Many of you now have support buddies for your journey. I mention on a recent episode that adding structure to your support is a great idea. There is a great deal of freedom within structure. So how about organizing a podcast club, just like a book club? Each week you meet to discuss the current episode, support and be supported. If you have a proposed format for this, let me know. I would love to post it.

And these days, you can easily meet via the phone if you prefer. I have had many mastermind groups with people all over the country. You can set up a conference call line for free (amazing, I know). I have used www.freeconferencecall.com and www.nocostconference.com, and there are many others. Check them out and let me know how it goes!

Hi Gang,

While the Inside Out Weight Loss journey is about the journey (how about that), nothing speaks to others like before and after photos.

So, if you have before and after photos, or before and during photos, please send them my way. I would love to post them to this blog to inspire others.

Your photos are a great testimonial that by loving the body you have, you can have the body you love. Help me end the weight struggle and replace it with peace, freedom, and fun! I can’t wait to “see” you.

Renee

I recently read a post on the Yahoo Group (see the link on the sidebar under Blog Roll) about challenges recruiting a support buddy. Certainly, not everyone is ready for the message or the program. So we have the Yahoo Group, and now a MySpace group, with more support options to come. Yet we may still want more - perhaps a one-on-one buddy, an inperson buddy, or a a group of buddies.

So here’s an idea. Think about the kind of buddy or buddies you would like, and set your intent to attract them into your life. Set your intent for the right situation to appear to connect with those people. Imagine yourself as a light to which others are naturally and easily attracted.

And let me know how it goes!

Renee

Follow this link to see their segment on some of the potential of hypnosis. They actually start by showing the silly things people do in stage hypnosis, which, as they point out, is very different from HypnoTHERAPY.

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=4345359 or go to ABC
news.com look for: *The Power of Mind Control Video.

 Enjoy!

Renee

Robert is one of the most gifted healers and trainers I know, and much of my work is built off of his.  Here is a link to his site: www.teloscenter.com if you would like to learn more.

 We have all heard of the power of positive thinking to cure what ails you.  You know, the ol’ cup is half full rather than half empty game. In fact, I’ve seen research that suggests positive thinking can not only make you happier, but it can also make you healthier, as well as luckier!  (See a great book, “The Luck Factor” by Richard Wiseman. Here’s a link: LUCK FACTOR, THE).

The Success Journal is a powerhouse of a daily practice that could change your life. It will train you to think positively, in under five minutes a day.  Now that’s a bargain if there ever was one. This technique is so powerful, that some of my clients actually believe it cured their depression*.

I remember one client who was about to go on anti-depressants. She felt that she would never be able to lose weight and attract a boyfriend, and that she would never amount to anything professionally. I recommended she begin keeping a Success Journal. I saw her several months later and, with a big smile on her face, she told me her whole life had changed. She said that she was a list maker who used to get to the end of the day depressed about how much was still on her to-do list. Now she goes to bed amazed by how much she has accomplished. Not only did she not need the andti-depressants, but she was down 15 lbs (without dieting), and had a revived social life. A month or two later, I bumped into her at Open Studios. She was with her new boyfriend, and shared with me that she was training for a triathlon!

What is the Success Journal?

Each night before you go to sleep, you write down two (or more) good things from your day. The list could include a smile from a loved one, a couple of minutes in the sun, or even a renewed appreciation that your car started when you turned the key! That’s it.

Why is the Success Journal so effective?

1. You do it right before you go to sleep at night.

The time before you fall asleep is a very open time for your subconscious mind (the part of your mind that controls your automatic thoughts and behaviors). The conscious mind is winding down, and so you are very open to suggestion.At this critical juncture, you put on a positive filter as you reflect on your day. You then go to sleep on a positive note. Imagine how this will affect the quality of your sleep. And if you sleep well, imagine how you will feel when you wake up in the morning. So, you start your day well rested, on a positive note, which benefits your whole day.

Then at the end of the day, again you put on your positive filter, re-enforcing your new habit. After 30 days, you will have re-trained your brain to notice the many wonderful things in your life. You will have created an attitude of gratitude that will act as a magnet for more positive things in your life.

2. It takes less than five minutes.

In our busy lives, we often have barely a moment to spare. That’s why I love the Success Journal. How long will it take you to write two good things from your day? Two to five minutes I would guess. Moreover, the Success Journal is an easy habit to establish and keep, because you are appending it to something you are already doing-going to bed.

3. The benefits dramatically outweigh the investment.

In other words, it works, and it’s easy! Depression is all about the way we talk to ourselves, and the thoughts in our heads. Depressed individuals filter for the negative in life, always seeing the cup as half empty. The Success Journal is a simple and powerful way to retrain our thinking, so that you filter for the positive.Make a commitment now to do this practice for 30 days. Buy a notebook or journal today, place it by your bed with a pen, and start your changes today! Then please email me and share what you notice!

* This technique is not meant as a substitute for advice from a qualified medical professional. If you feel you suffer from depression, do the Success Journal, and consult a professional.

This salad is fast, easy, and packed with nutrition. When I serve it at dinner parties, every last leaf is eaten. The raw garlic adds loads of flavor, and is a great anti-viral and anti-bacterial. I’ve been known to put in 3 or more cloves in when I feel a bug coming on. Just make sure those around you eat it too!

Equipment:

1 high quality vegetable peeler (I use OXO)
1 garlic press

Salad

½ 6 oz bag, ready-to-eat organic spinach, romaine or other salad greens
1 carrot
1/3 c. crumbled feta cheese
1 clove fresh garlic (or to taste)

Optional:

1 handful pre-sliced mushrooms
Cherry tomatoes tossed in whole or cut in half
Slices of peeled cucumber
2 T Defrosted frozen peas
Chopped walnuts
Chopped pecans

Dressing:

2 T extra virgin olive oil
1T balsamic vinegar

Directions:

Put lettuce in a large bowl. Peel the carrot. Continue to use the vegetable peeler to peel off slices of carrot, directly into the bowl. This creates light bits of carrot that add color and flavor, but do not sink to the bottom of the salad. Add cheese and any optional ingredients.

Crush the garlic by placing the flat side of a wide chef’s knife on top of the garlic clove. Smash the garlic clove under the knife blade. This will make the skin easy to separate from the clove. Place the clove in a garlic press, and press the garlic directly onto the salad. Discard the remaining garlic inside the press.

Combine oil and vinegar and stir or shake well, immediately before using. (I use an old jam jar with a lid and shake to combine). Pour over salad and toss.

Yield: 2 – 4 servings

Today’s San Francisco Chronicle ran an article on how to select home exercise equipment, as well as which health clubs have the highest member satisfaction. It’s a good review of the options, and refers to recent consumer reports testing.  The link is below.

And, I thought I would add my two cents.

I have a home gym, and love it, and I also belong to a gym - 24 Hour Fitness.  What do I recommend?

Home Exercise Equipment

You know the cliche. We buy it in January, and use it as a coat hanger from February on.  Nevertheless, many people do find that having a home machine is a great option, and they do use it.  What’s the differentiator?  There are two.  Firstly, don’t assume that just having the machine will make you use it. It won’t. You have to have the committment first.  Second, if you buy, buy quality.  If it feels cheap and awkward to use, then you won’t.  Remember, this is something you want to be a regular part of your life, like your sofa. So invest in something that feels good to use. I’m especially thinking about cardio equipment.  If you can’t afford new, or simply want to get a deal, troll craigslist.org, ebay, for second hand, and sign up for freecyclel.org, if it’s active in your area.  A friend of mine got a great folding treadmill for free on freecycle!  And by the way, the key to using cardio equipment is to keep yourself entertained.  And I know you, dear listeners, know a great way of doing that…

Gym Memberships

I have one criterion for chosing a gym. Location.  That’s it. It has to be convenient. Towel service is nice, but I won’t even think of towels if I’m not there.  I used to be very picky about equipment. I wanted only the original Nautilus weight training machines (they are wonderful). Consequently, I didn’t have a lot of options.  Now I will work out on any machines and free weights.  It’s more important to do something rather than nothing, so as long as it’s a gym, and it’s convenient, I’m happy.

If you are fortunate enough to have multiple convenient gyms, think  about what you like to do. I like my gym because they have unlimited exercise classes available with my ridiculously cheap membership. So I can spice things up by going to Step class on Saturdays, and once in a long while, lunch time yoga.

Here’s the link to the SF Chronicle article by Kathleen Pender:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2008/01/17/BUHKUGB4S.DTL

And Consumer Reports can be found at www.consumerreports.org.

Enjoy!

Inside Out Weight Loss has a very cool new sponsor: “Skinny Songs”. It’s great music to work out by that delivers motivating messages as you go. Check it out here:

This is why I do what I do.  Thank you for letting me know! Click the link below to listen to a short voice message about the show.

Comments from a listener