The Power of Self-Talk: Lightening Up from the Inside Out
Summer often inspires us to lighten up—our wardrobes, our schedules, maybe even our meals. But how often do we think about lightening up our inner dialogue? The truth is, our bodies are always listening. The words we speak to ourselves—whether consciously or on autopilot—can either soothe us or spike our stress. They can encourage us toward health and joy… or keep us stuck in cycles of anxiety, shame, or self-sabotage. This season of “summertime mode,” instead of focusing on willpower or “fixing” yourself, what if you focused on how you speak to yourself? Are your…
Our Self Talk Matters
As I was thinking about what I wanted to share with you this month—and reflecting on the stress-weight connection I’ve been writing about in recent articles—it hit me just how essential our self-talk is. What are we telling ourselves, consciously or unconsciously? After working with clients for over 25 years and reading countless articles on this topic, I can tell you that most of the thoughts we have about ourselves… aren’t all that kind. And the thing is—what we think, say, and believe (yes, even unconsciously) matters. Not sure you believe that? Try this quick…
Summer’s Invitation!
Summer invites us to unwind—but it’s also the perfect time to release stress patterns and nourish your body with intention. Do you feel it? The longer days, the sun, a little more freedom in your schedule—it’s nature’s way of saying, breathe, reset, refresh. And whether it’s the weight of too many obligations—or the extra physical weight that can show up during high-stress times—this season offers a chance to lighten up, in every way. When stress rises, so does cortisol. That can disrupt sleep, drive cravings, and make it harder for your body to find its…
It’s Chill Time-
“Summer is a period of luxurious growth. To be in harmony with the atmosphere of summer, awaken early in the morning and reach to the sun for nourishment to flourish as the gardens do. Work, play, travel, be joyful, and grow into selfless service. The bounty of the outside world enters and enlivens us.” -Paul Pitchford As the summer solstice graced us and school days fade into the rearview mirror, it’s officially time to embrace what I call summertime mode. First, a quick note—I realize I’ve been quieter than usual this month. June flew by,…
The Stress-Weight Connection
Stress doesn’t just affect your mood—it impacts your body’s chemistry in ways that directly influence weight. Here’s how: Chronic stress increases cortisol levels—your “survival hormone.” Elevated cortisol can lead to belly fat storage, sugar cravings, and disrupted sleep. Disrupted sleep can affect various hormones that regulate appetite. Leptin-the hormone that supports us in feeling satiated-gets reduced Ghrelin-our hunger hormone-gets increased. Increased cortisol levels from chronic stress can lead to metabolism changes, increase in appetite and a propensity to use food as a coping tool. But here’s the good news: When you calm your mind, the…
May is Women’s Health Month
“Sometimes the weight you need to lose isn’t on your body.” — Unknown When I learned that May is Women’s Health Month, I knew it was a perfect time to dig into how stress impacts so many areas of our lives-sometimes it’s very obvious, other times not so much. One area that might not be so obvious, is how it’s related to weight issues. As the days get longer and we start thinking about summer, many women will start fretting about their weight and want to start dieting. While dieting can work for short periods…