Aspen Club and Spa

We are taught to think it throughif we really want to get what we want. Create a goal with a plan and a date.

It may not be a new concept but how often do we actually ask our body how it feels; what it wants and how we can tweak our behavior to meet those needs? Why would we do that when we have the perfect proven plan in place that we know will work?

I learned this concept in a backwards way while running (ya, it’s much more like jogging). Rather than just try to get through it a little faster, I started asking my body how it felt. I changed how I swung my arms to see how that affected the rest of my body. I leaned a little bit forward and added a spring to my step. I breathed out fully. I landed on the ball of my foot; then I landed on my heal. I loosened my neck and shoulders and let my arms flop around. I listened to the beating of my heart. Next thing I knew I was crossing the bridge and finished; having completed my run 10 minutes faster than the last time!

Think about all the other examples where listening to your body could further your dream:

1. Weight Loss - When hunger strikes, ask your body if it’s hungry or bored or lonely; maybe it just smelled the burger on the grill next door. Refer back to the example of my run and do something differently. If it’s boredom, loneliness or the great smell, call a friend to come over to cook and celebrate the day or celebrate with your family.

2. Spending - The same reasons as stated above can cause us to spend recklessly. And the result is always negative; from our bank account to how we feel about ourselves. Check in with yourself and ask “what do I really need right now?” I recommend you remove yourself from the object of your spending desire if you’re anything like me. When you ask the question, you might find out what you really need is to spend more time getting ready so you don’t want to change your look. You might find out that you feel deprived somewhere else in your life and go that direction instead. You might just really want that shirt, but at least you’ll feel great about it later on.

3. Relationship, Work, Cleaning, Watching TV. Whenever and Wherever you find yourself making a choice to act; or more importantly, really needing something - Check in with your body and your soul to ask yourself what you really need

The Life Coach with the PLAN, that’s me! I still value the importance of a clear vision, the strategies for overcoming the obstacles and the consistent action and accountability that has to follow if you want results. But, this is a whole other dimension that getting older and wiser has opened me up to. I can’t say I’m an expert at this but I can see it as the key component for lasting management of weight and SO many other issues.

Kim and Dirk give us an update on Kim’s progress with her weight loss program, “40 and Fabulous.
Kim is trying to lose 20 lbs in 20 weeks and complete 2 tri-sprints using Aspen Life Coach Dirk’s help and expertise.

Goal - 20/20/2=40. Lose 20 pounds in 20 weeks and compete 2 triathlon sprints by my 40th b-day on September 22!
Program - Fabulous and 40

Date - 6/14/07
Weeks left=12

Status as of week 9:
Pounds lost= 10 (left to lose-10)
Body Fat Goal - 25%
Clothing sizes lost= 2
Training= weight training,cycling/jogging/swimming
Biggest training challenge - still running! work/life balance

As we run and coach today, the tip for the week is just get out there and don’t worry about how fast or how well it’s going. With consistent practice the run in the event will be more likely to go well; than stressing and feeling anxious because running isn’t exactly my strength. By looking at the run as my last chance (it’s the last leg of the race) to be fast and knowing that I’m just not that fast, I worked myself into a frenzy. And I used to like to job before I started forcing myself to try to be fast!

I like this approach as a solid component of being fabulous in your 40’s in general. No longer are we forcing our results; but instead setting goals and strategies that feel good and attract results more naturally.

What other areas of life could this apply to effectively? For me, it’s all areas. If my relationship needs attention, it’s not up to me to force it into my way; if my work needs attention, it’s more effective to look at what’s going well and proceed in that direction. In my nutrition, rather than force myself to eat something I don’t want I can listen to my body and see what it really needs (and hope it’s not a big mac!)