Food Addiction, Weight Loss, and Life Coaching

October 16, 2019October 16, 2019 Kristy MoxLeave a comment

You “eat clean” 80% of the time, exercise 5-7 days a week, don’t smoke, and you only drink on special occasions. Every Thanksgiving you even do a 5k Turkey Trot, and you not only participate in New Year’s weight-loss challenges, you CRUSH THEM every time.

Weight loss isn’t the problem for you. Keeping the weight off is another story. If you KNOW how to lead a healthy lifestyle, to eat healthy and lean down, why is it you struggle to maintain a healthy weight?

BREATHE! –> You are not alone!

We live in a society that is FILLED with information and high expectations. We are doers. We see a problem, we take action, we learn how to fix it, we roll up our sleeves and go full force into “fixing it”…and we expect it to be “fixed” indefinitely.

Treating obesity as a problem to “fix” IS the problem.

You are not a machine…

Being overweight is a symptom of a much larger, far more complicated issue, and lack of knowledge rarely has anything to do with it. (refer to Weight Loss Coaching for more) Treating obesity as a problem to “fix” IS the problem.

If you know alcohol, cigarettes, soda, fast food, pizza, chips, fried foods, baked goods and the like are doing nothing positive for your body, but you are compelled to ingest them, chances are the root of your problem has more to do with your emotions and deep-seeded self-defeating thought processes than your intellect.

Our relationship with food begins on our first day of life. We cry. We get food. We feel better. How that relationship evolves over the course of a lifetime is very complicated. The connection between food and our emotions is powerful. We are human beings – not human doings. When you are too busy “doing” and not taking time to “be,” we accumulate decades of unprocessed feelings. We lose touch with how we feel and how to feel; this is the root of the problem.

Stuffing our faces with calorie-rich, carb-rich, sweet, salty, and fatty foods is how we keep those feelings stuffed. These foods can be just as intoxicating and mind-numbing as any pharmaceutical – they are legal, readily available, and socially acceptable. These substances provide us with the fastest, cheapest, easiest way to mentally and emotionally check-out and the consequences they afflict us with distract us from ever having to acknowledge what is taking place. It is the perfect storm for a life of self-destruction and denial.

OK, so now I know what the real problem is…
just tell me how to fix it!

Patience Grasshopper

A mind and soul filled with repressed and suppressed feelings and emotions is a dangerous place to go alone. You can’t fix your thinking with your own thinking. That is why you need a Life Coach to navigate you through this minefield and help you reach higher ground.

With that said, you may be wondering why I’m not suggesting counseling.

How is Life Coaching different than therapy?

A Life Coach doesn’t diagnose or treat disorders and diseases of the mind. Life Coaching is about honoring you as a person and your ability to heal and solve your own issues with guidance and direction – to meet you where you are and build you up to where you want to be.

You know you better than anyone else. A Life Coach can help you see things from a different perspective and walk you through the mental blocks that are holding you back from becoming the person you want to be and living the life you long to live. Coaching is about helping you actualize and set goals, develop a plan of action and support you along the way.

blur close up key knot — Open the Door to Sustained Weight Loss

If you are one of those people who struggle to lose weight or keep the weight off long-term, Life Coaching may be the key to achieving and sustaining weight loss.

Addiction · Blog · Career Coaching · Nutriton Coaching · Recovery Coaching · Relationship Coaching · Wellness Coaching

Try Different, Not Harder

July 2, 2019July 15, 2019 Kristy MoxLeave a comment

Oftentimes, when faced with a problem, we venture to solve it in a specific way. When that doesn’t work, we typically continue trying to solve the same problem in the exact same way…only harder.

We get frustrated. We try harder. We get more frustrated. We try way harder.

The whole approach is about as successful as crossing the finish line on a hamster wheel. The only way to stop is by hitting a wall.

These valiant efforts take place in all areas of our lives, including relationships. With about the same success rate as we would have trying to fix a broken object with the wrong tools. It’s like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Sure you can roll up your sleeves, utilize a myriad of tools and apply relentless efforts to shape that square peg to fit into the round hole. However, the more fitting (pun intended) solution would be to insert said peg into its corresponding hole.

At times it is appropriate to not to give up and to try harder. More often, the better route would be to let go, embrace acceptance and surrender. Miraculously the latter approach typically yields the desired results, without such an effort.

If something doesn’t work or doesn’t flow, maybe life is trying to tell you something. There is always a lesson to be learned in every life experience. Unfortunately, it isn’t always as glaringly obvious as a flashing neon sign.

…or NOT! Brains over brawn is an underrated approach.

Sometimes, the signs are subtle.

Sometimes something not working IS the sign!

If you find yourself struggling too much—Let Go. If you are venturing down a path of insanity by unsuccessful repeated efforts, you may be taking a wrong turn.

Learn to recognize when something isn’t working. Let go, and let the path reveal itself to you. Answers and solutions emerge more clearly in the still of surrender as opposed to furious efforts.

If you are feeling stuck and the answers have not become clear to you, I would love to help you gain clarity and insight.

CLICK HERE to connect with me!

Nutriton Coaching · Wellness Coaching

Small But Mighty Chia Seeds

May 26, 2019July 15, 2019 Kristy MoxLeave a comment

Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia

When you hear Chia, you may recall the Chia Pet jingle from infomercials years ago, and funnily enough, this is actually the very same seed used to make the funky sprouted home décor. I’m here to fill you in on how these little seeds are even better when you eat them.

So what’s so great about Chia seeds?

First of all, they contain all nine amino acids our body needs, making them a complete protein source. If that wasn’t enough, they are also jam packed with fiber. Incorporating foods high in fiber into your daily meals can help to lower cholesterol levels, as well as aiding in the regulation of blood sugar to help provide sustained energy throughout the day. Chia’s high fiber content will also keep you feeling full because it takes the body longer to break down.

If you are still hesitant about trying these wonderful seeds, consider starting small. Just one ounce (a little under 2 tablespoons) of Chia seeds packs 11 grams of fiber, over 4 grams of protein per serving, and over fifteen percent of the daily recommendation for calcium, iron, and magnesium. That’s a lot of goodness packed into one tiny seed!

These little seeds are quite versatile and can be incorporated into sweet and savory dishes.

You can use them to add a nice crunch to a salad, over yogurt, cereal, desserts and whatever else you would like to add a little crunch to. If crunchy isn’t your thing I have some good news for you too.

A unique quality of Chia seeds is their ability to absorb up to nine times their weight in liquid. They take on a gelatinous quality that allows them to act as a thickener in a variety of foods like jams, smoothies, and popsicles. Chia is also the star of many faux ‘pudding’ recipes gaining popularity, in which a choice of milk (coconut, almond, etc), sweetener, and toppings are combined with Chia. The seeds absorb the liquid and become a healthier alternative to desserts and breakfast parfaits while maintaining the thick satisfying texture.

Below I have included a few simple recipes for Strawberry Chia Jam, a basic Chia ‘Pudding’, and a perfect Summer Popsicle where a small amount of Chia is used to thicken and improve texture. All these recipes are open to customization based on your tastes, more or less sweetener, using seasonal toppings, fruits, nuts, seeds, or even cocoa powder are all possible ways to make these recipes your own. Have fun with these little seeds!

Sunshine Ice Pops

Ingredients:

½ C Orange Juice
½ C Coconut Milk
1 C Mango
2 tsp Chia Seeds

Directions:

Blend all ingredients. Let sit 15 minutes to thicken. Freeze.

Strawberry Chia Jam

Ingredients:

1 C Strawberries
2 Tbs Applesauce
2 Tbs Chia Seeds

Directions:

Blend all ingredients. Chill at least 1 ½ hours. Enjoy.

Chia Pudding

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

2 C Coconut Milk
½ C Chia Seeds
½ tsp Vanilla Extract
¼ C (or less) maple syrup (or sweetener)
¼ tsp cinnamon (optional)

Directions:

If you do not wish to keep the seeds whole, blend the entire mixture, and then chill for a few hours or overnight. If you wish to leave the seeds whole you can blend all other ingredients and then add the seeds and mix to combine.

Addiction · Career Coaching · Nutriton Coaching · Recovery Coaching · Relationship Coaching · Wellness Coaching

The Difference Between Life Coaching and Counseling

January 5, 2019July 15, 2019 Kristy Mox

Life Coaching differs significantly from therapy or counseling — coaching centers around setting goals, taking action and accountability. The process is about discovering what moves you, setting goals you want to achieve, identifying obstacles holding you back, developing steps to help you move forward. The accountability part is what keeps your momentum going and ensures you actually achieve the goals you have set.

Coaching Helps You Thrive & Soar

Coaching is helpful for everyone, and often, it can complement therapy. Life Coaching picks up where treatment ends. Anyone with a desire to advance their career, cultivate healthy relationships, overcome addictions, improve wellness, and fitness levels would be ideal for Life Coaching. Coaching is key to any transition in life. CounselingCoaching

Counseling Helps You Heal

Therapy is designed to help you heal in addition to treat illness, disorders, and diseases of the mind. Counseling is a clinical relationship between a patient and a licensed therapist. A therapist assesses, diagnoses, and treats their patient. While treatment plans vary in frequency and duration, you should reach a point where you have healed, and are ready to move on.

Additionally, patient-therapist boundaries are more fixed and rigid. A life coach has the ability to be more open about themselves and communicate in a much different manner. In some instnaces your coach may communicate with you more like a peer—you meet on common ground.

What If I Only Need Career Coaching or Wellness Coaching?

While most coaches have niches, a certified Life Coach is qualified to coach in all aspects of life. Personally, I have extensive training in Recovery, Wellness, Nutrition, and Fitness, but at the end of the day, it’s all “Life Coaching”. That being said, my training and experience make me more qualified to help those with specific concerns and needs. The format is always about identifying your needs, addressing obstacles, creating action steps to achieve your goals and holding you accountable to ensure your success.

https://coachthislife.com/contact/free-coaching-session/

Is Life Coaching Right for YOU?

If you are ready to soar, I would be honored to help you! CLICK HERE to schedule a free consultation to see how life coaching can work for you. You’ve only got one shot at life—isn’t it worth making it amazing? You deserve it!

Addiction · Nutriton Coaching · Recovery Coaching · Wellness Coaching

Recovery and Weight Gain

November 1, 2018July 15, 2019 Kristy MoxLeave a comment

So you quit drinking. HUGE props! Since you have stopped throwing back all those empty liquid calories, you SHOULD be shedding that beer belly and wine weight you packed on during the end of your drinking career, right?

After all, you are supposed to look and feel much better after you stop dumping toxins into your body on a regular basis. Right?!?!

Well, I ASSumed so, but sadly, that was not the case. Not for me anyway. What did happen for me was a raging case of acne, debilitating periods, massive mood swings, a foggy brain, and a very rapidly expanding waistline. It was as if I was going through puberty all over again…only 10 times worse and 25 years late. My newfound addiction had become milk and cookies, and when I was really agitated, edgy and slightly homicidal, I would resort to spoonsful of cake icing to pull me through.

That last gem was a suggestion from an AA sponsor. While it did the trick for a fleeting moment, as my waistband began to morph into a tourniquet, I was left with a new resentment and new level of shame, remorse, and discontentment—as if a newly sober addict doesn’t have enough of that to work through.

There are a myriad of reasons for my experience in early sobriety, of which I had no understanding of at the time. Having been in recovery for a few 24 hours now, and having had the honor of helping others find their way in recovery; I discovered, my experience was not unique. In fact, the majority of the women I have known in recovery have struggled a great deal with food; in the past and often, even more in recovery.

It’s no surprise, as many women in recovery have struggled with a number varying eating disorders. An addiction is an addiction; regardless of what form it comes in. The obsessive and compulsive cycle of food addiction and an eating disorder is quite similar to alcoholism. Additionally, the way the body metabolizes alcohol fuels our brains with a massive dose of dopamine and a nice spike in blood sugar with every drink—very much like my milk and cookies, and cake icing benders did for me in early sobriety.

It is worth noting; this phenomenon is not exclusive to women. Men are just as capable of falling madly in love with Ben and Jerry or head over heels for Little Debbie.

The remarkable thing about recovery is this; the same tools you use to get sober can also be applied to overcoming your issues with food and body image as well as many other areas of your life.

That being said, our relationship with food is complicated, personal, and often ingrained in us from childhood. While the solution to getting off the rollercoaster of food cravings and fluctuating weight isn’t rocket science, there is some science behind doing it correctly. To be successful, it typically requires a great deal of support, accountability, and guidance. This is where coaching comes in to play. Most of us have exhausted all efforts before we reach out for help, but if you came here before reaching a point of desperation, commend yourself for the courage and humility that takes—It requires far more courage to ask for help than it does to plow through one failed attempt after another.

Fat, happy and sober is certainly better than addicted, crotchety and cantankerous, but there is another way. A better way! Recovery is about wellness, wellbeing, and liberation.

This time, try different—not harder! —> CLICK HERE to get started!