A new belief for the holidays

(Originally published 10 November 2011) 

"It's impossible to lose weight over the holidays, so why even try?"
"I always gain 10-20 pounds over Thanksgiving and Christmas, then I have to diet until Easter to get rid of it."
"I'm too busy to exercise with all the holiday rush, so of course I'll gain weight."
"It's too cold/dark/wet in the winter to exercise."
"It's too hard to diet over the holidays, so I should just not try until after New Year’s."

Does this sound like you? Are you convinced one or more or all of these statements are true? If that is what you believe, then you will probably make them come true for you.

No matter what you have experienced in the past, why not try out a new belief or two over the next couple of months. I started seriously solo Sparking (I had yet to discover the power and joy of teams) last fall. Over 3 or 4 months, I lost better than 15 pounds, and weighed less than 200 for the first time in years--in the last days of December, just before New Year’s! So I know it CAN be done.

For me, it was just time. No more "I should" or "I wish I could"; those self-critical and helpless thoughts got replaced with "I want to change," "I deserve a better life," "I can make healthier choices," "I am willing to make changes—a little bit at a time."

I love using affirmations and reprogramming my mind to create the life I want to live. Louise Hay is my girl, the illustrated gift edition of You Can Heal Your Life is my go-to source for positive thoughts and statements. I sometimes tweak them so they rhyme or have a better cadence, since I often say them as I walk or work out on the elliptical machine at the gym. I sometimes add the modifier "easily" to strengthen the belief that change can happen easily, without hardship or strain. And that has been my experience.

I'm not trying to set myself up as an expert, or make anybody out to be wrong. I just want to share my experience, and invite current and potential Spark Friends to try a different way of thinking, and set themselves up for a more successful holiday season. I wish you joy and success, now and always.

Blessed Be, Amanda


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