LOVE YOUR BODY!

Taking care of yourself is not just a physical act of eating healthy and exercising, it involves mental and emotional growth. Believe it or not, this is something that I practice with my clients and it’s an important element in your long term success.

I find it fascinating that if I ask someone to name five things they don’t like about themselves, it’s easy for them to list them, without pausing. Yet if I ask the same person to name five things they love about themselves, they are uncomfortable and have a hard time coming up with the list. There’s no better month then February to take some time to give yourself a little love!

Here are a few of my favorite tips to help you get on track:

1. List five things you love about your body.
2. Start a compliment journal. Every day, give someone a compliment and write down the compliments you remember receiving. Keep your journal up to speed. It’s fun to refer back to it on a day when you are feeling a bit down.
3. Spoil yourself a bit! Take time to exfoliate your skin, put on lotion, spend a few extra minutes on your make up or hair, and wear your favorite outfit. It sounds a bit silly, but it’s important to take time to pamper yourself a bit.
4. Make a habit of positive self-talk. Every time you notice yourself saying, or thinking, something negative about yourself, quickly replace it with a positive statement. For example “I hate my arms.” Replace it with, “My legs are beautiful and I’m enjoying working on my arms!” You’ll be surprised at how much better you feel.
5. Embrace your imperfections. There will always be things that you don’t love and can’t change about yourself. Embrace them and know that they make you unique. No one focuses on the little things more then you do!

My favorite Valentine treat is Chocolate Covered Strawberries. They are really fun to make with a friend or loved one and even more fun to eat. Skip all the high calorie boxed chocolate and heavy deserts and enjoy these heavenly little treats that also pack some nutrients!

Recipe of the Month

CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES

INGREDIENTS: 

• 6oz of organic dark chocolate
• 3oz white chocolate 
• 1 lb of organic strawberries, washed and dried very well. 

DIRECTIONS:
Melt the chocolate in the microwave at half power for 1 minute, stir, and continue to heat until smooth. Line a sheet pan with parchment or waxed paper. Holding the strawberry by the stem, dip the fruit into the dark chocolate, lift and twist slightly, letting any excess chocolate fall back into the bowl. Set strawberries on the parchment paper. Repeat with the rest of the strawberries. Dip a fork in the white chocolate and drizzle the white chocolate over the dipped strawberries. Or get creative and dip the berries in crushed nuts!

Exercise of the Month

This month I want you to try something a bit different. Find your balance with your knees bent and hold it there for 1 minute or work on extending your legs into a V position as shown.

Be sure to keep your shoulders pushed down away from your ears, keep your chest up, and your back flat.

Don’t worry if you can’t get it right away, just trying will give you a great core workout and a good stretch. (And possibly a few giggles!)

This is a great “feel good” exercise to incorporate in to your daily routine!