Today is a new day for my health, my body, my weight, and my heart. Ever since I met Leah Segedie (@bookieboo) at TypeaMom last fall, I’ve be watching moms involved with #Mamavation get healthy and lose weight.

I’ve been watching from my sofa, from my kitchen table, and from a distance.

I’ve been extremely inspired by Stacie from The Divine Miss Mommy (@StacieinAtlanta on Twitter) and Renee from Cutie Booty Cakes (@ReneeJRoss on Twitter) and many other moms as they shared and share their get fit challenges and successes each week online.

So today I am finally able to listen to my natural inner wisdom and pledge my commitment to the #mamavation Sistahood.

Today I’m expanding my circle of support to get fit and lose weight. I’m also going to start shedding light on what I have not been doing and what I want to be doing to move forward towards my ultimate fitness goals.

I want to lose weight.

I will be writing about my weight loss challenges and successes, but I don’t just want to focus on weight loss.

I want to focus on getting healthy and fit!

How I Got Here…

After my 3 year old was born, I joined Weight Watchers. I gained almost 60 pounds during the pregnancy and lost over 75 pounds with Weight Watchers. In September, 2008, I hit the top of my weight range and declared that to be my goal weight. I then became a Lifetime Member and maintained my weight for the past 16 months. Although I celebrate the fact that I have not gained weight, it also frustrates me that I have not lost weight either.

In all honestly, the Weight Watchers goal weight I set is not my authentic goal weight. I still have 10-15 pounds I want to lose.

Where I’m Going…

• I’m going to create a Mamavation Monday post every week to explore my weekly successes and challenges as I begin to live the healthy lifestyle I was born to live.
• I’m going to be twittering about my healthy lifestyle successes and challenges using the hashtag #mamavation.
• I’m going to get involved with  Mamavation Mondays on MomTV at 7pm PST/9pm CST/10pm EST. I welcome you to watch the Mamavation Mom live on MomTV with the Mamavation Coaching Team.
• I’m going to connect with and support other moms involved with mamavation. I think this connection will probably be the most rewarding part of the process.

This Past Week

Goal – My goal was to become aware of my eating habits, how much I moved, and how healthy I truly felt throughout the day.

Challenges – I craved sugar and carbs all day, every day.

Accomplishment – I worked out for 45 minutes last night!

Check out Mamavation if you want to join me! Cheers to getting fit and to living a healthy lifestyle.

photo credit: Olivander

Writing down goals changed my life and it continues to improve my life every day. Last year, I wrote down the following goal…

I want to collaborate with successful and inspiring women.

The power of these written words drew amazing, successful, and extremely inspiring women into my life. Through TwitterMoms, I recently met and interviewed mompreneur Chandra Clarke, one of the founders of Scribendi, which is a professional editing and proofreading business that helps writers reach their highest potential.

Chandra inspired me to write down my BIG goals for finding even more authentic space in my life to pursue my BIG dreams. She told me to “go big or go home”. So before getting off the phone with her, I wrote down the following goal…

My goal is to find even more time to pursue my life coaching and social media coaching business.

I sat with my new goal for many days and then took action. In December, I asked my manager if I could start working 4 days a week instead of 5 in 2010…and he said YES!

I asked.

He said yes.

I now have more time in my life to pursue my life coaching and social media coaching business.

I now have life coaching clients! I now have social media coaching clients!

I’m now living my dream!

I’m living my dream because I intentionally wrote down my goals, which led me to listen to my natural inner wisdom.

Thank you Chandra.

Chandra also gave me the following advice as a working mom to help me push my mompreneur dreams up a notch…

• Create a detailed vision of success, otherwise it’s harder to get there.
• Book speaking engagements to meet clients.
• Hire an intern to free up your time to do the things you love.
  
• Remember short term sacrifice is worth long term goals.
• Take risks with your business.
• Routines help you stay focused.
  
• When starting a business, start with the end in mind.
  

Chandra loves working with mompreneurs to help them meet their communication and marketing needs. You can find Chandra at…

• Scribendi.com
• @Scribendi_Inc
• Chandra’s Humor Blog

“Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do, begin it.
Action has magic, grace, and power in it.”
~ Goethe ~

This is the time of year to dream. I invite you to dream about the year you want to have, the life you want to live, the energy you want around you, and the goals you want to accomplish.

Then I invite you to start putting your dreams into action because only action will create results.

Ten Ways to Achieve Your Dreams in 2010

1. Write down your dreams.

2. Think about the details of your dreams so you have a clear vision.

3. Face your fears and don’t let fear get in your way of action.

4. Don’t expect perfection. Expect and celebrate mistakes and imperfections along the journey.

5. Keep moving forward regardless of mistakes and imperfections.

6. Be aware of how alive you feel when you take action on your dreams.

7. Acknowledge beliefs and judgments that may be holding you back.

8. Take baby steps (micromovements) – baby steps are manageable and achievable.

9. Hold yourself accountable.

10. Consider consequences – what happens if you don’t pursue your dreams?

Free Life Coaching Session

To help you dream big and take action, I invite you sign up for one FREE LIFE COACHING SESSION. During this free session, I will support your natural inner wisdom as you explore what 2010 means to you and what actions you want to move forward with to live your best life this year.

Action brings results and it makes us feel alive so sign up for your free coaching session today!

This is Your Moment

1. What dreams do you have for 2010?
2. How are your taking action on your dreams?
3. Want’s stopping you from taking action?

photo credit: Stuck in Customs

Life is busy.

Life is crazy.

But still, if you look closely, there is time to find a moment to simply be in the moment.

Sometimes it’s only 5 minutes. Sometimes it’s only 1 minute. Sometimes you have to hide in the bathroom. Sometimes you are fortunate enough to find it in the garden or somewhere in nature. Sometimes it’s in meditation. Sometimes it’s laughing with your children.

Can you find time today to simple BE in the moment?

photo credit: kk+

As moms, we are so busy taking care of everyone and everything. Just today, for example, I cleaned up the house, got everyone dressed, prepared the family to get out of the house for our weekend outing, packed snack bags, bought drinks, put on bike helmets, cut ravioli, stopped many fights, removed a head from being squished from a door, cooked and cleaned up lunch, paid bills, and engaged my children in programming filled with biking, playing, exercise, and our imagine station…all before noon.

Sometimes we need to stop and just take care of ourselves.

One way for you to do this is to find enough time to simply be alone with your authentic self. So, I am encouraging all of my readers to go on an Authentic Self Date this week.

Authentic Self Date: This is two or more hours that you spend totally alone. It’s time to be still, to be creative, to reflect, and to reconnect with yourself.

Go On an Authentic Self Date with Yourself…

…Earn Some Link Love.

1. Find two or more hours this week and go on an Authentic Self Date (see below for suggestions).
2. Twitter about your Authentic Self Date to give other moms permission to do the same (link back here so they can read the how-to info).
3. After your Authentic Self Date, share your experience in the comments section on this post or on your blog.
4. I will post all Authentic Self Date comments or blog posts in a follow-up post with lots of blog and twitter link love.

Suggestions for Your Authentic Self Date…

Note: This activity and the following suggestions are adapted from Renee Trudeau’s book The Mother’s Guide to Self-Renewal. Renee recommends not going shopping, running errands or going to the movies during your alone time.

• Spend time in nature (park, nature preserve, lake, etc).
• Go to a coffee shop or tearoom.
• Have an all natural organic picnic.
• Sit outside and enjoy some ice cream.
• Take a bike ride or a relaxing walk.
• Write a poem about how motherhood has changed you.
• Take a yoga or meditation class.
• Create a gratitude journal.
• Curl up in bed with your journal and reflect.

This is Your Moment

Don’t let anything get in your way! Curve out time this week and enjoy your Authentic Self Date. We can’t wait to hear all about it.

“When you calm your mind and your senses,
you become conscious of your always-present inner Self.”
~Unknown~

I was introduced to Snatam Kaur’s song Long Time Sun during my very first Kundalini yoga class at Lululemon’s last night. If you are not familiar with Kundalini yoga, I believe it combines more traditional Hatha yoga with physical meditative techniques. The purpose of Kundalini yoga is to awaken inner knowledge.

At the end of the yoga session, my instructor invited us listen, meditate, and sing to Snatam Kaur’s beautiful song filled with sunshine, light, and inner truth.

Today, I invite you to listen, meditate, and sing to Snatam Kaur’s beautiful song too.

May the long time sun shine upon you
All love surround you
And the pure light that’s within you
Guide your way on

May the long time sun shine upon you as a woman and as a mom.

“Self-care is not about self-indulgence,
it’s about self-preservation.”
~ Audre Lorde ~

(Thank you Renee Trudeau for sending this
great quote in your newsletter this week.
We hope to see you at the Twitter Party)

This time of year is a perfect time for some quality self care for moms and for a self-renewal Twitter Party for moms. My oldest son is starting kindergarten next week and there are so many NEW things in my life…new routines, new people, new mail, new responsibilities, new schedules, new lunch menus, new meetings, new questions, new opportunities, and new challenges. I’ll save kindergarten for another post, but my point is in the midst of all the new things I’m taking on, I know I also need to find time for self care. As Audre Lorde’s quote says, it is not about self indulgence, it is about honoring and preserving my authentic self and my authentic voice in the midst of potential chaos.

I Invite You to Celebrate Your Authentic Self

Thursday, Augst 27, from 8-10pm EST, I will be hosting my  first Self-Renewal Twitter Party for Moms! I’d like to thank everyone who has helped me spread the word about this Twitter Party for Moms. Many, many, many thanks to…

@sharonrose
@sd_elise
@toddlercraft
@pinkginghamom
@inspiremedaisy
@staceyshipman
@shelleyellen
@ToBeThode,
@LadyInfant and
@mommymystic

RSVP and check out all the juicy details of my Self-Renewal Twitter Party for Moms here.

The Winner of the Daily Me Time Spa Candles Giveaway

Diane from Contentedly Neurotic won the Spa Collection Soy Candles & Reed Diffuser Gift Set from Kathy Ireland Home by Hanna’s Candle Company. Diane was selected randomly from Random.org. Congratulations Diane.

I’ll see you Thursday evening (8/27)
for my Twitter Party using the hashtag
#RENEWAL

Comments are closed.

I’m Throwing a Party on Twitter!

photo credit: guttersnipe.76

Inspired by Mom It Forward’s Girl Night Out (#gno), Renee Trudeau’s book Mother’s Guide to Self-Renewal: How to Reclaim, Rejuvenate and Re-Balance Your Life, and the Mama’s Coach’s Self Renewal Party, I am hosting my first Self-Renewal Party for Moms on Twitter.

WHAT: During this self-renewal party for moms, we are going to look at me time and self-care (nurturing yourselves) on all levels—physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. You will leave feeling empowered to practice the art of self-care.

WHEN: Thursday, August 27, 2009, 8pm – 10pm EST (Mark Your Calendars)

RSVP: Add your name and Twitter username in the Mr. Linky box below (e.g. Your Name: Stacey, Your URL: http://twitter.com/CreateaBalance). Be sure to follow everyone else on the Mr. Linky list and/or in the comments section.

#HASHTAG: Twitter using the hashtag #RENEWAL.

Prizes and Swag: Of Course! I’ll be giving away prizes throughout the party.

More About Self-Care

Renee Trudeau writes about the different levels of self-care in her book Mother’s Guide to Self-Renewal: How to Reclaim, Rejuvenate and Re-Balance Your Life

“Physical Care
• Be kind and loving to your body—appreciate your body.
• Nourish your body by eating healthy and energizing foods that make you feel great.
• Get enough sleep and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
• Exercise to replenish your energy and manage stress.
• Take time to enjoy, nurture and appreciate your physical appearance.

Emotional Care
• Have a heart-to-heart with a close friend or mentor.
• Have kind, loving thoughts about yourself (try no criticism for one week!).
• Seek out support from a therapist, coach, social worker or counselor.
• Journal—write down your feelings and thoughts.
• Go on a fun date alone or with your partner or organize a monthly girls’ night out.

Spiritual Care
• Take time to be by yourself to think or write.
• Take a walk in a park or out in nature.
• Meditate, pray or just reflect on what you’re grateful for.
• Do something creative: paint/draw/write/dance/sing.
• Volunteer for a cause you’re passionate about.

Mental Care
• Read a good book or see an intellectually stimulating movie.
• Learn a new hobby or skill.
• Sign up for a class, group or workshop on a topic that is interesting to you.
• Challenge yourself within your community or at work to learn something new”

Remember… Add your name and Twitter username in the Mr. Linky box below (e.g. Your Name: Stacey, Your URL: http://twitter.com/CreateaBalance).

I’m excited to share a snapshot for my new direction for CreateaBalance.com. Since I don’t like long posts, I will be providing more detail overtime.

When I Started Blogging…

When I started blogging in February of 2008, I knew I wanted to build a platform where I could reach out to women and let them know that the 21st century demands of being everything to everyone does not mean women also need to lose their authentic sense of self.

I wanted to let women know that although we can now have it all, having it all is exhausting and that the (amazing) pioneers before us didn’t leave us a manual. As women, we have so many exciting options ahead of us. The challenge today is having to choose between the many options; having to create a balance so our plates aren’t so full that we start drowning in our own success.

When I started blogging in February of 2008, I wanted to reach out and connect to women and I have met the most incredible women along the way. To my surprise, I have also met the most amazing men. For the past 18 months, I have been part of the most incredible blogging tribe. It is located around the world, it is diverse, it brings me joy, and I am honored to be a part of this online blogging community.

Honoring My Blogging Tribe

As I sit at this crossroads, bursting with excitement to set a new mommy vision for my blog, there is a part of me that knows my new direction won’t be a perfect match for some of my current tribe members. I recognize some of them are not mommies. I won’t name you here, but you know who you are. Please know how much I value your friendship, your support, and our connection. All I can say is thank goodness for Twitter.

It’s All About Mommies

I believe CreateaBalance.com’s greatest value is still ahead of her (yes, my blog holds feminine energy). I am harnessing and listening to my natural intuition so this day forward CreateaBalance.com will focus specifically on helping moms create balance in their lives.

My New Direction

Again, all the information will unfold on my blog overtime so be sure to subscribe for free so you don’t miss any of the juicy details.

1. Practical ideas for moms so they can practice the art of life balance – At a high level, this means I will be writing about…

• Finding moments of stillness (meditation, yoga, your breath, however you define it),
• Finding time to work on your dreams,
• Connecting with your family, friends, and husband,
• Connecting with your evolving and growing authentic self,
• Paying it forward and serving others,
• Focusing on your fitness goals,
• Finding moments to escape from your daily routine.

2. Me Time suggestions for moms so moms can find Me Time on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis.

3. Life balance related reviews, giveaways, and contests for moms – Yes, I am officially becoming PR friendly.

4. The Inspiring Moms Club – Each week I will be celebrating moms so we can all learn from amazing moms who are practicing the art of life balance.

5. Paying it forward for unbalanced moms – Together we can help moms who are hungry for balance. I can’t wait to start giving back and getting this project off the ground.

6. The Create a Balance for Moms Newsletter – If you haven’t already registered for this free resource, sign up now.

7. Life coaching for moms – I will start offering e-coaching and traditional life coaching for moms. I have special life coaching programs for mommy bloggers.

This Is Your Moment

Say you’ll join me on my new adventure. I’m excited to be living my authentic journey and look forward to sharing this dream with you.

Help me spread the word about my new direction via twitter, stumble upon, a link on your blog, etc…

Please let the mommies in your life know there is a resource online to support them as they move from mommy survival to mommy revival!