Are you feeling
it? Holiday stress is in the air! Now is a
very good time to create a protective shield for yourself and I would love to
help you do just that!
For emotional
eaters there is an additional layer of stress - all the food temptations! When
so much external energy impacts us it is very helpful to find inner strength,
and a safe, calm haven.
I offer,
*below*, a simple, easy to learn, practice designed to create your own inner
retreat.
This practice
can help you if you are in that zone of losing weight and plan to continue in
spite of the holidays; or, if you want to minimize weight gain, or maintain
your weight.
The intention of
this mind-body based exercise is to develop awareness without judgment or
shame. The idea is to practice in-the-moment loving kindness and acceptance.
When we “meet” ourselves without shame, wherever we are, in whatever we are
doing, we practice unconditional love which is a main ingredient for
transformation.
*THE
PRACTICE*...At least once per day, for, I suggest, at least one full week...
I.
Just before eating, pause, take one mindful breath and
think: “I choose to eat now.”
II.
During one bite, while chewing and swallowing, just notice your
breath and the texture and taste of the food.
III.
Once during eating, pause, take a mindful breath before you take
the next bite.
IV.
After eating take one more mindful breath. Notice your belly. Name how it
feels. Is it full? Are you still hungry? Are you over stuffed? Feel good
about taking the time to notice, check in. This is self care. Self care leads
to less eating. If you have negative self talk going on, give yourself a hug.
This is when you need loving acceptance. The behavior is over. There is no
benefit to lingering with self hatred!
V.
Take three more mindful breaths - thinking one phrase with each breath:
“I am safe. I am calm. I am
enough.”
What better
way to break a mindless habit than to learn a mindful one!
