| I feel blessed to have had the chance to create health | | | | health goal you have, and think of three things that you |
| and wellness in my life, after years of battling disease. I | | | | can do that would be a positive step towards that |
| have studied natural health for many years, as a way | | | | goal. These are physical actions. Then think of three |
| of managing lupus/SLE. In 1995 I began coaching | | | | things that you can do to positively impact your mental, |
| others to greater health and I have developed some | | | | emotional & spiritual well being. |
| beliefs along the way. | | | | Make sure steps you write down are things that you |
| Here are two of my beliefs on creating more wellness | | | | can see yourself committing to for ninety days and |
| into your life. One is to focus on the health goal and | | | | then write a positive affirmation, intention, or mission |
| the other is that health is a mental, emotional, spiritual | | | | statement. Whatever you choose to call the final result. |
| and physical balance. It does not do permanent good | | | | Here is an example: I am joyfully improving my physical |
| to support one area of health, without exploring how | | | | health by walking 15 minutes a day. I have replaced my |
| you can support the others. | | | | emotional eating patterns, by spending more time with |
| One: Focus on the health goal | | | | supportive people and making time to volunteer. Each |
| Most of us have areas of our health that we would | | | | day I write down the things I am grateful for, which |
| like to improve, even if we do not have a dis-ease. If | | | | feeds my spirit . I make a list each night, before I go to |
| dis-ease has shown up in your life, just think of it as a | | | | bed, of the things I need to accomplish which frees my |
| loud message from your body telling you it needs to | | | | mind and helps my sleep. |
| be supported, in a new and better way. | | | | Find examples that work for you! This is what I do |
| If there are symptoms in your life that you are | | | | when health coaching. I help you design a new plan for |
| experiencing, stop trying to find a label to attach to the | | | | life that embraces healthy new habits. I do not tell you |
| illness before you take steps to better health. I believe | | | | what you should do, but give you ideas on what you |
| there are infinite paths to wellness but the basic steps | | | | possibly could do and then do my best to point you in |
| to wellness are the same. The first step is to decide | | | | a positive direction. The rest is up to you. |
| what your "health goal" is. What do you want your life | | | | This whole process needs to be FUN for you. I believe |
| to be like? | | | | that until you find changes that excite and resonate |
| Two: Health is a mental, emotional, spiritual and physical | | | | with you.....you will continue to put them off. If you are |
| balance. | | | | the type of person that needs accountability to stay |
| Health goals need to be made in all four areas of our | | | | on track, think about forming a Health Coaching circle |
| health, because what affects us in one area of our | | | | of 3-4 friends, who also want to make new lifestyle |
| lives often shows up in another. It usually isn't until it | | | | changes. Then hold each other accountable, on a |
| shows up in the physical, that we take notice and start | | | | weekly group phone call or meeting. It is much harder |
| to take action. | | | | to avoid your action steps when others are involved |
| I coach people to find new positive lifestyle changes | | | | and committed to helping you achieve your goals. |
| that will support their health goals and that they feel | | | | Another way to get motivated, is to start thinking |
| they can commit to for a 90 day period (most habits | | | | TODAY of what interest you have been wanting to |
| take 90 days to engrain in our system). | | | | explore and have put off, due to your current health |
| The lifestyle changes you make in your life do not | | | | situation. What about classes you have wanted to |
| have to be drastic. I am not a chemist but I do know | | | | take or places you want to visit? |
| that if you change even the smallest chemical | | | | For health tips look at books, videos or CD's that relate |
| ingredient, in a formula, you will get a different result. | | | | to health and pick the ones that you can't wait to get |
| Even the smallest, positive lifestyle change you make, | | | | into. Prevention magazine is an abundant source of |
| will bring you better results over time. | | | | ideas, if you can get past the prescription |
| Also, positive lifestyle changes Do NOT have to cost | | | | advertisements. Also, ask healthy friends for ideas of |
| money so stop putting them off, until you can afford | | | | what they do to stay in good health. They may want |
| them. For example, if you have a weight loss goal you | | | | company for the healthy activities they are involved in |
| could make changes as slight as these: | | | | and it's great to have mentors. |
| Walk everyday for 15 minutes, instead of waiting to be | | | | I want you to JUMP at this chance for a new and |
| able to afford a gym membership. | | | | healthy life. It's waiting out there for you! If I can do |
| Skip the french fries when you order your Value Meal, | | | | anything to help you, just call, but honestly YOU are the |
| instead of waiting to join Jenny Craig. | | | | one who can help YOU the most. |
| Do an exercise for yourself right now. Write down a | | | | |