Top Tips for Conscious Eating

Our world is so fast paced, and fast food driven, that the main reason for food - enjoyment and nutrition - has fallen to the wayside. I think it's a great idea to return to a slower time, prepare more meals at home, eat with family and friends and make better choices about eating.

1. Begin by being open, curious and kind with yourself and your choices.

2. Recognize that breaking free from the pain of overweight is mainly a desire to find a rhythm, an order, and a natural push for light in your life.

3. Why Do You Overeat? Do you eat to fill emotional voids? Do you eat to ward off pain and anger? Do you feel guilty after eating a meal in which you couldn't control your appetite?

4. It's Not About the Food. Obesity is not a disease, but a symptom of one or more underlying emotional issues, and those emotional issues can be resolved.

5. Our thoughts create our reality.See your body as the miracle it is. Love it, and it will nourish your life.

6. Quit Thinking "I Am Fat". If you are thinking how fat you are with every bite, with every waking moment, you are feeding your subconscious mind the idea, "I'm fat." That's what it will give you.

7. Conscious Eating. Pay attention to the foods you buy, prepare, and eat. You'll free yourself from destructive habits. Rather than leaving the table feeling overstuffed and lethargic, you'll be energized and full of positive energy.

8. Check in With Yourself. Listen more closely to your own rhythms, habits, and needs. Are you hungry emotionally or physically? You'll be less likely to fall into spiraling habits of mindless eating and poor food choices when you know why you're hungry.

9. Use Affirmations to Heal. From Louise Hay: In order to permanently eliminate a condition, we must first work to dissolve the mental cause of it and replace it with a new pattern that is healthier and supportive. This is why affirmation is a good tool to help you overcome certain conditions especially if you are experiencing resistance in your desired area to reach your goal.

10. Four Key Tips. Look forward to your food. Slow down. Listen to your environment. Let go of physical tension.

11. Don't Skip Meals. If you choose too low a calorie count or eat unbalanced meals, you will create binge eating for yourself. Eat three healthy meals daily.

12. Eat in a Relaxed Atmosphere. It's simple. Remove all distractions and focus on the enjoyment of the food. This creates consciousness about what you are eating.

13. Lower the Emotional Load. If you've got emotions broiling before, during or after a meal, postpone eating until you return to normal.

14. Do You Know When You're Full? This one tip can prevent you from too much intake. During your meal ask yourself (fork on the table please) How full am I right now? You can train yourself to make less food enough food to satisfy you.
You are the best helper you could possibly be to focus your attention on the food you eat and enjoy. It's my strong hope these tips will help you along this journey.