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A New Year's resolution or a constant resolution?

Writer's picture: SylviaSylvia

According to a survey* the most popular New Year’s Resolution was losing weight (36%).


Maybe it was yours, too?



Or maybe it's a constant cycle of resolutions, restrictions, calorie counting, deprivation, joyless food and frustration?


I hear you.


And I know that many people are working super hard by following diets that are joyless and restrictive.


If this is working for you – great, but let's face it, it's not working for many.


So deep down you might be wondering:


'What am I missing?' or 'What's the point?' - because it's frustrating, right?


I hear you.


Let's make one important element clear from the beginning:


The missing piece isn’t another fad diet, you can’t fix eating challenges solely by dieting.


Of course, nutrition is important, because we are – or become – what we eat, right?


But there's so much more to feeling good in your body at your ideal, healthy weight, than dieting, calorie counting and restrictions.


It’s about ensuring both body and mind are part of the equation.


Because a well-regulated nervous system is key – to almost everything – and to a healthy relationship with food in particular.


I invite you to change your strategy by addressing the root cause.


Let's explore nervous system regulation and how it can play a significant role in supporting healthy eating habits and weight management.


Are you a stress eater?


You might have noticed that you have food cravings when you are stressed, right?


The autonomic nervous system regulates our digestion and can play a role in eating behaviour.


In stressful situations, the body's sympathetic nervous system (Fight or Flight) becomes active and we crave comfort food to soothe us in that situation.


By down-regulating an overly active nervous system and bringing it into Rest and Digest (parasympathetic nervous system) we can reduce stress and therefore experience that there's no need to get the comfort from – mostly unhealthy – food.


Are you an emotional eater?


You might be aware of the connection between your eating pattern and your feelings such as anxiety, sadness or simply boredom.


These feelings can also be balanced by regulating the nervous system so that emotional triggers can be managed and the urge to snack (or binge) can be reduced.


Sometimes you hear or read that you can ask yourself “is this emotional hunger or real, physical hunger?” - and this might be something you want to try - although in my experience this is 'just' in the head, so a very intellectual question, rather than really working on the root of the issue.


As soon as you have a well-regulated nervous system,

you are much better equipped to make better decisions and exercise willpower.


When we are in a state of high stress (Fight or Flight) we are more likely to make decisions that we later regret.


Feeling calm and composted can help us to make mindful choices – about food and other things, too.


When living in a well-regulated state becomes your new normal, it can be much easier to stick to your goals – not just in terms of food.


You might also drink less alcohol, have reduced cravings, your sleep might improve and your relationships might be better as you are not in a state of high alert: being on edge, ready to snap at any moment.


As with everything, past trauma can hugely influence our lives,

it creates emotional imprints – and that's certainly true for our relationship with food.


From emotional eating and using food as a reward, to seeking comfort, control or a sense of safety - our relationship with food can be connected to to body image issues and self-worth.


Last but not least, when you are in Rest and Digest (as opposed to Fight of Flight) – digestion works better, as does hormone regulation as hormones control hunger and give us the feeling of being full.


Gut function can improve, which can enhance the absorption of nutrients while regulating appetite and decreasing hunger attacks. Your metabolism will work better and you might feel your energy increase.


Next time you are tempted to go on a diet

– you might want to work with your nervous system instead, especially if you are somebody who's been on umpteen diets already, only to end up disappointed and maybe even angry – which in turn will take you straight into a dysregulated (Fight of Flight) state.


Isn't it time to try something new,

something that might sound radically different, but addresses the challenge at its root?


Please note, that I'm not saying a well-balance nervous system alone can help.


Of course, it's all about what you are eating – so I'm all for a healthy diet which generally means 'real' food as opposed to factory food such as ready-meals or ultra-processed food.


Balancing your nervous system is not your 'get-out-of-jail' card – I'm sure you know this – but it can be a very helpful and extremely supportive approach.


Sadly, the emphasis and also the promises are usually solely on dieting, restrictions, calorie counting etc., sometimes on mental strength and building willpower, but there's more, much more.


So, if you are ready to take your dieting to the next level

and would like to learn how to safely regulate your nervous system with TRE (Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises), let's have a chat.


I'm here for you.


And I've got an additional offer for you.


I'm starting a pilot – combining TRE with nutritional advice – and I am allocating time for three clients only.


As a trained nutritionist in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) I offer consultations and yummy, healthy eating inspiration and guidance.


Oh and to make it super clear: TCM isn't about eating Chinese food, not at all, it's simply an approach to food, its energy and healing capacities.


So we can easily translate these principles to our local food and preferred food choices.


The TCM approach is totally different to the Western

– it views food as a form of medicine that nourishes the body, mind, and spirit.


In TCM, the first consideration is food, followed by – in this order stress release, massage (Tui Na), herbal medicine and acupuncture.


Did you know there are TCM restaurants in China?


First you'll get a health consultation, then you'll get the food that's individually tailored to your requirements.


How cool is that?


And you can enjoy your meals as TCM doesn't involve restrictions, starvation or calories at all.


Eating focuses on enjoyment, balance, harmony and nourishment and foods are classified according to their energetic properties and their nourishment of organs and how they support the flow of Qi (life energy).


If this sparks your interest – let's talk about TCM, too.


Let's do this!


You deserve to feel so much better!


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