Independence and Eating

Today is independence day. We can flip a switch in our minds to connect with eating independence by tuning-in to what we sense, how our body feels and what makes us happy. Sound simple? It is!

• Independence feels like freedom and self-respect. 
• Tuning-in connects us with intuitive signals.
• Intuition is the source of our self-respect. 
• Self-respect keeps us safe, happy and in tune with our heart, mind, body and soul.

The pleasure of being in control when we eat feels like freedom. Convenient intuitive signals help us recognize what feels right every time we eat. It's convenient to be curious. We take control of our personal fate by being curious.

• Curiosity is looking closer and hearing more. 
• It includes looking closer at how we feel physically and emotionally.
• Food choices based on curiosity are a spontaneous response to what we sense.
• Curiosity is keeping a flexible attitude and open mind. Forget rules. Trust your gut.

Use independence to imagine your ideal, healthy, body image. Make a commitment to notice and respect your personal boundaries. Use the inner intuitive signal -- tenacity -- to work with this vision and connect with your dreams.

• Tenacity is power that is easy access.
• Use it with curiosity to stay focused on eating choices that feel good to your mind, body and heart.
• Tenacity creates momentum that builds inner strength. The more we depend on it, the stronger we become. Independence becomes a way of life.

Celebrate your independence by being your best self. There is always something exciting, admirable and inspiring about a person who's committed to doing what feels right. Don't be surprised if your choice to trust your gut inspires others to join in. It's not always easy to be the best we can be. But since we only get rewarded when we refuse to give up, it's worth the effort! 

"Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile and sometimes your smile is the source of your joy." ~Thich Nhat Hanh

#janebernard

Let go and lose weight.

"It's all right letting yourself go as long as you can let yourself back." -- Mick Jagger

The food-filled holidays are over. Still, at a party last night women and men confided in me that they had "let themselves go" between Thanksgiving and the new year. They felt burdened. It makes no sense to focus on what you ate last year. 

The old emotionally manipulative 20th century diet mentality  is to humiliate yourself with regrets and beat yourself up with recriminations. It's wrong. It boomerangs and makes you hold on to guilt, anger and fat!  

Instead, give yourself space to come back to your best interests. Intuitive eating is tuning-in to the present. Use your 5 senses to recognize messages from your body and your 6th sense (intuition) and eat in response to physical hunger, your values, priorities and personal boundaries. 

Feeling badly about what you ate a month ago adds extra weight on your body. It makes you literally feel heavy! Put it down. Let go of it. 

Time is passing, be guided by your moments.  Stay in the now and lighten up literally and psychologically! Feel good because you're committed to being true to your body and yourself.  Enjoy your next meal because it's the beginning of living your dream. 

Let yourself lose weight by letting go of regrets and guilt trips. Then, keep in step with today, eat less, chew more and use common sense. The pounds will come off.

This is January. Eat to protect your health from seasonal colds and flu and have energy for the best quality of life. You'll get some satisfaction.

Am I Really Hungry addresses how to recognize emotional hot buttons and turn them off. It was written in response to interviews with dieters and intuitive answers. Use this book to help you let go and lose weight.