Here's another article I've read...
The Now of Chow
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Bountiful Beauty Abounds
I'm talking about the beginning of berry season. This warm season makes it so much easier to eat fresh produce in very large quantities. I had my first taste of fresh fava beans a few weeks ago and they were so delicious, I could not stop with the "mmmmmm"s. I've been eating strawberries pretty much every day, since they started smelling like strawberries again, and I'm eagerly awaiting my first tomato sandwich of the season.
'Tis the season when weight loss tends to happen, whether you choose to lose weight or not. That is, unless you don't like fresh fruits and vegetables, in which case I have to ask, "Are you mad?!?"
'Tis the season when weight loss tends to happen, whether you choose to lose weight or not. That is, unless you don't like fresh fruits and vegetables, in which case I have to ask, "Are you mad?!?"
Friday, May 01, 2009
Health At Every Size
A recent article called "Goodbye Scale, Hello Health", about a program that focuses on whole body health, while taking the focus away from what size you are.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Personal Trainer
I met with a personal trainer for the first time, last week. It was a free orientation offered by Anytime Fitness and I jumped at the chance to get some advice about a good fitness routine. She was great. Totally non-judgmental and wanted to support my goals, not the goals she thought I should have. I would recommend her to anyone who wants an encouraging and gentle approach to personal training.
I used to think I wanted (or needed) a kick-in-the-butt approach, but in learning more about myself, I know that that kind of approach makes my rebellious side kick in hard. In my mind, I'd be telling that kind of trainer to shut up, instead of appreciating her for attempting to push me past what I think I can do. I don't do well with a hard sell. I tend to mentally stick my fingers in my ears and hum the birthday song, while walking away.
I tried to keep an open mind, but was half expecting her to say it would be best to sign up for more sessions, because I'm clearly not capable of following any kind of routine on my own. To my very pleasant surprise, she didn't do that. In fact, when I asked about more sessions at the end of the orientation, she said I should try it on my own for awhile, get the hang of it, and then if I felt I needed more instruction, give her a call. Wonderful!
At the end of the session, she wrote down everything we worked on and handed me the sheet along with a letter explaining her philosophy about personal training. In that letter, she gave a wonderful explanation of how she believes that most people have already beaten themselves up enough, before coming to her, so she didn't need to make them feel any worse. So true! She also went on to give a simple explanation of the power of the mind and drawing on the life force energy to help us achieve our goals. I really like that she incorporated spirituality in a neutral way. I appreciate spirituality, but again, a hard sell towards any particular religion will instantly put my mental fingers in my mental ears.
She also didn't mention one single word about how she thought anyone should eat. She did ask me how I felt about my eating, in the beginning of my orientation, but then dropped the subject completely after I told her. She didn't react in any way that might be considered negative or judgmental, when I said my eating was "okay". As in her letter, she knew that I had judged myself enough and she didn't feel the need to judge me any further.
It was a great, uplifting experience in every way.
I used to think I wanted (or needed) a kick-in-the-butt approach, but in learning more about myself, I know that that kind of approach makes my rebellious side kick in hard. In my mind, I'd be telling that kind of trainer to shut up, instead of appreciating her for attempting to push me past what I think I can do. I don't do well with a hard sell. I tend to mentally stick my fingers in my ears and hum the birthday song, while walking away.
I tried to keep an open mind, but was half expecting her to say it would be best to sign up for more sessions, because I'm clearly not capable of following any kind of routine on my own. To my very pleasant surprise, she didn't do that. In fact, when I asked about more sessions at the end of the orientation, she said I should try it on my own for awhile, get the hang of it, and then if I felt I needed more instruction, give her a call. Wonderful!
At the end of the session, she wrote down everything we worked on and handed me the sheet along with a letter explaining her philosophy about personal training. In that letter, she gave a wonderful explanation of how she believes that most people have already beaten themselves up enough, before coming to her, so she didn't need to make them feel any worse. So true! She also went on to give a simple explanation of the power of the mind and drawing on the life force energy to help us achieve our goals. I really like that she incorporated spirituality in a neutral way. I appreciate spirituality, but again, a hard sell towards any particular religion will instantly put my mental fingers in my mental ears.
She also didn't mention one single word about how she thought anyone should eat. She did ask me how I felt about my eating, in the beginning of my orientation, but then dropped the subject completely after I told her. She didn't react in any way that might be considered negative or judgmental, when I said my eating was "okay". As in her letter, she knew that I had judged myself enough and she didn't feel the need to judge me any further.
It was a great, uplifting experience in every way.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Peace Is This Moment, Without Judgment
I've been listening to the IMCW: Tara Brach podcasts on iTunes and really enjoying them. She teaches insight meditation and is the author of Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha.
The podcast I chose to listen to today was called "Golfing With Monkeys". It's about how to not take life so personally and that suffering comes from being angry that things are not the way we want them to be. I felt this would be especially good for intuitive eating, because if I can learn to observe moments, it will be much more beneficial than reacting to them (with food).
One particular point that struck me was a quote she read from Dorothy S. Hunt:
"Do you think peace requires an end to war? Or tigers eating only vegetables? Does peace require the absence from your boss, your spouse, yourself? Do you think peace will come some other place than here? Some other time than now? In some other heart than yours?
Peace is this moment, without judgment, that is all. This moment, in the heart space, where everything that is, is welcome. Peace is this moment, without thinking it should be some other way, that you should feel some other thing, that your life should unfold according to your plans."
Not judging situations is going to take some practice. (deep inhale...deep exhale)
If you don't have iTunes, some of Tara's Dharma Talks can be found here.
The podcast I chose to listen to today was called "Golfing With Monkeys". It's about how to not take life so personally and that suffering comes from being angry that things are not the way we want them to be. I felt this would be especially good for intuitive eating, because if I can learn to observe moments, it will be much more beneficial than reacting to them (with food).
One particular point that struck me was a quote she read from Dorothy S. Hunt:
"Do you think peace requires an end to war? Or tigers eating only vegetables? Does peace require the absence from your boss, your spouse, yourself? Do you think peace will come some other place than here? Some other time than now? In some other heart than yours?
Peace is this moment, without judgment, that is all. This moment, in the heart space, where everything that is, is welcome. Peace is this moment, without thinking it should be some other way, that you should feel some other thing, that your life should unfold according to your plans."
Not judging situations is going to take some practice. (deep inhale...deep exhale)
If you don't have iTunes, some of Tara's Dharma Talks can be found here.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Stress Eating
Yesterday, I had a scary incident where I was trapped in an elevator for a little while. The abrupt stop and loud noise scared me more than anything else. Second to that was the fear that my son would be home in less than an hour and I worried that the bus driver wouldn't know where I was, if I didn't get out in time. I did make it out in time and two nice maintenance guys helped me carry my son up the stairs, but the stress of that short experience left me with an unexpected side-effect.
I could not stop eating, last night.
I should have done the tapping exercise or listened to the Emotional Eating CD, but I didn't. I could have journaled about my stress, but I didn't. And today, I'm kicking myself for not doing those things that make so much sense. I don't know why I failed to expect that that situation might cause some stress. I underestimated just how much stress it could cause.
Logically, it really shouldn't have had that much effect. I am fine and was in no real danger, nor was my son. But stress isn't logical. It can sneak up on you and subtly pick at you, telling your body that you are in danger, when you're not. For emotional eaters, it only takes a little bit of stress to make us think we need the "comfort" of an over-full belly, even though there's not much comfort in feeling so stuffed, we can't stand to have our pants on anymore.
This is where the tools can become so important. The journaling, the tapping, the relaxation techniques, etc. The key is to remember that they're there! To bypass that habitual urge to grab a cookie or a bag of chips, when we're not really hungry. To instead do the things that will offer real help, without the bloated belly remorse.
I could not stop eating, last night.
I should have done the tapping exercise or listened to the Emotional Eating CD, but I didn't. I could have journaled about my stress, but I didn't. And today, I'm kicking myself for not doing those things that make so much sense. I don't know why I failed to expect that that situation might cause some stress. I underestimated just how much stress it could cause.
Logically, it really shouldn't have had that much effect. I am fine and was in no real danger, nor was my son. But stress isn't logical. It can sneak up on you and subtly pick at you, telling your body that you are in danger, when you're not. For emotional eaters, it only takes a little bit of stress to make us think we need the "comfort" of an over-full belly, even though there's not much comfort in feeling so stuffed, we can't stand to have our pants on anymore.
This is where the tools can become so important. The journaling, the tapping, the relaxation techniques, etc. The key is to remember that they're there! To bypass that habitual urge to grab a cookie or a bag of chips, when we're not really hungry. To instead do the things that will offer real help, without the bloated belly remorse.
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