Four years ago this month I stood in the J. Crew dressing room with my belly bulging over a black bikini with tears streaming down my face. I was leaving for Mexico in 3 days and though I had been attempting a no carb diet for 6 weeks, I was no closer to the perfect bikini body I envisioned myself having.

Inside, I was a smart, driven and sexy young woman, but when I looked in the mirror I felt like a used up, ugly fatty with no hope for a happy life.

On the inside I knew I was destined for great things… if only I could get my body to drop 30 pounds.

As I’ve told you before, it wasn’t until I looked underneath my overeating and discovered what was driving my food addiction was I able to drop 40 pounds…without counting a single calorie or stepping foot on a treadmill.

Since then I’ve been on a mission to help women get out of body jail and drop their food obsession by guiding them through my unique program of emotional eating, lifestyle design, relationship development, body image and career growth.
I take a 360 degree approach because

I believe that every woman deserves to feel beautiful, have a job you love and a man that worships you.

Just being thin isn’t enough.

I’m currently opening up my private coaching program to three women (engaged or not), so if you’re intrigued by the possibility of finally losing weight this spring, I would love to talk to you if you’re…

  • Petrified about getting in a bathing suit this summer
  • Telling yourself you’re going to lose weight on your own but never follow through and can’t keep the weight off
  • Concerned about looking fat in your wedding dress (not to mention having a gazillion photos taken)
  • Know that there’s a deeper reason you can’t lose weight but can’t put your finger on it
  • Determined to get your weight handled once and for all so you can focus your energy on more important things
  • Looking for a coach who can relate to your struggle and give you the exact strategies to finally feel beautiful, strong and happy

Hitting a chord? Then you may want to consider filling out a zero obligation questionnaire to see if we’re the right fit for working together. If I I feel like my program can really help you, I’ll reach out to book a brief chat so you can ask me questions, and I can go into more details about the program and the investment.
If you’d like to hear from some ladies who’ve had success in my program click here: http://thebreathtakingbride.com/testimonials.
To fill out the questionnaire, click here.
Sending you so much love and looking forward to the possibility of working together.

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I can’t tell you how happy I am to be back home in San Francisco after spending a week in LA. It’s really starting to feel like home here.

Today, I want to give you a window into my personal life that I’m pretty embarrassed to reveal.

On February 1st my reflection scowled at me with disgust as I was getting dressed.

I felt so fat.

Yep. Fat.

My inner bitch came out with guns blazing. She told me that feeling fat was the unacceptable flaw that could ruin everything: my business, my relationship, my beauty. Toast. What would I have if I lost the one thing I had worked so hard at getting? A body I love.

I was a puddle of grief, embarrassment and panic.

Luckily, my higher self (aka soul, intuition, inner light), the part of me that helped me heal from emotional eating in the first place, was able to talk some sense into my inner bitch relatively quickly.

She reminded her that weight gain is a sign that something is out of balance, that an emotion, a need, a void, requires tending to and nourishment. There was something to learn in all of this. I reminded myself that weight is just a big red flashing sign that something is seriously wrong. It was the arrow pointing to what I needed to focus more energy on.

So I’ve spent the past month being curious about the lessons my body was teaching me, trying so hard not to cancel all social activities and go on a juice cleanse, because just getting rid of the “fat symptom” feels like the easiest thing sometimes, even for me, and I teach this stuff.

But my higher self knew there was a lot to learn from the discomfort and rushing to get out of it was only going to send me right back to feeling like shit.

So I sat and let myself feel fat for several days. It was incredibly uncomfortable. I hated it, but honestly, it turned out to be an amazing process.

Here’s what I learned:

Our definition of perfection is masculine. We define perfection as linear. Our goal is to go in one direction towards a specific end point and when we reach it, we strive to stay there.

Masculine perfection is unwavering, stiff and permanent… I don’t know about you, but I don’t have a penis, so that’s not gonna work for me.

The feminine version of perfection is ebb and flow, expand and contract, wild, and unpredictable. Think of the ocean, tides, puberty, pregnancy, giving birth-always expanding and contracting, rising and falling. An exhilarating roller coaster.

Perfection is not about straightening out the roller coaster, it’s about strapping in and knowing that’s it’s going to be a wild ride. Ups and downs, dizziness, nausea. But when you expect it, it’s not so maddening, in fact, it can be really fun.

There’s nothing imperfect about gaining a little weight, or maybe not losing enough. It’s part of the ride. And the key to healing is forgiveness, love, learning from the falls and knowing how to start moving (slowly) back to where we know we feel our best.

Your task for the week is to accept your “imperfections” as normal, and still hold a vision for your ideal.

I can tell you from experience, that adopting the ebb and flow as perfect is incredibly healing. As I became more comfortable with the uncomfortable, looked for the lessons and continued to engage in my amazing life without rushing into a diet, my body responded lovingly by letting go of the weight that no longer served her.

Are you on the mailing list? Sign up here for all of the goods! 

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Hey gorgeous,

What’d you got planned for the weekend? Anything fabulous?

When I was in the thick of my body hell, I would always try so hard to “be good” with food all week that by the time the weekend rolled around, I was gunnin’ to let loose and go wild with food.

I’d wake up on Monday morning feeling hung-over, bloated, fat, guilty and embarrassed by my behavior. Not a great way to start the week.

When I started adopting the strategies I teach in the Breathtaking Bride Booty Camp, I realized that on the weekends, what I was craving wasn’t food, but permission to cut-loose, have fun and let my sexy out.

When I started crafting my custom weekends, it lead me to lose 40 pounds.

So today, I want to help you craft YOUR custom weekend, so you can wake up on Monday feeling rejuvenated, alive, in love and beautiful. You might even feel slimmer after just 2 days. Here it goes, grab a pen…

Your Guide to Crafting a Sexy, Restorative, Wild Weekend

Step 1: Carve out the categories.

When we have weekends that are filled with one party, gathering or meal after another, it can be totally draining. And if we spend the whole weekend inside reading, meditating, and sipping tea by ourselves, we can get really bored. Both can lead to over eating.

SO it’s really important to make time for these activities:

  • Restoration
  • Cutting Loose
  • Connecting
  • Education/Self-Improvement

Here’s a sample schedule for inspiration:

Friday Night, Connect: Go on a fabulous date with your lover. Don’t ask “what do you want to do?” Just make the decision yourself and tell him what’s up. OR tell him “Sweetie, I’d love for you to take me out to dinner tonight, will you find a place and make a reservation? Something French would be amazing. Just tell me where and when to meet you.” If this would totally freak him out, give him 3 options, and tell him to decide. If you’re single, call up a lady-friend, a your favorite man-friend or ask out that guy you’ve had a crush on. Why the hell not?

Saturday Morning, Restore: Get up by 9am, go for a quick walk by yourself, make a simple breakfast and catch up on your favorite blogs. Maybe even go to yoga… no pressure though. And ask you man for a foot massage (my new favorite past-time).

Saturday Afternoon, Educate: Bring a book to a café and read for 3 hours (I’ll be reading Make Everyman Want you by Marie Forleo this weekend). Or go to a museum, a lecture, a guided tour, a documentary, write a letter to your unborn child, anything that makes your brain work and has nothing to do with your career. I think it’s powerful to spend Saturday afternoons alone, even if your man is dying to spend time with you. Tell him to go watch college football, he’ll think you’re the coolest woman ever.

Saturday Night, Cut Loose: Carve out at least 2 hours to get ready (see below). Then get a group of people together, couples or girlfriends. Plan something where you can wear a hot dress and sip a martini. Then go dancing. Either at a club or back home with your honey.

Sunday Morning, Restore: Sleep in, as late as you want. No guilt allowed. When you wake up take a long shower or a bubble bath.

Sunday Afternoon, Cut Loose: Sunday afternoons have the potential to be super depressing with work approaching in less than 24 hours. Make sure Sundays are filled with pleasure-filled adventure. Enjoy a European lunch (lunch with wine) explore a new neighborhood, take an impromptu trip to wine country, see a movie, get your nails done or go sledding.

Sunday Evening, Connect: Spin by the grocery store, pick up basics for the week and ingredients for an easy dinner. Try grilled salmon, kale salad and brown rice cooked with white wine, garlic and butter. Super easy and super delish. Set your table, enjoy your meal sans TV and whisper sweet nothings to your man.

Step 2: Shake things up.

If you’re not happy with your body or your life, try doing things differently, even if it seems completely unrelated to weight loss.
* Wear heels to brunch and flats to dinner
* Throw on red lipstick to go to the grocery store
* Have sex in the middle of the day
* Work out on the weekend
* Change up your hair-do
* Paint your nails a bold color
* Make a new friend
* Drink tea instead of coffee or order pasta instead of a salad

Living against the grain is a great adventure. When you have adventure in your life, diving into a pint of ice creams seems far less exciting.

Step 3: Look Fabulous

Just try for one weekend wearing one fabulous outfit after another, including what you wear to bed and around the house. I know you hate drawing attention to your body, but accentuating your curves instead of hiding your fabulous ass for 48 hours isn’t going to kill you. If you don’t have anything to wear, go shopping.

Step 4: Eat Dessert.

Both nights baby, order that chocolate lava cake or crème brulee. I give you full permission, so no guilt allowed. Really savor every bite, eat it slowly and make orgasm noises while you’re eating (trust me, it makes it so much better).

Step 5: Flirt.

Flirting is an invaluable art that I need to write a full article on, but it’s important for you to know that you can flirt without leading men on. It’s about owning your beauty and sensuality and knowing that the barista, guy at the next table or the runner you’re about to pass is damn lucky to be within 3 feet of you. Smile, hold eye contact and see how it makes you feel. It’ll make your whole weekend feel exciting.

Step 6: Love more.

It’s time to get real with your lover, your girlfriends, your parents, your grandparents. Tell at least one person why you love them, how they’ve shaped you, your favorite memory about them. Spread the warm & fuzzy. It’s amazing how you stop caring about your love-handles when you have a better handle on love.

Here’s to your Sexy, Restorative, Wild Weekend.

 

 

 

PS. I just have 3 spots left in the Breathtaking Bride Booty Camp. If you like the idea of having “fun” fuel your weight loss, instead of trying the same torturous, restrictive, boring diets over and over with no success, then visitwww.breathtaingbridebootycamp.com to see if one of those spots belongs to you.

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2 Love Stories

January 25, 2012

Today I want to tell you about Sasha the Single Lady and Bernadette the Bride-to-be. Fake names, true stories.

Sasha the single lady signed up for my Breathtaking Program in January 2011 because she was convinced that the only way she could land a man, was to lose 20 pounds. Through our work, we discovered that Sasha deeply feared that a man would reject her, not for her weight, but for her talents, soul and personality. Holding onto the weight made her feel safe, because if she was rejected because of her body, her soul would be protected.

I taught Sasha all of the strategies I teach in the Breathtaking Bride Booty Camp. She started dressing to accentuate her body, not hide it. She made fun a priority: going to lectures, having dance parties at home in her underwear and meeting up with girlfriends for art openings and wine tastings.

After a few weeks of this she sent me an email:

“Sarah,

I never thought I’d say this, but I’ve stopped obsessing over finding a man. I thought I needed a guy to be happy, but honestly I’m having such a blast! Haven’t lost any weight yetL but I’m starting to love my hips. Woo!  Just wanted to say thank you.

Xo

Sasha”

Two weeks later, Sasha was bowling with 3 of her girlfriends and a cute guy in the next lane asked if he could buy her beer. They got to talking, and there was an instant attraction.  Because of the work we did together, Sasha wasn’t only feeling confident in her body (even though she had only lost a few pounds) but she was becoming so proud of the woman she was, that she knew that if this guy ended up rejecting her, well then, it was his loss.

Last week, Sasha sent me this email,

“Sarah,

I know it’s been a few months since we stopped working together, but I just wanted to tell you that James and I just moved in together January 1st. He’s truly amazing, and I wouldn’t say this to many people, but what makes me the happiest is that I know he is so lucky to be with me. Thanks for helping me realize that.

Love,

Sasha

P.S. I finally lost that 20 lbs. “

I’m telling you this story because I currently have 6 single ladies in the Breathtaking Bride Booty Camp. Unplanned but utterly divine. Are you ready for your own love story? Click here.

Bernadette the Bride-to-be enrolled in my Breathtaking Bride program because she had been struggling with weight her whole life. To her, everything was perfect (great fiancé, awesome girlfriends, tolerable job) except she hated how she looked and was determined to love her wedding photos.

Based on the philosophies I teach in the Breathtaking Bride Booty Camp, I knew that there was an emotional void, causing Bernadette to overeat, even though she was convinced that food was the only problem in her life.  I dug and dug and Bernadette finally revealed that she wore the pants in her relationship. She paid the bills, planned the dates, gave her fiancé career advice, plus did all the grocery shopping and took care of the house. “but I like it like that!” she would tell me.

I knew that as long as Bernadette was playing the masculine role in her relationship and rejecting her femininity, that she would never truly be happy in her body and lose the weight she desired.

Through the strategies I teach in the Booty Camp, Bernadette learned how to connect with her feminine power and sensuality. Not only did the weight start falling off instantly but her relationship took a completely different turn.

Having more balance in their relationship, her fiancé turned into a regular prince charming. He took her on romantic dates and even surprised her with a long weekend to Paris! He asked to take over the finances, giving Bernadette time to spend on things she actually enjoyed, and he even ended up getting a promotion at work because of his new confident role at home.  Bernadette felt relaxed and taken care of for the first time in her adult life. They felt like teenagers again, laughing, flirting and spending a lot more time in the bedroom;)

Bernadette sent me a text on the way to her honeymoon in September saying, “I’m so much more in love today (w/ rob and myself!) than I was when I got engaged. Thank you!”

Bernadette’s photos totally rocked.

It would be an honor to help you write your love story. Join me in the Breathtaking Bride Booty Camp?

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All I can say is, WOW!

The Wine & Cheese Weight Loss Party last night was amazing, so much more powerful than expected. I got a slew of emails from women saying they cried through most of the call just because it made them consider that they no longer have to endure the pain of body-jail or suffer through another diet. They learned that what they’re missing isn’t “willpower” it’s fun.

This new way of approaching our bodies and weight loss is spreading like rapid fire.

Here’s what some of the ladies were saying about the call…

“Loved it, even cried a little because I felt like you were talking directly to me at some points, even though I am not engaged or married!”

“I just wanted to send you a quick note letting you know how much I enjoyed the Wine and Cheese party last night. Just like when I was reading your blog, I kept nodding my head and saying to myself, “that’s totally me” and “she’s sooooo right!” Hearing from your friends, business partners, and former clients was an excellent add to the already super-informative party you threw.”

AUSTRALIA!? Love it“Just wanted to say thanks for the virtual wine and cheese party. It was really interesting (and FUN)! I dialed in via Skype from Australia in my lunch break, but I made sure to dress up, do my hair and make up, put on my pearls, close my office door and eat some cheese! Had to substitute the wine for a fruit smoothy….but it was still pretty good. ;)

“I absolutely loved every minute! Thank you so much for last night… truly inspiring!”

God, I was so touched by this: “You are living Buddha’s quote: “Be the Change You Wish to See.”. You are helping women change and the world is changing because of it. I had more than a taste of the change at the party tonight.”

In reference to the Booty Camp: “Thank you for bringing your one on one program to a group setting. The power of inviting individuals to share this major life journey, keep costs lower, bringing in a team of individuals to support you to model such behaviour and knowing that there are many of us needing this specific help and now!”

“Thank you so much for inviting me to the wine and cheese weight loss party! It was awesome and a pleasure to listen to your guests and yourself. I have definitely never thought that way about my body, weight loss, or my emotions/health.”

Here’s the recording:

On the call, I revealed a project I’ve been working on for 9 months. It’s near and dear to my heart, and you’ll be hearing me talk about it a lot over the next few weeks…. drum roll.


Please click above, play, check it out, watch the awesome video I made. Even if to just to check out my fabulous outfit… you should go.

Registration opened at 9PM EST last night, and we already have 9 amazing women signed up for the program. Space is limited so jump on it if you know it’s time to ditch that crazy ass diet and start having fun fuel your weight loss.

It would be amazing to have to join me in this amazing group of women.

Sending so much love!

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