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Happy Tuesday! Today I’m sharing one of my favorite coaching strategies of all time: STAY IN YOUR LANE. I hear a common struggle from clients on a regular basis: I’m exhausted from everyone else’s “stuff”. Yes, it is so easy to feel pulled here and there from everyone else’s stress, concerns, and life. On a regular basis, clients confess their over involvement in everyone else’s life, whether it be by being in the know, FOMO (fear of missing out) or over concern. When it feels like this is a struggle, you are right; it is! Most of the time when you recognize that it’s sucking your energy, it’s the perfect time to do something about it. Like I always say, you can’t control what happens to you (=circumstance), but you CAN control how you react (=thoughts, feelings & actions).

 

For example, say that you’re trying to lose weight and have made up your mind to make some small but important changes to get to your goal (which is the best way to do it!). At work, you’re doing all of the things to get weight loss results BUT you notice that a few coworkers are losing weight faster than you (so you think) and you now feel left behind and less confident in your skills. This is a classic example of when to gently remind yourself to “STAY IN YOUR LANE”. It simply means to mind your own business and do what is best for you. By cutting out the brain chatter of not doing enough, not doing what everyone else is doing, and not going along with everyone else, your goals will be clearer and more specific. Therefore, you will keep your focus on yourself.

 

“STAY IN YOUR LANE” is a critical strategy for improving focus and concentration, respecting your goals and intentions, and saving energy for what is important to you: YOUR HEALTH. Just like driving a car in traffic, you need to stay in your lane to arrive at your destination safely. Picture yourself in your dream car with both hands on the wheel in 4 lanes of traffic going 70 miles per hour and realize how important it is to stay in your lane… literally! 

 

This week, try the “STAY IN YOUR LANE” strategy and let me know how it went in the comments. I’m pretty sure you’ll learn how to catch yourself and get back in your lane when overwhelm and stress come to visit your brain. As always, YOU are in the driver’s seat of your own life! Bon voyage!

You’ve got this!

Georgette

Let’s chat to see if we are a good fit to work together! Contact me at glepage7@me.com

 

Happy 2023! This month, I will offer you one action step and one mindset shift  to help you jumpstart your 2023 health goals! I’m a firm believer in one small step at a time in order to reach your goals! Our brains like information in smaller chunks and will remember habits and patterns more easily that way!

 

This week, think about your intentions with your sweets and sugar! Are you giving them up all together or are you cutting back? Both ways can work depending on your motivation, determination, and decision making. It’s up to you! There is never only ONE way to do something, so do what will work for you!

 

If you have decided to reduce the number of sugary treats that you’ll be eating, I’d like to offer my concept of SWEET SATURDAY. When my son, Matthew, was young, he did not get very many sugary treats most of the time. It was easy to decide what he could or could not eat then based on what we allowed. As he got older, it got harder to keep up with, especially once he went to school where treats were offered as “normal” rewards and celebrations. To help regulate his sugar intake for the sake of his health, not as deprivation, I created the idea of SWEET SATURDAY. The guidelines were easy: no sugary treats, desserts, etc. during the week and ONE treat was okay on Saturday. I know that I got some criticism for it, but it ended up being a very good learning experience as well as a healthier alternative. It introduced the power of choice and the excitement of anticipation. Matthew was very selective with his one treat per week and learned how to make choices with quality of food in mind. It became something to look forward to instead of taking for granted and the anticipation of it was something to really look forward to. Even today at age eighteen, although SWEET SATURDAY is a practice of the past for him, he makes better choices by thinking about what to eat and when. He is aware of healthy vs. less healthy choices and is now old enough to decide for himself.

 

It’s a mindset shift from “what I can’t have” to “what I choose to have”! I know that you will find this more empowering which will then lead to longer lasting habits that stick. This week, I invite you to give this a try if it matches what your goals are regarding limiting sweets. Put your own spin on it and let me know in the comments what you did, how it went, and how you thought about treats differently! You have nothing to lose by giving it a try…except extra sugar!

 

You’ve got this!

Georgette

 

Need accountability, support, and expert resources to lose weight? Email me at glepage7@me.com to see if we are a good fit to work together!

5 Reasons Why You Will Get Weight Loss Results Faster By Working With A Health & Life Coach

Cheers to a new year and hopefully a new you! It’s the time of year when everyone seems to reflect on the current year and then sets goals for the new year. You’ll typically start to see TV and social media ads for exercise equipment, diet programs, diet foods, and all of the things “diet” the day after Christmas. Don’t be surprised, though, if you see some during the week of Christmas, as advertisers ramp up their sales earlier and earlier each year. In fact, according to an article by INC., only 9% of Americans keep their New Year’s resolutions although 40-50% of the population declare new goals for the upcoming year. The success rate drops dramatically around January 19th, also known as “Quitters Day”.

woman with her personal trainer in gray t-shirt running on treadmill.

That being said, I’m all about setting goals for the new year, although I always encourage healthier habits that start TODAY, regardless of the date on the calendar. My clients understand that starting to make healthy changes to shed extra pounds can start right now, which is a huge mindset shift from waiting until after the holidays. You’re ahead of the game when you decide to make changes and you start them ASAP. So, are you ready to be among the 9% of Americans who set goals for the new year and keep them long-term?

Here are my top 5 reasons why you get weight loss results faster by working with a health and life coach!

#1: Discover the real reason why you are carrying extra weight

A good coach starts by asking very thought-provoking questions about where you are right now with your weight and your health and then by listening to what you say. I explain this beginning step to my clients as if they are spitting out puzzle pieces on the floor for us to look at, ask about, and wonder about together. You see, there’s always more than meets the eye when someone wants to make a health change. What you think is the underlying issue can often uncover much more. I do believe that everyone does know their WHY once they talk it out and think about it with a coach. You have all of the “puzzle pieces” in your brain and are empowered to take action right away!

#2: The right coach for you walks the talk

The ideal coach for you practices what they preach, and this is more important than you think! You wouldn’t get marital advice from a single person, would you? So why would you get guidance from someone who has not walked a mile in your shoes? For weight loss coaching, aren’t you looking for someone who has an experience losing weight and who can share the story about their journey, including the ups and downs? Be selective when it comes to the coach’s philosophy, approach, and methods. Do your homework and look at their website, social media, and testimonials. Also, be very in tune with the vibe you get while first talking with a coach and ask good questions. Again, seek out someone who you think understands your struggles and who offers solutions to your specific problem. Being a good fit is key to finding and staying with a skilled coach! Trusting your coach is vital!

#3: Partnership & Accountability

This reason is a key component in your coaching choice. All humans want to be loved and to belong, which is very hard to do on your own. Most people see better weight loss results when they team up with someone, such as a coach. Why? Having support is one thing, and having someone available to hold you accountable is another. When you hire a coach, you should be getting one-on-one attention. Having to show up to a weekly session (in person or virtually) is a critical piece of how successful you will be. Treat each session/appointment/meeting as if your life depended on it and show up. Honor your time and theirs by being consistent with your meetings. Look for someone who checks on you, hears you, and shows up for you. In turn, show the same respect and show up for yourself.

#4 One size does not fit all

Molly Carmel, the author of Breaking Up with Sugar, says “If someone tells you there’s only one way, run away!” I couldn’t agree more! No two humans on the planet have had the exact same life experience and never will. Back in the day, I remember seeing the tag in shirts that read, “One size fits all.” They never really could have, but that was the message. Oddly enough, clothing tags now read, “One size fits many.” How true! A coach should be able to meet you where you are in your health journey and lead you down a path that works for you. On the other hand, coaches have their niches or specialties, so find one who matches your needs. Since I specialize in weight loss, someone searching for a divorce coach would simply not be a good fit for me to work with to move through issues only related to divorce. Be choosy, do your homework, and look for someone who fits helping you to solve your problem: weight loss.

#5 Get a community of support

The guidance and expertise you get from a coach is critical to your success, as is building your community of support. Do your homework and go where your people are. Seek resources that work for you: join a FaceBook group, follow a qualified expert on Instagram, find a book club, listen to a new podcast, or join an exercise group or class. Start with ONE place to find people who are like-minded and who are working on the same goal. Ask your new coach to give you some resources for such communities! I know that I can rattle off resources (podcasts, books, websites, social media experts, etc.) on the spot when my clients ask (or when I feel the need to give them to my clients as we are working together). You will learn and grow as you expand your circle of support! We all do better with fellowship!

So, as we begin 2023, what are you choosing to do for your health and why? Why not choose a health and life coach to walk alongside you on this journey! Check out what I offer atgeorgettelepage.com to see if we might be a good fit and email me to set up a free 30-minute discovery session to see if we are a good fit! Why wouldn’t you want support, expertise, and accountability to be successful? Cheers to 2023!

Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info!

Read more from Georgette!

Georgette LePage, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine

Georgette LePage is a certified Health and Life Coach who empowers women all around the world to lose their mental weight first in order to then lose their physical weight. Her approach is honest, real, clear, and genuine with transformational habit change and mindset reset methods. Georgette’s energy and enthusiasm are contagious. Her focus on a healthy lifestyle inspires her clients to leave behind old diet culture thoughts and patterns in order to embrace fresh and simple ways to live their best lives without diet drama. Empowerment, self-confidence, and self-care are cornerstones of the programs that she offers. She helps her clients to get the results that they want with realistic, real-life strategies. She lives her own life the way she coaches others. She listens to what her clients want and guides them with compassion and accountability as they achieve their goals. She works with people of all ages (teens to seniors and every age in between) who are ready to live a healthier, more joyful life. Georgette also hosts the talk radio show WHY WEIGHT? with Dr. Pat Baccili on Transformational Talk Radio. In addition to speaking English, she also is fluent in French and Spanish. Georgette has 32 years of experience as a World Language Teacher, as well. Her coaching motto is: Feel better. Look better. Be your best self!

Happy Tuesday! Here we are 5 days away from Christmas! It has been my pleasure leading you from the fall into this season with helpful tips and action steps to launch you into better healthy habits, especially at this difficult time of yummy temptations and treats galore. I hope you took at least one strategy and tried it.
If you tried to avoid gaining holiday weight and it worked, good for you! If you implemented some new strategies and lost some weight, good for you! If you gained some weight, today can be the day you make some changes. The point is that there is no right or wrong place to be right now. The power is within yourself. YOU get to decide the direction in which you move your health.
Now is a good opportunity to step back and pause to think about what you did differently and how it worked for you. How much effort did you put into getting results? How did you shift old ways of thinking to newer ones? How do your results feel? How do you feel about your overall health today and how is that different from a few months ago? This is the time to assess what you did and what you didn’t do so that you can move to the next step.
The new year is soon upon us and most people jumpstart new eating patterns and new resolutions thinking that they should wait until then. I’d like to suggest that you start one new habit TODAY! Why wait? What are you waiting for…really! Something to think about!
I will be guiding new clients as the year begins, so why haven’t you invested in your health yet by working with me? I’m ready to help you look better, feel better, and be your best self on the inside and out! Contact me today to set up a complimentary discovery session so that we can get started on your journey! I’m ready…are you???
You’ve got this!
Georgette
READY TO RESHAPE YOUR MIND AND BODY? LET’S CHAT! CONTACT ME AT glepage7@me.com TO LEARN MORE!

‘Tis The Season To Know Your Reason For Getting Healthier

Written by: Georgette LePage, Senior Level Executive Contributor

Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. 

During this holiday season, you have two choices: stay unhealthy and unhappy or make healthy habit changes TODAY to become healthy and happy. It’s that simple. As always, where you are now in your weight loss journey and where you go is entirely in your power. You are in the driver seat and you are responsible for your own health. Even though you might feel overwhelmed by so much information or confused about where to start, it is your responsibility to take control of your own goals, outcomes, and results by becoming curious about your options and hungry for real meaningful changes.

So, think about your current situation and ask yourself what is going well with your health and what is not going so well. What are you proud of and what are you unsatisfied with? What are your strengths and what are your weaknesses? Are there patterns that you keep repeating that do not lead to your desired results? What obstacles are in your way?

All of the holiday hype and hustle and bustle can be intense in itself, so imagine the immediate reaction when we think about losing weight at this time of year! Usually, the message to our brains is that it is impossible to melt away pounds right now and it is too much work. We might tell ourselves that we’re too busy, too stressed, too tired, too distracted or too late to make a difference before the end of the holiday season. We are very good at holding ourselves back from making changes and enjoying progress by convincing ourselves that the timing is bad. I’d like to challenge you to flip the script and to push yourself to try a different approach TODAY. This might be met with resistance on your part, but hear me out! You’ve got nothing to lose but pounds!

Here are 3 key strategies for losing weight before the holiday season ends this year:

1. Know your reason

Why do you want to lose weight? It might be in response to recent lab results from your doctor that were not good. Perhaps there’s an old or new holiday outfit that you’d like to put on and look and feel better wearing. Maybe once and for all you are tired of hiding yourself in the back of group pictures. You possibly might want to enjoy other parts of the celebrations besides focusing on the food. Whatever it is, know your WHY as a first step.

2. Cut through the information overload

Once you decide to lose weight in the next month or so, decide exactly what your goal is and be specific. Write it down and put it on your calendar. At the end of each day, mark off the square for that day to celebrate your hard work towards your goal for the day. Little successes will add up quickly and will fuel you to keep going.

3. Do only one action step a day… not one more

This is super important in order to be laser focused. It also supports keeping things simple and doable. You see, our brains like to keep it simple and do better with one task at a time. For example, if you are choosing to only have dessert on the weekend, such as my “Sweet Saturday ” method where I only eat a sweet treat on Saturday instead of daily, make that your one focus, your one action step. I don’t recommend trying to change all of your unhealthy eating habits at the same time. You’ll be amazed at how clear and focused you will be doing one thing at a time. Small steps lead to big changes. Be concise and consistent to see results faster!

Typically at first, my clients resist this idea of implementing healthy weight loss habits one at a time with intention during a busy time of year filled with endless temptations, but they are always amazed and impressed with following through and putting forth the effort to do the work once they see their results. I invite you to make this year different so that you can enjoy the last part of the holiday season with focus, determination, and hope for a healthier you inside and out. Again, you’ve got nothing to lose but pounds, so what are you waiting for? You are worth it…starting TODAY!

Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info!

Read more from Georgette!

 

Georgette LePage, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine

Georgette LePage is a certified Health and Life Coach who empowers women all around the world to lose their mental weight first in order to then lose their physical weight. Her approach is honest, real, clear, and genuine with transformational habit change and mindset reset methods. Georgette’s energy and enthusiasm are contagious. Her focus on a healthy lifestyle inspires her clients to leave behind old diet culture thoughts and patterns in order to embrace fresh and simple ways to live their best lives without diet drama. Empowerment, self-confidence, and self-care are cornerstones of the programs that she offers. She helps her clients to get the results that they want with realistic, real-life strategies. She lives her own life the way she coaches others. She listens to what her clients want and guides them with compassion and accountability as they achieve their goals. She works with people of all ages (teens to seniors and every age in between) who are ready to live a healthier, more joyful life. Georgette also hosts the talk radio show WHY WEIGHT? with Dr. Pat Baccili on Transformational Talk Radio. In addition to speaking English, she also is fluent in French and Spanish. Georgette has 33 years of experience as a World Language Teacher, as well. Her coaching motto is: Feel better. Look better. Be your best self!

 

Happy Tuesday! Happy Thanksgiving in a few days! The holidays are under way for sure! Given what the world has been through over the last two years, there is still so much out of balance and so many feelings of uncertainty and confusion. It feels like we should be able to ask “Are we there yet?” and get the response, “YES!” Unfortunately, we’re all still navigating through so many challenges in addition to managing daily life. Overwhelm has become an everyday feeling for so many of us. Does this resonate with you? Are you still treading water? Are you still readjusting to “normal “ life? How does that feel? Would you like to trade that feeling for a more uplifting one?

 

Once again, this is where choice comes into play. We can allow ourselves to feel all doom and gloom and helpless or we can look at our lives through the lens of gratitude. Which one sounds more productive? I’m not at all suggesting that we ignore real life and its struggles, don’t get me wrong. What I am offering is a double dose of gratitude each day we wake up and live another day. What would happen if one of our first thoughts of the day would be gratitude for all that we have and for all that we don’t have? How would you feel to set your intention each morning by being thankful for the people in your circle? How would you feel if you looked in the mirror and smiled back at yourself being thankful for your life? 

 

This week, I’d like to offer you the possibility of stepping back from the noise and chatter, taking a pause, and thinking about the ways that you are grateful for so many things, and then…saying them out loud! Go ahead and say it! I promise that it will feel so much better than keeping them silent! Careful…it is contagious and will feel so refreshing!

 

Need more guidance on your journey of better health (on the inside and out)? Contact me to set up a complimentary discovery call to see what I offer! You can’t go wrong!

 

You’ve got this!

Georgette

glepage7@me.com

Georgette LePage Health & Life Coaching

georgettelepage.com

 

Get Out Of Your Own Way And Start Losing Weight Today

Written by: Georgette LePage, Senior Level Executive Contributor

Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.

As a Health & Life Coach, I have heard so many excuses why new clients tell me that they can’t lose weight: “It’s in my genes.” “I’ve always been at this weight.” “I’ve tried everything.” “I just can’t do this.” “I must not have enough willpower.” “I don’t deserve to be thinner.” “I always quit after a few days.” “Nothing has ever worked for me.” “This is just how I’m meant to be.” The list goes on and on for most people who want to lose weight. Obviously, it is easy to be discouraged with all of these excuses swirling around in your brain. After telling yourself a story in your mind for so long, you naturally begin to believe it. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be that way anymore. You have options.

Today, I offer you another perspective about finding a reason to lose weight instead of giving an excuse why it has not yet worked for you. If you see weight loss results as elusive, let’s start with WHY you think so. It might be that you are self-sabotaging your efforts, which means that you are standing in your own way. You are afraid of what might happen and what you will do with it once you do lose weight. It is so much easier to stay stuck in an old habit than to spend the time and energy on making a change. It takes courage, determination, effort, and a willingness to make mistakes along the way. Mistakes are nothing but lessons that actually bring you closer to your goal. Each misstep is an opportunity to learn and grow. When you allow yourself to make mistakes, you allow yourself to grow. Growing brings about change, which is the key to successful, long-lasting weight loss.

Most of us grew up trying to be perfect and determined to avoid making mistakes. It was how we were programmed to be. It was easier that way because we could play it safe and not take too many risks. We learned to stay in our lane. I’m thrilled to tell you that mistakes strengthen us and push us closer to our goals, especially when it comes to weight loss. This is how we figure things out and how we make changes that last.

Here are a few simple ways to get out of your own way so that you can start shedding some pounds right away!

1. Shift your mindset to “I can’t ever lose weight.” to “I haven’t lost the weight I want to YET.

The power of YET is bigger than you might expect. This small but important change in perspective sets you up for success right away. Repeat the new open-minded phrase “I haven’t lost the weight I want to YET.” every morning and each time the old defeating thought pops into your head. Being aware of your thoughts is key.

2. Ditch the negative self-talk and wipe the slate clean of past limiting beliefs.

Give yourself the chance to do the work to make this weight loss journey work. Move aside and pour your energy into your weight loss plan. Don’t look back at the past, but focus on today (where you are now) and the future (where you want to be). Move forward!

3. Catch yourself when your storytelling gets out of control.

When you say, “I’ve tried everything and nothing works! Why bother?”, think about what you just said and examine it closer. We all know that no one has really tried everything to lose weight; it just might feel that way because that is the story we created in our minds. You’ve convinced yourself that you have, but truthfully you really haven’t. Clear the brain chatter that has been acting like an obstacle. Be willing to block out negativity and embrace new possibilities. (Caution: This powerful strategy will also show up in other areas of your life as an agent of change.Be ready to see other results, too.)

4. Good things take time, and so does healthy, long-lasting weight loss.

There is no quick fix that stays effective long term. Be careful of the traps on social media and the empty promises that some programs and people offer. Don’t always believe what you see in pictures. If it’s worth working on, it will take time. Embrace the process and expect it to take some time.

As the holidays approach, this is the best time to make some changes and get your weight loss started. Choose your goal, put a clear, simple plan in place, and be kind and patient as you embark on an experience that will lead you to better health on the inside and out. Be sure to get out of your own way and be willing to experience something different this time. Take one small step today and get going! Reach out to me at glepage7@me.com if you are ready to learn more about how we can get started together! You can do this!

Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info!

Read more from Georgette!

Georgette LePage, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine

Georgette LePage is a certified Health and Life Coach who empowers women all around the world to lose their mental weight first in order to then lose their physical weight. Her approach is honest, real, clear, and genuine with transformational habit change and mindset reset methods. Georgette’s energy and enthusiasm are contagious. Her focus on a healthy lifestyle inspires her clients to leave behind old diet culture thoughts and patterns in order to embrace fresh and simple ways to live their best lives without diet drama. Empowerment, self-confidence, and self-care are cornerstones of the programs that she offers. She helps her clients to get the results that they want with realistic, real-life strategies. She lives her own life the way she coaches others. She listens to what her clients want and guides them with compassion and accountability as they achieve their goals. She works with people of all ages (teens to seniors and every age in between) who are ready to live a healthier, more joyful life. Georgette also hosts the talk radio show WHY WEIGHT? with Dr. Pat Baccili on Transformational Talk Radio. In addition to speaking English, she also is fluent in French and Spanish. Georgette has 33 years of experience as a World Language Teacher, as well. Her coaching motto is: Feel better. Look better. Be your best self!

 

 

Happy Tuesday! In less than a week, Halloween 2022 will be here along with bowls of candy and endless sweets. Who feels like Halloween is very hard to celebrate when you’re trying to lose weight? I certainly do! I absolutely love all of the fun and silliness associated with Halloween and always have since I was a kid. I love the costumes, pumpkins, decorations, and all of the fun. I admit that the sweets were also something that I loved. Did you notice that I said “were”, not “are”? That’s right, as I paid closer attention to my sugary habits, Halloween became one of my biggest challenges with my weight. Once I noticed that, I became very curious about why this was so tough for me and what I needed to do to change some habits.

 

I figured out that I wasn’t very disciplined with a big bowl of candy sitting on my dining table for weeks leading up to Halloween. I would typically sample a few pieces of candy now and then and could actually see the level of candy go down over time. I also realized that I associated Halloween with candy and fun from my childhood and had forgotten that as an adult, my body was not happy with extra pounds in the fall. Once I got curious about what was happening and how I thought and felt about Halloween, I was able to make a new plan for handling my candy intake. Here are a few ideas for making some healthy swaps that won’t sabotage your weight loss efforts and will keep the fun in this celebration!

 

1. Buy your Halloween candy a few days before October 31st and keep it sealed until right before trick or treaters arrive!

 

2. Keep a smaller bowl of treats out and reasonably enjoy them! When they’re gone, they’re gone!

 

3. Pass out candy that you don’t like! This will keep your hands out of the bowl, for sure!

 

4. Have a sweet treat on October 31st, not all during the month of October. Halloween is only one day!

 

5. Give away your leftover candy the very next day!

 

6. Instead of passing out candy this year, pass out healthy snacks, gift cards, money, or other trinkets instead.

 

7. Skip passing out candy all together! Do something else that evening!

 

8. Enjoy the Halloween season without sugar! WHAT??? This one is a huge challenge and is extremely effective if you commit to it. I’ve done this for the last 2 years and have focused on the other aspects of Halloween in order to cut out sugar. It works! I also remind myself each year that I’ve had a lifetime of my favorite treats at Halloween and have had enough. I don’t need them and I choose not to eat them; that serves me well! It is bold, but it is 100% possible! Are you ready to try it?

 

So, as you celebrate Halloween this year, I offer the new habit of cutting back or even cutting out sugar to feel better and to fuel your body with healthier options. Pick ONE new habit to try and start today! You’ll never know if it works until you take the first step to try! It is a boo-tiful way to start a healthy habit!

 

You’ve got this!

Georgette

 

 

 

Happy Tuesday! As we roll into fall, what are you thinking about your weight loss efforts? Have you started? Are you seeing results? Are you stuck? Wherever you are in your journey, do you even wonder why we give up so quickly before we see results? In other words, why do we quit? Quitting usually means that we’re taking the easy way out. It’s easier to make excuses and return to old habits that keep us stuck in our weight loss. We like to see quick results, so if they don’t happen right away, the average person stops trying. 

 

We are impatient in nature and are twice as impatient when it comes to weight loss. I always hear clients demand that the extra weight fall off in a matter of weeks. What we forget is that the process of gaining weight most likely did not happen overnight, although our brains do a great job of convincing us that it did. This is where writing down the facts or circumstances is very helpful. You may very well quickly see that your weight has been climbing for a long time, not just recently. This gives you clarity about the facts so that you can take the drama out of your thoughts. You may hop on the scale and be adamant that you’ve never weighed this weight before until you look back in your notes and realize that this is not the case. Getting the facts helps you to decide not to quit.

What if you quit right before your body was ready to release weight? What if you quit right as the scale was about to move? What if you quit right before you lose some inches and your clothes fit better? What if it would have been almost ready to happen but you missed it because you quit?

 

When you’re tempted to throw in the towel and turn back to your old ways of overeating, try these 3 strategies!

 

  1. Document your weight! In a notebook or on an app, keep track of how much you actually do weigh, no matter how often you weigh yourself. The mind plays tricks on us if we rely on remembering these numbers. You might be pleasantly surprised by what you see in black in white instead of a foggy memory.

 

  1. Pay attention to how your clothes fit! This can signal a shift in your weight and can be used as big motivation to keep working on losing weight! Use this as an incentive to do the daily work. 
  2. When you want to quit, agree to give it more time. Step back, pause, and remind yourself to keep going. Set a goal of a week or two to see if your weight changes. Resist the urge to give up. By being aware of wanting to quit, you can redirect your thoughts. 

 

There’s an old saying, “When you think about quitting, remember why you started.” Always cling to your why and you’ll get a jolt of motivation and determination which will keep you focused on your goals. So, the next time you are tempted to press the easy button to quit, try one of these strategies to refocus and move forward with your hard work to get the results that you want! 

 

You’ve got this!

Georgette

 

 

 

 

Before you know it, the holiday season will be in full swing, which can be a stressful thought if you are trying to lose weight or if you are trying not to gain weight. Either way, the mere mention of the word “holidays” can trigger instant panic in our brains. Most likely, you freeze in fear of all of the celebrating with sugary treats and special food that is coming your way. It can feel like a tidal wave of anxiety, and it starts as soon as Halloween candy hits the shelves in stores, which seems earlier every year. It can even discourage you from trying to lose weight at this time of year.

Feet on digital scales with sign "omg!" surrounded by Christmas decorations.

As a health and life coach, I tell my clients that this can be an optimal time for working on weight loss strategies. What??? You see, you can actually focus on your goals to get the results you want during the holidays much more easily than you think! Let’s start with the facts: There are only four holidays for most people between October and January: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. You can substitute your holidays for any of the ones I mentioned to make them more meaningful for you. The point is that between October and January 1st, there are usually only four twenty-four-hour blocks of time that include holidays. So, what’s my point? The biggest thing to realize is that we tell our brains to go all out for the months of October, November, and December just because it’s the “holidays.” Pause and let that set in! That’s91 days of celebration which we’ve convinced ourselves should include lots of unhealthy eating just because we’re in the “holiday spirit”! WOW! Most of us get caught up in this mindset so easily. But why? Why do we let anything yummy and sweet be eaten in excess for 3 months? Why do we get caught up in the “holiday season” this way? Good question! It’s a habit! I invite you to think about it differently this year and to take control of how you want to think about the holidays in a way that will support your weight loss. That’s right…weight loss during the holidays IS possible!

Strategy #1: What do you think about weight loss during the holidays?

Write down your thoughts about this so that you can see what you are choosing to think. This will lead you to really face your thinking head-on. Remember, YOU decide how you think.YOU decide what that means to you. YOU are in control! Did you ever realize that? There’s your power; you get to decide your thoughts. YOU write your own story.

Get curious about WHY you associate weight loss and the holidays in the way that you do. Write down all of your reasons and look at each one. How does this make you feel? What does weight loss during the holidays bring up for you? Face your feelings and clear the brain clutter to make space for the next step. Eliminate the reasons that you know are not going to serve you if you want to shed weight in the next months ahead. This will give you clarity on your chosen pathway forward. The best part is that YOU have the power to decide for yourself.

Strategy #2: How do you feel about your health during the holidays? What thoughts do you want to change?

Think about if you’d like to feel healthier during the holidays this year and if you are you ready to try something new. This means stepping outside of your comfort zone to get results. This might very well be the first time you’ve thought of trying this, especially at this time of year. WHY NOT? List ONE way to change what you do for better health this season and focus on that. For example, do you want to reduce or eliminate sugar? Do you want to have a treat one day a week instead of every day? Do you want to cut back on your holiday baking to avoid eating it so often? Do you want to make healthier holiday recipes or upgrade your favorite traditional ones with a healthier twist?

Strategy #3 Take one action step

You have two choices: keep doing what you are doing and stay stuck with more weight on your body than it needs, OR move forward today to figure out how to get the weight loss that you want. I always say that nothing tastes as good as healthy feels!

Action step examples:

  • Clear the Clutter: Get rid of temptations that might derail you (i.e., a monster-size bag of Halloween candy)

  • Reprogram diet culture messages (i.e., quick weight loss): Take 91 days to lose the weight, not 9 days.

  • Remember that there are four days of holidays, not 3 months: Have treats on the day of the holiday.

  • Elimination reframe: because it serves my body vs. punishment/deprivation

  • Consider moderation vs. Elimination: which strategy works best for you?

Jump in and start right away! No need for a “last supper”; just start! Set yourself up for success by getting the right foods in your house and removing temptations. It is all about how you treat yourself and how you think about getting healthy, so keep that in mind!

If you are ready to enjoy the holidays with your health as more of a focus, you’ve come to the right place, and the time to start is NOW! I can help you ditch the belief that overindulging is something that you deserve. I can help you to reframe old habits of making dozens of cookies and eating more than you should to properly fuel your body. And most importantly, I can help you figure out why you self-sabotage at this time of year. I listen to you, I offer strategies, and I guide you through the journey. Ready to join me? Contact me at glepage7@me.com to learn more! Make this holiday season healthier for your mind and body! Cheers to a healthy and happy holiday season!

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Georgette LePage, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine

Georgette LePage is a certified Health and Life Coach who empowers women all around the world to lose their mental weight first in order to then lose their physical weight. Her approach is honest, real, clear, and genuine with transformational habit change and mindset reset methods. Georgette’s energy and enthusiasm are contagious. Her focus on a healthy lifestyle inspires her clients to leave behind old diet culture thoughts and patterns in order to embrace fresh and simple ways to live their best lives without diet drama. Empowerment, self-confidence, and self-care are cornerstones of the programs that she offers. She helps her clients to get the results that they want with realistic, real-life strategies. She lives her own life the way she coaches others. She listens to what her clients want and guides them with compassion and accountability as they achieve their goals. She works with people of all ages (teens to seniors and every age in between) who are ready to live a healthier, more joyful life. Georgette also hosts the talk radio show WHY WEIGHT? with Dr. Pat Baccili on Transformational Talk Radio. In addition to speaking English, she also is fluent in French and Spanish. Georgette has 32 years of experience as a World Language Teacher, as well. Her coaching motto is: Feel better. Look better. Be your best self!