...where professional women network with a purpose
The WIN Blog
Welcome to our Health & Wellness Blog
I have had many conversations this week about emotions and how they feed us. Let’s face it, we are all emotional eaters in some way and everything we do pretty much food is in the center of it.
I am very passionate about helping others who have struggled with not only their weight but having the desire to become the best version of themselves and get to the other side. The side that I now have enjoyed for 10 years after releasing 130 pounds and never looking back. The side that has given me a life that I never thought possible and fulfilling dreams I never thought I would fulfill in my lifetime. The side that has given me an opportunity to impact hundreds of people. The side that has given me the gift of being a healthy mom, sister, daughter, aunt, friend, and now a healthy grandma-to-be in June. The side that has given me the ability to change so many lives. The side that has given me the joy to pay it forward to help those who truly desire to want to take charge of their health but have fear of trying again or don’t know where to start because you’ve tried everything!
Here is what I know…. Life is always going to be there. It truly is a journey of self-discovery and learning how to self-regulate in times of uncertainty where we want to fall back into our comfort zones. You see that is the way our brains are programmed. It’s human behavior. When our brains feel fear, pain, or distress we avoid the suffering as much as possible and regress back into our old coping mechanisms — we do more of the unwanted behavior we are trying to stop.
When we make that ONE SIMPLE DECISION to take charge of our health and wellbeing, it’s NOT ALL ABOUT THE FOOD, exercise, or losing weight. Yes, when we start to see results our fire really ignites but then the flame starts to fade. Because it’s about SO MUCH MORE. It’s truly making a DEEP CHANGE and it’s not going to be a PERFECT JOURNEY and NO ONE SAID it’s going to be easy. If we don’t work through what’s eating at us, we will continue to stay in the vicious yo-yo cycle.
DEEP CHANGE is about going deep into change that permeates all aspects of life. It encompasses physical, mental, emotional, relational, existential (purpose) and environmental. You see every dimension of deep health encompasses every area of your life and this is why it’s so much more than ABOUT THE FOOD. It’s about DEEP CHANGE. So, if you are resisting because “I don’t do well with journaling” or “I’m not a reader” or “I can’t find the time”, I encourage you to rethink your thoughts if you truly want to experience deep change because it’s part of the process and it’s part of YOU working through this change of self-realization.
I could go on and on, so I will leave you all with a few questions to ask yourself today for those of you who are feeling stuck, and it is normal to feel stuck. It’s all part of the journey.
And lastly, think about this and DREAM BIG because anything is possible.
I wonder what it would be like if I …
In closing, I never dreamed 10 years ago that I would be transforming lives and inspiring others to be the best version of themselves. If I can do it, so can you!
I know that you have the ability to change. The question lies in WHY you want to change and what is it that you ultimately want. It truly is a journey NOT another DIET DESTINATION. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about a life-changing decision to live a healthy, vibrant, active life so you can live a quality of life with purpose, passion and intention. REMEMBER . . . IT’S NOT ABOUT FOOD!
If you are ready, BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULT today at mariaallshouse.com
With the holiday season upon us, it can be the most wonderful time of the year, or it can cause stress and anxiety.
Whether it's finding the perfect gifts, making meals for several small family dinners, or dressing up your home like a winter wonderland, the holiday season can wear you out!
However, despite the demands of the 2020 holiday season, there are several ways you can minimize stress during this festive time of the year. Consider these tips to keep holiday stressors at bay:
Try the tips above - don't let the holidays overwhelm you. Instead, identify your holiday triggers and address them in advance to thrive this holiday season.
Ask me about other ways to have a stress free holiday!
The holiday season is upon us!! On average, the typical American gains 4-6 lbs over the holiday season. This is WITHOUT a global pandemic (which, by the way, 76% of American adults have already gained 16 or more pounds during the pandemic) happening that has many isolating and stuck in their homes. Below are several tips for this Thanksgiving and into the holiday season:
1) Cook at home more. Studies have found ordering meals out have us eating 250-400 more calories than if we cooked at home.
2) Increase your NEAT: "Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis." The things you do daily outside of your planned activity are what makes a difference! Take the stairs, park the car further away in the parking lot, go for walks, you get the picture.
3) Thanksgiving Day: PLAN ahead. If you are watching your weight, decide what you'd like the outcome of the day to be: one in which you feel bloated and stuffed or one in which you feel satisfied and happy with good choices. That choice alone can set the stage for the rest of the weekend in terms of eating.
It takes very little time to eat a meal. Remember a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips! Is it worth overdoing it?
4) The flavor of any food is found and most pronounced in the FIRST THREE BITES (Research Fact). Keep those desserts and heavy side dishes to three bites or a sliver.
5) Speaking of heavy side dishes: try some healthier versions of favorite dishes. Just because it's better for you does not mean it can't taste great! Start new traditions
6) Fill your plate, first, with the turkey (or whatever protein you are having), vegetables/salads. Again, give little space to those heavy side dishes.
7) Look at your options. What is it that you only have once a year on Thanksgiving? Choose to have small bites and skip maybe some of the things you can get any time (i.e. mash potatoes, etc.)
8) Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
9) Get some accountability. If you are working on releasing weight, ask for support from family and friends.
10) Be sure to get plenty of good quality sleep. Being tired has been closely tied to weight gain (eating highly processed carbs for quick energy).
For more articles or to schedule a complimentary health assessment, visit mariaallshouse.com
Make this a happy and healthy holiday season!
Health and fitness are two of the most significant components that fuel the energy and the quality of our lives. Taking ownership of our health and fitness means we need to accept who we are, take action to reach our health goals, and celebrate our achievements.
Designing your own health and fitness plan can help you stay on track with your healthy habits and eventually achieve optimal well-being. Here are several ways you can begin designing your health and fitness plan:
Please feel free to reach out to me, for other tips and guidance on creating a health & fitness plan!
Did you know that flavor is actually a result of aroma? Our mouths are equipped with taste buds on our tongues and palates that determine whether foods are sweet, bitter, sour, salty, savory, and fatty. With our sense of touch, we can also detect other qualities—temperature, spiciness, and textures like creaminess and crunchiness.
But, how else can scent benefit us? Spas use aromatherapy and essential oils to help several conditions. Certain aromas are said to relieve pain, improve mood, and promote a sense of relaxation.
Take pumpkin, for example. It’s an excellent source of vitamin A, a retinoid considered to be the best age fighter. It helps reduce wrinkles, soften rough patches, and fade sun and age spots, which is why you can find it in so many skin-care products. Put pumpkin to the test by trying these do-it-yourself facials and milk bath. Make the most of this fall season with these pumpkin-related recipes that are sure to stimulate your senses!
PUMPKIN MASK
Mash together all the ingredients and apply. Leave on skin about 15 minutes, and rinse with cool water and facial cleanser.
PUMPKIN MILK BATH If you just can’t get enough of the season’s scents, try this delicious scented and relaxing bath.
Mix ingredients and add to your bath for a delicious skin-softening, dry-skin-relieving, circulation-improving spa treatment.
Ask me about other ways to promote a sense of relaxation.
When kids feel scared or have pain, they can be taught to use the imagination to sooth anxieties, reduce stress, and feel calmer. While some problems, require additional help, when children fall and get scraped, have a medical procedure, or feel upset, teaching them to use mind power is an empowering way to teach them self-mastery. A 5-year-old child was described as being very nervous about an upcoming surgery, according to her mother. When I did breakdown tapping with her, we discovered that her worries were about missing her birthday, not the surgery or anticipatory pain. (The surgery was scheduled on her birthday.) Going to surgery distressed decreases immunity, increases pain, and the risk of complications. It is critical to go to surgery empowered. I taught her a fantasy play technique that brought her lots of joy and relief. It was simple enough for the little girl to do without anyone’s help, and that built her confidence too! Blowing Out the Candles can be used for any distress, including releasing fears. In this case, here's what we did together:
I asked the child to hold up six fingers. Next, we 'lit' every finger with a little ball of sunshine. She wiggled the tip of each finger to 'light the birthday candles.' Next, she made six wishes, one for each finger. Finally, I showed her how to take a big breath in, and to breathe out slowly. In this way she could blow out each sun-lit candle to make sure she could make her wish. (Extending the exhale reduces anxiety!) By the time she finished blowing out the candles, she was completely relaxed and anxiety was reduced to a zero. I guided her to imagine that her entire family, friends, dolls, and classmates were surrounding her as she went to surgery. When the mom called me after surgery, apparently, the little girl blew out finger candles with so many staff members that she could barely stay awake while waiting in the pre-op unit. The little girl created joy with her surgical team... and her condition improved faster than expected. This technique can be used for any mental or physical stress. They can be taught to blow out anger, worry, and pain. This is one example of how to help children have fun, to build resilience and to feel better, when stressed! Try it with your children and grandchildren! After all, imagination is real, right? ❤️
Just like a healthy diet and exercise, sleep plays a vital role in physical health, brain function, and emotional wellbeing. It's essential to be optimally charged every morning to have the drive to power through your day. Here are some ways you can optimize your sleep and manage your energy throughout the day:
To begin just pick one thing from the above list to begin to work on. Once you have that mastered, then pick another. By creating small habits you will set yourself up for better success!
Have a desire to add activity into your day that will lead to better health and wellbeing? The first step you can try is to incorporate NEAT (Non-Exercise Thermogenesis Activity) into your routine, when you are ready, to help burn extra calories. NEAT is the energy expended for everything we do that is not sleeping, eating or sports-like exercise. It ranges from the energy expended walking to work, typing, performing yard work, taking the steps versus the elevators, or parking further away from the entrance of your favorite store.
One NEAT activity that I enjoy performing is walking. It is especially powerful because it's sustainable, safe, and accessible regardless of your fitness level or age. You don't need special equipment, and you can do it almost anywhere: on the treadmill, at the park, or what I like to call my happy place --- the trails.
When you’re ready to put a pep in your step, these tips may be helpful when you are ready to take your walk to the next level:
Don’t underestimate the power behind a good walk! Next time you go for a stroll, consider your goals and adjust your routine to optimize your walk.
Ask me about other ways to enhance your activity if you are looking for new ideas or to mix things up. For more tips, visit my blog at https://mariaallshouse.com/blog/
Two of the most common questions I receive are “How did you address the challenge of emotional eating?” or “How did you overcome addictive foods?”
These questions are often intertwined. On the one hand, the factors in our lives that make emotional eating an obstacle in our journeys are worth exploring. On the other, emotional eating is often difficult to overcome because the foods we eat in these situations have addictive qualities. That creates a cyclical trap that can feel overwhelming and hopeless.
For the emotional eating side of this equation, this topic can be expanded upon and perhaps could be deeper than I am able to address. However, for this blog post, let’s look at the mechanics of addictive foods. If you better understand what makes certain foods addicting, you can make more informed choices about your health.
I could go into great depth on addictive foods, but here are the high points:
Now that you have a better understanding of how the problem works, what can you do about it?
In general, eating healthier will steer you away from eating these kinds of foods, viewing them as what I call "simple pleasures" in life rather than a regular part of your lifestyle.
However, if you are someone who has the addictive predisposition to binge these foods once you’ve had a taste, you should eliminate these foods completely. That might mean simply choosing not to eat them when they are offered to you (cookies and ice cream are my Kryptonite), but more likely it will mean being more proactive with how you build your health bubble.
Here are some tips:
Do you have a sugar addiction? How are you coping? What has worked for you?
Qualities of being kind are things such as generosity, love, consideration, and offering support. You might wonder if you are kind enough. You may also find yourself going out of your way by being extra kind, so others notice your kindness.
But have you ever asked:
how kind are you to yourself? If you aren't, why?
A question like that may fire up a retort, such as "I am not a selfish person"!
There are many reasons we are more kind to others than ourselves, such as being too busy or preoccupied, unresolved early trauma, or low self-esteem. The hurts of life have a shearing way of disconnecting us from the self.
Here's another question:
What if for one week you were as kind to others as you are to yourself?
This exercise might include demeaning rants to anyone who errs, expressing anger and disappointment because someone didn't get everything done on time, or demanding unwavering perfection.
I suspect that friends would have socially distanced from me as a young person. How about you?
I also recall being shocked when I discovered not only the value of self-love and kindness but also that I could intentionally be kind to myself. I didn't have to wait for someone to be kind to me!
Here are two ways to be more kind to yourself:
A neglected body is similar to a vacant home. After a while, the body may have no energy and become lifeless.
When you are kind to the body, you can tune into the subtle messages and learn to respond kindly.
You might notice mood swings and reduce sugar intake, or because of fatigue, say 'no' more often so you can rest. Rather than feeling disgusted, maybe you gently thank the flabby thighs because they remind you it's time to take action.
Kindness releases feel-good hormones in the body and increases vitality.
I recall one of the great pauses when I realized that I live (in my body), and the quality of my life is dependent on how I care for myself. My priorities shifted dramatically.
Thoughts are things, impacting the energetic electrical system of the body. Thoughts might seem immaterial and are dismissed as insignificant. Yet, they fire up a potent neuro-response that affect cell communication between organs and systems.
The body-mind either constricts with tension or expands flow.
Here's how negativity affects you:
Let's say you believe that you "...can't do anything right." This one thought triggers upset, additional negativity, shame, lack of focus, and two extra glasses of wine.
Behind that one statement is a total mind-body experience.
To stop this cascading effect, you can interrupt the pattern.
Here's how:
Next, daydream a time when you showed kindness to someone -- any simple gesture. Replay the daydream for about 30 seconds. Feel the kindness.
Next, with an open heart, imagine the part of you that is struggling with self-kindness.
Ask her what she needs. With an open heart, respond with the same kindness you share with the individual in the daydream.
Yes, you may be kind to yourself.
Sanna Carapellotti, M.S., Cht
Life Changing Energy Therapies