A Balanced Perspective Weekly
on Health and Wellness
March 8, 2007
1. Solving Problems with Food
2. Wellness Packages for the New Year
3. ORLANDO, & Next Month's Weight Loss Groups
4. Cooking Classes - 2007
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1. Solving Problems with Food
Last night I laid down to go to sleep, and I felt this desire to
eat. I definitely wasn't hungry; I just had dinner. But for
some reason I felt like I wanted to chew. I wanted to satisfy
something within me.
Seven years ago I ate all the time. Whenever I had the urge,
I ate. I had no control over waiting until I had hunger pangs.
Every time food was present, or offered to me, I had to have
some.... and then more.
I Ate Emotionally
I ate emotionally. I ate to calm anxiousness, and to comfort
myself if I was lonely or bored. For most of those years I
didn't even realize that's why I was eating so much.
After many diets that didn't last more than two or three
weeks, I decided I wanted to lose weight, not because of
what other people thought of me (because my friends could
never tell me that I was overweight), but because of what I
thought of me, and because of what I wanted. I was 23 at
the time, and I felt that I was losing something from these
years by being overweight and allowing food to consume me.
So I did it. I created a 7 month plan to lose 1 pound a week,
and my first step to getting healthy was having smaller
portion sizes and not taking in more calories than my body
needed to live. It was challenging, but I was motivated and
committed, and I was tired of wasting time. I was unwilling
to give up this time.
Seven Years Later
Here I am, seven years later, and this has become a lifestyle
for me. I actually don't like to overeat these days because I
hate the way it makes me feel. Plus, now that my body is
used to smaller meals, I actually get a headache almost
anytime I eat even a little bit too much. So when something in
me wants to eat, and I know it's not my stomach, I
immediately wonder what's going on.
When that feeling came over me last night, I was lying in bed
exhausted. It's been a high pressure week, and I have been
working non-stop. While I was laying there, I wondered why
it was that I wanted to eat when I knew for sure my stomach
was happy and satisfied from dinner. There was no specific
food that I was craving either. At that moment I realized that
I needed comfort, and I needed sleep. Part of me didn't want
to go to sleep though because I still had things on my to do
list that I knew needed to get done.
Distracting from Discomfort
I wanted to avoid the discomfort I was feeling, and I used
to distract myself with food all the time many years ago. I
mean, if you don't want to deal with what you're feeling,
especially if it's something you don't have control over, what
better way to forget it than to stick your nose in a box of
cookies.
Recognize with me for a moment what happens next. You
stick your head in the box of cookies. Enjoy the taste of
the first one or two, and then try to sustain that distraction
and feeling by continuing to eat. Then, you feel bad, and
- wa la - you have something new to think about. "I need to
lose weight. I'm not going to buy cookies anymore. I'll start
a diet tomorrow."
What Really Just Happened?
So what just happened. You went from feeling these feelings:
stress, fatigue, pressure, emotional pain, etc., feelings you
couldn't immediately control, or problems that you couldn't
immediately fix (or didn't want to fix), to now having a new
fixable problem to think about instead of the old one. This
new problem is solvable. You feel in control because you know
what to do: "Go on a diet," "Don't by the cookies, etc." So
now you can pour all your thoughts into weight and how bad
you feel about the cookie box instead of dealing with the other
issues that got you started eating in the first place.
It's a very subtle thing that happens. And though you may feel
that you don't have control over the food, you probably still sub-
consciously feel more control over worrying about the food issue
than the earlier problem you didn't want to deal with or didn't
know how to deal with.
It's often Automatic
You've probably been handling issues this way for so long that
you automatically do it before you recognize why you are doing it.
In other words you nip the "problem" in the bud almost
unconsciously by immediately beginning to think about food.
So next time, if your stomach isn't growling, ask yourself what it
is that you need. Take a deep breath and just sit with it.
Last night, I took a deep breath and comforted myself by giving
myself permission to fall asleep and relinquish the worry I had
about all of the undone things on my to do list. I told myself
that now is the time for sleeping, and tomorrow I can start again.
Don't worry if this all feels complex to you. It kind of is. Just treat
yourself well, and stop and ask yourself what it really is that you
need. If it isn't truly food as a result of hunger pangs, than treat
your body like a daughter (or a son), and give her what she really
needs...
Melissa
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2. Wellness Packages - Make This Year Different
The Lifestyle Makeover
I don't know what I'm doing with my life. I'm not satisfied
with my career, my relationships are not going anywhere.
I'm not really where I want to be.
Sound like you? This package will cover career, relationships,
spirituality, and health. You'll gain a stronger hold on your
identity, and find satisfaction moving forward towards
discovering and completing personal goals and projects.
6 sessions - $675
The Nutrition and Health Makeover
I don't eat what I should, nor do I stick to an exercise plan.
I'm not even sure if I know what I should eat! I find myself
snacking on junk food and eating poorly when I'm at work or
traveling. I want to have more energy and be fit. I want to
grow old healthy!
This package is for the typical New Yorker. You want to be
conscious about your health, but you are not making it happen.
You want more energy and to eat better. In this plan we'll get
down to the nitty gritty about what is getting in the way for
you, and how you can achieve a healthier you without
cramping your lifestyle. We'll create a therapeutic lifestyle
plan that works just for you!
3 sessions - $375
The Weight Loss Makeover
I'm tired of not sticking to my diets. I'm ready to make a
commitment to my health. I want to see my real body
underneath this cushion. I want to feel good when I walk
down the street and enter a room.
Sticking to a weight loss plan is hard. No doubt about it! This
program is designed to get you off the dieting cycle and get
you on a plan to achieve results. It's for individuals who are
ready to make a change and commit to giving this gift to
themselves. No more quick fix attempts. This is the real deal!
10 sessions - $1125
I Am - Strategic Solutions for Women in their 20's
I love working with young women! It's a time in life where you
are testing your own identity and power in this world, yet
sometimes you feel conflicted by the pressure of your parents'
and peers' ideas about what track you should be on. You have
your own mind and you want to use it...but sometimes you're
not sure about your different opinions. This program deals with
self-image, self-respect, confidence, and effective decision
making.
5 sessions - $575 (sliding scale available for this program...
please call or e-mail me for details)
All programs can be adjusted to fit your specific needs. Number
of sessions can be increased or decreased based on your goals.
Payments plans available.
Contact me with any inquiries
melissa@myheartdances.com 917-689-6530
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"For whatever reason, people are so inclined to
spend money on a health club membership and
working out their body, but when it comes to
working on the mind and emotions, people are
more hesitant. I remember the session that we
had together and all of the advise and direction
that you provided was truly excellent. You really
made a very positive impact on my life and I can
tell that you are exceptionally gifted in this area.
You have a very intuitive sense and are able to
put all the pieces together very quickly and
correctly. These are very good skills for the type
of coaching that you do, and I hope that more
people will see how they can benefit from the
coaching that you provide." - J.R.
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3. ORLANDO
Next Tuesday, March 13, I'm teaching at Chamberlins in the
Winter Park Village. Class is free and starts at 7pm.
www.chamberlins.com
We're making:
Sweet Potato Miso Soup
Garlic Braised Tempeh
Savory Tahini Sauce
Water Sautéed Greens
Weight Loss Group - Next Month
Want to be a part of a weight loss group next month. E-mail
me for more information. Groups in New York, and Orlando.
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4. Cooking Classes - 2007
(located on the Upper West Side)
Organic Food, Organic FUN, and Good Company
Thank you for sharing you home, knowledge, great recipes,
and warm friends. There's something very intimate about
creating and sharing a meal with others. It was interesting
to learn about your holistic health background and cook
with new ingredients. I look forward to taking more classes
with you. - Heather
SATURDAY, April 14 - (11 am class) - no cook picnic dishes
Vegan Chicken Salad
Citrus Infused Guacamole
W/tortillas
Spring Citrus Salad
Carob-Almond Butter Balls
Thursday, May 3
Thai Peanut Soup
Vegetable Summer Rolls
Lime-peanut sauce
Spring Spritzer Cooler
New Menu's Coming Soon... But I'm going to get some
sleep now, from my over busy day! :-)
Pre-Register Today – Only $40 per class
All classes are held on the Upper West Side
Class is from 6:30 until 8:30p.m.
And includes all of the following
*Hands-on instruction
*Meet new people
*Learn cool facts and tips about the food you’re eating
*Get healthy tips
*Receive a copy of the recipe to take home
*Enjoy a DELICIOUS meal at the end of class!
Made by The Fabulous You!
Please contact Melissa at Melissa@myheartdances.com for
more details and to register or call 917-689-6530
**Classes are fun, relaxed, and not intimidating! They are
great for beginners!
**Private classes are also available, more details at:
http://www.myheartdances.com/services/cook_class.htm |
™ was developed to support individuals in living from their heart and going after what they want in life. Our mission is to support you in deciding to be honest with yourself and be honest with others so you can face your fears and go after your dreams to "let your heart dance!"