Hi everyone,
My website was down for maintenance for the last 24 hours so I missed my daily post today but, don’t worry, I’ll be back with a new post starting tomorrow. Hope you all are having a great day!
Enjoy, live and love, Michelle
Author Archives: Lifestrides
Great Responsibility
My mom’s reaction to the post “I’m The Only One” was very interesting because she said that it takes a lot of responsibility. I was perplexed at first because I didn’t understand what she meant until she explained that taking care of yourself, loving yourself and being emotionally available to yourself takes work, care and attention, hence the responsibility. I thought this was a brilliant observation! She’s right – being all things to ourselves takes commitment and responsibility to ensure that we are being true to ourselves. This pertains to decisions we make, things we eat, ways we cope with emotions and how we process events and experiences. The million dollar question is how do we do this consistently over time? Let’s explore….post a comment with your ideas!
Oversimplify…I Don’t Think So!
When I wrote yesterday’s post, “I’m The Only One” I didn’t realize how profound it actually was. I think I hit the key to releasing ourselves from binge-eating torture and possibly other types of self-inflicted torture as well. I don’t intend this to be an oversimplification of the solution to complex issues because yesterday’s realization came over many months of soul searching and with the help of many people. Believe me, it wasn’t simple or without pain or tears. Instead, I think the premise of “I’m The Only One” can be expanded upon and examined by each person in order to find their own freedom so they can….Enjoy, Live and Love!
It is with this intention that I will begin exploring what “I’m The Only One” means to me in future posts and I hope you’ll join me by posting comments.
I’m The Only One
I’ve realized that true freedom, at least for me, came when I realized that I am the only one responsible for my emotional well-being. I am the only one who can give true and complete approval to myself. I am the only one who can love myself the way I need to be loved. I am the only one who can provide myself with true happiness. I am the only one who truly knows if my behavior is compassionate and kind.
Of course, other people’s opinions and feelings matter when making decisions but, when it comes down to it, you only need to be true to yourself. Because, if you’re true to your Essence, your decisions will be filled with nothing but peace, joy and kindness for yourself and others.
Nose Hunger
Continuing with Jan Chosen Bays’ 7 types of hunger…
Nose Hunger
How does your sense of smell influence your eating? Do you smell food that is aromatic and want to eat it just because it smells so good even though you aren’t hungry? Dr. Bays asserts that smell is actually synonymous with taste which is to say that if there is no smell, there is no taste. “Our taste buds, on the tongue, only register 5 flavors: sweet, salty, sour, bitter and amino acids. When we can’t smell food, we perceive it as having almost no taste.” Think about this when your nose is congested…do you taste food as well as when you’re not congested? The smell of food is so enticing and, to me, there is no better sign of comfort than walking into a house that smells of home cooking. If only our actual hunger would always fall in line with our nose hunger!
Death Reflection
When we reflect on our life as we’re about to leave this world, will we think of the weight we needed to lose or the years we wasted wishing for the perfect weight or body with fondness or will we think of the way we loved and were loved and how we made a positive difference in the lives of others?
When the question is posed this way, it seems a little silly to invest so much energy worrying about the last 5, 10, 15, 50 or 100 pounds we may need to lose when there are so many more important things in life on which to focus. When it comes down to it, does the weight really warrant as much time and energy as we put into it or does living a better life trump that?
Why Don’t We Do The Stuff That’s Good For Us?
I think this is the million dollar question! Why don’t we do the things we know are going to make us feel nourished, more fulfilled and healthier? My answer is that it’s different for different people because everyone has their own unique experiences and circumstances.
I don’t do the things that are good for me because sometimes it’s easier to fall into old patterns because they’re more comfortable. Maybe I think I don’t deserve those good things because I’m not a size 6. I could go on for hours but I encourage you to think about what may be holding you back from living a more fulfilled and joyful life and please share your thoughts in the comments. I’d love to hear from you!
Sick-O
I have been feeling under the weather this week with a bad cold and have felt the urge to binge. I think it has something to do with the need for comfort while ill. I’ve avoided the temptation because who really wants to binge with a sick person’s appetite? Another lesson learned though and will add being sick to my list of triggers.
Treatment – Con’t
Last week, I mentioned that my treatment center provided a foundation on which I based my transformation. Basically, the eating strategy in treatment consisted of eating what I wanted in normal portions when I wanted, eating balanced meals and no bingeing. Diets were not a welcome strategy but exercise was encouraged in moderation and only doing something you liked. I followed an “exchange” program to help normalize my eating and to ensure balanced meals…it felt like a diet. Remember Weight Watchers when they had the exchanges? It felt like that.
During day treatment, I had no binges and followed the eating plan pretty well (I was in perfection mode!) Once I stepped down to the evening program and went back to work, it all pretty much flew out the window although the binges weren’t as frequent or intense. Once I quit my job and moved home, I felt like I was starting over once again.
Matzoh Meal
Last night was the first night of Passover, the Jewish holiday where no leavened bread is eaten and matzoh is substituted. This is a type of restriction even though there is a substitute. We all know that restriction (of any type) leads to a binge. Therein lies the dilemma…to restrict bread or not?
I think the decision depends on the person so here are a few questions to ask yourself. Are you religious? Does the meaning behind the ritual mean something to you besides just doing what you’ve always done, what’s expected or because other people think you should? Does restricting bread feel like deprivation? Does eating matzoh for 7 days make you feel good physically? Do you need to observe the “no bread” thing for the entire 7 days? After answering these questions, the decision can be made.
I will be having matzoh and the traditional meals made with it but if I want leavened bread, I will have it. But, I know I won’t be perfect because that’s not what I strive for anymore and that’s good enough for me. 🙂