Month: June 2011

Weight Loss Tip # 27: Be of Service

Being of service does more for you than it does for the person or people you are serving. Consider approaching social situations from a standpoint of “how can I be of service” and you will find you enjoy yourself more and find yourself less triggered to stray from your healthy eating program. Is a class reunion, wedding or another party around the corner? Are you a little bit nervous about how you will stay on your healthy eating program while at the event? Especially if you are experiencing anxiety around a social situation, look for a way to be of service. Call the hostess and volunteer to help with something. It could be as simple as setting up chairs. When you approach an event from a position of service you will take the focus off yourself. It will not be “all about me.” Your worries and anxieties will be put in a much healthier perspective.

Daily Inspiration:  “You give but little when you give of your possessions.  It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.”  ~Kahlil Gibran

Weight Loss Tip # 26: Be Active!

Live your life in such a way that you take advantage of opportunities to be active throughout each day. Is it a nice day? Walk or ride a bicycle to work. Spend half of your lunch hour taking a walk. Use the stairs instead of the elevator. If it is a snowy day, maybe you can ski or snowshoe to the store instead of digging the car out from the driveway to drive it a few blocks. Use a push mower instead of a riding lawn mower. When you consider the hobbies you will do on  your free time consider hobbies that involve movement — dance, walking, gardening. If you’ve been sedentary for a long while, start slowly. If you gradually become a bit more active every day, a year from now you will look back and be amazed at your accomplishments.

Daily Inspiration:

 ” You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.”

~ Dr. Seuss

We are so blessed to help you loose weight and look great.

If you have any questions about our on-site programs call us at 866.426.1213

Robert Morgan- Bobby

Creative Health Institute

Weight Loss Tip # 25: Avoid talking about food, dieting and weight during meals.

Society is so obsessed with food, dieting and weight that it’s easy to make it the focal point of every conversation at the dinner table. But focusing on food, dieting and weight while you are eating invites negative feelings that can trigger a binge.  As much as possible you should try to avoid discussing weight, dieting and food at the  table. It’s OK to offer a quick compliment to the chef — but leave it at that. Don’t get into a big conversation about the meal you are eating — or about any other food and diet related topics. Instead of talking about food, talk about: the vacation you are planning or just took; the book you are reading or plan to read; milestone events in your family; an exhibit at an area museum; an album that’s just been released by your favorite recording artist. Keep meal-time conversation low stress and not focused on food  and dieting and you will find, over time, your meals will be more enjoyable and satisfying. You will be much less likely to be triggered to keep eating when the meal is finished.

Daily Inspiration: “Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.” ~ Christopher Robin to Winnie The Pooh

Staying in touch with our network of support is so important. Winnie The Pooh and Christopher Robin were so lucky to have each other. We need friends like this who support us on our road to recovery. Remember today to make a few phone calls and reach out to some people who will support you on your path to better health. When we do it together, it is a wonderful life-enhancing journey. If we try to do it all by ourselves it can get lonely.

We  love all of you and pray you are reaching your personal goals. Please feel free to call us any questions you may have. We can be reached at 866.426.1213.

Best Week Ever,

Robert Morgan – Bobby

Director

Creative Health Institute

Weight Loss Tip # 23: Realize that acceptance is the answer to all of your problems today.

Weight Loss Tip # 22: “Pray for the people who hurt you.”

Jesus told His followers “love your enemies” and “pray for those who persecute you.” This advice isn’t just a good way to treat other people. It’s a good way to treat ourselves. The inability to let go of anger, hostility and resentment is often a hallmark quality of people who struggle with compulsive and addictive behaviors — such as food and diet addiction. It doesn’t matter what your spiritual beliefs are. If you commit to yourself to pray to the God of your understanding for the people who hurt you, you will find your emotional health increasing on a daily basis. Adopting a daily practice of praying for the people who hurt us is one of the most useful things we can do for ourselves on our journey toward achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. These prayers do not need to be long although at first (especially if you have been carrying resentments towards certain people around with you for many years) you may not feel peaceful after a quick prayer. Quick sincere prayers practiced throughout your day can make a big difference in your life. When a person makes you angry when you are driving in the car and you feel tempted to curse, take a deep breath and sincerely say, “God bless him!” It will be helpful, before you say your prayer to put yourself in the shoes of the other person for just a minute. If you can sit for a moment in the shoes of the other person you can usually see that person as another vulnerable, stressed-out human who was born naked and is going to leave this world naked, too. Give people a break today. It will do wonders for your soul.

Daily Inspiration: “Always forgive your enemies. Nothing annoys them so much.” ~Oscar Wilde

Approach the day with a light heart and be generous with forgiveness. You have only this day to live and your soul will be happiest when it is not a companion of resentment. Resentment has no place in your new vibrant and healthy lifestyle.

Weight Loss Tip # 22: “Pray for the people who hurt you.”

Jesus told His followers “love your enemies” and “pray for those who persecute you.” This advice isn’t just a good way to treat other people. It’s a good way to treat ourselves. The inability to let go of anger, hostility and resentment is often a hallmark quality of people who struggle with compulsive and addictive behaviors — such as food and diet addiction. It doesn’t matter what your spiritual beliefs are. If you commit to yourself to pray to the God of your understanding for the people who hurt you, you will find your emotional health increasing on a daily basis. Adopting a daily practice of praying for the people who hurt us is one of the most useful things we can do for ourselves on our journey toward achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. These prayers do not need to be long although at first (especially if you have been carrying resentments towards certain people around with you for many years) you may not feel peaceful after a quick prayer. Quick sincere prayers practiced throughout your day can make a big difference in your life. When a person makes you angry when you are driving in the car and you feel tempted to curse, take a deep breath and sincerely say, “God bless him!” It will be helpful, before you say your prayer to put yourself in the shoes of the other person for just a minute. If you can sit for a moment in the shoes of the other person you can usually see that person as another vulnerable, stressed-out human who was born naked and is going to leave this world naked, too. Give people a break today. It will do wonders for your soul.

Daily Inspiration: “Always forgive your enemies. Nothing annoys them so much.” ~Oscar Wilde

Approach the day with a light heart and be generous with forgiveness. You have only this day to live and your soul will be happiest when it is not a companion of resentment. Resentment has no place in your new vibrant and healthy lifestyle.

Weight Loss Tip  # 21: Every day take a quiet half hour to yourself.

In the high-tech, fast-paced, fast-food world in which we live, it is easy to let days — and even whole weeks — slip by without any quiet time alone. The quiet time we spend by ourselves is so important. It resets our timing. It recharges us. It’s absolutely essential for us to have on a daily basis if we are to achieve and maintain emotional and spiritual health. And we know from our past experiences that physical health is impossible to achieve when our emotional and spiritual lives our out of balance.

So plan your half hour of quiet alone time EVERY DAY no matter what. If you live in a busy household, it may  mean getting to bed a little earlier every evening so you can wake  up earlier than everyone else in the home. It doesn’t really matter what you do with your quiet time. It doesn’t really have to be structured, either.  Read a book. Write in your journal. Sew. Crochet. Carve a piece of stone. Pray. Meditate. Fish. Garden. Swim. Paint a watercolor picture. Write a poem. Play piano. You can do the same thing with your quiet half hour every day or you can do something different with your time every day. However you decide to do it is just fine. Just make sure that you take it for yourself — and make sure you put attention towards enjoying the quiet. If you are doing an activity, don’t let it be any activity that has a deadline or any activity that causes you to engage in perfectionist or stressful thinking. Go to a location where you will not be interrupted by anybody for half an hour. If someone interrupts you, explain that you are not available for another 15, 20 or however many minutes you half left in your half an hour commitment. Do not answer the phone. Do not look at a text. Avoid electronic stimulation of any kind. You need to unplug for half an hour every day. Some will find it difficult to take a quiet half an hour every day — but after you have kept your commitment to having quiet time for a few weeks in a row, you’ll begin to cherish the time so much. You’ll wonder how you ever made it through your day without it. This will be a coveted time in every day — and so very essential to your overall wellbeing.

Daily Inspiration: “I think that I cannot preserve my health and spirits, unless I spend four hours a day at least – and it is commonly more than that – sauntering through the woods and over the hills and fields, absolutely free from all worldly engagements.”  ~Henry David Thoreau

THIRTY DAYS OF GREEN SMOOTHIES COMING UP NEXT!

AND WE WOULD LOVE YOU TO PARTICIPATE…

Our Thirty Days of Weight Loss Tips and Inspiration and Thirty Days of Juice Recipes features have been extremely popular. Thanks so much for following along. As soon as we wrap up the 30 Days of Weight Loss Tips and Inspiration series, we’ll start 30 Days of Green Smoothies. YOU can get involved!

If you would like your smoothie recipe featured in our  blog, please send it, along with an electronic photograph of yourself posing with the smoothie to pattymaher07@gmail.com on or before June 30. Feel free to write a few words about why you like the particular smoothie. Thank you!

Weight Loss Tip # 19: Keep a journal.

In your journal, focus on your recovery from compulsive overeating, not on your weight. It will not serve you to write about how much weight you want to lose or how much weight you plan to lose. It will help your journey quite a bit, though, if you write about feelings that come up as you walk on your new path toward a healthy and vibrant life. As you write about your feelings, consider  solutions  to problems that you have. Can you think of a spiritual or emotional solution to your problem? If so, write about the solution.

Your journal can be a vehicle for self-inspiration and recovery. If you come across inspirational quotes or stories throughout your day, writing about them can help you stay focused on positive thinking and achieving your health goals.

Even as you work through emotional challenges with your writing, don’t let your journal become a pity party  or a problem dumping ground. It’s good to express your feelings in your journal. It’s a great place to practice honesty and opening up your heart. But once you have purged a negative thought, take some time to consider a positive solution to whatever has been tormenting you. In what ways do you have control over the situation? What can you do to make a positive change in your life?

Daily Inspiration: “Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give.”  ~Eleanor Roosevelt

When we find ourselves living in self pity, the best thing we can do for ourselves is to think of a way to be of service to someone less fortunate. Do you have a relative or friend who is a shut in or having a hard time? Give that person a phone call and brighten the day. Keep a stack of Thinking of You cards with a book of stamps near your bed. If you find yourself in a negative mood when you are about to fall asleep or when you wake up, write out a card to someone who you think might be lonelier than you are. Do you know of someone who just lost a job or a pet — or is there someone in your life who you have not expressed appreciation for lately? Send a little note card. When you practice random acts of kindness on a daily basis, you will be amazed at how effectively it cultivates joy in your heart.

Weight Loss Tip # 17: Take Responsibility

Many of us who have spent years compulsively eating and dieting have developed a bit of an attitude problem. Although we may appear to be responsible in many aspects of our lives, we tend to have a rebellious streak that undermines our hopes and dreams. Our overeating and excessive dieting have been methods of “treating” our rebellious selves to a little vacation from the cares of the world. Often times in our lives we have felt that we didn’t get enough — enough love, enough success, enough attention. We’ve wanted more. And we’ve been mad about it! Even if the “madness” was expressed mostly through depression and not through “outrage,” many of us have inwardly been overly sensitive and seething about things for years.

Maybe there was a time in life when we really were neglected by adults who were supposed to take care of  us. Maybe we didn’t get what we deserved. But we are not children anymore. And if we don’t have enough of something that we always wanted, it’s time to stop blaming others for our misfortune. We need to suit up and show up and take responsibility for our lives.

Are you middle-aged and feeling “trapped” in a career or relationship that doesn’t satisfy you? Guess what? You are not trapped at all! You’re blaming other people for your unhappiness. You are making the choice to stay in the situation that is making you so unhappy. And the truth is, unless you adjust your attitude and realize that you have only yourself to blame for your unhappiness, you’re bound to be equally unhappy in the next career or relationship.

So be happy today. It’s your choice. Your life isn’t as miserable as you make it out to be. There are wonderful blessings every day when we condition ourselves to approach each situation with gratitude, counting the simple pleasures in our lives.

If you put some effort into cultivating an attitude of gratitude on a daily basis and find that you are still beat down by a job or relationship, perhaps it is time for a change. But you don’t have to act quickly. Too many sudden changes in your life could throw off your balance and cause you to return to your “comfortable” old destructive habit of compulsive eating or dieting.

If you decide you really do want to make a big change, do it thoughtfully. Give yourself six months to a year to carefully plan your new path. And while you are making your future plans and setting your goals, make sure that you keep your new healthy eating plan  at the very top of your list of priorities.

Daily Inspiration: “Be the change you want to see in the world.” ~ Mahatma Ghandi

When we point a finger at the behaviors of another person, there truly are three fingers pointing back at us. What bothers us most about other people generally bothers us so much  because it is a reflection of something we dislike about ourselves. The only effective way for us to change our families, our communities and the world at large is to model the behavior we wish to see.

What are you doing to build a better family, community and world today?

Are you the person who takes the last sheet of toilet paper or the person who notices when the roll is almost empty and changes it before it even has a chance to run out (you can save the little bit of toilet paper that’s left in a baggie and put it under the sink for times when you need some tissue paper)?  Does  your rebellious nature cause you to leave empty grocery carts abandoned in the parking lot where they can roll into someone’s car and scratch it? Or are you the person who returns your own cart every time you go shopping — even when it’s cold or raining?  When paper blows out of your hand do you chase it? When you  go on a nature walk do you carry out a few pieces of trash in a small effort to keep wild areas beautiful?

There are so many small ways in which we can effect change every day.  All of them start with our own behavior.

Weight Loss Tip # 16: Don’t transfer your compulsive eating and dieting behavior to a new addiction such as shopping, sex, overwork or smoking.

It’s common for compulsive overeaters and dieters to set down the problems with food — only to pick up the credit card and start shopping like crazy. Some turn to unhealthy relationships and sex. Others pour everything into work. People turn to new compulsions when they give up eating or dieting compulsively because they are not doing the work they need to become emotionally healthy. When a person acts out with excessive spending or compulsive sexuality or overworking, it’s just a new method of running away from uncomfortable feelings.

Get the support you need to work through your feelings — a telephone network of friends who understand and appreciate your desire to change — a therapist, mentor or pastor. Maybe consider attending some group therapy sessions or frequenting a support group for compulsive overeaters. Check with mental health experts in your area to find out what’s available.

If you just find yourself trading one addiction for another, you’re not really getting well. And you deserve emotional health and freedom. Remember, you’re not looking for quick weight loss. You want to get off the yo-yo cycle forever  and build a healthy relationship with food that lasts a lifetime.

Daily Inspiration: “The most important human endeavor is the striving for morality in our actions. Our inner balance and even our very existence depend on it. Only morality in our actions can give beauty and dignity to life.” ~ Albert Einstein

Weight Loss Tip # 15:  Dress attractively no matter what your weight is.

It’s so important not to put off being attractive until your scale registers the number of your fantasy weight. No matter what you weigh today, it’s so important to look your best. You know how good you feel when you know you look great! And there’s really nothing unattractive about being a plus-sized man or woman. Some of the most beautiful art in the world depicts men and women with robust figures.

Although it’s more difficult (and often more expensive) to find the fashions you love when you’re plus sized and carrying extra weight increases your health risks, it’s very important to wake up every day and accept the beautiful person  who you are. It’s so worth the effort to look good every day. Appreciate your most beautiful qualities every day and emphasize  them with fashion.  Do you have a gorgeous smile? Show it off with some beautiful natural lipstick. Do you have an hour-glass figure? Well then why do you have clothing in your closet that makes you look like a paper bag?

Throw out the ugly clothes! Throw out the clothes that don’t fit! If you can’t afford to buy a new flattering wardrobe, spend a day going to some second hand stores in your area. Make sure the outfits you decide upon enhance your best features. Then accessorize with pretty necklaces, earrings and shoes. You don’t have to spend a fortune to look beautiful. And it’s understandable that you wouldn’t want to spend a fortune on clothes right now — even if you have a big clothing budget — because if you stick to your healthy plan of eating, you’ll be dropping a size every few months.

You’ll feel so much better about your life when you approach every day putting your most attractive self forward. Start feeling more beautiful and confident today!

Daily Inspiration: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are  powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

~ Quote by Maryanne Williamson, used by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inaugural speech.

Weight Loss Tip # 14: Remember every day to SERF.  Practice your SPIRITUALITY. EXERCISE moderately. Get adequate REST. And follow a simple FOOD PLAN.

People who SERF every day are far less likely to engage in compulsive eating or compulsive dieting. Compulsive eating and dieting are self destructive habits. When we replace destructive habits with healthy daily habits, we are much less likely to pick up the negative habits.

In fact, daily SERFing is so very effective, it is recommended by psychologists one of the nation’s leading treatment facilities for eating disorders. One highly respected psychologist who works with eating disordered clients (himself a recovering bulimic) says on a day when a person truly SERFs, it is virtually impossible for that person to eat compulsively.

Daily Inspiration: “Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.”  ~Eleanor Roosevelt

Put one foot in front of the other today and face the day with confidence. You have made a decision to change your life for the better. You are learning and growing and facing your challenges. Be proud of yourself today for your willingness to do things differently.

Weight Loss Tip #12: Be Prepared! Pack everything you need to stay on your food plan every day and be ready for menu changes and life’s big and little surprises.

If you work or leave the house during the day, be sure to pack your lunch the night before. In case you get stuck at work (or in case something else happens that will prevent you from going home to prepare food), always bring an extra back-up meal with you in addition to your lunch.

If you have a work-related meal, a wedding or some other special event — also bring with you a back-up meal. You might be able to eat some food that is served at these events — but there is a very good chance it will not be organic. So be sure to pack a nice salad with organic greens and one of your favorite salad dressings every time you leave the house. Bring a few nuts and some fresh fruit, too.

Maybe you don’t feel comfortable whipping out your healthy meal in front of your colleagues  or friends at a formal dinner — or in a restaurant. Just remember there’s absolutely nothing wrong with bringing your own food. Restaurants will hardly ever give you any trouble when you explain to them you have special dietary needs and have brought your own food. Occasionally a waitress or waiter will try to discourage you from eating your own food. Some try to say that the health department doesn’t allow them to let you eat your own food. It isn’t true. You can ask to speak to a manager. Or, if you feel uncomfortable standing up for yourself, you can always just order herbal tea and eat when you leave the restaurant. If you are not extremely sensitive to non-organic produce, you might order a simple salad or fruit plate.

Daily Inspiration: “The only way to have gratitude is to live in the now, not in the past or the future.”

Planning our meals ahead and being prepared might not seem especially glamorous. If  it’s been a long day, the last thing you might want to do before bed is to pack your lunch and a back-up meal for the next day. But practicing these simple good habits on a daily basis is a way of dealing with one of the few things in life we actually have control over — what we eat. Once we get in the habit of planning ahead, we can begin to enjoy our daily food preparation. We can prepare more tasty meals. Ideally we will enjoy our meals every bit as much — if not more — than the people around us who are eating the Standard American Diet.

Chopping up vegetables, making some yummy cashew cheese in the food processor — these activities are great opportunities to practice living in the now on a daily basis. Moment by moment our self care through good planning and healthy eating is a wonderful opportunity to live in the now. Day by day we will let go of worrying about the past or  the future. We will experience taking care of the now on a deeper and deeper level and in so doing, our joy will increase.

Weight Loss Tip # 10: Practice taking a HALT. Never allow yourself to get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired.

Many of us were raised in environments where we didn’t feel it was safe or appropriate to express our feelings. We learned to handle our emotions by eating certain foods that made us feel numb. Then we never had to feel hungry, angry, lonely or tired. We ate to escape these feelings. Some of us had different foods for different emotions. If we were  really angry, we might want to chew on something crunchy. If we were tired but felt we had to push ourselves to work longer, we would grab for sugar and caffeine loaded beverages and snacks because we felt we always needed to put deadlines and projects ahead of our feelings.

If we are ever to have permanent success with achieving and maintaining weight loss, we must stop covering our emotions with food. We must face our emotions honestly. Since feeling our feelings is so new to us (some of us have ALWAYS used food to cover our feelings — others developed this habit later in life), we must take it slow. The feelings will probably feel pretty intense at first. The thing is — they are just feelings. Nobody else can see our feelings. And as we learn  to deal  with our feelings honestly, we will realize that we are allowed to have our feelings. Our feelings will not hurt us! Our feelings will not hurt anybody else, either! Only actions can hurt people. And we will learn that we can sit honestly with our feelings and take our time deciding whether or not we should take some sort of action based upon what we are feeling.

Just be aware of your feelings today. And be gentle with yourself. Don’t let yourself get too hungry, angry, lonely or tired. Call a friend. Take a nap. Take a bath. Read a book. You do not have to eat over your feelings today! You are on your way to freedom and you deserve to have an honest emotional life.

Daily Inspiration: “I love you, and because I love you, I would sooner have you hate me for telling  you the truth than adore me for telling you lies.” ~ Pietro Aretino

Weight Loss Tip # 9: Get a mentor or life coach to assist you with the emotional and spiritual challenges that will be a natural part of your journey toward achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

You will benefit much from having a healthy and balanced person to speak with on a regular basis while you work to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.  The person does not have to be a raw foodist or a therapist although a raw foodist or therapist might be helpful.  Perhaps you know of someone who has maintained a healthy weight for many years after a period of yo-yo dieting. Maybe you have a spiritual leader who would be willing to meet with you on a regular basis.  You might ask your friends if they can recommend a life coach to you.

How often you speak with your mentor or coach will depend upon your needs. As you look for someone to fill this role, be honest with yourself about what you are looking for. Perhaps you want to speak to someone for an hour once a week. Maybe you want to talk to someone every morning on the phone for fifteen minutes. Maybe you want to get together once a month for a few hours.  You  and your mentor or coach should agree on a basic schedule for meeting before you begin. This way you both will know what to expect.

You will want your coach or mentor to be aware of your dietary commitments and you will ask him or her for support sticking to your commitments.  It might be possible for a friend to fill this role. But you will want to be careful with your friends because friends will often tell us what we want to hear — not what we need to hear.  Also, it may be difficult to find the structure and regularity you will benefit most from from a friend who is accustomed to a more relaxed and mutual relationship. You want someone who will help you face the challenges that arise as you follow your dietary commitments.  You do not want to confide in someone who will enable you by encouraging you to “treat yourself” when you are feeling low. An effective mentor or coach will help you to see that you will feel so much better in the long run if you keep your commitments.

Daily Inspiration:

“By your own soul, learn to live.
If some men force you, take no heed.
If some men hate you, have no care.
Sing your song, dream your dreams
Hope your hopes, and pray your prayers.”

— Bo Schembechler

Weight Loss Tip #7: Make your decision to eat healthy food your number one priority.

Many people who struggle with food-related health challenges have difficulty giving their decision to eat well the high priority status it deserves because they have difficulty sticking to commitments  that may seem, on the surface, to be a bit selfish. The fact is, taking excellent care of your own health is the very best thing you can do for your loved ones, for your co-workers and for the world.  If you wake up late and are pressed for time  it may seem like it is more loving for you to pack lunch for your children than it is to make yourself a green smoothie to drink on the ride to the office. But this is not true. You can give your children money to buy lunch at school. You can call the office and explain you will be a few minutes late. Or, once you get to the office, you can call a relative or neighbor and ask them to take something to the school later in the morning. If you really think about it, you’ll realize there are dozens of solutions to any problem that would cause you to put other people or situations ahead of your commitment to eat healthy every day. And there is nothing more important to you and to your loved ones than your decision to take excellent care of your health one day at a time.  Whenever you feel tempted to believe that some person, place or thing is more important than your commitment to your health, slow down for a minute and breathe. When your head is clear, you will understand (just like we learn from airline flight attendants before each trip)  it is important for us to put on our own oxygen mask first, before we try to help anyone else. We will not be able to be of service to our children, our husband, our boss or our community if we are dead. Compulsive eating and compulsive dieting are life-threatening conditions.  The Standard American Diet is a life-threatening way of eaten. We know this from the sky-rocketing rates of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Your decision to eat well is a HIGH PRIORITY decision. Think creatively about any problems that arise and threaten your desire to remain steadfast to your goal. If you are honest with yourself, you will see your health really is your number one priority.

Daily Inspiration: “Faith isn’t faith until it’s all you’re holding on to.” ~ unknown

Letting go and letting God is necessary for sustained success with any addiction — including addictions to compulsive eating and compulsive dieting. Those of us who have struggled with these problems for years have been defeated again and again when we have tried to let our ego solve our problems. It does not matter what religion you practice or if you practice a religion at all. All that matters is that you are willing to accept that there is a Higher Power in the universe than you. Once we accept that we are not the highest power in the universe, we can stop trying to solve every problem in the universe and begin taking responsibility for the things over which we really do have control. For instance, we can understand that we are responsible for what we put in our mouth and how much we weigh. We are not responsible for what our friends put in their mouths and what they weigh.  When we adopt a posture of faith, we give our worries about other people, places and things to the God of our understanding. As we do, one day at a time, we begin to see that our Creator loves us and desires for us to feel that love on a daily basis.