Tag Archive for: 2019 goals

5 Steps to a Diet-Free Commitment this Year

Happy New Year! I’m excited that it’s a new year…there is so much that I want to do in 2019. First and foremost, on the TOP of my list is to spend more time with my kids and grandchildren. Every time I see my yummy grandsons (Evan, 5 years old and Zach, 3 years old), my heart lights up!

 

In truth, I don’t get to see them as often as I’d like mostly due to my and my husband’s work schedules, and the work schedules of my son and daughter-in-law. And, it doesn’t help that they, and my other married son live across 2 bridges. But I always say that we have to count our blessings and I am thankful that I don’t have to get on a plane to see them!

 

 

Sometimes there are barriers to achieving the things we really want in life. If we let those barriers hold us back, then we will rarely achieve our goals. It’s important to do what is within our power to make happen what we want to happen.

 

The Number One Barrier to a Healthy Relationship with Food and Your Body

 

Right now, during the first week of January, the number one barrier to you creating a healthy relationship with food and your body is the slew of dieting ads and commercials that promise you the weight loss you so desire.

 

You may not see it this way. Perhaps you are reading these ads and thinking “this will be the diet that works for me.” And just like that, you hold yourself back from finally finding freedom from the battle with food and your body that you’ve been living with for years.

 

Busting through the Diet Temptation Barrier

 

I promise you that dieting is not going to bring you any peace in your life. All that dieting will do is keep you on the roller coaster of restriction – binge eating – guilt – shame.

 

If dieting was the answer, it would have “worked” a long time ago.

 

So, how do you bust through this temptation to do “just one more diet”?

 

First and foremost, I want you to know that I understand the temptation to try that one last diet. I’ve been there before, so I really do get it. Here are 5 steps to help you commit to being diet-free in 2019!

 

  1. Take a few minutes tonight and sit with yourself quietly. Be sure that you are relaxed, not hungry, and tell your family that you don’t want to be interrupted for at least 30 minutes. You’ll need to have a pad and pen handy.

 

  1. Close your eyes, take a deep breath and ask yourself the following questions:
  • What has been the emotional cost of all my years of dieting? (examples – depression, anxiety, poor body image etc.)
  • What has been the relationship cost of all my years of dieting? (examples – lost friendships, broken relationships, social anxiety etc.)
  • What has been the health cost of all my years of dieting? (Example – blood sugar swings, elevated blood pressure, hair falling out, menstrual irregularities, GI trouble etc.)

 

After each question, open your eyes and begin writing. Don’t edit your words, just write.

 

  1. Read your responses to each question OUT LOUD (this part is really crucial), and now ask yourself this last MOST IMPORTANT question:

 

If I don’t break this chronic dieting pattern, how will that affect my future and that of my daughters (and sons) who are watching me and learning from me?

 

  1. Declare “I am committed to never dieting again!”.

 

  1. Click HERE to schedule a quick complementary call with me to get started on your intuitive eating journey in 2019!

 

You don’t need to walk this journey alone, nor should you. We all need support along the way. I’m here for you if you are ready. Are you ready? Let me know in the comments below!

Your Year in Review: Reflect and Renew

Your year in review – handwriting on a napkin with a cup of espresso coffee

Right around this time of year you often see lists coming out all over the internet reviewing everything that has happened in the last 365 days. Whether it’s the best and worst of fashion or a list that chronicles important moments in the news, it’s a nice way to take stock of everything that has happened that has shaped 2018.

 

Something else you usually see around this time of year is people making a long list of resolutions on ways they want to be “healthier”, “improve themselves”, or “be better” in the New Year. While it’s always good to set goals for yourself, I’d prefer to celebrate all the ways that you have already made progress on your “well-being” journey. Starting the year off focusing on where you think you “fell short” is not a recipe for success.

 

So let’s forget resolutions and instead reflect and renew as you look at your personal year in review.

 

5 Reflections

 

Start your “Year in Review”by focusing on these 5 reflections.

 

  1. Your Best Moments: Think back on your intuitive eating journey this past year and focus on the moments that you called out the sneaky diet mentality, honored your hunger, respected your fullness,, made your self-care a priority and gave yourself permission to eat what you loved guilt-free! Celebrate these moments that would have been very different had you been living the life of a dieter.

 

  1. Moments You Would Have Changed: Mistakes happen to all of us. There will always be a time where you might have been able to handle a situation differently. But mistakes are a great way to learn! Don’t be ashamed to put these in your “Year in Review”. Identify the lesson learned and be proud that you consider these lessons a sign of growth.

 

  1. Moments that Surprised You: Maybe it was the first time you ate a bagel and didn’t feel guilty. Maybe it was that week you engaged in movement and found it enjoyable. Whatever things you did that you never thought you could, are moments that should be celebrated!

 

  1. Moments You Feared Food but it Turned Out Alright: Maybe it’s this holiday season right now! Or, perhaps it was last summer when you had a busy social calendar with barbecues and pool parties and lots of food! Whatever occasions caused you to have food worry, it’s important to note how you came through them successfully to remind yourself of what you’ve accomplished.

 

  1. Things You’re Most Proud Of: You might find that you will repeat some of your “best moments” here, but that’s okay! Celebrating the positive moments of a year is a much more productive way to approach a New Year, with a great energy and motivation to continue moving forward.

 

Congratulations on making the commitment to honoring yourself through intuitive eating. Here’s to making small steps that lead to huge accomplishments.

 

Please share your Year in Review with me in the comments below. I’d love to hear how your 2018 went, and what you have planned for 2019!