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Diet, Health, Weight Loss, Goals - Points to Improve Your Health and Life

Points to Live By for Your Health and Success!*

These are traits that are common to people who experience a stable and healthy life on a mental, physical, spiritual, and financial level. Evaluate your life and put time and effort into the areas that are lacking. Keep in mind the same principles apply for losing weight— making one change at a time. If you look at an area of your life and know that you want to improve it, then make a long term goal, but do one action each day that you can build on. For instance, if you wanted to be more spiritual, decide what your long term spirituality goal is, then maybe your first action would be to pray for two minutes upon waking each day.

The success of reaching your fitness goal using any diet plans has the same structure as any other area of your life. These traits are what the majority of us would like to have in our lives. I don’t think you would disagree that they all point to a healthy mind, body, and spirit. Don’t confuse success with having financial wealth, as you know having money doesn’t mean you have a sound mind and body.

Successful people have been found to:

1. Have a b sense of purpose with their life. Having a purpose means knowing what you are committed to improving or making a difference with each day. Writing your daily plan is more satisfying when you know some of your tasks for the day will be helping you achieve a long term goal. If you have something that gets you going in the morning with anticipation, life becomes more fulfilling and meaningful.

With all of the challenges that we face as a society— from overcoming obesity to securing world peace— there are a plethora of choices that can be very satisfying and rewarding as a life purpose. If you are happy with your life’s work today, be sure you can define your purpose so you know if you are taking action each day toward fulfilling your purpose.

The other day I was reading a story about a soldier whose talked about the difficulties of preparing for war and the mind set needed to withstand the pressures of battle. Although he contended with these feelings, his purpose in life was committed to upholding the freedoms that existed in his country for himself as well as others. It reminded me of how powerful a life’s purpose can be, especially when it comes to being motivated to do our best each day.

2. Have deep, personal beliefs. I think some of the most confident people I have ever met always seem to know where they stand on most issues. This must come from having b personal beliefs. These start with the belief that we are all basically good to being capable of making the world a better place. If you believe you have the strength to change, you are correct. If you believe you don’t have the strength to change, you are correct. Your beliefs can empower you to achieve great things.

When you start with a b belief in yourself and your ability to solve a problem, you break down any barrier in the way of the solution. You will continually ask yourself "how" when it comes to solving a problem if you know you can. You will only seek out answers, not keep finding more excuses to point to as reasons why you can’t. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t, or that something is very hard or difficult. If your perception is that any challenge you face is not difficult and can be overcome no matter what the effort required, you will win. Think about the challenges of building a space-ship to travel to mars. To me, that sounds difficult compared to the challenges in my life. Are your beliefs keeping you from succeeding?

3. Have a b belief in God. We may not all pray to or worship the same God, but the principles of religion and the belief in a Supreme Being is very positive and is a consistent trait among successful people. By believing in a Supreme Being, we resign ourselves to making an effort to live as best we can based on our higher Being or God’s plan for us. It makes us humble and compassionate, teaches us to reflect on our actions, behavior, and personal development.

We all know how complicated life can be and a belief in God can calm anxieties and fears that we face. This common trait among successful people allows for mental and spiritual stability when chaos is around— from misbehaved children to terrorism. A belief in God can also help provide a more meaningful purpose in life. In times of stress, successful people seem to derive their mental and physical strength from their belief in God, which in turn strengthens their own personal belief in themselves.

There was a time in my life when I did not regularly practice my religion, and I can tell you those were times when I did not have much stability in my life. Today, I feel ber knowing that there are answers to my questions, and a deeper meaning to my life because of my commitment to God and religion. After all, I believe that this life prepares us for the next one!

4. Have no fear of aging. Another trait of successful people is not fearing aging, and even more specifically dying. If you think about it, I think what most of us fear is pain. The pain of not trying, the pain of not having any more opportunity, the pain of losing. I don’t even think physical pain is as hard on us as the mental pain that comes from believing there are no more chances to do what we want in life. This happens as we age, when we may delegate more of the things we use to do ourselves. Needless to say, when you have a b purpose in your life, and are carrying out actions each day toward your goal, wouldn’t you be happy knowing that you put forth the full effort toward something meaningful everyday, if tomorrow it was your turn to go?

It is a very difficult reality to face sometimes, but it has helped me realize the importance of doing now what I thought could wait until tomorrow. I once heard that life is not a dress rehearsal, it’s the real thing!This made me think about how valuable time is, and how we sometimes get caught being observers of life instead of participants. We must take control of our destiny, with the realization that our contribution is important, and eventually our time will expire. Can you look at your life today and be happy with the efforts you made? Did you try those things you feared? Can you look back today and know you’re happy with all of your efforts? Not that succeeding is required by experiencing the journey in a fulfilling way.

Don’t regret what you did, but look at what you have not done and decide if you would be disappointed not having at least tried. If that is the case, get busy! This is not the dress rehearsal, it’s the real thing. One day I had a discussion with my husband about the subject, and we actually drew a time line of our lives from beginning to what would be the average ‘end.’ We looked at where we are today and talked about what we wanted to accomplish, where we would like to be one year, five years, ten and twenty years from now, with more details on the closer years. It was actually very fun. Having those thoughts on our mind made the day more fulfilling knowing that we both are on the same page for our long-term goals and our life’s picture. It made me focus on the good and joy today, knowing that each day gets better! Having a plan will make this happen!

5. Have written and well-defined goals. This goes right along with the previous trait. With a plan for your life, and what you aim to accomplish, you can wake up with a b will to succeed. Your long-term goals are broad, yet should be clear just as the picture you created for yourself in "Road Map." Your short-term goals are the ones that you will be taking action toward completing. These are the ones you accomplish that slowly create your picture. You’ve heard it said if you don’t know where you’re going, how do you know when you’ll get there? Make your plan just that— your plan. One that you know pertains to you and what you will do. Most people spend more time planning a vacation than planning their lives.

Part of your written goals for weight loss and fitness should be done back in the section on Motivation (in The Vice Busting Diet Plans. Write down what your goals are (long-term) for your job, mind, and spirit, too. Make your short-term goals those smaller steps along the way to fulfilling those goals. Then take action to make these short-term goals a reality. This all supports your life’s purpose in some way. These goals may apply to different areas of your life, but ultimately, will help fulfill your overall purpose and therefore your picture!

After losing a substantial amount of weight, I wrote down some other goals which not only increased my motivation to increase my fitness level, but also helped me learn the power of writing down goals. One goal was to participate in a beauty pageant, which I did at the Mrs. United States Pageant, held in Las Vegas, NV in 1999. Writing it down made it real in my mind and my actions. Keep your goals well-defined and close to you so you know where you’re going!

6. Have a loving relationship. Those who created a successful and well-balanced life that we all seek to some degree, are usually married or involved in a loving relationship. It is a known fact that having a loving relationship can increase your immune system and your life expectancy. I heard Zig Ziglar say that a husband who gets a big kiss goodbye from his wife before he leaves for work earns substantially more than a man who is not married and/or not receiving the same affectionate farewell. I don’t know if these are the exact facts, but I do know that my own day always goes better when my husband and I start our day with a b hug and kiss.

If you are married or are in love, be sure to strengthen and reinforce your relationship each day. I’ve seen many people complain about their marriage and the difficulty or lack of support from their spouse. This happens if you don’t take time to communicate with your spouse. The strength you will gain and give by keeping a b bond with each other can elevate your confidence. This will help you and your spouse succeed in all you do. If you don’t feel your relationship is b, don’t let time pass you by. Do something about it. Make the effort to improve it, because what you give, you will get back twofold. I don’t think I would be as confident as I am today without the support of my husband. We support each other’s efforts without doubts or reservations.

Evaluate the relationships in your life. If you have been focusing on the amount of weight you feel you need to lose, try taking the focus off of yourself for a moment and think of how you can improve your close relationships. Doing so will increase your mental and physical health!

7. Eat healthy and exercise regularly. This is an obvious trait of those who are successful. I don’t need to reiterate the reasons that successful people have this trait, other than to say if you want to do everything on your ‘To Do’ list for your life, you will need the energy and health to do them.

Not only is this a part of the daily plan of those that are considered "successful", but their routine does not allow them to give a second thought to their diet or exercise. The plan consists of healthy fruits and vegetables, meats and fish, with every meal having a moderate quantity, and an abundance of antioxidant nutrients. The focus is always on accomplishing something greater and more fulfilling than just keeping fit. Their focus is not on food except as a source of fuel to get their daily tasks done. This is a trait that doesn’t happen overnight but is learned. Your focus will shift away from food and toward living life to its fullest! The same way it takes time to work up to 45 minutes on the treadmill, it takes time to handle more activities in our life. This will soon become a habit, and a trait for you!

8. Sleep 6-8 hours per day. The last point about what is consistent among successful people is their sleep habits. Getting adequate amount of sleep— quality sleep— is important to refresh the body and the mind. It’s an interesting phenomena how sleep can provide us with such a renewed sense of energy, mentally and physically.

How many times can you remember not getting adequate sleep one night, and feeling sluggish the next day. You may not be as sharp mentally, and not as productive as you could be. If you think about it, won’t this make your day one that is less than your full potential. Is that ok with you if this is not the dress rehearsal but the real thing?

Don’t overlook the importance of an adequate amount of quality sleep each night. If you are not getting quality sleep, be sure it’s not a result of caffeine or alcohol. If you are still struggling to be sure you are getting sufficient sleep, the HGH supplement I talked about may help you there, or a more specific natural supplement like Melatonin may help. If you need it, try a 10 minute nap during the day to help your needs.

Continued...

Always keep the ‘big picture’ in mind.

It is very easy to get consumed with all the little things going on in our lives that we forget about the ‘big picture.’ I’m sure you’ve heard the two rules in life: "1. Don’t sweat the small stuff and 2. It’s all small stuff." We all have things to take care of frequently enough like getting groceries, picking up gifts, shopping for school clothes, and so on, that can keep our focus from thinking about the ‘big picture’ of our life. In the hustle and bustle each day, let’s don’t forget things like the Golden Rule. In times of trouble and despair, how we treat others will certain go further than any one accomplishment we could be working so hard for.

Set meaningful standards and values for success!

Setting standards that are meaningful to you will let you know at what level you wish to live your life, and where you can grow from there. For instance, set standards for how much time you want to devote each day to such things as exercise, reading, prayer, goal reviewing. You can order these standards on which of these you value most in your life. That way you have set priorities on which is most important to you, and which needs more attention to improve. In this way you will establish a b foundation for success, and will stay focused on a healthy path.

Having balance comes from having set standards that you act on each day to keep each area of your life b. We may spend more time doing something that supports our basic needs — like working at a job to make money to eat— even though it may not come first on our list of what is most important in our life. In other words, don’t leave out what is important just because it may not take much time to do. Just like taking NOT the time to eat something healthy— although it may not hurt today, repeatedly over the course of weeks, lacking a healthy meal will eventually cause extra weight and poorer health. Don’t leave anything behind when it comes to growing. Grow ber and healthier in every way — mental, spiritual, physical, financial, social, etc.

Stay focused on where you’re going, not where you’ve been!

Many times readers tell me they can’t get over having done this that the other (ok, it’s time to do some editing I’m sounding like my last book; Julia, are you listening? Hello!!!) They tell me their life story and how difficult things were for several reasons, and it has all added up being 100 pounds overweight. It’s not always easy to look ahead, and forget about what has happened in the past, but it’s a step well worth taking. Sometimes I think we must do an ‘about face.’ Everything that has happened ‘to’ us keeps us mesmerized on past events, forgetting to take action now to make our future better. In the movie IQ, one of Einstein’s friends makes the argument that there is no present or future because each future moment becomes a present one which immediately becomes a past moment. Therefore there is no present of future but only a past. (Either way it’s confusing!) It makes me think that we must act now because those future moments keep coming and going with no regard to how slow or how fast we’re going. So plan for the future, so you can look forward to what’s to come!

Surround yourself with the positive!

Turn on any television, open any newspaper, listen to any radio, and there are plenty of stories about negative things going on in our world. It’s very easy to be influenced by seeing and hearing all kinds of stories which may cause anger, resentment, sadness, and sympathy, after some time. Limit the amount of time you spend watching the news on tv or listening to the news on the radio. The newspaper can be a more digestible medium as you can pick and choose what information you wish you consume. But sticking with stories and information that will improve your mood and/or your motivation will be healthier in the long run.

Television can be a great source of entertainment— provide us with laughter— yet the reverse can be true of all the bad news delivered— bringing out unhappy emotions. There are plenty of positive stories out there, they just aren’t as easy to get to as with a remote control. You can find stories about people doing great things, overcoming the odds, succeeding where success was totally unexpected. These are the types of positive influences we want to fill our minds, hearts, and spirits with. This is what will lift our motivational juices and not oppose them. I would recommend limiting the amount of time spent watching tv. Not only does it take away from your time to "do," it may dampen your mood. Television may be considered for many another item that is "making a substantial contribution to the extra weight." I’d be willing to bet that the majority of those seeking to lose weight could reach their goal in less than 6 months if they exercised instead of watching tv. Make a game of it to see if you can go a week without watching tv. If you try it, be sure to have something ready to replace tv — reading, walking, listening to music (and walking!).

While it may be easy to turn off the tv or radio, or skip a story in the newspaper, the same may not be true for the not-so-positive people in your environment. Try avoiding negative conversation, or what may not be positive or constructive communication. Doing something or saying something nice for/to someone will go a lot further in improving your own attitude, productivity, and the respect of others than saying or doing the opposite. I sometimes find that having a little music in the background while I’m working can put a little pep in my fingers on the keyboard. If you can, use music to keep the "rhythm" of your positive attitude during parts of your day. And be sure to find ways to exert your positive influence on those around you!

Develop a daily routine to keep you on your path!

One thing that will be most helpful in your weight loss efforts, and achieving any goal, is developing a routine. A routine that consists of always planning the night before what you want to get done tomorrow and when. Getting up each day at approximately the same time with the same healthy actions to start the day— maybe some light stretching and reading for 15 minutes. Getting to sleep at approximately the same time each night. I don’t think any of us are that different from the standpoint that if we aren’t sleeping regularly— at the same time each night, we’re not getting the most out of our potential the next day. I know I won’t feel as sharp if my sleep hours are altered from my regular routine.

This is not to say get in a "rut", but get into the habit of taking actions that are consistent with your goal. If you stick to doing a few simple things everyday— drink plenty of water, get some exercise, take steps to be productive— then you can build on your routine to accomplish more! I never really thought about getting things done each day that would help build a dream. I was only doing the minimum I need to provide for my kids, pay the bills, and pass the day— that was a "rut." Now getting up in the morning and looking forward to my daily routine— exercising with a friend, writing motivational material, corresponding with those on the path of self-improvement, sharing comments about weight loss on a live chat, reading at night— keeps me enthusiastic about moving forward. On any given day, you will find me doing most or all of these actions, and there is still plenty of variety with these actions. Different exercises and topics keeps things interesting and in an exciting "groove" rather than a "rut." A solid routine comes from knowing where you’re going. So define your goals, plan your actions, and develop your daily habits for success.

Build faith and confidence-- one action at a time!

When I hear someone tell me about the obstacles they face, and the overwhelm they feel, I tell them not to focus on swallowing the elephant whole (sort of an ironic analogy, huh?). But the analogy is to take one bite at a time to succeed eating the whole elephant. To succeed in any weight loss effort or any goal, if you can just decide to take one action that would move you closer to where you want to go, then you’re on your way. Don’t try to take a big leap, because the pain will be great if you fall. You can almost guarantee yourself success when you move one stable and b step at a time. Taking one action like substituting junk food or unhealthy snacks with fruits, and doing it for a week at a time, can and should boost your confidence and faith in yourself. Do it for a day and feel good, for a week and feel great. Imagine what just one short year will bring!

Be rich with knowledge, happiness, and spirit!

Never once in my years of being 130 plus pounds overweight did I realize the greatest thing about life is life. I didn’t know the blessing of having the opportunity to have and enjoy so many different things in life. Knowing this has allowed me to find happiness within. Don’t let any amount of weight keep you from being happy. There are plenty of reasons to be happy, and setting out to get healthy and fit will just be icing on the cake (as long as it’s not icing from the cake!).

By finding riches in the knowledge that you have (to be and achieve whatever you want), in the happiness that exist within you (that keeps you positive and healthy), and in your spirit (that will keep you forever b), you will never again doubt that each day, good or bad, is a success, because you were given the chance to experience life! Don’t let anyone try to take away your riches, even though you can offer some them to those who aren’t experiencing life!

The 10 Dos and Don’ts of Healthy Living

Let’s get the bad out of the way first— the DON’Ts

1. Don’t diet — the first three letters should tell you it’s not good.
2. Don’t go too fast — change takes time, be patient.
3. Don’t get overwhelmed— forget about the weight, think about the actions.
4. Don’t be hard on yourself— we learn from mistakes and our life experiences.
5. Don’t be negative— use negative emotions to get going toward being positive.
6. Don’t cheat— There are no shortcuts to health, but many fast roads to death.
7. Don’t count— counting calories will make you crazy and takes too much time.
8. Don’t waste time— you have a finite amount of time on earth, get busy now!
9. Don’t put junk in— remember garbage in equals garbage out, avoid junk food!
10. Don’t forget!— remember who you are and what you desire to be— everyday!

Now for the good stuff! — the DOs

1. Do the right thing — the right thing is whatever makes you healthier in any way!
2. Do drink lots of water— our bodies our 2/3 rds water, you figure it out!
3. Do eat healthy — a balance of fruits, veggies, meats/fish, and some breads/carbos
4. Do exercise— our bodies were made to move, so move it!
5. Do think positive— increasing your energy starts with increase your + thoughts!
6. Do a picture— know what your life is as a more fit and healthy person
7. Do keep it simple—just take one step at a time, and build on each step
8. Do the basics— keep the ‘big’ picture in mind, everything you do should support it!
9. Do weekly goals— accomplishing things one week at a time will make it easier

and...

10. Do it now! — This is not a dress rehearsal, this is the real thing, so make it right!

*some content taken from The Vice Busting Diet book; more on The Vice Busting Diet Plans...

Note: Learn why eating fruits and vegetables is especially important, and how you can benefit from adding Juice Plus+® to your diet.

If you are interested in a meal plan to assist with your diet plans and weight loss, Medifast provides a diet that makes it easy to plan the foods and meals you will eat.

Julia
Awaken the Diet Within!

About the Author

It's been 12 years since I lost 130 lbs. I've been traveling the country spreading the message that diet is not about weight loss; yet, a healthy lifestyle is to permanent health and fitness. If you've been struggling to lose weight, I know how you feel. I felt the same way and what I have found will work for you, just as it has for thousands of other people.

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