Tag Archives: self-esteem

The Benefits of Martial Arts For Kids

childrens muay thai classThere are lots of activities that kids can be involved in. Soccer, swim team, ballet, gymnastics – my kids have done them all. Rarely have they been involved in a sport that I think holds life lasting benefits – until now. About a year ago, my teenage daughter asked if she could join the muay thai classes that her girlfriend was enrolled in, and I agreed. Well, it’s been such a great learning experience for her that I’ve now enrolled two more of my children in classes. They love the instructors, who make every class exciting, and the self-defense that they’ve learned has been amazing. The instructors keep tabs on all of the students, asking about grades and behavior at home and reinforcing the desired behaviors. (more…)

Posted on June 9, 2026 by Carmen

Are You Already Closer to Your Goal Than You Think?

weight-loss-goalsSolution-focused therapy encourages forward progression in several ways, one of which is to look for past successes (and exceptions to the problem) and build off of those. In goal setting and achievement I encourage my clients to consider the smallest change they can make immediately, as well as the very first, smallest sign of progress they will notice. We are most likely to achieve and maintain large goals in small steps, undertaking one at a time, rather than trying to create an entirely new life or way of being over night.

In general people do not pay enough attention to how successful and powerful they actually are already. Preparing a healthy lunch rather than stopping at Taco Bell just one day is a major change for that day. A smaller change would be to go to the same eating establishment, but order lighter fare instead of the usual. (more…)

Posted on May 23, 2026 by Brooke Randolph

Kickin’ Butt and Takin’ Names with Capoeira

Capoeira is (via FortuneCity)

Capoeira is a form of dance-inspired martial arts. (via FortuneCity)

When I realized I had been successful with my weight loss, I knew that the hardest part of the entire endeavor was ahead of me. Losing weight is very hard, but I think that maintenance is even more difficult. I lost weight walking and running, but I knew that I’d need to mix up my exercise choices so that I’d stay interested and off the sofa.  While reading an exercise magazine one day, I saw an article discussing Capoeira – a dance form incorporating martial arts elements, originating in Brazil as a system of physical discipline and movement. Having taken years of ballet in the past, I was intrigued. So I looked online, found a studio near me that taught it, and went for a trial class. (more…)

Posted on May 23, 2026 by Carmen

Mom, You are Worth It!

mom-grocery-shoppingWhile watching an older episode of The Biggest Loser, I heard something amazing, something I’d never really thought about before. While counseling a contestant, Jillian Michaels said that you can be so afraid of your success that you sabotage your weight loss, thereby ensuring that you won’t be successful. Whoa. And, huh?

And, yeah, right on. Especially if you are a mom. Think about it. Moms are conditioned, from before the baby arrives to put the baby first. Think of the baby, do what’s best for the baby. In the beginning, of course, there is a lot of validity to this sentiment. But babies grow up, change and become interested in other things, and moms often stay in the same position, stagnant and directionless. It is an almost martyrdom, placing the wants and needs of every other member of the family above hers. In a far too often scenario, this leads to weight gain. And then the vicious cycle begins. (more…)

Posted on April 29, 2026 by Carmen

The Hurdle of Self-Doubt, Part II

fast-foodHow do you jump the hurdle of self-doubt? If you do not believe a goal is achievable it will appear to be a wall rather than a hurdle. For my friend staying away from fast food seemed to be an impossibility. Fast food is readily available, easy, and relatively inexpensive. To avoid it might require him to spend more, drive further, learn to cook, or depend on others. It might also require some advanced planning to purchase and prepare food before one wants to eat. Beyond all that is the familiarity and comfort derived from such options.

He could have resolved one day not to eat fast food ever again, looked up several new healthy recipes, gone to the grocery and bought all the ingredients; however, my guess is that after a week or so he would be looking for a break from all that cooking or disappointed in his skill or time management. Going to the grocery may seem overwhelming when you don’t know where everything is or even what you really want. (more…)

Posted on April 15, 2026 by Brooke Randolph

The Hurdle of Self-Doubt, Part I

track-hurdlesChanging your life is a process, undertaken one step at a time. I have written previously about why drastic changes like New Years Resolutions fail. Some steps toward change are too big to maintain. Lifestyle and dietary habits are often so ingrained that it can require a redefinition of yourself to make that change. It is important for success not to jump in over your head, but to consciously walk through each step of your journey.

Even when we take each step individually, some steps can feel like a longer reach than others. A friend who has been reading my posts at Diets In Review shared with me recently that in his struggle to lose weight the biggest hurdle was not finding new information on nutrition and exercise that could help direct his behavior or modify his metabolism or even avoiding the temptation of his comfort foods, but rather the most difficult part for him was believing that he could actually make it over those hurdles. Self-doubt is a hurdle in itself. (more…)

Posted on April 14, 2026 by Brooke Randolph

7 Mental Health Reasons to Run

Mini participants running through downtown Indianapolis

Mini-marathon participants running through downtown Indianapolis.

In just under seven weeks, I will be running the Indianapolis Mini-Marathon for the second time. Part of the events leading up to the Indianapolis 500 each year, the Mini-Marathon is the largest half-marathon and the fifth largest running event in the United States. It is a major event for Indianapolis, including participants from all over the world, across age brackets, and of all speeds. I have fast new shoes and I am running more days than I’m not. I obviously have running on the brain. We write about the health benefits of running frequently, but there are several mental health benefits also.

1. Run when you are feeling angry or frustrated to burn off the extra energy. Research has shown that nothing relieves stress more than physical exercise.

2. Running increases endorphins which contributes to a general sense of well-being and mood elevation, so running can make you feel better when you are sad. (more…)

Posted on March 23, 2026 by Brooke Randolph

Valuing Your Past, Present, and Future

woman covering faceReading health blogs can be an excellent source of information and encouragement; however common titles like 5 Things to Cut Out of Your Diet Now, 4 Exercises You Should Do Every Day, 6 Ways to Get a Flat Belly, or 7 Changes That Can Help You Sleep can start to give you the idea you need to be fixed. With all the information available, I have a hard time imagining everyone is doing it all. (If you follow every suggestion posted at DietsInReview, I want to hear from you!) I often write about change and meeting goals, but what I want you to know is that who you are right now, today, is not only OK, it is who life has made you to be to this point.

The people in our lives, the experiences we have had, and the lessons we have learned have shaped all the details of our lives, including our daily habits. It is not always easy to live a life without regrets, but you must forgive yourself for your past choices. Remind yourself that you made the best choice that you could at that moment based on the information that you had. (more…)

Posted on March 12, 2026 by Brooke Randolph

Treat Yourself Like You’d Treat Your Best Friend

woman thumbs upYou can continue to add to your list of positive characteristics and skills by being in tune to the things other people say about you. How often has someone tried to pay you a compliment and rather than thanking them for their kind words and recognition, you tell them they are wrong? Not only are you not accepting the compliment, but you are not accepting them or their opinion, and you are likely making it less likely for them to say such things to you again in the future.

If you are struggling with self-esteem, let those around you tell you those things that make you special. Often those closest to you have a more accurate view of you than you do. If you have a healthy support team, you will hear positive things about yourself, not negative. Teach yourself to say “Thank you” to every compliment! (more…)

Posted on March 4, 2026 by Brooke Randolph

You Make the List: Improving Your Self-Esteem

woman writing One of the first steps in improving your self-esteem has nothing to do with change. You can take pride in your goals, determination, and progress; however, self-esteem is all about accepting who you are and self-esteem is an important component of conquering your goals. Those who do not believe in themselves and do not like themselves are less likely to achieve their goals. As Stuart Smalley might say, “you are good enough, you are smart enough, and doggone it people like you”. In my years working in community mental health, I met a variety of people; I have had opportunities to get to know people from all over the world in all kinds of situations; and I can honestly say that I believe there is something good, lovable, and wonderful in everyone. For this reason, I will be creating a series of posts about self-esteem so you can find those things in yourself. (more…)

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Brooke Randolph

Guest Blog: Getting In Shape From Blogging

This week we have a guest blog from Israel at Fat Man Unleashed. He’s a self-proclaimed fat man who uses his blog to share his diet, weight loss and fitness experiences. It’s one of those true-life, weight loss reality checks from someone who’s been there and continues to work hard. His message this week makes me feel better about all the hours I log blogging! – bk

Did you know that blogging can help you with getting in shape? It can also help you with your accountability issues and peer support.

First, just to clarify, blogging itself will not help you lose weight since it is not a physical exercise. However, blogging does help you stay in shape and lose weight indirectly. It can provide you with the motivation you need to stick with your goal. If you start a weight loss blog, you will most likely stick to your diet and exercise. Why? Because you want to prove it to yourself (and others) that you can achieve your goals. Having readers makes it easier to stay in shape and blog about it. The community and support group feeling they provide is comparable to some paid membership sites. Would you want to let your friends down? I wouldn’t, hence motivation to stick to your goals. This helps to make you accountable for your actions.

Blogging can also help you with your self-esteem. When you blog you are writing down all that occurs during your journey. This includes the ups and the downs. As you write down the progress, you can look back at the positive changes you have made. This should motivate you and help you keep up with your newly found good habits. It’s like taking before and after photos. The hardest part is opening up and showing/telling someone. You can also blog about the negatives. These posts will remind you of the mistakes you should not repeat. You would be surprised with the level of support you receive when you post about a “relapse.”

More people should try blogging if they are trying to lose weight or get in shape. If you have not started a blog about your health goals, you should give it a try because it will benefit you in many ways.

Thank you, Israel. This is a great tip for anyone trying to lose weight. If you aren’t comfortable blogging for the world to see, but still want to keep track of your progress and relapses as Israel described- check out the free journal at FitDay.

Posted on January 29, 2026 by Natalie K