That’s all and good, as hey, I’m all about helping people shed some extra weight!  But they’re often forgetting about the REAL results of weight loss.  And it has nothing to do with a number.

Talk to anyone who has lost weight and they’ll tell you so much more in their lives was affected, and not just a number they had in their head.

What do I mean?

Well, if you happen to watch the successful TV. show The Biggest Loser, you get an inside look into their lives.  Especially once they’ve left the camp and are back home continuing the journey of losing weight and applying what they learned.  Almost everyone (well, actually everyone) talks about how their family life has changed.  The relationship with their spouse has improved, the time they spend with their kids is more precious (one reason being is they now have the energy to play or run around with them).  They have much more confidence, and performing better at their jos….I could go on and on.

So if whether or not you watch the show, you get the idea…losing weight goes WAY BEYOND just a number.

So I ask you, what does losing weight really mean to you?  What is the REAL impact is has on your life…and the lives of those closest to you?

Here is a simple, yet powerful tool that I use with my private clients, but I’m going to share with you today.

FIRST — Think about ALL of the benefits of losing weight and how it impacts your life.  Some examples are: clothes fit better, have more energy throughout the day, no more mood swings, depression or irritability, you feel and look better, sleeping better, less stressed (and know HOW to deal with stress better), more self-confidence, etc.  You could go on and on.  So list 20 (yes, twenty!) benefits of losing weight.

SECOND — Now go a bit further and think about how it will affect other areas of your life.  Here a just a few areas that are affected, along with some possible examples:

1)   Family & Relationships. Your spouse and children are now eating healthier as you’re cooking healthier foods.  You can now play with your kids as you have the energy.  You’re spending more quality time with your family whether it be sitting down having meals together, going for a bike ride together, or just talking with them.

2)   Work. You’re more focused, less tired, asking for the promotion, going after the job you really want, attending networking events now (as you feel better about yourself)

3)   Finances & Money. You’re saving money because: you’re eating out a lot less, not buying the daily morning latte, you’re eating less(!), drinking a lot less alcohol, off some of your medications due to getting healthier, etc

4)   Social Life. You’re going out more with friends, being more social, or dating more.  You’re attending more social events because you can “handle” yourself around the food, you have more self-confidence, WANT to be around friends (as opposed to “hiding out” because of your weight), etc.

5) Now think about how all of this affects Your Future in all of those areas.  How your relationships, family, job, finances & money, social life, will be better (and worth more) in the future.

So remember it’s not just about losing pounds – it’s about changing your life.

And in order to do that you need to look and go way beyond the numbers.  That’s the real impact of losing weight.

Transforming your family, your relationships, your social life, your work, your money – in a nutshell, your life!  It’s about becoming the person you were meant to be.  I truly believe we all are here on this earth to lead happy, wonderful, fulfilling lives.  So take the time to look at the real benefits, and not just the number on the scale.  And see how your footprint on this planet will be lighter, but more powerful and leaving a lasting imprint on so many other lives.

©2010 Eat Without Guilt. All Rights Reserved.

This past weekend I did some Spring cleaning, and part of that was going through my closet and getting rid of clothes that didn’t fit.  This is something I do every year, getting rid of clothes I no longer wear or don’t fit me very well anymore.   (I give my clothes to charity, in case you were wondering)

 But it can be hard, tough to let go of the clothes I once fit into.

Sometimes the clothes no longer fit due to age, as my body has changed.  Or it could be due to the exercise (or lack of) I’ve done over the year, again changing my shape.  

Years ago, it was due to the constant dieting, re-gaining, dieting again syndrome.

And I used to hold on to my skinny clothes for YEARS.  Like 10 years.

But as I’ve healed my relationship with food and my body, I no longer hang on to clothes that old (or maybe I should check the BACK of my closet to double check!)

Ever notice how sometimes when we wore those “skinny clothes” we thought we were FAT?  And now we’d give anything to fit back into them! 

So it got me thinking: 

Do we really need to hold on to our skinny jeans? 

Does holding on to clothes that no longer fit really motivate people to lose weight OR could it be holding them back?  

I find there are generally Two Schools of Thought:

Part With Skinny Jeans

Some people say that keeping clothes that no longer fit may actually hurt your self-esteem and hinder your weight loss efforts. Why?   Because they become a constant reminder that you’re not at your “ideal” size.  

And there are those who keep their skinny clothes for years and years (like I used to do).  Some say if you hold on to clothes for too long, it can make you depressed and feel sadness for memories of what could never be again.  Once the clothes are gone, they feel they can go forward instead of living in the past.

Retain Possession of Skinny Jeans

Others say keeping some old clothes, like their skinny jeans, actually does motivate them.  Gives them something to work towards and is a reminder of what they’re aiming for.  And then once they DO fit back into them, they feel a sense of pride and accomplishment.

So I’d like to hear from you.  What are your thoughts?

Does holding on to those “skinny jeans” help or hinder your weight-loss efforts?

©2010 Eat Without Guilt. All Rights Reserved.

It’s hitting the airwaves and news media like a tidal wave.  The news about Oprah and her constant struggle with her weight.

Once a trim, healthy-for-her-body weight of 160 pounds, Oprah has now reached the dreaded 200 pound mark, a number she (nor many of us) does not want to see on the bathroom scale. 

In the latest issue of O Magazine (January 2009) Oprah opens up about why she feels she regained the weight, what she’s learned, and how she plans to change.  The article is candid, open, honest.  She puts it all out there.  There’s no excuses, whining, or blaming of anything, or anyone other than herself, for her actions (or lack thereof).  Kudos to Oprah for being real, being open, and taking responsibility for her body, her life, and how to go about moving forward.

In her article, Oprah says:

“My goal isn’t to be thin. My goal is for my body to be the weight it can hold—to be strong and healthy and fit, to be itself.”

That’s an awesome goal.  And a goal we all should be reaching for.  But there’s something missing.  Something that Oprah is not getting.  The key — the missing link — that holds the answer.   The key to help ALL OF US reach our goals and solve our own weight challenges. 

But before I get to that, I need to address some other questions that are on everybody’s minds, and the ones Oprah tries to answer in her candid article: 

Why?  Why did Oprah REALLY put on the weight?  How did she let this happen?

Really — Oprah, of all people.  I mean, this is a woman who has it all.  With all of the experts and medical doctors she is friends with and has on her show, she knows what to do – heck, we all know what to do, it’s not rocket science:  eat healthier, eat less and move more.  

But why didn’t she (and don’t we all) just do it?  

I mean Oprah has it all:   money, fame, friends, and a hugely successful career (to put it mildly).  

Really.  What DOESN’T Oprah have?  

She is one of the lucky few who have access to (and the money to pay for) the top people in the health, wellness, nutrition and fitness fields.  She has access to personal tainers, chefs, expensive gyms (and probably a home-gym too, I’m sure).  She has all of the tools to make weight-loss and weight-management possible AND easy!  

I mean, really.  She doesn’t come home from a long day of work and have to worry about chopping, preparing and cooking dinner.  

So what is it? 

If one of the richest, most famous, and successful women in the world who has overcome the odds in many areas of her life — if SHE can’t lose weight AND keep it off, then how the heck can YOU? 

If Oprah keeps falling off the wagon, then how on earth are YOU going to stay on track??

©2010 Eat Without Guilt. All Rights Reserved.

 
Can you imagine a life without the chains of dieting and constantly trying to control your weight? A life without rules, restrictions, and being told to eat the right foods?

Image just how wonderful it would feel to wake up every morning without having to face the scale, without having to count calories, without having to eat foods you don’t like that leave you unsatisfied.

Imagine….

• being able to wear clothes you love and feel good in
• thinking of food only when you’re hungry
• finding real pleasure in eating 
• eating your favorite foods without constantly counting calories or fat grams… and 
• not feeling guilty – ever again!

Think of how liberating it would be to feel truly nourished.  Of being able to eat and stop when you’re full — and KNOWING when you’re full.

You CAN eat and not have to settle for the “healthy option” all of the time.  It is possible.

NO gimmicks, fancy foods or expensive items to buy.  NO chanting or repeating mantra’s all day.  NO need to completely turn your lifestyle upside down.

Just simple, easy advice that FITS fits into your lifestyle and leaves you feeling alive and full of energy — and being in control.  

I can show you how.

Discover a whole new way of eating, looking at food, and loving your body.  Learn how to create a healthy relationship with food…and the unwanted pounds will come off — without ever having to worry about putting them on again.  Ever!

Let the Eat Without Guilt principles be your passport to freedom from dieting.

Contact me and I’ll help you taste the freedom — it’s divine!

©2010 Eat Without Guilt. All Rights Reserved.

And then we all have the “shoulder angel” and “shoulder devil” talking to us.  You know, those voices in our heads, the two that constantly fight with each other about what to do.

You’ve probably seen them in cartoons.  On one side of the shoulder is an angel, representing good or “our conscience.”  On the other shoulder is the devil, representing bad or “tempation.”  

It seems these two follow us around, especially during the holidays.  You’ll be at the Thanksgiving table and all the delicious  food is being passed around.  You have those two guys on your shoulder.  The good one says, “Oh no, I can’t give up on my weight-loss efforts and my dream of being slim.  I’ve given up before and can’t do it again this year.”   While the bad one says, “Hey, it’s Thanksgiving for crying out loud.  You’re supposed to gorge yourself, it’s okay.  It’s only one day.”

So who to listen to?  If you eat like you normally do on Thanksgiving, then you’ll feel terrible afterwards, and then feel shame for giving up and not realizing your dream.  But if you diet and watch what you eat, then you miss out on all the fun.  

There’s no way to win, right?  Wrong!  

But what to do?  Listen to the shoulder angel or the shoulder devil?? 

Well, the answer is…both!

You see, Thanksgiving is about enjoyment.  Enjoying spending time with family, while being thankful for all that you have.  But at the same time, you have to understand the difference between enjoyment and gluttony.  It’s about having balance.

Here are some things to think about which can help you find that balance:

Get Rid of the Pressure

There’s already so much pressure on the holidays, there’s no need to add more to it by restricting yourself. Many experts will tell you to eat low-fat versions of your favorite foods, or only eat when you’re hungry, or even “wear tight-fitting clothes” so you’re less tempted to overeat!   Personally I disagree with these.  Besides, easier said than done, right!

In my opinion, this isn’t the time to be eating low-fat foods.  Thanksgiving is a day for enjoyment — to enjoy the food and being in the company of family and friends. 

What’s more important to you on Thanksgiving?  Eating a low-fat food, or spending time with family or catching up with friends?  Let these be your focus for the day and not the pressure of the food.

Take Pleasure

Thanksgiving is one of those days when you should allow yourself to be fulfilled and enjoy the foods.  

Take off the chains of dieting.  Don’t restrict yourself from eating your favorite foods. Thanksgiving is supposed to be pleasurable.  

If Aunt Suzie makes your favorite pecan pie, then go ahead and have some.  But enjoy it — really enjoy it.  Take the time to savor it.  Your aunt probably put a lot of time and effort into making the pie, so honor the food and enjoy it mindfully. 

Realize it’s Okay to Overeat

Don’t worry if you overeat a little.  It’s okay.  No one is perfect and it’s quite normal to eat a bit more than you normally do. The weight will come off later when you go back to eating more healthy.

At the same time, if you miss out on some of the food, that’s fine too.  You don’t have to eat ALL of your favorite foods, just eat some.  There will always be another occasion to eat those other foods.  We live in a world of abundance and it’s not like you won’t see that food again.

As always, it’s up to you what and how you eat.  If you really want to overindulge, that’s okay.  If you want to be careful and not eat too much, that’s fine too.  Just don’t feel guilty afterwards. 

Thanksgiving is one of those days when you should allow yourself to indulge a little and enjoy the foods. It’s supposed to be pleasurable, you just need to take away the “pressure” of doing everything right.  

So relax…. and enjoy!

©2010 Eat Without Guilt. All Rights Reserved.

Many years ago I was invited to spend some time in Italy.  After a tiring but adventurous morning of walking and exploring the island of Capri, my friend and I were hungry and ready for a good lunch.  But we didn’t want to eat at a typical tourist restaurant. 

We wanted an authentic meal and experience.

After what seemed like an hour of searching, we stumbled upon a restaurant nestled on the edge of the island overlooking the Mediterranean — the perfect place!   We sat outdoors on the veranda shaded by the trees, grape vines, and had a light breeze from the water. 

It felt like we could literally reach out and touch the sea.

We had a lunch of grilled peppers, melon and prosciutto, fresh pasta, fish, crusty bread, and in true Mediterranean fashion — had a carafe of the house red wine.  We had 2 hours of leisurely eating, drinking, relaxing and the occasional chat with the restaurant owners.

That day, I experienced what the Mediterranean diet & lifestyle is all about:  plenty of exercise, delicious food in reasonable portions, eating at a relaxed pace, and taking pleasure in the meal.  I felt wonderful!

Earlier this week I attended the 15th Annual Mediterranean Diet Conference, where I heard about the latest and up-to-date scientific evidence about the Mediterranean diet from some of the world’s most renown experts in nutrition. 

I heard all the latest statistics from research showing that the Mediterranean Diet is good for you.

I heard why we should be eating certain foods, and not others.

But at the conference I was surrounded mostly by nutritionists and dietitians.  Nothing against them and they do good work — but they have been taught to base their knowledge solely on science.  They tell people how many fat grams, carbohydrates, ounces of meat, sugar, diary, etc. that everyone needs.  The basically follow the USDA Pyramid and the concept that everyone should follow the same “rules.”

I’m not a proponent of diets, and don’t believe we all should be eating the same foods to say healthy and slim. 

I also don’t believe we should always be looking at science to tell us what to eat.  I mean, it was the scientists in the 80’s and 90′s who told us to eat a low-fat diet, which we now know DO NOT WORK. 

 With all that said — the Mediterranean diet is not really a “diet” in the true sense, where one has to follow a very strict regimen.  The traditional diets of the Mediterranean vary from country to country, as the term “Mediterranean” refers to regions in 16 countries, including Italy, France, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Morocco, Tunisia and Israel, and eight other countries.

The main foods of the Mediterranean diet ARE very healthy, and incorporating some of them into your meals can help you eat better and lose weight.  

At the conference, the proponents of the Mediterranean diet did include a NEW component:   the social aspect.

Eating with others and the respect for time at the table. 

This is something that years ago changed that way I looked at food and helped me live a healthier life.

But at the conference, these scientists, nutritionists and dietitians only touched on that subject.  It was simply a very small side-bar.  Everything they talked about was based on the FOOD and SCIENCE, and not our relationship to food, how we view it, the role culture has in it, food preferences, and our conflict between eating for health and eating for pleasure.

From my personal experience living in France, traveling and studying in Italy, in addition to my travels to other parts of the Mediterranean — eating for pleasure  was KEY.  

We need to have an appreciation & love of genuine food and the enjoyment of food with others.  The Mediterraneans (and other cultures) have understood this concept for hundreds of years.

It’s not just the food that makes them healthy…

It’s also their approach to food, their relationship to it, their respect for it, and the belief ALL FOOD is good for you if eaten in moderation.  They don’t stress out at every meal worrying about calories, fat grams, and carbohydrates.  They look at food as something positive — NOT as something that can make them fat or thin.  They take part in what I call “positive eating.”

THAT’S what I experienced in the Mediterranean.  Not counting, weighing, and agonizing over what I was eating.  I learned how to eat without guilt, while having a healthy approach to – and relationship with – food.

THAT’S A KEY ISSUE as to why the Mediterranean people are healthy & slim.  

It’s the food they eat AND their relationship to it.

So for your next meal, in addition to incorporating & eating some of the healthy foods of the Mediterranean — also take a positive approach and enjoy the food (and wine) with others.  Look at it as something you enjoy and not something you agonize over.

You just might get a glimpse into the same wonderful feeling I had eating lunch that day in Capri. 

Okay, you won’t have the Mediterranean Sea in front of you…but you can still find enjoyment, feel a connection with others, and have a better relationship with food.  The more you do this, the more you’ll start to feel better and lose some weight in the process.

That’s what the Mediterraneans understand — it’s Mediterranean living – and not just a Mediterranean diet, that makes them healthy and slim.

What do YOU think?  Do you agree or disagree?  

What have you experienced in your travels as to why people in the Mediterranean (or other cultures) are healthy and slim?

©2010 Eat Without Guilt. All Rights Reserved.