Spiritual Weight Loss with Norris

[free2bunme]

Simplify

May I suggest that you un-complicate your life?

Keep things on the simple side. Try to see difficult, all-consuming problems in another light--as the sum of a lot of little parts. Break down tasks into manageable, little steps.

Only do things that are going to bring you joy, peace, and prosperity. Don't do it unless there's some good to come of it. Don't do anything out of guilt, shame, resentment, anger, dread, hostility, or if you are forced or coerced.

Look at your schedule, and everything you want or need to do today. Is everything on that big list completely necessary? Can some things wait, or be put aside?

[free2bunme]

Food Is Sacred

When I see trees and grass and birds and the sky and living things -- I get that exciting feeling that I am One with all of Nature. When I breathe fresh air in and out, and drink in the sky's pure sunlight with my eyes, I feel the connection and the loving power of God. When I eat, it's a spiritual activity. It used to be entertainment and emotional salve. Now I know that I'm taking in life energy, and that it's giving me the same in return. Food is precious, and I take it very seriously.

Now, every time I eat I thank God for the physical and spiritual nourishment I am about to receive. As a Christian, food has become a symbol of Holy Communion with God for me. My Jewish friends have invited me to spiritual feasts, such as Passover, symbolizing God’s presence and Love. I went to a Hindu temple and ate some food called Prasada, holy food offered to Hindu deities and then shared among worshippers as a form of grace. I also have taken courses in Buddhist practice, and shared a spiritual meal, using only one bowl.

[free2bunme]

Quick! Think Well of Yourself!

Quick, think of three things that are good about yourself. Remind yourself of these things all day today, at every given opportunity. Go ahead, give yourself some compliments (even though it may be hard at first).

If you need prompting, chose three descriptions from this list that apply to you: sincere, prompt, truthful, caring, attentive, smart, good hair, beautiful blue (or brown or green) eyes, precise, diligent, great sense of humor, peaceful, patient, proud, friendly, fastidious, childlike, poetic, hard-working, tall, sweet, creative, neighborly, green-thumb, witty, resourceful, good cook...That's only a starter list of possibilities!

It's way too easy to be self-critical, and hard on oneself.

[free2bunme]

I’m sick of struggling to lose weight – and then gaining it right back and starting all over again. How do I lose weight permanently?

First of all, learn to find JOY in the process of becoming and staying healthy. While nothing in this life is truly perfect or permanent, there is a way to "manage" and maintain your weight. That’s what you want to aim for, a stable and healthy weight.

How? BALANCE! Aim to eat only as many calories (or take in as much nutritional energy) as you use up in living. Learn to eat just the right amount of food, from all six food groups in moderation every day. Learn and practice being physically active every day. You eat for nourishment, mainly, and get your pleasure from life in all of its vast variety.

This is all accomplished slowly, over time, with HELP! Help from others who have done it, who care about you and will cheer you on, and most importantly, divine help from God (or whatever you call your Higher Power).

[free2bunme]

Consciously Silent

Every time, before you eat, take a moment to be silent. Close your eyes if you like, or just fix your attention on a neutral object or point. Take a few slow, deep breaths. Think about your body and that you’re about to feed and nourish it. Gather a sense of gratitude about the food, and know how lucky you are to have it when many others don’t. Remind yourself of your commitments to eat well, but just enough. Remember that you love your body, and yourself. Then be silent again for a little while.

Silence is anything but empty! When you put yourself and your thoughts aside, you let God come into your awareness. You come to sense that all is right and well with everything and with you.

Being consciously silent before eating can ground you, making you aware of the magnitude of what you’re about to do. You are taking another living thing’s life into your body. Food was once alive and by the act of eating it, you claim its life for yours. You are continuing the flow of God’s magnificently intricate eco-system with each bite.

[free2bunme]

Q&A: How Long Do I Have to Exercise to Lose Weight?

How long does it take to see results from exercise?

First of all, I don̢۪t believe in "exercise!" That̢۪s a dirty word to me, because it was always something I had to do, and I hated it. That̢۪s why I would join gyms or begin vigorous programs and quickly quit. I do, however, love to move and be physically active.

The slightest amount of daily movement will immediately make you feel great. You’ll enjoy instant results: you’ll feel good, your mind will clear, and your mood will quickly improve. All it takes to begin is to get up out of the chair, take some deep cleansing breaths and walk around the block. If that’s too much, just walk around your home, and stretch a little. You’ll immediately feel better after you finish. So good, you’ll want to repeat the pleasure again – this afternoon, or tomorrow!

The physical joy is contagious - now, after many years, I can̢۪t wait to move and play an hour a day! It makes a huge, instant difference in my life.

[free2bunme]

Cravings vs. Habits

Your body will tell you what it needs in the form of cravings. The trick is to develop an internal “ear” for your body’s nutritional signals, while learning to ignore the orders old habits try to give. Most of us have lost or ignored those natural tiny signals long ago because ourhabits “speak” so much louder. So we need to learn to differentiate between a habit and a craving first, before we can become “intuition eaters.”

It’s easy. Habits tend to be repeated behaviors; cravings are mostly one-time feelings. Habit foods are usually not so good for you, like candy, desserts, fatty snack foods, fried foods, etc. Craving foods are what you need to satisfy your nutritional needs, to get enough energy and deep physical vigor for living.

Craving foods are usually much better for your health and fall into categories like protein, minerals, vitamins, etc. (I craved spinach today, so I must need iron. Or if I really have a hankering for a cheese sandwich or a hamburger then I probably need more protein.)

If you feel compulsive (that out-of-control and MUST have a specific thing, or piles of food NOW struggle) it means there’s a habit talking.

[free2bunme]

Habit is habit and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time.


Mark Twain

[free2bunme]

Free As A Bird

Listen to the birds chirping. See them flying. In the day, they're out in the air and sunshine. At night, they perch on a limb. They gather food when they're hungry. They eat what they like; as much as feels right. They spend most of the day flying around. They find mates. They raise their young. They do their thing.

You don't see fat birds, do you? Birds don't eat too much. They use their bodies and move. They're not worried about themselves, or ill at ease and in need of comfort. They don't need to eat and eat and eat to feel good. They are totally themselves, and don't care one way or the other. They just are. And they are fine.

[free2bunme]

Motion the Seconds

Instead of having seconds, listen to a Mozart sonata today. If you don't have one, tune in to a classical radio station. Sit and do nothing else but listen to that music.

Focus on every note. Listen to the rapture, the joy that Mozart had when the melody flowed out of him. He sat with pen and paper at hand – often with no piano or instrument – and let it just flow out, almost without effort or thinking about it. Listen to the precision of harmony and counter-point that he had. Such ecstasy it must have been to be that talented. He was so naturally gifted, and able to let the music flow out of him. So joyous, and breathtakingly beautiful at times I can barely stand it!

This is a much better feeling than being stuffed with food. Listen to music, and let it play inside you instead of having a second helping of something today. Have just a little, keep with your daily food plan, and let time go by – you will feel most satisfied.