My transformation

A year ago I was 3 stones heavier. I was depressed, restless and wanting desperately for my life to better.  In March of last year I had coffee with a friend who I'd known for a couple of years.  She knew that I'd been trying to work for myself but she knew my story.  I was talking to her and I started crying and I will never forget what she said to me in a very loving way.  You can do all these things but sort yourself out first.
She told me that there is no shame in getting the Dr to give me anti depressants.  I was horrified at the suggestion of drugs as I'm very much a holistic medicine type of person.  But I was so low I went and booked a Doctor's appointment - I didn't end up going to the until a month later.

The Doctor discouraged me from taking anti depressants as they were not a short term fix.  I can't remember what he suggested as an alternative.  So I left the surgery thinking there's one last thing I'm going to try - diet and exercise.  But I couldn't afford gym membership how could I do this?

In July 2012 Dax Moy offered a free Summer challenge.  It involved eliminating all processed foods out of my diet and daily exercise. I had done one of his 30 day challenges twice before and I lost weight but I only did the diet for about 15 days.  This time I was determined to do a clean diet and exercise together for the first time in my life.
I had exercised on and off after I left I left school  but apart from walking and sporadic yoga I didn't have an exercise routine.   It was hard at first.  I followed the diet as much as I could. I was to do the prescribed exercise 3 times a day.  But I just did one because I was walking 6 times a day to do school and nursery runs.

I stuck to the programme as I saw results almost immediately.  You have to drink a lot of water 1litre for every 50lbs you weighed so your body dumps the toxins. I could see a difference in day 2.  My ever growing stomach had reduced.

I did various challenges until July this year.  Today I am the same weight as I was at 22.  I feel 22.  I've got the authentic Melanie back - the mad, cheeky, loving laughter creative.  Gone was the sad, dry, self pitying empty shell of a woman.  I also did a lot of personal development and a lot of prayer, counselling.  You can't work on the outer without working on the inner.  The final act was believing in myself and just allowing myself to be.  And as Jim Rohn said I "Just do it."  No overthinking, I just did it.
I'm still a work in progress.  But there's a tangible change.
What do you want for you life.  The power to change starts with you.  It could start by doing one thing and doing it over and over again til you've mastered it. There are no quick fixes in life.  Its one foot in front of the other and its about having values and honouring them.
Can you transform yourself with some help - YOU'D BETTER BELIEVE IT!!!!

Visit www.londonpersonaltraining.com for a free download of the elimination diet.

Improving literacy builds confidence.

Have you ever got application forms for jobs and found your never filled them in?  Are you in a dead end job because you think you are not intelligent enough for anything else.

People who are not confident in their reading, writing and comprehension skills are held back by their perception of themselves.   Sitting with a tutor or coach while they read or ensure they have understood a piece of work is a real confidence boost.  Having someone encourage you sharing learning strategies with you are a huge boost to confidence and can help you make leaps and bounds in achieving personal goals.

The challenge is to cut through the stigma and shame of feeling inadequate.  If you need help ask for it. It is often good to approach a professional or an experienced teacher for this as they will not judge you and affirm your strengths and highlight areas for improvement. 
A person who knows they have dyslexia and embraces it is far more productive and successful than someone who has it and tries to hide it.  A person who seems highly successful to you has strategies they use to help them to achieve things.  We all have strengths, areas for improvement and things that are just plain difficult.  It is useful to know what all of these are so you know you know what areas you should get help in and spend time improving your strengths.

If you need one to one help with literacy please contact me on medgar238@gmail.com.

Overcoming fear

One of my fears was selling.  Many people think I can do it but I used to feel uncomfortable selling things to people.
I now have found something that I am passionate about - pampering and skin care.  Selling involves doing the things I love, dressing up, wearing make up but most importantly being able to help others.
I still have barriers to climb but I have decided to stick at it and hold on to the rollercoaster safty bar when I face things that I'm uncomfortable instead of stopping the ride and getting off.

What is self-confidence?

Self confidence is that unshakeable belief that whatever you set out to achieve you will.  You believe this even when the people around you think its risky.  Moreover you achieve what you said you would in a timely manner.  Your achievements are gained with the minimum amount of fuss or fanfare because you are operating in your gifts and talents.

You are driven, lively, enthusiastic with purpose and a goal to achieve.  You are not afraid to move forward even though the way ahead is not clear or straightforward.  You take time for yourself fulfilling your spiritual and emotional needs in a way that is nuturing and non destructive.
This is true self confidence.

Do you know who you have around you?

Many of us start things we don't finish for one reason or another.  If it is something that we are meant to do the non - completion haunts us.

I am completing my PGCE in Lifelong nearly 10 years after doing the full time course.    The reason why I have been so successful this time is because the course really compliments my teaching and it provides the tools to support me in trying new things and I am surrounded by the most supportive classmates, lecturers and tutors.

Up until last week I was feeling overwhelmed by the amount work I had to do.  I only had very short windows of time to do my coursework and planning for my teaching.  Just talking about it drove me to tears.  But I was not suffering without any support. 

I have a beautiful work colleague and friend who offered to help me with some research and she directed me to my mentor.  My mentor is a long standing friend, colleague and near enough family member.  She reassured me that what I have to achieve is possible if I consistently do my planning in the two one hour slots I had available. 

Just having my mentor say it was possible freed my mind.  I didn't do anything that immediate weekend but the following week was more positive and productive.  I managed to plan my lessons to a level that I was pleased with and I managed to do two lesson evaluations.  I also planned my "catch - up" planning for this half term and I have looked at research for my assignment. 

I feel free and my creativity has again been unleashed.

Who are the mentors and the positive enablers in your life?  Identify them and therein lies the key to achieving your goals.

Let me put this is Coach speak.

Limited belief = can’t do so much work in so little time

Met with mentor = your impossible is possible if you are consistent.

Tom Preston (2009) describes the benefits of coaching as:

·        improved performance

·        effectively manage change and enhances prospects

         of survival

·        the creation and  nurturing of people with a drive to succeed.

Reference

Preston, T (2009) Coach yourself to success Management Books 2000 Ltd