Auto-correct, spellcheck, predictive text — all so useful, and yet so, so annoying. Recently I signed an e-mail “Best Retards”. Resorting to shorthand afterwards and signing off “Best”, I actually wrote “Beast”. Worse, in answer to a Beat the Couch query this week, instead of writing my own name, I actually wrote “Catheter”. Do you think they’ll sign up anyway? I promise that running a 5k will not result in a thin tube being inserted into your nether regions. In fact, it may result in something far more exciting. Prompted by all the chatter about Beat the Couch on Facebook this week, one of our graduates (Leah Scott) wrote this:

“Though it may seem simple to some, it is so much more, for me, than being able to run. I have learned discipline, I have gained self-confidence, I have made friends and comrades in circumstances that I never thought that I would find myself in. I have been given words of encouragement and support and genuine kindness from people that I probably would have never met, had it not been for Beat the Couch. Although I may never win a running race, you have helped me win the most important race ... the one inside my head that said that you can’t do this. But I say to myself — Aha! I CAN, I SHALL, I WILL!”

This reaction is the kind of thing that we, as coaches, live for. The whole Beat the Couch process is amazingly enjoyable and it’s wonderful to see participants emerging with new-found confidence, pride and self-respect. This transition is based on something simple — setting yourself a target and actually seeing it through. How often do we let our goals fall by the wayside? I remember one mother congratulating her daughter as she crossed the line, saying, “This is the first thing you have finished since you were 16!” And the great thing is, that success in one area of life often leads to success in others areas too.

Although there is a nutritional component of Beat the Couch (and following it improves performance and ability to heal) some people find it overwhelming to address everything at once. Small steps with good results provide more and more motivation and the trick is to keep it all fresh and interesting. Keep reading new blogs and browsing books for ideas and inspiration. It doesn’t really matter if you try paleo or vegan so long as you take a “clean” eating approach and avoid hidden sugars. This means a lot more cooking from scratch but it’s so worth it. Doing it yourself makes healthy eating more economical — and gives you an opportunity to teach your kids how to cook.

This is a really easy recipe to get started with (see sidebar). We were discussing the cancer-inhibiting benefits of turmeric last week, so this gives you a chance to start experimenting. Plus, the stores are full of amazing sweet potatoes right now. It’s really tasty and packed with vitamins C & E, beta-carotene and anti-inflammatory ingredients like ginger and garlic. It’s deliberately mild but you can always add some chilli to give it a bit of a kick. I skipped the stock and just used water and it was still delicious. Keep the skins on the veggies (well washed) as you get more nutrients that way.

The advice given in this article is not intended to replace medical advice, but to complement it. Always consult your GP if you have any health concerns. Catherine Burns BA Hons, Dip ION is the managing director of Natural Ltd and a fully qualified nutritional therapist trained by the Institute for Optimum Nutrition in the UK. Please note that she is not a registered dietitian. For details, please go to www.natural.bm or call 236-7511. Join Catherine on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nutrifitandnaturalnutritionbermuda