The solution has been in front of us all along. Habits are the key to success – routine behaviors so natural you don’t need to give them much thought. Successful people adopt the laws of success by creating lifelong habits that become ingrained and as much a part of who they are as the color of their eyes. They don’t have to think about it. It’s not torturous. It doesn’t control their every conscious thought. It becomes second nature.
I want to teach you how to create habits; how to break the bad ones and create successful one. There are plenty of diet books on the market that do an exceptional job of teaching the principles of changing your mindset, shifting your thinking, and altering the way you process information to help you change your body. Awesome books built on sound research. I love the idea of changing the way you think. But where most of these books fall short is that they miss what I have discovered to be the secret to long-term happiness and sustained weight management: the application of the laws of success.
The ingredients to lasting success in any area are universal, and one of the key ingredients is our consistent action. Those actions become our habits. Those habits become our thinking. Those habits change our body. Those habits define our destiny.
Habits have nothing to do with skill, financial position, education, appearance, or gifts from God. Anyone can learn to create a new habit. The right habits are the only things that separate you from the life you want to live.
It’s very likely, however, that the life you currently have is making you fat. Oh sure, I can give you a great diet that, strictly followed, will allow you to drop megapounds, fast! If you want, feel free to skip the important stuff and jump right into another diet. If you just love the roller-coaster diet and you think the stress lines across your forehead are quite attractive, well then, be my guest and skip the important part. But if you do that, just know it’ll be like sticking a Band-Aid on a bullet wound; a temporary fix. But I think we’ve established you’re looking for a solution.
Reality check! I’m a crazy-busy devoted mom of 2, I run several non-fitness-related businesses, and I enjoy a date night with my husband. I don’t have a chef. We do have homework. There’s always some kind of emergency, or dog poop to be picked up, and I have exactly 1 hour a day to workout. I live on this planet and have the stress and distractions in my life just like you. But you need to know that your diet is a symptom. Your fitness or lack thereof is a symptom. They are not the problem, which is why addressing those areas as the solution provides only temporary relief.
I must admit that for the first 10 years of my career as a fitness professional, I too approached weight loss and fitness for my clients from the same dated perspective. I was stoked when my programs and diets worked, but mystified when 6 months later they ended up gaining the weight back or falling off the fitness wagon entirely. Then it dawned on me. I was teaching them to drive a car without ever checking to see if they knew the rules of the road. Most would reach their destination, but eventually, when I handed over the wheel, they would crash.
If you find that you’ve been stuck in the roller-coaster of weight lose and weight gain and your tired of it…please let me help you! Here’s what I’ve learned, you need a simplified way of organizing your life…you need to first put your life on a diet! How do you put your life on a diet? Well.. you take that first step. That baby step in the right direction. I want to motivate you to step towards integrating a planner/organizer into your life.
Now…. this is not a sale, because I want to preface this by saying that you need to go with a planner/organizer that works best for you! Mine not be the right one. So do your research and figure out what you like and dislike. If you’re interested in seeing what my planner is like, just head to SmartLifePushJournal.com to check it out. But whether or not you love my journal or find a different one that works best for you, I want to motivate you to find a planner and to start using it everyday. You’ll be blown away at where your life is 30 days from now!
I am so glad that I purchased a Beach Body dvd and told a classmate who shared with me her cousin was a Beach Body coach and that I should look you up. I did. I am so glad. I have looked forwarded to everything you have to offer everyday. Thank You Thank You Thank You!
You hit the nail on the head. I have a bad habit of turning to sugary treats when I stress out. It feel like something in my head tells me I need chocolate or a muffin to make it through. I am learning to balance things in my life. I try to workout hard when times are really stressful.
Love your stuff Charlene keeps me motivated
You inspire me every single day, from Turbo Jam and ever since. Doing PiYo now. Love you! Mean it! 😉
Thanks Kim!
Looking forward to the weekly articles. Starting you 30 day push today
Yeah Debbie! That is so awesome! I can’t wait to hear about how you’re doing 🙂
You always hit the nail on the head. I love your posts..always so positive and uplifting. I’ve fallen off the wagon after a two year body transformation due to a change of my living situation. I feel down and discouraged..but mostly disappointed in myself for seeming week. So thank you..you always make me feel that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Erase that disappointment Lisa 🙂 You have the opportunity to make today that day…that day you move forward with belief in your abilities and no doubt present. You lost weight before, so you’ve already shown yourself that you can do it. But now you have to do it with a different mindset. Don’t let the thought of potentially gaining it back come into your mind, because you are strong enough to keep it off. You know you are! But you first have to believe it without a doubt. Don’t let the past dictate your future. What ever weight you lost and gained back, is in the past. Make a decision right now to move forward with a different mindset. You can do it 🙂
I can’t wait to learn more 🙂 I’m doing PiYO on the second month now, as well as just starting as a beach body coach , and have two kids as well . Trying to organize and get stuff inline, this is exactly what I need and can’t wait to hear more from you 🙂
This is a great perspective Chalene and why I have so much respect for you!!! I cannot wait to read more!
I thank you for your words I sure need to get fit my friend and coach Rene Miller got me started with Shakeology and then PiYo and now you.I am going to do these things you all are teaching me. I may be slow. I can and will. Thanx
I love this! Just today I was talking with my best friend about how I am trying very hard to absorb any and all information on changing my attitude and learning the fundamentals of success. Looking forward to the upcoming posts. 🙂
Love this.
I feel like I’m in a good place but don’t want to lose that momentum. Something always seems to fall to the bottom of the list, and that seems too be housework or husband. I want to get these in check before I get complacent and fitness is what falls to the bottom of the list. Loom forward to the blog.
Hi Debbie, Thank you for your comment. May I suggest checking out my 30 day push challenge that teaches you how to organize your life and determine your life’s priorities. It’s a free program I created and it’s one I am so incredibly proud of because it has helped so many people 🙂 Maybe you and your husband could do it together? Go to: http://www.30daypush.com
Hi Chalene I absolutely loved this article! I am still new on this journey and am trying to absorb everything I can and learn as much as I can and pass that on to people who ask me what I’m doing? I’m currently doing Piyo right now and love it!! Thank you so much for being so inspiring and positive about everything! It keeps all of us who still have a ways to go going and knowing we can do this and reach our goal while in the process establish a new lifestyle and not a diet.
I am so looking forward to this! 42 and really hoping to get in the best health and shape I have ever been in. Need more energy and to figure our how to get things done with not feeling exhausted from daily work stress and home life chores! 🙂
I’m a huge PiYo fan(atic) and hopeful instructor-in-training. I’m blessed to be related to Master Trainer Ellen de Werd who introduced me to Beachbody – and I am so excited about sharing all of your insight and inspirationnin my own little hometown here in rural Missouri. Thanks for who you are what you do! Blessings to you!
Chalene,
I am inspired by you daily. Thank you for really taking the time to teach us ‘the rules of the road.’ God bless you and your family!!!
thank you Kim!
I blamed my bad thyroid when I gained so much weight . I have had so many problems losing the weight but I have slowly learned to incorporate better foods . I do still have the bad habit of picking trying to break that one and yes , I still love pizza . 🙂 But I am it 40’s and I physically and emotionally need a change . Thank you so much for piyo and for your words of encouragement .
God Bless you always .
So inspired by this blog! I have never had a problem with my weight, but I did have a problem with my mood. And making exercise a priority in my life is better than any antidepressant pill, caffeine or sugar fix. This post really hit home for me that I can replace my caffeine habit with an exercise and clean eating/drinking habit. Looking forward to your ideas and solutions to restore balance, peace and happiness. I think I am on my way, but I know I can’t do it alone.
I would love your help to get off this roller coaster ride.
Positive and motivate stay on track no negative. I hsve been doing your finesse tapes for over 4 years on new tape Piyo third week. Yeah
So looking forward to your Inspiring words to help me gain control.
Looking forward to it!
HI Chalene, I cannot wait to hear what you have to say next. For years I’ve been part of this cycle and struggled not only through weight gain and loss, but also through depression. Now I find myself navigating the horrible waters of divorce and am trying to just keep my head above water. I know now is the time to really focus on my own well being and look forward to your advice. Thank you.
Just signed up under team wild reign. Excited about the possibilities to get real.
I’m sure you hear this all the time… But you inspire me so much and I am so grateful I found you.
Thank you Lora! I’m glad too 🙂
I am OVER the roller coaster!!
This is just the boost I need to get my personal health life organized. I am just coming off physical therapy for a bulging disc and I need a plan to get back on track! Excited to read your blog.
I hope for a quick and healthy recovery! Thanks for reading 🙂
Really love how you break it down for us. Can’t wait to read your blog next week and learn more!
You are totally right! I need to get past the symptoms and find out what my real problem is
Thank you for sharing your wisdom! Looking forward to next week!
Sounds awesome!
This is a great post…I never thought of it that way…I can’t wait for the next one!
I’m in.
I’m a 57 year old mom that got married at she of 25 slim. And didn’t think about what I ate. I was always on the go. Had three kids( last of which got married last weekend). I lost all baby weight after third child but it seems to bounce back on. Ive tried every fiet known to man. I love thd beacbody programs but I seem to go straight in and if I don’t see success in that time I drift away. I even tried the “ideal protein” life style change. But with this u can’t exercise. As your body should be in kryodid to lose weight. I love to bike and biking was not allowed. So thst didn’t last.
I tried turbo fire but found it so fast paced that I gave up.
I recently got piyo and luv it here’s hoping. I am following u on Facebook so that is encouraging to watch ur energy
Liz
So nice to hear. I find myself all too often losing then regaining and ready to find a permanant LIFE STYLE change. Keep posting sista 😉
I’m in! I love your sincerity, Chalene. ❤️
I love love LOVE your blog!! thank you so much for this 🙂 <3
You’re so welcome!
Excited to learn more from you
I am a messy person. I throw clothes around my room, I leave my desk a mess, I leave make up on the counter. I’m not dirty- I do my dishes and clean the kitchen- but the counter tops are cluttered and I can never find anything. I have been trying to change this for several years. Reality struck the other day when I was with my 17 month old at a play place and she began tossing the toys on the floor ( just like I toss my clothes) when she was finished playing with them. Now, I’m not sure if it’s just her age or if she did it because she watches me do it- but SHE is my WHY and I must change my habits for myself, my business and for HER!
I am excited to read your blog next week. I am happy to receive any advice you can give especially organizing my life. Working out became like tying my shoelaces for twenty plus years now, so has not eating too healthy on the weekends and I KNOW it’s habit and so incredibly hard to change! I so enjoy my weekend wine and snacks and movies. I need a good replacement. 🙂
I also need to get organized already. I think I let things go because I know the job is big then look around and become completely overwhelmed and stressed out at what I’ve created. I accept any advice.
Thanks Chalene!
Julie
Thanks for your comment Julie! 🙂 I hope my posts continue to help you. To replace your weekend habits…find new one’s you love! Maybe replace the movies with a nice walk in a park, and the wine and snacks with healthier options. Have you checked out my new 7 day challenge. It’s loaded with some of my favorite recipes 🙂 http://www.cj7day.com My advice on being overwhelmed by the un-organization around you is to commit to doing a little each day. Take small steps 🙂 Don’t see it as one huge issue that needs to be conquered all at once. Take small steps each day towards a goal and before you know it, you’ll be surrounded by the environment you want.
I would love for you to reprogram me! I have recently lost 100lbs and did gain back some over the winter… I don’t like myself like this I loved who I was becoming! I need a push! Please help! ❤️Melissa Anwar
Hi Melissa, First congratulations on your weight loss. That is a big accomplishment and you should be so proud. First I want you to get rid of the guilt of gaining the weight back…that guilt is destructive…and just promise yourself that from this moment forward, it will be different. Make that conscious decision. You need to whole heartily believe that you’ll keep the weight off. If you think you might fail, your already setting yourself up. So start each day off with a positive mantra that affirms your belief in yourself. Maybe write it out on a sticky note and post it around the house. Stay positive and believe in your abilities 🙂
I’m so grateful I found you at this time in my life when I am looking to change for good. You are inspiring thank you!
You’re welcome Jenny!
Life diet? I’m in since I’m feeling all off balance these days. I was just driving home late last night after work out class wondering how I can be in charge of my life instead of just reacting to the crazy thing. Travel soccer is right around the corner!
This is a very refreshing and exciting outlook. I couldn’t agree more. My LIFE needs a diet! I need to adopt good habits!
I’m thankful for people like you who sincerely want to help others. You inspire me.
Thank you Shella!
I’m so in! School is starting and I teach fitness, but feel like I’m always rushing, and my husband is finally coming home from Afghanistan, so I want to be a better me!
Hi Danielle, thank you husband for his service. I think it’s so awesome that you are striving to be a better you 🙂 I hope I can help you on your journey!
I couldn’t agree more! I finally lost and maintained weight after several roller-coaster years by embracing new habits. Rather than making fitness a goal to lose weight, it became part of who I am. I am a runner, I am a that fit woman at the gym…. I had to embrace those identities (& the habits that went with them) before I even saw results. 3 years later (& even through a pregnancy) I have not only maintained those results, but become even stronger from my positive habits! Now if only I could embrace that same mentality in other areas of my life.. I will be following this blog for sure as I could use the encouragement!
So true…