Stay Attuned ™: The E-zine for Nourishing ConnectionsYour 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,
Nourishing Nuggets"The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers."." Reflections for Staying AttunedThe moments after checking out with emotional eating provide us with an opportunity for change. Often though, these dark moments are filled with despair, body hatred, and all-or-nothing thinking. “I’ll never change.” I am such a failure.” “My body is disgusting.” As we head into the New Year, it may be helpful to consider the wisdom and the power in these moments. If we are able to compassionately reflect about what we really needed in these moments, other than food, we empower ourselves to prepare for the next time we are in a similar situation or feeling a similar feeling. Caring for ourselves differently in these moments begins with the risk of changing our self-talk. "Every year Aunt Peg comments on my weight; no wonder I felt upset." “My body is uncomfortable now, but I don’t need to punish myself by overeating again later. I will not sit next to her next year.” Or “No wonder I over-ate; I waited too long to eat. I’ll be sure to have a snack before the New Year's party.” Although this compassionate self-talk initially feels awkward and uncomfortable, it is a necessary step to letting go of a negative pattern while embracing a new way of caring. A thoughtful pause after eating emotionally offers insight into the good reasons we check out with food. Combined with curiosity and concern, this pause creates an opportunity for change in our relationship with food. Stay Attuned TipIf you have an emotional eating episode, allow yourself to check in afterwards. Think about how you might speak to a dear friend who is struggling or to a child who is learning. Risk using similar words with yourself. Offer yourself kindness, understanding, and support. Stay Attuned Affirmation "I check in with compassion after checking out. " What's New at Nourishing ConnectionsTo our dismay, we found an error in the November e-zine's Nourishing Nugget: "Not everyone that can be counted counts and not everything that counts can be counted." was supposed to be "Not everything that can be counted counts and not everything that counts can be counted." Makes more sense, doesn't it? You all count, and we appreciate you. We wish you peace and nourishing connections for the New Year. Feedback and ClosingWelcome 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 dr.k@nourishingconnections.com. Spread the WordFeel free to forward this E-zine to others. We just ask that you keep the E-zine intact, including contact and copyright information. For any other use, written permission is required. And thank you for sharing Stay Attuned™! Subscribe or UnsubscribeTo subscribe (to join), email join-stayattuned@list.nourishingconnections.com. To unsubscribe (be removed from list), email leave-stayattuned@list.nourishingconnections.com. Delivery Problems If you experience delivery problems, check here. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Stay Attuned™ is written by Karin Kratina, PhD, RD © Copyright 2006. Dr. Karin Kratina and Amy Tuttle. All rights reserved. ~~~~~ 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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