The Transformative Effect of Gratitude and Appreciation

Gratitude isn't just some New Age idea. It works and takes no effort. Even if it may seem that things are so bad that there is absolutely nothing to be grateful for, there always is. Gratitude and appreciation are two ingredients that can quickly turn your mood around and help to simmer the intensity of whatever emotions you are feeling.

In terms of the Savvy Non-Dieter I speak a lot about true appreciation for food as a tool in nurturing a healthier relationship with food. Appreciation significantly curbs our defenses and make us more open to experiencing food in ways that make us feel good when eating, free of guilt and deprivation. Appreciation also works in a similar way for all the other non-food related events of our lives as well.

As we partake in our various holiday celebrations of the year, the presence of food, health, friends/family give us sufficient reason to be grateful. And as the year comes to its grand finale you are sure to reflect on the challenges, the lessons learnt, what was gained and lost, and all the little blissful moments however small.

But there's always something to be grateful for. If you have a fully functioning body even if it isn't perfect in your eyes, more than enough food without worry of where the next meal is coming from, good company, the pleasure of a good book or movie, social events, friends/family etc, then you already have somewhere to start.

Enjoy the good and may much more good give you more to be grateful for in the coming year.

Happy Holidays and a Happier New Year.



To Your Enjoyable and Guilt-Free Food Experiences

5 Tips To Make Everyday Gratitude Easy

Having gratitude can often feel like a cliche to many. The first inclination may be to say, "Off course I know that I should be grateful for what I have"-food, clothes, shelter etc. But often times most of us forget to be grateful. Gratitude is much more than a phrase of thanks giving, it is a powerful, easy tool to reduce stress and keep a focus on the things you want to achieve like weight management and other food related goals and other life goals.

It is said that "Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others" Cicero.


Five ways to bring in gratitude more often in your daily living include:

1. Be in the moment always. Remember that the only time that you are truly physically living is now, and therefore it is only there that your power lies. Find one thing in that moment to be grateful for. It could as simple as being able to watch your favorite sitcom on TV or use your fingers.

2. Look around you. Often times we walk through our daily routines blindly, engrossed with our own thoughts, worries, and mental To Do Lists etc. It therefore becomes easy to ignore the things of simple beauty around us. For example instead of jogging with debilitating thoughts of the number of miles you need to run today to burn those doughnut calories from the previous day, notice a tree or pond or flowers,a bright sky, your good health etc.

3. Say "Thank You" often. These simple two words have much power, and when we use them often in our interactions with others, our children, our family, etc, that regular act can change our perspective. "Thank You" is the ultimate gratitude proclamation.

4. Write it down. If you feel remembering to be grateful throughout the day is not something you may be able to keep up with, then a good idea is to put it on paper ( at least 5 things). You can do this either in the morning to start your day off good or in the evening before bed. A good way to simplify this process is to choose things to be grateful for in one category in your life at a time eg. five things to be grateful about my home, my family, my city, my wife/husband, my body etc.

5. Say it either mentally or out loud just before going to sleep. Saying a few things you're grateful for just before going to sleep is a good substitute for the usual worry thoughts that may be part of your normal bedtime ritual. It can also set you up for more relaxed sleep and comforting dreams.

Here are two great videos on gratitude. One is from the Gratidudes presenting a great way to show gratitude through the quirky "Gratitude Dance". The other is set to the song "Thankful" by Josh Groban. Enjoy!












To Your Enjoyable and Guilt-free Food Experiences,