Is your food “bad”?

Certain foods can be labeled “good” or “bad,” causing us to place a value judgment on them. But food is neither good or bad, it is simply food. However, if we eat what we see as “bad” food, we feel ashamed of ourselves, which hurts our self-esteem. So why do that? Are we not entitled to taste those foods now and then? If you “beat yourself up” for eating the forbidden food, then you may want to really binge, and the vicious negative cycle of “bad” food and feeling like a “bad” person spirals out of control.

When we stop denying ourselves foods we enjoy, we can stop feeling deprived. We should realize that it is acceptable to taste the foods that we love, and eat those foods without feeling guilty. We, then, won’t feel the need to binge. We can choose to eat a modest amount and really taste and enjoy. We can find a good balance by respecting ourselves and our choices.

Excerpt from the award-winning book Lose the Diet. Copyright by Kathy Balland. Get Lose the Diet now on Amazon!

How to look like a star: Get an air-brush.

As you look at the actors and actresses who have the “perfect” bodies, be aware that those people have personal trainers and chefs who help them on a day-to-day basis to maintain that level of fitness. In fact, there was an article in which a famous actress admitted that it was not fair to the average person to compare themselves to her, since she had the time and money to invest in her appearance.

And don’t forget that many of the photos of the stars and models we see are artificially enhanced. This adds to the misconception that we can achieve that look. We should strive for health and fitness, but we can all drive ourselves crazy by trying to emulate the perfect air-brushed photos.

Unfortunately, some people go overboard trying to duplicate the image of a perfect body, and the result can be ill health. What usually happens is we begin dieting and yo-yo through life as we keep fighting to lower our weight — and then gain even more pounds back when we revert back to the same old eating habits after slowing down our metabolism.

Excerpt from the award-winning book Lose the Diet. Copyright by Kathy Balland. Get Lose the Diet now on Amazon!

Love Yourself and Lose the Weight

First of all, just a friendly reminder: The more we tell ourselves not to eat something the more we want it. Whether you call it the Law of Attraction, or the workings of the subconscious mind, the more you say “no, no, no!” the more the mind hears “yes, yes, yes!” So, stop depriving yourself. Let go. Enjoy. And above all, don’t feel bad when you do. The result is that you will have less of a chance of going overboard with the goodies that you feel so desperate to eat due to deprivation.

Be yourself. In other words, be realistic. Some people cannot physically be a size two, including me. (I’m simply not built for it.) After all, some of us have the bone structure of a bulldozer. But what’s wrong with that? Isn’t it great that we are all different?

Love thyself: It’s time we love ourselves for who we are. And when we do, we magically become more able to achieve a healthy weight. Perhaps it’s a hard lesson to learn, but it’s a great one.

Enjoy the food with those you love. And if they cannot be here with you, remember them in spirit. Cherish the memories. Savor the foods that you enjoyed in the past, and be true to yourself.

Above all: Connect with yourself. Connect with those you care about. Breathe, relax, let go and enjoy. And when you do, your mind, body and soul will thank you.

“Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.” – Lucille Ball

Get the award-winning book Lose the Diet now at: http://www.amazon.com/Lose-Diet-Transform-Connecting-Soul/dp/0982183100/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277594052&sr=8-1