Are you worthy?

Do you self sabotage?

Do you feel undeserving of an amazing happy life? 

It is the usual, the voices in your head are asking “am I doing enough?’ ‘am I good enough?’  ‘am I a good mother, wife, friend, employee, pet owner? The list goes on!

Self love is quite a taboo subject in the UK. If you mention it you are either judged to be big headed or a hippy! I discussed this topic with my students this week and they laughed, how silly to talk about loving or liking yourself (goodness me what a crime!). I think it is really sad that young (and older) people can not talk about their self esteem freely. It has taken me a long time to accept, love and respect myself and although there are days when this can slip (we all have our bad days). I know I have worked at my self love, and will not be giving it up for my old ways of thinking and feeling.

Emotional eating is something most of us do to some extent, however for many it is a huge psychological issue. Food can be used as a crutch, a comfort, a release or to numb real feelings.

Being aware of your own triggers for emotional eating is a huge help to overcoming them. As a self confessed emotional eater, I have found that making sure I sleep at least 7/8 hours a night and keeping my blood sugars level has been crucial to my success. If I am tired and or wired, that is a recipe for disaster. However there is much more to eating for the numbing of real feelings.

It is for the most part NOT about discipline, if it was this easy we could discuss working on techniques and sticking to rules etc. There is of course an element of discipline in all overindulgence, however before we even exercise the will power muscle, an awareness of self sabotaging is required. 

If you have lost weight and then gained it again, you have probably felt like I did in the past. Self hatred is self limiting and absolutely useless. Remember that you are working against a society that makes it much easier to be overweight, food manufacturers who are making money out of your bad habits developed over a life time - but it really isn't personal, for the most part they just don’t have your health as one of their priorities. You should though.

Focus on developing a new habit each week/ten days. It is worth writing down small goals e.g. clean my teeth if I want the packet of crisps after 6pm, or eat an apple before bed instead of reaching for the chocolate every day for a week (record how you feel). These small goals are specific, measurable and have timing attached.

Try these tips to reach all of your goals, wether it be losing weight or feeling happier.

Tips:

• Do not make it easy to snack on high sugar snacks - do not have them in the house (lose the excuse that your partner or the kids need them in - you will be improving everyones health).
• Sleep at least 7 to 8 hours every night, if you find this difficult search the internet for helpful tips or get in touch ak.joiedevivre@gmail.com.
• Track what you are eating and when - note how you feel. Awareness is key (myfitnesspal is a good app or just use pen and paper).
• Exercise - even if it is just a brisk walk or some stretches in your home. Do something every day.
• Be kind to yourself - you are a good person, forgive yourself. It is amazing that we would never talk to others in the nasty way we can sometimes do to ourselves.
• Kamal the respected author of ‘love yourself like your life depends on it’ describes his illness and how repeating the mantra ‘I love myself’ was a major factor in him getting better.
• Make a decision today to change your story - do not believe the old victim stories you may have told yourself. You deserve the best. You are bloody amazing!!!!!

Enjoy life, you are worth it, you are good enough and you are doing enough.

Kelly x