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identifying emotions and needs

The Weight of Thanksgiving

By: Julie.S November 28, 2024 – Posted in: adjusting expectations delaying gratification depression despair diabetes diet mentality dieting emotional eating glycemic index gratitude holiday eating holiday overeating hope identifying emotions and needs loneliness and overeating Making lifestyle changes motivation to change habits overeating, dieting, weight loss overwhelm reducing stress resolving emotional eating Seasonal Affective Disorder self-love spiritual connection stress and overeating stress eating sugar addiction sugar cravings transitions whole unprocessed plant foods winter blues

Thanksgiving is a time when most of us overeat. It’s just what we do on this holiday, right? Snack, overeat, repeat. Even though we're a bit uncomfortable by the end of the day, it’s okay. We’re celebrating and giving thanks for the abundance of food on our tables and the family and friends in our

Handling Post-Halloween Sugar Cravings

By: Julie.S October 27, 2024 – Posted in: blood sugar imbalances brain chemistry imbalances delaying gratification diet mentality Elimination Diet emotional eating fasting food addiction food allergies glycemic index high insulin levels holiday eating holiday overeating holiday overindulging identifying emotions and needs motivation to change habits overeating, dieting, weight loss reducing stress resolving emotional eating self connection stress and overeating stress eating sugar addiction sugar cravings weight loss whole unprocessed plant foods

Do you have leftover bags of candy and treats after Halloween?  If so, you're probably debating whether to throw it all out or put it in the freezer and save it for later. You certainly don't want to eat that much candy now, you know it's not good for you (or your children), but perhaps

Resolve to be Kind to and Patient with Yourself this New Year

By: Julie.S December 28, 2023 – Posted in: adjusting expectations compassion delaying gratification diet mentality dieting embracing emotions emotional eating exercising forgiveness gratitude hope identifying emotions and needs Inner Nurturing loneliness and overeating Making lifestyle changes motivation to change habits New Years Resolutions overeating, dieting, weight loss perfectionism rebellion recovery reducing stress resolving emotional eating self-acceptance self-compassion self-love self-worth stress and overeating transitions weight loss whole unprocessed plant foods worthiness

Did you make any New Year's resolutions this year about getting into shape or stopping your emotional eating? If you're like most Americans, you've make one or more resolutions along those lines. And then, a few weeks into the new year, you may be wondering where all those good intentions went. I've never been a

Do you have an Inner Nurturing voice?

By: Julie.S May 13, 2023 – Posted in: compassion emotional eating identifying emotions and needs Inner Nurturing overeating, dieting, weight loss resolving emotional eating self connection self-acceptance self-compassion self-love

One thing most emotional eaters have in common is that their childhoods didn't feel particularly nourishing. Even if their caregivers were loving and kind, often there just wasn't enough quality attention and listening, good attunement, soothing, comfort, empathy or consistent compassion. Even well-intentioned parents can miss the mark if they themselves didn't learn these skills somewhere along the

Emotional Eating and Food Addiction: What’s the Connection?

By: Julie.S June 23, 2022 – Posted in: brain chemistry imbalances compassion diet mentality embracing emotions emotional eating food addiction hope identifying emotions and needs Inner Nurturing overeating, dieting, weight loss resolving emotional eating stress and overeating stress eating sugar addiction

There's a quote I've always loved by Sir Francis Bacon, the English Philosopher, and I'm sure you've heard it. He sad that "knowledge is power." And I definitely believe this to be true. But I also know, from more than three decades of work as a psychotherapist and life coach specializing in overeating challenges, that

Stressed Out and Overeating?

By: Julie.S June 30, 2021 – Posted in: adjusting expectations blood sugar imbalances brain chemistry imbalances dieting emotional eating food allergies high cortisol levels high insulin levels identifying emotions and needs loneliness and overeating motivation overeating, dieting, weight loss overwhelm recovery reducing stress resolving emotional eating self-acceptance stress and overeating stress eating sugar addiction sugar cravings weight loss

We all feel the effects of stress, from agitated moods to tension in our bodies leading to chronic pain and illness. Stress in small doses can actually be useful. The stress you feel before a big exam may just be the motivation you need to increase your study time. Chronic job dissatisfaction may be the needed stressor to change jobs or go back

Can Mindfulness Curb Overeating?

By: Julie.S May 31, 2021 – Posted in: compassion depression embracing emotions emotional eating hope hurts identifying emotions and needs Inner Nurturing loneliness and overeating losses and disappointments Making lifestyle changes mindful eating mindfulness overeating, dieting, weight loss overwhelm reducing stress resolving emotional eating self-compassion self-defeating thinking self-doubt self-love stress and overeating stress eating weight loss

Mindfulness, according to Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of Mindfulness for Beginners, is “awareness, cultivated by paying attention in a sustained and particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally. Mindfulness can be traced to Buddhist origins and the practice commonly referred to as “mindful eating” is an offshoot, involving slowing down and paying attention

Are You Sure You Want to Stop Your Emotional Eating?

By: Julie.S April 26, 2021 – Posted in: embracing emotions emotional eating identifying emotions and needs loneliness and overeating losses and disappointments overeating, dieting, weight loss resolving emotional eating self-love weight loss

Of course you do! But wait-- before you answer so quickly, take a moment and really think about all that your emotional eating does for you. Without realizing it, it might just be your best friend. Which of the items on the following list apply to your emotional eating? It's always there for me and never

Are You Truly Motivated to Stop Emotional Eating?

By: Julie.S July 31, 2019 – Posted in: embracing emotions emotional eating identifying emotions and needs motivation overeating, dieting, weight loss resolving emotional eating Uncategorized

Of course you want to end your emotional eating.  Yesterday, thank you.  And while you say that you feel motivated to give it the boot, somehow you lose hold of that motivation most days and find yourself grabbing those cookies or that bag of chips, or going for seconds.  Perhaps you've convinced yourself that you're weak-willed, undisciplined or just

Are Unmet Needs Sending You to the Refrigerator?

By: Julie.S March 28, 2019 – Posted in: dieting emotional eating food addiction identifying emotions and needs loneliness and overeating overeating, dieting, weight loss resolving emotional eating self connection self-acceptance self-love self-worth stress and overeating unrealistic expectations weight loss

Does it feel like you're living your life, day-to-day, with many of your needs unmet? Do you think this may have something to do with your overeating or imbalanced eating? If so, you're not alone. Many people, frustrated by years of unmet needs, find themselves regularly turning to food for emotional comfort, pleasure, soothing, escape,

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Testimonials

“Through working with Julie, I gently and gracefully was able to address the real reasons for my overeating, which had nothing to do with hunger. She helped me get in touch with those places deep inside that in the past I was afraid or unwilling to address. This underlying anxiety, depression and pain that I wasn't even aware of was triggering me to eat compulsively, to cover up the pain. Julie's work is so brilliant at giving me tools to work with myself, ways to be gentle with myself, and ways to comfort myself without using food. To this day, I use Julie's work to continue to heal my experiences with food and my body.” –Arriane Alexander, Actress/Singer

"I never connected with my true emotions until I started seeing Julie. Before I started working with her I certainly knew on a surface level what emotions were, but Julie gave me the tools to actually tap in and feel all the feelings I had been avoiding my entire life. My work with Julie was the first time in my life that I was able to truly connect with myself and understand the big picture of how emotions interplay with eating. Julie's compassion, knowledge and empathy helped me to realize that a lifetime of beating myself up for overeating was simply one that I was not willing to live anymore, and she helped me to break a cycle that I had almost resigned myself to living with for the rest of my life. With so much clutter in the dieting and self-help world, I feel blessed to work with someone whose approach is nothing short of life-changing." –Laurie B., Attorney

"Julie, Thank you Thank you Thank you! Working with you has helped me in ways I didn't at first imagine. I first came for a specific issue and stayed for the whole me! My connection with you was so instantaneous. I felt immediately understood, which was a big thing for me. With your knowledge and gentle loving guidance, I've been able to understand myself and my life and make new choices, blossoming in ways that bring such clarity and peace to my life. I am finally able to really be the person I always wanted to be - happy, healthy both physically and emotionally, feeling truly grounded and connected in my life. Working with you has enhanced my life and I am grateful beyond words." –M. K., Film & TV Producer

"After years of yo-yo dieting and fruitless therapy, I was lucky to find Julie and her unique approach to dealing with emotional eating that addresses imbalances in body, mind, emotions, and spirit. Julie has a talent for zeroing in on the issues underlying problems. She has guided me through some very challenging times and facilitated my personal growth. Julie possesses a keen intellect, coupled with warmth, caring, compassion, patience, and a wisdom that makes her truly remarkable." –J.N

“Julie—being in groups and classes and individual therapy with you has been life-saving. I’ve been in therapy before, but nothing has ever been this helpful and transformative. You’ve helped me put together all the broken pieces from a dysfunctional childhood. You’ve been a wonderful, nurturing and inspiring guide and you are a living, breathing example of what true recovery looks like. Thank you.” –C.G., Actress and Mother

"You offered more than I could have expected. I have done W.W., O.A. and J. Craig. But I always ended up in the same place. Now I know why. Thank you for showing me that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and hope for recovery. Your program was really great, useful and revelatory! It was an opportunity for many “firsts” in my long journey of self-discovery. Thanks for being my angel." –J. L., Attorney and Mother

"I've been struggling nearly all my life with this overeating issue. I've tried all the diets and exercise programs. I couldn't get a handle on my compulsive eating until I attended this Program. Oh My God, I've learned so much and gained so much insight and new tools. I've already lost over 15 lbs and it's easier than it's ever been. I can now truly understand how addressing the deeper issues helps to effortlessly release the weight. And I'm not so afraid anymore of addressing those issues. This Program taught me how to do that and the Follow-Up group is helping me practice my new skills. And correcting the physical imbalances I had really made it even that much easier. Thank you Julie for all that you do." –K. W., Writer/Artist

"Julie, Thank you Thank you Thank you! Working with you has helped me in ways I didn't at first imagine. I first came for a specific issue and stayed for the whole me! My connection with you was so instantaneous. I felt immediately understood, which was a big thing for me. With your knowledge and gentle loving guidance, I've been able to understand myself and my life and make new choices, blossoming in ways that bring such clarity and peace to my life. I am finally able to really be the person I always wanted to be - happy, healthy both physically and emotionally, feeling truly grounded and connected in my life. Working with you has enhanced my life and I am grateful beyond words." –S. H., Therapist/Nurse

"An incredible amount of most helpful information for the money! The most inspiring and motivating part was your authenticity and sharing from your heart. I thought I knew all there was to know with years of therapy, but you really pulled everything together for me." –C. W., M.B.A., Financial Analyst

"Julie, what a wonderful, enlightened, incredibly smart woman you are. Thank you so much for all that you are and all your tools and teaching are making of me. I finally can see an end to overeating and dieting." –P.K.

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