It's not what you eat but what you think!

One of the first quotes by Wayne Dyer to inspire me was 'Change the Way You Look at Things and the Way You Look at things Changes'. A Simple concept although not always easy to implement.  Even when facing challenges that we feel we can do nothing about, we can still bring about an inner peace by thinking about the challenge differently.

When facing difficult challenges I can easily fall into unhealthy or excessive eating and likewise when I overcome these challenges my healthy eating resumes. The key for me is to be Conscious of this, Conscious of the thinking that leads to the negative habits.  Not with a view to denying them but to embracing them. Only then through this Conscious Acceptance can I  leg them go.

Shed negative thinking and shed weight at the same time

I recently moved home from the remoteness of the Alpujarras to the city of Granada and a friend asked me 'how did you feel when you packed up and left?' I didn't have to think about the answer because it was so noticible for me, noticeable in my body - I felt lighter, as if I had shed pounds.  In fact I had to check myself a few times, check that I hadn't left the house naked!

I know that when we move house we can do it hoping we leave our 'baggage' behind, often finding after a short while that our problems and difficulties have surfaced again. What I have realised is that my old home WAS the baggage. The location, the remoteness, the lack of stimulation was all baggage and holding me back.

Do you love your body?

My body at last, I claim you!

I live here!

I am not some discarnate spirit using just any vehicle to get around….

for so many years I rejected my body because it isn’t perfect

according to the standards of my culture.

I have been unfaithful to it, letting other’s opinions turn me against it,

allowing others to use it without love, without tenderness…

Because I myself rejected my body I didn’t protect it,

didn’t demand that it be treated like the precious gift that it is…                                

My body, the temple of my soul deserves better from me.

I reclaim this body…

This body is a miracle; it is the first gift of the Creator to me – my birthday present.

I take this body to have and to hold, in sickness and in health,

to honour, love and cherish until death do us part.

I am a woman reclaiming my body”

 - Janet F- Quinn

To fully reclaim our body and free us up to make more conscious and healthy choices in relation to how we treat it, we need to understand our thoughts and how they relate to our relationship with food.

What I’m talking about here is not just what we put into are bodies but why?
What is the thought or belief that leads us to treat our bodies the way we do or don’t do?
And what feelings and behaviours are triggered by these thoughts?

Awareness of this will not only support your choices but also aid motivation and persistence to achieve your goals.

So here's a journal question - What do you need to change, do differently, give up, or introduce to 'reclaim your body'?

To discuss this more and find out how the Conscious Eating Coach can support you further e-mail jacqui@artoflivingcoaching.co.uk

Food for Education

I have noticed recently how my concentration and enthusiasm change depending on my nutrition.  If I reduce my water intake my energy wanes.  If I neglect fruit and veg in favour of bread and other wheat products (pizza) my enthusiasm to do anything other than become a couch potato disappears.

With the new school year under way why not give your children the best chance of achieving their goals by supporting their energy and concentration levels.

When packing their lunch boxes pay attention to the content of the snacks and drinks that you are packing.  Of course you don't want to deprive them of their chocolate treat but you don't want to overdo them either - pack a piece of fruit also.

With all the drinks on the market there is plenty of choice of healthy drinks, choose ones made from fresh whole fruits with no added suger or better still choose spring water. 

Children's habits, likes and dislikes are the result of their parents/caregivers influences.  So if your kids are not eating healthy or dislike good nutritious food, it is easy to rectify this by changing your own habits.  You owe it to your kids and yourself to keep them and you healthy.  If this is something you want to change but are finding it tough then call the Conscious Eating Coach now for a free consultation.

WE ARE WHAT WE EAT!

Interesting title huh?

In buddhist philosophy EVERYTHING is connected, therefore what we put into our bodies has a direct impact not just on our physical appearance but on the unseen condition of our body, mind and soul.

What do you put into your body that helps/hinders your health? If it's not helpful then ask yourself why do I think I don't deserve better?

Choice

Choice based on what we already know will always result in what we know, so if you want something new and different you need to know something new.

How this translates to conscious eating is that if you want to change your habits permanently then you need to understandand them - where they come from, how they manifest in your life and what triggers them - when you understand that you will know something new and be able to make different choices.

Does Eating Healthy Mean Deprivation?

In a simple word answer NO!

Depriving yourself of your favorite foods will only lead to cravings and binging. If you allow yourself a little of what you want when you have the desire then you are more likely to satisfy the desire and less likely to eat to excess.

Eating healthily is a part of self care and Self Care means being kind to yourself and finding a balance.

Would you continually deny a child ice-cream in the midst of summer?

Would you let them have one every time they ask (every hour!)

Just think how you would respond to a child and treat yourself the same way.

Buen proveche!