These 10 tools below are ways of living that I value, that I have lived and have taught for the last 15 years.

You can apply these ways of living to your life starting NOW.

You are capable of having a life YOU LOVE.

Your 10 new tools:

1. Accept What Is.
You cannot undo what’s already been done so while you obsess about what could or should have happened you deny what did *and you also fail at living in the moment*. Trying desperately to change what’s already been done is impossible. You CAN lovingly (as if you were talking to an infant) remind yourself to accept what happened. You cannot change the circumstances, however, you can change your mind by accepting it.

2. Have Patience.
In this very entitled culture of ours we want what we want, and we want it now. You want the perfect body and you want the money and the relationship all – in an instant. What if you began to live your life doing what you need to do rather than doing what you want to do? In order to get what you want, please take note that life is a process. Instant results are based on a lie.

3. Less Food/ More Self Love.
Food will never give you LOVE no matter how much you believe it will. No matter how much you enjoy the comfort of it. It will never speak back to you…you can provide all that love for yourself through enjoying your own company, doing activities and having adventures (yes even if you work full time) that soothe your soul.

4. Complaining is not your natural state.
I know that it is easier to fit into the universal complaining conversation… Going around complaining every day is a waste of time, and it drains your energy…

5. Live everyday as if it was your last and while you are at it, live each day as if you were going to live forever.
No matter what you may want to change…can you find gratitude in one area of your life every day and can you find one thing to laugh about every day.

6. You are responsible for your life.
You have a choice about how you live your life, where you work, who you are in relationships with, where you live, who you love or hate, yourself included. Choose differently and develop a plan with a coach (like myself, email me and say I NEED HELP in the subject line) to let go of situations and people and places that are not healthy for you.

7. Stop comparing and competing.
You were not put on this earth to be like anyone else. This incarnation is about living into your purpose. It is NOT about your trying to be someone else. Stop trying to keep up with others income, body weight, looks…and remember you are unique so just be your authentic self!

8. Get Enough Sleep.
You want to keep weight off? Sleep and I mean SLEEP seven-eight hours every night. Your body and your organs need sleep for restoration and healing every day.

9. Pray or Meditate Daily even if for one minute. DO IT.

I believe in every cell of my body that Prayer and meditation improve people’s health. Both practices are known to:

  • Lower blood pressure
  • Support Inner Peace
  • Increase longevity
  • Reduce symptoms of depression
  • Alleviate anxiety, stress, and pain

10. Surrender and Let Go.
It is time to try and control your life. You can be organized and have order and discipline, but that does not mean you have to control everything. In fact, control is a set up for failure while surrender is a recipe for acceptance…See how this leads us right back to your first tool? This is your Circle of Life.

Control is a set up for failure while surrender is a recipe for acceptance.  @laurafenamore (Click to Tweet!)

Our minds are masterful at spinning in circles.

Often, we are focused on fixing a problem and going over it again and again and YET it never really gets resolved.

Quite the contrary…your spinning mind just creates more emotional, mental, and psychological pain.

If you want to start living a peaceful, happy life I suggest that you start practicing these 10 tools every day and then witness how your life and body take on a whole new form! And YES these tools apply to those of you who cannot find their way off the couch, those of you who feel depressed and unhappy.

Please comment below and let me know how willing you are to apply these tools starting today.

I’d love to hear from you!


Laura Fenamore, Body Image Expert, Coach and acclaimed Author is on a mission to help women around the world end the constant battle with their bodies and start adoring who they see in the mirror. Her approach walks students and readers through the heartfelt journey to self-love at any size or age by unlocking the secrets to a lifetime of emotional, physical and spiritual health. After overcoming a lifelong battle with addiction, obesity, and eating disorders, Laura released 100 pounds – keeping it off for more than 28 years. She chronicles this journey to self-love and health in her widely acclaimed book, Skinny, Fat, Perfect: Love Who You See in the Mirror. Learn more about Laura’s programs, or invite her to speak by visiting SkinnyFatPertect.com.


Image courtesy of Frida Aguilar Estrada.