To say 2020 was a year full of ups and downs and unexpected events would be putting it mildly. Today's episode touches on why I have been absent from my podcasts for the past several weeks. Yes, it's COVID-related. This resulted in my deciding to tailor back on all the activities I do as a woman running, never mind starting, a new business. Some would say not the smartest approach. However, I chose self-care, healing, cutting myself some slack in order to enter 2021 strong. As the focus here on Empowered Weighs - health is important!

2021 is a clean slate with new opportunities and new goals. You've probably made some resolutions or goals. Now is the time to move from goal setting to goal achieving. Now is the time to start some action steps vs. hoping the goal will "just happen" or overwhelming yourself by trying to go all in. Ask yourself, what is ONE action you can take this week, only ONE? Now do that action every day. Next week you can add another. 

Thanks for sticking with me while I took some time for my health. There are more episodes coming in 2021. Stay tuned! Until then you can always follow me on Instagram and now on TikTok (@lindaempoweredweighs). Please share this podcast with your friends. The more the merrier!

Today's episode goes deeper into the role of breathing on a person's health and digestion. Yes, there is a connection! Most people don't use their respiration to its fullest capabilities. In fact, the way a majority of us breathe is shallow, inefficient, and may support a low lying stress alert to our brain. We'll explore how using breathwork can support our body to move from a stressed - sympathetic nervous system state (fight or flight) to a relaxed and ready to digest - parasympathetic nervous system state. I'll describe 1) relaxed even breathing, 2) Controlled or Square Breathing, 3) Alternate Nostril Breathing, and finally - the use of a simple mantra with relaxed breathing (So Hum).

This episode centers on the next step of deciding on something to improve about your daily eating plan. Whether the decision is to start crowding out, make a 1% change, an intentional food change, swap...what ever you want to call it or heard it called, it's the same concept. It's the decision to make a small change or elimination to your daily food plan and to keep with it for the next two weeks. Then you'll build on this by making another small change you know and feel you can handle and do that for two weeks...snowball effect to eating and living healthier. You can do this. It's time to tell some things to go now because they're not welcome anymore. You will survive! 

(correction to audio: early on I say, "RIP to Ms. Gaynor". Well, Ms. Gloria Gaynor is alive and well. However, after hearing my rendition of her famous lyrics, she may not be or wish it was I that was being told to RIP. My sincerest apologies, mam.)

This episode is all about how we speak to ourselves, the negative self-talk that can sometimes be allowed to run rampant in our heads. That's got to stop! These types of hurtful, degrading thoughts don't serve any beneficial purpose, whether it is to manage your weight, improve your health, get a better job, go after that degree you want. If you speak with more unconditional love and support to your cat or dog than you do to yourself, you need to listen to this episode today. You are the only person always with you and you deserve being in your own corner!

I'd love to hear what you think or suggestions you use to speak with kindness, love, and support to yourself. You can contact me at 

[email protected] or leave a voice message on my Anchor page.  https://anchor.fm/empoweredweighswithlinda

Today's episode focuses on an activity we all have to do every day, several times a day, in order to live. Chew our food. It's an activity that is underestimated in its importance in living a healthy life. It is undervalued, also. If you don't chew your food well, then not only do you put your safety at risk, but you lessen your body's capacity to function at an optimal level, increase overeating and open the door to digestive discomforts to a host of other issues.  

Becoming more mindful of how well you chew your food is one of the simplest actions you can take on your journey to maybe lose weight, live healthier, and be more appreciative of the wonderful things your body is capable of doing for you. 

I hope you'll enjoy this episode and take up the challenge to do your body good, chew your food! 

I'd love to hear what you think. Leave a voice message at https://anchor.fm/empoweredweighswithlinda/message