it's time.

I've been thinking about what to do for the contest of the year and decided that we are going to have a year long contest (no matter what don't give up this year...it's easy to get back to a simple plan, remember!).  We are also going to have some monthly contests.

Contest for this month:

This month's contest will go through the first week of February.  To kick off the year the winner will receive a pair of workout shoes valued at $70, a magazine subscription of your choice, you will also get the book that I'm talking about today.

To win:

you just need to be the person with the most comments/help/advice on Move it Monday posts.  Give us all of the wisdom you can muster.   We want to hear about a favorite recipe, a way to feed the midnight muchies something healthy, your favorite motiviational tool or quote, emotional tips, what you do when you're trying not to eat something you love, what you do to exercise, your mantras to keep you on the path, anything and everything you can think of that helps you out when you're trying to lose weight.  Tell us how you battle through those times of the month when it seems like you do nothing but sit around like a bloated whale because you're feeling full on pms.  What do you eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  The person that posts the most ideas and is the most helpful will win the prize package (and some additional goodies).  SO get thinking and sharing in the comments section of Move Monday posts this month!!

Contest for this year:

The winner will receive a full day with me.  It can be a Day with Davina or it can be a full day of a photo session with me.  You get to choose.  It will also include other goodies that we will add onto the winner's package through out the year.  You will want to win this!

To win:

*Be the person that posts the most often on Move it Monday through out the entire year.

*Keep a journal and have at least 12 entries by the end of the year. (That's at least one per month...this is about getting some consistent habits.)

*Check in every week on Move it Monday comments.

*Get 20 minutes of exercise at least 4 days a week.

*Start eating off of smaller plates...or at least eat much smaller portions at every meal.

Now,  I know that you can't do this every single day of your life.  Take it a day at a time.  Do the best you can.  Don't give up.  The person that does the best at developing consistency will be the winner.  It's not really about being the one that loses the most weight (although I think that it will be a natural thing that will happen) it's about changing your approach to food and moving your body.

I just read another book..."I can make you thin"

 Paul says that you just need to do the four golden rules:

*Eat when you're hungry.

*Eat only what you want, never what you think you "should".

*Eat consciously and enjoy every mouthful.  (When you slow down you eat less naturally)

*Stop when you think you're full.

He discusses how our brains have made well worn paths from our thoughts and habits toward food.  In order to make new paths you need to change the way you're approaching food and exercise.  He has what he calls hypnosis moments that he has you do.  It seems to me that they are meditations coupled with acupuncture/pressure points.

I don't think that there is a magic formula to losing weight.  I do think that Paul has some good points.  Many of the golden rules that he suggests are ones that I'm already doing and seeing results with.  The other issues he addresses in his book are ones that I know I need to work on as well.

This book is included in this month's prize package.

So...share share share share.  Tell us in the comments what your hints and tips are for eating well, exercising, healthy food, and all of the rest.  Be the one with the most amount of helpful comments on Move it Monday posts and you'll be this month's winner!

good. LIFE.