"Do You Ever Binge?"

 

“Do you ever still binge?” a friend asked me recently.  

After some thought, I answered, “No.”

Please keep in mind that I have 45 years of experience in the binge department.  If you have any doubt, just take a little peak at my “Before” picture.  Rest assured that, indeed, I know a great deal about bingeing.

It’s not that I don’t ever have the urge to eat everything in sight.  It’s not that I never feel frustrated, angry, bored, or stressed.  It’s not that I never want to medicate myself with food.  It’s not that I never feel so empty inside that I could devour a whole pizza, a family-size bag of potato chips, and a gallon of rocky road ice cream.  

I’m human.  

I have bad days.

But in the past two years, I’ve learned some strategies to help me deal with the urge to eat everything in sight.  

Strategy One:  Eat small meals frequently throughout the day.  I have learned, and continue to learn, to listen to my body.  I don’t allow her to go hours and hours on end with no fuel.  I rarely allow her to become famished, for I know that when I become really, really, really hungry, I may end up eating everything in sight.  And when you add emotional stress and physical exhaustion to hunger, you’ve got yourself a recipe for a high-quality binge.

Strategy Two:  I love to run.  And this running thing I’ve got going on is a big motivator to eat small, frequent meals.  If I know I have a long run scheduled for Saturday morning, I’m probably going to pay attention to how I fuel myself on Friday night.

Strategy Three:  This brings us to the issue of food being fuel.  Food can’t hug me.  Food can’t laugh with me.  Food can’t listen to me.  Food can’t cry with me.  Food is fuel, not love.  People are love, not fuel.

It’s not that I never have a bad day and want to eat.  But during those bad days, I ask, “What will bring me the most pleasure?”  And in many cases, food is not the answer to that question.  

I also ask myself, “What do I really, really, really, really want?”  

For me, I really, really, really, really want to maintain my current weight.  

I really, really, really, really want to continue to run long distances.  

I really, really, really, really want to sleep well at night.  

And I really, really, really, really want to continue to be in a super-loving, super-supportive relationship with my body.

What do you really, really, really, really want?

Up Next:  “But What Did You Do?”

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The Scale Goes Up! You Want It to Go Down!

 

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in this situation.  It would seem that this would be the story of my entire adult life.  I would work at my weight, work at eating the right foods, work at getting enough exercise, work at watching my portions, work at everything about weight loss.  And I wouldn’t lose anything.  Instead, I’d gain.

And then I’d feel frustrated.  The scale would definitely not reflect my efforts.  No matter how hard I tried, it wouldn’t budge.  Or worse, it would go up.

And this was a drag.  If the scale didn’t mirror back to me the results of my effort, what would I want to do?  You have one guess.

I’d eat.  A lot.  I’d feel frustrated at this road block.  I’d feel angry at myself.  I’d feel disappointed.  I’d feel upset that no matter how hard I would work at it, the weight wouldn’t come off.  And this went on for years.

And then instead of working at losing weight, I began to work at changing my thinking, and I began to work at changing my view of myself.  

As I consciously and intentionally shifted my thoughts about my body and my effort, my behavior changed, and I released weight. If you’re anything like me, here are a few suggestions that might help you as you begin to learn how to love the body you have and release weight in the process.

1. 1. Pay attention to what you say to yourself in the mirror.  It’s easy to find our flaws, and not always easy to find our beauty.  Look for it.  It’s there.  It wants you to recognize it.  If you have 5 pounds to release or 105 pounds to release, look for and recognize and embrace your physical beauty.  It’s there.  And when when recognize it, you’ll be recognize the truth about who you are.
   

2. 2.As you’re paying attention to your beauty, acknowledge it verbally.  “I really like the way my eyes look today,” or “My hair looks awesome,” or “Look at how shapely my calves are!”  Say these things out loud to yourself as you look in the mirror.  Enjoy the way you look, and heighten that enjoyment by complementing yourself out loud.
   

3. 3.Celebrate everything.  Not just the big things.  Every step you take that is in the direction of your desires for your body, or that is in the direction of loving and appreciating your body--celebrate it!  Some of my favorite ways to celebrate are with things that aren’t food--like luxury lotions, gorgeous writing utensils, exquisite notecards and paper, books, and inspirational DVDs.  This is important, because as you celebrate everything you do that moves you in the direction you want to go, you’ll be more likely to keep moving in the direction you want to go.
   

But the bottom line, when the scale goes up and you want it to go down, is to really pay attention to what you say to yourself in that moment.  And be kind and gentle with yourself.   Compassion begins at home.

Up Next:  “Do You Ever Binge?”

Visit me at http://www.fallinlovewithyourbody.com.  Time's running out on my FREE OFFER!

If Your Body Could Talk to You, What Would It Say?

 

Today’s blog is about you. It’s one question, and one question only.  And I can’t wait to hear your answers to this question:

If your body could talk to you, what would it say?

Please let me know!  E-mail me at nannerl123@yahoo.com, or phone me at 402-438-0108, or leave me a comment here!  I'll respond in future blogs!

And be sure to check out my FREE offer at my website:  http://www.fallinlovewithyourbody.com!

Up Next:  The Scale Goes Up!  You Want It to Go Down!

 

 

When Women Start Loving Their Bodies

A couple of days ago, I had the privilege of participating in a workshop called “Befriending Our Bodies After Cancer.”  I came away filled with inspiration, passion, and desire.  I also came away with a strong belief that when women start loving their bodies. . . 

. . . their health will improve and health care costs will go down.

. . . they will be happier.

. . . they will need less medication.

. . . they will be in touch with their deepest, truest parts of themselves.

. . . they will approve and enjoy and connect with every part of their physical presence.

. . . they will not seek to change their bodies by drastic means, for they will see the beauty and joy in their bodies as they are.

. . . the will know that the only approval that really matters is the approve that comes from inside of them.

. . . they will ease up on the judgments the make about their bodies.

. . . they will treat themselves kindly and compassionately.

. . . they will approve of the image they see in the mirror.

. . . they will approve of other women’s bodies.

. . . they will approve of their daughter’s bodies.

. . . they will listen closely to what their bodies are telling them.

. . . they will pay attention to what their bodies really want.

. . . they will enjoy the sensory pleasures their bodies give them.

. . . they will not rely solely on the sense of taste to give them pleasure, and instead know that they can experience pleasure through their eyes, ears, nose, and skin.

. . . they will see beauty in freckles, wrinkles, gray hair, and flesh.

. . . they will know what makes them happy, and take responsibility for their own happiness.

. . . they will feel better about themselves more often.

. . . they will feel no desire to read fashion magazines.

. . . they will know that their bodies love them.

. . . they will know that their bodies want to support them during their time on this planet.

Up Next:  If Your Body Could Talk to You, What Would It Say?

Leave me your comments here!

And check out my FREE OFFER at my website:  http://www.fallinlovewithyourbody.com

On Seeing Our Own Beauty

 

It’s not always easy to do.  We may be afraid of becoming arrogant, or vain, or narcissistic, but recognizing our own beauty is a practice that’s rooted in love, not fear.  Arrogance, vanity, and narcissism are all based in fear, but seeing the beauty of our physical bodies is founded in love.

One of the tenets of Christianity is the idea of loving our neighbor as we love ourselves.  And of course, there has been much energy given to the idea of extending compassion to others.  But there doesn’t  seem to be much attention given to the idea of extending compassion towards ourselves.

And how can be be compassionate towards ourselves when sometimes all we see is our flaws, failures, shortcomings, and dare I say, sins?  How can we look in the mirror and see ourselves as exquisite extensions of divine mind when what seems to be staring us in the face are our imperfections, insecurities, and fears?

We need to be willing to view our bodies differently.  Ask yourself, “Am I willing to change?  Am I willing to look at my body with compassion and love?  Am I willing to focus on what is amazing and beautiful and stunning about my physical self?”

If you can answer “Yes” to those questions, here a  couple of ideas that may help you recognize the truth of your own beauty and fall in love with your body.

First, every time you glance at yourself in the mirror, or catch a glimpse of yourself in a reflective surface, say something positive to yourself.  Here are a few ideas:  “I’m scrumptious!” or “I’m really cute!”  or “I’m beautiful!” or “I’m having a good hair day!”  You get the picture.  At first, saying positive things to yourself may not feel easy.  At first, they may feel stupid and silly.  But like any new skill, the more you do it, the easier it will get.  

Second, plunge into gratitude.  And again, this may feel difficult, silly, and awkward.  But I would urge you, right now, to take out a piece of paper and begin to make a list of gratitudes for your body.  Today, on my list, I might include:

I am grateful that my legs carried me on a four-mile run.

I am grateful that my taste buds allowed me to enjoy two delicious cups of fresh-ground coffee with real cream.

I am grateful that my nose caught the sweet fragrance of a flowering bush.

I am grateful that my ears heard the delicate lapping of my cat at the water bowl.

As you begin to be willing to see your body differently, and as you begin to say positive statements to yourself when you look in the mirror, and as you plunge into gratitude for your physical body, you will become proficient in the art of seeing yourself for what you are:  beautiful.

Up Next:  When Women Start Loving Their Bodies

Leave me a comment here, and visit me at my website http://www.fallinlovwithyourbody.com

When All You See In the Mirror Are Saggy Boobs, Rolls of Fat, and Cellulite

 

Here are ten interventions for when your imperfections stare you in the face:

1. 1. Know that you’re normal.  According to Geneen Roth, even thin people “have cellulite, get old, and die.” You’re not alone.
   

2. 2.Know that this too shall pass.  The great thing about feelings?  They’re temporary.  
   

3. 3.Do something fun.  What makes you laugh?  What makes you smile?  What makes you feel amazing?  What brings you pleasure?  Make a list of things that make you happy, and then do one thing on that list.
   

4. 4. Put on red lipstick.  Or red nail polish.  Or both.
   

5. 5. Take three really deep belly breaths. Enjoy feeling the air moving in and out of your body.
   

6. 6. Call your best friend.  A good rant never hurt anybody.
   

7. 7.Walk.  I always feel better after a walk.
   

8. 8. Wear something soft.  Or touch something soft, like a pet.
   

9. 9. Listen to your favorite tunes.  Sing along.  Loudly!
   

10. 10. Enjoy chocolate.  It never disappoints.
    

Up Next:  On Seeing Your Own Beauty

And enjoy my FREE offer at http://www.fallinlovewithyourbody.com

 

It's All In Your Mind

Didn’t Einstein say, “Imagination is more important than knowledge?”

It all starts with one thought.  It starts with a simple desire.  It starts with your imagination!

Be conscious and curious and aware of your thoughts related to your body, your food, about your life. 

Pay attention to your thinking.  Pay attention to what you’re “imaging.”   Infuse any images you hold with passion, joy, gratitude, and pleasure.  

And see where you go!

Up Next:  How to Have Fun While Losing Weight

And check out my free offer at http://www.fallinlovewithyourbody.com