart enough to get a better job. I suck at negotiating.
  
• Now close your eyes and picture yourself living your life with the change already in place. How does it feel? Be in the moment of having this change…like it’s a movie you’re watching…and you’re the star. How does it make you feel?
  When I close my eyes I feel the change in the energy. I’m happy. I have a wonderful new job, doing what I’ve always wanted to do using my creative talent and my boss is the bomb. Now I’m going out more, have more confidence and am saving $200 a month toward my vacation in Greece. I’ve already starting planning the trip and where I will go. I’m keeping it alive and know I will go there soon. I’m so glad I made the change!

I hope these examples give you some ideas and the courage to walk through this process yourself. Which feels better, the excuses or using your imagination to create a new situation or phase in your life. C’mon, what are you going to change in 2012?

Remember, this exercise can be simple to complete if you spend just 30 minutes on it. The return on your investment of time will help you identify what’s going on inside your head and why you haven’t yet made this change. The process is easy…change is actually easy, you just have to want it and make it a high priority in you life. Then you’ll make the change.

One of the easiest ways to make big changes is to work with a coach. Visit Learn2Balance.com for more information on getting where you want to go.

Coach Lori

If you’re living this lifestyle you may have already convinved yourself that you “can’t” change things in your life. I knew someone who used to say, “I can’t help it, this is how I was raised.” Every time she said this, she reaffirmed it in her mind. And every time I heard it, I thought how sad that this person doesn’t have any desire to grow or change.

The good news is that everyone can change–and change can actually come easy. It’s the internal dialogue in your head combined with your beliefs are typically the issue.

IF YOU COULD WAVE A MAGIC WAND, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT YOUR LIFE OR YOURSELF?

Make an appointment to explore this question. Find a quiet place and spend 30 minutes on this exercise.

1. Make a list. Start out with one or two things you would like to change
2. Why do you want to make the change?
3. What is the payoff for making this change in your life? How will it improve your life?
4. Ask yourself (and be honest) what is stopping you from making these changes in your life. What excuses do you use that keep you stuck in your comfort zone? Excuses are ugly justifications for not doing something we know we can do
5. Give consideration to what beliefs you may have had since birth are contibuting to your lack of ability to make a change?
6. Now close your eyes and picture yourself living your life with the change already in place. How does it feel? Be in the moment of having this change…like it’s a movie you’re watching…and you’re the star. How does it make you feel?

This exercise can be simple to complete if you spend just 30 minutes on it. The return on your investment of time will help you identify what’s going on inside your head and why you haven’t yet made this change. The process is easy…change is actually easy, you just have to want it and make it a high priority in you life. Then you’ll make the change.

In our next blog, I’ll share an example of how to work through the process with an example for you to relate to.

1 – Go back to basics. NOT on a diet. Eat simply.

Eat Breakfast.
Include good old fashioned oatmeal with some cinnamon and a couple of poached, hard-boiled or scrambled eggs, or egg whites to get a balance of complex carbs and protein. If you need milk, use almond or soy milk on your oatmeal.

Have a mid-morning snack.
Have a piece of fruit and 10-15 raw almonds

Eat a balanced lunch.
Have a grilled chicken breast (or boca burger for vegetarians), a medium salad (romaine or red leaf lettuce) with a mix of vegetables and use olive oil and fresh lemon for dressing. Add 1 cup of quinoa or quinoa mixed with brown rice for carbs.

Eat an afternoon snack.
Have 304 sticks of celery with almond butter
An apple or cup of berries (fresh if possible)

Eat a light dinner
Have some fish or turkey breast (tempeh for vegetarians)
Baked sweet potato
1-2 cups of steamed vegetables. Be sure to include something green in the mix: broccoli, asparagus, kale or spinach.

2 – Increase your water intake.
Be sure to get your 6-8 glasses daily. Add lemon or lime to enhance the flavor to help you drink it. Also add 2-3 cups of herbal tea. Green tea is a perfect substitute for coffee.

3 – Move!
Want more energy? Get up and move. Take a walk, get on the treadmill. Park farther from the office. Use the stairs instead of the elevator. Break a sweat for 20-30 minutes, three times a week.

4 – Bonus Tip
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Get to bed earlier and get your 7-8 hours sleep at night. Turn off the computer at least 30 minutes before you go to bed so your brain can unwind. Take 8-10 deep breaths before crawling under the covers. Inhale and Exhale s.l.o.w.l.y…no sleeping aids required.

Three simple things (with a bonus) that will have you feeling human, rested and centered in no time!

For more information on how to make life changes fun and doable, visit www.Learn2Balance.com.

Coach Lori

The truth is, I’ve been looking for someone like Bubba all year. I’ve tried relationships with a few others and no one could fit the bill. Too much drama, couldn’t hold their own and let me down. Same old, same old.

But right before Christmas I decided to set my sights on finding the right one. The one who could be there for me every day and not let me down. Provide everything I need in the day and be there energized and ready for the next day, 365 days a year. A true, full-on committment. So here he is. Meet my new best friend, Bubba. All 52 oz of him…and purple to boot. And let me just say, you’ve gotta be secure to be named Bubba and be purple!

My best friend Bubba

Isn’t he beautiful? Ever since I discovered alkaline water and take my own water everywhere I go, I’ve looked for a solid water bottle/mug that can hold the amount of water I want to drink during the day, that’s easy to drink from and doesn’t leak. And just on a whim I looked at my local grocery and there he was. My niece thinks it’s hysterical and said I need handles on both sides when I drink. But it’s well insulated, holds 52 ounces and is hard to miss, so I don’t get to the end of the day and remember that I forgot to drink my water.

Okay, perhaps you’re different than me and you’re great about drinking water. I have always had issues getting my daily water intake in. But once I discovered ionized, micro-clustered, alkaline water (Kangen), I can drink water without getting full. Great. But I still have to force myself to drink it. I don’t get thirsty. And living here in Denver, but the time you’re thirsty you’re already dehydrated. Not good.

Truth is, the few days I’ve had Bubba around, I had to rev up. The first day I drank maybe half. The second day, forgot and hardly drank any (he was hiding behind me on my desk). The next day, I drank all of it, and felt the difference when I woke up. Then I forgot until 4 pm one day and still drank all of my water in about three hours. Now, we’re buds. I find it easy to drink my water with this big burly guy there to reind me. When I head out, he goes where I go. No, he doesn’t fit in the cup holder (there are 32 oz models that will). But he fits on the seat beside me and doesn’t spill.

For those of you counting, 52 oz may be shy of the 64 oz I need per day. But those extra ounzes are covered by the 2-3 cups of herbal tea I drink everyday.

Water is a critical essential to creating nutritional balance. Our bodies are 80% water, our brains are over 70% water and I’m sure you’ve heard it before: you gotta keep that water flowing through your body. It’s a great way to improve your health and stay healthy.

Personally, I KNOW there is a huge difference between ionized, micro-clustered, alkaline water and your average tap or bottled water. I’ve studied, researched and seen the changes in my body and health from drinking it for the last year and a half. Not to mention the benefits of being able to wash my produce in high alkaline water (a natural degreaser) and having acidic water (a natural disinfectant) available from my little water microbrewery. I’m so glad I invested in my health with the Kangen ionizer. If you want to learn more about alkaline water, visit my website http://www.learn2balance.com/products/alkalinewater.html. Changing your water, will change your life.

But back to Bubba, with him by my side. I’ve already accomplished a goal for 2012 to drink more water and increase my energy. So many health benefits are simple and easy to implement. All it takes is a commitment. No resolutions, set goals and achieve them. When you set a goal, make sure it’s one you intend to reach.  Watch for more articles on little ways to improve your life and health in 2012.

(PS I’ve also committed to writing three blogs per week this year. And now that I’ve put it here in writing, I just made the commitment real and measurable.)

Happy New Year!

Coach Lori
www.Learn2Balance.com

With Kathleen Haile, National President, Century Link Women

Century Link Annual National Women’s Conference

Earlier this month I was invited in to speak at the Century Link Annual National Women’s Conference. They requested that I share my speech, B A L A N C E – Find Out Where it is for me. We had a lot of fun while we explored the 7 areas of life we need to keep in balance to maintain our sanity and some key techniques for getting started. We had a breakout session where I helped three volunteers set weekly and monthly goals in one of the 7 areas of life they knew needed attention.  I helped them each write positive affirmations that they can review daily to remind them of their goals. Lastly, we devised a support system in the form of an accountability partner who they will check in with to get encouragement and cheer leading to keep on track. It’s really much easier when you break it down into small steps.

Craig Hospital Lunch n’ Learn

Another presentation I gave as we headed in to the Holidays was for Craig Hospital. Well known for their rehabilitation of head, neck and spinal chord injuries, I contacted them earlier this year about getting involved and helping their staff and patients. The Lunch n’ Learn I provided for them was one of my holiday favorites: In-Laws, Eating and Stress–Don’t You Love the Holidays?

It’s interesting as we talk about the holidays how many people (this was all women) are really quite nervous about disrupting the status quo, setting some boundaries and saying the word “No.” And hey, we come by it honestly with plenty of guilt trips passed around from a young age that make us think we couldn’t dare to do our own thing at Christmas with our family alone. Or by asking everyone to pitch in if you’re hosting the meal by bringing food, or if they don’t cook, contributing some cash towards the event. It’s is afterall only fair. Don’t you think?

McGraw Hill Companies WINS Regional Follow the Sun Event

Lori with fellow WINS panelists (lt) Dr. Lynn Gangone, Dean Women's College, DU, (rt) Linda Long VP, McGraw Hill and (far rt) Theresa Marchetta, Anchor/Reporter KMGH-Channel 7 News

Another wonderful opportunity I had recently was being invited in to speak at the McGraw Hill Companies WINS Follow the Sun Event. McGraw Hill hosts this event annually and the offices around the world hold their events sequentially (hence, follow the sun) throughout the day.

This was a lively group (with a few men too). After lunch was served, I joined fellow panelists, Dr Lynn Gangone, Dean of Women’s College at University of Denver, and Linda Long, Vice President, Content Management, McGraw Hill Education to discuss our topic.

The panel was moderated by Theresa Marchetta, Anchor/Reporter from KMGH- Channel 7 News in Denver who was pinch hitting at the last minute for an ailing Anne Trujillo, (Anchor/Reporter from Channel 7 News) who was under the weather. In our panel discussion we each shared our three different perspectives that provided synchronistic experiences and thoughts on Sharing Knowledge, Creating Opportunities.

Whatever your situation, however stuck you feel in life. Never give up. If you do nothing else, understand that you can always make changes and shift the path of your life. As I remind my clients regularly, You ALWAYS have a choice. It’s up to you to take action and find it.

Stay Strong!

Coach Lori

For more information visit http://Learn2Balance.com