Have you ever seen a bucket full of crabs? They pinch and pull as they struggle to climb over one another to reach the top of the bucket - to freedom.
Ask any fisherman and they'll tell you that a bucket full of crabs doesn't need a lid - they simply won't escape.
Why? Well, it's not impossible for a crab to climb to the top, and really if they worked together it would be quite easy. But crabs don't work together...
Instinctively crabs pull each other down-literally....
When one crab breaks away from the pack, reaching its pinchers toward the top of the bucket, the others promptly grab onto the escapee's leg, pulling him back down. That crab is then pushed to the bottom of the pile and his dream of freedom is crushed.
Sometimes, people have a way of acting just like a bucket of crabs. Have you ever decided on a personal goal only to have someone in your life talk you out of it?
Do you have crabs in your life? A crab is...
- The person who discourages you from going to the gym
- The person who scoffs when you mention your weight loss goals
- The person who snickers when you choose salad over pizza
The crab mentality says "If I can't have it, then neither can you." When you decide to do something different, to reach for a goal and to improve yourself, the crabs in your life will do their best to hold you back. And we can't always blame them; crabs are not always aware of their negative behaviors because they often come from a place of their own sense of self-defeat.
Keep Crabs at Bay: When crabs come snapping, remember the following:
Ignore them: When someone in your life begins to pull you down with discouraging words, remember that you don't have to listen. Don't let them get into your head. Mentally tune them out or politely remove yourself from the situation. Who are they to tell you what you can or can't achieve? I have many clients that have enough of their own negative self-narratives that we have to work to correct. You do not need someone else feeding into what already challenges you.
Understand them: Ouch! Insults and put-downs hurt, especially when they come from people that we care about. So what is the deal? Why do your friends, co-workers and even your spouse turn into crabs when you decide to improve your life? Do they really hope that you don't succeed? The truth is that crabs are thinking about themselves-not about you. They see you attempting to better yourself and to change your life. Whether they realize it or not, this scares them on some level. If you better yourself will you still like them? Or will you leave them behind?
You hold the power: Even the most persuasive crab doesn't hold a candle to your iron will. When you are ready to change, and you've made up your mind without an inkling of doubt, then 90% of the work is done. Your mind is the most powerful tool at your disposal (remember? that is why I believe that change begins in your HEAD and it is also why so many wellness coaching clients do well in the process of change)---don't let a wimpy crab rob it from you.
Are you ready to make a positive change in your life? Don't wait any longer. Join the ranks of the MissFIT successful clients--schedule your initial consultation and let us guide you in the right direction!
And don't let a single crab talk you out of it!
Who can pass up a soft pretzel that is warm from the oven? While the pretzels sold at the mall are drenched in butter and filled with processed ingredients, this recipe only uses a tablespoon of canola oil (the good fat) and super flour crams whole grain nutrition into every bite! 
