Intro
I am fascinated by patterns, habits, rituals, processes, systems, routines. Recently I felt an urge a need a compulsion. With every part of my body I felt a strong need to de0ckutter. I was thinking about it was there something I saw that triggered this? Did something I read make me feel this deep urge to clean and clear the clutter? It dawned on me that this is a cyclical. There is a pattern. It is a habit or a ritual. It happens about this time every year. In the fall I know that it must be done by Christmas. This started many moons ago when I was a small child. Santa likes it when you are a good girl and you clean your room. You need to clean out the old stuff and make way for the new.
Could there be more to this?
Today, we're diving into a topic that might surprise you – the link between decluttering and shedding those extra pounds. I'm your Chief Creative Officer of Clean Spaces and Weight Loss Wisdom, Deanna, and trust me, this is a game-changer.”
We will cure your curiosity about that in a minute but first……..
Brain Body Connection -
Movement is considered the human being’s first language. Movements strengthen the neural pathways between the brain and body. Learning, thought, creativity, and intelligence are not processes of the brain alone but the whole body.
Movement Exercise -
Importance of Community -
Support and Safety
Connection and Belonging
Influence - Community can influence and motivate us to invest in our well-being and bring positive change.
Learning
Acceptance
Sharing
First Up - Let's take a look at the past week
Success - Share Your Victories
When we start by looking at the things we did well it helps us become more confident and also more open-minded to making changes.
Journal Exercise -
What things did you do well? Not amazing, not perfect, well?
How can acknowledging the things you did well, help you be great?
Pitfalls - Let's let go of the pitfalls
We can learn from them but we don't want to hold onto them.
Journal Exercise -
What is one thing that you can do right now to achieve success in the coming week?
What can you try and implement to keep that setback, or sidestep from happening again?
The Topic of The Week- declutter
We all know that excess clutter can create chaos in our lives. But did you know it could also be contributing to those extra pounds? Stress-eating, anyone? When we're surrounded by chaos, it reflects in our eating habits. So, let's tackle the mess and, in turn, trim down the waistline!
DeDecluttering, losing weight, and leading a healthy lifestyle have a crucial element in common: creating a deep sense of awareness. When you truly comprehend the effects of what you consume and how it impacts your body, it becomes absurd to consider filling or overfilling it with low-quality fuel. By developing a heightened level of consciousness about your choices and their consequences, you can make more informed decisions that align with your overall well-being and optimize your health in the long run.
What is clutter - One definition by Miriam Webster says -
: to fill or cover with scattered or disordered things that impede movement or reduce effectiveness
Study after study has shown that clutter contributes to stress, anxiety, and depression. What you might not know is that clutter contributes to weight gain.
Here’s how:
In the book The Stress Solution by Arthur P. Ciarmacicoli, he explains how this works from a scientific perspective. The main issue is stress, which has myriad negative effects.
A recent study from the University of Zurich discovered that even moderate stress changes the brain chemistry that influences self-control. For the study, they had participants take an ice bath, which produced a moderate amount of stress. Those participants chose to eat unhealthy foods, demonstrating that when we are stressed, we seek comfort from foods that are sweet or high in fat.
Cortisol (the “stress” hormone) causes our bodies to hold onto fat. This initiates a vicious cycle where our feelings of satiety (being full) are altered, our metabolism is slowed, and we crave more sugary and fatty foods.
Stress hormones have also been linked to inflammation. A study in the UK in 2008 showed a linear correlation with inflammation and weight gain. As inflammation increased, so did weight.
A cluttered kitchen environment has been shown to contribute to higher calorie consumption and unhealthy food choices.
https://abcnews.go.com/amp/Lifestyle/lose-clutter-lose-weight-peter-walsh-book/story?id=30322571
Some ideas on decluttering your space
Get rid of stuff that you have not used within a year
Start with small clutter free areas
Clean up 2-3 times per week
Put stuff back where you got it:
De-clutter stuff that isn’t even stuff
email
worries
anxieties
relationships
to do list
wish list
should list
priorities
your mind
Journal Exercise -
"Now, it's journaling time! Grab your favorite notebook and pen. Here are a few prompts to get those thoughts flowing:
How does your living space make you feel right now?
Identify one area that, when decluttered, would bring you a sense of relief.
Reflect on a time when stress led to unhealthy eating habits.
Envision your ideal, clutter-free space. How does it impact your overall well-being?"
We Are Not Failing We Are Planning
What's the Plan for the week?
Any Challenges?
Any Outings?
Weather things?
What is our goal for the coming week?
What are you grateful for?
The Impact on Focus and Goal Attainment:
Clarity, Direction, Motivation
Wrap Up
“What I know for sure is that when you declutter — whether it's your home, your head, or your heart — it is astounding what will flow into that space that will enrich you, your life, and your family” Peter Walsh
Stay curious, stay determined, and until next time, keep writing, keep exploring, and keep losing those pounds!
#WeightLossCommunity #WeightLossLivestream #Journalwithme