Take a risk...don't let fear hold you back :-)

How many times have you held yourself back from an opportunity, situation or idea just because you though you might fail?

I know that I've been a culprit of it before! But the interesting thing is - as much as we try to subconsciously tell ourselves that something bad will happen if we don't succeed in whatever endeavour we are trying to achieve, that 'bad thing' is never as bad as we thought it would be.

If we are always holding ourselves back from attempting new things, how will we ever grow? Achieve? Succeed? And continue to expand our goals or dreams?

These situations can range from asking you boss for a pay rise, changing careers or jobs, dropping everything to travel the world, asking that ridiculously good looking guy if he fancies a coffee or even giving a new skill or hobby a go. But each of these situations as just as important, and potentially life changing as the next.

Think about a moment in your life when you wanted to try something new. Do you also remember a time when you actually gave it a go and it turned out to be one of the best decisions you have ever made? Now think of that and remember that satisfied feeling when you start to feel the 'nerves of change' start to creep up through your veins!

Next time you find yourself looking at a situation that is making you anxious enough to feel as if you shouldn't be doing it, think about the following.
- Try to picture the worst possible outcomes that could occur if you go ahead with what you wanted to do.
- Now, picture the best possible outcomes that could occur.
- Now - look back at the worst possible outcomes thinking about the likelihood that they will occur. Even if they do occur, will it really be that bad? If your boss says 'no' to that pay rise, will that damage your future in your chosen profession? I think not.

The big thing is remembering that even if whatever it is you attempt doesn't quite work out perfectly, just take a second to have a look at what you learnt from it. You may have discovered more about yourself; likes, dislikes, strengths and weakness'. You may have found yourself in a position you never imagined, but a position which you are more satisfied with than you planned!

Life is full of risks. If we never take them, living in the fear that we will fail and 'life will fall in a heap' is no way to explore the magic and potential of the world.
Taking risks builds your confidence in yourself, and shows you that you actually are strong enough to achieve the things you set for yourself.

Why not? I dare you! Xxx

Fit, healthy & happy...not just weight loss!!

After recently reading through some very well known women's health and fitness magazines, I found myself reading a story on how great the magazine is; that it represents real, fit and healthy women...but then two pages later....and throughout the entire magazine, it doesn't really promote just being fit and healthy.
When every few pages, the headline article is about the fastest way to lose weight, or the best exercises to 'banish fat' from your problem areas.....girls - what does that make you think about? Of course - there is that pressure from society - subtle, but just enough to turn your subconscious thoughts and level of self esteem into over-drive!

The thing about being fit and healthy, is that you DO NOT have to look a certain way.
The negative effects of that 'extra pressure' to be thin are known now - and it has some devastating effects. Some, sadly even fatal.

Being fit and healthy means having an abundance of energy, to feel amazing and confident in who you are as a person, to have be able to complete the goals you set yourself; be it a fun run, a hike, or to be able to complete a whole boot camp session without feeling like you're going to die!!!! (Oh yes - I hear you!).

We all know that being active and eating a wide range of nutritious foods (well, at least most of the time!), reduces our risk of a long list of lifestyle related diseases. These include mental health illness', cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and even arthritis to name a few.
But if we are within a healthy weight range, feel strong, fit and feminine.....why is that pressure to focus on 'fat loss' remaining with such vigour in our society?

I so often find myself talking to smart, caring and infectiously bubbly, when the topic of conversation moves from what happened on the weekend or at work, to how hard it is to lose the extra kilograms off their bottom!

It is fine to have a goal to lose some weight, if you are slightly over the 'healthy range', particularly if it is causing other health problems.
But lets just stop for a minute and think about how fantastic it feels to raise that heart rate, sweat enough to re-fill the Nation's dams (and yes - it looks really lovely to your personal Trainer - as I keep telling myself!!), to have shapely and strong looking bodies and more importantly to not have to race to the scales as soon as you finish a workout.

If you feel amazing - you are amazing! Just please - do not be swayed to think that one of life's greatest ambitions should be to be a super model. I will just throw it out there - but out of the billions of women in the world, only about 15 are supermodels!!

Why take the focus from the undiscovered world around you, miss the beauty in your days and be unhappy for one silly thing?
take some time to reflect on the things that really matter in life. The goals and dreams you have, the people around you, and the brilliant woman you have and will continue to be.

You are gorgeous. Never forget that! Xx

Just be.....without question xx

I often find myself being in an amazingly and giggly happy state, but then thinking too much about it to the point where I question why I am actually really happy. What is the thing that I thought I was happy about is not really there? Or maybe it is? Am I really happy with what I am doing and will this feeling last?

It's funny how we find it so difficult to 'just be'. I - like many of you I'm sure are a serial 'over-thinker'. I am fine if I am busy, but as soon as I start to reflect or look at what I am doing or the situation around me...my energetic and somewhat un-tamed mind starts to wander and imagine things that could potentially arise out of a great moment (good or bad).

However, I do give myself a pat on the back to say that this year in particular has been an amazing learning curve, where I can sit back and just take whatever is being thrown at me, and the feelings that pair it.

I have definitely learnt that life is full of ups and downs. Every year, every month and even every day you will find yourselves in moments of absolute elation; feeling as if you have just climbed mount Everest or have made one of the biggest achievement of your life. other times you will feel so flat that you find it hard to just get out of bed or jump in the shower.

Girls - this is life. Those moments of elation wouldn't be so intense if we didn't have those down moments to match it. Life is a rollercoaster, and one which we are constantly learning, growing and exploring every inch of life itself.

So next time you start to panic as you're mind decides there needs to be a reason for it to keep remaining happy, just accept the emotion. If you're feeling happy - be so bright and bubbly that people bounce and smile in your presence. If you're feeling sad or nostalgic, be sad and nostalgic. It isn't always a bad thing. If you're freaking out with anxiety and anticipation over that job interview - take it and use it to keep you 'on the ball', ready to respond with passion, emotion and enthusiasm. That first kiss with a new partner - just enjoy it without thought of whether things will work out in the future, whether you are completely compatible or not, or whether you are making the right decision; those butterflies make us feel alive!
If the feeling doesn't last, who cares. You know that - they make life interesting!

Even if you have a bad few days - remember that awesome, happy moment you had a few weeks ago? One of those is right around the corner.

Short and sweet, but my challenge for you is just to feel every inch of life. Enjoy it while it's awesome and learn from it when it's not so great. Be glad to be alive.

xxx