When you LOVE someone, you want to take care of them.
You want to make them feel good.
In short, you want them to feel loved.
But, when it comes to loving yourself, do you feel loved?
Sadly, most of us say we don’t.
And I think it’s because we don’t stop.
We’re always on the go.
And we’re rarely taking the time to feed ourselves what we really need and want.
That’s one of the big reasons I became a coach.
My work is all about helping you LOVE yourself into good health
Because I know that when you love YOU, you’ll take care of yourself.
You’ll prioritize yourself.
You’ll be healthier, feel good inside and out, and get the most out of your life.
And, without even realizing it, you’ll pay that forward.
Belly Fat and Self-Love
The reason I pick on belly fat is because I know it’s something that we hate on.
It shows up in perimenopause and menopause, and most of us aren’t happy about it.
However, like it or not, with a change in hormones, there’s a change in shape.
But that doesn’t mean we should ignore belly fat.
Or that we should assume weight gain is a normal part of aging.
I think belly fat is a sign that we need to pay MORE attention.
Because it’s directly linked to our health.
And unfortunately, calories in/calories out, killer workouts, and deprivation/restriction don’t quite cut it.
Your body doesn’t respond in the same way it used to.
So, the way you care for your body has to change, too.
I believe it’s a good time to work smarter, not harder.
And that means a brand new approach.
It’s an approach that’s behind what I teach my clients.
And it’s very simple.
So, I’ve actually summed it up in a formula (yes, I love math… I guess that’s the engineer in me):
BREATHE + EAT + MOVE + FEEL =
MORE TIME, MORE HEALTH, and MORE LOVE FOR YOU!
In this formula, there are parts, I’m sure, that look familiar to you when it comes to losing fat and getting healthy.
But there a couple of new things, too.
So, I challenge you to be open.
Because, what I’ve learned through experience, and through the research, all boils down to this:
Hormonal belly fat is essentially stored stress.
So, that means if you unpack your stress, you’ll be able to unpack your fat.
And all four parts of the formula will help get you there.
Here’s how I break each part down…
1. BREATHE
Breathe means literally that.
Breathe more.
More consciously and more often.
Breathing is your natural source of calm.
And it’s a proven way to reduce anxiety, tension, and improve clarity and focus.
And it’s proven that when you’re less stressed, your body stores less fat around the middle.
BREATHE can look like a few deep breaths every so often, or a meditation, or a good night’s sleep.
Breathing is what keeps you alive and present in your life.
So, focus on calm, rest, and relaxation and you’ll begin to notice a change.
Some questions to ask yourself here:
- Am I having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep?
- Is my mind constantly running on a hamster wheel?
- Do I feel like I’m not getting any me-time?
- Do I find it difficult to calm myself down or relax?
2. EAT
EAT is for sure about eating healthy foods.
But it’s much more than that.
It’s about focusing on HOW you eat.
Being grateful for the food in front of you, and being aware of how much, how it makes you feel, and how fast you eat it.
Food is necessary.
But it’s also deeply ingrained in our traditions, relationships, routines, and emotions.
Hence, our connection to food is much more than just for survival.
And that relationship can sometimes feel like a complicated mess.
So, EAT is about untangling that web while strengthening your positive connections with food.
Some questions to ask yourself here:
- Do I eat when I’m not hungry?
- Is my snacking at the end of the day/at night out of control?
- Am I frequently bloated?
- Am I suffering with acid reflux or indigestion?
- Do I eat because I’m feeling sad/angry/frustrated/happy/excited/stressed?
And because food and eating are a significant part of my equation – and because the holidays are approaching – I’m re-launching my 5-DAY EATING FOR HAPPY HORMONES CHALLENGE on November 28th, so stay tuned for that!
(actually, you can register here, starting today… it’s FREE!)
3. MOVE
MOVE challenges you to make time for your body.
It builds strength, flexibility, balance, and keeps you mobile so you can do everything you want to do.
Moving doesn’t just provide physical benefits, but it also benefits you mentally and emotionally.
Of course one of the biggest barriers to moving are some of our favorite excuses:
“Too tired,” “too busy,” and “don’t feel motivated.”
So MOVE will require you to get creative.
And take the time to discover the types of movement you’ll actually enjoy.
Some questions to ask yourself here:
- Do I feel off-balance, or uncoordinated?
- Am I frequently stiff, or in pain when I wake up?
- Do I sit most of the day?
- Am I out of breath taking the stairs?
- Am I missing flexibility or mobility to do some of my every day activities?
4. FEEL
Finally, FEEL is like the thread that weaves all these parts together.
Your feelings are responsible for most of what you do.
They inspire you to move, eat healthy, and take the time to breathe.
But they can also demotivate you, and destroy your best intentions.
So, with FEEL, you learn to feel your feelings, the good and the bad.
And realize that they’re just vibrations in your body.
Nothing more.
And a really great thing about feelings, is that you can GENERATE them.
So, if you want to feel motivated, strong, beautiful, or happy, you can.
Questions to ask yourself here:
- Am I avoiding my feelings by eating/drinking/shopping…?
- Am I afraid to feel anger/sadness/failure…?
- Do I feel numb a lot of the time?
- Do I want to feel more love/happiness/joy…?
Did you answer “YES” to most of my questions?
If you did, you’re definitely not alone.
And you’re not without a solution.
Because there are things you can begin doing TODAY to change those “yes” responses to “no.”
As a coach, I take you through all four areas of your health and well-being.
I help you get from where you are now, to where you want to go.
And along the way, I’m helping you balance this equation.
So that you’re stronger in all four areas.
And so that that you’re losing belly fat, improving your health, increasing your energy…
And loving yourself.
Now, to help you out, I’m re-launching my 5-DAY EATING FOR HAPPY HORMONES CHALLENGE.
It starts Sunday, November 28th… Just in time to get you through the holidays!
Keep moving forward,
Debbie
P.S. If you have a question for me, or something you want to discuss, you can always book a time to talk here: https://calendly.com/debbie-harbec-coaching/free-consultation