Monday, July 16, 2012

Food Fight!

Is every meal you eat a food fight?

You can throw food into your mouth, but not be fighting. You can throw your hopes away, but not be eating. The point is, you are in control of what you fight with, what you eat and how you socialize.

Ever been so frustrated at meal time that you would rather throw food than eat it? Food fights are usually emotional, but eating is always physical. Some people don't know how to connect with what they really want.  The next time someone throws food at you, give them a gentle kind hug.

Stop throwing food. Make love, not war the next time you eat. When you reject your body, you're fighting with yourself.  It's the kind of food fight you can't win.

If you're in the habit of food fighting, here's how to get juiced instead of junked around food.

  • Before you start a meal or snack, be honest with yourself, Do you really physically feel like eating? If not, then leave the food fight and do whatever you want - as long as it's not eating.
  • If you are genuinely ready to eat, look at what's on your plate and decide you will taste every bite. 
Leave emotional fights out of eating. Learn to connect with your body by eating intuitively.  Your common sense solution is sensual.
  • Be determined and tenacious. Do not let yourself down.
  • Don't take food for granted. Be grateful that you are able to eat.
  • Really taste your food. Make tasting a priority.
To really taste your food there are rules:
  •  Eat only for physical pleasure and the opportunity to socialize.
  • Let people you eat with know that you will probably be eating slower and as a result, eating less, because you are going to really taste every bite that goes into your mouth.
  • Chew with your mouth closed. This way, your taste buds can give you real physical taste satisfaction. 
  • Swallow before you add food to your mouth.
  • Do not talk with food in your mouth. Even if someone asks you a question, keep your mouth closed and taste your food. They can wait for you to speak.
When you're fighting with yourself,  zig-zag thinking makes you look at your body when you eat as if it's alien. Eating intuitively keeps you in touch with your body, because it's a response to physical cues like hunger. You'll feel satisfaction.

Take your time. When you respect your choices, you will notice that others do, too. Don't let a food fight block common sense.

 
Parting quote: When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself. Tecumseh

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Self-Empowerment for Losing Weight

How can I help myself lose weight?

The easy way is: be true to yourself. That means be honest with yourself. Only by being honest can you have the kind of self-discipline that is empowering. It's intuitive to take control of what matters to you.

When you honestly want to lose weight,  use the drive of determination and be patient with yourself.  Self-discipline's a natural way to connect with yourself and have the pleasure of feeling good. It's worth the effort if you honestly want to like your body.

Patience is the secret of real satisfaction. I don't get satisfied when I give up. The truth is, I want my body to be healthy. I don't feel good when I ignore my truth.

When I hold my stomach in and stand up straight, I already look like I lost weight. Try it and look in the mirror.

Do you have the courage to live your truth? If you truly want to be your healthy weight, follow these tips:

  • Eat Less; chew more.
  • Put your sandwich down between bites and don't pick it up before you swallow.
  • Put your fork down between bites and don't pick it up before you swallow.
  • Notice how your food tastes. Learn what tastes too sweet or too salty.
  • Notice how your body feels. Learn what fills you up and what causes bloat.
  • Wait at least 15 minutes before you have dessert to make sure you really want it. Then, if you do, eat only half - and enjoy every bite.
  • Drink water while you watch TV.
  • Eat a hard-boiled egg or a handful of walnuts or almonds before parties to take the edge off your hunger. Then, socialize more while you hold your stomach in.
  • Talk More; eat less.  Feed yourself emotionally by socializing at mealtime.
Self-empowerment begins with being true to yourself. 
  • Don't abuse yourself by binging.
  • Don't punish yourself emotionally. It's a vicious cycle you can end.
Self-empowerment happens when you trust your truth. Being patient means you respect yourself and what matters to you. You have the power. Use it!

For more answers, tips and tools for self-empowerment, get a copy of: Am I Really Hungry? 6th Sense Diet, Intuitive Eating.