God Loves; Food Doesn’t Mind-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. We have a very brief evaluation form. We would love to get feedback from you. Don’t forget to sign up for our email list if you want information from us about other workshops, coaching and online services. Close with Prayer Alexa Sparkman, MA, RD, LD (512) 257-0898 Jeanne Sivertson, MSSW, ACC (805) 358-8807 www.GodLovesFoodDoesnt.com

Ephesians 3:20 Now 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. Our guiding scripture

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 The deprivation, guilt, sense of failure, and fear that results from having dieted lost weight and gained it back over and over again generally ends in Cycle of Emotional Eating.

The Cycle of Emotional Eating The cycle can start anywhere and will continue until we learn to look to God for comfort and support and give control of our lives to Him. How do we do this?

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 What gets in the way of Well Being? Discussion: Be intentional with increasing your Well Being, so your fears and defenses do not run your life and you have access to new possibilities. Increase your awareness by tracking your Well Being activities: Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Once in a While. *see handout Then use your Tracking Lists as a resource to create new habits.

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 2:20-23 You 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. Segue into Intuitive Eating

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 What we don’t need is more rules. The goal with IE is more “being.” God planned for us to be able to eat without all the worry and fear. Nourishing our bodies is more about Being with food rather than the doing.

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Romans 12: 2 Do 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 If you keep doing what you have always done, you will keep getting what you have always gotten. As soon as you are aware (draw a fork on the white board), you can choose to be intentional with your choices whether it is with food or other areas of your life. We might feel stuck but we don’t have to be stuck.

The Cycle of Emotional Eating Connect to God Eat intuitively Respond from your True-self Make choices Increase well-being

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 Use Handout