Why is it that you can stick to your plan - or at least reasonable portion sizes - alllllll the way until about 8 PM?
Is there a magic switch that goes off at 8 PM that tells your brain to crave all the things?
Well yeah….kinda.
If you have been overeating - eating more than your body requires for fuel - it's likely that your brain is now on autopilot. You may tell yourself tonight is the night you'll eat nothing after dinner or munch on carrot sticks and hummus only to find your hand seemingly betraying you as it reaches for the chips and ice cream.
Here's the great news: Most of the day, you're not overeating. If someone put chips in front of you at 6 AM, you're probably going to push away the bowl. Do the chips taste any different at that time of day? Nope! But you are simply not in the habit of overeating, binge eating, or emotional eating at that time.
CHECK OUT MY LATEST VIDEO where I dive into this topic even more. Listen out for the 4 questions I mention towards the end that will help you stop your next overeating episode in its track.
This stuff takes practice…and patience, but it is absolutely possible to create new habits that will help you reach your goals.
Oh, and did you know your seasonal allergies may be related to your overeating? I explain that and more in this week's video.
In good health,
Tara
P.S. If you need some help in overcoming a long habit of overeating (or stress eating, emotional eating, binge eating…), let me know. I'd love to schedule a free phone consultation to chat about your goals and how I may be able to help you.
I currently have a beta tester's special going on in which you can receive health coaching, nutrition coaching, AND fitness coaching all for under $100 a month. It's a new program version that's not open to the public yet, so I need some testers for feedback and case studies. Hence, the extra-awesome pricing. ;-) But there are only a couple of spots available and we start very soon! So email me (Tara@TaraAllenHealth.com) and let's get you on a customized, NON-restrictive plan!
Weight LOSS and weight GAIN require 95% of the same strategies!
Most people think that their weight LOSS goals or their weight GAIN goals are on opposite sides of the spectrum.
And while it's slightly true, in a health-first approach, the strategies to achieve any body goals - and improved health - are 95% identical!
Why? Well optimization is optimization. Being able to change some aspect of your body (such as losing excess body fat) requires a certain level of nourishment, a certain baseline of the foundations like sleep, and a buzzing metabolism.
If you're curious about how I can help one person lose weight and another person gain weight using a nearly identical approach, check out my latest Workshop Wednesday video that I recorded last week. In the video, I cover lots of the topics we address in both cases. If you're a go-getter, you're going to want to use these topics as a framework to develop your own plan!
If going at it alone has not been working - or not been lasting - I have a few spots open for my private, fully customized virtual coaching program opening up in August. If you are someone that likes to save money and time and get results, you have to check it out.
Do you know there are people that spend SO MUCH MONEY and TIME and EFFORT and still do not get the results they want?! Maybe you have been doing this too…I certainly did in the past. I can tell you first-hand that doctor appointments add up, meds add up, supplements, books, "quick fixes", unused memberships, lost time at work…it all becomes so expensive when we are not optimizing our health!
If you've been feeling like you're ready to improve your health, love your body, and impress the socks off of yourself, then check out all the details (yup…including prices) for my private, virtual coaching program.
And if you are feeling EXCITED about the possibilities for your future and want to make sure we are the right fit to work together, sign up for a free 15-minute call right here. We'll talk about your goals and figure out if I'm the person to help you - once and forever. ;-)
In good health,
Tara
Taking responsibility so you are EMPOWERED to transform
If you are the 'problem', then you also get to be the solution.
And let me be really clear: I am not talking about beating yourself up here!
But, if you can start to look past your (very real) excuses and see just your role in getting to where you're at right now, then you'll also be able to feel empowered to change what you want to.
You see, if you had NO control in getting here, how can you possibly believe that you will have any control in getting there?
Check out my latest Workshop Wednesday video all about this!
And by the way, my ridiculous straight-out-of-the-shower-hot-and humid-crazy-updo hairstyle apparently ruffled someone's feathers on Facebook. Hop on over to my Facebook page if you want to check out what was said and my response.
Here's what's important though: there will always be trolls - or people that aren't supporting you or excuses or people that want to dull your shine. And if you have big goals like I do…you have to ignore it or use it to fuel you. I'm not going to stop showing up on live video to deliver messages of health, longevity, self love, and empowerment just because my hair looks silly that day….or I have no makeup on….or I'm in my pajamas. ;-) I'm showing up - just as I am - no matter what. My BIG goal in starting this business is to help EVERYONE that I can no matter what. If we can't work together one-on-one or in a group setting, then I hope to provide enough information and inspiration so that you can make miracles happen on your own. And if I had to get all glammed up to share my message, it wouldn't happen as often. And it wouldn't help as much. And it would be FAKE because I'd be pretending to be polished all the time when I am…not! :-)
I've done polished. I've checked the boxes on uniforms, and business casual, and school reports with perfect reference pages. I've done policies, procedures, and scripts at the hospital as a nurse. I've had to encourage meds and interventions when I knew in my heart that my patient needed more of my time instead. Less charting, less narcotics, more heart. I'm not against all meds at all! I'm very grateful for the types of medical services we are lucky enough to have access to. But, sometimes we need humanity first and foremost.
So, here I am showing up outside of the lines. I say "um" a lot. I record live videos in my pajamas if it's nighttime (or early evening sometimes….let's be real) and I have something to share that might help someone.
My priority just wasn't my hair that day - nor is it ever, really. ;-)
I hope you feel comfortable being you despite whatever hurdles are thrown your way.
In good health,
Tara
Your Type A-ness is interfering with your results
Are you a ‘control freak’?
I am too! Well, trying hard to let go a bit, but it’s definitely a part of my personality. And just in case it’s a part of yours, too, I wanted to share why you may be finding that you’re successful in other areas of your life - career, family, business, relationships - but can’t seem to figure out how to hack your way into the health or body goals you have set for yourself.
That’s why I recorded a live workshop video for you on exactly this topic. And as always, I share in the video what you can do about it; how to learn to work WITH your personality type. ;-)
In good health,
Tara
You are creating a new habit NOW....and now....and again now!
You're either creating new habits or reinforcing old ones every single day!
NOT working out is actually a habit. Yelling at your kids… a habit. Snacking at night, avoiding new situations like the plague, complaining to anyone who will listen, stopping at the drive-thru, your 3 PM coffee….all habits.
I'm not one to judge what your habits are. No way! I'm busy working on optimizing mine - and teaching you what I learned from years of coaching myself and others.
Here's what you need to know if you are actively pursuing something greater for yourself...
Your brain does not know the difference between a "bad" habit and a "good" one. It just likes to create systems (a.k.a. habits) for efficiency out of anything you do - or DON'T do - often.
The first time you walked, you had to try hard. Same thing went for brushing your teeth, tying your shoes, and your first commute to work.
The best part is that our brains can be 'rewired' at any time! You get to upgrade your habits whenever the heck you want to.
Here's how:
1) Keep doing the thing you want to become a habit. Understand that it will feel hard for a while, but eventually it WILL become second nature. You are in control here. Stick with it.
2) Celebrate every baby step towards your progress. Yes, it'll make you smile in the moment. But here's what's even better than that - your brain will start to associate your new habit with the feel-good hormones you get from the feeling of pride and hope. This is the best way to fast-track your way towards turning that action into a habit because our brain is always seeking out the things that leave us feeling good.
What’s one habit you’re currently working on?! I’d love to hear about it!
If you’d like to join my newsletter list, where I share healthified recipes, more video trainings on wellness and weight loss, and other tips and resources for you on your health journey, come on over! You’ll get an instant download of my favorite 3-day plant-based meal plan for losing body fat. It’s a great way to kick off some results or just get to experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. Enjoy!
In good health,
Tara
30-second change to supercharge weight loss and health
Do you have a minute to dedicate to your goals?
How about half a minute?
I'm not going to tell you to give up soda or do lunges in your living room for 30-seconds - not today, anyway. ;-) Today, I want you to take a quick inventory of your self-talk. More specifically, I want you to hone in on negative self-talk.
So many times every single day I hear the following from women:
"I am lazy."
"I am out of shape."
"I can't…"
"It's too hard."
"I've never been able to…."
This negative self-talk does 2 things:
1) It makes your brain UNHAPPY, sending it on the hunt to find comfort as soon as possible. For most people I know, food and/or alcohol are quick fixes here. Comfort is a negative sum game. Meaning, your brain WILL get the comfort from somewhere if you've put yourself under attack.
2) It forces you to identify as the person you are feeling like you are. If you think it's too hard, it WILL feel too hard. If you think you're out of shape, you will collect plenty of evidence to prove you are "out of shape". From this place, are you making decisions and taking actions that will propel you forward towards your goals?
Nope.
Here's the 30-second trick…every time you catch yourself thinking or saying out loud something negative about you, your body, or your health, I want you to pause and replace that thought with something that's positive (or at least neutral).
This is what that looks like:
"Tara, you're so lazy! You've been sitting on the couch after work every single night this week."
Pause. Take a breath. Then say, "It's ok that you've sat on the couch because maybe you needed the rest. Now you can get up and go for the walk." (neutral)
OR...
"You're not lazy! Remember that time when you worked full-time and went to school full-time when 9 months pregnant?!" (positive)
It will feel really awkward at first. Then you might start to feel like you want to beat yourself up for the negative self-talk in the first place, but don't! Simply replacing the old thought by telling yourself the new thought right after will start to help you think differently.
When you think differently, you won't be self-sabotaging as often (hello full-pint ice cream Netflix nights!) and you'll be in a better state to gain momentum.
Change your brain, change your life! So, whaddya say?! Are you in?
5 pillars every weight loss program needs to have (that no experts are talking about)
WHAT IF YOU ARE MOTIVATED TO MAKE A CHANGE, BUT NEED SOME GUIDANCE?!?
In another recent video, I cover the 5 pillars that need to be a part of every healthy + sustainable weight loss program. You don't ever have to pay me a dollar (and I'm gonna keep showing up for you for free anyway!) But, I do want to make sure if you're ready to finally lose the weight once and for all (or otherwise heal your body), that you're going about it with all angles covered. If not by me, then on your own or with help from someone else.
Many nutrition experts just address nutrition.
Fitness experts will tell you it's all in the workout plans.
Occasionally you'll find someone that covers both nutrition and fitness.
But if that was truly all you needed, you'd have accomplished it already, right?!
This is GOOD news! It's actually great news because it means YOU are not broken, but rather the approach you've tried in the past didn't actually get to the root cause of what is going on.
A truly effective coach or weight loss program will cover all of the following - in depth:
Mindset (emotional eating, creating new habits, etc.)
Mindful eating (slowing down, internal hunger cues)
Nutrition (including portions, meal timing, actual real-life recipes)
Fitness
Lifestyle (sleep and stress play a huge role in healthy weight loss)
A program that thorough is hard to come by. In fairness, I don't know other professionals that are trained in all those areas. So it makes sense. Scope of practice laws are in place to protect us!
If you are interested in hearing more about the 5 pillars…or if you've ever been curious about what it looks like to work 1-on-1 virtually (completely online) with me to make a health transformation, definitely check out the video!
If you are READY to make a change and would like to find out if we are a good fit for working together, you are welcome to schedule a (free) 15-minute call so we can chat about your goals and next steps.
In good health,
Tara
Weight loss and GOOGLE! Huh?!?!
What do Google and weight loss have to do with each other?
You many be thinking, "Nothing!" But hear me out. ;-)
In a recent video workshop, I talk about exactly this - both literally and metaphorically. It's worth the watch (or listen) if you have been feeling a lack of motivation or direction lately in your healthy / weight loss journey.
Come join me inside my FREE, private facebook group for women looking to lose weight in a healthy + sustainable way for more resources, recipes, and video trainings!
In good health,
Tara
You don't need more willpower!
Have you been blaming WILL?
Good ol' Will…as in, WILLPOWER…tends to get a bad rap.
Everyone's looking for it. No one has enough. Everyone wants to 'find' more or create more. People are throwing their goals and dreams to the wayside all the while blaming their lack of willpower.
If you've ever found yourself saying, "If I only had more willpower…", then I'm glad this email found you today!
Willpower is actually a limited resource. Meaning, we run out of it fairly quickly due to all of the decisions we go through in a typical day. Those that are killin' it with their goals, getting healthy, fit, and strong all around you - they DO NOT have any more willpower than you do.
Let me say that again…successful people do not have more willpower than you.
So what's the secret? It's actually all about neural pathways. In the non-nerd world, it's also known as HABITS.
Check out my latest Workshop Wednesday video in which I tell you exactly how to make progress towards your goals without needing any willpower. Oh, and have you noticed what's different about my videos these days? They're shorter!! Hallelujah! I've been condensing my videos by shutting up sooner so it's more feasible for you to watch / listen on a weekly basis. ;-)
If you're liking the new, shorter videos, would you do me a favor and hit "reply" to this email and let me know? Of course if you'd rather I babble on forever about your favorite topics, let me know that too. I'm always looking for your feedback so I can best support you in your health & weight loss journey.
In good health,
Tara
P.S. If you need a weekly dose of weight loss and wellness tips, tools, and resources in your life, let’s do it! Join my email list and let me treat you like the VIP you are!
The scale is making you GAIN weight!
Is the scale making you GAIN weight and excess body fat?
You might be surprised to find out that this is, in fact, what's happening for many people - certainly most of the women I work with and speak to.
Check out my latest Workshop Wednesday video to learn how and why and what you can do instead.
And then, get rid of that dang scale if it is affecting you in this way too!
In good health,
Tara
P.S. If you are on a weight loss / fat loss / wellness journey, we should hang out more! Did you know that I share online workshops, recipes, and more tips to help you transform your body + life FOR FREE? Every week?! Join my email list to get in on this and receive a welcome gift immediately! ;-)
FAT LOSS and Meal Timing
Fat loss - when the heck should I eat?
It's a common misconception that we need to be eating a million times a day in order to increase our metabolism and burn more fat.
First of all, let's talk about who is looking to burn more fat? If you are looking to lose weight or even just "tone up"…you're looking to decrease the excess fat you have on your body.
Watch my latest live video (or just listen - you don't need to see my face) as I get into how to tap into your fat stores to use them up as energy. We're discussing meal timing (when and how often) and we nerd out on what insulin is and the role it plays in fat storage and fat loss. It's a pretty unknown concept to most. Definitely worth the 35 minutes if fat loss is on your agenda!
Here's a quick summary:
1) Insulin is a fat-storage hormone that helps us carry sugar into our cells to use as energy. Whatever we don't use gets stored as fat to use at a later time.
2) If insulin remains elevated, our bodies remain in fat storage mode and do not switch over to fat burning mode.
3) Lowering insulin is what allows us to switch over to fat burning mode. We can lower our insulin by focusing on nutrition upgrades and timing our meals properly (hint: eating every 2 hours will not allow your insulin levels to come down for you to enter fat-burning mode).
Watch or listen to the video for lots more details and for the 3 tips I share at the end so you can get going on your fat loss goals right away!!
In good health,
Tara
P.S. If you’d like a (FREE) 3-day meal plan designed to help you with WHAT to eat and WHEN to eat for healthy fat loss, you can grab that right here! Enjoy!
Get Motivated NOW
Get Motivated NOW
It's a top-5 question I hear, "Why can't I just get motivated to______?" (workout, meal prep, work on my emotional eating…)
Here's why…you are going about it in the wrong order! Motivation doesn't come first. Rather, motivation comes after we've:
1) Decide to change
2) Start asking better questions
3) Take small action ("5-minute action")
4) Gain momentum
5) MOTIVATION shows up!
If you'd like to learn more, watch the (20-min.) video below that I recorded live last week with more details and suggestions on how to work this process.
In good health,
Tara
Metabolism article (with Dr. Axe)!
Hey guys,
Check this out…
I didn't pick this picture!! :-)
But, I did get to write alongside one of my favorite writers / educators in the holistic health space… Dr. Axe!
The article all about metabolism came out last week in Glam. If you'd like to find out if we are able to improve our own metabolism (spoiler alert: we can!), you can check out the article right here.
In good health,
Tara
P.S. If you struggle with a sluggish metabolism and are looking for a way to kick things in gear, grab my FREE 3-Day Meal Plan!
What's everyone getting worked up about Keto for? BravoTV feature
Hey all,
Unless you’ve been avoiding all TV, internet, and media of all kind, you’ve probably heard about the very popular “keto” diet (a.k.a. ketosis, ketogenic diet, high fat low carb, HFLC…) What you might’ve noticed, too, is how many people seem to take this diet choice so personally - regardless of which camp they fall into. Check out my latest article feature for BravoTV to read up about what the diet is, what it claims, and why I believe people have such strong feelings about it!
I’d love to hear from you…do you know anyone trying this diet?
In good health,
Tara
Your goals are set. Now what?!?
Don't wait for motivation to 'strike'!
Have you ever entered a new year (like right now) with tons of great intention, motivation, and a list of things you want to magically change about yourself or your routines? And then something derails your progress a day, a week, or a month in? Or you're making so many changes at once it becomes impossible to get them all straight?
I've been there! In fact, I'm the queen of lists and dreaming big and taking on wayyy more than I can manage (sanely, anyway).
My latest Workshop Wednesday video was all about how choose where to focus and how to not rely on feeling motivated to do so. The truth is, successful people are no more motivated than you or I. Successful people just implement a plan that involves taking action regardless of motivation being present or not. The specific tactic I get into in the video is called The Domino Effect. If you have been nerding out on goals and creating new habits lately, you're going to want to check out this video!
Happy New Year!
In good health and holiday cheer,
Tara
I have a surprise for you! (Sugar cravings? Health goals? Read this!)
Psst…
Yeah, you! The one that knows she's destined to make some amazing progress in her health this year. The same one that's also dealing with the post-holiday sugar cravings and telling herself she'll "start" when those go away...
I get you. I do. The holiday cookies, pies, bread, pizza, chocolate, and wine are SO DELICIOUS, but come with tons of baggage like your favorite toddler when you try to leave the house for 30 minutes.
It can be tricky to gain any traction with your goals when you're still battling those cravings for sugar and carbs. So, as a thank you for allowing me to hang out with you every week in your inbox, I have a surprise for you!
Coming January 14th to an inbox near you: Crush the Cravings, a 5-day (FREE) Challenge. No need to do anything if you’re already signed up for my newsletters. Well, you could tell a friend (or 5) if you want to help me help others! ;-)
If you’re not yet on my newsletter list, it’s not too late to join! Sign up at TaraAllenHealth.com - right on the home page, and get ready to open a new email everyday next week with a new tip or habit to practice that will have you well on your way to eliminating those cravings by week's end.
Sound good? Great! I'm excited to hear how awesome you feel at the end. Use #crushthecravings and tag me in your posts as you track your progress!
"See" you soon,
Tara
Eliminate these 2 things to see near-immediate results!
You just want someone to tell you what to do sometimes...
I get it! I do. If you've been reading my blogs for a while now, then you know that I believe in the, "If you bring a woman a fish, she'll eat for a day. If you teach a woman to fish, she'll eat for a lifetime" approach. (That was paraphrased with a creative twist). ;-)
However, I do really know what it's like to sometimes just want someone tell you what to do. When it's a week before a big holiday and 2 weeks before another big holiday and there's so much to do and what seems like an unlimited amount of parties with food and alcohol...
It can be hard to stay focused. It can be tricky to remember how to fish for yourself.
Today I'm sharing with you 2 things to eliminate (or greatly reduce) from your plate that will bring you near-immediate progress. These tips are NOT easy - especially this time of year. So, you get to choose when to use them. Save these tools in your tool belt for the day after a particularly fun party. :-) Or, start immediately so you can get a bit of traction and energy before all of these events. It's up to you!
The video is below. If you don't have time to watch or listen to the video for all of the details, here's the cliff notes:
1. Refined sugar
2. Refined flour
They are not doing you any favors for your health. If they are soul food for you - as in, your soul is happy when you eat them - then by all means, keep some of it in! But, choose intentionally. Be picky. Save it for special foods and special occasions. Watch how much better you feel when you do that!
In good health and holiday cheer,
Tara
P.S. 2019 is coming! It's our year and we're coming for it. One of the things that I do to give me a leg-up is keep my healthy habits in place. If working out consistently or eating properly for my body type and goals weren't a habit, I wouldn't be able to accomplish a whole lot, to be honest. This took some time for me to establish. And then, I had to figure it all out again post-babies. Things change. But, the fact that I need my health, energy, and confidence in order to go after my dreams has never changed. If you are looking to improve your health, energy, and/or confidence in the New Year so you can crush your goals…and your life, then I think you should! That's where the magic is.
I coach women through this transformation through nutrition, fitness, and lifestyle changes that bring great health, energy, confidence…and JOY! Let me know (email me at Tara@TaraAllenHealth.com) if you are interested in chatting (free of charge) to discuss what some of your goals are.*
*Limited offer: This offer is available to the first 5 people that email me.
Martha Stewart Weddings
Hey guys,
While I’m not so sure that the majority of you readers are getting married anytime soon (maybe?), the tips that were inside of my latest article feature in Martha Stewart Weddings is all about hydration and can definitely apply to you - even if you’re at a different stage in life. ;-)
Tell me, what are your favorite ways to stay hydrated?
In good health,
Tara
Safer Make-up
Save the date!
This beautiful lady below, Kathryn Lattimer, will be sharing her background story and some important wisdom about safer cosmetics with us! Not only that, but for those of us (ahem...me!) that are make-up challenged, she will be wrapping up our conversation by doing a make-up tutorial for everyone!
WHEN: Saturday, November 10th at 12:30 PM, Eastern
WHERE: Wherever the heck you have cell service!! Just be inside my private Facebook group, Lean In with Tara Allen Health.
WHAT IF I'M BUSY? No worries! The replay will be made available for you to watch when you have the time. ;-)
"See you" inside the group!
In good health,
Tara
Healthy Halloween - here's what we did
Hey guys,
I shot a quick video a few days ago to share what my family was doing to have ALL THE FUN on Halloween and none of the garbage!
Do we give out candy?
What about the school parties?
How do we deal with the trick or treating results?
I get into it all in this video.
Please note: This is what we choose to do as a family. This is by no means a judgment on your choices. ;-)
In good health,
Tara