Stay Attuned ™: The E-zine for Nourishing Connections

Your journey to freedom from food and weight struggles presents an opportunity for not only a new relationship with food, but also a new relationship with yourself and others. Ultimately, it is a journey of nourishing connections with yourself, others--and yes--even food. Stay Attuned™ is committed to supporting you in this journey and to helping you develop nourishing connections that will last a lifetime. Remember, a journey always starts with one small step....

From fellow travelers,
Karin and Amy
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Nourishing Nuggets

“You may search the universe for someone more worthy of your love and affection than you are yourself, but such a person does not exist.“
~Buddhist Proverb

“There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread. “
~ Mother Teresa

Reflections for Staying Attuned

On this Valentines Day, our focus is on the heart of the work--those difficult moments of eating past fullness. HOW we treat our selves in these moments is what will make the difference. Our thoughts and actions determine whether we stay stuck in body hatred, numbed out, unable to enjoy the foods we love, unable to enjoy the sweetness and joy of life. Our thoughts and actions determine whether we move toward body respect, joy and satisfaction, peace with food and life, and, ultimately, our natural weight.

Diets say “don’t eat, don’t have pleasure, and shame on you if you do.” We have been conditioned to believe that the solution is deprivation… to not eat what we love, to not meet our basic needs. However, the solution is not deprivation.

The heart of the work, although scary and challenging, is to avoid deprivation whenever possible--to actually identify and honor the body and soul’s needs and desires to the best of our abilities. Knowing what you like (and don’t like) and feeling entitled to get it for yourself are necessary acts of empowered body and self respect. These are also acts of love and nurturance. The “best” choice, and ultimately the choice that will help in the moments of wanting to eat past fullness, is to choose to give yourself what you really want, to be as satisfied as you can be.

This giving yourself something you love by tuning into your desires and then mindfully eating it when you are hungry should not be confused with “giving in” to eating. “Giving in” usually accompanies the all or nothingness of giving up, which is usually associated with “one last time of overeating before I start depriving myself again”.

Remember, telling the body and especially the soul that you are not supposed to have that food, that you are not entitled to pleasure creates the healthy rebellion against deprivation that unfortunately often leads to overeating.

Stay Attuned Tip

Alone or with a trusted friend, give yourself the pleasure of savoring a food you love. Buy one or two-- have it outside of your home if you need to create a boundary around it. Have it for lunch, or have it for dinner, or have it before, during or after lunch or dinner! Pay attention to your hunger and fullness levels. Pay attention to the flavors, to your experience. Was it as good as you thought it was going to be? Do you think you may want it again soon? Eat until you are full, if possible.

If this is too scary for you today, the next time you're in the midst of needing to use food, try to make sure that it’s something you love and that you eat with compassion and full awareness.

Stay Attuned Affirmation

“I am respectful of my likes and dislikes and I am willing to reach for satisfaction and joy.”

What's New at Nourishing Connections

Wondering about the new Dietary Guidelines? Check out Jon Robison’s article The War on Fun Continues (http://www.techcentralstation.com/012805D.html ).

Feedback and Closing

Welcome to our new subscribers, and hello to current members! Stay Attuned™ exists for you. If you have ideas for topics or feedback (did you try an idea? how did it go?), please write us at ideas@nourishingconnections.com.

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Stay Attuned™ is written by Karin Kratina, PhD, RD
(Dr.K@ nourishingconnections.com) and Amy Tuttle, RD, LCSW
(amyt@ nourishingconnections.com). Edited by Cassie Tuttle.
Please visit us at www.nourishingconnections.com!

© Copyright 2005. Dr. Karin Kratina and Amy Tuttle. All rights reserved.

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DISCLAIMER: This information is not intended to constitute a professional relationship between Karin or Amy or the reader, nor is it intended as therapy or counseling. Be sure to consult a qualified professional if you require medical or psychological services.
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