When it comes to your health and eating, it’s easy to forget that you are a unique being.
It seems that most people, in their quest for the perfect, flawless body, assume that the latest fad diet advertised on the newsstand must be the way to a better looking version of themselves.
This in itself is not the mindset we want to have, and with it comes to mind twisted notions, such as, “If it worked for my friend, Jane, then it will work for me!” and “If my coworker can lose 10 pounds fast by eating nothing but cottage cheese, so can I!”
But when the peanut butter and celery diet fails, you are left wondering what went wrong. So you jump on the next diet roller coaster that barrels into the public eye, which will only slow down and confuse your metabolism, especially during menopause.
Stop! Don’t blame yourself. There is an answer.
Ready? There is no one right diet that will work for everyone because each and every one of us is unique.
Despite all of the dietary information available today — Vegan Is Victorious, Macrobiotic Is Marvelous, Low Carb Conquers, Raw Food Rules — you remain utterly confused.
You are left with only one tool: Your body’s own wisdom.
Listen to your body
Wait, what? Ya, you read that right: The answer to what and how to eat lies within you, not on the cover of your favorite magazine or on the internet.
It’s fascinating to think of everything you learn in your life. You learn to wake up on time and arrive at school before the bell rings. You learn to either get good grades or fail. You learn to operate bikes, cars, computers, and more.
But when it comes to your own health, you may never take the time to learn how to operate your own system.
It’s your body’s wisdom that will tell you when you are hungry, what you should eat, and for how long you should sleep. You just need to learn to listen to what your body is saying to you.
You may be wondering, “Why can’t I hear any of this then?” Well, your body speaks to you every day. It whispers to you quietly, though, and if you’re not listening, you may miss it.
Somewhere deep inside, as you are craving that hot fudge sundae, your body is talking to you. Perhaps it’s really saying that you are scared, lonely, tired, depressed, happy, angry, or sad, and that what it really needs is some physical touch or a listening ear.
But the hot fudge sundae is easy, and so is that bag of chips; it will work to cover up your feelings…until the next craving.
So how can you begin to listen to your body’s inner wisdom in order to achieve your perfect health? Do you want to reach your ideal weight, feel comfortable in your own skin, balance your hormones, or increase your energy?
There are four steps to getting in touch with the inner wisdom of your body that will send you on the path to a healthier you.
4 Steps to Getting In Touch With Your Body
1. Slow down
Consider that the world is not as face-paced as you think it is. By changing your belief about the world, your view of it will change.
Begin to picture your world as slower and calmer. When you begin to experience stillness throughout your day, your body will thank you. Take a few moments to meditate during your daily routine.
Most people avoid stopping to reflect because they are fearful of what they might discover within themselves.
When you step out of your daily routine and take even just a moment for peace, you quiet the endless chatter in your head and allow your body’s wisdom to speak up.
Pick two times during the day to stop what you are doing, breathe, reflect, and give thanks for your incredible body that breathes, sleeps, and operates each day.
I like to do this first thing in the morning and after work or before bed. For me, reflection is best done through journaling – I write out what I’m grateful for and reflect… 8 reasons why everyone is into journaling these days.
2. Chew your food
Now, I’ve touched on this before – If such a simple step sounds insignificant, think again!
If you come to the table in a rush, your body will remain in the stressful state of the fight or flight response. Imagine your body as it tries to digest food, thinking that it is going to fight a war. It’s impossible!
Your body will choose to store the food for later. (Huh — so that’s how all of those extra pounds got packed on!) Chewing your food allows your digestive juices to do their job by helping you properly assimilate food and absorb nutrients.
Also, chewing your food and experiencing the taste, texture and smell of each bite will lead to a more enjoyable experience.
You can be eating the best food money can buy, but if you are disconnected from the process of experiencing your food, you will never be truly satisfied.
When you relate with your food in this way, you will be less likely to go looking for something else in the pantry an hour later.
3. Eat and listen
This is not your everyday food journal. Keep a log of what you eat every day and how you feel two hours after eating it.
Are you still hungry? Are you too full? Are you satisfied? Is your stomach settled? What are you craving?
By listing not only what you are eating but also how it makes you feel, you will begin making a connection to what you eat and how it affects your digestion, your energy levels and your mood.
You are learning to turn on your inner radar so that you can listen to what your body is telling you. Most importantly, you will create the mind-body connection that is often missing in today’s dining experience.
4. Honor your body
Start by making your health and your body a priority.
Try a new exercise routine, go for a brisk walk, or participate in a yoga class. Need some extra motivation? What about a 30 day fitness challenge with people who can hold you accountable?
If so, let me invite you to join my Facebook Group: we’re a group of accountability buddies working and supporting each other to overcome unhealthy habits and eliminate overwhelm.
When you take time for your health and well-being, you send positive messages to your body, such as, “I honor you and my health. I am in touch with you, so that you can be in touch with me.” Begin to talk to your body as the home of your soul.
Eliminate the negative messages that you subconsciously send to your physical body.
Try this exercise: Begin by standing in front of the mirror naked. (Yes, in the buff, that’s right.) Stand there for five minutes and notice what you love about your body now, not what you used to love about it. Then state it out loud.
Repeat this several times a week until you feel connected to both your physical and emotional self. Concentrate on your inner beauty and your outer beauty will start to follow suit.
When you slow down, chew your food, eat and listen, and honor your body, you will reconnect with that inner voice that tells you each day all you need to know about what to eat, when to eat and how much to eat.
There is no one, single miracle diet that will tell you what your own body needs in order to be happy, fulfilled and healthy. You are your own guide for healthy eating and living.
Until next time!
About the Author
Natalia is a Certified Wellness Coach through the International Association of Wellness Professionals (IAWP), a Yin Yoga Teacher, a #1 Best Selling Author, an Independent International Distributor with Young Living, and holds an MBA and CPA.
Natalia is now dedicated to helping people get back to healthy, clean living so that they can have the energy and mindset to live their best life.
Her passion for wellness and helping people comes through in her blog writing as well as in her signature Make it Happen mentorship program geared towards people who are feeling stuck or in a rut so that they can finally get clear and live their life on purpose.
Before transitioning into her role as a Wellness Coach, Natalia worked at one of the top Canadian Wealth Management firms in Canada, acting not only as a coach and mentor to her staff, but also as acting co-chair and mentor to women enrolled in their Women’s Mentorship Program.
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