November 2012

The journey between what you once were and who you are now becoming is where the dance of life really takes place. - Barbara Deangelis

This is such a great time of the year! The trees and vines are brilliant with their fall colors and the days are sunny and crisp while the nights are cool and (usually) clear. Along with most of us here in the Bay Area, I enjoyed watching the major league play offs and World Series with the Giants coming out as champions for the 2nd time in 3 years!  Over a million people gathered in San Francisco on Halloween to celebrate the victory.

October was an extra special month for me as both of my grandkids and my mother celebrate their birthdays. My granddaughter turned 16 (really?) and continues to enjoy her friends, school, cheerleading, and her car. My grandson turned 10 and loves his sports, especially football and soon, basketball. My mom turned 92 and proudly announced she got her driver's license renewed for another 4 years!

For me it's been an exciting month since my last newsletter. I spent a wonderful weekend on Tinsley Island in the Delta for their annual Women's Cruise. I learned to paddle board (thanks to my patient instructor and host, Cynthia Bernheim), kayaked around the island a few times, and enjoyed a lot of dancing, yoga, and hanging out with amazing women.

I managed to squeeze in another weekend away and went up Healdsburg to meet my cousin and friends for wine tasting and bottling. The vines were especially beautiful and showing off their brilliant fall colors and all the growers and wine makers were happy with a bountiful harvest this year.

This month's feature article focuses on the importance of using an integrated approach to healthy weight loss. True and lasting healing requires attention to the emotional, spiritual, and physical aspects of our selves. When we are out of balance in one area, this affects the whole, as mind, body, and spirit are one. 

My whole approach to healing work is based in an integrated model, which experience tells me is essential for reclaiming and maintaining health and vitality. I hope you'll find something useful and inspiring in this article. Let me know what you think!

With love and kindness,

Rachelle Goering, M.A., N.P. 

Transformational Weightloss

Weight loss is a huge business with countless men and women struggling with obesity and overweight. Losing those excess pounds and maintaining that loss is not for the faint of heart. It requires dedication, commitment, a willingness to change, and the courage to look at the underlying issues that contribute to overeating, emotional eating, or choosing the wrong kinds of foods. 

Transformational weight loss is about transforming your relationship with food, your body, and your Self. Ultimately it's about transforming your approach to life and learning to truly nourish yourself on all levels: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. 

For some, it may be about transforming your state of health from "sick and tired" to "vibrant and energetic". For others shifting from depression and low self-esteem to self-confidence and personal empowerment is the key. Weight loss is so much more than reaching a specific number on the scale. Transformational weight loss can take you from fear and stagnation to finding and fulfilling your life's purpose.  

Physical Transformation

My approach to weight loss uses a customized integrated system. I look at an individual's biochemistry through sophisticated lab work and metabolic assessment forms that my patients complete when they come to me. I also evaluate their current nutritional status and eating habits. Patients complete a food and mood diary so we can see not only what they are eating and when, but how that food affects their emotions and their energy levels.  

We may even do food sensitivity testing. Often people are sensitive to foods and don't even know it because their symptoms are subtle or delayed or both. It may take up to 4 or 5 days for some symptoms to reveal themselves and by then you may not have a clue that it was the corn tortilla you ate last Sunday that is giving you the belly ache or bloat you are feeling today.  

With these tools and information at your disposal, the path to lasting physical transformation is clearer and in many ways easier to navigate. 

Mental Transformation

Using your mind to help you lose weight is equally important. Align your subconscious with your weight loss goals by visualizing your body healthy and at your perfect weight. This will help you make wise choices around food and exercise. Yes, your mind can easily help you make healthful choices instead of always thinking about hot fudge sundaes or pizza!

You mind can also help you to discover a deep appreciation for your body and develop a positive relationship with food. It is the power of the mind that lets you learn to eat without stress or fear so you don't trigger the hormones that cause you to eat more and turn much of what you eat into stored fat.  

Emotional Transformation

Discovering the feelings, thoughts, and stories you have around food that underlie the habits and compulsions that are sabotaging your health and fitness is one of the most important steps to weight loss. 

Self-defeating thoughts and emotions can drive a person to overeat, causing more self-loathing and low self-esteem that perpetuate the cycle of overeating because you feel so bad about your self that you are driven to eat to try to numb out those feelings.  

Compassion and patience can replace the angst and fear around food and eating. The more you develop a healthy relationship with your body and self, the more you will WANT to choose to take care of yourself by eating healthy foods in an environment that is nurturing and pleasant. This change in perspective helps you live life to the fullest without unhealthy habits or addictive behaviors continually holding you back. 

Spiritual Transformation

The more you believe in yourself and the better you feel about yourself, the more capable you are navigating life's challenges successfully and potently. You can rise above self-doubt by trusting in yourself. It is possible to transcend negative thinking and release unhealthy relationships and move into a state of peace and self-confidence.  

Putting it All Together

When working with a client on weight loss, or any health issue, I individualize my approach depending on the unique needs and history of that person. It is never a one-size-fits-all approach. Each person's physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual history is unique and must be taken into careful consideration to achieve success.

I love the one-on-one relationship I develop with each patient and find that the

most successful are those that see me on a regular basis, checking in with me either in person or virtually at least weekly. Our interactions are not about judging success or failure, but more about identifying right or wrong behaviors and understanding where and how I can best support each person.  

Success is not about reaching a specific number on the scale. It's so much more than that. It's about changing one's lifestyle, internal belief system, and shifting negative thinking to compassion for one's self. It's about trust, and healing and feeling good inside your skin.  

Sometimes the changes you make are big strides, sometimes baby steps are a cause for great celebration. And sometimes there's a slide backwards, but all of this is part of the process. Finding success is all about learning from what is and isn't working, and getting up and starting again when we fall short of our ideal. 

Partnering for Success 

My intention is to be your coach, your guide, your confidante, the wind beneath your wings!  I develop life-long relationships with my patients so I can be there when they lose their footing, need a little assistance to get back on course, or just need to check in from time to time. 

Change doesn't come easy for most of us and old habits are sometimes extremely hard to break. We can all use a compassionate comrade to rely on who won't judge us or fault us if we slip and fall. I hope I can be that someone for you when you most need it.

To learn more about Rachelle's integrated weight loss programs, contact her at the Optimal Aging Center at Plastic Surgery Specialists in Greenbrae, CA at 415-925-2880 or visit www.psspecialists.com.

September 2012

"Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony."

- Thomas Merton

As I write this month's newsletter, my heart is brimming with gratitude and appreciation for my wonderful family and the adventures we shared this summer.

I've just returned from a beautiful holiday with 50 of my Goering relatives. Every other year, my father's siblings and their spouses, children, nieces, nephews, and every other familial relation all gather somewhere in the contiguous United States to reminisce, catch up on the latest from each other's lives, play games, hike, sing, eat, and simply enjoy each other's presence.

This year we gathered in Logan, Utah. The family congregated at a local hotel and enjoyed great food, numerous games of Scrabble and Taboo, lively conversations, and one heck of a talent show! Despite all this, I think the highlight of the weekend was the 7 elders sharing memories, insights, and stories from their long and colorful lives. We've been reuniting like this for the past 34 years and are fortunate that all of my father's siblings are still living. At 92, my father is the oldest of The Magnificent 7. I feel incredibly blessed to have such a loving and fun-filled extended family!

Earlier last month, my daughter and granddaughter flew out from Kansas to spend a week with me. We headed up to Tahoe where we enjoyed swimming, shopping, and hiking. We even found a little time for relaxation too! In addition to this girls-only reunion, just a few days before I left for the family reunion, I spent a fun filled weekend in Carmel with a group of friends. So it's been a delightful summer filled with loved ones and I'm not quite ready for it to end!

Whether it is the love and support of good friends and family, rewarding work, strong faith, or good health, we all have aspects of life to relish and be deeply grateful for. These things also take investment and with that, balance. This month's article is about finding that balance so that we may have enough to give to each part of our lives, with enough left in reserve for our selves.

With love and kindness,

Rachelle Goering, M.A., N.P.

It's All About Balance

With fall Equinox nearly here, it seems fitting to talk about balance. In the Northern Hemisphere the sun is now rising later while nightfall comes sooner. This week will mark the Autumn Equinox when day and night are approximately equal in length. From then until the Winter Solstice, the days will gradually become shorter as the nights grow longer. 

  

We'll shift from spending more time outside, to the more contemplative season indoors. But until then, get out and enjoy the last golden days of summer because it will soon be over! 

  

Just as the Earth requires a balance of light and dark, heat and cold, death and rebirth, the cycles and various aspects of our lives must also find a balance. What does being in balance really mean? And how do we create balance in our lives?Most of us are very good at doing, but not so well-practiced at being. In this To Do world, we are in the habit of doing something or thinking about doing something from the moment we get up in the morning until our heads hit the pillow at night. Right from the start, we are already out of balance.

Usually our bodies will give us a clue (or two or three) that things are out of balance, and if we pay attention, we can change what we are doing and shift things. For instance, too much doing can cause fatigue, headaches, depression, anxiety, digestion issues, unexplained body aches and pain to name a few. 

  

To help your mind and spirit find balance, try having a daily "being" list, as opposed to just a "to do" list. For example, commit to spending a few quiet moments each morning with no agenda but sitting, focusing on your breathing, relaxing your body, meditating, sipping on a cup of tea, and expressing gratitude for your life. Wayne Dyer writes that when he wakes up each morning the first words and thoughts he expresses are "Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!"

When it comes to your body, being in balance means a number of things. For one, when your body is in balance, it is in homostasis and homeostasis is necessary for health. Your body naturally gravitates toward balance and it will do what ever it can to bring all systems into harmonious function. Those uncomfortable symptoms of dis-ease mentioned above are your body's way of trying to get your attention, to tell you things are falling off the rails somewhere.

To give your body what it needs to achieve balance feed yourself a fresh, healthy diet of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Balance exercise with rest, pleasure with work, and quiet time activity. 

Living in balance looks different for each person. You have to find out for yourself

what your life looks and feels like when in balance. With daily practices like a "being" list, proper attention to the needs of our physical body, and setting good boundaries when it comes to external commitments and obligations you are well on your way. 

  

Some of the benefits of living a balanced life include:

*Better health and more vitality

*More self-confidence and sense of purpose

*More happiness and peace of mind

*Positive relationships

*More Positive thinking (which leads to more positive outcomes)

*Better budgeting with some savings

*More self-discipline increasing the likelihood that you will achieve your goals

*Less stress and living in a relaxed manner

*Living in harmony with nature

*Better time management

*Living a more fulfilled life

*Balancing work and family results in being happier at work and happier at home

*More joy, peace of mind, better health

No question, I think these benefits are worth the energy it takes to make a few changes, if that's what's needed to bring more balance into your life. 

Think about one or two things you can do today to bring about more balance, at a minimum set aside time for "being" rather than doing, and treat your body to the physical conditions it needs to be healthy and strong. From here just wait and and see what positive changes show up!

Receive more articles like this one plus news and updates about my services, retreats and holistic programs with my monthly e-newsletter - sign up here. 

Summer 2012

In summer, the song sings itself.  - William Carlos Williams

Sunny summer greetings to everyone!  As I write this note, I am enjoying a perfectly gorgeous summer morning and watching the moon set over Mt Tam. I am in awe of the beauty of my surroundings and am so grateful to be living in right here, right now! 

A few weeks ago I returned from spending the 4th of July in Kansas with my family. It was a sweltering 103 degrees the day I arrived and got steadily hotter each day until a cool front came and brought some rain right before I left. I remember those days growing up on the farm and we didn't have air conditioning for much of my childhood. We just figured out how to manage in the heat. This visit I spent a lot of time at the community pool with my grandson. Talk about living each moment to the fullest, he certainly exemplified that! I loved watching him jump from the diving board, make new friends, and just have a blast.

In a few days my daughter and granddaughter will be visiting me for a week. We'll spend most of that time in Tahoe, hiking, biking, swimming and hanging out - I'm ready for a true vacation where I leave all work and daily concerns behind. We'll also meet up with my niece and her husband in San Francisco who will be vacationing from Wisconsin. 

And finally, at the end of August, I'll be joining about 60+ aunts, uncles, cousins, spouses and children for our bi-annual family reunion. This time it will be in Utah. It's always a great time to reunite with this clan. We all get along well, have a lot of fun together, play multiple games of Scrabble and Taboo, as well as sing and dance and eat. This tradition was started when my daughter was 9 months old and she's now nearly 34 so that tells you how long we've managed to keep this going!

So it will be a busy and fun filled rest of the summer and my commitment is to live in each moment and enjoy it to the fullest. I feel very blessed with doing work that I love, friends and relationships that nurture and fill me, good health, and the opportunity to live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet.

Wishing you a wonderfully delicious fun filled summer as well!

To your health and happiness,  

Rachelle Goering, M.A., N.P.

Get the Most Out of Your Summer - For Life!

I just love summer! It's my favorite time of the year and I always look forward to a season when the days are long, and the Earth warm and in full bloom. Everyone seems to be lighter, happier and more carefree. 

Though I might want to sometimes, I can't slow down the unfolding of time and this summer like every other will pass into autumn and then winter. That's all the more reason to set your intention toward enjoying the beauty and abundance that exists right now.

Here are several things you can do to harvest the most out of your precious summer season and beyond, as these practices are useful in getting the most out of your life any time of the year. 

1) Begin with gratitude. Instead of spending energy longing for your next vacation, start by appreciating what you have right now. Begin the day with a prayer of gratitude and make a point to notice more to be grateful for each day. 

2) Live with intention. When you get up in the morning, consider what you want to get out of your day and what you are willing to put into it. As the Buddha said, "All that we are is the result of what we have thought".

3) Be daring. Take the plunge and do something this summer that you've always wanted to do but keep putting off. Maybe it's taking a paddle board lesson, learning Zumba, going out for a night of dancing, reading that novel on the bedside table, going to a baseball game...whatever it might be, set a date and do it! 

4) Be spontaneous. Relax a little and let yourself flow with the rhythm of life. If someone invites you to dinner, a movie, a walk on the beach...GO! Last minute and unexpected invitations can open a door to magic and delight. The to do list will wait, I promise!

  

5) Get up early and watch the sunrise. Sunrise is a powerful time of day. The world is still waking up and the day's potential is unlimited. Harness some of that fresh new-day energy yourself by sitting in peace watching the world wake up. 

6) Go for a picnic. Find a special spot in nature, pack a delicious picnic for one (or more) and watch the sunset. Eating fresh, colorful foods (especially from a nearby farmer's market) and savoring each bite in a tranquil, natural setting is a wonderful tonic to unwind from your day.

7) Be in nature as much as possible. Nature is grounding, balancing and calming. Leave your screens and devices behind (or at least power them down) and go for walks in the park, dip your toes in the ocean, join a hiking club or simply find a shady spot in the back yard and bask in the beauty of this gorgeous planet.

Try one (or all!) of these ideas and let me know how it goes. Maybe you'll come up with a few ideas of your own - I'd love to hear about it! For now, have a safe and joyful summer. I look forward to connecting with all of you in early fall. 

Receive more articles like this one plus news and updates about my services, retreats and holistic programs with my monthly e-newsletter - sign up here. 

May 2012

I love May! It is my second favorite month of the year with April being my most favorite.  April is, after all, my birthday month. This year I celebrated my 62nd birthday. When I was younger, I thought that anyone in their 60s was old. Now I feel very differently, of course! The truth is, I feel great! I feel vital and energetic; I'm happy and am coming to peace with my self and my life. I'm no longer bothered by the little things that ultimately distracted me from living a rich and fulfilled life. That's part of the beauty of aging - we learn not to sweat the small stuff, we get to accept ourselves and really enjoy who we are and all that life has to offer.

That's not to say I don't have my moments, of course I do. But thank goodness they really truly are just moments. Because I see life as precious and want to live it to the fullest, I consistently do what I can to stay healthy and vital. The lifestyle choices I make have a direct effect on how I am going to look and feel. When I choose healthy foods over junk, when I choose to exercise and move my body with activities that I love, when I am with friends who love and support me, and when I incorporate relaxation and spiritual practices that nurture my heart and soul, I live more authentically aligned with my Essential Nature. And there is something about living in that alignment that allows me to live life passionately, moment to moment.

My feature article this month is on aging and beauty and asks how we define beauty as we age. To stop the clock on aging is unrealistic, the better choice is to figure out how to age gracefully, to maintain our vitality and zest for life, and ultimately how to redefine our values so that we can embrace the wisdom and maturity that comes with living a long life full of challenges, sorrows, delights and joys. My hope is that each of you will reach deep into your core and allow your inner wisdom to guide you in defining who you are and how you reflect that back to the world.  See if you can get beyond the limitations of the media and your inner critic so access your true beauty--that of your authentic nature.

One last thing before I close this post, I want to honor my mother, Elizabeth Goering,  who at 91 is amazingly vital and feisty. She is such an inspiration to me, and I am very grateful to be able to celebrate another Mother's Day with her by my side. Happy Mother's Day, Mom!  

With Love and Kindness, 

Rachelle Goering, M.A., N.P.