Those who know me well know that I LOVE candy! Always have, always will. I remember always having a bulk barn bag of candy in my night stand to eat whenever a craving arose. As I often say, "everything in moderation"...this is easier said than done sometimes. I find that my cravings for sugar are not what they used to be but they do still happen.
I have several clients who have come to me asking for help with sugar specifically and the cravings that all too often are attached to its consumption. Sugar can be addictive- something that not many people realize until they experience it themselves. Kicking a sugar habit can be one of the hardest things for people to do- just like any other addiction. However- there is a light at the end of this sweet tunnel. There are ways to curb your cravings, ways to still enjoy sweet treats but in a more natural form and ways to introduce healthier food into your diet. Sometimes eating sugary foods can fill a void that is missing, or can offer comfort in a time when you are feeling stressed, overwhelmed or upset. While curbing your cravings and limiting your sugar intake are important, it is key to uncover the underlying reasons as to why you turn to these sugary snacks to offer support and care ~ and address them. Only then will you truly be free of your relationship with sugar. Detoxing from sugar and lowering your intake can be difficult- physically and emotionally. It can be a challenging time coming to terms with your dependence on sugar and/or the physical reaction you may experience if you "quit cold turkey". This is not a process that should be taken lightly and it may be beneficial to have some professional support to offer clarity and guidance to help get you through. As I share with my clients...the first few days will be rough but you just have to push through it. The day will come when you do not crave sugar, when you do not feel tired and fall asleep at your desk at 3pm, and when you are able to walk past a table of yummy treats and not take a handful of each. You can do it! Why not start today?
0 Comments
I hear it so often from clients..."I need a plan"...."I need someone to tell me what to do and how to do it"..."I need a step by step plan that I can follow"....and so on. I totally understand why people ask for this. It takes the stress off of them to create the plan and allows them the comfort in knowing that all they have to do is follow this plan. It's like what I do each week when I buy groceries for our family. I sit down, I create our menu for the week and then I create a list of groceries I will need for those meals along with any staples we may need. That way I go to the grocery store with a list of only the things we need and it takes the stress and guess work out of things during the day. I know what we are having each night, what pre-prep needs to be done and it's one less thing I need to worry about. My job is to help my clients create a step by step plan to achieve their goals. Perhaps this is in regards to their health and eating habits, or in relation to their mental health needs and adding more self care to their daily routine. Or a combination of the two. I work with clients who are busy, stressed, overwhelmed and who need guidance and support to create a more balanced lifestyle where their needs are met both physically and psychologically. I help to take the guess work out of this which inevitably decreases stress for my clients. This also increases their energy because they have more time to devote to the things they love doing and do not feel bogged down having to make countless decisions on a daily basis because....they have a plan! Let me help you create your plan...contact me today! What are you waiting for? People say it all the time..."ask for help". But what does that really mean? Who are you going to ask? What help are you looking for? Will the person you're asking, really understand what help you need and what they can do for you that will truly help?
Sometimes things in life can become so overwhelming that you can't seem to get your head straight. The thought of getting simple tasks done in the day can seem like too much because you don't even know where to start. You don't have any energy to even accomplish these tasks and you need some guidance and support. I have found this when working with clients. They do not necessarily need me to tell them what to do- they simply need a listening ear to hear what they have to say, validate their feelings and help create a plan of attack. What I share with my clients is that when things seem like they are too much, the key is prioritizing and creating a to-do list. I love lists! They help to get your thoughts on paper, they help to visually show you what needs to get done and they can help you prioritize the tasks to make sure that everything gets done efficiently. I tell my clients that it is absolutely ok to ask for help....it is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of strength. No one should suffer in silence and no one should feel as though they are alone. Whether it is anxiety, depression, physical health or just a sense of feeling out of control, asking for help is key. My clients have shared with me that simply me "being there" has made such an impact on them and their journey and I am honored that I get to walk this path with my clients and show them just how strong they are. Whatever their goals are, together we can create a plan to achieve them! My journey continues as I am now a Certified Health Coach. Many people have asked, what is that exactly? What do you do as a Health Coach? The easiest way for me to answer this is to say that I help people. This has always been my passion and I'm blessed that I get to work with such great clients. I think the assumption is that I only help people with their physical health, which is true...however I go much deeper than that. I was speaking to a friend the other day and we were discussing the fact that our Physical and Emotional (Mental) health are so dependent on each other and are so incredibly affected by each other. I work with my clients to show them that there is a direct correlation between what they eat and how they feel- physically and emotionally. I help my clients find the "why underneath the why". What is the underlying reason why they are seeking help at this time and what prompted them to do so at this time? I help my clients gain a better understanding of food and nutrition and to eat what feels right for them...not what the latest Fad Diet is telling them to eat. I help my clients set goals that are truly important to them and I hold them accountable to achieving them. I am a source of support, a listening ear and someone who my clients can trust in and know that they will never be judged.
My goal is to help my clients improve their lives- inside and out. I want my clients to wake up every day feeling happy and healthy. I do not guarantee a quick fix...what I hope my clients achieve is lifelong success and create a lifestyle they want and deserve. I am a master of habit change and I encourage my clients not to expect change overnight. True change takes time and takes effort and the reward is that much sweeter. This part of my journey is often the one that is the hardest to put into words, however it's the part that I know may be the most helpful for people who are reading this.
I have an Eating Disorder. I have been Anorexic since the age of 15. I am happy to say that at this time in my life, I am in recovery but I am well aware that it is a constant battle and probably something that will be with me for the rest of my life. I never really talked about my ED because I was ashamed. I didn't want people to know my secret and I didn't want people to judge me. The biggest misconception people have about ED's is that they are about vanity and about looks. That couldn't be further from the truth. ED's typically are about control. For me, I never felt good enough. I was never smart enough, I was never pretty enough, I didn't feel like I had much to offer and I felt like I couldn't control that. So I controlled the one thing that I could....my food intake (or lack thereof). I am a control freak and have a Type A personality to the core- both of which made my disorder worse. I felt alone a lot of the time because I didn't think people would understand what I was going through and I chose not to ask for help. My ED became gravely worse when I was in my 20's. I went to my Family Doctor for my yearly physical and she became very worried for me. Despite my age, she phoned my parents to tell them about my Anorexia and she proceeded to give me an ultimatum- either I agree to see a Psychologist and Nutritionist or I enter an inpatient treatment facility immediately. She told me if I continued the way I was, my life would be in serious danger. I chose the outpatient option... I could write a book about my ED however I am keeping this short and sweet. It is ok to ask for help. It is essential to ask for help. I was lucky enough to have a very supportive family and incredibly supportive boyfriend (who is now my husband) and without them, I don't know where I'd be. Support and commitment is key when treating an ED. I understand what it's like to be so focused on food and consumed with the number on a scale. I also understand what it feels like to want to run away from treatment....but you can't. Your life is at stake and you matter. You are worth it and you deserve to feel better. |
AuthorThis is my way to share my stories with you- so you can get to know me and hopefully find some comfort in what I write. Archives
April 2017
Categories |