When I was in high school, I took a psychology class. It was one of the few high school classes I enjoyed. The teacher, Mr. Mascari, taught us a relaxation technique I went on to use for many years. I would close my eyes and imagine the sun shining on…
My friend Kevin was telling me of his weight loss struggles. He realized he kept procrastinating about working on the weight loss because there are about 10 habits he wanted to focus on to make it happen. He realized he was overwhelming himself by thinking about the 10 habits, and…
A few weeks ago, I woke up and my left hand hurt, specifically the lower half of my thumb down to where it met my wrist. After two weeks of trying to avoid using my thumb in certain ways, it was better, but not all the way, so I went…
I recently took an exercise class called, “Let’s Have a Ball.” For 50 minutes we did numerous exercises, every one of which made use of a large exercise ball. We did exercises for the arms, the legs, the chest, and more. I wanted to share this with you because I…
This post was a popular article in my monthly newsletter, so I wanted to share it here, especially with New Year's coming. At my speaking engagements I ask for examples of common New Year’s resolutions. Nearly every time, “Lose weight,” “Exercise more,” and “Stop smoking,” are shouted out from the…
Rather than waiting until the New Year to begin making changes, just start now. Here are some examples: Can't decide whether to join a board of a local not-for-profit, or to serve homeless at a soup kitchen, or to fund raise for the eradication of a disease? Just pick one…
This is a guest post by Alissa Jones. In it, she talks about what she learned about the dangers of diet soda. It's perfect timing for this piece because Thanksgiving kicks off the season, between now and the end of the year, where people often eat too much and feel…
Marcie and I love a wonderful bike path about a 20-minute drive from our house. It's a six mile train (12 miles round trip) , running alongside the Saddle River, and passing through four towns along the way. A few weeks back, en route, we passed a woman on rollerblades…
In my monthly newsletter, I write an article and provide links to the prior month’s blog posts. Earlier this year, after publishing a simple piece on making healthy eating easier, I received the most feedback I’ve ever had. So I’m publishing it as a blog post today. While eating a…
Several times after speeches people have told me things I said (or written in my book) are things they have also learned in AA’s Twelve Step program of recovery: Progress, not perfection. Early on when I was a participant in the Strategic Coach Program®, founder Dan Sullivan preached the importance…
Not long after I published Six Simple Rules for a Better Life, I read a book called Willpower, by Roy Baumeister & John Tierney, which had come out the same month. In my book’s introduction, I talk about the importance of breaking down your big goals into small pieces, and…
There are numerous apps to help you to eat better and exercise more, as well as apps to help with habits of all kinds (not just exercise habits). I have not tested them out, so I don't have strong opinion on any, but anything that can help you to be…