Living With the Lights On

Stinking Thinking I have an inner toddler voice.  She says things like.... "What is wrong with you? You're never going to lose weight."  "You're never going to get this, you might as well have a cookie." "You can't do this, just have a glass of wine." Have you heard your inner voice sounding the same?  Trying to lose weight or accomplish anything will make your inner critic get louder and louder. Our inner voice is how we talk to ourselves.  It is the thoughts we have about ourselves.  It is our belief about ourselves.   These beliefs are well practiced, aren't they? There isn't anything wrong with you because you think these things.  They are just a bunch of sentences or thoughts running around in your head.  They only become a problem when we start judging them or believing them. In the verse Eph. 4:17 It talks about unwholesome talk come our of your mouths.  Unwholesome means the same thing as the smell of ro...

Have  an Urge?  AIM! If you are like me, you know what an urge is. The dictionary defines it as a driving force or impulse. In reality an urge is a feeling.  Most of the time I hear about urges - they involve food.   If you are like I was,  when I had urges for certain foods,  it felt like I was our of control! All I could think about was that food and having it as soon as possible.   Can you relate?  Would you like to know what I learned about urges?  Urges are caused by our thoughts!  Wait! What?! Yes, our thoughts create our urges.  It is true that certain food like substances like refined sugar can influence our bodies to want more and more sugar.  But, when we understand that our prefrontal cortex brain,  the part of you made in the image of God, can be utilized to choose thoughts that serve us,  we set ourselves up to overcome any urge.  That is wh...

WHAT IF IT'S NOT AS COMPLICATED AS YOU THOUGHT? When it comes to weight loss, confusion, frustration and guilt are common emotions.  But, what if it's not as complicated as you thought? What if the key to losing extra body fat has more to do with what we are thinking rather than what we are eating? Yes there are food like substances that alter our metabolism by altering our mind.  Being aware of that is useful.  Creating a conscious, realistic plan and following through it the best thing we can do for our body and our mind.  When we create a plan, we make decisions ahead of time.  That simplifies meal time.  You just eat what you planned.  No stress-which, by the way, helps our bodies metabolize 40-60% more effectively.  When we eat what is planned, then we have a clear mind (without confusion, frustration and guilt).  We can then listen to what our body tells us about the food.  Does it feel bloated, achy, satisfied? We ca...

Holding It Together When It Feels Like You Are Falling Apart The phone won't stop ringing. Your child can't find their shoe. You need to get the laundry started. You have no idea what to cook for dinner. You can't fit into your favorite jeans.  It feels like your head is spinning. And then you eat.  Let me help. Pause. Breathe..... Notice and name your emotion....anxiety, frustration, anger, chaos? Where do you feel it in your body?  Emotions are simply vibrations in your body.  Describe what it feels like    Did you know that our emotions were part of how we are created?  They are indicators of the thoughts we have running around in our heads.   That may not sound comforting, but it is the first step in regaining your well being. Every thought is optional. When we become aware, without judgment,  we create forward momentum in the direction of our goals and dreams. The key is to notic...