Your joyous and creative nature is the voice of your spirit. Perhaps you have heard people say that they are not creative. Maybe you are one of those people. If you think you are not creative, you are wrong. Believing that you are not comes from faulty messages received from others that you have taken in and regarded as your truth.
The truth is we are spiritual beings and each of us has gifts to be appreciated and shared. Perhaps your creativity has been suppressed. You may have heard comments that your coloring was not precisely inside the lines or maybe you chose green, purple or brilliant orange for the hair of the characters you were coloring and were told that the colors you chose were not appropriate. Chances are you learned to abandon your urges in favor of coloring pictures that would gain approval. How sad to think that the effervescent being that you were had to conform to society’s standards.
Our creative self is curious, playful and mischievous. This is our spiritual self. We are glorious, joyful beings who have been swept up in the complexities of this material world and have lost touch with the magic deep within our souls. We can do something about this and, to be truly happy, we must.
We need to rekindle our spiritual flame and recapture our essence – our joy, freedom and playfulness. We may know this on some deep, intuitive level, but how to do so is the question. We may feel confused and disconnected from each other as well as from ourselves and our spirits. The first step is reconnection.
So… do something today that will help you connect with the wonderful spirit that is you. Call a friend and go for a walk or bike ride. Pick up your Chew doll and tell it all your woes, then put it back on the shelf and leave the Chew to take care of your problems – leaving you free to have fun! Pull out that old sketch book and “play” at art. Dance around the house in your pajamas. Pick up your hairbrush and use it as a microphone while you sing at the top of your lungs! Be creative. Play. Enjoy life and food won’t be calling you so loudly. Emotional eating will become a distant memory!
My very warmest wishes,
Dr. Denise
Monday, January 26, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Too Busy or Not Busy Enough?
I have noticed that many of my clients say they cannot attend to themselves properly as they are “too busy” to give themselves the time and attention they need. Other clients say that because they are not “busy enough” they fight boredom and do so by using food to fill their time and their emptiness. Interesting isn’t it that we each can blame our circumstances for our failure to give ourselves personal attention.
So, what is “too busy” and what is “not busy enough?” There really is not right answer to this question because the answer is different for each of us. The commonality is the tendency to blame “out” when we fail to care for ourselves instead of looking within to figure out what we need/want to have be different. It is an inside job!
This is hard for some people who prefer to cast blame on circumstances and shirk the responsibilities of self care. These folks are likely to give up and proclaim that if their life were different they could then fit in time for themselves. These folks are in denial I’m afraid. No life is perfectly balanced at all times. Sometimes we may be over-busy and then have a little too much free time at others.
It is up to you to take the reins of your day into your own hands and make yourself absolutely top priority. There will never be the perfectly balanced day so it is up to you to make your self care number one top priority no matter if you are racing around over-busy or sitting idly in front of the television with a bag of chips.
As a friend recently said, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me.” That says it all! I encourage you to look at your lifestyle and to build in the best possible times to care for yourself. This will end emotional eating most of the time and you will have more energy and balance.
By the way, this month Real Simple Magazine has an interview with me about emotional eating. And did you catch the article in Spa Magazine in the Sept/Oct issue?
Meanwhile, I wish you my very best!
So, what is “too busy” and what is “not busy enough?” There really is not right answer to this question because the answer is different for each of us. The commonality is the tendency to blame “out” when we fail to care for ourselves instead of looking within to figure out what we need/want to have be different. It is an inside job!
This is hard for some people who prefer to cast blame on circumstances and shirk the responsibilities of self care. These folks are likely to give up and proclaim that if their life were different they could then fit in time for themselves. These folks are in denial I’m afraid. No life is perfectly balanced at all times. Sometimes we may be over-busy and then have a little too much free time at others.
It is up to you to take the reins of your day into your own hands and make yourself absolutely top priority. There will never be the perfectly balanced day so it is up to you to make your self care number one top priority no matter if you are racing around over-busy or sitting idly in front of the television with a bag of chips.
As a friend recently said, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me.” That says it all! I encourage you to look at your lifestyle and to build in the best possible times to care for yourself. This will end emotional eating most of the time and you will have more energy and balance.
By the way, this month Real Simple Magazine has an interview with me about emotional eating. And did you catch the article in Spa Magazine in the Sept/Oct issue?
Meanwhile, I wish you my very best!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Make Today Count
So what will you create today? Many of us go through the majority of our days on auto-pilot. We get up, shower, dress, maybe eat and then are off to work or we get involved in things at home. The first thing we know it is the end of the day. We may eat supper, watch TV or read and then we collapse into bed and the alarm clock soon warns us that it is time to get up and do it all over again. Days, weeks, months or years later, we look back and say, “Where did that time go?” Then we wonder what we did and why we don’t feel better. It is no surprise that so many of us eat to dull our feelings. Emotional eating is one way many of us have learned to cope with the boredom and disappointment that a "no think" lifestyle promotes.
It is easy to go through each day on auto-pilot but is that really what you want to do? Existing in a “no think” may be customary for you but what would you like your day to be instead?
How can you make today count? Please take a little bit of time each day to ask yourself this vital question. Mix up your routine a bit. Give yourself some time to play, to be joyful and to relax. Perhaps you can forego a half hour of television to engage in some activity or pastime you enjoy. What could you do differently today?
Think about you day as a gift and consider what is the very best way to use that gift today. Maybe you would like to call a friend you haven’t connected with lately, visit someone you’d like to see. Allow time to soak in a warm bath or to read a book you are enjoying. Give to yourself and you will consequently have more time and more energy for everything and everyone else.
Funny how that is!
Be the creator today and create your day as you would like it to be. Do this consciously. Do this daily and watch how much better you feel and how little importance you give to food. It will make all the difference!
It is easy to go through each day on auto-pilot but is that really what you want to do? Existing in a “no think” may be customary for you but what would you like your day to be instead?
How can you make today count? Please take a little bit of time each day to ask yourself this vital question. Mix up your routine a bit. Give yourself some time to play, to be joyful and to relax. Perhaps you can forego a half hour of television to engage in some activity or pastime you enjoy. What could you do differently today?
Think about you day as a gift and consider what is the very best way to use that gift today. Maybe you would like to call a friend you haven’t connected with lately, visit someone you’d like to see. Allow time to soak in a warm bath or to read a book you are enjoying. Give to yourself and you will consequently have more time and more energy for everything and everyone else.
Funny how that is!
Be the creator today and create your day as you would like it to be. Do this consciously. Do this daily and watch how much better you feel and how little importance you give to food. It will make all the difference!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Oprah's Program and The Taming of the Chew
Oprah, one of the most powerful women in the world, is promoting a holistic program to help us achieve balance and focus on loving ourselves and giving ourselves what we truly desire and deserve. The “weight” issue is not about food; it is about accepting ourselves as we are and committing to take the very best, most loving care of ourselves in every aspect of our lives.
Oprah is now addressing the physical, emotional, social and spiritual reasons why so many of us have spent years feeling frustrated and discouraged and repeatedly regaining weight we have struggled so valiantly to lose. Her holistic program is precisely the program outlined clearly in The Taming of the Chew. Those thousands of you who have read my book already know the information Oprah is communicating. You already know that feeling wonderful and living lives of balance and joy come through our attention to ourselves as we negotiate the twists and turns of our own lives.
I would really love to have Oprah read The Taming of the Chew. I truly believe she would find it to be a valuable asset for herself and helpful in her work as she shares her important messages of total self-care with us, her viewers and readers.
I am writing today to ask for your help. If you are willing and you believe that The Taming of the Chew is indeed a helpful resource, would you please take a minute to send a message to Oprah telling her so? And, if you know others who would be willing to endorse the book, please pass this along.
Thank you so much for your help! I really appreciate it!
You can cut and paste in this message or write a note of your own:
Go to: https://www.oprah.com/plugform.jsp?plugId=220
Dear Oprah,
I am writing to encourage you to read The Taming of the Chew by Dr. Denise Lamothe. It has helped thousands of people as they have faced their own weight challenges. This amazing little book is a holistic guide to understanding and stopping overeating. In it Dr. Denise addresses the physical, emotional, social and spiritual causes of overeating and outlines effective ways to achieve balance and joy – to be happy, healthy and whole. I recommend it highly!
Oprah is now addressing the physical, emotional, social and spiritual reasons why so many of us have spent years feeling frustrated and discouraged and repeatedly regaining weight we have struggled so valiantly to lose. Her holistic program is precisely the program outlined clearly in The Taming of the Chew. Those thousands of you who have read my book already know the information Oprah is communicating. You already know that feeling wonderful and living lives of balance and joy come through our attention to ourselves as we negotiate the twists and turns of our own lives.
I would really love to have Oprah read The Taming of the Chew. I truly believe she would find it to be a valuable asset for herself and helpful in her work as she shares her important messages of total self-care with us, her viewers and readers.
I am writing today to ask for your help. If you are willing and you believe that The Taming of the Chew is indeed a helpful resource, would you please take a minute to send a message to Oprah telling her so? And, if you know others who would be willing to endorse the book, please pass this along.
Thank you so much for your help! I really appreciate it!
You can cut and paste in this message or write a note of your own:
Go to: https://www.oprah.com/plugform.jsp?plugId=220
Dear Oprah,
I am writing to encourage you to read The Taming of the Chew by Dr. Denise Lamothe. It has helped thousands of people as they have faced their own weight challenges. This amazing little book is a holistic guide to understanding and stopping overeating. In it Dr. Denise addresses the physical, emotional, social and spiritual causes of overeating and outlines effective ways to achieve balance and joy – to be happy, healthy and whole. I recommend it highly!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Nurture Yourself
Take heart! We are now moving out of the darkness and into the light. The long, cold days of winter darkness will gradually get shorter now that the solstice has passed and we will see just a wee bit more light as each day lengthens as we move towards springtime. Yes, it is a hopeful time and a time to really think about replenishing yourself.
Many of us have struggled with power outages and frozen pipes and it isn’t even January yet….BUT there will be a little more light each day now and that will help us to move through whatever further challenges the winter brings. Some of you live in warmer climates others in frigid ones as do I. No matter where you are, however, it is a good time to think about the ending of this year and the start of the next. It is a time to reevaluate the choices you have been making and to make plans to nurture yourself into the best physical and emotional wellness and balance possible as you journey forward.
It is tempting at this time of year to hibernate and feed ourselves. We are likely to be less active and to park ourselves on the couch more often with a mug of hot chocolate and a fistful of cookies. The winter can be prime time for emotional overeating and so it is helpful to focus on the return of light and the movement towards the warmth of springtime.
Spend quiet time contemplating ways to transform old, unhealthy behaviors into positive, life giving ones. Light a candle and reaffirm your intention to treat yourself with love and respect. This is the task as you approach the new year and gain about two minutes of light each day. It is a time to appreciate yourself and to nurture yoursef to the very best of your ability.
Be well and stay warm,
Dr. Denise
Many of us have struggled with power outages and frozen pipes and it isn’t even January yet….BUT there will be a little more light each day now and that will help us to move through whatever further challenges the winter brings. Some of you live in warmer climates others in frigid ones as do I. No matter where you are, however, it is a good time to think about the ending of this year and the start of the next. It is a time to reevaluate the choices you have been making and to make plans to nurture yourself into the best physical and emotional wellness and balance possible as you journey forward.
It is tempting at this time of year to hibernate and feed ourselves. We are likely to be less active and to park ourselves on the couch more often with a mug of hot chocolate and a fistful of cookies. The winter can be prime time for emotional overeating and so it is helpful to focus on the return of light and the movement towards the warmth of springtime.
Spend quiet time contemplating ways to transform old, unhealthy behaviors into positive, life giving ones. Light a candle and reaffirm your intention to treat yourself with love and respect. This is the task as you approach the new year and gain about two minutes of light each day. It is a time to appreciate yourself and to nurture yoursef to the very best of your ability.
Be well and stay warm,
Dr. Denise
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Before you binge...
Before you binge, take a few minutes to close your eyes and figure out what you're feeling. If you attend appropriately to your feeling, the urge to binge will likely pass. (For example, If you are lonely, call a friend; tired, take a nap; bored, read a book.)
Use the remedies in the Bach Flower Emotional Eating Support Kit. This contains three extremely powerful and effective essences:
Cherry Plum keeps you in control, Crab Apple improves body image and Chestnut Bud helps you stop sabotaging yourself again and again as your stress levels keep rising rise and your waistline contiues to expand. These all-natural remedies, derived from flowering plants and trees, are safe, effective and can be used without the worry of side effects. The Bach Original Flower Remedies provide a calming positive aid to balancing emotions and restoring energy.
When the urge to overeat strikes and you know it isn't physical hunger, it will help to distract yourself for a short while. (For example, take a little walk, meditate, just sit and breathe, prayer helps as well.)
Be sure your nutritional needs are adequately met. If you haven't giving your body the nutriants it really needs, it will continue to send hunger messages and it won't matter if you eat a tub full of pasta or a bowl of candy, you will still experience hunger until you are so over-filled that you don't feel well. Also, stay hydrated as dehydrathion can mask itself as hunger.
Remind yourself of all your blessings and enjoy your special holiday.
warmly, Dr. Denise
Use the remedies in the Bach Flower Emotional Eating Support Kit. This contains three extremely powerful and effective essences:
Cherry Plum keeps you in control, Crab Apple improves body image and Chestnut Bud helps you stop sabotaging yourself again and again as your stress levels keep rising rise and your waistline contiues to expand. These all-natural remedies, derived from flowering plants and trees, are safe, effective and can be used without the worry of side effects. The Bach Original Flower Remedies provide a calming positive aid to balancing emotions and restoring energy.
When the urge to overeat strikes and you know it isn't physical hunger, it will help to distract yourself for a short while. (For example, take a little walk, meditate, just sit and breathe, prayer helps as well.)
Be sure your nutritional needs are adequately met. If you haven't giving your body the nutriants it really needs, it will continue to send hunger messages and it won't matter if you eat a tub full of pasta or a bowl of candy, you will still experience hunger until you are so over-filled that you don't feel well. Also, stay hydrated as dehydrathion can mask itself as hunger.
Remind yourself of all your blessings and enjoy your special holiday.
warmly, Dr. Denise
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Holiday Party Survival
The holidays are here and this means extra parties, extra goodies and sometimes extra pounds. Here are just a couple of ideas to help you stay on track yet still have fun during the festivities.
Eat before you get to the party so you won't be so hungry upon arrival -- I suggest some fruit and protein, like a cheese stick, an apple and some whole grain crackers.
When we feel better emotionally, psychologically, we naturally take better care of ourselves and make better choices so give yourself some "nurturing" time before the festivities begin, like taking a nap, meditating, enjoying a nice country walk if your climate permits.
Something that has been VERY helpful for my clients is to take an index card and write a list of reasons you want to be in control and eat well at all times, such as "I want to feel proud of myself when tonight is over" or "I want to continue the great work I am doing on being healthy and I know if I go overboard tonight that it will be a terrible setback" or, my favorite, "I am worth taking the very best care of myself." When things feel tough and you are tempted to do some emotional eating, slip away to a quiet place like the rest room and read your card. This will bring you back to center.
Limit alcoholic beverages. When we over drink, we are most likely to overeat as well.
Enjoy yourself but treat yourself with the love and respect you deserve!
warmly, Dr. Denise
Eat before you get to the party so you won't be so hungry upon arrival -- I suggest some fruit and protein, like a cheese stick, an apple and some whole grain crackers.
When we feel better emotionally, psychologically, we naturally take better care of ourselves and make better choices so give yourself some "nurturing" time before the festivities begin, like taking a nap, meditating, enjoying a nice country walk if your climate permits.
Something that has been VERY helpful for my clients is to take an index card and write a list of reasons you want to be in control and eat well at all times, such as "I want to feel proud of myself when tonight is over" or "I want to continue the great work I am doing on being healthy and I know if I go overboard tonight that it will be a terrible setback" or, my favorite, "I am worth taking the very best care of myself." When things feel tough and you are tempted to do some emotional eating, slip away to a quiet place like the rest room and read your card. This will bring you back to center.
Limit alcoholic beverages. When we over drink, we are most likely to overeat as well.
Enjoy yourself but treat yourself with the love and respect you deserve!
warmly, Dr. Denise
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