Seriously. Yesterday I was at a biannual trade show where I sell my book. I started working the trade show 6 months ago. Last time I was there, I had reasonable success as a first-time vendor selling my book Stop Overeating Today! This time was looking better. I was more relaxed and had some great freebies to hand out. I made an audio cd with tips like: 1) 5 ways to eat more fruits and vegetables 2) one mistake to avoid when trying to lose weight 3) 2 new ways to beat emotional eating and 4) how to play a more empowering role around food. I was also handing out shopping bags for free, because some of these shoppers had their bags full and their arms full too. Handing out free things without expecting a sale was a good feeling. I was reaching a new audience - people who wouldn't normally go out and buy a book on weight loss and wellness.
So here's the part about yesterday being AWESOME. One lady walked passed my table and almost nonchalantly remarked, "I love this book! I lost 50 pounds since I bought it 6 months ago at this event."
My jaw dropped. I just stared at her.
--"You lost 50 pounds since you read my book!" I exclaimed. "Can I give you a hug?"
Because there was so much going on, I didn't have a chance to ask her which tips were the most effective for her. Usually there are some that are universally moving. Tip #10 that talks about how to stop emotional eating by using the 4 questions is powerful, as is the one about getting over your guilt trip. I did ask for her e-mail and she said she'd send me before and after pics (yay!) and a testimonial.
I was absolutely thrilled for her - so proud of her. Another woman stopped by my table and told me about her heart attack 10 years ago and how changing her eating habits will literally change her life. She bought my book and I asked her to follow up with me.
Why are some people successful and others not? That is another question I will ask my 50 pounds lighter friend. In my own experience, it's because you are dedicated. What makes someone dedicated? Persistence (just take your stubbornness and use it to benefit yourself), humility (realizing you can't do it on your own and you need help), self-respect (loving yourself enough to help yourself, and a positive attitude. That's what helped me. Just the high you get from losing the first couple pounds can mobilize you to continue doing the positive things you are doing. Learning how to talk to yourself and get rid of negative self-talk was probably, for me, the #1 influence that helped me lose 35 pounds.
What about you? If you've lost a bunch of weight in the past, what was your secret? If you are trying to lose weight now, what do you think it would be? Comment and let me know!
(sidenote: after hearing that woman's incredible success story, I told everyone who stopped by my table and sold twice as many books as last time. Mentioning I was featured on the Dr. Laura Show didn't hurt either)
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Make a list...take a chance...make a change
Ha ha! I'm feeling kind of cheesy today so my title comes from a Kelly Clarkson song. I love singing and I'm a huge music lover, so almost any phrase, such as, "make a change" will trigger some song in my head.
The change I'm blogging about today is about switching from processed sugar to natural sugars. WHAT?!? You may be thinking. I'm not suggesting doing this FOREVER, just giving it a chance next time you are craving something sweet. This is easy, comes in 3 steps. Here goes:
1) Make a list of all of your favorite naturally sweet foods. Mine includes: agave nectar (nothing better!), figs, dates, bananas, orange juice (not from concentrate), apple juice (not from concentrate), mangos, and ripe strawberries (if they are too early they are sour - no thanks).
2) Go buy a couple of these sweet treats this week when you're out grocery shopping.
3) Next time you crave something sweet, have one of these foods FIRST and then if you are still craving processed sugars later and you want to give in, at least you can credit yourself with something healthy first.
My bet is that many of you will stop after the natural sugar. Give it a shot, then comment with your feedback!
The change I'm blogging about today is about switching from processed sugar to natural sugars. WHAT?!? You may be thinking. I'm not suggesting doing this FOREVER, just giving it a chance next time you are craving something sweet. This is easy, comes in 3 steps. Here goes:
1) Make a list of all of your favorite naturally sweet foods. Mine includes: agave nectar (nothing better!), figs, dates, bananas, orange juice (not from concentrate), apple juice (not from concentrate), mangos, and ripe strawberries (if they are too early they are sour - no thanks).
2) Go buy a couple of these sweet treats this week when you're out grocery shopping.
3) Next time you crave something sweet, have one of these foods FIRST and then if you are still craving processed sugars later and you want to give in, at least you can credit yourself with something healthy first.
My bet is that many of you will stop after the natural sugar. Give it a shot, then comment with your feedback!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Love Love Love this Blog!!
So I was parousing the other day and discovered www.confessionsofacompulsiveeater.com and I asked the blogger to review my book. She's doing a free book giveaway of Stop Overeating Today! on her site - check it out! And check out the 34 comments. A lot of encouragement floating around. I love how the blogger shared 12 bite-sized samples of my book's strategies - smart way to showcase the book and help people at the same time.
The book was called doable and down to earth. Check out the 12 tips yourself that are portrayed in mini fashion.
Enjoy!
For more info about Stop Overeating Today!, please visit www.stopovereatingtips.com
The book was called doable and down to earth. Check out the 12 tips yourself that are portrayed in mini fashion.
Enjoy!
For more info about Stop Overeating Today!, please visit www.stopovereatingtips.com
Monday, March 8, 2010
Gratitude Makes me Full
With Haiti and Chile's latest massive earthquakes and the deaths and diseases that have resulted on my mind, I want to write about gratitude today. It hit me this morning that I have everything to be grateful for and nothing to complain about. Do I have everything I could ever want? No, but I have everything I could ever need and more than the majority of the people in the world.
If a massive 9.0 earthquake shook the ground where I live in Orange County, CA, my home wouldn't tumble to the ground and crush me. That's a pretty significant thing, because so many in the rest of the world don't have that luxury. If there was a tsunami warning here like they just had on Oahu and I had to evacuate immediately, I would just grab my 72 hour kit backpack and go. (Hopefully I'd have a good amount of gas and not have to wait in line at the gas station). I stopped and talked to this woman the other day who had a sign that said, "Homeless with Kids." She didn't look much older than me. I asked her, "So, do you really have kids?" I've seen a lot of beggars that scam people, pretending to have limps and such. She told me about all four of her kids and how her husband lost his job so they were living in a motel in Long Beach. I gave her some cash, got her phone number, and told her I could point them in the direction of a good free employment center.
Man, I thought to myself, I am so blessed. Four kids in a motel. I asked the woman where she was from and she pointed out towards Pacific Coast Highway and said, "I used to live right over there." Kind of hard to believe a few years later she'd begging in her old neighborhood.
Anyway, the more I have felt grateful and humbly acknowledged that I have a more comfortable lifestyle than the majority of the world, the more satisfied and full I been. A lot of overeating is emotional. You don't feel full and satisfied emotionally so you turn to food to fill the void. If that describes you, try reading the news and counting your blessings. Your problems may seem a lot smaller and more manageable and you will have less of a void to fill.
Check out my book, Stop Overeating Today!, for more tips: www.stopovereatingtips.com
If a massive 9.0 earthquake shook the ground where I live in Orange County, CA, my home wouldn't tumble to the ground and crush me. That's a pretty significant thing, because so many in the rest of the world don't have that luxury. If there was a tsunami warning here like they just had on Oahu and I had to evacuate immediately, I would just grab my 72 hour kit backpack and go. (Hopefully I'd have a good amount of gas and not have to wait in line at the gas station). I stopped and talked to this woman the other day who had a sign that said, "Homeless with Kids." She didn't look much older than me. I asked her, "So, do you really have kids?" I've seen a lot of beggars that scam people, pretending to have limps and such. She told me about all four of her kids and how her husband lost his job so they were living in a motel in Long Beach. I gave her some cash, got her phone number, and told her I could point them in the direction of a good free employment center.
Man, I thought to myself, I am so blessed. Four kids in a motel. I asked the woman where she was from and she pointed out towards Pacific Coast Highway and said, "I used to live right over there." Kind of hard to believe a few years later she'd begging in her old neighborhood.
Anyway, the more I have felt grateful and humbly acknowledged that I have a more comfortable lifestyle than the majority of the world, the more satisfied and full I been. A lot of overeating is emotional. You don't feel full and satisfied emotionally so you turn to food to fill the void. If that describes you, try reading the news and counting your blessings. Your problems may seem a lot smaller and more manageable and you will have less of a void to fill.
Check out my book, Stop Overeating Today!, for more tips: www.stopovereatingtips.com
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