F E A R - Ian Brown

I’m forever meeting people who are living with anxiety, suffer panic attacks and live life, full of fear. So, imagine my response when yesterday, I was asked what makes me feel anxious and raises my level of stress.

Now if you know me, you’ll know that I’m not the most stressed of people yet, there are situations that make even me, super-anxious. My baseline of anxiety might be lower than most, especially post Guillain-Barre Syndrome in 2016 but it immediately peaks whenever I feel the pressure of confided spaces. 

 

Yes, I’m extremely claustrophobic. And I hate how it makes me feel…

 

Immediately, my heart and respiratory rates spike and I feel the cold sweat on my forehead start to bead. I’m fully aware that it’s an irrational fear, without foundation, but it’s something I’m fully aware of and try to avoid situations where it might happen. Crowded rooms, packed planes and worst of all – a packed lift that jams between floors can enough to tip me over the edge. And believe me – it does.

 

I try not to let it affect how I lead my life and let my limitations limit my expectations – and it’s work in progress.

 

So now you know…

1.128 Marathons - 261 Ultras - 9 Guinness World Records - 15 Marathon des Sables

Definitely Maybe - Oasis

Here’s a simple question - ‘Are you giving things your best shot?’

Would you give yourself a 70, 80 or even a 90% appraisal of living the dream, or is it a 50% or less? It’s a tough question to answer and one that’s hard to come to terms with. Yet in your heart-of-hearts you know how much time, effort and determination you’re putting in to reaching your dreams and goals.

Addiction of any kind is a binary, black and white world, where percentages 1-99 simply don’t exist and an ‘almost unique’ is a ‘not unique’. You’re either drinking/not drinking alcohol. Smoking/not smoking. On diet/not on diet. I believe the ‘I’ve been mostly on it’… I hear so often is more of a ‘I’ve been mostly off it’. It’s not an option.

But I get it. I really do. Changing the engrained habits of a lifetime within the world and people we’ve surrounded ourselves with is an almost impossible task. Temptation is all around and fitting in with the crowd makes for an easier life and provides a wonderful excuse. 

But perhaps it’s when we are on our own that we are at our most dangerous. The one where you talk yourself into failing. Yes, I believe the person that limits your success most – is you. 

In my world, there’s no ‘definitely maybe’. It’s a simple ‘yes/no’, ‘black/white’, ‘zero/one’ option. My thoughts are, what’s the point in trying if I know I’m going to fail? If I do something, I give it 100% or not do it at all. Yes, it’s a harsh world and one few will understand and one that might lose you friends but hey-ho, when you look back you can say you gave things your best shot.

Now I understand it’s hard to upgrade multiple options at the same time but how about being 100% on just one of the things that’s currently making your life a day long battle of wits. Find a diversion. Reach out for support – there’s lots out there. But for once do what it says on the bloody tin for once today and for the rest of your days?

Amen.

1,127 Marathons -  261 Marathons - 9 Guinness World Records - 15 Marathon des Sables

Stand up and Shout - The Tubes - 1975

It’s too easy to become defeated and give in. I know from personal experience just how disappointing and that can be, but my message today is to ignore the distractions and people that pour kryptonite on your world, fight back – pull on a fresh set of body armour and fight for what you believe in and what matters to YOU.

It’s your world… 

Be brave. Head up. And be proud today. YOU matter.

1,127 Marathons - 261 Ultras - 9 Guinness World Records - 15 Marathon des Sables

Time for Action - Secret Affair

How is being overweight affecting your life? Are you less mobile? Have less energy? Feel embarrassed about your size? Or as in my case all those years ago, make you hate the person looking back at you in the mirror? It could be one or all the above. But what you might be thinking is simply - I'm not happy about being overweight!

Thinking and doing are two very different things but reading this article might provide the moment where things change for you - forever.

 

You see being overweight isn't a permanent state. It's possible to reverse the process and return to a much healthier weight in just a few months. And it's easy to be your own worst self-critic and differ the problem saying you'll start living a better life tomorrow. However, tomorrow never comes and you deserve better. To feel better in your own skin. Not just for the next big family get-together but for the rest of your life.

 

It doesn’t have to be a massive 'change everything' quantum leap where you try and eliminate all your bad behavioural traits. It could start with just one small step. Getting rid of a few distractions or the things or even the people that tempt you can really help. And sure, starting to take some light exercise, stopping drinking empty calories, and eating more whole foods will help no end but it's more than that.

 

This about changing the habits possibly of a lifetime and rethinking your relationship with food and how you use it to get through life.

 

I've been helping people for many years now to lose weight, overcome their daily battle with over-eating and negotiate the bumpy road of weight-loss to reach a new level of personal happiness and self-confidence. My current client average weight-loss is 9.7kgs (Maximum client loss 51kgs) and if you'd like to have a similar life-transformation, please contact me and see if I have help you be the person you want to be.

 

It could be the call or email that changes the rest of your life...

 

Contact:- rory@colemancoaching.co.uk or call 07866 477051.

1,127 Marathons - 261 Ultras - 15 Marathon des Sables - 9 Guinness World Records

Living one life to the Max