Celebrate you!

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Happy Friday!

Celebrate because you can.

Embrace Your Bod

Americans spend more than 40 billion dollars a year on dieting and diet-related products – that’s roughly equivalent to the amount the U.S. Federal Government spends on education each year (source)!That's pretty whack if you ask me. It's time we take a step back and start giving our body image a makeover. Turn the focus from the outside to within with these (free) tips:

1. Ask yourself these questions and then answer them:
- What part of my body is strongest?
- What kind of care does my body need right now? (Rest? Exercise? Sleep? Food?)
- How would I respond to my best friend if she started talking negatively about her body?


2. Enjoy the process rather than focusing on the result. For example, if you're training for a race, stop worrying about how fast you will go and enjoy the strength you have gained from all the hard work!


3. Remember that body negativity can occur at any size. No matter what the number is on the scale, it will never define you. You are what you make of this life, so stop the "fat talk" and start filling every moment with things you enjoy! For example, instead of sitting around wallowing in negative body thoughts, put on your favorite playlist, your most comfortable shoes, and go for a walk somewhere you think is beautiful!

4. Do things that make you feel empowered! Giving meaning to your actions will help you turn the focus toward something that matters and away from inner negativity. This will help you see yourself clearly and positively.

5. Show yourself compassion always.

Care to share any tips on how to maintain a positive body image? We'd love to hear from you!

Whatever I wish to do, I do

I don't feel guilt. Whatever I wish to do, I do.
-Jeanne Moreau, French Actress

Here's to a Guiltless week!

Inspire

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"Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling."
Margaret Lee Runbeck 

Live and Let Live. Eat and Let Eat.

"The way for a young [person] to rise, is to improve himself/[herself] every way he can, never suspecting that any body wishes to hinder him" -Abraham Lincoln, in a letter to William Herndon July 10th 1848

Many of you have likely heard of at least a handful of fad diets, and more than half of you have likely tried at least one. Fad diets, such as the Cabbage Soup Diet, Apple Cider Vinegar Diet, the Grapefruit Diet, and yes, even the Tapeworm Diet contribute nothing but guilt, angst, and harmful health conditions to our bodies and minds. The reason why diets don't work is quite simple. Basically, your body will be very angry at you and it will not do what you want. Even if initial weight loss occurs, you are highly likely to gain it back, and when you do, you will have lost lean muscle and will gain back fat tissue which is a lot harder to lose again. Hence the phrase "yo-yo dieting." It's no wonder why then that these 32 women have decided to quit dieting.

It would be naive to say that people, especially Americans, do not need some guidance in food choices. In fact, the dire need we have as a society to learn more about making healthy choices for our bodies is the driving force behind why I became a Registered Dietitian. But simply put, fad diets just aren't fair to the public and they are not the solution. With internet capabilities today, everyone has a megaphone and can use it to distribute information - whether it's accurate and science-based or not. This poses a very scary situation for us and can lead to major guilt complexes mentally, and physically could lead to a whole host of problems (some life-threatening). In some cases, false and frankly DANGEROUS information is easy to spot.  But in other cases, science-talk can be used to confuse consumers into thinking that the body can be manipulated into losing weight unnaturally. This is no joke and it's a huge hazard to our society.

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Your body and mind are the vehicles for your spirit in this life, and only you have the power to treat them with the care and respect they deserve. That means appreciating your body for all the amazing things it can do and doing that frequently. Dance or sing, walk or run, jump, sleep, love, eat food that is whole, fresh and leaves you feeling satisfied and good....these are some of the things that you have the opportunity to enjoy simply because you are a person. And no guilt should surround them. Too often do we put stress on ourselves to be perfect, and as we we've discussed before, perfection is just an illusion.

If you are hoping to improve your nutrition and health, it's important to seek information from a trusted source who can help guide you - like a Registered Dietitian and your family doctor. And just as importantly, if you want to be successful in your quest, you have to learn to love and respect your body. We are not science projects. We are human beings.

Send us a story about your relationship with food at iamguiltless@gmail.com. 

Inadequate Monster

have you met the inadequate monster? or maybe his sister the imperfect demon? the can surprise you in moments when you thought you were pretty confident. or sometimes they lurk for days, weeks, months, years. Telling you you're not good enough. That no matter what you do you're still a failure.

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Banishing your inadequate monster and imperfect demons isn't an easy task. Unfortunately heavy swords, garlic cloves don't work well, and a prince in shining armor won't get very far. Because even when you've found that prince, those monsters can still find you. 

What can you use to fight these monster? I've found mantras help a lot. (need some ideas-go here) It's like your spell to keep those demons away. 10 deep breaths always help. In every situation. Sitting with the feeling and exploring why it's there, and what past events may have triggered it, is a good first step in telling it to leave you alone. Because you need to protect yourself. To get on with your life and leave those demons slayed behind you.

Best of luck in your battle! What will your sword be?

Dance Because You Can

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Happy Friday!