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!

The post Don’t let the stress of the virus drive you towards comfort eating appeared first on Slimpod.

Don’t let the stress of the virus drive you towards comfort eating https://t.co/pUCu4v6TIn

Don’t let the stress of the virus drive you towards comfort eating https://t.co/pUCu4v6TIn

— sosnicaragua (@sosnicaragua) March 19, 2020

from Twitter https://twitter.com/sosnicaragua

Mary proves that if you want something enough you can get it! https://t.co/n4tHGPLzQf

Mary proves that if you want something enough you can get it! https://t.co/n4tHGPLzQf

— sosnicaragua (@sosnicaragua) March 10, 2020

from Twitter https://twitter.com/sosnicaragua

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!

The post Mary proves that if you want something enough you can get it! appeared first on Slimpod.

Jenni Murray and the stigma of obesity – her frank, inspiring story https://t.co/cWleBfOMXg

Jenni Murray and the stigma of obesity – her frank, inspiring story https://t.co/cWleBfOMXg

— sosnicaragua (@sosnicaragua) March 4, 2020

from Twitter https://twitter.com/sosnicaragua

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 https://t.co/S81sZJfp7F

How to step over obstacles in life and reach your weight loss goals https://t.co/S81sZJfp7F

— sosnicaragua (@sosnicaragua) February 24, 2020

from Twitter https://twitter.com/sosnicaragua