I don’t want to fall asleep and miss my life!

[NOTE:  for the first time, I am including a lengthy client "testimonial" which is shared here, with permission.  I think it really gives a great first person description about the process of coaching from a mind-body nutrition approach].
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Neshama has guided me into a new skill set of awareness that has changed my life. Type A Multitasker on autopilot was my middle name, with considerable and frantic overeating, binging, and cravings.  My eating had me feeling trapped, powerless and miserable. Ten minutes later, I couldn’t even tell you what I had just binged on.

Through journaling over particulars such as what time each day I was eating, how hungry and how full I was before and after, and then discussing concerns with Neshama, she helped me to recognize patterns and insights.   What time(s) of the day do I get hungry?  What do I most want to eat?  What does “pleasant fullness” feel like and how do I know when I’m there?  How relaxed or distracted or stressed am I as I sit down to enjoy my meal?  How much can deep breathing expand and prolong the pleasure of my new favorite foods?   What kind of nourishment can the food I am about to eat, give me?  How is my energy level?  Do I need more food or less food to feel energetic the rest of the day?  What new coping skills might I try?  How can food “serve me” instead of taunting me?  How can eating be fun and something to enjoy instead of a struggle? 

Neshama has encouraged me to slow down and practice mindfulness around food, including all kinds of strategies to help me. Not surprisingly, my new skills are overflowing into other parts of life.  I have been able to slow down enough to notice what I haven’t seen before.  

I’m eating more food earlier in the day and keeping myself fed just enough so that binging isn’t even in my vocabulary anymore.   I am sure to be pleasantly full and nourished as I head out to grocery shop, so that free samples and cookie kiosks no longer interest me. ..   or well, sometimes, they do and I will notice my impulse to taste something. Then I watch my impulse, and make a conscious choice. Sometimes, the cookie wins and it was heavenly in my mouth, especially it’s texture and right amount of sweetness and I’m thrilled and satisfied and glad I treated myself.  And I’m proud I noticed, rather than being on autopilot and grabbing up every sample.  I am accountable for my thoughts and behaviors.  I’m in charge of me. 

I sit down to eat slowly now, noticing colors, aromas and arrangements of textures on my plate.  Some days I prepare colors that march right around the color wheel, so that purple (red cabbage), yellow (bell pepper), red orange (cherry tomatoes), blue (blueberries) and green (baby lettuce leaves) delight my senses. How great it all tastes, especially with black mission fig vinegar.

My “continuum” now runs along the line from 

I am “very hungry” (VH)
to "slightly hungry" (SH)
to “not hungry” (NH)

to “pleasantly full” (PF)
to “uncomfortably full” (UF)
to “I’ve just made myself feel sick” (S)   
On this continuum, I strive to stay at SH, NH, PF.   Either end of the continuum hurts me.

Instead of mindlessly overeating now, I “pay attention” and feel deeply nourished.  As a result, I have been able to reach out into new activity that soothes me and feeds my heart’s desires.  I search for nourishment in every corner.   I’m not trying to be perfect, just to be aware so that I can come up with the best strategies for most situations.  

I’ve re-evaluated my extreme thinking, that this food is “bad” (I should never eat it) and this one is “good” (just eat this all the time).  Moderation and balance are now real words to me.  I can say “I’ve had enough,” and then experience my satisfaction, contentment and gratitude.

I don’t want to fall asleep and miss my life.