Have a More Flexible Mindset

There's one thing I've learned throughout my life - flexibility is key to success. 

Mental flexibility is he ability to dynamically change one's course of thought or action, based on the requirements of a situation. It involves being able to abandon a previous pattern of resonses in favor of an alternate response that better suits the current circumstances. 

How to be more flexible: 

• Consider alternate options: If you’re prone to inflexible thinking, you may only be comfortable with a certain way of doing things. However, it’s important to remember that there are many solutions to any given situation and more than one way of doing things. Consider different options and weigh the pros and cons of each one before making a decision.
• Start making small changes: You can practice being flexible by making small changes to your daily routine. For instance, if you generally watch television before you go to bed, try reading a book instead. Or, if you normally take the bus to work, try cycling instead. Doing things differently can help you practice the skill of adapting.
• Try new experiences: Make it a point to regularly try out new experiences. For instance, you can try out a new restaurant or cuisine at least once a month. Or, you could try a new activity such as learning an instrument, playing a sport, volunteering, taking a cooking class, going hiking, or doing any other activity that appeals to you.
• Meet new people: Meeting new people of diverse backgrounds can expose you to different perspectives. Seeing things through someone else’s eyes can help you understand that there is more than one way of doing things.
• Look for opportunities: You may find yourself looking for excuses to avoid pursuing routes that are beyond your comfort zone. However, if you would like to be more flexible, try to look for opportunities instead of focusing on obstacles, mistakes, or failures.
• Don’t be afraid to change your stance: Take the time to gather information before choosing your best option. Don’t be afraid to change your stance as you take in new information. There is no shame in changing your opinion as you become better informed.
• Challenge your beliefs: If you have a certain way of doing things, it can be helpful to introspect on it and ask yourself why you’re insistent on doing things that way. Use your critical thinking skills to determine whether that’s actually the best way.
• Maintain a positive attitude: While going out of your comfort zone can be difficult, it can be helpful to maintain a positive attitude as you work on creating new thought patterns. You can try engaging in positive self-talk to get yourself through challenging tasks.
• Be more perceptive: Try to be more perceptive of others' thoughts and feelings. Most flexible thinkers are highly emotionally intelligent. Being able to gauge others’ feelings will help you be more empathetic and considerate.
• Get some exercise: Research shows that being more physically active can help make your brain more active as well, boosting cognitive function and mental flexibility.

25 Ways to Make Time for Fitness 

Too busy to work out? Doubtful. The truth: Finding moments to move is entirely within your grasp.

Busy as we may be, we have less trouble finding time for television, social networking or even dull household tasks, Rodriguez observes, because there simply aren’t the same steep psychological barriers to those activities.

“Most people are in denial about their health,” says fitness-industry icon Richard Simmons. “We all have reasons for not exercising, but it all comes down to time management and fear. Fear you’ll get hurt. Fear of embarrassment. Fear of failure.”

But what we’d be better off being afraid of, he says, is what will happen if we don’t exercise. How will a sedentary lifestyle be affecting you next year? In five or 10 years?

If you want to exercise, you'll make time. Here are 25 way to help you make time for fitness! 

Curbing the Halloween Candy Cravings

Sugar can weaken our immune system, increase symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and contribute to weight gain, moodiness and lack of energy. And the more we eat, the more we want. So what can you do now to avoid “over-treating?” Here are few healthy tips:

1. Focus on the Festivities. There is a lot to get excited about besides candy: Make creative costumes, plan a neighborhood party; build a haunted house; have a pumpkin-carving contest; spend the day decorating your yard and house.
2. Speaking of healthy treats …What if you (and/or your kids) try making some cute, nutritious Halloween treats like in the Recipes section below? Now we’re talking fun and nutritious!
3. Don’t trick-or-treat on an empty stomach. I know the kids are excited, but it’s a great idea to have a nutritious meal ready when they get home from school. If you’re in a hurry, kids can have a “snack-ful dinner” – almond butter on whole grain toast with apples; carrots with hummus; black beans and quinoa, or a whole-grain pita with avocado and chopped chicken.
4. What is your favorite Halloween candy? Whatever it is – leave it at the store!If you must buy candy to give out to the trick-or-treaters, consider buying candy that you’d never eat if it was the last sweet on earth! Perhaps buy it that morning, and get just enough to give out that night.
5. You can’t eat it if it’s not there. Don’t let one night of sweet treats turn into a month of candy snacking. Toss out leftover candy the next day, and give your kids just a few days to indulge. Better to be a little wasteful by throwing out the sweets than to derail your health and weight goals (not to mention adding to tooth decay and all the other sugar symptoms).

Just because it is the 31st of October doesn’t mean we have to indulge in daily sweet treating that we wouldn’t normally do. It’s really about making better choices that keep YOU feeling better. Have cut-up fruits and vegetables in your fridge; fill snack bowls with almonds and walnuts (and take some to work, too!) Drink plenty of water throughout the day, and give yourself permission to break with old Halloween traditions and start your own.

Healthy Halloween Snacks

Halloween treats don't have to be super unhealthy. I found this site with lots of cute healthy halloween treats for every kid (or adult!)

17 Healthy Fall Smoothie Recipes to Give You More Energy

(Yes, I'm reusing this one!)

Having a quick go-to that gives us an energy boost is exactly what we need and a smoothie might just be the perfect stop. So get your blenders out because here are some great fall smoothie recipes to keep us all going:

Forever FIT Offers Nutrition Coaching!