LIKE so many people I was really affected by the news that much of country was being put in virtual lockdown. Like a lot of people, I had special plans for Christmas which had to be cancelled because I’m now in Tier 4.
It was a real shock and as the news sank in, I felt numb and in a mental place I don’t go into very often. However since March I’ve found myself having to be far more mentally resilient than ever before and set myself a personal goal of reading a positive thinking/inspiring book every month.
I must admit I didn’t achieve my goal every single month but I’ve no doubt whatsoever this has helped me be stronger during the past nine months.
The latest book I read was Good Vibes, Good Life by Vex King and it’s SO good that my children are each getting one for Christmas!
On Sunday I decided I needed to read some bits again because I REALLY needed it.
This quote jumped off the page and I thought it would be useful to share it with you because it might help you too:
“If you can’t change the situation, change your perception of it. That’s where personal power lies”.
This is SO true right now.
Many people will have heard me say this several times since March, but stress makes us stupid. We get stuck and just can’t think.
I was mentally stuck in the negative situation we’re all finding ourselves in but what changed on Sunday was I decided I had the power to choose to think differently if I wanted to.
When the fog cleared a little I decided I wasn’t going to let this situation get the better of me.
I reframed my thinking and Christmas is back on but in a different way.
I’m going to enjoy my home, my family and my dogs. I’m going to play games with my kids and I’m going to relax and watch some Christmas films (something I NEVER do because I’m always too busy entertaining).
Don’t get me wrong. I’m very sad and even had some tears.
But this year has taught me what I need to do to keep going and that means loads of self-care is involved! I need to stop and just be.
I love dressing up and won’t be letting my Christmas outfit go to waste so the sparkle will be well and truly on for a few days.
Hope you’ll be putting on your sparkle too (if that’s what makes you feel good – or PJs if they’re your thing!)
2020 has not unfolded in the way we would have liked. There have been far ranging difficulties and sadly many many casualties.
There have also been so many wonderful examples of individuals within our Slimpod community who have embraced the new normal and helped others remain positive.
I’m so proud of my community and I’m equally proud of my lovely team who are always there to help others. Sometimes it’s the smallest thing that makes the biggest difference.
COVID may have temporarily taken our freedom, but kindness has shone through and we’ve all been reminded of what’s really important.
All that’s left is to send you so much love for Christmas and to wish you a happy, peaceful and healthy 2021. Take care of yourselves and stay safe.
Xx
45 thoughts on “Forget about lockdown, just make sure you sparkle at Christmas”
Bless you! All the best for you and all my fellow podders, now and into New year! X
Thank you Sandra. Merry Christmas x
Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year to you too Sandra. Another great book to read is the light within you by Gemma Smith x
Brilliant and helpful blog Sandra! Thank you so much! I will be ordering the book you’ve recommended and can I say how beautiful your sparkly dress is. Have a lovely Christmas and here’s to a better 2021. Ros xx
Thanks Sandra, happy Christmas to you
My life has changed with Slimpod and it’s all down to you Sandra. i hope you have a lovely Xmas and prosperous new year . I’m sure that 2021 will improve everyone’s lot .
Nadolig Llawen i chi – Happy Xmas
Merry Christmas to you and your team Sandra. I think you’ve hit the nail on the head here, like you I am usually incredibly busy all over Christmas, having big gatherings, socialising and there’s never any time to just Stop, I’m going to watch a bit of Xmas TV, when everyone has their afternoon nap on Xmas day, I think I’m going for a walk, I’m embracing the calm, shutting the world out and focusing on my little family., and although it’s not exactly how ii’d planned it, I’m secretly looking forward to it.. Take care all x x
I bought Slimpod in January 2020 and have to confess I didn’t really believe and I didn’t follow through. I have battled with my weight since I had a hysterectomy at 42 and was not suitable for HRT. I turned into my grandmother overnight. I have tried everything without success and despite being fairly active never seemed to shift the weight. I last weighed myself at the end of October and still seemed to be in a state of paralysis. On the 22 Nov I started Slimpod for real. Today a month on, after a comment by my daughter, I weighed myself. I am a whole 9lbs lighter. Thank you and God bless you this Christmas
Thanks Sandra for those wise words. You look fabulous!
Have a wonderful relaxing day, sparkles or not. Looking forward to a fresh start, getting on that path again in the New Year (I’ve been sitting on a bench watching for the past few weeks so will be having a word with myself after Christmas!). Merry Christmas to you, your family and all the wonderful podders.
Thanks for sharing this Sandra, and your honesty. In fact thanks for everything! I’m a 68 year old on Slimpod Extra.
I’ve been doing Slimpod for a year in conjunction with a multiple sclerosis personal training plan (as I have MS) and diet guidance. This morning I was 10 stone and half a pound – last year I was 15 stone 7lbs. My original aim was a lovely dress for my son’s wedding (which would have been on this past Sunday but will now be August 2021) and a first grandchild. Jonah is now 18 weeks old and is gorgeous! The dress is somthingI look forward to getting next year
On reflection some great things came out of 2020!
Have a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year! Stay safe!
Louise
I purchased Slimpod in January 2020 and because I have tried so many other things I have to confess that I didn’t believe it could live up to the claims and I left in lying fallow on my phone and stored all your emails in a folder in my inbox. I last weighed myself at the end of October and my weight was the same as always, depressingly high but no different to the last 6 years. On the first of `November I began to read your emails in date order and on the 22 November I began Slimpod. A month on, and following something my daughter said, who I hadn’t seen since mid November, I weighed myself today and I am a whole 9lbs lighter. I can’t believe it. Thank you, there is light at the end of the tunnel. God bless you and your team, Merry Christmas and your sparkly dress looks stunning.
Hi Sandra
Yes it’s all about perspective. Christmas will still happen. Not on its normal day but it will happen at some point. Maybe in June? Thank you for creating this wonderful program
Have a wonderful Christmas and be kind to yourself.
Dawn x
Thank you and enjoy your sparkle. I will try my very best to embrace the changes and hope for a better new year. Stay safe Sandra x
Big thanks to you Sandra! Over five stone lost since this time last year and as a 68 year old with multiple sclerosis I’ve used Slimpod in conjunction with a personal training/eating plan for MS and it’s helped a lot!
My ‘why’ was a lovely dress for my son’s wedding which would have been two days ago – now postponed to August. And first grandchild who is now a gorgeous 18 week old little boy. Haven’t got the dress yet but look forward to getting it.
I’m now appreciating the art of reframing events so now feel that 2020 has not been bad for me!
Have a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year. Please keep sharing your valuable life lessons with us!
Louise
Thank you for your lovely thoughts. It was very uplifting. I hope you have a lovely time with your family. Stay safe. Xx
Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas.
Once my headphones arrive I will begin my Slimpod journey and am determined to reinvigorate my life and body. Thank you for your positivity.
A really lovely message and so right too. Have a wonderful Christmas, and thank you for helping me get on the right path xx
Thank you Sandra Merry Christmas to you and your family. xx Caroline
Thank you and a very merry christmas to you xxxx
What a lovely message Sandra. Wishing you, your family and your team a wonderful Christmas and a happy healthy New Year
Stay safe x
Thank you Sandra for all the love, support, expertise and wise words you have shared with us all during this difficult time.
You are an inspiration.
Thank you Sandra! Best wishes to you and yours and all our fellow podders!
A very Happy Christmas Sandra!
And to all the fellow podders!
Lets go and have the best time we can! We’re all remember this one for being different but WE will remember it! heres to a healthy happy new podding year!! Happy Christmas xxx
thank you Sandra for all your steadfast encouragement. i guess each and every one (as Trevor would say!) is facing disappointment right now. I’ve just heard a contact has tested +ve which means I now can’t meet my daughter and baby half way from her home for a Christmas picnic…but we will be ok, just have to delay… again!
So Happy Christmas, enjoy your family, and some precious time for yourself. You certainly deserve it! God Bless xx
Love this Sandra. Today is my birthday 58 yrs old. I did not really celebrate Covid situation did not help and with work and looking after my husband who has dementia I felt sorry for myself and trapped however our carer was so kind she baked me a cake and really looked after my husband when I had to deal with work. Thanks to slimpod I ate well and did not over eat and did not even have any cake because I just did not fancy it. I listen to positive life enhancing audio tapes whilst walking the dog each day and have just downloaded Good Vibes Good Life and will look forward to listening to it tomorrow whilst walking my dog so a big thank you for this recommendation and also Slimpod which has helped me greatly to continue to lose weight during these trying times. Have a lovely Xmas and Wonderful New Year!
Thank you Sandra for your honest blog. You are human like the rest of us. Enjoy your alternative Christmas and thank you for Slimpod.
Tears are fine because they show we are human. Enjoy Christmas with your family. You deserve a great time as you shower us with positivity! Thank you and Merry Christmas xxx
Thank you Sandra. Wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas too. Stay safe
What a lovely inspiring post, Sandra, thanks for sharing your sparkle, and how fab you look in that dress! It isn’t going to be easy, but I’ll give it my best shot.
Thank you Sandra and enjoy time with your family. You look lovely as does your home.
Changes in Scotland mean I will be on my own this Christmas – a time to recuperate and rest.
Truly enjoyed this read, changing the word/story in our head can make a remarkable difference
Thank you!
Thank you for another heartfelt and inspiring post. How we see situations is so important and thanks to slimpod I am seeing things in a far more positive light… I’ve become a “ glass half full” person.
God bless you and your programme for helping so many people. Have a restful Christmas and recharge your batteries. Happy Christmas xx
Thank you for sharing this. It has changed the way I feel about Christmas this year for the better as I was really not looking forward to it at all. Have a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year. x
Thank you Sandra and a happy healthy new year to all.
Thank you so much Sandra for all your encouragement, kindness, thoughtfulness and hard work to keep us all motivated in this testing year! Thank you also to your amazing team. You have all changed my life. Wishing you all so much love, happiness and treasured memories with your loved ones this Christmas xx
Thank you for all you do for so many of us whom you will never personally know. You are truly a source of inspiration and positivity and you tirelessly give all of us much needed hope and encouragement. I am so grateful for finding you and your program 5 years ago. I hope you and your family have a wonderful, beautiful, sparkle filled holiday season and here’s to making the best of what we are given 🙂
Fabulous! Merry Christmas Sandra and a healthy and happy new year to you and your team. I very much look forward to continuing the Slimpod journey through 2021. Sending love to you all. Xx
I’ve reached my weight loss goal by Christmas seemingly without being on a diet – thanks to Slimpod. So thank you Sandra and all the team. The best Christmas present ever x
A wonderful example of how we can look at negative situations and turn them into positive ones. My husband and I thank God for everything we have got everyday and that helps us to get through these difficult times and helps with our positive outlook. You look amazing Sandra i love that dress. I love slimpod and have just signed up for slimpod extra to keep me on my toes. I lost a stone and a half and I’m still going. I feel wonderful. Merry Christmas and a brighter new year to you all xxxx
Merry Christmas Sandra and all the Slimpodders and thank you for starting to change my life for the better. I will be buying the book you have mentioned xx
Merry Christmas Sandra, to you and all the Team. Best wishes for a happy New Year
Thank you for being frank and honest about how you feel and the ways in which you are helping yourself. Hope you had a lovely Christmas
Thank you Sandra for being so honest about how you are feeling . I hope you had a wonderful “different” Christmas and wish you a very happy and healthy new year . I cannot say how happy/relieved/thankful I am to have found Slimpod. On the way to changing a lifetime of emotional eating , binge eating , self loathing – thank you
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I loved this. THANK YOU. Sometimes, just hearing someone else say what you are experiencing, /feeling, and sharing it , can make all the difference, and and this really helped me. Bless you Sandra.