I often get asked how I maintain a healthy weight, and it's definitely a result of conscious choices across various aspects of my life. Today, I want to pull back the curtain and share the key pillars of my personal routine – the same principles I weave into my teaching to help you find what works best for you.

Taking a Step Back: The Power of "Why" & Curiosity

Before we dive into the "how," let's touch on the "why." Your motivation is the engine that drives your consistency. Whether it's keeping up with energetic kids (like mine!), improving your health, or simply feeling good in your own skin, identifying your "why" is the crucial first step. In fact, seeking clarity on my "why" has become one of my own Wellness Vortex non-negotiable habits. But even more foundational is Curiosity. For me, curiosity is my top non-negotiable habit; it's the bedrock for everything I explore and learn in wellness. It fuels my understanding and my ability to adapt and grow.

Nutrition: The Foun...

The Comfort Food Myth: Why It's Actually Discomfort Food

Let's be honest, we all crave comfort. Especially when life gets overwhelming, those familiar foods seem like the perfect escape. But are they truly comforting, or are we falling for an illusion?

The Phases of Comfort Food

I want to break down our experience with comfort foods into three crucial phases. And you know what? This applies to more than just food – exercise, conversations, even difficult interactions – it's all about the same underlying patterns.

This isn't just about food; it's about understanding how our choices impact us on multiple levels – physically, emotionally, and mentally.

Phase 1: Immediate Gratification (Seconds)

That first bite, the initial rush – it's pure, immediate pleasure. Our bodies release dopamine and endorphins, those feel-good hormones. This is the hook, the instant reward that draws us back.

Phase 2: The 15-20 Minute Reality Check

The honeymoon phase is over. Within 15-20 minut...

Let's get real for a moment:

It's not just about what we eat; it's about why we eat and who we are while we're eating.

Prefer to listen?

We all know food is a huge part of our lives, just like sleep and movement.

And...

"You are what you eat," they say, and we often focus on the "what." We think about the nutrients, the calories, the labels, the ingredients.

But what about the deeper stuff?

• What about those cravings?
• Why do we reach for certain foods?
• What are the childhood memories or emotional triggers behind our choices?

That's where the Wellness Vortex approach comes in. We start with the foundational habit: curiosity. Put on your "curiosity glasses" on and start asking questions:

• Why am I craving this?
• What comfort does it offer?
• What qualities am I seeking – crunchy, sweet, salty, a certain color or temperature?
• Am I stressed? Rushing? Eating mindlessly?

We need to explore the "why" behind our food choices. Maybe we're lonely, frustrated, or simp...

 Your heart is a muscle. Do your reps to build strength.

Let's talk about three rounds we all have to do to keep our hearts strong.

As a wellness and fitness coach who teaches mindset, nutrition, and fitness, I believe and teach that you must start with your own love for yourself before you nurture relationships with others. So, let's build two sessions: Session one is love through self-care. Session two is love through relationships with others.

Session one: Love through self-care.

We will have three rounds with fun sets! Let's go!

Round 1. Mindfulness. Love yourself.

• Set 1. Morning Mirror Exercise: Look at yourself in the mirror and say, "I love you," ten times. Give grace to yourself if it feels hard at the beginning.
• Set 2. Afternoon Calm: Quiet your mind throughout the day. Practice mindful awareness of your senses (sight, sound, touch, smell, taste). In the upcoming members training on February 28th, 3:30 PM CST, we will be covering these essential tools. 
• Set 3. Eve...

Every symptom, craving, or behavior around food has a POSITIVE INTENTION. Therefore, these cravings and behaviors aren't the problem - they're simply the best solution you've come up with so far.

When things are tough, it's easy to turn to comfort foods for a quick mood boost. But the problem is, this creates a vicious cycle. We feel better for a short time, then experience guilt and weight gain.

What if I told you it doesn't have to be this way? It's all about knowing when it's time to change. I'm not asking for drastic changes - just small, manageable steps in the right direction.

Habit loop or health loop? The choice is yours.

It's a habit loop either way. So which loop do you choose: healthy patterns or distracting patterns? If you're committed and ready, the answer is obvious. Remember, your relationship with food and your body impacts more than just what you eat.

Let's dive into how to eat to generate positive emotions, not feed your emotions.

Step 1: Put on your curiosi...

Nadya here, to help you decide whether or not it’s time for a cleanse.

The body is designed to be self-cleaning and to excrete toxins, but here’s the problem…. It can’t always handle the toxic overload present in today’s environment. Chemicals not excreted accumulate in our fat cells and cell membranes become internal toxins. These toxins corrode the body from the inside out, making it harder to lose weight, have more energy or feel good in your body.

Yeeech.

So what is a cleanse?

A cleanse is a gentle way of clearing excess toxins from the body so it can operate at it’s highest potential. Think of a cleanse as something that delivers an all access pass to boundless reserves of energy that you didn’t know you had! You’ll find that every part of your body works better simply by “switching on” your metabolism through cleansing.

My clients find that cleansing helps them:
• Shed excess weight (especially belly fat), from 5 to 7 lbs in 5 days
• Boost energy
• Feel lighter and...

 We recently explored the emotional connection behind comfort food cravings. While these foods bring back happy memories, sometimes they can lead to overeating.

So, how can you break the cycle and eat less without feeling deprived? The answer might surprise you: breathing.

The Power of a Breath

Taking a mindful breath before you eat might seem insignificant, but it can have a profound impact on your relationship with food. Our nervous system has two key branches:

• Sympathetic (fight-or-flight): This is activated during stress, hindering digestion and overall well-being.
• Parasympathetic (rest-and-digest): This promotes relaxation and optimal digestion.

By taking deep breaths before eating, you activate the parasympathetic system, leading to several benefits:

• Reduced Cortisol: Deep breathing lowers stress hormones, potentially boosting metabolism and improving digestion.
• Relaxation and Focus: A few mindful breaths can promote relaxation, allowing you to focus on the...

 I like to eat. My favorite is pancakes. 

What's yours?

Let me ask you a question.

If there were no boundaries and you had only one food choice, what would you want to eat? 

I like pancakes. 😀 I like their sweet taste. They look like sunshine, smell like comfort, feel like mom is in the kitchen. Family. Memories. Love. Comfort. Safety.  

Now your turn. What's your favorite food and why?

Up to recently when I really started to examine what I eat and why my sweet tooth enjoyed (and still does) pancakes. And when I eat them, I feel immediately good. 

What food do you tend to lean towards when you want comfort? Why? How do you feel at that moment? What is it that you are actually really craving?

I know those are a lot of deep questions.

So let's break it down into a simple structure. When we do, you may find a simple (not easy) way to tackle your comfort cravings. 

The big Ah-ha for me with comfort foods was learning my connection with them and how an...

Are you ready to dive into a crucial discussion about honoring hunger and fullness? At times, it's something we all need to address, especially when the holiday season rolls around, or life gets busier than usual. Let's explore why it's essential to pay attention to these physical signals and why treating your body like a "baby" can lead to healthier habits.

Why Honor Hunger and Fullness

Now, let's talk about the concept of honoring hunger and fullness. It's a topic that requires us to be sensitive to the signals our body sends, regardless of the emotions, sensations, or situations we find ourselves in. Life can get pretty hectic, leaving us rushing around a million miles an hour. In the midst of all this chaos, we often ignore or neglect our body's simple yet vital signals.

How to Honor Hunger and Fullness

Let's use an analogy to understand this better: imagine your body as one of those dolls that cries or acts like a real baby when it's hungry. Your body is similar; it give...

In our fast-paced lives, we often rush through our meals, hardly taking a moment to savor the flavors and nourish our bodies. Enter "Fooditation," a mindful approach to eating that invites us to slow down, connect with our food on a deeper level, and truly appreciate the sensory experience of every bite. It's not just about what you eat but how you eat it, and it can bring a sense of tranquility and connection to even the busiest of schedules. So, let's explore the art of fooditation.

Fooditation: meditation + food

Benefits:

Fooditation offers a range of benefits, including improved digestion, portion control for weight management, and enhanced relaxation for stress reduction.

Creating the Right Environment:

Think about the environment you create when you eat. Are you dining by candlelight? Using your favorite china or tablecloth? Drinking from a crystal goblet? Your meal isn't just about the food; it's about the entire experience. When you eat, you're also consuming your...