Create Your Own Happy
That was then, this is now…
Ever wonder why I hype personal development so much? It’s because long-lasting transformation happens on the inside. Your body will only go as far as your mind will take it. If you don’t work on that, you will fall back into old habits and self-sabotage. I’m living proof of that.
This is a photo of me in 2010. I actually weighed LESS in the first photo (by a few pounds) but I am so much healthier now. You may see someone who “doesn’t need to lose weight” in that photo. I see someone who was addicted to Diet Coke, didn’t exercise, skipped meals and wasn’t healthy. In the after photo, it’s apparent I’m happier and more confident. The scale reflects none of that.
My mind and body transformation started about five or six years ago, shortly after I turned 40. It started with fitness. I began running, then going to the gym. But, it wasn’t until I became active in the wellness coach community and realized the importance of personal development that the confidence started to emerge. That has made a huge difference in my life.
When you focus on getting your head in the right place, you can then work on creating habits that change your life. With food, it’s eating the right foods in the right combination and portions. With fitness, it may be focusing on building muscle, endurance and increasing flexibility. Notice I DID NOT say getting on the scale. If you work on those things, your body weight will regulate itself. It’s simply a byproduct of self-improvement.
Perhaps even more importantly than that, your healthy habits will give you more confidence. That has a ripple effect on the rest of your life – not just your physical health. You’ll see yourself living up to your potential in other areas of your life too.
One of my favorite Personal Development authors is Gretchen Rubin. She and I met at a blogging conference in NYC. I loved her book The Happiness Project so much that I’ve turned it into a framework for an online challenge group. Make sure you sign up for email updates so you’ll be notified the next time I do it!
