Wonderful E-Book by our Wellness Coach Partner!

If you’re a college-aged woman who is feeling lack of self-esteem about your looks and weight, frustrated with trying to find a diet and exercise program that fits your busy lifestyle, discouraged about the lack of healthy options at the school cafeteria, think that money holds you back from investing in your own health and wellness, then you need to check out the 8-Weeks To Wellness System For College Women!

Find Out How You Can Get Your Health Habits Program Working For You – and NOT The Other Way Around

“8-Weeks To Wellness” Will Teach You:

Steps to build your confidence, take control of your weight, and set your own pace, preferences and priorities around healthy options.

The proven formula to achieving the lasting change you are looking for when it comes to your body, mind and self-image.

The step-by-step guide to calm confidence in living your best self now and way after graduation.

What all the diets, books, programs and pills do NOT tell you and what you need to know now.

The reason why buying other people’s “health” programs and products don’t help you take control in creating your own well-being

8-Weeks to Wellness has its origins in a true story of the successful weight loss of a 21-year old, written 27-years later by the same author, coach, and mother who has dedicated her career to helping others create a better life through healthy habits.

She has helped dozens of clients tap into their innate desire to be well, to create a life designed around what matters most, and to teaching others how to use a proven system to create the foundation of the “greater you”.

Get the free ebook at http://collegewellnesssolution.com/  and check out her website at http://bodyvisionhealthcoaching.com/

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Riding the rail trails

From the Concord Monitor, By Tim Jones / For the Monitor  July 1, 2011

Regular readers probably already know that my sweetheart Marilyn and I are big fans of riding rail trails on our fat-tire tandem bicycle. Riding a rail trail is really the perfect bare-ground outing for us.

In what has, so far, been a ridiculously busy early summer for us, plagued by, it seems, almost constant rain and cold, we’ve had trouble getting in as many outings as we’d like. So when a free morning happened to dawn clear, sunny and cool, we decided we had to make something fun happen, if only for a few hours.

The Northern Rail Trail in Grafton and Merrimack counties is shaping up to be one of the best rail trail rides in all of New England. The stone-dust or gravel surface is firm and easy to pedal on (especially with a fat tire or cyclocross bike), and the scenery is beautiful.

This trail is particularly convenient. If you are traveling on Interstates 91 or 93, you are only minutes from a trail terminus, and access from I-89 is even faster. If your bike is on the car anyway, why not stop and ride for an hour or two?

I should note that Marilyn and I don’t particularly enjoy riding with a lot of traffic. Though the NRT essentially parallels either Route 4 or Route 11, you don’t often see or even hear motor vehicles. Much of the time you are riding through quiet woods and fields, alongside beautiful flowing streams and placid ponds.

The northern end of the trail in Grafton County (northernrailtrail.org) was finished first. It runs 23 miles from downtown Lebanon through Enfield, Canaan, Orange and Grafton.

Another 23 miles in Merrimack County have now been completed. This section runs through Danbury, Wilmot and Andover to end (for the moment at least) in Franklin. Eventually, the trail will continue on to Boscawen and Concord, though in these days of tight money and endless budget fights, who knows when that will happen?

Marilyn and I have been riding short sections of the NRT when we were in the neighborhood on other business. I believe we’ve done most of it.

On this particular summer morning, we pulled into the parking area at Potter Place, right off the junction of Routes 4 and 11, and started pedaling east toward Franklin. We only had about an hour to ride and hoped we could get in 10 or 12 miles or so. Not a “big” ride, but fun nonetheless. We haven’t been able to pedal much this spring and we weren’t sure how far our legs and seats would take us. But we need to start conditioning for some longer rides we have planned later this summer, so every little bit helps.

This section of trail is almost flat (most rail lines avoided hills as much as possible) and has a nicely packed gravel/stone dust surface. It runs along the Blackwater River, through pine and hardwood forests, skirting the edges of some beautiful wetlands. Gorgeous scenery for a summer morning.

We’d pedaled only about 2 miles before we came upon a lovely covered bridge we’d never seen before. At about the 6-mile mark we ran out of time and turned around at the Higland Lake Inn (highlandlakeinn.com) in East Andover, which looks like it would make a perfect overnight stop for a weekend getaway.

Someday soon, we’ll take two cars and ride the whole NRT end to end in one day. But for now, these section rides out and back are a perfect break on a busy summer morning.

Life isn’t a spectator sport. Get out and enjoy!

More trail resources

New England and New York are blessed with an abundance of old railroad beds, many of which are rideable on fat-tire bikes.

The best source for rail trail information nationwide is the Rails To Trails Conservancy (railstotrails.org). Just go under “Find A Trail” and click on either a state or a region to find listings. There are 392 open trails in the Northeast totaling over 3,200 miles. Visiting the website, I just discovered a new trail in Maine, the 85-mile Downeast Sunrise Trail that we are going to have to ride soon.

If you ride in the Granite State, be sure to get a copy of Charles F. Martin’s book, New Hampshire Rail Trails (nhrailtrails.org/guide.htm), which gives the history of the rail lines along with useful info for today’s bikers. The website itself also has some useful links to other trail organizations.

You may have already read of rides we’ve taken on the Cape Cod Rail Trail (mass.gov/dcr/parks/southeast/ccrt.htm) and Ashuwilticook Rail Trail (mass.gov/dcr/parks/western/asrt.htm) in Massachusetts, the Island Line Trail (trailfinder.info/trail.php?id=1) and Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail (mvrailtrail.com) in Vermont, the Airline State Park Rail Trail in Connecticut (pages.cthome.net/mbartel/ARRabout.htm) and the Aroostook Rail Trail in Maine. If you are interested in these past stories, they may be archived on this newspaper’s website. If not, you may find them at EasternSlopes.com or email me and I’ll send you a copy.

(Tim Jones can be reached at timjones@easternslopes.com.)

Original article at http://www.concordmonitor.com/article/265917/riding-the-rail-trails?CSAuthResp=%3Asession%3ACSUserId|CSGroupId%3Aapproved%3ABA4A9537C4BF4594E11F4B09D8217743&CSUserId=94&CSGroupId=1

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Get in Motion – Bike the Northern Rail Trail

Join us in helping celebrate National Trail Day, 2011 by participating in one of several rides on Saturday, June 4th at 10:00 AM.

Choose from one of seven bike rides that will be led by various Rail Trail volunteers on specific sections of the Northern Rail Trail.  These rides will vary in length from 10 to 28 miles, depending upon the section chosen.  It is not necessary to ride the complete section chosen, but leaders will be going the entire round trip for each section if anyone wants to do that amount.  All section rides begin at 10:00 AM.  This is a great opportunity to try newly completed sections of the trail.

Please visit http://www.fnrt.org/ for more information. Details will follow on the site in a few days giving specific information about the trail section, leader, leader contact info., section starting points and lengths.

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Biking Along the Northern Rail Trail has gotten more interesting . . .

Friends of the Northern Rail Trail in Merrimack County extended the trail in two directions this past October

Two more miles of smooth surfaced trail were added to eastern end of the rail trail in Franklin in October.   In addition, the Friends of the Northern Rail Trail just completed work along the ballast covered rail bed of the old Northern Railroad between Potter Place and the town shed in Danbury.  With that work completed, the Northern Rail Trail now follows Rte. 4, essentially, up to Enfield then on to West Lebanon going north from its Potter Place trailhead in Andover and follows Rte 11 east to Depot Street in Franklin.   As always, no motorized vehicles are allowed on the Northern Rail Trail, except for snow mobiles in winter.  Now the rail trail is continuous through two counties for about 45 miles from South Franklin to West Lebanon.

Combine your biking trip with a Bike and Stay Package at the Inn for a wonderful weekend getaway!

(source:  Friends of the Northern Rail Trail, http://www.fnrt.org)

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Latest Tripadvisor Review: “Best Location for a Retreat Ever!”

Date of review: Mar 15, 2011

I’ve run numerous small (5-15 participants) writing retreats at various inns and hotels around the country. My most recent 3-day event at the Highland Lake Inn was exceptional, fulfilling the expectations of a “retreat” in every way. The accommodations were luxurious yet homey. Each room was spacious and spotless, repleat with fluffy bedding, TV sets, lovely amenities, and comfortable working spaces. We felt pampered from the first sip of delicious coffee in the morning to the incredible dinner our hosts invited us to share with them in the evening. Equally important, the Highland Lake Inn afforded our writing group the privacy and space we needed to meet and/or write individually. Last, but hardly least, our hosts Pecco and Gail were fantastic! This is where I intend to host many more writing retreats in the future!

• Reviewer ratings for this hotel:
  • Value
  • Rooms
  • Location
  • Cleanliness
  • Service
  • Sleep Quality

• Date of stay: March 2011
• Visit was for: Business
• Traveled with: Clients/Customers
• Member since: March 15, 2011

• Recommended by this reviewer? Yes

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g29727-d79158-r100273734-Highland_Lake_Inn_Bed_and_Breakfast-Andover_New_Hampshire.html#CHECK_RATES_CONT

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A lovely poem from a recent writers retreat guest

Highland Lake Inn – The Write Place

Words flow like wine, hither and fro

The glass of merlot give my cheeks a glow.

Gail welcomed us with a big smile

And tales of romantic parties of a bygone style

Candlelight reflected in goblets fine,

The tuna Pecco cooked was just divine.

As were the berries, red and black,

To Highland Lake Inn, I will come back

It’s winter now and snow abounds.

I imagine Spring fields full of bird sounds.

Summer will come next with lazy days,

Spent writing in the evening haze,

Of red, purple, gold, and blue

Joni and Marjorie to their heart’s remain true

This writer’s group who met in March

Shared words and stories

Surrounded by pine and birch

Mountains green and clouds of white

Highland Lake Inn is a beautiful site.

Copyright 2011 All rights Reserved                      Denise M. Simpson                                   20 March 2011

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Sunday, May 8 -Tuesday, May 10, 2011 Writing Retreat: How to Write More, Write Better, and Be Happier

Workshop Facilitator: Joni Cole
Location: Highland Lake Inn, Andover, NH
$530 per person double occupancy, $705 per person single occupancy, all inclusive.
This retreat is designed for writers who are looking for an intensive period to write, share their work for quality feedback and instruction, and make progress on a new or existing project. Writers of fiction and creative non-fiction are welcome. Participation is limited to six to assure personalized attention.

Aptly named “How to Write More, Write Better, and Be Happier, the retreat takes place at the beautiful Highland Lake Inn Bed and Breakfast, located in Andover, New Hampshire. Conveniently situated in the center of northern New England, the inn offers spacious guest rooms with full bathrooms, distinctive furnishing and amenities, and private television and Wi Fi access. Innkeepers Gail and Pecco Beaufays offer old-school hospitality and personal touches. Meals are included in the retreat package.

Workshop facilitator Joni B. Cole is the author of the acclaimed book Toxic Feedback: Helping Writers Survive and Thrive (“strongly recommended” by Library Journal), and Water Cooler Diaries: Women across America Share Their Day at Work ((“both fascinating and eye-opening,” Publisher’s Weekly). Her creative nonfiction has been nominated for The Pushcart Prize, and will be featured in her fall 2011 book Another Bad-Dog Story: Tales of Life, Love, and Neurotic Human Behavior. Joni runs the Writer’s Center of White River Junction, Vermont, and is a frequent speaker and teacher at writing conferences across the country.

For more information or to access a registration form for the retreat, visit: www.thewriterscenterwrj.com or  www.highlandlakeinn.com. Or contact Joni at joni.cole@alum.dartmouth.org or (802) 295-5526.

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The Andover Outing Club and Blackwater Ski Area

Andover Outing Club

Andover Outing Club offers USSA ski jumping and NENSA sanctioned cross-country ski programs for youngsters from ages four to thirteen. The Blackwater Ski Club provides a Buddy Werner League, NHARA affiliated, downhill racing program for boys and girls ages 7 to 14.

Both clubs provide beginners and experts fun, family-centered, winter activities. Programs are affordable and are coached by experienced, responsible instructors who balance the fun with the complexities of competition. Blackwater Ski Area

All jumping and skiing activities take place at the Blackwater Ski Area. This area is centralized around Yarrow’s Lodge, a welcoming meeting place that houses a snack bar, bathrooms, woodstoves and first aid station. The ski area offers two ski lifts, ski patrol, four ski jumps, six alpine ski runs, snowboarding trails, 100% snowmaking, lights, and 7 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails. Proctor Academy, a college preparatory school founded over 150 years ago in Andover, NH, owns and maintains this exceptionable area. Proctor Academy makes Blackwater Ski Area available to both the Andover Outing Club and the Blackwater Ski Club.

Blackwater Ski Area Snack Bar: 735-6850

Blackwater Ski Area Timing Hut: 735-6244

Proctor Academy Main Number: 603-735-6000

Season passes: Blackwater Ski Area Season Passes are available for $55 for the first two family members; $30 for additional members. This pass provides access to all alpine, snowboarding and cross-country trails at the ski area. Passes may be purchased at the ski lodge or at the Blackwater Ski Shop located at 207-A Main Street in Andover, NH, telephone number 735-5437.

Directions to the Blackwater Ski Area: travel to the center of Andover and turn onto Lawrence Street (Lawrence Street runs between Jake’s Market and Proctor’s large white Admissions building). Cross two bridges, then turn right onto Blackwater Lane. Travel time from Concord is 25 minutes; from New London, 15 minutes.

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Bike and Stay Packages

We offer 36 miles of biking on the Northern Rail Trail, which has a flat, hard stone
dust surface well suited for hybrid bikes.  Open views across wetlands, lakes and rivers
alternate with corridors of pine and oak, old mill sites and granite cuts blasted by the Northern Railroad.  In between, there are stores with refreshments and swimming spots.

For reservations please call 603-735-6426

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Overcoming Habits: Getting Started

The Highland Lake Inn’s Health Coaching division is designed to provide the structure, resources and support you need to get healthy habits incorporated into the everyday for an improved quality of life and the freedom and peace of mind that underlie ‘the greater you’.

In a recent questionnaire, a participant named his biggest obstacle to weight loss as follows: ‘Overcoming Habits’.  To paraphrase a saying, first you make your habits, and then your habits make you, so, where to start to make a change? Transforming a habit takes time, practice, and accessing inner motivators that support you on your journey.

‘Overcoming’ habits might be rephrased in order to change the focus of our attention to what we really want. Overcome is described as ‘to surmount a physical or abstract obstacle, to prevail over, to get the better of, to win (a battle).’ With this outlook, the focus is on an impending doom of sorts, at least many of us feel that way when thinking of entering a battle. Will it hurt? Will I win? Am I ready? Is my opponent stronger than I? Do  I have the right weapons, strategies and talents? What if I lose?

No wonder we avoid it.  Take a moment to think about how this phrase can be rewritten in your own words to address what is right and good and going well. How can I find and nourish the seeds of greatness and responsibility in myself, my appreciation, my gratitude, my self-esteem in taking action and doing well? (sound better?) What would your phrase look like if  you re-wrote it to address the part of you that is calling for change, ready for change, excited for change, and write a detailed list of how you feel, as if you are already at your desired goal. (feel better?).

The unhealthful habits can be imagined as ‘dissolving away’, or like sand slipping away, as room is made for the new to come, the new habit that comes from your natural empowerment to be well.

We’d love to hear your comments below, your re-written phrases that look to capture the positive impulse behind your wellness goals.  For a personal telephone interview, please write to info@bodyvisionsl.com and we’ll help you get started today.

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