According to a Stanford University study, researcher and psychology professor Carol Dweck, demonstrates that people cultivate one of two mindsets in a learning experience. In a fixed mindset, people believe that their qualities are innate and unable to change. They also believe that pure talent leads to success with no effort required.

On the other hand, those that have a growth mindset believe that learning and intelligence can improve with time and experience. They believe that their effort has a direct impact on their success, so they are usually more willing to put in the time and work since they believe that their abilities are just the starting point for potential.

It’s important to develop a growth mindset to realize your ability to succeed, no matter what obstacle you may face. It can also have a positive impact on your self-esteem and relationships. Here are some tips for developing a growth mindset:

• View challenges as opportunities. Embrace challenges as an opportunity to learn and grow. The more we challenge ourselves to achieve a healthier lifestyle, the more opportunities we open up for ourselves.
• Choose learning over approval. If we’re more concerned with getting acceptance from others, we lose perspective on the real benefits for reaching our goal. It’s important to focus on improving ourselves for our own benefit to increase our growth potential.
• Focus on the process. Major change usually does not happen overnight, so it’s important to be realistic about the timeline for reaching our goals. Implementing new, healthy habits in the learning process will make them more likely to stick over time.
• Reward your effort. Set mini milestone goals to reward yourself for all of the effort and progress that you’ve made along your journey. For example, if you’ve stuck to a healthy sleep schedule for two consecutive weeks, treat yourself to a massage or movie date with a friend or loved one.
• Reflect on your learning. Journaling is a great way to reflect on the new lessons you’ve learned. Keep track of healthy tips and also document your physical and emotional feelings to allow the lessons to sink in. This can help identify what is working well or if there are any changes that need to be made. 

Ask me, your OPTAVIA Coach, about other ways to develop a growth mindset on your journey to Lifelong Transformation, One Healthy Habit at a Time™.

Monday, April 22 marks the annual celebration of Earth Day, a worldwide event that celebrates support for having a healthy environment. The first Earth Day took place in in 1970 when millions of Americans protested pollution and deterioration of the environment, such as oil spills, pesticides, and wildlife extinction.

Today, the fight for a healthy environment continues worldwide as people continue to look for ways to give back to the environment. Here are some healthy ways to put Dr. Wayne Andersen’s macro Habits of Health® to good use, while also celebrating Earth Day:

• Go on a hike. Practice healthy motion by going on a hike and observing the beauty of nature. Take this opportunity to disconnect from online devices to truly appreciate all of nature’s treasures. 
• Visit a farmer’s market. Now that spring has sprung and many green vegetables are in season, visit a farmer’s market for the freshest produce selections.
• Walk or bike to work. This is another great way to practice healthy motion. Instead of driving or taking the bus, take a moment to appreciate the world around you by walking or biking your route to work.
• Plant a vegetable garden. Growing your own vegetables can save money and gives you opportunity to appreciate nature by witnessing growth firsthand. You’ll also be able to reduce the use of pesticides, making your vegetables healthier. This is a great opportunity to create memories with your family and assign everyone a task in garden care and maintenance.
• Spring clean. Take this opportunity to do a full cleaning inside and outside of your own home. Plan one day for outdoor cleaning—pull weeds and throw away dead branches. Plan another day for indoor cleaning—put away winter clothes to make room for spring and summer attire, do a full sweep and dust, and clean out the refrigerator to make room for your fresh produce.

From Surviving to Thriving

“I had struggled with being a little overweight for about 10 years, but I was never obese, until about four years ago.”

Carrie was going through a very stressful time in her life, and food had suddenly become her dependency; she gained 85 pounds in three years.

“I remember looking at photos we had taken at Christmas and being in disbelief that it was me. I was determined to make some changes.”

Carrie tried new diets and started going to the gym. She lost about 10 pounds, but then she had a setback and all of her previous emotions and behaviors returned.

“At that point, I just gave up and decided that I would probably be this way the rest of my life.”

A few weeks later, Carrie’s brother introduced her to his OPTAVIA Coach. He had lost 30 pounds on the Program*, and wanted the same success for his sister.

“That first call with my Coach changed the direction of my life. That spark of hope she gave me was all it took to ignite my journey.”

Carrie went from a size 18 to a size 8 and lost 65 pounds*. She used to be exhausted just going up the stairs to tuck her kids in bed, but now she has a ton of energy to play with them!

“The Community of support in OPTAVIA is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. My Coach has been there to guide me and give me the tools I need. The Habits of Health® System completely changed my thought process. I think differently about food, health, and my choices. I realized I CAN change, one Healthy Habit at a time.”

Carrie went from merely surviving to actually thriving and living an optimal life. She now has the power to create change, not only in her own life, but in the lives of others.

“Through coaching others, I have been able to dream big again and help impact lives for generations to come!”