My RESTART participants report many amazing benefits from the program.

They learn to make conscious food choices.

Then they start making more conscious choices in other areas of their lives and being present in the moment.

They learn food is to be enjoyed and how to manage their thoughts and emotions around food.

The Result?  They feel good about their bodies.

They appreciate and enjoy life much more.

They don’t worry about overindulging or eating too many desserts or junk food at gatherings because they have a plan.

They enjoy relaxing and eating and being with others, knowing they’re taking care of their bodies on a deeper level.

During the Holidays (the time from Thanksgiving through the New Year), it’s even more important to have a plan.

Why?  What’s the problem?

Aren’t the Holidays a time of festivities and celebration?

Yes.  But associated with these festivities is a lot of eating, often a lot of sweets and foods and beverages that are nutrient depleting and don’t serve our best interest. 

Having sweets with a celebration has become the norm in our society.

What’s worse, all too often they’re store bought baked goods with a list of toxic, harmful ingredients a mile long.

The result?  Your clothes fit tighter, you feel sluggish and tired, your gut is unhappy, your bowels are off, your sleep isn’t good, you have more joint and muscle pain…

And you’re stressed and unhappy about these changes.

Let me help you enjoy food and your time with family and friends.

Follow these tips (adapted from the RESTART^® Program) and ENJOY the Holidays!

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1. Make all your choices conscious ones.  Follow the RESTART Rule “Whatever I eat, I choose it consciously, I enjoy it thoroughly, then I let it go.”   

If you chose to have something you wouldn’t normally have, know there may be consequences (bloating, gas, interrupted sleep, adult acne,…), and let that be okay.

No feeling guilty or beating yourself up.

And no rationalizing when making choices that you’ll just workout more the next day.  Exercising to compensate for overeating doesn’t work.

2. If you’re going to an event with a lot of desserts, eat before you go.  Have a healthy, nutrient dense, satiating meal so you’re not hungry when you get there.

I challenge you to challenge today’s cultural norm that you’re expected to want and eat sweets.

Do what’s best for you.  If you don’t want those sugary sweets, don’t eat them.

Set an example for others instead of trying to fit in with the crowd.

3. Before you take the first bite, take a few slow, deep breaths, and give thanks.  Make sure you’re relaxed and eat slow.  This is the only way you can properly digest and benefit from this tasty food.

4. Remember to chew, chew, chew your food.  Put your fork down between bites.  Taste and appreciate those wonderful flavors.  This will also help your digestive system work effectively.

5. Stay hydrated with water throughout he day.  Then sip small amounts of your beverage of choice during the meal.

Drinking too much during or right after a meal can dilute your digestive juices so your food stays in your stomach too long and doesn’t get broken down properly.

6. Don’t linger around the food where you might be tempted to go back for seconds, or thirds, or simply feel out of control.

Instead, move away from the food after eating.  Go sit in the living room, go for a walk, or play a game with the family.  Do something to break away from the food and the kitchen.

7. Find time for movement every day.  Take a walk, build a snowman, go to the gym, dance, or move however your body likes.  This is essential for cleansing the body.  Your body, heart, mind and spirit will thank you.

8. Above all, enjoy your time with family and friends.  Instead of letting the food take center stage, focus on the people you are with.

We often get so focused on the things that “have to get done,” we forget why we’re doing them in the first place.

Give someone a genuine compliment.  Enjoy the wonderful food, but be present and enjoy the day and the people.

If you went to someone’s home, take a few minutes to send them a thank you note — on real paper, with a pen, that you then send snail mail!   😊

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Changing eating habits is not simply a matter of will power and self control.  Rather it’s understanding your thoughts and emotions around food and being able to change them.

I am a Certified Life Coach.  I can help you break old habits and start new ones that will better suit your desires and goals in life.  

Book your free 30-minute Discovery Call now.

Peace and grace,
Karen

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever!…”  Psalm 118