Positive Thoughts

Yesterday, the yoga instructor challenged each of us to write something positive about ourselves every day this week and stick it on our fridge or mirror.
Why is that tougher than it should be?
Here's my thought for yesterday - I'm a very loving mom. I think my boys are wonderful and I enjoy being a Mom more than I thought possible.
Today I'm struggling. I finally decided to go with - I'm a service-oriented person, I usually put other's needs before mine and look for ways to help.

What about you? Care to share something positive about yourself? It can be physical, mental, intellectual, spiritual. I'd love to hear what you love about you!

Sleep Deprived?

Lately I consider sleep a luxury. I'm sure my sleep isn't going to improve when the bambino arrives. Sleep is too important to miss out on. Not enough sleep can effect your mental abilities, your mood, your ability to lose weight, and much more. I found a great article in Prevention Magazine on how to improve your sleep.

• Soak up the sun - an early morning walk will prevent low energy later in the day.
• Reenergize with exercise - It will help you sleep better and energize you.
• Take a nap - right after lunch is best, either less than twenty minutes or 60-90 minutes to avoid waking up from deep sleep.
• Work on something interesting - Guess I can't fold that pile of laundry, again.
• Eat for stamina - small meals or snacks with complex carbs, protein, and a small amount of healthy fat.
• When in dire need, reach for some caffeine. I'm not much of a caffeine fan, but a Diet Coke once in a while is truly a necessity!

I believe that a short yoga or stretching session right before bed really helps me sleep. I try to avoid working on my computer late at night as screen time too close to bedtime can make it hard to fall asleep. So read a good book instead or soak in a tub with some lavender oil. That sounds nice, maybe I'll soak in the tub and read a good book right now.

"5 Surprising Signs You're Sleep Deprived" by Kaitlin Bell, Prevention Magazine, March 2010

What do you love about your body?

I need some help, my friends. I'm speaking at a women's conference on Saturday and need to do a quick poll. So please share - What do you love (or at least like) about your body?

Thanks,

Cami

Tips from my man

In preparation for a large speaking engagement, I asked my husband what his advice would be to women. He said three things that I have really taken to heart.

#1 - There is no perfect woman. Every man out there has a different ideal of what is perfect. Stop trying to be perfect. Just be your best you.

#2 - Have good posture. Throw your shoulders back and even if you aren't confident, pretend you are. A confident woman is beautiful.

#3 - Put a smile on your face. A smile transforms. It's very hard to resist a smile. Try a smile on, you'll be amazed how it will change not only people's reactions to you, but how you feel inside.

So there you go, straight from the man's mouth.

Please share any tips that have helped you.

Love Your Body by Brooke Parker

Brooke Parker's first book, Love Your Body, has just been released. Brooke is an amazing dietitian. I've had the opportunity to listen to her speak. Her positive attitude and real-life approach made me believe I could be healthy and happy.

Here's a little information about her book:

Are you tired of dieting and feeling unsatisfied with your appearance? In this book, registered dietitian Brooke Parker shares secrets for developing a positive body image and creating your own customized eating plan. You'll also learn how to replace negative thoughts about yourself with positive, motivational thoughts.

With the tools you master in Love Your Body, the scale, the media, and your "skinny jeans" will no longer have the power to determine your mood or your life!

Topics include:

-Finding a New Relationsip with Food

-Honoring Your Hunger and Fullness

-Finding Your Own Healthy Balance

-Creating Healthy Expectations

-The Inner Dialogue

-Put an End to Worry

-Your Body is a Gift

-Eliminating the Physical Triggers

-Destructive Thinking Styles

-Pampering Activities

..and many more

Brooke Parker is a registered dietitian. She graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Dietetics. She currently works for USU's Student Health Center providing nutrition support for the entire student body. She specializes in Eating Disorders and has worked with this clientele for 8 years. She is passionate about helping women overcome eating disorders and body-image issues.

Brooke and her husband live in northern Utah with their three young children. She loves being a mother and all that comes with it. She also enjoys gardening, family vacations, reading, golfing, and snow skiing.

Brooke will be signing copies of Love Your Body at The Book Table in Logan, Utah - Friday, December 4th from 6-10 p.m.

Buy link for Love Your Body - http://www.amazon.com/Love-Your-Body-Brooke-Parker/dp/1935217372/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259334484&sr=8-8

Loving You More

Do you love yourself more than that slice of Firehouse's chicken barbecue pizza? More than that slice of Granny's apple pie? More than that bowl of Dreyer's cookie dough ice cream with homemade hot fudge?

Yesterday I decided I loved Great Harvest's pumpkin chocolate chip bread more than I loved myself and ate two slices. I've been nauseated ever since.

This saying is going to be another weapon in my arsenal of "how to trick myself into making healthy choices." I'm going to simply think, "I love myself more than I love ______" You can enter your own vices - you know mine will be some form of chocolate.

Any advice that helps you stay strong?

Self-Control

I often talk myself into making mistakes. It's easier to convince myself that I don't have any self-control. I can't stop myself from eating that bowl of ice cream (it's always nice to blame someone else. It's not me, it's my lack of self-control.)

From this day forward I am recruiting the power of positive thinking. I've got more self-control that I know what to do with. I believe that I can stop my fingers from wrapping themselves around that piece of chocolate in the candy dish and plunging it into my mouth. I can resist the urge to whip up a batch of cookies and bake whole wheat bread instead. I can stop eating when I'm full instead of busting. I can wake up a few minutes earlier and work harder at the gym.

I, Cami Checketts, have self-control. (And I have a great back-up plan when that self-control falters. I'm going to call my husband or one of my closest buddies and let them remind me that I'm strong!)

How about it, friends? Who's with me?

Confidence from Within

Lately I've realized that I am aging. Wrinkles, age spots, sagging skin on spots no one wants to see. It's all a bit depressing but also wonderful. I've come to realize that I need to be confident because of who I am not just what I look like. No, I don't look like a teenager anymore, but thankfully I don't want to. I'm happy with the muscles I've built by lifting faithfully, the wrinkles I've earned with too much laughter, the strands of gray hair I keep finding (who needs highlights?).

I've often wondered if I would be able to age gracefully or if I'd fight it Botox-style. I'm praying I'll be able to embrace each year and realize that my confidence comes from the things I accomplish with my writing, the smiles I create on my boys' faces, the relationship I have with my husband, the chances I take to help someone feel good about themselves, the friends who make me giggle like a teenager, the knowledge that I am a beloved daughter of a Heavenly Father who loves me. All these things give me confidence that sagging ab muscles can't take away.

I hope all of you know how wonderful you are and are blessed with confidence from within. Please share with all of us what gives you confidence.

Let's Start This Contest

First day of the big fitness contest. Are you all so excited you can hardly stand it? I'm snacking on grapes while I type this afternoon, rather than my usual bowl of cookie dough ice cream with homemade hot fudge (sorry about the sensory detail, that almost made me want to go make a bowl!).

I have to admit to being a bit depressed today. First day of the fitness contest and I'm so sick I can't workout. I don't understand why, but this also makes me want to sit around and eat. Thank heavens for the contest. I'm at least on track to get my four other points today, even if I can't exercise.

When you're sick, do you workout anyway or do you figure you'll recover quicker if you give your beat-up body a rest?

Have a healthy day,

Cami

Exercise - Your Happy Pill

"A vigorous five-mile walk will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult than all the medicine and psychology in the world."

~ Paul Dudley White

I love this quote. Quite often when I'm getting ornery and feeling sorry for myself I turn to chocolate, but I've been on a five-day hiatus from my happy food and I've had to get creative. When I force myself to move (especially when I want to lay on the couch and moan) I feel so much better physically and mentally.

Next time you're tired, grumpy, irritable, or just plain fed up with the world - go on a walk or bike ride, turn on some music and dance, do some yoga, or get on the floor and wrestle with your children. Let me know if it works for you as well as it has for me. If it doesn't - grab some chocolate.

Have a happy weekend,

Cami