Meditations and Affirmations with Danette May

I've shared with you my overall experience with Danette May's 30 Day Challenge. I've shared with you a more detailed look at both the clean eating and the exercise involved in the program. The last key component to the 30 Day Challenge is meditation. So that's what we're talking about today!

The meditations included in Danette May's program are short, guided meditations that focus on positive affirmations with a little visualization. (Think: listening to a relaxing, 5 minute audio recording and repeating positive statements like "I am enough" and "I love my body as it is today and will be tomorrow.")

If you've read my post on Danette's workouts, you know that she incorporates affirmations and intentions into many of her workouts as well, and it's one of my favorite things about how she works.

Here's what I think...

We spend WAY too much time saying negative things to ourselves and absorbing negative messages from the world outside of us (TV, magazines, advertisements, internet trolls, etc.--they all seem to be telling us that we're not good enough.). We need more positive, affirming messages in our lives. And we need to be the harbingers of those positive messages. We need to rewire our brains from negative self-talk to positive. And positive affirmations through meditation are a great way to start that rewiring. Do these and, over time, you'll find that your responses to the bumps in your day-to-day life will slowly change. You'll be calmer and sunnier, even when the going gets tough. And, even more importantly, your attitude toward yourself will change.

There is A TON of research out there about the positive effects of meditation. We should all be meditating. Everyday. (I personally think that it should be a part of our nationwide school curriculum K-12, so that kids can develop this super-healthy life habit early. But that's a different blog post! 😉) Anyway, Google benefits of meditation and you'll see what I mean. There are a ton of articles!

Here are some of the benefits of meditation: Reduces stress, Slows aging, Improves sleep, Helps you feel more connected, Helps you appreciate life more, Improves brain function, Makes you happier, Increases immunity, Improves attention span, Aids in weight loss...the list goes on and on. (Seriously, one article I read listed 76 benefits of meditation. 76!)

So I started doing Danette's I AM meditation on day one of the challenge. Now, 40-some days later, I do at least one of her meditations at least once a day...but I'd say that I average 2-3 of her meditations each day. I usually do one right after I workout, while I'm cooling down. Then I listen to one or two more while I'm driving the car or getting ready after my shower or walking the dog.

I like the way they make me feel. And I am really focused right now on rewiring my brain. I am dumping negativity and judgment. Trading it in for positivity, love, and grace. This is a big task. (I've had a lot of years with those negative, judgmental thoughts!) But I'm loving the work...and my progress.

I'm loving Danette's meditations so much that I've added other meditations to my days/weeks too--including meditations with my kids. (I'll share more about some of those in a post in the near future.) And I truly believe that these meditations are a game changer. I believe that it is the combination of the meal plan + the workouts + the meditations that make this plan so effective. And the meditations are the easiest part to incorporate into your life--a small change that has huge impact.

Give it a try.

If you're not going to try out Danette's 30 Day New You Challenge, at least try this--go over to Youtube, find a short meditation that looks appealing and try adding it to your daily life. Because here's the thing, folks, this stuff isn't just about losing weight. It's about living your best life in your healthiest body. It's about feeling good--physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I feel so good. And I want you to, too. Whether you try this program or you piece together your own version. Eat clean, healthy, unprocessed, organic foods. Exercise and meditate daily. Fill your head...fill your life...with positive thoughts. You CAN have the life you've always dreamed of. It's in your power to make it so. You just have to get up everyday and make the choices that move you in the right direction.

I believe in this so much. Though this is my last post, for now, that's specifically about Danette May's 30 Day New You Challenge, I will continue to post about the things that I'm doing that are making a difference in my life. I feel so good and I want everyone to feel this way.

Okay, I'm done. Off my soapbox.

Here are the links to my previous posts about the 30 Day Challenge, if you haven't already read them:
http://mamamanagement.blogspot.com/2017/02/30-days-to-new-me-danette-mays-30-day.html
http://mamamanagement.blogspot.com/2017/02/a-typical-clean-eating-food-day-danette.html
http://mamamanagement.blogspot.com/2017/02/the-difference-in-danette-mays-workouts.html

And here's the link to sign up for the next 30 Day New You Challenge--it starts next Monday, March 6th! http://59894eyms6z7rh6pp2w509aobx.hop.clickbank.net/?pid=265&tid=amylorbach2017 (12/29/17 Update: New Link! Click Here to sign up for the next 30 Day Challenge: http://mbsy.co/l3l9M)

Have a great day, friends.

Until next time, take a few minutes each day to meditate and say nice things to yourself. Try this:

I am beautiful. I am perfect just as I am. I love my body for all that it is and all that it's done for me. I radiate joy into the world. And I give love to everyone around me. I am enough.

Namaste.