Scared of Weight Gain; Processed Food is Delicious but it Hijacked my Brain 🧠 - From Sep. 15, 2022 to Now: Jan 02, 2024

 Waking up...I was well and somewhat rested relatively speaking although I definitely do not sleep enough during workdays when I come to the office. 
Then I put on the blue gym shorts and I felt that my obliques flab felt more apparent and protruding at the sides...although I might be exaggerating in my head. 

In any case, I began to worry that I felt thicker or bigger, that I'm losing the 'control' or edge...since normally in the morning I am my leanest and lightest. Or at least that's what I feel and think. 

But it was fine and onwards. 

"I'm afraid I'm going to downward spiral into weight gain, my body feels somewhat thicker."

Have you ever had these thoughts?

Maybe my legs/thighs around the quads have thickened a bit...muscle and then fat too, of course, because they are usually connected and combined. 

Then I went to on the usual morning walk, then the gym...

Now as I write this, fast-forward a few hours from 9:30am to the current 5:10pm...and I have not felt comfortable in my body at all.

My thoughts circle back to trying, efforting and struggling to maintain some semblance of very skinny and lean body and, hopefully, in the near future, to having a visibly leaner, bonier, defined face.

Working in the office, I reckon, entails a degree of more sedentary behavior as one can't necessarily move around all the time or remain physically active. And even so, I do move around plenty by going on intermittent walks to the point where I wonder if others think it's too much time away from my desk and whether I am being productive and actually working.

I think this was one of the complaints of a former boss: "I can't find you anywhere," he would remark. 

In any case, my work is a blessing and I have to appreciate, realize and accept that no matter where I work it will probably need to be stationary or sedentary to a degree because it is likely going to be office work, administrative and thus based around typing and computer work which requires being focused and concentrated in 1 spot for some extended periods of time (at least 15min, 30+mins, or sometimes more if you're in a committee meeting or other). 

I tightened my jeans at the waist with the aim of keeping myself "in" and as tight as possible so there is no ease in adding food to the belly and thus distension.

But distension inevitably comes when I do eat and have dinner for sure. It's normal and natural human physiology after all but I always feel the discomfort strongly, especially since I consume primarily fruits and some cooked/raw vegetables which will produce more gas and expansion in the digestive tract. 

These pas few days have been struggling with gas and discomfort at night after dinner. I think it's probably the sub-optimal food combinations (higher fasts + fruits + some starch = BOMBO COMBO i.e. Not Good).

I feel increasingly dissatisfied by my whole, natural foods diet (mainly high raw vegan but not really since I 'cheat' and veer off track so often). Once I caved in to the animal proteins and processed starchier items like granola cookies and even plain cereal my brain, microbiome and taste preferences have never been the same. I just cannot forget, nor do I seem to want to, the delicious taste and feeling of consuming more calorific and highly-palatable, processed foods. 

The only thing that keeps me moderately "under control" is the fear and anxiety of potential weight gain. 

The number on the scale going Up, and UP, and UP! Gosh, that strikes the fear in me and derails my feelings for the rest of the day and possibly week if I cannot course-correct swiftly and definitively. 

The good thing is that I still do enjoy and appreciate all the natural, whole, raw foods BUT I ALSO like and appreciate the non-whole foods, chemicals, additives, fillers, emulsifiers and all.

As disgusting and horrid that seems to me, it is so... for now anyways.

My brain and sensorial faculties have been hijacked at this time.

But how and what else to eat? Chicken, shrimp, seafood, meat??? It doesn't necessarily feel better and these animal protein foods are also very inflammatory, higher in fat and can be cumbersome and difficult on my digestion. 

PPLC Video Green Juice & Prep it Now to Do it Later

Eating Too Much Melon? Freaking out about Calories (1 Sept '22)

Hello World, 
It's me again... and journaling my thoughts.

The First Meal:

Today at breakfast/lunch (3:45pm) I had bigger amount of melon than what I usually have. Usually I've eat about 300-500g of melon, and that, along perhaps with something else, keeps me fine till I reach home and have dinner at 7pm or ideally I'd have dinner earlier at 6:30pm. 

However, today I pushed myself (for some reason) to finish the melon that I brought from home bc it was already about 5 days since I'd bought it and cut into it, and the longer it sits in the fridge the more mold and decomposed it gets. Hence, I decided "Just do it" and actually it was a very good, delicious, hydrating melon.

Only melon. 

However when I finished what I'd brought, approximately 700grams eaten, I felt bad bc the calories then ingested were more than usual AND I then had the anxious thought:

"I overate and now my lower abs will push out and I'll be a bit more bloated." Ugh. The despised bloat lol. 

However, that was my own exaggeration and assumption and 'jumping ahead to worst case scenario".

I promptly went about my moment, the afternoon, and rinsed my teeth, and then a postprandial walk. It was a good and energized walk for sure although I felt tired nevertheless. 

So thus far today I've eaten or taken in: CJ (60 cals) + decaf coffee w.Oat milk (20 cals) + Melon, 250cals maybe. So total about 350 cals according to MFP. I've been tracking and logging my food for as long as MyFitnessPal has existed, since my college days and I actually started tracking calories and educating myself about the caloric/energy content of different foods when I was 16 yr old. I still remember my first traditional food scale (before the advent of the handy digital kitchen machines) and I weighed 1 portion of mozzarella cheese which was, according to the package, 1 sq inch. Turns out that after weighing and measuring it w/a ruler it was a tiny portion compared to what I normally ate and actually enjoyed. 

And so it happened that I began tracking calories, weighing out the different foods and learning about their caloric values, and keeping a notepad with the daily food record, just for myself. 

Fast-forward to now, 19 years later and I still track what I eat every day although not perfectly and completely bc I sometimes omit some things, or I record an amount/quantity that was actually higher that what I log just because I don't want to feel anxious about the higher calories overall that I would have eaten in the day due to the higher amount of foods. Essentially it is just a superficial effort to fool and quell the anxious thoughts that eventually emerge:

"Oh gosh, I've overeaten today... :-(" or,

"I might begin to gain weight if I keep this up" or,

"Damnit, what can't I keep this caloric intake under control to 1200kcal max?" Etc.

Freedom from anxiety about my imperfect soft body. 

 
What I'd Like:...

Peace with food. Peace with my body...Accepting my body as a fine and perfect, 'done' body that is lean enough, thin enough, and which will not gain weight ever. 

However, I am not really there yet today and truth is that there is absolutely no guarantee that no one will ever not gain weight because it is super easy to happen and actually that is evolutionary and biological tendency and predisposition of the body/brain. The brain/body does not like restriction or food deprivation and hunger, and weight loss...and it will fight back to avoid intentional weight loss and make it easier to continue gaining over time. 

What Else I Would Like: 

 

Reach a point where I'm eating precisely 1200kcal daily and feel fine with that. 

Eat a totally vegan high raw food diet and be happy, content and satisfied with that.

No cravings for animal protein...

Not comparing myself to other women's bodies who I deem to possibly be leaner or "skinnier" than me. It's all so superficial...but alas, it's where my mind goes more often than not these days. 

There are a couple more things I'd 'Like" however will leave like this for now. 

It is said "Ask and ye shall receive".

So how else should I be asking - and from whom? Exhortations to the Universe, to God, to my Guardian Angels, to my Inner Being, to my Higher Self...to Life. 

We all know the age-old maxim: 

Be careful what you wish for... You just may get it.

However, this previous quote is rather somber so I do prefer a kinder, more loving and harmonious tone and approach to this. I feel that the key, crucial advice is:

 Ask God for the Wisdom to know what to do,

how to ask, 

and what to ask for.

And, God, please help me to help myself.

Ultimately, you've got all the power (My Journal Notes from July 3, 2019)

Ultimately, you've got all the power. The center is with you and within you, and that is true of each person out here (in here).

Each person is a reflection of you.
Each person you encounter is at first a concept in your mind. The labels the mind puts on the person or situation.
It's not good or bad - just different.
It is OK to feel uncomfortable - you can feel uncomfortable or be thinking uncomfortable thoughts and still be safe and alright.

Not seeking yourself in other people or other things; not seeking or awaiting or expecting validation in others, objects, items.
The moment you notice your own defensive behavior - defending yourself - know that you are currently caught in Illusion (maya).

Personal Power Wellness: Live Juicing-Fresh Melon Juice! ✨️Carpe Diem✨️

Hello everyone! Getting back into the kitchen to make a fresh melon juice after a long time ⌛️. Better now than ever and the key for today is to "Seize Your Day!" Make it your own day and let it work its magic 🎩 for your greatest thriving. Today we focused on: - 350g Sweet Melon - 200g Honeydew Melon w/the rind

***Benefits of Melon Juice (Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Sweet Melon, Watermelon, etc.):

1) very hydrating due to its high water content 2) soothing and gentle on your stomach and digestion (in case you have a sensitive stomach or digestive issues) 3) Absolutely delicious 4) High Vitamin C (which is vital for a robust Immune System) 5) Containts beneficial Vitamin A (which is great for your skin and hair) 6) High in Potassium which is useful to stave off muscle cramps and dehydration (particularly after an exercise session) 7) Contains health-promoting Antioxidants which counter premature aging, drying skin and illness 8) It is overall easy and swift to make which easy kitchen clean up 9) Melon juice is light on the digestive system which can help you stay more regular in your bowel movements and the alkalinity of your body (which is really beneficial and crucial if you consume a highly acidic (high in grains, animal products and processed foods, vegan or non-vegan)). 10) Melon will yield a high amount of liquid extracted juice - which is great value for your money! My personal favorite is CANTALOUPE JUICE + GINGER AND TURMERIC ROOT :-).

Enjoy your own health journey ✨️ 😊.

See you soon & thank you for tuning in. Blessings & Gratitude, Jennifer ✨️- Personal Power Life Coaching - Wellness✨️

Wellness Episode: Is Food Addiction Real? What's Right to Eat? Confusio...

Hello Friends!

Hope you are doing well. 

In today's Wellness video::::: Now up on the YOUTUBE Channel ;-)  

Personal Power Wellness - ADDICTION TO FOOD? 

Does the Type of Food we eat really matter? 

What to think 🤔 & do? What's the best and are processed foods the villain, or is it Sugar? 

Or is it the high fat consumption that causes obesity and illness?

There is a plethora of data, information, trendy diets, fads and gimmicky tricks and 'health hacks'...

All for the higher goal of losing weight, or keeping healthy, or repairing an ailing body, or to prevent future sickness in older age. 

So what's an average human like you and I to do?

We want to do what's best, ultimately, however the modern food environment only seems to keep us in the dark about how to eat. 

Furthermore, the culture of consumption of low-cost, highly palatable foods is widespread and we are all participants in the 'system' whether directly or by extension through the friends, family and contacts we keep in our daily lives. 

Hence, I think the only conclusion to reach at this point in time is to find  your own  Answers based on your concrete experience in your physical body. Only you know what works for your body and which things (foods & drinks) may cause more discomfort that desired. 

Lastly, ask yourself: 

"How would my ancestors have eaten and fueled themselves?"

As Steve Harvey says on his talk show regarding dating and relationships advice:  "OLD FASHIONED STILL WORKS". 

Going back to the earth day by day :-).

Thanks for tuning in, everyone!

Hope this helps and uplifts and inspires you to an higher level of living. 

Blessings, 

Jennifer @Personal Power Wellness Coaching

IG:  jen_arcila

FB:  www.facebook.com/CoachArcila

Convincing Yourself of New Beliefs that Work for YOU - Example: Be/Stay Vegan or Not Vegan

 Conversation with My Source:

Written: 11 August 2020

To be Vegan or not vegan?

What's Best for me? What's true? And what's good and healthy and balanced...Here is my 'dialogue' with my Inner Being and Source Energy, seeking guidance, clarity and more inner peace (on 11Aug2020...)

JAA: Fear thought - Will I get sick if I start eating eggs, dairy (nice simple dairy and organic too)...? And what about meat? According to some, meat does not feed pathogens but dairy and eggs do? This may be true for some but is not true for me. 

We can clear-cancel-delete that thought and old belief or idea that came from someone else whom I do not personally know.  

Source:  Practice the Art of Allowing, ease, flow and nonresistance to your innate, natural, always-flowing-to-you goodness. 

Allow the floodgates to Love to OPEN for You, Jen!  We love you, we adore you and we support you in whatever you choose. Key word: "CHOOSE". 

JAA: I am currently having Cottage Cheese 100g and Organic Greek Yogurt 100g - and so far I feel fine in my digestion. I am combining it with raw carrot sticks and raw cucumber - which is superbly hydrating! Yay! I also added Raw Manuka Honey and 1TB PB Fit for an added sweet kick :-). I did sniffle a bit (like antihistamine reaction?) towards the PBFit. Once this container finishes I will not purchase a new one. 

The main concept and word that popped up for me since yesterday is Balance. It seems that no matter whether Vegan or non-vegan and the stories they share, some people take things to an extreme and then do the complete opposite of what they were doing before as if the previous approach was completely flawed. It may not have worked completely to satisfaction and may have even disappointed you, however that does not mean that it's a sort of 'poison'. The fact and truth is that there are millions of people who live and thrive long lives of well-being while eating dairy and eggs, fowl, animal foods and have harmony, health, well-being, goodness and etc. And there are also those who do not thrive and need to find a different approach.

The key element is Balance in our intake and focusing on real, whole, natural, non-chemical and non-artificial chemical foods. 

 

My current, logical, rational self considers that there is no need to throw out the baby with the bathwater and there is no reason why you cannot incorporate and merge elements of both diets into your daily life whilst choosing the very best ingredients and products that are organic (to the utmost within my bounds), natural, REAL, whole Foods with a dominance from Plant foods to reach 40-50g+ fiber/day, and fruit daily as well.  The fruits and veggies are fundamental, to me, to ensure I'm balancing my nutrition with food-derived hydration and the fiber from natural plant foods which will feed the healthy gut biome. 

If I don't feel like meat and no attraction or attention to it emanates or inspired from me then I don't do it because there is really no need, except if in the moment it is in your vortex, aligned and you feel absolutely good and no resistance to it. It can be organic and preferentially very moist to support my body's hydration. 

Source:  Remove the resistance from your path.  Let the goodness flow to you, dear one. Nothing has gone wrong and you will never get it done. 

JA: I realize from this experience of just a 4-5 days now having incorporated more dairy and eggs and fish (no meat) into my daily diet, that I have been quite self brain-washed by others perspectives and beliefs. Whereas I started this journey out of becoming Vegan in 2017 due to a dream I attributed as a message from God - for my own beliefs and reasons and not health or the trends or global ecology and agro-business - it turns out that I self-taught so much and researched and learned so much from YouTube and some books - that I am sort of brain washed now about the importance and even imperative of being Vegan to be Healthy.

In other words, I've been taught the belief that some foods will cause me to be ill and develop sickness. Whereas before I never personally felt that in my body, thank God, I just accepted what so many doctors and online peers believe. 

Interestingly enough, I don't actually have any Vegan friends and I have only had 1 Vegan doctor who was my dentist and I was with her due to chance and not because I chose her as a doctor for her plant-based eating habits. 

So NOW, here and today - the key I've learned is that I have to now DE-program myself and teach/affirm new beliefs for myself that support harmony with myself, alignment, health, vitality, vigor, joy, thriving, confidence and ease with my nutritional and daily lifestyle. 

Positive Aspects - Count My Blessings 1x1

Dear Lord, Dear Self, Dear Higher Guidance and infinite intelligence and Higher Wisdom,

I come before you and with you now - (and in fact we are always connected, aren't we?) - to focus on the good, positive and love-filled path. It is the track of Source or God energy to amplify and grow the goodness in our lives, starting individually and then that energy radiates and emanates henceforth. 

These are worldly terms for The One Life Force, or Creator.

Thank you for this day. Thank you for my life. I love my life and I love God.

Life loves me and God loves, adores, values and cherishes me.

I am encouraged and boosted from my higher forces and I am surrounded by the Love of Angels.

Thank you for waking me so pleasantly, peacefully and serenely this morning. In my home, my own private bed, my own space to have privacy, joy, ease of movement and comfort. 

Thank you for our morning walk and taking in the fresh air and sunshine. It's a blessing to walk freely in terms of physical health and capability. It is a twofold blessing in the sense that so many other countries are still in lock-down mode or facing the soaring numbers of Covid. 

We are fortunate - I am really, deeply fortunate - to be in Dubai. 

I am thankful I went to the gym ensuing my outdoor walk and lifted weights, trained my shoulders and abs. It's a blessing to have an open, accessible, and conveniently-situated gym that is well stocked and well maintained and where fellow residents can also exercise. 

 Thank you!

Thank you for my amazing, loving, kind family. Thank you for so much love we share and good harmonization - with my loving, kind mother, father and phenomenal brother.

Thank you for my job and employment and how it prospers me in financial wealth and social fabric and in mental/emotional well-being. 

Thank you for my healthy, nourishing foods and drinks - herbal teas and clean, purified water. These are magnificent! Thank you for strengthening and empowering me to choose my foods and drinks and THOUGHTS with wisdom, intelligence, planning and joy. 

Thank you for my magnificent colleagues and the nice, pleasant, well-kept office premises.

THank you for my most decent and humane, pleasant and excellent boss.

I really appreciate where I am in life and eager for more development, expansion and movement forward into feeling even more satisfaction in my profession and career.

I love and appreciate my relationships - my magnificent, amazing, one-of-a-kind Friends! Those blessed beings with whom I share the good and bad stories and our rollercoaster journey through life.

We enjoy wonderful laughs and good outings. Thank you so much for my friends!

Thank you, thank you for so much health and vitality and energy in my body! Thank you for my amazing and awesome, remarkable, extraordinary body which carries me cheerfully through my daily life.

Dubai Lolita - Love, Health, Fitness & Freedom: Letting of the Scale of Judgment - What I Do Diffe...

Dubai Lolita - Love, Health, Fitness & Freedom: Letting of the Scale of Judgment - What I Do Diffe...: Do you weigh yourself every day?  Does it kill your mood or emotional joy if the scale number is not to your liking?  In this post..



Hello Friends! Hoping & trusting you are well.   Do you weigh yourself every day, or frequently? Has your day ever been upended once you saw a number on the scale that displeased you?  It's so easy and common for us to base our happiness, self-esteem and health on a single digit! This might seem crazy when we think logically however we are emotions, past memories, insecurities and health challenges too.



Here is my latest Blog entry being very authentic and really raw with my own experience with the scale...the tension, satisfaction, the non-need and yet the compulsion to keep a habit in my life.



I share this to express and be true to myself, and to proceed even with fear that a reader will judge me for being disordered or off-kilter.

I am human, I am feeling and I am always evolving and developing - as we all are. I am daily on the "Potter's Wheel".



What about you? I am with you in Spirit in those struggles and you can move forward once you accept what you are and what you are becoming.

Don't shy away from your dreams and truth.

Being authentically you because that is your essence and that is daily life.

Let's go on,

Jennifer​ Personal Power Life Coaching - Wellness​.

Letting of the Scale of Judgment - What I Do Differently & Better Next Time

Do you weigh yourself every day? 

Does it kill your mood or emotional joy if the scale number is not to your liking? 

In this post I am journaling and being real, raw, and authentic to my experience. Perhaps these ideas will resonate with you in some respect. The intention is to share something I encounter and this can possibly assist you remember that:

• You are wonderful with or without specific weight.
• You are loved and lovable regardless of your appearance or weight. 
• You are worthy and worth respecting, and most important worth your own self-respect. 

What does this mean to you?

This is meant to bring to air the thoughts and emotions that invade our inner personal space and wreak havoc on inner-peace; hence we want to focus on more from the inside out.

We just cannot base your goodness on factors like weight, fat gain/loss, muscle gain/loss, appearance etc.  You are more than that. 

We want to have deeply stable and healthy self-esteem and no longer judge ourselves based on the scale number. Let's not allow a single number determine whether you feel good or bad or if you have a great or poor day.

You deserve - I deserve - We all Deserve better than that but first we have to realize that and really accept it. 

It whittles down to thoughts we think that cause us to feel bad about ourselves, our body, and to criticize an aspect of yourself or your appearance. 

It's hard to escape our body and appearance because we are constantly exposed to it - we are living and carrying our body, and hence we must learn to develop, sustain and enjoy a harmonious and peaceful, loving relationship with your eternal vehicle through life. The only constant is the physical corpus you carry around with your consciousness. It's remarkable to appreciate the phrase "Your Body is your Temple".

These are just words that may seem trite or overused yet they are accurate. Your physical body is the house, or temple, vessel, vehicle and the portal with which and through which you literally interact and engage with the external physical world and all its manifold physical experiences. Your body carries you through life. Isn't that important enough to matter in terms of respecting our body in all its glory, whatever size and shape, it is?

Journal Entry that Day

Dear Lord, Dear Self,

Taking this time to reflect and write down my thoughts as my emotions and feelings felt a bit obscure and heavy since this morning.
I woke up feeling great after a wonderful night's sleep.
But things changed in my feelings and mindset when I weighed myself and saw that my weight went back up to what it was 2 days ago.
....
Nevertheless, I had eaten fine and well yesterday. My basic raw fruits and veggies daily intake.
Today thought my weight was back up again...
Feels bizarre. I felt a bit surprised and frustrated and kind of discouraged because I'm not sure what I did wrong or what factored into that extra weight gain.
I've been at this weight before and I have learned to not spas out or become discouraged or let that negatively influence my mood, feelings and emotional calm for the rest of the day.
It would be a shame for a simple number on an electronic device to disturb my ease and joy so much that it upends the rest of my day.

What about you? Has this every happened to you and do you ever fight with the scale? We are all fighting our own struggles and face our own limiting thoughts. It's a life's journey to understand and overcome those self-imposed limits.

But still, there is also the light voice that says, "Hey, that's OK. Just let it go. Focus on today and stay on your track. Don't let that get you down and off plan. You are doing great and you did feel good. Take it day by day, one at a time, and execute your plan and desired focus for today starting new and fresh and actually DOING IT :-). Don't let this become an excuse or a reason for you to self-sabotage and backslide for no huge reason. You got this! :-)💪💝"

This is the kind, loving voice which combats the pesky, negative ones that hurt us so much.

When you catch yourself starting to go into Negative-Thoughts Land 

Turning into a sour mood? It helps to write down your thoughts to better understand what is actually your thought process which has caused a decline in your positive mood. 

'Troublesome' thoughts that circled my mind:

• "What the hell!😞😖 All this effort and restraint and self-control, deprivation and self-management and still I just can't win??
• I might as well stop caring and give in to the other foods - cooked, packaged, bars, etc - that I'm missing out on. 
• What's the use? So much effort and conscientiousness and I still can't seem to get this number under control.

This above reflects the thought stream of the OFF VOICE.
Sound familiar?

These thoughts are very subtle and sheer and sometime very loud, mean and jarring. However, we must always be vigilant, especially with those that are light and sheer that ebb and undulate lightly through the open window of Insecurity.


I'm not alone and you are not alone in having types of thoughts; so many women and men struggle with their weight, appearance and want to lose weight. Millions of people worldwide are running this race! Exerting self-control every day on the journey towards more personal satisfaction and self-acceptance - which is manifested as a scale weight! It's a bit crazy and startling considering we are more than a weight and no specific weight or number is every going to satiate and appease the deeper-rooted need of being loved, self-appreciation and oneness with our divinity.

We are so much more!
Brains, feelings, love, sensitivity, emotions, spirit, joy, sharing and warmth, family, etc. Energy, power, creativity, self-expression.

I carried on with my morning, went out on my walk feeling that slight persistent confusion about the number on the scale but just letting it be - it is done and it is what it is?

Must let go of self-shaming & Low Self-Esteem

1. It is only a digit on an electronic device. It's not the evil or enemy.
2. It does not reflect your/my value or intelligence or worthiness.
3. The scale weight does not and should not determine my happiness on any day because that is unstable and a slippery slope. It is conditional happiness. And eventually can turn into conditional self-love, or self-abhorrence and this latter manifestation is neither mentally nor physically healthy.
4. A daily measurement is NOT an accurate measure of your percentage fat loss. It does show your water retention, sodium levels in the body, bowel weight (food in your intestines before being eliminated); it does reflect whether you slept enough or not.

No person's value, importance, or worth depends or stems from what they weigh. It just doesn't.

Cramming Food? The main lunch meal...

It was primarily mango and today perhaps I overdid it. They were super delicious however I often tend to have just a little more. They were great whilst eating and I don't think I 'binged' on them because I finished my meal feeling satiated, full, complete and satisfied but not overly full. 

However, I felt also subsequently that it was too much mango at that sitting and it may have generated some gastric juices that felt uncomfortable. I didn't really need the 2 extra mini mangoes. They were not going to go bad and I was no longer hungry at that point. 
However, the other brain and other part of me - what Dr. Glenn Livingston, PhD Psychologist & Author, ignominiously labels as "The Pig" wanted more of that good stuff. 
It happens from time to time - stuffing or 'cramming' food despite already feeling fed and full.

Dr. Doug Lisle, Evolutionary Psychologist and co-Author, has discussed and presented at length about called this non-pathological mechanism the "Conditioned Cram" whereby due to our evolutionary history of being hunters and gatherers and going for long periods of time without adequate food (i. hunger) this biology and primal brain seeks to consume more, or hoard more, calories once feeding does become available.

In the modern world this has been a factor in overeating because most of us in the modern world do not face a food shortage.  Rather, we have been self- and environmentally conditioned to be most attracted to calorie-rich, dense, low-nutrient, highly-palatable foods.
These engineered and processed foods trick our primal brain-centered satiation hormones and mechanisms and so we feel empty when logically and technically we are well fed; and simultaneously we think we want more and more to fill the 'need'.
We continue to put more food in our mouth.

Ironically,what triggers the cramming then is the fullness itself which hits and lights up the switch to continue putting more in - cramming more food in despite discomfort and already being noticeably full.

An Antidote to Cramming Food?:

Having learned from various health experts, nutritionists, psychologists:

• Step #1: Do not restrict, fast or go for long periods of time intentionally starving your body. Do not put your body into a state of caloric depletion whereby it thinks that food is scarce, calories are for a limited time only, and that once you open the door to eating or feeding again it becomes a floodgate where you are programmed to eat to extreme fullness in order to compensate for periods of false starvation. We need to nourish our bodies with enough calories and nutrients on a consistent basis, reliably and stably.

• Next steps in this process counter and defeat overeating or binge-eating tendency behavior is:

• Have a regular source of incoming calories/nutrition/nutrients throughout the day

• Don't fast or starve yourself 

• Break down your meal frequency to 3-6 times per day, a schedule that works for you. Such as 3 regular meals and 1-3 'snacks'.

• Feed yourself with nourishing, nutrient-rich, fiber-rich, whole foods. This matters immensely because when we are eating processed, chemically-laden, factory-engineered foods with MSG, natural flavours, fillers, chemicals, white sugar, gluten, wheat, etc. we are giving our body EMPTY CALORIES which do not register adequately in the brain and hormones and hence can cause you to feel and think that you are still hungry despite having eaten more than enough, and this is true even for those who binge and still do not feel full. This is because the food substance is not real food - it is artificially constructed "edible food-like substances" {term originally coined by Michael Pollan}.

Just to be clear I don't think or consider today's meal eating was a 'binge' but rather a reflection of a type of behavior that could quickly escalate into binge eating in anyone conditioned or programmed, or even from pathological reasons. 

Lessons Learned - What I will do Differently & Better Next Time:

• Mindfully and intentionally will never eat more than X grams in 1 lunch meal and only at lunch. 

• Ensure that my lunch meal maxes out at an adequate-for-me # of calories by 3:00pm. So that if I go to the office in the afternoon for work, I still have space and mental and physical comfort to consumer a snack of veg+fruit, and avoid overeating later in the day. Regular, consistent and healthful nutrition flowing in.

• Other consideration for you, the Reader: If a food is not healthy or you can't control yourself with it, or it has apparent negative consequences on your health it may be a good idea to stop completely consuming that food item. Or, cut it out for a certain time...perhaps 1 month, and see how you feel. I still have plenty of mangoes at home which I can ultimately freeze and wait for them in the future. 

• Just put the food down! The next time you hear that voice: 'Have 1 more, have 2 more' 😈😈😈😠or 'it's just too good' etc. etc. ...   Remember that you can tell that voice to Shut Up and let it know: NO! We had more than plenty and we don't need to stuff our face and our beautiful body with more than is adequate already. It's not like my body is a garbage bin or huge hamper to be jammed with old, musty clothes.

• THE GOAL AND higher PREFERENCE is to be light, flowing, calm, and ongoing sustained energy throughout the day.

We have 2 competing voices in our head and we must learn to distinguish which is (1) the health-oriented, stable, reasoned voice - and which (2) is the overstepping-bounds and good reason and good health-Voice is.  Light & Dark?
Otherwise, ignoring the 'Voice or PULL to Overeat' means ignoring the impulse of the primal, instinctual animal brain when it no longer serves us in that moment of modern life.

Final Thoughts:

We can have more peace and calm and joy in our daily lives when we learn to appreciate and transcend these primal junk or garbage ideas, and embrace and live out the inspired impulses that will lead to great self satisfaction, harmony with our bodies and inner & outer wellness in mind, body and spirit. 

You deserve to be happy, and you deserve to be proud of who you are and to feel happy in your daily life and for us to not make a big deal or create even more future problems for ourselves.

We can step forward now and have more wisdom to know the difference, and the courage to accept what is true, good and what is out of our control...and to release what does not serve us.

Blessings & Namaste,
Jennifer

   

Wanting To Be Loved - Turning Thoughts Around

Hello dears,
It's been a long while since I came to this site and these pages and decided to write.
Or thought that I had something to share and journal.
Actually, that is why and what I am doing now, here. I am journaling because I've recently heard others mention the word or suggestion to 'journal' and 'journaling your thoughts' or 'journaling your reaction and feelings after x situation'.

I've recently been wracked or afflicted with negative, stinkin', poopy-pants thinking. Fears, self-doubts, stupid, recurrent insecurities.
Comparing my body to other women on IG and real life who have beautiful, flat, firm abs; or who seem to be doing more, being more actively creative and sharing their content.

I'm also frightened when I hear those inspirational talks or YouTube videos that mention repeatedly "living your purpose", "pursuing your passion", being your fullest self, helping others, etc. etc.

It's a lot these days for me to take.
I'm just over here, in Dubai, by myself, doing my darnedest to take care of my health, finances, house, work performance and fitness. And Sleep! Sleep is crucial.
Where do I fit in my 'passion'? It seems that with time I do enjoy it still (the sharing videos and my information) however it also takes time and energy.
Am I energy-depleted?
These types of questions evoke subsequent insecurities like:
- Am I eating enough? I am for my body without stuffing myself to the gills. I also am content with my current weight. And while I'd love to have even more defined, buffer, leaner, more pronounced, stronger muscles...I also don't want the parallel and ensuing fat mass gain it entails.

- Is something wrong with me?
- Am I doing something wrong?
- What do I have to do to change my course and really feel like I am fulfilling my true life purpose, expressing my passion daily and living daily with joy, peace, satisfaction and in alignment with Source Energy, divine Providence, infinite Intelligence, all labels for the same - for God.

As a young teenager and throughout my early 20s I emphasized, adopted and embraced the concept of 'virtue in suffering' and 'no gain without pain' and that you have to prove your worth.
And that you don't need so much sleep, you need to suffer and bear with the discomfort, wake up early at 5AM or 4AM in university and keep charging ahead.
There is some vigor and energy to that mindset and the lifestyle and movement patterns it embodies.
However also tiring, depleting and I was running entirely on adrenaline and TOO MUCH CAFFEINE. Lol. Back in the day I used to wake up to brew a pot of flavored coffees. I see now that I drank up to 2-3 cups of coffee every day of my life from 17yrs-25 - almost 8 years overall. Perhaps it was all too much.

Fast-Forward to the present day, July 2nd, 2020 and I am currently on Zero Caffeine and it's been a total of about 45 days or so. It's been fine actually and the most interesting is that I have not missed the green or black teas. I was off coffee anyway for the past 2 years, with perhaps 1-2 cups per month, 24 cups/year. In estimation...
However, no caffeinated coffee since March to July 2020 --> 4 months. I don't miss it, and the only time I think of it is when I see the barista from across my balcony delivering some coffee to a resident in the living complex.

Anyway, the point is that I have changed and evolved a lot over the years and that is perhaps the most natural thing and way of a human in development year on year.

Back to my Insecurities:

One of the most recurrent thoughts that I receive or hear and notice in my head: 

• I just want to be loved.
• I want to be approved of and validated.
• I want to be beautiful.
• I want to be loved.

And, so, if I don't judge or criticize my own mind and its creations, by whom or by what do I want to be loved?

I want my boss's approval but that is a slippery slope and his job is not to love me so I do not, cannot, expect that from him. And yet, I want to make him and others happy.

There is this tendency to want to please others, and for others to like me. 

But it's no one's job or responsibility or duty to like me, or anyone for that matter. Each person is entitled to their free will, preferences, choices and behavior and no one else (not me) affects that. 

Yet, my inner working try to influence others' opinions so that they see me in the most favorable light and so that I am nice, and friendly and helpful, courteous, pleasing, ...etc. 

I am naturally a pleasant and nice person but I've come to learn that I am not always in that 'mood' or frame of mind. Sometimes I am tired, or absorbed in my own thoughts, or I just don't care if that person likes me or not...

Nevertheless, I always strive for the most positive and uplifting exchange possible with everyone else. ANd if the other party is not up for it, then I just don't pay attention to them and keep to myself. 

So what is the purpose of this Journal Entry?

I suppose that the most important element of what I have written above is that I always hear that thought in my head: "I JUST WANT TO BE LOVED". 

Then it leads to thought: "I miss my family and their support."

And they do love me deeply, immensely and powerfully. 

I get sensitive and feel teary-eyed just thinking these thoughts. They do love me, of course, they are just very far away physically. 

But the love is definitely, totally, absolutely present. Amen.

And so, how can I evolve, learn, grow and transcend this recurrent thought: "I just want to be loved, adored, approved of" ?

Also important to note is that God loves me - and God is with me and within me. God is Abraham, Source Energy, Infinite Intelligence, Divine Providence, Faith, Wellbeing, Love. 

I would like that and this to be enough. I don't need more, and really I do not need more and could not have more than the Creator itself - Life Force and God - to love me infinitely and endlessly. I just need to feel it more. 

So I now open myself to that and make myself totally receptive and sensitive to you, dear God, to your love and adoration. Thank you for it. 

Now the good, positive thoughts! Turn the stinky thinky to something Bright & Light:

• I am/ You are doing better than you think and better than you realize.
• All is well.
• Things are always working out for you.
• I am in the right place at the right time doing my right work.
• You are stronger and smarter than you realize.
• You are doing enough
• You are enough
• You are exactly where you're supposed to/meant to be. 
• Life loves and supports you in myriad ways.
• I am loved - I have a loving family, my friends love me. I can love me. 

Jennifer Tarot Spiritual Guidance�� Live Reading, Focus: ��✍Career, Work a...

Hello friends! 🔮Jennifer Tarot Spiritual Guidance🔮
Live Reading and Q&A -
Focus Topic: Career, Work and Employment guidance in times ahead.

For faith, support, joy and ongoing high vibrations for you and all.

Blessings,
Thank you, Jennifer

Personal Power Wellness: Life Update on ZERO CAFFEINE-How, What, Why, Ch...

Tarot Message Feb 1-2, 2020 ~ JENNIFER TAROT SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE...

I wish you love and kindness and unexpected sweetness’s!

Jennifer Tarot Spiritual Guidance: OCT 23-24, '19: ARE YOU ON THE RIGHT...

Personal Power Wellness Coaching Kitchen: Remove Heavy Metals from your ...

Hello friends around the World!🌏
Would you like to remove Heavy Metals from your body- brain - and improve your neurological system in a safe and sustainable manner?

Well go no further! 🐎

Tonight's show in Personal Power Wellness Coaching kitchen:

Creating the strong & mighty HEAVY METAL DETOX SMOOTHIE with its 5 essential components.

⚓🌀5 KEY CORE INGREDIENTS🌀⚓

☆Cilantro (the raw herb), 85g
☆ Frozen Wild Blueberries, ~170g
☆ Dulse Atlantic Sea Vegetable (the strips or flakes), 14 grams
☆ Spirulina Powder (Organic)
☆ Barley Grass Juice Powder (Vimergy or Organic Traditions brand, always organic and raw)

Then tonight I added:
♡Ginger root raw, 10-20g
♡ Turmeric root raw, 10-20g
♡ 3 small Dates, organic local - 30 grams (or use Raisins, dried mulberries, dried apricots, figs or prunes)
♡ Parsley, raw herb - one big bunch, 75 grams or more
♡ Fresh lemon juice
♡ Moringa Powder (1 TBSP)
♡ Chaga Mushroom Powder (1 Tbsp)
♡ Water to blend OR Raw Coconut Water is also fantastic

Blend.

Serve and store your 2 servings of 16 oz each. A great way to stay healthy and wholesome everyday at work and on the go.

The recipe is originally from Anthony  William the Medical Medium and I give thanks for the simple and easily-replicable main recipe.

I invite you to try this out and you won't go back! The only way to go in life: Keep moving forward no matter how slow or gradual your progress and evolution seem.

Be in this present moment. This is the Gift 🎁🎀.

This Smoothie will boost your digestion, improve your total antioxidant intake and reduce bodily inflammation and discomfort.

Put it more of the good and eliminate the poor one by one, bit by bit.
Let's get blending in Jen's Personal  Power Raw Kitchen.
Woo hoo!🌞

Blessings and thanks,

Jennifer at Personal Power Life Coaching Wellness - www.facebook.com/CoachArcila
Namaste

Jennifer Tarot Guidance - June 16-17, 2019: "Trusting Your Intuition & Removing Self-Imposed Limits"

Personal Power Wellbeing: WildBlueberry

Hello friends and Happy Wellness Day!
Today in Personal Power Universe we are co-creating a potent & beneficial brew:
💫Super-Green Honeydew & Wild Blueberry Blend💫

Do you ever use Visualization to boost yourself, increase your motivation or mood, to motivate or inspire yourself, or help you focus?

I notice that Visualization, or images, pop up during my meditations sometimes and I use these as signs and tools - indicators- of where my soul and Higher Self and Inner Being are guiding me towards for greater wellbeing.

Some images are wonderful however, living in our visual and multifaceted, diverse world also introduces images and sights that cause discomfort or veer away from the life, reality or person you want to consciously be every day.

In today's segment we discuss Your Empowerment in our Topic:
⛰SEEING YOURSELF AS A MOUNTAIN THROUGH LIFE'S STRUGGLES AND HEAVY MOMENTS to reach your Desired Outcome:
➡️
Resolution, security, inner peace, self-control, stability, steadiness and grounding.

Allowing the good things to come to you and Sitting in your space of power, observing and noticing - not reacting but, rather, *choosing* awareness.

Thank you again & May all your wishes come true,
Wisdom, Clarity, Insight, Compassion, Joy, Peace & Love.

Namaste,
Jennifer at Personal Power Life Coaching

Poem and Prose for Catching Troublesome Thoughts

A POEM ON THOUGHTS & PERCEPTION:

Do not run away, 

do not be afraid.

When we escape we must always inevitably RETURN.

"Return to what", you may ask?

Return to what Is - This Moment, your life 'Now' - or what you're thinking and believing about it.

It's always going to be a moment...

moment to moment.

Present to present, presence to presence.

Awareness brightly lit.

Can you be still and breathe through this one very precious, special moment here and now?

Can we pause and breathe - and allow - the thought that just zoomed into your space of consciousness and awareness?

This is all that is happening ever.

It's always going to be 'this moment' whether here or there...anywhere, truly.

Allow it

Be in it. 

Flow in it....

Breathe in it and be OK with what is 

Be the love, choose the love, be the peace, choose Peace.

Consider some Positive, Helpful and Resourceful Thoughts to orient yourself in a more empowered direction:

"I can control my thinking right now.

I can control and choose what I think right now.

I choose to ...

I believe that ...

I think that...

No judgment, just 'is-ness' and being-ness."

Allowing! Letting the moment and situation "be" what you think it is in this space and snapshot in time and space. 

It only exists in your thoughts. If you don't look, you don't see and it's not real. 

It's always just this moment with different players, sights, visions and sounds. 

The cryptic maya (illusion) and yet, even in this that there is a 'maya',

There is inherently a label, judgment, evaluation, assessment on existence being an illusion as opposed to non-illusion or Truth, or Wholeness, or Purity and Realness.

From God & Source & Your Inner Being: 

"It can be Okay, my dear darling. What is right now is fine and acceptable. 

I love you now and always

Let the love in. Don't block the flow.

'She's so nice', you ,may think.

'He was so nice and helpful,' you recall.

'She is so considerate',

'She is so thoughtful, considerate and gracious.'

'He is so attentive and knowledgeable - perfect timing. '

'I am so glad I am helpful and resourceful.'

---

These are just samples of the positive aspects you can highlight from whatever you have lived with today. Or replace the above with whatever has really happened for You. 

Take note of all the good that has come your way today - did someone help? Are you breathing calmly? Can you walk at all? These are profound blessings.

Taking a moment to pause and breath and peacefully just let it Be, for a moment the tension and dissipates - and things feel better overall. 

---

Amen. Amen. So be it. 

-Jennifer

Personal Power Coaching Tips: WHY YOUR FOCUS MATTERS & POWERFUL QUESTIONS

Welcome to this powerful and life-enhancing Personal Power Life Coaching moment.



This segment focuses on what Jennifer has learned today:

⛳FOCUS🎯THE IMPORTANCE OF HOW & WHERE YOU FOCUS and ASKING POWERFUL QUESTIONS, EXAMPLES.



I've been listening to various inspirational, motivational, recognized life coaches and thought leaders in the self-development space and am learning loads.

I'm also being reminded of our innate resources and how to develop them.



How can you make learning fun?

In what ways could life be even more amazing, and how could you get there or have that whilst enjoying the process?



Powerful questions yield powerful answers.



Enjoy!

Thank you,

Jennifer

Personal Power Life Coaching

FB:  www.facebook.com/CoachArcila