Month: July 2020

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Did you know that Stress affects your metabolism ? Yep. It’s true. Stress causes digestion to shut down. 

I learned a lot of valuable information from the institute for the psychology of eating but that may have been the most powerful piece for me. 

I didn’t realize it at the time, but the longer I work on living in a relaxed state, the more I realize I lived most my life in a stress response of some sort reacting to whatever came my way rather than responding. 

The area I have noticed affected the most by these “knee jerk” reactions is relationship. Primarily my sweet hubby probably experienced this the most since we tend to let down our guard the most with those we trust the most. Right?

As I continue to review the days events and how successful I’ve been in responding to situations rather than just reacting habitually, I realize that the most helpful thing for me in living intentionally is awareness which happens when I slow down. When I slow down (especially in my head☺️) I can be more intentional with my thoughts, actions and words which definitely affects all my relationships. 

For example, Have you ever noticed that when you look for things to appreciate about another person you can always find something (even if you currently don’t appreciate something they have done) but if you look for something you wish the other person would change you can always find something to complain about? Me too. 

Taking time to create intention is a super important part at the beginning of my day. And then my goal is to remain present in the moment I’m in so I’m aware of my thoughts which create my view of my life. 

I still have much to learn but I’m grateful for these nuggets I’ve found on my journey thus far. I hope you find them helpful too. 

If you’re ready to heal your relationship with food, just send me a message.

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If only I knew then what I know now…
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Do you ever think that to yourself?
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If I could go back and do something different, I’d ask for help sooner. 
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I guess growing up in a family of 16 I subconsciously thought 4 would be a breeze. But guess what, mothering hasn’t actually been so easy for me. And I’m not sure why I didn’t accept help sooner.  
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I choose to not live life with regrets (if we know different we do differently) but I do want to share the following with you in an effort to save you the same trouble. 
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(Spending years trying to be everything to everyone all the time, it didn’t work. Around the time this picture was taken I was diagnosed with adrenal fatigue which has taken years to improve. I spent years exhausted falling asleep sitting up and all manner of health issues).  
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You don’t have to be perfect. Self care is not selfish. And only when you take good care of yourself can you be the best wife, mama, friend, coach and sibling.  
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How do you make sure to take good care of you? I challenge you to commit to one thing, share in the comments below….What is one way you will care for you this week?

You know those moments where you feel totally overwhelmed or triggered, but then someone says the right thing or you have an experience that brings you back to solid ground again. You feel grounded again…

Today I want to talk about the level of importance you place on feeling grounded. Is that important enough for you to prioritize that feeling in your own life (or maybe that is that a challenge for you too!?) ❤️

Truthfully I have struggled with this challenge a lot in my life, especially as a wife and mama. As a real sensitive person it is easy for me to take on other peoples stress and make their problems my own (to the point of my own needs being compromised). 

I guess if I say that my needs are priority, I have felt like this is selfish. 

However, since I have recognized that I am not the only one who has found a challenge with this (which also has led to a challenged relationship with food (and self care in general) today I decided I want to share the following with you because it has been very helpful for me in getting back to a grounded place when my plate feels mighty full but my people could use my attention too…

A mentor and good friend once told me when it comes to my kids and my husband… “they just want you to be happy Jen. Right?” 

Of course I know this is true, so if I can find a way to communicate well what my needs really are (which is a challenge in itself, of course ? But it’s true)… my people are happy to work together with me so that I am happy too. 

I am not saying it’s easy, I am not saying I have it all figured out, but I have found that this advice helps bring me back to a grounded place in my own head so that I can make a more reasonable choice about my next best move in my day. 

In summary, Given all you’ve got going on…what is the very best way to handle it? ❤️

I hope this was helpful. I just want you to know i’m here for you. And I care. 

You matter to your people, even if they don’t say it out loud (or often enough). 

Remember, I’m here for you. All you have to do is this, just send me a message to let me know you could use some support! 

It’s monday, time to start a fresh week…what’s your monday motivation?
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If you’re anything like I’ve been you may see every week (and even every day) as a fresh start, but then by the end of the day motivation is different and you end up eating off plan and then feel like a failure….omg. Yeah, i get it…And truthfully even though i kept getting back up and trying again…deep down i just wanted to eat like a “normal” person.
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I remembered feeling so relieved when Marc David Ipe (Founder of the institute for the psychology of Eating) said “You’re not just a will-power weakling. Every weight and eating challenge is rooted in biology, psychology or both.”
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So, if you have been like many others, who every monday tell yourself – it’s a new week. This is a fresh start… you weigh yourself and are brave and hop back on your diet. Good for you. I know you have been trying so hard. And honestly?…I know you’ve done the best you can, on your own…
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But if you have the following questions 

-why is it so hard to stick to my diet?
-why can’t i just keep the weight off?
-what plan is the one that will finally work for me?

I’m here to tell you, there are answers. They all free you from feeling like there’s something wrong with you.  
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The truth is that every action is prompted by a feeling. Every feeling stems from perspective of the situation. Your perspectives were created by your beliefs. And your beliefs came from your programming.  
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So, if you keep working up the monday motivation, I’m so proud of you…I know you want results.  
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If you want results and are ready to quit trying so hard without the results you want…I’m here for you.
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Just send me a message so we can start your journey to FOOD FREEDOM! 

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Hey there, Happy Tuesday!
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Let’s talk about kids for a minute, ok? (I’m sure you have little people in your life, whether you are a parent of them or not)….do those little people care about the exact number you weigh?
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Nope, they don’t.
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Judgement is something we learn as we age. When you were a young child, all you really wanted was to be loved and cared for. That’s what our little people want from us too. I promise, they just want you to be happy.
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I share this in hopes of sparing you some of the time that can be wasted by obsessing about a particular number on the scale. (If I could go back and change anything about my kids younger years…this would be it!
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You can be happy today, no matter what you weigh!
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Just send me a message if i can support you along the way.
I know you can do it, cuz if I can do it…you can too. ❤