Shrink'n Violets TIP 'O THE DAY!!

[kity 2]

Ok, to everyone else. GET ON THE BALL. We all have STUFF going on in our lives that interfere with our weight loss but we need to quit making excuses. The band was our best gift to ourselves and we need to start using it. Start today. It's that easy. You can do it. I can do it. We are in this together and we are so worth it. (Susie, Shrinkin' Violet, 2008)

This is really not cheating. I was reading the other thread this am and Susie closed her post with this. It is better stated and more powerful than anything I could've found.

There are excuses that are acceptable (Jenn and her mom...OMG, I've been there and could've eaten a horse) and excuses that are NOT acceptable (we already know those). The band IS the best gift we can give ourselves...and we need to start using it.

What are you going to do today to start using your band?

[TerriDoodle 6]

Aristotle said, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit." Which are you going to reinforce today? Your old tired habit or your healthy new one? Because the brain cells that fire together wire together, whichever you choose becomes ever more grooved in. The choice is yours.

--M.J. Ryan

[Kat817 19]

WHAT EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

one old love

she can imagine

going back to..

and one who reminds

her how far she has come...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

enough money within her

control to move out and

rent a place of her own

even if she never wants

to or needs to...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

something perfect to wear if

the employer or date of her dreams

wants to see her in an hour...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

a youth she's content

to leave behind...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

a past juicy enough that

she's looking forward to

retelling it in her old age...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

a set of screwdrivers,

cordless drill, and a black

lace bra...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

one friend who always makes

her laugh... and one who lets

her cry...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

a good piece of furniture

not previously owned by anyone

else in her family..

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

eight matching plates, wine

glasses with stems, and a recipe

for a meal that will make her

guests feel honored..

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

a feeling of control over

her destiny...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.

how to fall in love without

losing herself...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to quit a job,

break up with a lover,

and confront a friend

without ruining the friendship...

and how to change a tire...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

when to try harder... and

when to walk away...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

that she can't change the

length of her calves, the width

of her hips, or the nature of her

parents...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

that her childhood may not

have been perfect...but its

over...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

what she would and wouldn't

do for love or more...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to live alone... even if

she doesn't like it...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

whom she can trust,

whom she can't,

and why she shouldn't

take it personally...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW..

where to go...

be it to her best friend's kitchen table.

or a charming inn in the woods...

when her soul needs soothing...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

what she can and can't

accomplish in a day..

a month...and a year...

(And all of "my" women on here, should know....I am a simple phone call away to help with any of the above I can. I value each of you, and hope you can look at this list, and feel you are well on your way to fulfilling it...hugs~~ Kat)

[janiebug 0]

Wednesday tip of the day!

Happiness in this world, when it comes, comes incidentally. Make it the object of pursuit, and it leads to a wild-goose chase, and is never attained. Follow some other object, and very possibly we may find that we have caught happiness without dreaming of it. Learn how to be happy with what you have while you pursue all that you want. Happiness is not an accident. Nor is it something you wish for. Happiness is something you design. How sad to see a father with money and no joy. The man studied economics, but never studied happiness. The greatest source of unhappiness comes from inside.

[Suziecat 379]

Sorry this was so late in the day. But better late than never.

A POEM ABOUT OUR GIRLFRIENDS Someone will always be prettier. Someone will always be smarter. Some of their houses will be bigger. Some will drive a better car. Their children will do better in school. And their husband will fix more things around the house. So let it go, and love you and your circumstances. Think about it! The prettiest woman in the world can have hell in her heart. And the most highly favored woman on your job may be unable to have children. And the richest woman you know, she's got the car, the house, the clothes~~~~ might be lonely. And the word says, 'If I have not Love, I am nothing.' So, again, love you. Love who you are. Look in the mirror in the morning and smile and say, 'I am too Blessed to be Stressed and too Anointed, to be Disappointed!' 'Winners make things happen~~ Losers let things happen.' Be 'Blessed' Ladies~~~~~ and pass this on to encourage another woman. 'To the world you might be one person,but to the one person you just sent this to, it could mean so much.' SEND THIS TO YOUR FAVORITE WOMEN ~~ I JUST DID!

[Daisalana 33]

Here's your Friday tip of the day.

9 Tips In Life That Lead to Happiness

Understand what it is that will make you happy. Everyone has unique requirements for attaining happiness and what makes one person happy may be very different from what makes someone else happy. Revel in your individuality and do not worry about whether or not your desires are comparable to those of your peers.

Make a plan for attaining goals that you believe will make you happy. Your mood will very likely increase as your pursue your goal because you will feel better about yourself for going after something you value.

Surround yourself with happy people. It is easy to begin to think negatively when you are surrounded by people who think that way. Conversely, if you are around people who are happy their emotional state will be infectious.

When something goes wrong try to figure out a solution instead of wallowing in self pity. Truly happy people don’t allow set backs to affect their mood because they know that with a little thought they can turn the circumstances back to their favor.

Spend a few minutes each day thinking about the things that make you happy. These few minutes will give you the opportunity to focus on the positive things in your life and will lead you to continued happiness.

It’s also important to take some time each day to do something nice for yourself. Whether you treat yourself to lunch, take a long, relaxing bath or simply spend a few extra minutes on your appearance you will be subconsciously putting yourself in a better mood.

Finding the humor in situations can also lead to happiness. While there are times that require you to be serious, when it is appropriate, find a way to make light of a situation that would otherwise make you unhappy.

Maintaining your health is another way to achieve happiness. Being overweight or not eating nutritious foods can have a negative effect on your mood. Additionally, exercise has been known to release endorphins that give you a feeling of happiness.

Finally, it is important to understand that you deserve happiness. Those who believe that they are not worthy of happiness may subconsciously sabotage their efforts to achieve happiness. If necessary, tell yourself each day that you deserve to be happy and remind yourself what steps you will take to achieve the happiness you desire

:tongue2: :drool:

[Teachlady 3]

SUNDAY'S TIP O' THE DAY

J""Health Lies in labor, and there is no royal road to it but through toil." -Wendell Phillips H

"Health Lies in labor, and there is no royal road to it but through toil." -Wendell Phillips

Just like brushing your teeth, healthy habits should be cultivated on a daily basis. The following is a guide to daily tasks:

1. Activity should be a daily occurrence. Walk, run or jump for a minimum total of 20 minutes a day.

2. Take a multi-Vitamin

3. Protect your skin. Sun block should be applied on face, neck, arms and hands even in the dead of winter. It protects against climatic toxins too. Moisturize skin daily.

4. Eat fruits, vegetables, grains, low-fat dairy products and small amounts of Protein. Avoid sweets and other processed foods.

5. Meditate or spend a minimum of five minutes daily in quiet time.

6. Find your spiritual self. Discover what inspires you, raises your level of consciousness, motivates you, and satisfies your soul.

7. Exercise your brain. Read, study, solve problems, and learn new skills. As does the body, the brain atrophies with lack of use.

8. Hug somebody.

[kity 2]

In the spirit of Valentine's Day: This is from The Prophet by Kahill Gibran. This is from the On Love chapter.

Then said Almitra, "Speak to us of Love."

And he raised his head and looked upon the people, and there fell a stillness upon them. And with a great voice he said:

When love beckons to you follow him,

Though his ways are hard and steep.

And when his wings enfold you yield to him,

Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.

And when he speaks to you believe in him,

Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden.

For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.

Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,

So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.

Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself.

He threshes you to make you naked.

He sifts you to free you from your husks.

He grinds you to whiteness.

He kneads you until you are pliant;

And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for God's sacred feast.

All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart, and in that knowledge become a fragment of Life's heart.

But if in your fear you would seek only love's peace and love's pleasure,

Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love's threshing-floor,

Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.

Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.

Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;

For love is sufficient unto love.

When you love you should not say, "God is in my heart," but rather, I am in the heart of God."

And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.

Love has no other desire but to fulfil itself.

But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:

To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.

To know the pain of too much tenderness.

To be wounded by your own understanding of love;

And to bleed willingly and joyfully.

To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;

To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;

To return home at eventide with gratitude;

And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.

[Kat817 19]

A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye...and YES science now shows that carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.

A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart is red and has four chambers. All of the research shows tomatoes are indeed pure heart and blood food.

Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows that grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.< /span>A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds are on the nut just like the neo-cortex. We now know that walnuts help dev elop over 3 dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.

Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.

Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet the body pulls it from the bones, making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.Eggplant, Avocadoes and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats 1 avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? .... It takes exactly 9 months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemica l cons tituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).

Figs are full of see ds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the motility of male sperm and increase the numbers of sperm as well to overcome male sterility.Sweet Potatoes look like the p ancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.

Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries

Grapefruits, Oranges, and other Citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.

Onions look like body cells. Today's research shows that onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes

If you waiting for a joke...There isn't one. Just some good info.

[Kat817 19]

Wasn't sure the above was going to post with the pics.....thought it was kind of interesting...

Kat

[TerriDoodle 6]

Switch from "why thinking" to "what could be possible thinking. Ask "what" questions rather than "why": What can I do to have more balance in my life today rather than Why am I a workaholic? What help do I need right now rather than Why is this happening to me? Do you notice the difference in the two choices? One leads to rumination and stuckness; the other to creative possibilities and forward momentum.

--M.J. Ryan

[Suziecat 379]

Happy Valentine's Day

It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power.

Moral excellence comes about as a result of habit. We become just by doing just acts, temperate by doing temperate acts, brave by doing brave acts.

Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens.

[Daisalana 33]

Do not frown, you never know when someone is falling in love with your smile. :biggrin2: :mad: :thumbup: :crying: :eek: :thumbup: :thumbup:

[Teachlady 3]

Sunday's Tip O' The Day

I know it's a bit early, but I found it and didn't want to lose it!

Embarrass Yourself

Make a mark on your calendar every time you make it to the gym or park. Seeing your motivation,(or lack thereof) in black and white helps keep you going. Suzanne Schlosberg and Liz Neporent, authors of Fitness for Dummies, Second Edition (IDG books Worldwide, Inc., 2000) suggest "whether you write your goals on the side of your shoe or in your training diary, glancing at them on a daily basis will help keep you focused and motivated. Some people tape their goals to their bathroom mirror or refrigerators." Do whatever works to make you remember what you promised yourself.

Join a Plan that Wouldn't Have You for a Member

So you're not Steffi Graf. That doesn't mean you can't join a tennis team. Richard Cotton, chief exercise physiologist for the American Council on Exercise says "joining a club, team, or finding an exercise partner…provides a support system and someone to simply share the experience with. Often times just knowing someone will be asking you 'How's it going?' can be the difference between exercise success and failure."

Love Thy Neighbor and Love Thyself

You can't leave a neighbor standing on the corner checking her watch. She knows where you live. Miriam Nelson, Director of the Center for Physical Fitness at Tufts University, and the author of Strong Women Stay Young and Strong Women Stay Slim (Bantam Doubleday Dell, 1999) says, "When I make a date with a neighbor to go for a run I keep it, and we have a great time." She also plans a regular appointment with her neighbors. "Saturday mornings several of my neighbors come over and we lift weights together; it's a great way to start the weekend," she says.

Challenge Yourself

Working towards an event — like a 5K walk or run, or an overnight bike trip to a faraway bed and Breakfast — keeps you on track. Every time you exercise you'll be closer to meeting your goal. "The minute you mail in your entry fee, you'll have a whole new sense of purpose. And the feeling of accomplishment you get from completing your event is like nothing else," say Schlosberg and Neporent.

Dance, Dance, Dance

"Music is a fantastic motivator," says Michael Olajide, Jr., a former professional boxer and inventor of Aerobox workout routines. "It can push you to do more and to exercise longer, even longer than you planned." Who doesn't get a surge of energy every time they hear their favorite tune? Plus, it's the perfect excuse to get that new CD.

Don't Count the Miles

"Do not workout to burn calories or lose weight," says Emme, plus-size model, author, and columnist. "There are more important things than burning calories taking place during your workout. Newfound self esteem and stress reduction are just two positive aspects of many that come to mind." If you're always focusing on burning off your morning doughnut, of course exercise seems like a chore. Try exercising for the sake of your health, not your body.

Find the Fun

Forget about the "no pain, no gain" attitude. "The mind, body and soul connection is very important here, don't forget to have fun," says Emme. Pick an activity you've always loved, like biking or walking outdoors. The more enjoyable it is, the more likely you'll stick with it.

Make It a Family Affair

"When I go for a run I entice one of my kids to go with me — he or she goes on their bike and I run. It's a great way to be together with my kids," says Miriam Nelson. Who better to egg you on than the ones who love you best.

Learn to Love Lycra

"Buying snazzy new workout shorts or comfy new cross-trainers can really get you fired up to work out, " say Schlosberg and Neporent. Once you realize how much better the right equipment makes a workout, you'll be loving your sports bra as much as soccer star Brandi Chastain.

Dive for Dollars

Money is the ultimate motivator. Put a dollar in a jar every time you make it to the gym. At the end of a month, treat yourself to a massage. You'll be at the gym more often than the trainers.

It's About Time

"My mood motivates me to work out, so timing is everything," says Kathy Kaehler, personal trainer and author. If you aren't up for a workout don't feel guilty about postponing. On the other hand, exercise has been known to improve a bad mood. Work out your aggressions in the gym instead of at home or work.

[Crazy4MyK9 0]

Hi Everyone,

I fell upon this thread while searching "lack of energy." What a wonderful thread!!!

I'm so exhausted all of the time. I hope some of the tips here will help me.

Anne