Think — Institute for Integrative Nutrition

Most of us have read articles that discuss the effects of stress on our metabolism – and how it isn’t great for weight-loss. Stress spikes cortisol, and cortisol turns into belly fat.  Think for a moment: When you talk negatively to yourself, how do you feel? Do you feel light and uplifted? Full of positive energy? Or do you feel down, stressed, and kind of pressured? Like you’re required to do something that you’re not looking forward to?  I’m going to guess that you feel down, kind of stressed, and a little burdened by the pressure you’re experiencing to preform perfectly...

When working with clients who suffer from binge eating, I speak with them about how their feelings play a significant role in their relationship with food. And they’re always surprised at how much not being able to accept their feelings affects this relationship.  Here’s what it comes down to: when we’re not willing to feel and welcome all of our feelings (the good and the not-so-good), we will find something to numb them out. It’s not natural for us to feel uncomfortable and simply do nothing about it. When we’re uncomfortable, we act.  So, the choice we are left with...

With so much distraction and constant expectation to “do it all,” it can be difficult to allow ourselves a break. We all know what happens when when we’re stressed, overworked, and feel like there’s no end in sight. We get cranky! We feel tired. We feel burnt out. And in these “low” moments our mind tends to drift into a negative space. This is the night we can’t seem to find anything flattering to wear to dinner with friends, or we feel resentful at work and want to just get up and leave. So, how do we get ourselves back...