Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Awakened Wellness newsletter.  As you may be aware, I launched this new company to provide holistic health coaching services to individuals and families who are inspired to live healthier lives.

Beginning this month, this newsletter will be published once monthly to bring you tips for reclaiming and maintaining your optimal health and wellness.  I invite you to read on to discover for yourself the valuable information included.

I am sending this first newsletter to you as thanks for your friendship and support.  If you would like to continue receiving this newsletter, please confirm your subscription today, otherwise this will be the last copy you receive.  If you know someone who you think would enjoy this newsletter, please forward it along.

New Year New You

Did you begin the New Year by making resolutions? We've all been there. This is the year we're finally going to shed those excess pounds, exercise more and spend more time with our families. We start the year with great intentions, but then we quickly relapse into old habits, creating a sense of guilt and failure along the way.

Why is it so hard to stick to those New Year’s resolutions? Changing habits takes time and changing multiple habits at the same time is nearly impossible.  So, create a list of your intentions for 2010 and then start slowly, implementing one change at a time and successfully sticking to that change for at least 3 weeks before implementing the next one.

Here are some more ways you can make your intentions a reality this year:

1. Make resolutions to change what you are doing, not to achieve a specific outcome.  For example, make a resolution to drinking water instead of soda or to eat crunchy veggies rather than chips instead of saying you are going to lose 15 pounds.  By creating actions for yourself within your intentions, it makes it easier to achieve your goals.
2. Create a vision board.  Go to the dollar store and buy a basket full of craft supplies - 1 poster-sized sheet of paper, glue, different colors and textures of paper, stickers, whatever strikes your fancy.  Turn that poster paper into a vision of your intentions for this year.  Hang it somewhere you'll see it every day.
3. Get to the source of whatever is keeping you in a rut. Are you in a stressful relationship that causes you to eat a pint of Ben & Jerry’s every night? Are you stressed at work and feel too tired to exercise after work?  If you don’t tackle the root of the behavior, it will be much harder to accomplish your goal.
4. Be clear about what your life would look like once you achieve your goal. If you resolve to go to the gym more, how will this benefit you? Get connected to the result of your action, and you will be more likely to stick with your plan.
5. Share your resolutions with friends and family. Hold each other accountable for achieving your goals. If you want to go to the gym more, find a friend with the same goal and commit to going to the gym on a schedule together.
6. Reward yourself with every little accomplishment. If your intention is to lose weight and you lose 1 pound a week, pamper yourself with a massage.

Big changes do not require big leaps. Permanent change is more likely to happen gradually than through one big restrictive plan. Allow yourself to climb the ladder one rung at a time.  If you feel like you could benefit from a little support in reaching your goals, please contact me for a free initial health consultation to learn more about how I can support you in not only achieving but exceeding your goals.

Happy New Year!

What's Cooking?

Looking for a healthy recipe to compliment your New Year's health and wellness goals?  Check out some of our recent recipe posts:
 

• Mushroom Pies
• Omi's Apple Pancakes
• Italian Lentil Pate
• Creamy Tomato Soup
• Curried Cauliflower and Lentil Soup
• Whole Grain Banana Bread