What Motivates You?

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Do you follow a specific eating plan simply because you want to lose weight? Chances are if this is your only motivation you will experience some difficulty making permanent lifestyle changes that will support long term weight loss. If you’ve ever dieted before to simply lose weight then you may have had the following experience: You stick to a particular meal plan for a few days or even weeks and feel great because you are losing weight pretty easily. You KNOW that this time is IT and vow that you will eat this way the rest of your life!! Then it happens: Your weight loss slows down, you get frustrated which causes you to lose motivation, which then leads to you reverting back to your old ways of eating which in turns makes you regain the weight you’d originally lost and then some. Sound familiar???

Obviously you were not motivated in a way that would help you summon the strength to not give into your compulsion to go back to unhealthy ways of eating when temptation reared its ugly head.

Motivation must come from the inside out. The number on the scale cannot be your only driving force to eat well. If you are having difficulty maintaining a healthy eating pattern, I encourage you to put some time aside to be very still and quiet with yourself. Ask yourself on a deeper level why you are having such difficulty. Are there things other than weight loss that would motivate you to eat well?

I once worked with a client who was a very successful business woman. She had a career she loved, great friends an adoring husband and 2 wonderful children. The only thing she struggled with was her weight. She went on endless diets throughout the years and would do well for a while until life got too hectic. Then one day her 7 year old daughter asked her who would take care of her if she died. My client didn’t understand why she was asking this question. Then her daughter told her she was worried that something would happen to her because she didn’t think she ate real healthy. When she realized the example she was setting for her daughter in terms of lifestyle, priorities, and stress management strategies everything changed for my client. She made a commitment to living healthy to be a role model for her children. She also recognized the fact that she owed it not only to herself but also to her loved ones to take care of herself. Seeing the number on the scale go down was not enough motivation to keep my client from giving into the temptation to overeat when she was stressed. However being a good role model and setting a healthy example for her children was. She set the intention for her life to live in a way that supported good health and good energy. She also would ask herself throughout the day when she was handling what might be a stressful situation “How would I hope that my daughter would handle a situation like this?” Then when she listened to her answer she would follow through with her own advice.

Because we experience our life through our physical bodies how we feed and move our body directly affects how we experience our lives physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I find that when my clients’ actions are motivated by an internal desire to feel good physically, have emotionally healthy relationships with the people in their lives, and have some sort of spiritual connection they begin to make many small but significant lifestyle changes that just happen to have a side effect of weight loss if need be.

So I ask you once again:

What motivates you?

If you have any thoughts or questions regarding this article I’d love to hear from you. Also in response to several requests I will be facilitating a Tele-Class on Saturday 11/29/08 at 10:00 am EST re: Food and Feelings: Learning to Make and Break the Connection!. You can participate via the telephone from the comfort of your own home! For more information you can email me at louisa@louisalatela.com , call me at 856.429.9799, or visit my website at www.louisalatela.com and click on the “Tele-Seminars” tab on the left hand side of the home page.

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Please Listen

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Please Listen

As my clients work to create physically, emotionally, and spiritually healthy lifestyles they begin to understand how they used food to numb uncomfortable emotions. Part of creating a healthier lifestyle means they must learn to sit with the awkwardness of feeling and at times go out of their comfort zone and express their feelings. For many this is a very new and scary task.

A common complaint from clients when describing how they have tried to talk more intimately with their spouses about their fears, vulnerabilities, and frustrations is that they do not feel heard or validated. They report their spouses often respond to such conversations by trying to “fix them” leaving them the impression that their feelings are somehow wrong.

It is so important for partners to understand that allowing their spouses to express their emotions in a safe and non judgmental environment is in and of itself very powerful and healing. Many of my clients have found the following poem to be quite helpful in teaching their spouses how to listen:

Please Listen

When I ask you to listen to me and you start giving me advice

You have not done what I asked.

When I ask you to listen to me and you begin to tell me why I shouldn’t feel that way

You are trampling on my feelings.

When I ask you to listen to me and you feel you have to do something to solve my problem,

You have failed me, strange as that may seem.

Listen!

All I ask is that you listen.

Don’t talk or do - just hear me.

Advice is cheap; 20 cents will get you both Dear Abby and Billy Graham in the same newspaper.

And I can do for myself; I am not helpless.

Maybe discouraged and faltering, but not helpless.

When you do something for me that I can and need to do for myself,

you contribute to my fear and inadequacy.

But when you accept as a simple fact that I feel what I feel, no matter how irrational,

Then I can stop trying to convince you and get about this business of understanding what’s behind this irrational feeling.

And when that’s clear, the answers are obvious and I don’t need advice.

Irrational feelings make sense when we understand what’s behind them.

Perhaps that’s why prayer works, sometimes, for some people -

because God is mute,

and he doesn’t give advice or try to fix things.

God just listens and lets you work it out for yourself.

So please listen, and just hear me.

And if you want to talk, wait a minute for your turn -

and I will listen to you.

Author Unknown

If you have any questions or comments about this post please feel free to contact me at louisa@louisalatela.com, www.louisalatela.com, or 856.429.9799.

Have a beautiful day!

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Relapse Prevention

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Relapse Prevention

1. Breathe!!! Make it a habit to become conscious of your breathing. Most times when people are overeating they are not taking full deep breaths. Many clients report that binge or overeating episodes are either mindless or anxiety driven. By paying attention to your breathing you get to come back to the present moment. You can then step back from the situation and make a conscious decision. Throughout your day take a few seconds to do a quick body scan. Notice if you are holding any tension in your body and consciously release it.

2. Get clear with your intention for your life: “It is my intention to live a healthy abundant joy-filled life”, “It is my intention to eat and move in a way that supports good health and good energy”, “It is my intention to live a life that is reflective of self love and respect” etc.. Then before you think say or do anything ask yourself if those thoughts words or actions support your intention. (Your intention should always be worded to reflect what you do want to create vs. what you don’t want i.e. ‘eat for good health and energy’ vs. ‘not eat sweets’). Write down your intention for your life every morning.

3. Get Back to Basics… (Protein first, take supplements daily, drink your water..) Keep food records for at least a week to increase your awareness of what/when/and how much you are eating. Note the times and feelings/activities prior to and after eating in an effort to identify possible overeating triggers.

4. Maintain a comfortable and healthy eating routine. Take time to make sure you have healthy foods available to you. Keep some healthy snacks on hand in the car, at work, in your pocketbook or in your briefcase so you avoid eating on the fly! With practice, it becomes habit; the essence of a new lifestyle. With discipline comes freedom.

5. Seek nutrition counseling if you are having difficulty maintaining a healthy eating routine. Schedule an appointment with a nutritionist familiar with weight loss surgery who can help you get back on track. Learn what you need to eat and why.

6. Keep physically active. Look for opportunities to increase your physical activity- not necessarily strenuous workouts, but more regular physical movement throughout your day.

7. Learn to handle uncomfortable emotions: Feelings send powerful triggers to overindulge. If you are having a difficult time managing your feelings without food or other numbing behaviors seek out help (either from a therapy group or individual counseling) in learning to develop new self nurturing coping skills.

8. Cultivate present moment awareness. Remember that in every moment you have the opportunity to make a new choice. Just because you started eating a cookie in this moment doesn’t mean you can’t decide to stop eating it in the next moment. Practice mindfulness as you move throughout your day (while driving in a car, going for a walk, washing the dishes, eating, talking to a friend, etc…) In every single moment of every single day each of us has control and choice regarding the thoughts we think, the feelings we feel, the actions we take and ultimately the experience of our lives!

9. Practice Gratitude: Be grateful for the opportunity this surgery has afforded you. Remember what life was like prior to having surgery. A grateful heart remembers the pain of morbid obesity and cherishes recovery!

856.429.9799 www.louisalatela.com louisa@louisalatela.com www.myselfdesign.com

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You Are Perfect Just the Way You Are

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On a recent Sunday afternoon I went to the christenings of my 2 nephews. It was a really fun and joyous occasion. Lots of excitement and young energy at the after party… so many conversations about hopes and dreams for the future.. so much to look forward to…

The next morning I was at the funeral of my husband’s 91 year old uncle. He had lived a good life and was very healthy and active up until the last couple of weeks before he died. Quite naturally his wife was grief stricken…. She’d lost her partner of 70 years….

The contrast of these two experiences stayed with me…. It really drove home for me the idea that the clock keeps on ticking, and the only thing we really have control over is how we experience each moment of our lives. That we will die is certain. When that happens is not. So I started to think that if my number was up today, would I be ready to go or would I have regrets? I was speaking with a client about this concept a while back and she started to recognize that she’d spent so much of her life wishing she were thinner, smarter, prettier that she really missed a lot of her life. She had allowed fear which was fueled by her ego to hold her back from really living. She came to understand the value of self love, compassion, and acceptance. Suddenly the number on the scale was not all that important in terms of determining her self worth. As she made a concerted effort to be present in her life and accept who and where she was in each moment, things started to change for her in a very positive way.

So how can you start to make positive changes in your life? Just know this: You are perfect exactly the way you are right now! Allow yourself to feel what it would be like to unconditionally accept who you are in every moment: trusting that each moment is exactly as it is meant to be; that each moment is divinely orchestrated to support you in living your authentic truth. When you let go of trying to be something or somewhere other than who and where you are you are then able to embrace life and live each day more fully.

It is in learning to stay in the moment that allows you to be present to and embrace the potential miracle it holds for you. In doing this you can live in a way that honors your highest good. This means that you treat yourself with sacred respect.

I know this all might sound a bit “over the top” but I absolutely believe it to be true. I find that as my clients begin to embrace the concept of unconditional positive self regard they start to soften and learn to “exhale”. They begin to think and say kinder things to and about themselves, and not so coincidentally they are less judgmental and much more accepting of others. They report to feel more joy and beauty in their lives.

A by product of self acceptance is freedom from the restraints of the ego which allows you to be true to yourself, connect with your passion and live a purposeful awakened life. It quite naturally follows that if you are living your authentic truth you will eat and move your body in a way that is healthy and respectful.

If you have any questions or comments I would love to hear from you. You can respond below, email me at louisa@louisalatela.com or call me at 856.429.9799. www.louisalatela.com

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Men in recovery: learning to speak their truth…

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It has often been said that women are much more intuitive and feeling than men. I’m not so sure I totally agree with that. It is my experience that men are extremely intuitive and feeling, they just don’t talk about their feelings or intuition as do women. Historically men have been the hunters, the gathers, the sportsmen. These are all very intuitive sensing and feeling activities.

In my practice I see that when a man truly loves a woman what he wants more than anything is for her to be happy. While there is nothing wrong with that basic premise or philosophy I find that many times a man will not speak his truth in an effort to keep peace and/or avoid upsetting the woman he loves. So many women talk about having the disease to please. I see that men are afflicted with the same disease! Somewhere along the way as they fall in love with a woman they stop giving themselves permission to have an opinion that differs from hers. The problem with feeling as if you always have to say yes is that your yeses become disingenuous. The only reason you say yes or agree is because you’ve not given yourself permission not to!. In this way an underlying sense of anger and resentment builds towards your partner and ultimately towards yourself for not being true to you.

Often when a man is recovering from weight loss surgery or struggling with compulsive eating issues there is an underlying feeling of unworthiness. Typically this is most evident in the relationship dynamic with his significant other. When a man has the courage to really look at this and understand how he has set himself up to be at times disrespectful and untrue to himself he can then begin to become more authentic in relationship first to himself then to his wife or girlfriend. Many men were never encouraged to take a look at their feelings let alone talk about them. Most would never dream of deeming themselves as feeling unworthy on any level. So, this is not always an easy task especially for men.

I could ramble on for pages about this subject! Let me know if you’d like to further discuss the issue of men being authentic and learning to honor their truth. You can respond below, email me at Louisa@louisalatela.com, or call me at 856.429.9799.

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Living a Life Reflective of Self Love and Respect

(..the foundation upon which a successful weight loss program must be built….)

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I do believe in order to maintain a healthy weight loss one must make specific lifestyle and behavioral changes that are grounded in self love and respect. I have studied people who I believe to really live a life reflective of self love and respect. Below I’ve listed some of the behaviors I would describe as “common” among this population.

They:

speak only kind and loving words to and about themselves.

listen and respond appropriately to their body’s hunger and fullness signals.

spend a few moments before they eat in gratitude to the universe and all those involved in the preparation of their food.

nourish their body with fresh, life affirming foods.

eat slowly and consciously.

eat with passion and presence.

wear clothes that are comfortable and flatter the shape of their body.

take good care of their clothes: hang and fold their clothes with gratitude and reverence.

keep their living space neat and clean.

treat their home with respect.

keep up with the maintenance of their home both inside and out.

are responsible with and respectful of money.

pay their bills on time.

understand that money flows to them easily and effortlessly as they follow their heart’s passion.

keep positive affirmation and inspirational books around their house and read something positive every day.

keep live flowers and plants in their home.

watch only television shows and movies that are positive and life affirming.

consciously surround themselves with colors and textures that feel warm, comforting, and wonderful.

listen to beautiful and inspirational music.

drink 8 glasses of water every day.

eat at least 5 fruits and vegetables every day.

take their vitamins daily.

keep up with regularly scheduled health care appointments.

walk outside most days of the week.

appreciate the beauty of nature.

take time to re-center throughout the day.

surround themselves with people who love and celebrate them.

are powerful in a kind and loving way.

know that true power is grounded in love.

need not defend or explain themselves.

act and speak in accordance with their values and integrity system.

speak their truth with love and respect with the intention to support the highest good of all concerned.

take time to be of service to others.

understand that true peace comes from knowing that only love is real.

take time to check in with themselves throughout the day to reconnect with their center, and act from this place of inner knowing.

give themselves permission to say no.

are honest with themselves about who they are.

keep up with paperwork both at home and at work.

keep their car tidy and clean.

speak only kind, compassionate, loving and respectful words.

often do anonymous acts of kindness.

take time to laugh and play.

exercise regularly.

see the beauty in the soul of every person they meet.

create relationships that are supportive, loving, healthy, and empowering.

always find ways to nurture their spirit.

often journal their thoughts and feelings.

listen lovingly and respond respectfully to their body’s messages.

rest when they are tired.

speak their truth with love and respect.

are committed to being the best they can be.

keep their word to themselves.

consistently express gratitude for the many blessings in their lives.

So my challenge for you is to ask yourself before you say or do anything “Are these words or this behavior self loving and respectful?” If the answer is “No”, then stop, take a deep breath and listen to YOU!! When you stop and listen you will always know how to act in a way that supports your highest good!!

If you have any thoughts or questions about this blog I would love to hear from you!

You can respond to this blog below,

email me at louisa@louisalatela.com,

or call me at 856.429.9799.

An audio version of this blog will soon be available for download at http://yourhighestgood.podomatic.com

Wishing you many blessings and much peace!!

Louisa

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Simple Ways to Self Nurture

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Ok, so if you are going to maintain a healthy weight you really do need to change your lifestyle. Compassionate Self Nurture needs to become a way of life for you. As I’ve said before I do believe over eating is often an attempt to self nurture. You must put attention to creating new more positive self nurturing behaviors: below are some simple ways to consciously create a living style that is truly reflective of self love and respect:

Simple Ways to Self Nurture

• When you wake up in the morning take a few moments to remember your dreams, meditate, think happy thoughts, set your intention for the day.
• Consciously nurture each of your senses every: (i.e. listen to a favorite cd, write in your journal, read a page of an inspirational book, moisturize your body with a great smelling lotion, look at/notice special pictures around your house, eat and savor the flavor of a piece of fresh fruit).
• Before leaving the house do a body scan and release any tension you might be holding in your body. Pay attention to your breathing.
• Be on time for all appointments.
• When you are driving in a car listen to a cd of some beautiful music, or an inspirational/motivational speaker, or ride in silence so you can listen to you/your higher power, your inner wisdom, etc.
• When you are stopped at a traffic light, pay attention to your breathing. Relax any tight muscles in your body and say an affirmation out loud (“I treat myself with love and respect every moment of every day”).
• Keep a fresh flower or plant on your desk at work, and in your bedroom at home.
• Throughout the day take a few moments to go outside to breathe in some fresh air to re-center and reconnect.
• Set boundaries.
• Acknowledge and celebrate what you accomplish during the day… no matter how small the task might be (i.e. I returned a phone call, I mailed some letters, I said a nice thing to myself, I said hello to a stranger, etc..)
• Create a transition ritual for yourself when you arrive home from work to release your work day (change your clothes, take a shower, do some exercise, etc.. )
• Don’t rush through meals, even if you have after meal obligations, Take the time to be present and enjoy your food. Keep the conversation positive at the dining table: (have everyone tell the best thing that happened to them that day!).
• Allow yourself to feel.
• Acknowledge and express gratitude for everything that goes well in your day (i.e. got a good parking spot, kept my word to myself, had a great conversation with a friend, etc.)
• Create a bedtime pampering ritual (take a bubble bath, spend some time meditating, read a book, write in your gratitude journal, listen to beautiful music, etc..)
• Sing, Dance, Play!
• Take an art class.
• Drink 8 glasses of water every day.
• Go outside and notice the miracles and beauty of nature.
• Get a massage.
• Paint your nails.
• Pluck your eyebrows.
• Go on a weekend retreat.
• Learn Yoga.
• Learn to play a musical instrument.
• Every time you look in the mirror say something loving to yourself.
• Plant a garden.
• Paint a room in your house a wild color!!
• Go to a town you’ve never been to before and window shop.
• Refute any unloving thoughts.
• Know that you are perfect in this moment!!!
• Lift weights.
• Say a silent prayer for yourself.
• Say a silent prayer for someone who drives you crazy!
• Count your blessings.
• Surround yourself with loving and supportive people.
• Watch a sunrise or a sunset.
• Hang inspirational and meaningful pictures in your house and at your work.
• Keep affirmation and inspirational books around your house and read at least one page every day.
• Spend some time near water.
• Learn to say “no”.

• KEEP YOUR WORD TO YOURSELF!!!

• Louisa Latela, MSW, LCSW Telephone: 856.429.9799 louisa@louisalatela.com http://yourhighestgood.podomatic.com

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Food and Feelings

(Learn to Make the Connection)

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People who struggle with obesity often eat in response to feelings other than physical hunger. For many eating is a most reliable coping mechanism. It can soothe a broken heart, relieve feelings of boredom, calm the internal turmoil caused by anxiety and stress, and be a friend when one is feeling lonely or unloved. Because overeating becomes a way of life for the compulsive eater, it is often done unconsciously. If you want to gain control over your eating behaviors it is imperative that you become aware of the role that excess weight and compulsive eating has played in your life. If you find you have been using food to manage uncomfortable emotions it is important that you develop new ways of dealing with such feelings. However, before you can change a behavior you must first be aware that it exists. Below is a series of questions you can ask yourself in an effort to understand when/why you may be eating in response to feelings other than hunger:

Before you eat (or drink) anything ask yourself, “Am I physically hungry?” (If you’ve already started eating/drinking, stop for a moment.)

If the answer is YES ask yourself:

1. Is this what I am truly hungry for?

2. How will I feel about 20 or 30 minutes after I have eaten this?

   How is my energy level generally after I’ve eaten this kind of food? In the past when I have eaten this kind of food how have I felt physically, mentally, and emotionally?

3. Will eating this food support what I want to create in my life?”

(now that you have gone through this process you may decide to choose another food to eat.)

1. Once you have chosen a food: Eat slowly, consciously, and without distraction.

   Be present with and enjoy the food. Notice its appearance, textures, temperature and really pay attention to the flavors of the food.

2. Check in with your Hunger and Fullness signals, and stop eating when you are comfortable, knowing that you can always eat more when you are hungry again.

(If you are still not experiencing hunger due to WLS before you eat/drink anything ask yourself if you are eating/drinking something that will contribute to meeting your daily requirements of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals.)

If the answer is NO you are not physically hungry (or if you’ve had wls and are not wanting to eat in accordance with your meal plan):

1.Take a deep breath.

2.Take another deep breath!

3.Take one more deep breath!!!

4.Then ask yourself the following questions with kindness, compassion and curiosity:

Why am I wanting to eat right now? What kind of nurturing do I really need in this moment? What was I just thinking, feeling, or doing? What would I be doing, thinking, or feeling if I was not focused on food right now…. what is this stopping me from being present to?

5.If at all possible take a moment to journal (a piece of scrap paper will do!). Write down anything that you are thinking or feeling in this moment. Notice any sensations in your body and note them in your journaling. Is there something else that that can “satisfy your hunger”….

6.If after doing this you still choose to eat: ENJOY YOURSELF!!!! EAT WITH PASSION AND PRESENCE!!!

Just begin to notice what is happening when you are wanting to eat for reasons other than physical hunger. Remember: before you can change a behavior you first have to be aware that it exists. Taking the deep breaths when you notice that you are not eating in response to physical hunger or to meet your food plan guidelines gives you a few moments to relax and check in with yourself. This will allow you to become conscious of your thoughts and feelings in that moment. You can then respond to your environment rather than react to it. If after doing this exercise you choose to eat knowing you are not physically hungry at least it is a conscious decision. In that way you begin to take responsibility for your behaviors and their consequences.. And ultimately your life.

Have you made the connection between food and feelings or are you still struggling to make the connection? I’d love to talk with you about it! Leave a comment here or you can email me at louisa@louisalatela.com. Soon this blog will be available as a podcast. You can listen to it at: http://yourhighestgood.podomatic.com.

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The Power of Gratitude

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I am writing this blog on Thanksgiving Day. Quite naturally on this day many people stop to reflect on that for which they are grateful. Have you ever stopped to notice how you feel physically and emotionally when you are thinking in terms of gratitude? I know for myself I feel like I have a smile in my heart…my body feels light and content…and warm and fuzzy!!! Any tension that I might have been holding seems to dissipate when I am in a state of gratitude. I feel happy, content, and open to receiving that which supports my highest good. I have learned that in any moment I can choose to think in terms of gratitude and immediately change my experience of that moment.

For the next month I encourage you to challenge yourself to see the positive in all your life experiences, to see the lessons and opportunities for growth that comes through life’s most difficult moments, and to make it your intention to live in a state of gratitude. If you consciously choose to see the blessings in your life they will multiply for that to which you put your attention expands. Pay attention to what works well in your life, look for the positive in every person your meet, and choose to say only kind and respectful things to and about yourself and others. Focus on what you do want in your life not what you don’t; focus on what you are in favor of, not that to which you are opposed. For example are you against war or for peace??? Though someone who is against war my be for peace, if their focus is on opposing war their experience of life will be dramatically different than if their focus is on creating peace. They will essentially be at war with war (thus creating more war) instead of looking for opportunities to create more peace. This may take some practice. Often we have some negative scripts that we have been playing in our head for many, many years. Begin to notice them and consciously choose to turn them into positives. Every time you notice yourself thinking or speaking about something you don’t like or don’t want let that be a signal to turn you attention to what you do like or do want.

In terms of weight issues keep your focus on eating for good health and energy and eating and moving in a way that will support a light and fit body. Do not focus on excess weight, what you don’t like about your body or your need to lose weight. Envision yourself at your optimum weight… What are you wearing, how are you holding your body, how do you walk down the street, how to speak to other people, what are you eating, how does your body move and exercise? Really take the time to feel this, breathe the feeling in to your every cell… then begin to live your life from this vision. Start walking, talking, moving, and eating as if you were already at your ideal weight. It has been said that where the mind goes the body will follow. So,pay attention and consciously choose where your mind goes!!!!

You may want to keep an intention and gratitude journal. I have my clients write down their intention for their life every morning ( it can be “my intention is to feel peace today, or treat my body with respect today, or organize my closet today, or live in a state of gratitude today, etc…”). So, before they say or do anything they ask themselves if those particular words or actions will support their intention for the day. If the answer is no they change it to something that will be in line with their intention. Then before they go to sleep at night they write down 3 things for which they are grateful. It only takes a few moments to do this, but this simple exercise has been the catalyst for major positive life changes for many of my clients.

If you have any thoughts or questions about this blog or suggestions for other topics, I’d love to hear from you. You can respond to this blog, or email me at louisa@louisalatela.com. You will soon be able to listen to the audio version of this blog at http://yourhighestgood.podomatic.com

Wishing you many blessings, much abundance, and peace in your heart!!!!

Louisa

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Food & Feelings

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Hi, I’m Louisa Latela and I look forward to blogging with you!!! Right this minute I am very busy, but wanted to introduce myself to you. So what follows is a general description of the focus of my practice/mission statement:

My intention is to support people in living a life that honors their highest good. To that end I assist my clients in connecting with and responding to their inner wisdom so their life is an authentic expression of their soul energy. Clients are challenged to be conscious of their every thought and action and evaluate it’s appropriateness for supporting their highest good. Through this process clients develop the critical thinking skills necessary to identify and change core belief systems and behaviors that are in conflict with their soul’s purpose. By purposefully choosing self affirming thoughts and actions their living style becomes one that is truly reflective of genuine self love and respect. They experience the power of living in the now and come to know that their true essence is love. Remember, every single moment of every single day each of us has control and choice regarding the thoughts we think, the feelings we feel, the decisions we make, and ultimately the experience of our lives!!

I offer individual and group counseling. From time to time I facilitate “Food and Feelings” Workshops for adults struggling with compulsive eating and “The Art of Self Nurture” Workshops for women who have a difficult time prioritizing self care.

Read my column in WLS Lifestyles Magazine “Food and Feelings: Stories of People Who are Making the Connection”. As well, I have started making podcasts of my column that you can download from my podcasting site: http://yourhighestgood.podomatic.com.

I really believe that we all know how to heal, how to be joyful, how to live a life that honors our highest good if we just stop and listen to ourselves. A major key is to that is learning to tolerate vs. react to and run from (i.e. stuff) uncomfortable feelings , which I will be talking/blogging about a great deal in the months to come….

Wishing you many blessings and much peace!

Louisa

Louisa@louisalatela.com

856.429.9799

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