Goals for New Year 2008

December 30, 2007 By 26 Comments

What is your Vision for yourself for 2008?

I like to think in terms of a Theme or a Vision for myself, instead of only concentrating on New Year Goals.

Here is what I mean:

1.  During the past 10 years, each year, my theme/vision was Freedom

2.  This includes health freedom, money freedom, time freedom

3.  I created a Vision Board to help keep my focus (some people call this a Dream Board)

4.  The  Vision Board does contain goals, but within the framework/vision/theme of Freedom

5.  One-word Ideas for a Vision or Theme can include:  Love, Success, Happiness, Abundance, Prosperity, Wellness, Peace, Harmony

6.  My theme for 2008 is Gratitude

During the past 10 years, having a  Vision Board  has been one of the major keys to success in health, money and time for me.  Of course, I used a poster board, and cut out pictures from magazines to create my  Vision Board  but now we have a wonderful electronic version you can purchase.

Be sure and check it out for yourself and get yourself motivated for 2008!

Let me know what your Vision is for yourself for 2008.

Happy New Year! 

With Gratitude

Diana Walker, Cravings Coach

Filed Under: Healthy Lifestyles

Stress Management, Stress Relief

December 19, 2007 By 2 Comments

10 Steps to Stress Management and Stress Relief – I have some suggestions in response to my “Are You Stressed?” blogpost here:

http://thecravingscoach.com/blog/are-you-stressed-checklist/

1.  Say No – do not overschedule yourself

2.  Rest — Get a good night’s sleep

3.  Do not work more than 9 hours in a day (I know, I know, there are lots of us Work At Home Moms who find this almost impossible!!)

4.  Relax - Take at least half an hour off in a day – just for you.  Practice a relaxation or stress-reduction technique.  Go for a walk, listen to music, practice deep breathing, spend time with your pet.

5.  Eat regular and healthy meals and snacks – junk food, sugar and alcohol cravings are going to come when you have low blood sugar - Nutrition is a key factor

6.  Exercise – we all know how important this is for stress reduction and to raise the endorphins.  Even 10 minutes of exercise, 3 times a day, will really decrease your stress levels.

7.  Do not drink alcohol, smoking or drugs to relieve stress.

8.  Laugh – enjoy movies, cartoons, time with family – whatever lightens your mood.

9.  Slow down – make sure you check in with yourself, and learn to recognize your own stress levels.

10.  Attitude.  Work on having a positive attitude on an ongoing basis.  Watch what you are thinking.  Your outlook, attitude, and thoughts influence stress levels.

Take baby steps in your stress management program — stress relief will result in a more vibrant, more healthy YOU – with less emotional eating and less cravings for junk food, sugar and alcohol.

Diana Walker, Cravings Coach

Filed Under: Cravings Weightloss

Are you Stressed? Checklist

December 19, 2007 By 2 Comments

Are you stressed?  Cravings for junk food, sugar, alcohol, smoking all increase in our fast-paced world, and especially when we are under extreme stress, or stress for long periods of time.

Here is a checklist – How much stress are you under?  Are you suffering from too much stress?

1.  Anxiety or panic attacks?
2.  Pressured, hassled, hurried?
3.  Irritable and moody?
4.  Trouble concentrating?
5.  Trouble sleeping?
6.  Tired much of the time?
7.  Sad and depressed?
8.  Close to tears much of the time?
9.  Drinking too much alcohol, smoking, doing drugs, especially to help you through difficult times?
10.  Physical reactions – stomach problems, headaches?
11.  Allergic reactions – eczema, asthma?
12.  Overeating?  Eating when you’re not hungry?

If you answer Yes to more than 4 of these questions, you are stressed.
You can’t continue on this way. 

Thoughts and attitude are key.  Also, relaxation, rest and sleep. 

See my 10 Solutions for Stress Management, Stress Relief

Diana Walker, Cravings Coach

Filed Under: Cravings Weightloss