It can undermine all attempts at weight loss, as your body holds onto that precious weight because it senses it's not 'safe' to lose weight.

It can also mean we turn to food to soothe, cover up, deflect, just not have to think or do...

And late night snacking picks up the pace... Same with weekends as we exhale....thankfully...freedom!

Not much research exists in the field of stress, but I have seen its negative effects on women's health for decades...

And of course, I have experienced it first hand, for many years... Until I turned it around.

I learned to shift....

I learned to surrender.

I learned to reframe, hence build fresh out of the ruins of my past.

It goes beyond meditation.

Or pinning up affirmations on the bathroom mirror...

Or reading a self help book in hopes of getting 'healed'...

All worthy attempts, but most fall short.

Why?

Because there was no 'cognitive restructuring'. No deeper, inner transformation. No lasting change.

I have devoted my life to helping women get rid of the weight, and the stress, and the toxic habits and self defeating self talk.

Many of you here, have had a coaching call with me, so you know the deal.

"So let's dig deeper, beyond the food and macros and calories...how is it really going? How are YOU?"

And that's where the real deal lies. That’s where the real work, the lasting work begins.

See, our bodies are not separate from our minds, our emotions, our spirit, our soul. This I know for sure. I lived it. For decades, really. And it almost ended there.

But I decided to step into my life. With both feet.

And I called on my Courage muscle to tag along.

I'm glad I did. Today, at 61, my life is full. I am fulfilled. My boy still lives with a degenerative, terminal condition that would bring most mothers to their knees. It did with me too...until I decided to Step In.

I changed my inner world. I learned to live differently.

I changed my belief system. I asked higher level questions, and got rock solid answers.

I don’t struggle with stress. Its a useless, used-too-often word. There is no such thing really, its what you have adopted from mainstream dribble, regarding your health and your body.

"I'm stressed. It's hard. I have no time. It's easier for her. I'm too old."

Untrue.

Don't buy into it. Those are the cheap seats. Its what the majority buys into.

I don't live like the majority. And I don’t think like them either.

And that's my Secret to Success. It allows me to live lean, to stay strong in the gym and to manage life with ease and grace, regardless of what life throws at you.

That's the secret to living an awesome, healthy life. Ageing gracefully, with hope, inspiration, joy and self love.