Note: This is a three part article in honor of the holiday weekend. I am on vacation this weekend so the regularly scheduled Fri. weighin (week 82), Sat. miracle of the scales, and Sun. weighty wisdom will return next week.

Part Two Nourishing Our Sacred Bodies (part 2 of 3)

Whole Self Approach
Awareness – all parts of self working together – head, heart, spirit, the inner child, the warrior, the wise self, discover the reasons for food abuse or using food as one’s drug of choice – i.e. comfort, stress reduction, protection, lack of energy, depression, insecurity.

Eat consciously — and only when the body is hungry. Pause to determine if its true hunger or is does your body need more energy because of lack of sleep, does it need water (a lot people have the habit of reaching for food because misinterpret body’s signal for thirst), is food a habit for dealing with stress, comfort, burying feelings.

These needs must be addressed in other ways, not ignored or they will crop up again and again and undermine your efforts. Find comforting, healthy ways to meet your inner needs.

Promise yourself you will not scold, berate or yell – treat yourself the way you imagine the perfect parent figure would treat a small child.

Pledge — write out your long term goals on paper or a 3×5 card, set up a small altar (can keep it as simple or elaborate as you want, renew monthly at full moon, or weekly at the moon phases or at some other regular intervals). It takes 30 days to break a habit – but can take longer to re-establish a new, healthier habit.

For loosing weight — change your body, your mind, and your spirit. You can be free of cravings for addictive foods, you can learn to retrain your taste buds and enjoy fresh, whole foods without a lot of salt, butter, etc.

Affirmations are wonderful tools to help retrain your mind to think in a healthier way and keep you focused on your goals. Here are three examples of affirmations that can be said Morning, Mid-day, and Evening (or as often as needed):

I am balanced – I am focused – I am strong – I am inspired – I am well.

I am grounded – I am focused – I am energized – I am balanced -
I am one with Mother Earth.

I am calm, I am focused, I am energized, I am balanced, I am well.

(Note: for Mother Earth, can substitute God, Great Spirit, Mother Earth & Sky Father, The Divine or whatever name or phrase best suits your spiritual path.)

As you say each line see yourself in your mind’s eye as healthy, strong and vibrant; feel the life force of Nature coming up from the earth and down from the sky filling your whole being with energy, wellness, and vitality.

Mindfulness & Thankfulness:
Most of us have lost touch with the source of the food which is Mother Earth and of Nature. But we can still bring our consciousness into focus and reconnect with the elements of the Nature (the sun, rain, wind, soil, and life force) that created the food we consume. In addition, our food often goes through many processes and hands before it comes to us, and many people work very hard to make our lives easier through their time and energy. It is beneficial to acknowledge their input as well with gratitude. By having our conscious mind aware of the whole process involved in the source of the food, we are much less likely to be wasteful and will be able to savor the flavors, aromas, textures more fully which also satisfies our bodies and senses more, making it easier to eat less.

Slow down, be aware, state of gratitude, appreciate taste gives time for body to feel full and eat less than just mindlessly eating. Eat until satisfied, not overly stuff. You can also try 4-5 smaller meals through the day rather than just 3 large ones.

Before eating, take a few moments to be mindful of the food and its source. For example use a simple reminder chant: “I am one with the earth, I am one with the wind, I am one with the sun, I am one with rain, I am one with All of Nature, Blessed Be.

Prayer of Thanksgiving can be a simple verbal or silent statement before eating that acknowledges your intent, such as “I give thanks for this food.”

Continued: Part One and Part Three.

Written: May 20, 2004 (edited for posting in three parts Nov. 23-24 2007)

NOTE: This article is based on personal experience, inspiration and research that has helped me to grow in awareness, improve my health and loose over 100 pounds. It incorporates the lessons learned through my years as a massage therapist, student of life, and a woman who is enjoying having reached the glorious age of 50+ years young. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease, or prescribe any form of treatment.

**Be sure to consultant a physician before starting a weight loss or exercise program.**

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Currently Diet Pulpit is rarely updated. Lady Rose is now blogging at Blissful Moon, where she is staying healthy and continuing to have adventures, please stop by and visit.

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