Did you know that Americans spend $60 billion annually on diets, diet foods, and weight-loss remedies? The diet industry is pervasive, and we're all falling prey to it because it's impossible to avoid the constant drumbeat of "you're fat and you need help" messages. We need an obesity epidemic cleanse.
Let's
start by deconstructing the negative thoughts surrounding our food and our
bodies. Read through the following statements. Have you ever spoken these
words? Chances are, they'll sound familiar. American women have spoken
those phrases or at least heard other women say them. Let's dig a little
deeper into those and apply lessons to each that will help you overcome the
pervasive negativity surrounding food and weight.
"I know what to eat, but I just can't do it."
Many people tell me they know more about nutrition than I do or they know what to do, but they just don't do it. Well, bah, humbug! Who really knows how to eat, what to eat, and when to eat? Our parents definitely did not teach us this one. More than half of them don't have a positive relationship with food.
If someone really knew how to eat,
what to eat, and when to eat, they would know that eating is more than just fueling your body. It's about enjoyment and fun. It encompasses
mind, body, and spirit. Nothing in this world works alone; every little atom
affects every other. Remember, we're like onions—we have many layers. And so
does our food.
Remember: Our mind, body, and spirit are one. How we
feel about our food, as much as the food we eat, affects our "one."
"On a good day I eat good food, such as proteins, fruits, and vegetables, but on a bad day I eat bad food—you know, carbs—bread, pasta, and sweets."
When did food become a value judgment? Why does what we eat determine if we are going to have a good day or bad day? Why does getting on the scale determine a good day with good spirits versus a bad day with mood swings? I'm not sure who came up with this notion, but throw it away. It's useless, and it sabotages all efforts to reset your body clock.
When we refer to body clock, please
remember: Your body clock is mind, body, and spirit. I'm telling you now: There
are no good foods or bad foods. Stop judging them by giving them labels. Just
as there are no good kids or bad kids, just kids who behave badly at times,
foods should be identified fairly, too. Granted, it's hard to break the
labeling mind-set, but you must.
Remember: Stop labeling food with morals and values. Start
identifying food by its name. Food is food. An apple is an apple and a cupcake
is a cupcake. And a scoop of "death by chocolate" has never murdered
anyone, so why call it "bad"?
"That skinny b**** . . . I'm so jealous. She can eat whatever she wants, and I just look at food and gain weight."
Here's a classic! Who hasn't said or heard this before? Finger-pointing, blame, jealousy, competition, and worse, hating yourself for being hungry—all negatives. Isn't that a sad way to go through life? But there's another way, which requires a shift in attitude that can be life changing.
Have you heard of the self-care and
self-compassion movement? This psychological and behavioral approach is going
to be one of the keys to your success.
Remember: Stop stressing and
start smiling. Whenever a negative thought enters your mind, find a way to sweep it away
by being positive and proactive.
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