Spring into action - Make 2010 your best Summer yet

Spring into action

Make 2010 your best Summer yet

By Michelle Zelli

It seems that having a trim body and feeling great is on most people’s wish list when the sun starts to shine. Taking control of habits and excuses and walking down the High Street in a pair of cool jeans, a simple white T and the most glamorous of sandals seems to be a fairly popular goal.

If it’s yours too, stop now for a moment. Take time to imagine the sun beaming, people smiling and you are, for the first time in a while, happy to be clothes shopping. Of course you have a wardrobe full of clothes that, till now, you’ve been unable to wear as you insidiously outgrew them. Gorgeous clothes, that once taunted you from their hangers, are now beckoning. Today you are adding to your collection because it’s time to treat yourself.

Natural colours are being touted as this spring and summer’s look. Muted khaki, beige and sand, for example, brightened with coral and sky blue. Today, on your first truly joyous shopping expedition, you are intending to add a few key pieces to your wardrobe to bring it bang up to date. How liberated do you feel? Relaxed in the knowledge that clothes slip off their chi-chi boutique hangers and fit your body perfectly, looking fabulous?

You walk taller, your hips seem to have regained their feminine sway, and your waist is trim. You are happy and so very proud of yourself as you look back at those first couple of weeks when you felt unfit and unhealthy, pushing your flab to move around the gym. God, ... it was hard work back then. Yet within just a few short weeks you learned that your muscles had form, your Endorphins are your best friends and the feeling from saying “No” to anything that doesn’t feel good for your body far outweighed the momentary addictive fix of sugar or carb.

You set specific dates for goals along the way - milestones to flag your achievements as your hard work and tenacity paid off. You are now truly back in control. For some the markers are a holiday and for others a birthday or, perhaps, even a husband’s sabbatical. These dates are in your diary and highlighted, each one reminding you that you are on track and programmed for success.

As you evidence your newfound motivation it will un-nerve other people who will try to tempt you back into your old ways. This is what they know and we all feel more comfortable when we can predict what those close to us will do. When you show warrior discipline and focus it will cause people to question themselves and rather than work on their own stuff, they will kindly seduce you back to their comfort zone. Understand this for what it is, the offer of a hot doughnut or big slab of cheese “Because it won’t hurt this once and anyway you really deserve it” is for them - NOT YOU!

If you are obsessed with the scales, realise that what the scales say has nothing to do with being slim. When you are working out regularly, you will build muscle and the scales do lie.

As a fit and trim size 10, I actually weigh more than when flabby and tipping a 14. If you only rely on the scales to monitor your success you are setting yourself up for negative feedback. A tape measure and specific moles to ensure you are always measuring the same place are your best friends here and the REAL measurement of your success.

Calibrate how your body felt before you embarked on exercise and notice how it has literally woken up. Appreciate your body. If every time you think about your body you are using unpleasant words and feelings, what will you get? More of the same. Your body works fine and will amaze you as it responds to your attention - thank it and appreciate it every single day. The more you do this, the quicker you will see results. Why should it become your willing servant if all you do is berate and scold? You know that encouragement and appreciation works wonders.

The body you have today is the result of your own past thoughts and actions, or in-actions. If you are not happy with the way your body looks, take responsibility for what you have created. Apologise to your body and mean it and be prepared to be astounded as it changes before your eyes, as you follow through your commitment towards feeling great, looking amazing and radiating health and vitality.

Here’s to a slim and gorgeous Summer 2010!

Michelle Zelli is an NLP registered life coach

For further information or to arrange a consultation with Michelle Zelli telephone: 075 25 208 369, email: mz999@me.com or visit www.michellezelli.com