I have found that the biggest challenges that we face, particularly when it comes to changing our diet and lifestyle are that old habits and the way that we view ourselves can keep us from sticking long term with our well intentioned plans.......

The following is a brief outline on things that you can do, to really embrace change long term and get the body, energy and life that you truly deserve!!

1. Get clear on what you want and why... Do you want to be healthier to feel good, look good, have lots of energy for your relationships and your family? To love yourself, to be around to see your grandchildren grow up? (these are just some ideas to get your own thoughts going....) What's your biggest reason and what will move you almost to tears when you think about why you want to do it?What do you want, is it really good health? A particular weight or body shape? Lots of energy? Be able to run/ perform/ or achieve a certain goal?You need to be clear and specific and to hold that image in your head and visualise it daily....By being clear on what you want and why you want it will keep you motivated and driven when things are feeling the most challenging to stick with your new eating plan.

2. Develop a new Identity..... Think of yourself as a healthy, fit person. We will do more as humans to stay within our current Identity of who we think we are.... By visualising and seeing yourself and thinking of yourself who is somebody that takes care of their body and themselves and who is fit and healthy, you will be pulled to make better choices with your food.Also getting others on board with this who really support you in your goals is absolutely critical.... If you spend a lot of time with people who eat unhealthy food, drink lots of alcohol or don't take care of their body, you may find it challenging to keep eating healthy when others aren't. They may also say things like, it doesn't matter, just this once won't hurt you.... which eats away at your own resolve to get your goal....3. Develop New Daily Consistent Habits which support your new goal and new vision for Yourself.....We all have habits, it just depends on which ones that you are consciously aware of each day that are determining the rest of your life. Examine all of your things that you do in a day, on a regular basis...... Which habits are supportive of you eating healthy, being healthy? Which ones are taking you in the opposite direction? If you have habits which don't currently support you, make some changes and substitute old habits for new things which will. It might be instead of watching a TV program, you might go for a 10/20 min walk instead..... Changing my daily habits has by far been the biggest way that I have changed my life and which shapes my life in the future more than anything.....It's about finding things that help you feel good and that set you up both mentally and emotionally for the day, below is what I do, only to give you an example, however, you can put in whatever works best for you

Rise at 5am

Drink lemon juice in water first thing

Meditate/ Do Breathing Exercises

Write in my gratitude journal of things that I feel grateful about

Visualise and write things in my journal of things that I would like to have in my life as if they have already happened

EFT Tapping - (Google this if you're interested - it's great at clearing lots of emotions if we feel down or sad.)

Exercise - normally for 45mins, if I'm short on time I will do a 20 min work out instead

Plan for the day - what I'd like to achieve, what's on my goal list of things I'm working towards

Review my goals - watch my goal movie I created through windows power point this includes lots of pics of things I'd like to have, be and do.

Read a positive, life inspiring book for 10 - 20 mins

Dedicate specific quality time for my daughters

Listen to Positive Audio during the day when I am driving, or are doing some housework

It seems a lot I know...... and some days I don't get it all done, and that's ok as well. However these are my foundations that keep me feeling great and solid emotionally and mentally, which allows me to cope with all the other stresses of everyday life. These habits help me be the best me that I can be in each moment, regardless of what is happening in my life.....Sometimes it can also be confusing knowing what to eat, and when to eat it and what is the best or healthiest thing.... There seems to be so much conflicting advice out there..... My biggest advice to you is to become really aware of how you feel after you eat what you are eating, this will be the biggest guide as to what works best for you in terms of diet etc..... Notice if you have more energy after eating your meal, or if you feel tired. Do you feel light and happy and healthy, or really blah, exhausted and over full ? Also be aware of if you are really hungry or just thirsty and or ask yourself if you are eating to help you feel better, because you are feeling bored, sad, tired, angry etc... etc.... I also found it super helpful to have a list of things I could do that helped me feel good, if I did find myself eating not because I was hungry, but because I was not wanting to feel what I was feeling emotionally..... I stuck that list up on the fridge and the pantry, and so any time I could look at it, before I started emotional eating and have a list of things that I could choose to do instead. Things like putting on happy music, dancing, deep breathing, tickling my children, going for a walk, watching something funny on you tube, ringing a friend....... The other thing that I found made the biggest difference for me in maintaining a healthy lifestyle is by being prepared...... I rarely have rubbish or junk food in the house, normally only on special occasions, I have loads of fresh fruit and vegetables etc in my fridge. I have lots of things prepared and ready to eat at any moment - celery/carrot sticks cut up, raw vegies washed and cut up, boiled eggs.... lots of things, so that at any time I come home and I'm starving hungry, instead of going for that packet of biscuits or other things, I can grab some healthy food straight away.... If you are not sure on what positive books or audio to read or listen to I highly recommend any of Wayne Dyers books - particularly "Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life." Louise Hay is also amazing and I love her "You can Heal you Life" book too.There are loads more, but those are the two that I would start with. Finding somebody that inspires you and that you resonate with their story is the best way.... There is so much great info available these days on the internet. If you look up this website, it has great info and books available, remember that you can always borrow from the library too, it doesn't have to cost you anything but your time. http://www.hayhouse.com.au/topiclist.php

Lastly, be kind and gentle with yourself, the more that you can do this and really love yourself, you will be able to forgive yourself when you slip up, and be able to pick yourself up again and get right back on track..... Success is rarely a straight line...... THE MOST important thing, is to do things that help you feel happy and that demonstrate SELF LOVE..... There is nothing more important than appreciating the positive things about you, and taking TOTAL responsibility for your own choices and your own happiness.....

Wishing you every success in gaining more love, health, happiness, joy, energy, and wealth in 2014 xo