CityGirl Guide…..Food Rules For The Busy CityGirl

“When diet is wrong medicine is of no use. When diet is correct medicine is of no need.” Ayurvedic Proverb
I’m more of an over eater than an under eater, it’s not hard to be living amongst the worlds greatest pasta, pizza and cuisine here in Italy.
For me eating and diet have been a life long interest, and a challenge at times, having experienced the extremes of eating dis-orders.
I now embrace food and enjoy it for:
- Pleasure
- Connection
- Vitality
Interestingly , since doing so my previous anxieties and weight have stabilised. Food as a friend is so much nicer than as my once shameful enemy.
I’ve realised now, having worked with many women (and men) on weight issues and body image, that food represents a different experience for everyone, so I don’t expect you to resonate with all that is here.
I’ve also learned that the best diet to follow, is a simple one, it shouldn’t be some complex methodology that involves hours of preparation and mathematical calculations!
In any case I hope these are helpful techniques for all you busy women out there who struggle with weight and/or food issues.
I’d love to have your thoughts and comments as I continue on this inspiring journey.
Food Rules for the busy CityGirl
1: Drop the labels, drop the weight. Food is your friend until you label it otherwise; so don’t put anything in your mouth you label as “bad” , your feelings are powerful and dictate how your body assimilates and/or eliminates the food!
2: Diet comes from the Latin, Deit meaning Good or God, hence your diet should be “god-like” . God is to be celebrated, embraced, and enjoyed , so in my view your diet and eating habits should reflect the same.
3: FAT: Is really Fear And Threat. How can you possibly combat fear and threat through your diet? Sure you might lose some weight but if you don’t deal with the underlying fear/threat you perceive, then your results will be minimum and short lived. (I offer consults on this , also see The CityGirl Detox too).
4: Food should be mainly from the land So learn to eat real food, not manufactured crap. “Eat Food, mostly plants, not too much” is a good moto. See Michael Pollan’s book “Food Rules” (image below) here http://bit.ly/rNEF67
5: ”French Women Don’t Get Fat”…Well actually some do! I have worked with a few personally but they don’t have the epidemic of weight gain we do because they embrace food as a pleasureful not a shameful experience, plus they use a variety of dishes as opposed to one big plate, this leads to greater sensory satisfaction and less overeating. See more here: http://bit.ly/dzqogJ
6: Eating Disorders are simply that, dis-order, if you want to to bring your relationship with food back into order, you will have to re-order your relationship with yourself first. All relationships are a reflection of self.
7: Intuitive eating is your greatest gift to perfect weight. No one knows your body like you do, that’s why diets don’t work long term. Slow down and tune in before you eat !
8: Always Leave Some Space Within When You Eat. In doing so you experience greater alertness, vitality and (my favorite) you can look forward to eating something a few hours later! Little but often, yepiee!
9: Mindful Eating is best for the CityGirl . As a busy woman learn to make your eating busy-less! Eat slowly instead of on the go.
10: You can’t live on bread alone! Proteins are very satisfying, add some form of protein to each meal. Snack on protein to balance blood sugars and reducing cravings later on.
11: Practice Aperitivo, Italian Style: Have a little starter like we do here in Italy before dinner. A glass of vino accompanied always by some nibbles, it curbs the hunger that might later lead you to scoffing all your food in seconds!…. Where is the pleasure in that?
12: Have something greater to do in your life than EAT. When we are fulfilled on the inside, we don’t need to fill up on stuff from the outside! What inspiring work or service really full-fills you? Go out and do it! Your relationship with food will change forever, I promise you!
I’d love to have your thoughts as well as understand sue of your own food rules, we all have them Ladies, are yours a little too harsh or too easy at times?
Get in touch if you’d love an exclusive copy of The Body Bliss Booklet- A Guide to greater Health and Wealth for the busy professional!
Totally agree Grace. Often weight is protection against something else. Unless we resolve that issue we will build the protection back up again. I also believe that when you work for yourself you have to heal so many things before you can be truly successful! Thank you for the lovely post.
Hi Andrea,
Thanks for connecting. Yes good old false protection, fat is like padding isn’t it we all have padded areas in the body representing different fears .
Commitment to self first for SUCCESS.
GX
Great tips CityGirl and I really liked the quote off the top as well – glad I found you on the Ultimate Blog Challenge!
Thanks Tor,
Did you find this blog on twitter Blog boost or elsewhere? How are you doing on the challenge?
GX
Loved your points. The American population is going thru huge problems with our weight so I loved how it said food is our friend and should not be our enemy.
Hi Shawn,
I agree the USA is having major issues as is UK and Ireland now, an excess of anything is not good but the greatest change could come form making friends with real food, making time for it too.
Thanks for commenting GX
You have done a very good job in making me hungry! I never had a problem with weight until I reached my thirties, now all I am worried about is the amount of sugar I consume, which is a lot! I never feel bad about what I eat other than that though. I figure there are more important things to worry about. I just wish I did eat more from the land though, I’m just lazy!
Hi Lynette,
Sugar is an interesting one, lots of info on it, some say it’s a drug etc. I love sweet things but again in moderation .
There are more important things to worry about indeed , so long as you find fulfilment in other areas of your life weight won’t be a major concern.
I’ve only started eating from the land fully since moving to Italy, vegetables and fruits are amazing here! Don’t be hard on yourself, simply start! GX
Grace, these are my new rules. I’m going to totally adopt them. Thanks.
Grace, Grace, Grace… I SO resonate with your number 11. Taking time, mindfully anticipating… we don’t do enough of that and end up, hmmm, how shall I say it… bluntly???!!! Fat and guilty. Not nice and not how nature intended. 😉
Thank you for your insights as ever: I know that you pour your heart and soul into these posts. I appreciate you. x