The Inspired Eater
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Five Pearls for Crushing It As We Lose After 50

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Meeko, 10, is the supermodel for The Chic Dog Boutique ‘s stunning doggie jewelry collection.

I’ve noticed that so many of us love animals.

But I promise. This is not a “walk your dog for better health” post.

Here we go.

Pearl # 1

I run my German shepherd daily to keep his ten-year-old self in shape, and it occurred to me that what you and I do for our darling fur-people in their senior years is an interesting tutorial for our own lives.

Some examples:

  • I make sure River moves daily. Instead of running him for a full hour like I once did, I break his walks into two: one in the morning and another in the evening. Translation for humans: Incorporating fitness into several parts of our day might be more do-able than one great burst of a workout.
  • I won’t let River become overweight. He’s fairly sedentary now, so keeping calories light is vital. Today snacks are banana, carrots, cut up apple, cucumber and the like. Translation: I know, you know, but it bears repeating that you and I need fewer calories these days too.
  • I keep it fun for River. For example I put him on a sit/stay and hide his breakfast or dinner bowl somewhere on the first floor of our house. I then yell, “find!” And he tears through the rooms looking for his food. He usually finds it quickly, but I’ve stumped him a couple of times. In other words, I do all I can to stave off his boredom. Translation: Losing after 50 is no walk in the park. Snoozy-food causes big trouble. Keep healthy food that excites you on hand 24/7.
  • I brush – actually, Furminate – River daily. I want him to feel pampered and loved. Translation: Make the extra effort to take care of yourself. That might mean asking your partner for a foot rub or it might mean a professional massage. Be creative and come up with ways to Furminate yourself. Daily.
  • At ten, River naps more. Translation: don’t fight a siesta. If you need to close your eyes, close your eyes. ♥

Pearl # 2

Here’s the thing, we think terrible, awful, no-good unhelpful thoughts about ourselves on the regular. Dare I say it: we can be very hard on us. Check out this tool that will keep your brilliance front-and-center.

What is one of the proudest experiences of your life?

I’m talking about a successful experience that will always leave you thinking, I can’t believe it, but I did it. I actually did it. I’m talking about the kind of success that’ll melt your heart even when you’re 98.

For me, that experience is homeschooling my two. I will forever be astounded at what the four of us – my husband and the “boys” – accomplished.

Okay. Now watch how I embed the memory into my daily life.

First, in my mind, I choose an object.

For myself, I choose the first Little House book by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I then direct myself to infuse the Little House book with the elation and pride I will always carry in my heart about homeschooling.

I then ask myself to make the Little House book huge like a mountain in my mind. I do.

Then to make it tiny like a diamond ring. Again, I do.

Finally I make the book a regular size, and coach myself to recall this image daily. The idea is that every time I think of the book, I’ll be immediately flooded with wondrous pride at homeschooling my two from snickerdoodles into incredible young men.

Now it’s your turn. Think of a time when you blew your own mind. Embed that fabulous experience into one object. Objects can be an image of a tall pine, a 4th of July firework’s finale, even a green sea turtle you once saw in Hawaii.

Now mentally place your “overflowing pride” memory into, say, the sea turtle. In your mind make the turtle huge, then small and finally medium. (You’re showing yourself that you have control over your turtle-thought.)

This tool is a way to quickly bridge into remembering your strengths.

Sixty-six days of sea turtle, here we come. ♥

Pearl # 3

Last week I said that I’d share the self-sabotaging thoughts that hammer me daily (ex: this is too hard, you can’t do this, this is for others and so forth).

These notes are from last week.

This week I didn’t notice as many self-sabotage thoughts as self sabotage behavior. And yet, I know that a thought always comes before a behavior.

For example, I love to work in a spruced-up, clean environment. Do I start the day with a clean desk and tidy as I go through the day? Heck no.

Turns out my self sabotage behaviors were so ingrained that they’d become terrible habits that needed to be rooted out and replaced with good habits.

So I started to dig into my self sabotage thoughts that lead to my cluttery desk: I don’t have time to clean it, I have a doctor’s appointment. Not now, I have to go to sleep. This afternoon I’ll clean it. I’ll clean it in the morning. Tomorrow for sure I’ll clean it.

Challenge: Don’t allow self sabotaging thoughts to run amok in your mind. Dig deep and replace those thoughts and behaviors with habits that will have your back forever. (Here I go, 66-days to embed my new clean-desk behavior. Today is Day 1, I’ll let you know how the next 59 go.) ♥

Pearl # 4

Tim Ferriss keeps only four books on his desk at all times. This is one of the four. The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz.

The publish date is vintage – 1959 – but the ideas packed within are eternal. Schwartz writes about how to be a self-starter, how to stay the path, and most of all how to create a bigger life than you’d ever imagined possible.

I don’t know where Mr. Schwartz learned all of this good stuff, but he nailed it. Run, don’t walk.

I can’t wait to hear what you think about The Magic of Thinking Big. ♥

Pearl # 5

So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.” ♥

Christopher Reeves

We’re charting new territory, learning to eat well within a food-gone-wild culture. There will be obstacles, but that’s okay because we’re learning: we can do hard things.

Remember you and I are forever beautiful works in progress.

I try to remember this thought throughout my day. Let’s remember it together.

♥, Wendy

P.S. Have you read Buh-Bye Aunt Bea Bod: 13 Tools to Lose Weight & Maintain a Forever Loss?

I packed Aunt Bea with every essential method I used to lose fifty-five and still use today.

Remember getting your driver’s license? How learning to drive wasn’t a “one and done” thing? Same with Aunt Bea. The Aunt Bea post is your ride to embedding Smart Eating habits into your life, habits that will have your back forever.

You can find Aunt Bea on this screen to your right. Just add your email and click the pink button. You’ll be sent an Aunt Bea email. If you don’t see an email within thirty minutes, check your spam. And always feel free to contact me: Wendy@TheInspiredEater.com.

Or better yet, click Begin Here. ♥♥♥ Print Aunt Bea, and tape her inside a kitchen cupboard, on your car’s dash, under your pillow, and so forth.

Apply to life as needed. 🙃

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22 Comments

  2. Sarah Reply

    Thanks for pearls of wisdom. Cutes little model. I think my Sadie needs some strands of pearls.

    • Wendy Post Author Reply

      Hyacinth, I love your name. Meeko’s mom runs an adorable Etsy shop. And Meeko is the go-to model. lol.

      Wendy

  3. Pam Reply

    Such a great post, Wendy! I love Pearl #1, especially! Such good points to remember and use. And, of course, I love that photo of Meeko!

  7. jess jannenga Reply

    Meeko is adorable! And I loved seeing your German Shepard on IG. My pups love fruits and veggies, so we often give peas, carrots etc for treats. Loved your pearls of wisdom, and the exercise part, there are days I feel I could break it up, but then my mind says , you want to get it done and i push through. I need to listen some days! These are all great points!
    and yes, you know I am a huge animal lover 🙂
    jess xx
    http://www.elegantlydressedandstylsh.com

  8. Nancy Weiss Reply

    I’m certain you are a wonderful inspiration to many! This has so many valuable tips.

  9. Darlene Reply

    Ah, these truly are pearls. I love your story and how you approached it. And your doggie is SOOO adorable. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and wisdom.

    xx Darlene

  11. Suzy Reply

    What wonderful words of wisdom! I’m off to check out The Magic of Thinking Big now! Thanks so much for the suggestion!
    Hugs
    Suzy xx

  13. Helen Fern Reply

    Love your model!! Thanks for sharing at the Big Fat Menopausal Life’s Share the Wealth Party. Have a wonderful week!

  14. Chickenruby Reply

    I could do with adopting the same feeding methods for the dog and for me, I’m just non stop grazing these days. I also do a lot of self sabotaging, sadly. Wish I could stop it.
    Thanks for sharing with #pocolo

  16. Kim Cook Reply

    Great information Wendy. I love how you incorporated River. We do tend to treat our pets really good and we definitely deserve the same for ourselves. Kim

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