Bodacious Beth BLASTS them all!

Well, as often happens, another of my STAR recruits GRADUATED from New Leaf Nutrition school just the other day! :)

Our journey together started only in July, and in 4 short months, I am pleased to announce Miss Beth is almost a new person!

Well, in all honesty, she is just now more FREE and CONFIDENT to BE herself and to not hold back and hide from the world.

Although Beth admits in the beginning she THOUGHT she was a HAPPY and POSITIVE person, she now claims, "Who was I kidding?! I don't think people realise what REALLY feeling good feels like; I don't think they know the difference"

Beth came to me initially because she was looking for a change in lifestyle. She was not happy within herself and she wanted to lose weight. Her self-esteem, confidence and social self were affected by how she felt about herself. "I just don't like the package I'm in...I'm not comfortable in my own skin... I miss out on stuff I want to go for...I'm too embarrassed to go jogging...I feel a little older (than I am)...even though I know being active is good for me, both physically and mentally, it all just seems too hard sometimes..."

Fast forward to now and this girl is UNSTOPPABLE!!



Joining in a 21 day fitness challenge, run my one of my very good friends, and AMAZING trainer Tiago Amaral of surrender2fitness.com.au, Beth not only showed up and gave it her best, she also BLASTED everyone else out of the water dropping a whopping 3.7 kg in 3 weeks and 21 cm from her waist! Incredible!

You should see this girl in action! You would NEVER guess she is the same Beth from July !!

"The biggest difference between now and when I started with you is my headspace. I'm not constantly consumed with feeling bad. I'm making good choices and FEELING GOOD. So simple! I just cannot put a value on the difference"

Beth's food choices have dramatically changed and she is now free of her Coke addiction! Something she NEVER thought possible! :)

Of course she is making the choices that make her FEEL GOOD and her preferences have naturally changed. She still eats out often, has social events to attend and of course enjoys drinks with the girls. Its all about knowing what is good for YOUR body and learning how to get in in the balance that suits your unique lifestyle.

It has been a PLEASURE working with Beth and I will sincerely miss our catch ups! Such a beautiful personality with SO much happiness to share- one of those smiles that just makes you smile too! :)

Here is what the WONDER WOMAN herself has to say of her experience:

"When I first came to see you, I really felt like I had run out of options and this was the last chance to get my bum into gear and do something about feeling good about myself.

My weight was definitely an issue but more importantly I really felt like I had to get my head space right. I was constantly consumed about feeling bad and negative thoughts about my food choices. I’d be good for a few days and then just ruin it by eating something unhealthy and then thinking “oh whats the point?”

I also had it in my head that there was something I wasn’t quite getting, it was right there on the tip of my tongue but I just couldn’t put my finger on it.

YOU HELPED ME FIGURE IT OUT!

Feel good. How simple is it? Whatever it is you do FEEL GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!! If I know having that coke will have me thinking about it for the rest of the afternoon and feeling bad, well don’t have it. And by not having it, I feel good for making a good decision. Its seriously that easy. There have been times I’d had a coke and its been awesome but I find them getting less and less and even coke zero and Bacardi is tasting ok (has the world gone crazy!)

I’ve found myself doing things I would never have thought I would do. For example – doing some Christmas shopping, I was thinking about what else I could buy people that didn’t involved chocolates or alcohol. I don’t want that for myself so why would I promote that for other people – they will get enough from other people anyway! Another thing on my recent holidays, instead of thinking “cool I can veg out, eat and drink all I want, no excerise” Instead I was excited about still keeping active and eating healthier than I would have otherwise. I wouldn’t have thought I would ever be that way!

Putting my whole journey into a positive light instead of a negative =- no you cant have this and no you cant have that, has been the best thing. I still have quite a way to go but I feel 100% more prepared mentally and you’ve given me the tools to carry on and not expect perfection all the time. I can totally do this :)

I could go on and on about the changes I know I’ve made, but in a nutshell, I’m 100% more openminded and happier and optimistic about everything. I know if I make good choices, the effect that has on my mind body and soul is invaluable!

You rock Bridget!"


Thank you gorgeous and continue to enjoy the good living lifestyle!

Mwah! xoxoox

BridgetJane
Food Body Lifestyle Guru
Writer, Speaker, Consultant
www.newleafnutrition.com.au
http://bridgetjaneguru.blogspot.com
http://bridgetthompson.blogspot.com
http://bridget-jane.blogspot.com


Mob 0421332243
Sunshine Coast, QLD

"Your health is everything...Discover your TRUE health potential"

Just Me

One of the most important things I work on with clients constantly is the discovery our our true selves. Our true inner being.

When we are born, we are pure creative spirit. We have no idea about limitations, possibilities, should's, shouldn't's, have to's, must's and must not's. We simply live from innocence and lose ourselves in the world of the imaginary where we are FIREMEN, SUPERSTARS, TEACHERS, PILOTS and ANYTHING at all we desire!

Everyday is fun, and everything we experience is from a point of pure curiosity. There is little fear, judgement or doubt. We simply encounter everything as FRESH, EXCITING and AS IS..

As we grow older, we are conditioned. We MUST do this, we MUST wear that, we CANNOT say this, or DO that...we learn that being ourselves is NOT OK, and we must abide by the rules, expectations and orders of all those around us who clearly know better than we do..

To a degree of course this is helpful, however the most harmful thing that happens is we lose our SELVES; we lose touch with our DREAMS, and we often times end up on path that we never intended or wanted. Sometimes we don't even realise that we have lost ourselves. It seems so normal to do what everyone else is doing and to follow the crowd.

That is until we reach a passionless, and often times despairing, "ground-hog-day" type existence. A feeling or sense of the "same old" routine, day in day out. Like robots, every morning we get up, shower at this time; eat at that time; start work then; frantically keep up with our day and the demands,;never finish anything; arrive home feeling zonked and battered; drag ourselves through the evening with little energy, enthusiasm or love for the very things that are most important to us (family, being at home, hobbies, etc); eat a quick meal; collapse into bed in order to get up and do it all again the next day...!

Anyone relating here?

At this point I often meet most of my clients. They have realised that how they are living is not serving them, those they love or their very reason for being. This AWARENESS creates the platform for change and from here we start the magical and transformational process.

Not to say it is all roses....of course, changing FOUNDATIONS can be unsettling, disturbing at at time chaotic! Sometimes it feels that it would be better to go back to what we know...as unfulfilling and bland as it is, at least we know it...as they say, "better the devil you know"

However, for those who hang in there; those who sit with the tension and ride on through keeping their focus on what they love and what they are moving towards; the rewards do come. At first they come "hit and miss". We take one step forward, then two back. We feel disorientated, confused, lost, alarmed! Then it settles, we breathe, get perspective and move on again.

Eventually, with persistence we start to gain momentum. It becomes easier; never comfortable. You see comfort= comfort zone. As long as we hang in this space, things stay the same. If we want change we have to edge, ever so gradually out of the comfort zone; push the boundaries; GROW.

We learn to live with that feeling of growth. We accept that it is OK and acknowledge it is normal.

By resisting it, we simply waste our precious energy and time resources.

Simple acceptance and continual re-focus on our targets moves us forward.

At the end of the day, the moral of the story is, we cannot be anything or anyone others than OURSELVES. Coming home to yourself is a journey. It can be a touch and turbulent one.

The reality though is to TRY to be anything else; to LIVE a certain life; DO things a certain way; train ourselves to BE who we think we should, is INSANITY and will keep us alluded from the TRUTH of life...

We are here to be ourselves. To discover our light, shine it into the world, thereby allowing others to do the same.

Imagine how bright the world could be...

If we simply accepted, "I'm Just Me".....

Below is a reflection from a client following one of our sessions, that illustrates this journey perfectly :)

Please enjoy, and take the step today to just BE you :)

You are a DIVINE, CREATIVE and completely UNIQUE being :) There is no one like you and YOU are the ONLY person for the job of being YOU :)

Mwah! xoxoxoo

From Miss B, aka "Just Me"

"Thanks. I am feeling OK.

I have stressed myself out a lot over the past few days and half the time i don't even realise it until, like today, I can hardly stay awake and have to miss training to come home and sleep.
My throat is a bit sore, probably from being stressed and my legs hurt from running on Tuesday morning.

I find it hard to let go of my stressful thoughts because it feels like if I do then I might forget something or miss something and everything will come crashing down, which I know won't happen... I think.

It is something that i need to prove to myself is just a figment of my imagination and that i can let go.

The thing about remembering that your best is sometimes a 15km run, and sometimes your best is a 2 km walk, is something that is helping me a lot.

Also I have come to realise that I have been placing a lot of pressure on myself to do my "best" all the time with my school work, mostly because of these pretend expectations that I think everyone has of me.

Like if your the smartest girl in the class and suddenly you don't get the best mark I have convinced myself that everyone will be like, "Oh, well what the hell happened there, I thought she was the best."

I have come to realise that although it is great to be really good at something, I am striving for peoples appreciation that I never needed in the first place. I feel that i could be a lot happier just fulfilling my own wishes and being me if I wasn't trying to impress all the time because it makes everything seem a whole lot harder.

So, i am going to remember that i can only do the best with the circumstances that are given to me. Trying to cram more study or whatever in is not really going to benefit me much in the long run and unless I really enjoy it, it is not going to make me feel any better either.

School is just school, S..C..H..O...O..L. That's it.

I just want to remember that as much as I want to be, I am not superwoman.

Just Me"

Hope you enjoyed and related :)

Would love to hear any of your feedback!

xxooxo

BridgetJane
Food Body Lifestyle Guru
Writer, Speaker, Consultant
www.newleafnutrition.com.au

http://bridgetjaneguru.blogspot.com
http://bridgetthompson.blogspot.com
http://bridget-jane.blogspot.com


Sunshine Coast, QLD

"Your health is everything...Discover your TRUE health potential"

Reflections from a Wise Young Soul

It never ceases to suprise me just how wise a person is when they are in touch with their true self; their higher self; essentially their soul.

I received the following from one of my most incredibly enlightened clients and I will not reveal her identity my telling you her age, however you may get some idea..

This gave me chills of pure excitement as I read it and hope by sharing it with you, it gives you the same experience :)

Enjoy and thank you little wise one- we have all been served by your incredibly aware reflection....

Mwah! xoxox

"Things are going ok. I am starting to unravel some of the meaning from the advice that i picked up the other day during our session.

More and more clearly now, I see that what I was/am doing was not an enjoyable way to live and that sucess will come easily if you are passionate and enjoy what you do.

Every time I find myself thinking, "I wonder what that person thinks of me" or "are they laughing at me or with me?" I think "Stop, Breath In, Breath out, Let go....', and to tell the truth I find myself doing that more often than I would have thought.

There was something in a book I just read called 'Looking for Alibrandi', where this girl tells her story of her last year in high school (its fictional i think, but who cares)

"All of a sudden, I realised that I didn't care what they thought and I even began to doubt that anyone, give or take a few gossips, gave a damn either. I thought of my mum and dad, who didn't seem to worry about peoples opinions. Jacob didn't give a damn who I was either, John accepted me the way I was and Lee and Anna had never made me feel any different. So that covered all the important people and I'd be a pretentious hypocrite if others were more important to me than those who loved me."

I want to think like that from now on and be comfortable in my own shoes.

I am trying to realign the things in my life that I am doing, to ensure that I am doing them because Iwant to and because I enjoy it. This is harder than it looks.

Most of all I am trying to find time to chill out.

Thanks for the encouragement, it brightens my day."

Wow! Incredible hey? I could not have said it any better myself and I would LOVE to add one of my most favourite quotes that is the screen background on my laptop...every day it reminds me of what is important...here it is:

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind...."

It is my absolute FAVOURITE quote!

If any of you think you could benefit from feeling more like our annoymous contributor above, then do yourself a favour and check out my latest offering through which I hope to connect with and positively influence MILLIONS of people worldwide :)

I would LOVE you to be part of the adventure :)

Check it out here

Enjoy your day and know WHO you are and where you are is PERFECT for you right now :)

Mwah!

BridgetJane
Food Body Lifestyle Guru
Writer, Speaker, Consultant

www.newleafnutrition.com.au

http://bridgetjaneguru.blogspot.com
http://bridgetthompson.blogspot.com
http://bridget-jane.blogspot.com


Sunshine Coast, QLD

"Your health is everything...Discover your TRUE health potential"

Rockin Ruby

This week I'd love to introduce you to the newest addition to the New Leaf Nutrition family. Team Macdonald have come on board and let me tell you, these guys a force to be reckoned with!

Leading the pack, however, is effervescent and charming Ruby. This 9 year old pocket rocket is such a radiating package of happiness, its unbelievable to think she might have been struggling with energy and enthusiasm not so long ago!

Having met with Susan just one week after getting the crew on board she exclaimed, "I feel like I have a new family! Ruby is buzzing! She has made us gourmet breakky's in bed, created a lunch that was more a work of art and has been so excited and involved I just cannot believe it"

And when you take a look at these piccy's you will fall in love with a healthy lunch too! Check out the creative flair in action



Just look at the strategic positioning of the green beans and broccoli! Awesome :)




The report too was that she ate it all! Not bad for a self proclaimed non-vegie fan :)Prior to this, carrots were the only item from vegie family Ruby would consider....WOW!

What a difference! You are an AWESOME example Ruby to other children- and adults- out there! Thank you!

We will keep you updated on Team Macdonald and little Miss Ruby!

Cheers guys!xox

A private reflection...

I have been working with this client since February of this year and to say she has transformed in that time is quite an understatement!

I know when I was going through my initial journey I found it really comforting and inspirational to read the REAL and HONEST reflections of others...

Here is her reflection....certainly honest, real and inspiring! This woman is truly blossoming into the beautiful, calm and truly at peace soul I saw in her from the beginning.

Thanks F for sharing with us!

Together on the journey always!

Mwah! xoxoxo

"When I first started my sessions with Bridget I thought to myself, “What can this young thing, who has probably never been overweight in her life, teach me? I know all the right things to eat etc, I know I should exercise regularly, I know I should have limited calories and eat certain foods each week. I know all this stuff - I just don’t stick with it. I’ve been there, done that. How can she help me?” I had, however, just been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and following the advice of my doctor I thought I’d give it another go, after all, what did I have to lose? As it turned out, nothing to lose and an immense amount to gain!

After a few sessions with Bridget, I realised if I ever wanted to achieve lasting better health, I needed to change me – the way I thought about myself- more than I needed to change how I ate. I was my own worst enemy. I had tried all the weight loss programs - I would lose weight and then give up, rapidly going back to my bad habits. I would end up putting on more than I had lost. I didn’t have good self-esteem, despite my outwardly confident and competent exterior. As Bridget pointed out, I needed to look inside, rather than outside, for reasons for my lack of follow through.

The thing that is different about Bridget’s guidance is that she focuses on the positive - what you can do, what you can eat, who you can become. She has gently led me through various stages of self-realisation to this point now, where I am a much happier person than I was. Each day now seems to have more purpose and focus.

I start the day with my morning walk which I have grown to love – it just makes me feel great! I know I can cope happily with whatever the day throws at me if I have started the day with a walk – could be the endorphins, the increased blood flow or the fresh morning air - I’m not sure which but I have much more energy all day and I’m truly happier than when I don’t walk. I eat better, more balanced meals and I eat more often, which was a bit of a bonus. Along the way I have lost around 11 kilos and still have that much more to go, but I know that, even though it is taking me some time to reach my goals, I will keep going. It has been slow and steady and achievable. It has also been very life affirming.

Bridget has also introduced me to some other great life teachers, through books we have shared, and this has further helped me to be happier in the skin I am in. Bridget truly does live what she teaches and is quite inspirational. "

F, July 09

Kick-Butt Karen!

I would LOVE to take this opportunity to give you an update on how one of my SUPERstar clients is doing so far!

When you hear the full extent of how much this incredible woman has in her life, you will truly admire how much she has achieved!

I met Karen in April of this year. When I heard that she had 2 sets of twins UNDER THE AGE OF 5, I almost freaked out with overwhelm!! Meeting Karen in person gave me a completely different feeling on the situation. She is so calm and in love with her children, nothing could be wrong!

I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Karen and her young family so far and the other day we had a MAJOR milestone! Karen ate salmon! haha. Yes you will be familiar with my love affair of this SUPER food and I can tell you it makes me SO excited when others share in enjoying its magnificence!

This one simple change in a person’s eating habits has such a profound impact on their current and later experience of health and happiness. Without going into all the details here, the omega 3 content of salmon is second to none, and the primary reason this food is so incredible for our brains, joints, hearts and yes, our happiness! :)

Anyway, here is Karen enjoying a delicious serve of SUPER SALMON, cooked to perfection by the AWESOME team at the Pipi in Mooloolaba. If you are local and have not eaten there yet, what are you doing?!!? See www.hotpipis.com.au

And what did Karen have to say of her Salmon experience?
"It is really good. I'm really enjoying it! Wow..."

So there you go! A lot of the time we just THINK we don't like something....step out of your comfort zone...TRY new things....often we need to have a food in a variety of ways before we find a way that we like it...I for one NEVER thought I'd enjoy sardines or eggplant....now they are 2 of my FAVOURITE foods!! :) If a doughnut/pastry addict can change (yes that was me!), then ANYONE can!

And I'm sure if you ask Karen, she'll tell you that if SHE can enjoy salmon, so can anyone else! In the beginning she was very adverse to ANY type of fish....

In other news, Karen has so far lost 6kg, has HEAPS more energy to keep up with her gorgeous children and is enjoying much healthier choices for all her meals and snacks. All without depriving herself of a few of her favourite indulgences including a refreshing beer, or glass of vino, here and there; dining out occasionally and going on a much deserved holiday! Go girl!!

We will give you another update soon :)

Until next time, enjoy all that life has to offer you today!

Mwah! xoxoxoxo

BridgetJane
www.newleafnutrition.com.au
0421 332 243

Brilliant Brad

I first met Brad in September 2008 at an information evening held for a pilot program I ran with another business owner called, "Red Day Energy". The concept is to improve the health of business owners and employees; without health, what is business or financial success, AND how healthy can your business stay if you are not healthy yourself?

Along with his bosses and fellow colleague, Jo (yes another Success Story below), Brad engaged in the Red Day Energy program until its completion in December of 2008. Since then he has truly consolidated a completely new lifestyle and is enjoying a very different experience to when he began.

The journey with Brad has been sensational! Seeing him transform from a young man in his early 20's who was stressed out (having his blood pressure monitored and investigated), lacking passion and simply "going through the motions", to a confident, determined and driven individual has been so rewarding!

His bosses and colleagues will attest to the dramatic transformation, as will his friends and family. In fact, some might say the transformation was such that it attracted a passionate, happy and fun relationship into his life :)

Yes, Brad is now my partner and we have been together since January 2009. Let's just say, the healthy, fit, happy and confident Brad I re-encountered after the Christmas break was too irresistable to let by! haha.

Enjoy his story guys! :) xoxo

"I met Bridget at a seminar that my workplace invited me to called Red Day Energy. At first I didn't really know what to expect. I knew nothing about what this seminar was going to be selling, out of interest I tagged along.

Sitting there listening to Bridget and listening to all the facts and figures that were spoken I started to realise that I was living my life in all the wrong ways. When I thought I was eating healthy – I wasn't, When I thought I had energy – I never did. I can say all this now because I have been taught by Bridget the fundementals of living a happy, fullfiling, energized and active lifestyle. She taught me to start thinking healthy- in ALL aspects of my life, not just food- and when you start thinking healthy you start being healthy.

My boss signed me up to this course and I was keen to find out more so I agreed. My goal was to be able to cook healther meals and to lose some weight and also to be a happeir person and to be able to deal with stress a lot better..
I started Red Day Energy at 86kg. My goal weight was to be around 75kg.
I was a bit optimistic about the whole thing and I always thought “how hard can it be”, but I never made an effort to actually do it. Until I started to see Bridget.

I was determined to get to the goals I set myself. Bridget had some fantastic ideas and I love cooking so I put those ideas into practice. I found that it is actually much easier to cook healthy meals, I was always under the impression that it takes to much time and I never had that time. These were just excuses I was telling myself.

Now everything I eat is 100 times healthier than what I used to eat. When I compare shopping lists from the past to now, it makes me laugh; no wonder I felt so terrible! I also now eat things I always thought I didn't like, such as avocado, sweet potato and eggplant! My preferences for foods have completely changed and if I eat something I used to like, my body reacts very badly. It is so easy to stay on track because my body now craves and prefers what I have learnt to eat. To me it is now natural and simple!

I am now weighing in at 74kg. I have also maintained this weight give or take 1kg. I feel fantastic and I have such a positive outlook on life now. I feel confident in the descisions I make at work. I feel so much better in myself. My stress levels have dramatically turned around and I am so much more happier with my life and in myself

Thanks Bridget for all of your inspiration and support!"