One Baby Step after Another

What if you could look in the mirror and see a vibrant, happy, fit woman looking back at you? What if didn’t cost a fortune and didn’t require a dozen maids? Sound too good to be true?  Well it isn’t.

At age 50 I was a frumpy, old, tired doctor who had spent years taking care of patients and family and was just worn out and broke.  I knew about a clean diet and I knew volumes about health and nutrition, but I was clearly not the picture of health!

When I had my body composition done at 50, I discovered I was over 40 percent body fat, less than 20 percent muscle mass and had the internals of a 90-year old.  Those numbers were a wake-up call!  I knew that something had to change besides a legalistic diet and a lot of supplements.  I needed to learn to take care of me and create life!

Tristan takes time for himself.

One of the first places I began was to create time to exercise. My first foray into that foreign realm was on our recumbent bike.  Thirty seconds (seconds, not minutes) later I was in bed in tears and overwhelmed.  From that simple beginning, I was diligent to do something every day.

Today, seven years later, I do work with a trainer (I’ve changed my financial picture which is another story) and have created major changes. Just this week I did 60 push-ups and 35 triceps dips!  Just a year ago, my body didn’t know it had triceps!

I’ve changed my diet to add much more protein (to fuel those muscles), eliminated sugar and simple/ processed carbs and increased my water consumption.  I’ve found a delicious protein shake that tastes really good that is allowing the protein intake to be easy and fun.  As a result, the muscle is packing on and the fat is melting off.

Seven years later, I’m 40 pounds lighter, 3 jean sizes smaller (size 14 to a comfortable and I look years younger. Friends enjoy my presence as I’m no longer a walking dictionary, I’m a fun person who easily smiles and laughs.  Learning how to take care of me has taught me how to enjoy life.  I never knew those two were connected!

Life can become enjoyable and full of good things.  The person to change is you –  your circumstances and relationships simply reflect you.  Stop the complaining and fussing.  Decide you want something different and find someone to help you create that change.  I am the perfect example that change can happen at any age and lead to a life that is richly rewarding.

A big nonna hug to Dr. Cheryl Townsley for guest blogging:

Dr. Cheryl Townsley is a nationally recognized media personality, author and speaker.   She has authored 15 books on health and wellness and appeared on thousands of television and radio shows. For 15 years, Dr. Cheryl and her husband Forest ran a million dollar a year wellness clinic with over 20,000 clients from around the world.

At the age of 50, Dr. Cheryl recognized the professional stress was too expensive to her own health, her family, and their lifestyle.  She and her husband closed the clinic to pursue learning how to let life be easy and  balanced while still creating health. Today they are able to empower more people through coaching and mentoring while also enjoying their lives with ease and balance.
Click Here for more information about Lifestyle for Health.

CLICK HERE for the Baby Bites Store.

For info about the FREE Baby Bites Ezine,  CLICK HERE

Sometimes, moms can wear themselves out and they rarely take the time to take care of themselves. As little girls we have dreams of our prince in shining white armor and a fairy tale life. We finish school and then life seems to take a turn. One by one our dreams get set aside and hopes dwindle. We reach that ‘certain age’ and life seems to be a big challenge.

By the time I reached 50, I had achieved success as an author (published 15 books), media guest (over 1,000 shows), naturopathic doctor (working with over 20,000 clients from around the world  in our clinic) and was the master of a perfect diet and supplements.

You would think I would be the picture of health and joy. In truth, I was a tired old woman who looked older than 50. I was tired of taking care of everyone else and had no idea what to do differently. How could I have created this ‘old woman’ when I knew so much and worked so hard?

Taking care of others can be exhausting.

The key is in the last sentence. Hard work and knowledge will not create a life of joy or the energy to enjoy life. In fact, it does the opposite.

Today, at 57, I’ve lost 40 pounds, lost 3 sizes in jeans (size 14 to a comfortable 8 and usually a 6), eliminated hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt and have friends amazed at the “fun woman” I’ve become. My life is filled with more joy, fruit and hope than ever before.  I enjoy my life, my family, my friends and my opportunities.

What allowed that change? Three simple steps have changed my life.

1. I learned to say ‘no’ and take care of me. The scripture, “love your neighbor as yourself” is true. You can’t love others more than you love yourself.

2. I honestly acknowledged what I wanted to create. I got honest and acknowledged I wanted a fit body and to be free of debt with health and financial margins. I wanted it more than my comfort zone and was willing to do what it took to make the changes . .. with balance!

3. I created a game plan to move me toward what I wanted. Once you set that game plan in place, just know that the ‘program’s that have kept you stuck will show up. Guaranteed!! You must have a support team who cares about you creating your desire more than keeping you comfortable in your mess!

A big nonna hug to Dr. Cheryl Townsley for guest blogging:

Dr. Cheryl Townsley is a nationally recognized media personality, author and speaker.   She has authored 15 books on health and wellness and appeared on thousands of television and radio shows. For 15 years, Dr. Cheryl and her husband Forest ran a million dollar a year wellness clinic with over 20,000 clients from around the world.

At the age of 50, Dr. Cheryl recognized the professional stress was too expensive to her own health, her family, and their lifestyle. She and her husband closed the clinic to pursue learning how to let life be easy and  balanced while still creating health. Today they are able to empower more people through coaching and mentoring while also enjoying their lives with ease and balance.
Click Here for more information about Lifestyle for Health.

CLICK HERE for the Baby Bites Store.

For info about the FREE Baby Bites Ezine,  CLICK HERE