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I’ve come to fully appreciate that losing weight and keeping it off is both a body & soul proposition.
“Every time you are tempted to react in the same old way, ask if you want to be a prisoner of the past or a pioneer of the future.” ~ Deepak Chopra
For the past several years, I’ve been mostly focused on providing information and recipes to help you nourish your body.
But I think many of us are overfeeding our bodies in an attempt to satisfy hunger deep in our souls.
To help counter this imbalance, I plan on providing more Food for the Soul here on the blog.
I came across this wonderful poem as I was clearing away clutter—disposing of old yoga teacher training materials—and thought it worthy of sharing…
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Let Go Of The Past
By Kathleen O’Brien
Let go of guilt; it’s okay to make the same mistakes again.
Let go of obsessions; they seldom turn out the way you planned.
Let go of hate; it’s a waste of love.
Let go of blaming others; you are responsible for your own destiny.
Let go of fantasies so reality can come true.
Let go of self-pity; someone else may need you.
Let go of wanting; cherish what you have.
Let go of fear; it’s a waste of faith.
Let go of despair; change comes from acceptance and forgiveness.
Let go of the past; the future is here – right now.
What do you need to let go of for lasting weight loss success?
- Obsessive calorie counting?
- Dietary extremes?
- All or nothing thinking?
- Self-hate?
- Overindulgence?
- Starting tomorrow or Monday or someday?
- Giving up?
- The need to be perfect?
- Making excuses?
- Deprivation?
- Putting yourself last?
- Negative self talk?
- Stress?
Need a little help letting go?
The day after I sent out my email and the above poem on letting go for lasting weight loss success, I received an email from one of my favorite yoga teachers providing a specific yoga practice designed to help you relax and let go.
Talk about divine intervention!
As she explains, the mind attains serenity through prolonged exhalation and suspension of breath.
But there is something else that happens when we hold the breath out (comfortably) and linger in that space of stillness between breaths.
It’s a place where there is no need to rush, no need to get somewhere or to do something – it’s just a place to BE.
It is a welcome pause in a life full of activity, and striving, and accomplishing.
It is a doorway to serenity.
The practice in the following yoga video, from Olga Kabel, is a short yoga practice that uses breath and simple movement to help you relax the body, deepen your exhalation and quiet the mind.
It is particularly useful when you feel stressed or overwhelmed.
She calls it the “Doorway to Serenity Yoga Practice.”
Give a try and let me know what you think…
I need to let go of trying to be everything to everyone and not feel guilty about it!
With 3 adult children, their spouses and 10 grandchildren, there’s always something going on and Gramma is always to the rescue!
I’ve managed to lose 60lbs so far but I’m really afraid if I don’t limit my “doing for them” a bit, the weight will come back since I won’t have the time for exercise, meal planning, relaxing etc!
I am letting go of “wanting more”… more food, more chocolate, more stuff! I will be healthier and happier… and have a little more money in the bank!
I need to learn to relax. It’s ok to take a break.
I need to let go of thinking that a bad day= I failed. I struggle so much with letting one bad meal where I give in to the cravings or one day where I forget to track everything means I failed and should just give up. This mentality goes all the way back to elementary school when I sobbed upon earning my first B in 3rd grade. That perfectionist complex has followed me everywhere I go!
I made your slow cooker chicken cacciatore last week and it was delicious! Thanks for sharing so many great recipes. I just joined WW last month and am so glad I found your site!
I need to let go of thinking that a bad day= I failed. I struggle so much with letting one bad meal where I give in to the cravings or one day where I forget to track everything means I failed and should just give up. This mentality goes all the way back to elementary school when I sobbed upon earning my first B in 3rd grade. That perfectionist complex has followed me everywhere I go!
I need to let go of self sabotage, every time I make progress losing weight I resort back to old habits. I can’t quite figure out why I do this.
I need to let go of unhealthy food choices. Thank you so much for all your wonderful weight watchers friendly recipes.
I need to let go of always needing to be in control. I’m trying to relax more and let my husband take care of things…his way.
I just need help to focus on loosing weight. I love you giveaway, thank you. Hugs,
I need to get rid of stress! An aging mother, 90 years of age, just recently moved to assisted living and trying to ready her home of 54 years for sale and keeping up with my own family and health concerns.