Suzanne Matthiessen, Ch.T
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Many nutritionists and dieticians agree the problem with typical Western-style diets is not only the quantity and quality of the food we eat, it's also under what conditions we consume it. You can choose to go on a diet that implements restrictions and rules on food intake that produces some level of success - as well as a fair amount of rebellion-based failure. The failures occur because long-term lifestyle change cannot take place if people are not taught the What, When, Where, Why and How of eating in order to relate to food differently, and as a result, facilitate mindful change via becoming educated and aware of the multiple processes involved in doing so.
Mindful Eating is not a fad or a diet, it is a way
of everyday life that helps to give you your power and freedom
back over your food consumption, and to then lead by positive,
productive, healthy example to those you care about.
As with all aspects of deliberate mindfulness, it requires accepting
yourself in the now, while also being proactive about improving
that which you have control over by being informed, paying
attention, and being accountable for the thoughts, choices,
actions and behaviors you undertake.
Many who teach mindful eating classes don't go into much depth regarding what is being consumed; the emphasis is more on the how – paying attention to the sensory experience of eating itself, not being judgmental regarding the whys, whens, wheres, as well as being present and not focusing on future goals regarding weight loss or gain.
This is all excellent and beneficial, yet as someone who began reading labels and eating organic and healthy food when I was twelve years old, and who feels people fuel their cars better than they fuel their bodies, I am baffled as to why such a crucial component of what we eat is not highly focused upon by everyone who teaches about eating mindfully. And often, many current mindful eating programs fail to address the underlying emotional issues that drive unhealthy consumption habits.
My Mind-Body Coaching for Mindful Eating and Balanced Weight Management Private and Group Program places equal attention on all the above. Clients and students are armed with an array of knowledge tools and techniques to assist them in gaining mastery over unhealthy eating patterns instead of being a slave to what prompts them in the first place:
Become mindfully aware about the What, When Where, Why and How you eat - and how to be the master - and not the slave - over food consumption:
• Let go of the past and begin again. Cultivate a healthy and mindful relationship with food in the present as an everyday lifestyle choice, not as temporary fix or means to attain a future goal.
• Honor your body and your entire digestive process.
• Learn how to pay attention in order to recognize true hunger. Cravings for snack foods can be emotion-based hunger, not real hunger.
• Increase awareness of the sensations, feelings and thoughts connected with food and eating, and to be present and not distracted during every meal and snack.
• Become mindful about portion control. Eat until you are satiated and not over-filled. You don't have to clean your plate if you are no longer hungry!
• Identify consumption triggers: Mindful Process Journaling™ will help to identify ingrained patterns in emotional eating, peer/family pressure eating, environmental- and advertisement-triggered eating; become aware of and present with your emotions and feelings while eating; what, when where, why and how much was eaten, and emotions and feelings after eating. Mindful self-inquiry as to what's eating you?
• Learn simple, effective self-hypnosis techniques to help you bypass those old pattern consumption triggers, eliminate cravings for unhealthy foods and deal with rebellion and resistance. Reframe weight loss into health gain.
• Manage stress in a healthy, mindful way. Discover alternative, healthy options and activities for the comfort and/or stress coping that food has provided you.
• Nurture and strengthen healthy self-acceptance, self-esteem, a healthy body image, and positive well-being with mindful therapeutic imagery.
• Become educated and aware of where your food comes from, to be able to make conscious, informed decisions.
• Replace unhealthy foods with healthy ones. Learn how to read labels and interpret nutritional percentage breakdowns. Eat a balanced diet and healthy snacks for optimal nutrition and blood sugar stability.
• What to eat when you eat out, at a party, and with family and friends who may not be as mindful about food as you are becoming. Learn how to desensitize yourself from criticism and tactics from others intended to throw you off center.
Please click here to learn more about Mind-Body Coaching and Training with Suzanne.
Please Note:
Suzanne does not diagnose blood sugar related diseases food allergies/sensitivities, or eating disorders, nor does she prescribe any particular diet or nutritional programs. General information is given; if there are specific diet/health issues, any significant dietary changes must be approved by a medical doctor. Eating disorders stem from emotional issues as well as peer and societal pressures, and Suzanne will only allow people who have eating disorders to attend her classes or receive coaching assistance with concurrent treatment by, and written permission from their medical doctor and psychiatrist. If you have 25 pounds or more to lose, and/or have other health conditions, after your initial consultation session with Suzanne, you must have a written physician referral before subsequent sessions can be booked or attend her group classes.
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