January is Anti-Diet Month

You are more than a body: the way you speak to your body matters

Movement can be beneficial, BUT not for everyone

Health is a privilege: navigating the messages your body sends

Your experience is yours, friend; my voice is meant to be a guide. If you try something I recommend and it doesn't feel right for you know that you are allowed to let go of it and try another tool.
Words are powerful. They say actions speak louder than words, however the way we speak to our bodies, or the way we consume messages about bodies in society is very powerful and can be the chains that bind you to thinking negatively about your body.
January is a fantastic month for dieting and wanting to change your body, unfortunately. You are more than needing to change your body, I promise. Your energy is important to the ecosystem WE live in. I am not recommending positive yourself into being positive, no. I am encouraging you to sit with and in the discomfort and be curious about what need you need met.

Tips on speaking to your body. The idea is to state the discomfort and then state the goal; acknowledging the feelings

1. I feel uncomfortable today being around people, so I will support my body by eating before the outing to make sure I am able to be present and regulated

2. This sucks, and I will be okay

3. My body feels uncomfortable in these clothes, and that is okay. I can choose to wear them or change

4. I feel guilty for eating that. I will not stop eating for the day, though
In January we are all hit with the "motivation" of movement or changing diet. You don't need to change anything YOU don't want to or can't, especially movement.

This is not to make excuses, but to bring to light the inaccessibility of movement for many bodies. There are folks who struggle with POTS, Ehlers Danlos, and muscle degenerative diseases, among many other limiting ailments/ailments that need different adjustments. Every day looks different for everyone in general, and those with chronic illness especially.

Tips:

1. Our brains are powerful. If we have a foundation of how movement feels in the body it is an option to visualize the movement.

2. Breathwork literally moves energy around the body. I know there are lung disorders that make breath difficult, and we have to breathe to live, so bringing attention to breath can be helpful for most. (see below for ideas)
Just like in the middle column, we need to remember that health is a PRIVILEGE that not all are given.
Navigating bodies is also a privilege that even I can take for granted.
Living in your body is not something that is readily recommended; it is more recommended now as we hear more encouragements to respect our bodies no matter their size so we can figure out individually how to navigate the world in them.
Tips:

1. When your body gives you a hunger cue (stomach grumbling, mouth watering, thoughts of food, increasing irritation, decreasing patience, etc) how can you respond? What food is safe for you to get into your body so you can then connect and ask "what am I feeling?" "who am I with?" "what is my level of hunger?" "what food will help?"
So, instead of numbing the hunger or ignoring it, begin making your safe space for curiosity. This can be accomplished with the aid of an eating/feeding disorders dietitian or therapist.

2. Regulate. This is also a privilege and we can all practice it in our own space on our own time to prepare for social events where words trigger a negative spiral. What is your go-to regulation- stemming through rocking, humming, singing, pacing, tapping, writing, drawing, etc.?
Pick 1-2 from this list to stimulate your thinking brain to modify it to suit you best.

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dietitian

Hi, I'm Denise!

I walk with people like you to learn to trust your body’s cues and how to respond when it needs to be nourished – body, mind, and spirit. Change is hard. I hope you’ll find an empowering message on this page. You are deserving of a guide to healing and food confidence.

Your intuition is powerful; unlock it today!