When the adult voices of our childhood are primarily warm, kind, encouraging, hopeful, validating, soothing and nurturing, we begin to develop a supportive voice within that can restore us to emotional balance when needed. As we mature into adulthood, this supportive voice becomes the voice of what I call our Inner Nurturer, our main source of validation, approval and
Julie.S
Gain Self-Care Skills, Lose the Weight
March 19, 2012 – Posted in: dieting embracing emotions emotional eating exercising hope identifying emotions and needs UncategorizedIt makes me crazy when I hear supposed weight loss experts preach that the road to weight loss begins and ends with calorie counting, daily weigh-ins and intense workout regimens. This kind of advice couldn't be farther from the truth and, in fact, it encourages us not to listen to the wisdom of our bodies. You were
Are you eating to rebel against someone or something?
February 29, 2012 – Posted in: disappointment emotional eating forgiveness greiving grieving hurts losses and disappointments old pain overeating, dieting, weight loss painful childhood memories rebellion resentments resolving emotional eating unmourned lossesDo you find that you sometimes grab food (and eat even though you're not hungry) because you're angry at someone or about something? Or maybe because you're resenting some situation and feeling powerless to change it? You're mad or frustrated at these times and you certainly need something. In the moment, the food tastes good, calms you down and
All you need is love
February 14, 2012 – Posted in: compassion emotional eating forgiveness hope loneliness and overeating self-acceptance self-love self-worth stress and overeating Uncategorized unrealistic expectationsIn the previous blog article, I asked if you felt worthy of self-love. Hopefully you're putting into practice some of the exercises I suggested and you're beginning to connect to yourself in a more loving way. Today is Valentine's Day and I'd like you to take self-love one step further. I invite you to be your own valentine.
Resolve to be kind to and patient with yourself this New Year
January 11, 2012 – Posted in: adjusting expectations emotional eating hopelessness losses and disappointments losses and disappointments overeating, dieting, weight loss resolving emotional eating self connection Uncategorized unrealistic expectations weight lossDid you make any New Year's resolutions this year about losing weight, getting in shape or stopping your emotional eating? If your like most Americans, you made one or more resolutions along those lines. And now, almost two weeks into the new year, you may be wondering where all those good intentions have gone. I've
Embrace all your emotions
November 9, 2011 – Posted in: emotional eating identifying emotions and needs loneliness and overeating old pain purpose of emotions resolving emotional eatingHave you ever thought about the purpose of your emotions? If you're like most people, you don't think much about emotions (yours or anyone elses) and you just move through them, hoping to experience more of the pleasant, energizing ones and steer clear of the deflating ones. When unpleasant emotions such as loneliness, hurt, disappointment or rejection surface, perhaps you try
Spiritual Depletion and Emotional Eating–Part II
October 27, 2011 – Posted in: emotional eating hopelessness loneliness and overeating overeating, dieting, weight loss spiritual connection weight lossYou may be sensing that some deeper longing or hunger within you is fueling your emotional eating. How do you know if your emotional eating represents a yearning for spiritual connection and nourishment? In Part I of this article, I suggested that spiritual depletion may be experienced as a restlessness or sense of unease, discontent
Spiritual Depletion and Emotional Eating–Part I
October 16, 2011 – Posted in: depression despair emotional eating hopelessness loneliness and overeating overeating, dieting, weight loss spiritual connection UncategorizedJust as a wholesome meal nourishes our body, spirituality nourishes our soul. The spiritual component of well-being involves a search for meaning, serenity and joy that goes beyond our day-to-day concerns. You may be sensing that some deeper longing or hunger within you is fueling your emotional eating. Perhaps the concept of spiritual depletion resonates with
Do you tend to emotionally overeat when the days get shorter and darker?
September 30, 2011 – Posted in: brain chemistry imbalances depression emotional eating mood disorders overeating, dieting, weight loss reducing stress Seasonal Affective Disorder stress and overeatingAt this time of year, many of my clients come in complaining of the shorter, darker days. Understandably so. It's not just that the Summer has ended and the longer, lazy days are behind us. With this particular season change, those who suffer from mild to moderate mood disorders (especially depressive and bipolar) can all of
Loneliness and emotional eating–Part II
September 15, 2011 – Posted in: emotional eating loneliness and overeating overeating, dieting, weight loss overwhelm self connection stress and overeating unrealistic expectationsChronic loneliness is a symptom and signal that you are disconnected from one or more of the three main sources of soul nourishment and sustenance: Self, Others and Spirituality. Some level of a positive connection to all three sources is essential for good emotional and physical health. In Part I of this article, I addressed Self-connection and
