Surrender

The next time you're worn out, don't tell yourself to pep up.
Do what your body and brain want: surrender to the weariness.
Breathe into it.
--Martha Beck, Finding Your Way in a Wild New World

We push ourselves day in and day out. Not letting a drop of sleep deprivation show during important business meetings or showing any sort of weariness when we meet with our personal trainers. We've told ourselves day in and day out that being worn out is a sign of weakness, and we must struggle to hide the 3 hours of sleep we put ourselves through.

Then something happens. Maybe that cold finally catches up to you, or getting out of bed seems even a bigger chore than ever before.

That's when we need to remind ourselves that it's ok to say no. That's it's ok to cancel. That it's ok to "schedule" time for workouts, eating, sleeping, cooking, playing. That it's ok to just Breathe. And surrender. Listen to what your body and brain want and feed those desires without guilt.

I Love My Record Player

"I love my record player." -Nora

Live, Love, Learn

"Confidence comes not from always being right but from not fearing to be wrong."

- Peter T McIntyre

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We all make mistakes sometimes. Don't waste time with regret or guilt. These are emotions that cause you to live in the past. What counts is how we learn from our mistakes, how we live life moving forward after we've acknowledged our misfortunes, how we love post broken heart, and how we remain fearless in the face of the unknown.

Destroying Guilt

I don’t believe in guilt. I believe in living on impulse as long as you never intentionally hurt another person, and don’t judge people in your life. I think you should live completely free.
-Angelina Jolie

You can't have guilt if you don't believe in it right? More guiltlessness:

• Make motivating/inspirational lucky stars to share with friends and guests in your home. Love this idea shared by our friend Jessica

• Learn these: 20 Things People With A Positive Body Image Know

• How photoshopping alters our perception of beauty: a fantastic post by Beauty Redefined

Have a completely free and Guiltless week!

I Love My Sense of Adventure

"I love my sense of adventure!" -Erin

I Love My Laugh

"I love my laugh!" - Carly

Why do you workout?

Personal trainer and Pilates instructor Phyl London has taught me a lot about working out: Keep your head up, stay aligned in the feet and hips, tuck the ribs, bend the knees, BREATH. But last night when we were working out, I had an "aha" moment. The question: "Why do you workout?" is a loaded one. Often, people begin workout routines because they want to lose weight, or they feel guilty for eating a high calorie meal, or they have an upcoming event that they want to lose weight for, or they simply have an ongoing goal to look better. But the benefits of exercise run so much deeper than these reasons.

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My conversations about health and fitness with Phyl have revealed something to me about my mental connection to being physically active. Though exercise, I have gotten stronger, more confident in my physical capabilities, more serious about my muscle and skeletal health, and I look toward a future of flexibility and strength in my older age. I used to agonize over a missed workout, because I thought that taking a day or two off for some rest meant I was lazy. Now I realize that rest is extremely important and valuable to both our physical and mental states. Your relationship with exercise, just like your relationship with food, is an important place to explore your relationship with yourself.

I treat working out in Phyl's classes like a sports team practicing, because each week we build on our skills and challenge ourselves a little more. And even if we fall or fail, we try it again and again until we master it. And that's what working out means to me: To challenge my body, my mind, and my confidence. And that's Guiltless.

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No?

Yes or No?

Ok I admit it. I'm a people-pleaser and have a much easier time saying yes than no. Combine that with some of my perfectionist tendencies and you'd think I'd be a total wreck. But I like to think I keep to together most of the time, and it's only because as I've gotten older I've learned to say no. To say no to the things, people and places in my life that don't push me to a better place, that don't improve my life, that aren't worth the effort. By reassuring myself that it's ok to say no. And be Guiltless about it. because there is a time for every Yes, and every No.

I just loved this 3 pearls of wisdom from 40:20 vision that I couldn't NOT share them!

To be able to say no without guilt.

~2~

To learn how not to take no for an answer.

~3~

To know when not to say no. Take some risks and embrace a little fear into your life.

Yes or No? and When?

I Love My Height (or lack thereof)

"I love my height (or lack thereof)!" -Lisanne

For the love of....

For the love of YOU, take some time today to decompress. Studies show that stress is linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Have a little heart and show yourself some love today!

In other news, check out this amazing article by Jane Brody from the NY Times. Very inspiring, and I can't wait to read the book! Favorite quote: “You are not responsible for all the things that happen to you, but you are completely in control of your attitude and your reactions to them. Adopt a policy of being joyful.” Stay tuned for my book review.

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And while we're on the subject of life lessons, check out Mark & Angel's 26 life lessons learned by age 26. Very wise! Two of my favorites: "Marry your best friend" and "If you never act, you will never know for sure."

Be well and enjoy the day!

Don't Let Overanalyzing Bring You Down

Do you run through past events over and over in your head, thinking about what went right or wrong, and how you could have made it better? While a little self-reflection is fine, overanalyzing each and every situation at work, in your relationship, or over your exercise or diet routine can sabotage you. The more you ruminate over past events, that are unchangeable, the more you look at present and future events through a negative lens. Let's start 2012 on a Guiltless track and stop overanalyzing right.now.

• Take action If possible come up with a solid solution for the problem. You can’t change history but if you shift your focus on things that can be addressed, you can start to move on. For example, if you're dwelling on the number on the scale, don't beat your self up. Instead get moving, try a new sport, start to think about your relationship towards food. take positive steps in the right direction instead of wallowing in your past.
  
• Take attention off the issue But not just by watching mindless television or going on a shopping spree. Instead do an activity that will keep you mind engaged and involves social interaction if possible. Great ways to set your mind free are sports like tennis, board games with your family or a nature walk with a friend.
• Be mindful Your thoughts do not have to control you. Pause. Be Mindful. Focus on the present moment without any judgment. Notice your thoughts, but let them go without judgment like branches being swept away in a stream.
• Patience Don’t beat yourself up because overanalyzing is tough to beat. While these steps will help you to break down the negative track in your mind, they do take time and practice to be effective.
  

Just like diet and lifestyle changes, breaking away from negative self-talk is a journey.While avoiding overanalyzing it’s important that you don’t overgeneralize (My date last night was awful-i'll never find love) or disqualify the positive (I feel great sticking to my exercise plan this week, but I drank a little too much last night) or thinking in all black and white terms (I can never eat my mother’s cookies ever again). Stick to these ways to break the overanalyzing track, and you’ll start to see your present and future in a much brighter light. Stay Guiltless!

I Love My Consistently Messy Desk

"I love my consistently messy desk!"-Sheri

Just a reminder...

There is no better time than right now to appreciate yourself.

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Inhale the good, exhale the bad. Let in the light, be rid of the dark. Once you free yourself from negative thoughts, you'll be at home.

Take it from Bob

From Dylan himself, here's my one resolution that we should all have this year:

Dig Yourself Here's to a Guiltless 2012!