A Thought About Compulsive Eating, from Your Stomach

Our bodies are always giving us signals.  We just have to pay attention.

Piece Talks...

You know those times when you eat something that you know you "shouldn't" eat but you do anyway, most of the time without thinking, and you always feel terrible after eating it?

Well, here's something you might try next time you catch yourself about to eat compulsively...

Stop for a second, and ask me how I feel about eating what you're about to eat. One of the best ways to "ask" is by imagining how I'll feel after you've eaten it. I'll generally answer through feeling, which at first may be subtle and/or clouded over by what your mind and habits want, but over time, my answer will become more and more clear.
I'm always telling you how I feel, even when you aren't listening :-)
Love,
your stomach

You can sign up to receive weekly Piece Talks e-mails here:http://www.lovethewayyoulook.com/piecetalks.html

xoxo
Niki Svara

Guilt is Fattening

I had just finished a great 30 minute Curves workout, when I was running out the door to make my car appointment. Sifting through my purse, looking for my car keys, I saw the apple I’d been meaning to eat for the last three days. I thought to myself, “Great! I’ll eat this while I’m waiting for my car to be serviced.”

I made it to the dealership just in time, where I was greeted with kind courtesy and escorted to an incredibly cozy-comfy waiting area. It was actually pretty swanky for a car dealership!

Scanning the room for the perfect seat, I couldn’t help but notice the complimentary pastries, and instantly my mouth had a mission. I decided not to make a beeline for the sweets, and instead, took my seat, waited a couple of minutes, then casually made my way over to select my treat.

I chose an oatmeal raisin cookie over a doughnut- that was “better”- and reclaimed my seat with satisfaction. This was certainly a high quality cookie- raisins in every bite! I was thoroughly enjoying it, and then…

Halfway through my cookie, I realized that I had completely forgotten about my apple, again! But before any guilt could creep in, something even more shocking caught my attention, and it made me laugh:

There, directly in my line of view, was a huge bowl of fresh fruit. It was so big, I couldn’t even see the cookies and doughnuts behind it! Yet it had somehow melted into the scenery of “everything else but the sweets.”

I had a long moment of self-reflection. I acknowledged my habit of going for sweets first before fruit, decided I want to be more conscious of what I eat… and then I continued to eat my cookie- in peace.

I could have felt badly about myself and my habit, but I didn’t. In years prior, I would have plunged full on into the downward spiral of self-judgment. I’m happy I’ve learned to be kinder to myself.

Without judgment, I set my intention on the choice I want to make in the future- to at least notice the fruit in the first place :-)

There is one final thought I would like to leave you with. What I know from personal experience and from working with clients is this: Whatever you decide to eat, enjoy it. Guilt is fattening.

Love & Smiles,
Niki Svara