God Loves; Food Doesn’tMind-Body Connection for the Christian Soul

Learn how to make food choices not from fear, anxiety or rebellion but

from your true God given nature.

Alexa Sparkman, MA, RD, LD (512) 257-0898

Jeanne Sivertson, MSSW, ACC (805) 358-8807

www.GodLovesFoodDoesnt.com

Ephesians 3:20Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

Why Diets Don’t Work Diet restrictions create a sense of

deprivation Forbidden foods become the object of

obsessions and intense cravings Focus turns from internal to external—trust

in self is lost Lack of trust weakens self-esteem and

intensifies sense of failure

We turn to food for comfort.

We gainweight.

We start feeling bad about ourselves and our bodies.

We scold ourselves for our lack of control and resolve to do better.

Something makes us feel uneasy.

We diet.

The Cycle of Emotional Eating

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for evil, to give you a hope and a future.

Well Being Creates a solid foundation for your life Increases your capacity to live life fully Generates resources for when life happens Is always going in and out

1 Corinthians 6: 12 (NLT)You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything.

Being vs. Doing Notice when you are Being (in the moment

with your true self) Notice what takes you away from Being

(not present, defensive) Being is when you are using the gifts God

gave you (i.e. love, compassion, joy) How does your “To-Do” list run your life?

Colossians 2:20-23You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires.

Intuitive Eating Be aware of the physical sensations of

hunger Wait for hunger before eating Make eating pleasurable Feed the body what it needs Be aware of the physical sensations of

satisfaction and fullness Stop eating when satisfied or full

Romans 12: 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Choices We are hard wired to resist change With awareness you have choices You can keep doing what you have always

done You can be curious You can experiment with something new

We turn to food for comfort.

We gainweight.

We start feeling bad about ourselves and our bodies.

We scold ourselves for our lack of control and resolve to do better.

Something makes us feel uneasy.

We diet.

The Cycle of Emotional Eating

Eat intuitively

Increase well-being

Connect to God

Make choices

Respond from your True-self

Living From Your True-Self Discover your True-Self What qualities do you bring into the room? Others see your True-Self better than you Only empowering descriptors What would your life be like if lived 90-

95% of the time from this place?

Insight + Action = Results