Don’t let the stress of the virus drive you towards comfort eating

THE last 10 days have been unsettling, uncertain and worrying for most of us. COVID-19 is creating a unique situation and it is forcing so many people into new routines and different lifestyles. A lot of people are working from home. Most of us are living in a different way than usual.

We’re getting a lot of medical advice from top medics and scientists so I’ll leave that up to them.  But we all have a role to play right now and mine is to help my community to keep as calm as possible and in control of your eating.

I know there’s a LOT of people who will have emotional eating issues and the stress of this situation we find ourselves in won’t be helping.

In times of uncertainty the feeling of fear is a very real problem.  Stress hormones run rampant and hijack the brain, which means we can’t think rationally or clearly.  And uncertainty is one of the brain’s biggest enemies!

At Slimpod HQ we want to do everything we can to help you through this difficult time.  Each and every one of you is important to us.  I’ll be sending regular videos and help on how to deal with emotional eating and to help keep you positive!

However, If you are feeling anxious or fearful I would  strongly suggest you listen to the Chillpod that’s included in your programme, twice a day.

This is no ordinary relaxation download.  The Chillpod specifically helps with anxiety and fear and really calms things down meaning the stress hormones don’t run rampant and take over your brain and your life.

It will help you keep the faith and banish the fears.

Here’s some comments from people in Slimpod Club who rave about it:  

From Swazi:  I’ve been listening to this every day during the most stressful time of my life – it’s been invaluable.

From Lynn: I have spent most of my life being a worrier, often hiding it behind humour but it has always been there, lurking in the background. Chillpod has been life changing for me! I have listened to it after Slimpod since day 1 & can honestly say, even with bad news arriving on almost a daily basis I am still calm & rational & find myself saying “Never mind, it will pass” to almost everything! X

From Carol: My daughter has had the most awful stressful time over the last 3 months she says the Chillpod has been the one thing that has truly helped x

From Catherine: I listen to the Chillpod every night, it’s been a life saver!!

So please, use this great tool – I know it will help you!

One of the things I’m constantly grateful for is the wonderful people we attract on to our programme, and so many are in our Slimpod Community on Facebook.

This lovely community of over 4,000 people constantly amazes me with the support and kindness they show to other like-minded people in the group.  Now more than ever the community is pulling together to encourage, inspire and support each other to get through this uncertain time.

Last night many of those lovely people joined me as I hosted my regular weekly live chat which was packed full of strategies to help you be calmer and keep a positive mental attitude right now.

We’re also starting some challenges to help keep us focussed on our goals, because we will get through this!  So if you’re a member of the group but missed the ‘live’ – please search #Sandraislive6 and you’ll find it.

 If you’re not yet a member of Slimpod Club, there’s no better time to join. You can watch the video if you search for the hashtag above. 

The community, including Debbie and myself, is there to support and encourage each other and we’ll support you too.  If you’re not on Facebook, you can easily join simply to be part of this group.  If you’re not sure how to do this, simply email us and we’ll help.

Early next week I’ll be sending a video which will help you with emotional eating, maintaining a positive mental state and staying in control of food.  Look out for it – I know it will help!

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Mary proves that if you want something enough you can get it!

ONE thing that I know is true about life: If you believe you can do something, then you can! A positive mindset is the key to achieving, whether it’s losing weight or running a marathon. So when I had a video chat with a lovely lady called Mary this week I just knew I had to share our 15 minutes or so with everyone. She is so inspiring!

Because Mary, who is a very young 70, is living proof that if you want something enough, you can get it (within reason of course!).

Her age and the illness chronic fatigue syndrome (also known as M.E.) didn’t stand in her way of reaching her goal of being fit enough to dance, dance, dance.

She believed she could do it and she took action.

Here’s the video which will give you a big lift (while you’re over on my Slimpod Channel on YouTube, why not subscribe so you get priority alerts every time I post a new video. Hit the Like and Share buttons too, to inspire others):

I talked with Mary because she sent me a wonderful email. Mary, who lives in the north of Scotland, said that this time last year she wanted to lose about 9lbs to get back to around the 10 stone mark – “where I know my weight feels right.”

She wrote:  “I was pretty thin all my life and never needed to think about my weight until I developed M.E. for the fourth time in my early fifties. It took nine years to clear this time and at the end of it I found I was 11 stone 2!

“I managed to shed the extra stone but then the weight crept back up to 10 stone 9lbs and I felt uncomfortable. I dance anything from three to five or six times a week – various styles, ballroom, Latin, jive, Appalachian Step and tap, and knew I needed to be lighter on my feet!

“At 70 I now have osteoarthritis in several joints, noticeably in the left hip and knee, so being lighter was a good plan. Those last 9lbs, and the heavier  feelings that came with them just had to go, but how?

“I read about Slimpod and figured it was certainly worth a try. I do have a weakness for puddings and cakes and usually have some sort of control but those early sessions with Slimpod really helped me to get back to more sensible eating.

“I have to admit that I have never stuck rigidly to your programme, nor joined Facebook or even taken a turn through the worksheets, but even so the support from the pods and regular videos made the difference.

“I made it to my target and have maintained it more or less ever since. I allow myself to play with 2 or 3 pounds but always make it back to the base line!

“I took up tap dancing aged 69 and now have a bronze and a silver medal! Proves that we can do things we want to if we try (don’t know how the gold exam will go!!!).

“My arthritis is controlled with meds. I loved the attitude of the consultant when I expected to be told to cut out impact dancing (I also do Appalachian step dance as well as more regular dance styles) that “we’re here to keep you doing the things you want to do, not stop you.”

That’s such an important message for all of us. Life is for living (although it can seem tough some days) so we must set our goal, step over the obstacles and go for it!

Please let me Mary and I know how much you were inspired by her story by leaving a comment below. We’ll read them all!

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Jenni Murray and the stigma of obesity – her frank, inspiring story

Jenni and I at Westminster

 

AS part of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Obesity I’m really pushing for people’s psychological relationship with food to be far higher up the NHS agenda. Too many health professionals fail to understand the role emotional eating plays in so many lives.

So it was fascinating to meet the journalist and broadcaster Dame Jenni Murray at our APPG meeting in Westminster on Monday. The Woman’s Hour presenter is very open about her own struggles with weight and I found my chat with her to be both refreshing and inspiring.

Her relationship with food is massively emotional, she told me. We had a long conversation about this element because it’s something the medical profession really don’t do enough to address as you’ll see later in the blog.

Jenni lost five stone on a diet a few years ago, but within a short time put it all back on again and went back to 19 stone.

Eventually she was driven to have bariatric surgery. Jenni admits frankly that she had no off switch before she had surgery a few year. Now she has definitely reduced the quantity she eats but admits it’s still not perfect.

She said she really noticed her emotional eating when the kids left home and she was using food for friendship and comfort because she was lonely. This is a sad story I hear so often.

Jenni has a new book coming out in April called Fat Cow, Fat Chance (a blunt title which perfectly reflects her outspoken, no-nonsense Yorkshire upbringing).

Jenni addresses the APPG

It investigates the science, social history and psychology of women and weight – and as you can guess, I’ve already ordered my copy.

In the book she says that at 64, her weight had become a disability. She avoided the scales, she wore a uniform of baggy black clothes, refused to make connections between her weight and health issues and told herself that she was fat and happy.

She was certainly fat. But the happy part was an Oscar-winning performance. In private she lived with a growing sense of fear and misery that it would probably kill her before she made it to 70.

The book addresses “what it’s like to be fat when society dictates that skinny is the way to be” and she questions the assumption to many people make that going on a diet is the answer.

When she was at the APPG meeting with us, her last words were “Don’t fear food, fear too much food.” Wise words and something that the Slimpod most definitely helps with.

Does Jenni’s experience resonate with you? Please let me know by leaving a comment below. I read them all and I know that others find your comments both comforting and inspiring.

Survey results on obesity and stigma

Recently I asked everyone in Slimpod Club if they’d help with a survey in the stigma of obesity that the APPG was promoting.

I’m passing on the group’s grateful thanks to all the Slimpodders who responded to the survey. Your input was invaluable and will undoubtedly help shape future government policy.

Here’s the survey results, which have just been released.

It’s clear that stigma impacts people in school, work, leisure, with friends, with family, in personal relationships and in day to day activities.

96% of people with obesity thought there is not enough understanding amongst the public as to the causes of obesity.

90% of people with obesity said more understanding of obesity would make them more comfortable seeking care.

85% of people with obesity thought the public views people with obesity negatively or very negatively.

79% of people with obesity said stigma affects their mental health.

71% of people with obesity felt stigmatised when seeking health advice or support.

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How to step over obstacles in life and reach your weight loss goals

THE journey to thinking like a slimmer person is always going to be an interesting and eventful one. Just when you think it’s going so well, bang! An obstacle appears which throws you off course and you stumble.

Obstacles are a real pain but they need to be looked at for what they are – an obstacle and not something that’s going to make you fail for the umpteenth time!

Life is full of ups and downs and obstacles – and so is your journey to sustainable weight loss.

Recently a lovely lady called Catherine posted a message in our Slimpod Club and it helped so many people.

So with her permission I’m sharing it with all our lovely people outside the group because it’s so useful and enlightening. This is what she wrote:

“Apologies in advance for what is bound to be a long post. I’m going to use this as a way of working out all the many complex feelings I’ve been having this week. Spoiler alert – it has a happy ending!

“I’ve just started week 10 and it’s been two weeks since my last update. Some of you may know that I’ve been one of the lucky ones who noticed changes very quickly but I’m also one of those who has been happy to take this journey slowly.

“I don’t weigh and haven’t since the end of week one. I have lost 7 inches from my waist and have noticed quite a change in my body shape.

“My wins have been largely based on my transformed attitude to food – I’ve gone from being a serious binge eater who would secretly raid cupboards to being able to enjoy treats without guilt and in moderation.

“I listen to Chillpod and Slimpod every night before bed and have just introduced Fitpod. Last Monday I woke up feeling dreadful. Not ill, just inexplicably miserable and down.

“I soon realised it was the dreaded PMT but it hit me like a train and I began to feel what I haven’t done since starting this – like I was going to ‘fail’ and that, once again, I would not be able to sustain the excellent start I’d enjoyed.

“Same old, same old  

“I commented on a previous live chat that this programme has helped me to be a more positive person, that by nature I’m quite cynical. When I first heard Sandra talk about the need to keep things positive in the group, I knew I’d find that a struggle.

“I’m used to having a good old whinge when things have ‘gone south’ as they have always done.

“So, mindful that I couldn’t come on here and moan (although I did post a brief message at the start of the week and really appreciated the support I got) I have waited until today to come on here and write my update.

“I’ve kept writing in my diary, trying hard to write three things I’m grateful for and my three wins even when I felt like I just wanted to give into the slump and give up.

“At my lowest point this week the only win I could come up with was ‘I did my best’. But it was better than nothing.

“I’ve still come on and interacted with people – liking their wins and giving support when I felt I could. Having to stay positive for the sake of the group has been really good for me.

“So, I kept going and this morning, although still not feeling great, I got up and prepared to face the day. During a phone call to my mum this morning, who I’m going to be seeing later this week for the first time since the beginning of December, I was telling her about my progress and, as I was talking, something clicked in my head.

“I told her all about my wins and my inch loss, about the clothes that fit better and about no longer finding myself eating all the biscuits, about my changed attitude to food and my new found walking habits (thanks to Heather for organising the Fitbit challenges!) and I realised something important…

“This week does not define me. It is not the end of the journey nor have I reached my destination or come as far as I can. I don’t have to ‘give up’ or ‘throw in the towel’.

“I can keep going. I can keep putting one foot in front of the other. In fact, when I think about it rationally, I haven’t even been that ‘bad’ this week. I haven’t gone back to bad habits or wiped out all my good progress.

“I’m still ‘winning’.

“So, storm Dennis is raging outside and I’ve finally cleared the ironing pile. Then, feeling more motivated than I have all week, I finally got around to trying a Lucy Wyndham Read workout and – guess what – I finished one 7 minute ab workout and loved it so I did the next one that popped up – 7 minute legs. Then I found a 20 indoor walking and toning workout and did that too.

“So I suppose what I’ve learnt – and the message I want to share – is this. It’s normal to have ‘off days’ – even a number of them. But they don’t have to turn into off weeks. Even off weeks don’t have to be off months.

“We are human and life throws so much at us. Sometimes we have to roll with the punches, pull up our big girl pants, step over the bump in the road, pick ourselves up, pat ourselves down and keep moving forward. Only that way will we ever reach our destination. “

I’m so grateful to everyone here who has supported me. If you’ve given up half your life to read this ridiculously long post, thank you. I hoped reading it has helped someone. It’s certainly helped me to write it .

“Stay safe everyone and keep podding.”

How has Catherine’s story resonated with you? How do you step over the obstacles in your way? Please leave a comment below – I love reading them all and they inspire everyone else more than you could ever imagine.

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Break emotional eating: Three ways to change evening habits

EMOTIONAL eating is a BIG problem for so many people. Recently I’ve been having lots of conversations about how to break emotional eating within our Slimpod community and in my Facebook live chats.

So in my vlog this week I’m telling the story of a lovely lady who has struggled with emotional eating in the form of mindless snacking in the evening for many years .

Now I’m helping her stop – and in the video I tell you how.

If you’re like so many others who just can’t control their snacking in the evenings – even though you’ve eaten your dinner – then this is a video for you!

I know you’ll find it useful and please do share with anyone you think will find it helpful to break emotional eating, too.

Please drop me a note at the bottom of the blog to let me know if you relate to the story I’ve spoken about today.

 

SUMMARY

**  We all have the answers within us, we just get a bit bogged down in life and can’t see the wood from the trees – especially when we don’t seem to have any control over the behaviour and it really stresses us.

**  Take a bit of time and answer this: if there were just ONE action you could take which would move you towards your goal of stopping emotional eating, what would it be?

**  Stop and think about your daily routine and see what you can do to change it. Even emotional eating becomes a habit, but it can be unravelled.

USEFUL LINKS

Ease the stress of emotional eating

One little task that will help you

Take control of evening danger time

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The Slimpod Channel on YouTube

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Now the magical Slimpod Live chats are on video every week

SINCE the start of January I’ve been hosting our regular Slimpod Club live chats via video within the private group on Facebook.  I’ve been chatting about some crucial elements of our programme and why certain daily actions are important for your success.

So far we’ve covered:

The psychology behind sharing wins.

How to set wins up so you feel the dopamine buzz.

How to create a shift in your identity so you’re thinking like a slimmer person.

We also talked about the emotional eating spectrum, because we have a LOT of emotional eaters within our community.

This new approach to our Wednesday chat has proved a great hit with our lovely Slimpodders, but I’m very aware we have thousands of members who are not part of our Slimpod private community on Facebook and I really want to support you, too.

There’s probably even a lot of people who ARE members of the Slimpod Club group but who missed the live chat.

I know you’ll benefit from the knowledge shared so here’s the live chat video from last week.

Please do let me know in the comments below if you’ve found it useful and would like me to share video chats with you on a regular basis.

If you’re not a member of the private group I would really urge you to join it.

I know some people are reluctant to be on Facebook, but you can join under any name purely to access this group and nothing else.

We have a hugely supportive community of people and do everything we can to help you succeed.

We also have a buddy system and mentoring programme. Slimpod Club is waiting for you as a massive free benefit if you’re on the Slimpod programme- simply email customerservices@thinkingslimmer.com and ask to join the group.

If you’re not on the Slimpod programme – why not ! What are you waiting for?

Here’s how you can try Slimpod free for 10 days with my special no-risk, no-obligation trial:

Start your free trial today

 

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Your brain’s a learning machine so teach it good daily habits

FOR the past few weeks I’ve been running a free Boot Camp to help everyone get 2020 off to the best possible start. This week I’ve got an extra bonus week for you!

If you’ve only recently joined the Slimpod family you can quickly catch up because I’ve put links lower down in the blog to the first four weeks. So you’ll be able to watch all the videos and catch up on the advice I’ve been giving.

This week I’m looking at habits. The secret of success is in your daily routine!  This is what I talk about in this week’s video plus a whole lot more!

Here’s the video…

Summary

**  Our daily life is one big habit.  Habits are the repeated small decisions you make and the actions you perform every day. Your life up until now is basically the sum total of your habits – and that can be a scary thought for some!

**  Your brain is an amazing piece of kit and is incredibly adaptable.  If it’s taken you in a direction that’s unhelpful, it can just as easily switch direction!

**  Consistency and repeating the good behaviours is the key – but it’s what people find so difficult to do!  The most effective way is to start with something small that you can build into your life without too much effort.

**  This then starts to become automatic, which is when your subconscious takes control – you just don’t have to think about it anymore.

This week’s task

Go back over the goals you set at the start of the month. Which ones have you achieved? And which ones are getting closer every day?

Now re-set those goals for the next four weeks if you need to. This will help you keep the momentum going – and use your groups or the people in Slimpod Club to keep you accountable.

Useful links

Boot Camp week one

Boot Camp week two

Boot Camp week three

Boot Camp week four

Leave a comment

Drop me a comment below and tell me how you’re getting on with creating new healthy habits – and how you did it! Would love to know if my video has helped you in some way!

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