More of Me to Love | De-Stress With a Not To Do List

Nobody can do without food, and nobody should try. Feed Your Life is a blog about providing yourself with the nourishment that will help your body feel and function better. And remember, nutrition and feeding your life aren't just about food - we require many kinds of nourishment, and this blog will cover those as well. You have to Feed Your Life, and this blog will show you how.

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I had a blast watching the Olympics. It?s amazing to see what the human body can do.? Of course there was a lot I wasn?t thrilled with, like the body judgements, sexualization of the athletes and the endless diet talk and no pain, no gain attitude. As with most things, the media doesn?t show the less glamorous, ?boring? aspects of real life. The parts that actually support the fun stuff. In this case REST! Any true athlete will tell you, rest is part of their training plan.

Rest differs from sleep. I am talking about consciously being in your body without DOING something and without the guilt, shame and fear that tends to come along with that in our culture. I am talking about dropping the agenda and expectations you put on yourself and your body so it can really heal. Even if you?re a simple human such as myself you body still needs time to RESTORE. In fact, I see burnt out play a significant role in misaligned eating among my clients (and myself!) We go for the false energy like caffeine, sugar, and adrenaline. Anything but actually listening to our bodies and letting go of the to do list.

In one of my Body Karma Healing workshops yesterday the women all shared that the number one reason they don?t let their bodies rest is their fear of FAT. The fear of gaining weight. Ironically, the fear of it is was either keeping most eating emotionally or trapped in the throes of an eating disorder. All felt intense stress around their bodies and relationships with food and themselves. Correct me if I?m wrong, but isn?t STRESS the worst thing for your health? So why are we so focused on weight? 90% of disease is fueled by chronic stress. Our very own dis-ease is causing us to be ill no matter what size or shape we are.
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Trust me, resting is foundational to healing and wellness.? So, breathe through your fear, have faith you won?t become the ?big loser? the diet and fitness gurus tell you you?ll be and focus on restoration this week and beyond.?

Here?s 2 tips to get you started:

Tip 1- Make a NOT TO DO list. This includes not only tasks but things your mind has convinced you your in control of that your not. Here?s an example:

NOT TO DO
Lose weight
Get rid of cellulite
Be Martha Stewart
Fix husband (or wife, or friend, or boss)
Prove myself to my husband (or wife, or friend, or boss)
Keep up with the Joneses
Be the perfect husband (or wife, or friend, or boss)

You get the point?

Tip 2- Discover restorative yoga. The name says it all. Yoga is not about touching your toes and standing on your head. Far from it. It is about being aligned in body, mind and soul so your true nature of light and wellness shines through.

This style of yoga is accessible, and in my opinion, the most beneficial for all. Here are 2 great resources:

An amazing, free restorative class.

An amazing, free video on savasana (relaxation pose) for larger bodies.

May your restore to your fullest Self,
Julie

Julie Norman, nicknamed "The Body Image Guru" by clients, guides women to live authentically healthy lives through peaceful body image, intuitive eating and mindful movement. She blends professional nutrition guidance with the wisdom of yoga to help women transform the ways in which they care for and experience their bodies. She maintains a private practice, REAL Nutrition, LLC, and is the creator of Body Karma Healing, a yoga-based program intended to help women transform body image from painful to peaceful. Julie believes healing individual body image pain helps us heal the world! Get started with her guiding DVD.

Source: http://www.moreofmetolove.com/blogs/entry/de-stress-with-a-not-to-do-list/

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