Refresh Your Attitude For Spring: What Do You Say "Yes" To?

Yes, attitude can affect everything, including your body -- right down to a smile causing your brain to release endorphins (happy hormones)! Ever notice that happy, healthy people who are focused on the positive tend to eat healthier because they want to take care of their bodies. Or that they tend to be more active and are therefore leaner, live longer and have more energy overall.

Attitude is huge when it comes to living a happy, healthy life. Look at the glass half empty or peer through dark grey-tinted glasses and everything seems to be difficult or seems to never turn out your way. But come at life with the glass half full, peering through rose-colored glasses and it's a whole different story. Things fall into place. You seem to enjoy what you're doing. You even feel better physically.

A fun, easy way to get a rose-colored attitude adjustment is to focus on what you say "yes" to instead of what you say "no" to or are "trying to say no to." Think about it. If you're constantly saying "no, I don't want those cookies" or "I'm trying so hard to say no to those cookies because I really need to lose weight," you're left on a downer, not energized because you're so focused on what you can't have or don't have. Bummer. Drained. Yuck. Instead, try this: "Yes, I really want that delicious banana protein shake." Now you feel good, right? You're able to think about what you do get to eat and it supports "yes, I'm eating for a lean, healthy body." Bingo. You feel good. Energized. And you're even ready to go shopping for those breakfast shake items for tomorrow morning ... and all week because "yes, I want to go to the beach this summer and wear a bathing suit and have the energy to try surfing!"

For a quick attitude adjustment jump-start, every morning, off the top of your head, list five things you say "yes" to in your life. Even if they're the little things, like "yes, I love my new iPod speakers when I drive to work" or "yes, I'm going to set up lunch with Jane tomorrow" or "yes, I'm going to my kid's t-ball game no matter what" or "yes, I look great in those jeans" or "yes to watching American Idol tonight" or "yes, I'm a nice person and will continue to be." Do it right before you get out of bed and enjoy the results.

That's the practice step to build your "yes" muscle. Then when you feel the bad attitude or indecision coming on, go ahead and focus on what you honestly, from your heart can say "yes" to in the situation. Ah, what a relief. You get to say "yes!"

If you say "yes!" to a happy, healthy you, here a seven EnergyFirst "yes" steps you can enjoy this spring, things we like to say "yes" to for a full-energy lifestyle. And remember, just because we say "yes" to all the things on the list doesn't mean you do. Check them out and see for yourself. You can always add new steps when you feel a "yes" coming on.

Say "yes" to:

• Water -- Say "yes I can drink more water" and you say "yes" to hydrated cells, detoxing naturally. Drink half your weight in ounces of water per day. For example, if you weigh 140, drink 70 ounces a day.


• The fist-thumb-fist rule -- Say "yes I can eat a fist-size of lean protein, a fist-size of unprocessed carbs and a thumb-size of healthy fats at every meal, or at least get close" and you say "yes" to an efficient metabolism, lean body and a fully-fueled brain and body.


• Protein shake every morning. Say "yes, I drink a daily EnergyFirst protein breakfast shake" and you say "yes" to 40 grams of protein right off the bat, a jump-start to your metabolism and a delicious, easy meal that follows the fist-thmb-first rule and is great when you're running out the door.


• Enough sleep. Say "yes, I get enough shut eye" and you say "yes" to a recharged body and mind. Sleep replenishes the body on all levels, including metabolic, endocrine, immune and emotional.


• Play time. Say "yes, I do things I love every day, just for me, activities that bring out the kid in me" and you say "yes" to laughter, hope, something to look forward to and blowing stress out the door.


• Appreciation. Say "yes, I take moments to appreciate what I love in my life" (the things you say "yes" to!) and you say "yes" to how big and wonderful your life is.


• Giving. Say "yes, I do nice, loving things for other people," even if they're things that only take a second, like a wave or a smile or a "good job" or an "I love you," and you say "yes" to a warm heart and lots of love and service right back at you. Funny how that works.