FOOD FOR THOUGHT--- Loving Contracts with Ourselves

It’s not just about eating different foods…it’s thinking about food differently

The common definition of food is limiting when we view food as the only form of nourishment. By expanding the definition of nourishment, we can gain a broader perspective to explore and embrace new possibilities. Most of us have accepted that eating healthy foods provides our bodies with the physical nourishment needed to promote a healthy lifestyle.

How do self-criticism and self-judgment impact our weight loss efforts?

Self-criticism seems to tiptoe into our minds when we are trying to lose weight. For example, you critique yourself after eating that piece of cake with ice cream, or dining out somewhere and eating a large portion of pasta. You then critically assess your inability to stick to a plan to reach your weight loss goals. You might feel a sense of failure, frustration, anger, and poor self-esteem. Despite the inevitable aftermath of thoughts of regret, when eating “forbidden foods” we do so to distance ourselves from feeling pain or discomfort, which is only natural, right? Yet how we feel affects our ability (or inability) to lose weight.

When I work with clients, I find that just the thought of being able to make their own food choices empowers them. “Hmm… you mean I can eat the foods I want, when I want, and how much I want?” The answers are “Yes, yes, yes”. However, this doesn’t mean there are no consequences to your actions. What I am referring to is allowing yourself to make personal choices without guilt, fear or recrimination. Self-judgment takes the back seat when you are the driver–when you can take back the power to fully participate in your life.

In my practice at Nova Wellness Counseling, change starts with becoming actively engaged with ourselves, our choice-making, and loving “who we are” and “where we are”. This is the foundation that supports the process of making a loving contract with ourselves and our life to facilitate positive change.

Alice Anne Millington, M.A. Psych., C.C., H.H.P.
http://www.NovaWellnessCounseling.com