Food and Body Legacy

I had a fairly rough childhood. Although I was loved by many, I suffered through:
- Two parental divorces,
- Adults in my life with addiction issues,
- I grew up with mostly just my father,
- Loneliness. I stayed home from school a lot by myself due to terrible asthma and I was a latch key kid for many years - I took refuge in TV and the Frig.
- Instability and Insecurity about the future; I went to 11 different schools before high school,
- I had lots of mysterious stomachaches especially at night.

These events led me to find comfort in food, to become an emotional eater, and to overeat. The adults in my life fed me lots of sugar, fried foods, mashed potatoes, and white bread which were considered part of a normal diet. As we now know, these high glycemic index, high carb foods increase cravings for more food.

From 12-25, things began to look up for me. I gained confidence, ambition, a great education, self-esteem, and personal successes. However, I still held onto food, body image, weight, self-esteem, health, self-worth, and insecurity issues that led me to engage in some self-destructive behavior and relationships. I remember standing at the fridge and eating handful after handful of raisin bran as fast as I could...not out of hunger, but as a way to stuff my fears. A way to pacify my anxiety. I ate until I was stuffed and numb.

Many experiences have contributed to my healing and I continue to optimize my capacity heal and be healed to this day. My 15 years of yoga practice has been the most dramatic and sustaining catalyst for change, growth, healing, and happiness.

My practice includes:
- Yogic Diet - I eat a diet that balances blood sugar and is mostly plant based.
- Meditation - Quieting the mind reduces stress and stress eating; it also leads to lasting feelings of happiness and peace.
- Hatha Yoga - I practice yoga for an hour most days of the week and I walk.
- Self-acceptance - My weight fluctuates 5 pounds up and down; still I aim to love and accept myself just the way I am.
- Positive Thinking and Law of Attraction - Positive thinking takes practice! We have to learn to focus our minds on what we do want regardless of what our present circumstances may be.
- Prayer - I aim to be in a constant state of prayer and communication with God.

What are your practices?

The most important teaching that I have learned is that we are here To Serve. We need to take care of our issues, sort ourselves out, heal our bodies and make them strong, and release our addictions, mood swings, and negativities in order to be there for others.

Hopefully, our practices make it easier for others to be around us...like spouses, kids, family members, neighbors, co-workers, friends, and so on. Then, if we can be a light in the world once in a while - what a bonus!

Namaste and Keep Practicing!
Monique