Guest Post by Laura Gutwein
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So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God- 1 Corinthians 10:31
As we enter a season that, for many of us, involves feasting and celebrations almost every weekend, the types of food we eat may be different than what we usually eat. Growing up in the “low fat” era with a less than healthy relationship with food, this can be a little bit stressful for me and many women I work along side. Do I skip meals during the day in order to “save up” for the big dinner? Or ignore the food in the hor de vours spread because once I start I don’t want to stop? How can I approach this season with my mind focused on glorifying God through my celebrations rather than over indulging, feeling gross, and then restricting or going into a “who cares I’ll eat in a more healthful way in January” mindset?
Think in a new framework regarding your feasting…F.A.T.S.
Fun – Are you enjoying what you are doing, or do you need to say no to some opportunities because staying home sounds fun to you? Notice how your body feels as you make your plans. Stress and emotions can often push us to seek comfort in food or beverages.
Activity– Regular movement is helpful with mood, digestion, and regulating hunger hormones. Take some time at the beginning of the week to schedule in movement each day (even if it’s 15 minutes).
Thankfulness– When we recognize who provides all that we have and are truly thankful, our mindset around what we need and how much we need shifts. A moment of gratitude and prayer before a meal helps our body digest that food more effectively.
Satisfied– We now know that the fat from plants and fish is actually helpful for our bodies, decreases inflammation and promotes brain health (turns out the low fat pretzels and fro-yo I lived on in high school weren’t healthy after all). Here is a template for our plate that works in almost any setting – mostly fruits and veggies, some high quality protein, and some healthy fats. You might choose to add in some special foods like dips, desserts or other treats in small quantities (the first bite is the best). It is possible to fully enjoy special events and feel satisfied instead of starving or stuffed afterwards.
F.A.T.S.
Fun. Activity. Thankfulness. Satisfied.
If you want to talk through a plan for your celebrations, I would love to chat with you in a free 30 minute session! Feel free to email me or complete this form .