Eating as a Joy, Not a Burden

Strawberries, watermelon, grilled asparagus, salmon,  raspberries, stir fry, summer salads - These are a few of my favorite healthy foods. Go ahead, think about yours.

Eating is a joyous event we celebrate everyday. There are so many wonderful textures, flavors, and nuances that come together with our meals. Eating is an activity that brings us together, slows us down in the middle of our day, entertains us, and keeps us healthy and strong. There should be no reason to attach any shame, guilt or regret to this activity.

In our weight loss efforts, eating will no doubt create some challenges for us along the way, but if we decide right now to approach eating with a positive attitude, we will be successful. Our first step to creating a diet that will sustain our weight loss efforts for the long haul is to concentrate on healthy foods we love.

Making an actual physical list of these items will help. Look at this list often and use your imagination to visualize these foods, their textures and their tastes. The goal is to keep your thoughts positive. If you start thinking of chocolate chip cookies, that's okay, just close your eyes, take a deep breath and let that thought go with your exhale. Next, bring back a previously practiced image of a healthier food choice and think on that.
Allow yourself some freedom to enjoy your one or two favorite sugary foods every once and a while, but be careful not to make these foods into rewards which can make them subconsciously even more tempting. Don't be alarmed if you stop craving these old favorites all together as your taste buds become more refined to your new healthy palate. Goodbye chocolate cake, and hello strawberries and yogurt!

Another way to make your food more enjoyable and satisfying is to slow down, sit down, and savor each bite. Try eating alone (which usually makes you eat less anyways) and concentrating on your activity at hand - eating. Not eating and reading or eating and watching television - just eating. When you are eating with family or friends, make sure you are still paying attention to the food. Chewing slowly and putting your fork down between bites. Drinking plenty of water, before and during your meal will also help to alert you when you are full.


For added support in your new healthy eating endeavors, join a Hyp-Yoga Weight Loss Class and learn how your own powerful mind can help you in creating healthy habits even faster. In Hyp-Yoga classes you will learn techniques to ward off cravings when they happen, to eliminate needs for certain foods all together, and to re-frame your own thoughts to crave healthier foods all the time.

Click here to find a Hyp-Yoga Weight Loss Class near you.

Written by Carly Cummings, President Hyp-Yoga Inc.
All rights, Hyp-Yoga Inc. www.hyp-yoga.com


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