Posts Tagged ‘motivation’
Sunday, January 1st, 2012
By Wilma Young CPT
Being a fortunate person, I strive to keep my blessings in mind. But there are days that my mojo slips away and it is difficult to even stand myself. I know there are some of you who feel this way about me even on my best days and that is the beauty of this human existence. We all have different tastes and agendas but accepting the differences in others is as important as loving the parts we dig! Working to be a better person and demonstrating acts of kindness and courteous words can be a challenge. I want 2012 to be an outstanding year and my hopes are high. But reality tells me there will be struggles and losses and the possibility is great that I may disappoint myself and others. Does this keep me from growing into the human being that I wish to be? Is there a place when contentment and gratitude take over and my doubts and fears get reduced to a low growl instead of a screaming pitch? (If you have experienced my screaming pitch, my sincerest apologies! 
)
I struggled with this blog, truly wanting to inspire and show the ray of sun that lies on every horizon but my ‘Pollyanna” disposition was lost. Then I saw a post from my niece on Facebook. Not only is she talented and beautiful but she is influencing our world with her insights and wisdom. I am resubmitting her 2012 resolution because frankly I think there is little to improve upon. May all of you that are reading this have the fortitude to get through the highs and lows of the upcoming year. May you be happy and blessed to have love and family in your life and may you reach your goals of happiness and health despite the obstacles that come your way. Because what makes us genuinely better people is how we handle our challenges more than our victories! Be humble and be happy, it’s going be a GREAT year!
By Caroline Adair: “There were countless trials & tribulations this year, countless tragedies and disasters that will not be forgotten .There were wonderful things that took my breath away. I chose to be inspired. I vow to do something every single day, large or small, to help make the world a better place. I will look at the bright side. I will vote. I will volunteer. I will hold the door open for a stranger. I will smile at the grumpy person having a bad day. I am thankful for my health. I am thankful for my job and home and I am thankful for my wonderful friends and family. I am ready for the New Year!”
http://yearinreview.yahoo.com/2011/blog/1263/inspiring-video/
Tags: Inspiration, mental attitude, motivation, positive changes
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Thursday, December 22nd, 2011
By Wilma Young CPT
It’s down to the wire… shopping in chaos, wrapping the gifts
and cooking up a storm. The final push is here and with all my grandiose ideals
of remaining Zen during the holiday I find myself in the midst of a stressful
week! You can relate to the list that adds two more tasks as you cross one off.
The fact that the kids are out of school at the same time you are trying to
balance motherhood, your job, overnight family
guests and the dreaded fruit cake that
will eventually show up is an enormous amount of responsibility. Then add the
fact that you want to be available to your friends and family with a cheerful
disposition even though you are thinking how much you love them when they are
all ASLEEP! God help me because I am thinking I want them to shut up and leave
me alone! Add a few indiscretions in the diet, less sleep for myself and the slight
guilt factor of not working out as much as I should and voila’…you have a
formula for depleted energy and short tempers. So how do I regain my composure?
How do I manage to spread Christmas cheer without wanting to stuff the next fake
Santa I see up the chimney? Personally, I start with 5 minutes of quiet time. You can call
it meditation, prayer or closing your eyes so people think you are asleep and
will leave you alone for a few minutes. Then I get a hot cup of green tea which
is a great adaptogen (a nutrient that is supportive to the system instead of
taxing on it) and helps give you energy without the spiked and dropped feeling you get from sugar or coffee. Then I give myself a small dose of forgiveness. I try to remind myself that EVERYONE
gets stressed, EVERYONE has a laundry list to complete and EVERYONE needs
someone to acknowledge them even in the smallest of ways. So when you are in
the store make the clerk smile, let the little Grandma behind you get in line
first and bring someone else’s day up. You’ll find that you will affect your
energy in a positive way. During this beautiful time of year, remember there
are those that do not feel cheery about the holidays due to varied
circumstances and they are the ones that need to be uplifted the most. So when
the stress gets to you, keep in mind that you have been blessed with a roof
over your head and food on your table. You have friends and family that want
to spend time with you and 2012 is looking like a wonderful “do-over” that will
bring you a fantastic year. So with that being said I want to extend my holiday
wishes for all of you that are willing to spend your time reading my blogs and
providing feedback. May you experience the joy of family, the gift of health
and the happiness of laughter. If that doesn’t work, stuff the next Santa you
see up the chimney, you’ll be surprised how much better you’ll feel. And please
do not ask me why I know this! Merry Christmas!
Tags: Christmas, Inspiration, meditation, mental attitude, motivation, positive changes
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Wednesday, November 30th, 2011
By Wilma Young CPT
So the holiday starts…the shopping, the bombardment of commercials and music and now the craziness that overtakes people to do stupid things like pepper spray someone to get a crummy TV that is on sale. It is insanity at its all time high. I started to feel overwhelmed by the tasks at hand. Do I send out Christmas cards? Do I only send them to family or loved ones that are not close by? Do I make the fattening appetizer that everyone loves or do a healthier version so I can make something delicious that isn’t going to contribute to a heart attack? Do I give myself a heart attack while trying to accomplish all of this nonsense? Do I buy EVERYONE gifts or just the people I really like? Do I put myself in a financial ditch to buy small trinkets that will not be important by the time January arrives? Oh boy, the anxiety kicks in and I feel like I’m drowning in the mistletoe and Christmas lights with no life preserver in sight. As the panic started to take residence in my being I had a flash come across my mind like a mental forehead slap. Trying to prioritize all of these tasks made me analyze where to start. “What is the most important thing about the holiday season?” The answer became clear and simple. Spending time with friends and family, enjoying their company and trying to show how much they mean to me is really the reason I do all of those crazy things. So I started to shift my energy, deciding that using my resources to spend time with people is more important than spending money I don’t have to spend. That the gift of time, love and humor is the most precious gift of all. Anyone that feels the pain of losing a loved one feels the void of that loss especially at this time of year. If you had the opportunity to spend one more day with that person and make another beautiful memory you would take that opportunity in a heartbeat. So instead of busting a gut trying to DO, DO, DO, try instead to BE, BE, BE. BE with your friends and relatives in a space that cherishes these joyous moments. BE present to life as it is happening. BE a good listener to that person that needs it today whether it is a stranger or a loved one. BE fun to be around and lighten your load with laughter. The gift you give through your positive energy is really what your fellow human being wants. BE grateful for this thing called life and value ever moment. Oh and if are one of my friends and don’t receive a gift this year I still do REALLY like!
Tags: Christmas, Inspiration, motivation, Nutrition
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Thursday, November 17th, 2011
By Wilma Young CPT
So now it starts to get into high gear. Thanksgiving decorations next to the Christmas trees and the Halloween candy is now half price. The bombardment of goodies is everywhere and I am not immune to the temptations of the season. Put anything pumpkin in front of me and I salivate like Pavlov’s dogs sans the experimental part but add in a extra dose of the eating frenzy and there I am. I am ALWAYS a huge advocate of working out at this time of year because not only do I want to lose weight before the big push of the New Year but more importantly I want to stave off the extra 5-7 lbs most Americans put on during the holidays. So you go to your sister’s house and the place is over filled with treats and family disasters. Now the family disasters are fun for my clan because we have humor to temper the tragedies and that is either a formula for a Greek play or one of our memorable family gatherings. The advantage I have is that at least half the dishes are on the healthy side since most of us are trying to live an active lifestyle. I know most of you don’t have this benefit. So here are some tricks to help you ward off the extra pounds and add in some much needed nutrition. First, ALWAYS eat breakfast on Thanksgiving morning. Many will try to skip this meal to make up for what they will eat later in the day. This is a mistake! Starving the body and loading it up later slows your metabolism and sets you up for storage of fat. Eat a decent healthy breakfast! Second, make sure there is a huge, healthy green salad. If you are going to someone else’s house offer to make it. They will be thrilled with your offer and you can make sure there is some roughage to wash away the butter that you will be slipping down your pipes. When serving your plate make sure to make half of your plate green salad and one quarter turkey or protein. This leaves one quarter of your plate for the splurge side dish. Third, drink plenty of water and maybe some warm tea. After a large meal, warm water or tea will help your bowels to move. Gross maybe but you’ll thank me later, I promise. Lastly, taking a walk after dinner or getting to the the gym instead of the Black Friday sales the next day will keep you on track. It is unrealistic to think you will not have some Thanksgiving favorites on such a wonderful family day. Also, a meal enjoyed with people you love and prepared with care and thoughtfulness is healthy for the soul. Not everyday of course but in the theme of spiritual fulfillment, a little splurge can be good medicine for you. What is important however is that you keep it to the ONE day, get back to the gym as soon as possible and make sure you make the best food choices immediately before and after such an indulgent meal. Remember, the 5 lbs you save this month will be 5 less lbs to think about in January. And frankly, I’d rather have smaller thighs for Christmas than a extra piece of pumpkin pie and I think Santa would appreciate me not asking again this year for the body of a model, the mind of Einstein and the humor of John Stewart. He really hates to keep disappointing me !
Tags: Inspiration, motivation, Nutrition, positive changes, Thanksgiving, weight loss
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Monday, November 7th, 2011
By Wilma Young CPT
Balancing life can be virtually impossible at times! Cleaning house, shopping, nurturing your family all takes time. Then throw in a career, paying bills, caring for a sick parent or child and Oh Yeah…be kind to strangers. We seem to fly at a pace of warp speed and then try to schedule in a work out because we just saw some statistic on TV that says we are going to have some sort of nasty disease if we don’t! Oh the PRESSURE of it all! Now the truth is, we CAN get sick if we don’t take care of ourselves so I will always advocate physical fitness as a long term commitment to a happy, healthy life. But let’s face the fact that life is not always a bowl of cherries and our plans get skewered all of the time. So this is when we really have to pay attention to our nutrition. It is unrealistic to think that the average Joe (or Joanne) will be able to get a work out in every day. Life just isn’t that predictable. However, we have to eat every day…in fact several times a day. So by using a simple math formula it is easy to see that eating has a larger impact on your health and waistline then working out does. The truth is, an individuals health status is based 80% upon what they eat. Yes, 80%!!! This means that on the days you can’t squeeze in a work out you will need to pay closer attention to your eating. I know people that will when the stress hits (and frankly for most of us that is daily)start eating significantly less or make poor food choices because of the stress. This just compounds the problem by unbalancing our metabolism and making us feel less energetic. I know it is hard but these are the times it is important to emphasize eating well. Make sure to get lots of greens,lean protein, plenty of healthy, clean water and an occasional sigh in the car or a loud scream if your day warrants it. Just think of the all work your lungs will get by releasing some stress. Not only will you feel better but you’ll probably save a family member from your “homicidal” tendencies!
Tags: diet, eating, exercise, motivation, Nutrition, positive changes
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Monday, October 31st, 2011
By Wilma Young CPT
So today is the day to relish in the fun of the undead. The zombies, goblins and pirates have been floating around our shopping center and it is always fun to see people step outside of their comfort zone and walk in the shoes of someone else. The great thing about this holiday is that it gives us the okay to tryout something new, a new look, attitude or outlook. We encourage our kids to think big and enjoy the festivities. So why can’t we try this on a smaller scale in our everyday lives? Now don’t think that I am advocating scary make up and candy consumption as your everyday mode of operation. But maybe it is time to give yourself the permission to try something new. Maybe it’s a new food that you’ve always been interested in or a hike with a friend that you have never taken. Being alive and being happy means pushing the envelope of stagnant behavior. It means to try something that scares you and to be okay with the outcome. When we stretch our wings even if we don’t excel, we are fueling our souls to take a leap into happiness and growth. So if the zombies you see tonight scare you, be reminded that being a little scared can ultimately bring you happiness. And a lot more happiness than that Snickers bar will give you and you won’t have to work out an extra hour tomorrow to burn it off!
Tags: Inspiration, mental attitude, motivation
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Wednesday, October 26th, 2011
By Wilma Young CPT
When someone starts a rumor about you, do you…
A) Take the high road?
B) Try to defend a silly and inaccurate accusation while attacking the ice cream?
C) Act like a high school girl and tell them to $%#@ themselves?
Well ladies and gentleman, my nature is C. It has also been B many times in my life but I really relish in the C answer! Hard to believe, I know… but I find that when a true inaccuracy has occurred I really want to put on the gloves show the fangs and throw down until I have proven myself. I was raised to believe that defending yourself was important at any cost. I believe that this is a quality that supports the foundation of my being but that tempering it at this stage of life is imperative. I have also found a resolve that comes roaring out and has fueled my motivation with an unexpected fire. I get discouraged because these issues can waste precious time living with and loving others. I really consider them useless and childish but have recently changed my mind. I am thrilled to have been given this gift of a false rumor. This blessing of sorts makes me more appreciative of my true friends. It also makes me more tolerant of others and ultimately makes me happier, which is of course the best revenge, don’t you think?
I also feel empowered to continue my journey with even more conviction and that is why I love rumors. But what I now know is that I love knowing forgiveness better. That forgiving the smallness of the behavior gives me strength and grace to take the higher road. I understand now that those using this path to connect, be it either in a negative or positive way, are really just searching for their own grounding and foundation. That they are trying to feel centered but are really just unsettled inside and are looking to others to blame or judge. I love that I can, at this stage of my life, pick A. That I can see that the unjustified lashing out has nothing to do with me and everything to do with the source of the rumor. I know all too well that a rumor can be the Soap Opera moment we need to distract from the real tragedies of the world, like poverty, war and prejudice. But after that initial hype, it is important to remember that we have all been on the bad end of this scenario and we know how it can hurt. We know how it can send us to the Cherry Garcia and a couch date with a pizza! So try to take a second next time you hear a rumor and put yourself in the other person’s shoes. Realize that individual perspective comes in varying degrees and we all have our own barometer. Love that you can see with empathy, continue with gratitude and rise above the chaos. I promise, every time you have this blessing you will raise yourself higher than any food, alcohol or vice can provide. You will find that the fuel you receive will propel you to a higher consciousness and you will burn brighter than ever before. Share this positive energy with others, elevate the world with happiness and light the path along the way! The world needs all the help it can get!!
(This is about the time we should hold hands and sing Kumby-ah, right?)
Tags: Inspiration, motivation, Nutrition
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Monday, October 24th, 2011
Come to Nordstroms, Riverside, this Saturday October 29th between 1pm-3pm. Angie and Wilma will be in the Active Dept from 1pm-2pm and BP Shoes from 2pm-3pm offering body composition testing and nutrition and exercise tips. Receive a goody bag with EVERY Active purchase (while supplies last). Now that’s fantastic…come shop for that new work out outfit and we’ll help you look good AND get motivated before the holidays sneak up on you!
Tags: Body Composition, Inspiration, motivation, Nutrition
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Monday, October 17th, 2011
By Wilma Young CPT
I find that the act of showing love to another human in any of its various forms is one of the greatest gifts we can bestow on others. To speak kindly to a stranger, make an extra effort with a co-worker that may not be your favorite or simply pausing and letting your friend know that they are important to you shows love in varying degrees. Why then is it so hard to show that kindness to ourselves or even more importantly showing love and forgiveness to ourselves? The impact we make on others is huge but the scars we leave on ourselves last a lifetime. In some cases it may come across to the world as depression, anger or sadness. I feel that I make an effort everyday to show gratitude to those in my life and frankly I frequently fall short. So I beat myself up which has absolutely NO positive outcome or affect on future events. It really brings my energy down and I don’t feel love anymore. Not by others mind you, but love for myself. Just about the time I think I’m doing pretty well, the dreaded misstep occurs. Something is said to hurt my feelings or that little voice comes in and says the most awful things about my behavior or my lack of perfection. My voice stems from a lifetime of not feeling good enough but I have been practicing the art of letting that go. I make strides, you know the two steps forward and one step back, as the saying goes. Then a small kick to my ego happens and I start ruminating. “Why did I say that?” “What was I thinking when I ——-?” “Why can’t I be more hospitable? (Or quieter, or more helpful, or thinner)”! Feel free to fill in the blank. I know we all have these moments. We seem to think we are the worst at whatever is the faux pas of the day. Whether it be a valid indiscretion or not. Today I had a small reminder of my ego based doubts about my purpose in life and how I treat others. I started to drop into all of the reasons why or how I could have prevented this from occurring but I stopped myself and went back to my new commandments. I have gathered these sayings over the last few months and have them posted in several places that I see throughout the day. They are… (In no particular order)
Grace & Gratitude
Be The Water Not The Rock
Live The Life I Have Always Dreamed Of
Be Present
I Commit To Myself
I Commit To Life
I Forgive My Mistakes
I Show Myself To Others
I Am Always In The Right Place At The Right Time
Showing love and kindness to yourself is important if you want to show love and kindness to others. It hurts sometimes to look in the mirror. It hurts sometimes when we reach out to others and our actions are not welcomed or misinterpreted. These are the times you have to REALLY love yourself and show kindness in a big way. Coming up with your own commandments can impact you significantly. I highly suggest you try it out. If your intentions are honest but you feel “less than perfect” in your actions, go to these commandments and recite them! If you have had a fantastic day, recite them! If you have been shown kindness and love from others, recite them! If you have been wronged even in a minor way, RECITE them! The more you love yourself, the more the world will see that beautiful, authentic soul inside of you. The one that is just screaming to get out!
Tags: Inspiration, mental attitude, motivation
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Tuesday, October 11th, 2011
Is it inevitable that we start to believe our own lies?
I was recently speaking to a client. We have been having great success with her workouts and became fast friends. We were at a recent workshop with the intuitive life coach Tony Rowe (www.anthonyrowe,com). I have been fortunate to have received great benefit in my life due to my relationship with Tony. So we’re on a break and chatting by the water cooler and my friend starts to tell me about the first time she saw me. It was five years ago and at another gym. She proceeded to tell me how focused and intense I was during my 5am workouts and that she sort of avoided me. Well, I laughed it off and we both agreed that the Wilma standing here today was in a much better place and a happier person to be around. After the evening wound up and I was contemplating the events of the day I really had to check myself. I had written the title to this blog a week ago but didn’t know how it would manifest. Then in a blink of an eye, the words come to me. See, five years ago I was dealing with some life altering events, had starved myself skinny and was thinking to myself how great I was handling everything.
In a a split second, there was the mirror of my self deception staring me down like the queen in Sleeping Beauty… “I am the fairest in the land”…and other assorted crap that we start to believe after awhile. In that moment, I realized how good I had gotten at lying to myself. I realized how my energetic temperature is evident in it’s truest sense no matter how much make up I wear or what size my pants are. I may have been skinnier but healthy I was not! I sent off an intense, chaotic vibe and in turn got that kind of energy back. Again, the mirror of life reflecting back at me. Fast forward five years and my life has a view that has blossomed to a warm and inviting glow with a little tarnish still around my halo. Those of you that know me personally can attest to that fact. But I am in a place where I can give to others and accept myself as I am, “A Work In Progress”. If you are lucky, you too have people in your life that reflect back to you what you are projecting and that accept the fact that you and the rest of the population are ALL a work in progress. However, even with this new shift in my self awareness I am sure that I can still find ways to lie to myself but hopefully on a smaller scale like…:”I really AM funny, even if the grocery clerk didn’t think so”, or “I AM a good driver even with the radio blasting at level 10″, or “I AM 6 feet tall with long, slender legs” (that’s the funniest one). But if I start to slip back into what one of my very best life-long friends calls “My Phase” I am sure there are plenty of you out there to hold the mirror up to my face and say ” Really, the fairest in the land? Think again!”
Tags: health, Inspiration, mental attitude, motivation, positive changes, Wilma's Blogs
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