Rock your festive frock and party like Barbie! 8 Bach Remedies to help you get into shape for Christmas
Our health and wellbeing should always be at the centre of any weight loss decisions. But we’re only human…
Whatever your thoughts and feelings about body image, when it comes to the holiday season, most of us feel at least some anxiety about how we look. When Christmas fashion catalogues fill our letterboxes, what to wear at the office party or the family Christmas extravaganza suddenly becomes a serious business. It can involve hours of careful coordination and hitting up the credit card. Ouch.
Who wouldn’t love to groove out of 2023 like Barbie in her sparkly jumpsuit? But if you regularly tuck into supersize portions of stuffed-crust pizza chased by Ben and Jerry, your party ensemble may need a generous elastic waistband! Say goodbye to festive cheer. Hello festive flab.
Attitudes towards appearance and body image are heavily influenced by the thousands of images on our screens… and those catalogues! Models and celebrities are digitally, sometimes surgically enhanced. And still we compare ourselves to the artificial. It’s hardly surprising that so many women have issues around body image and beauty.
When food is comfort
When our emotions are imbalanced, we can turn to food for comfort. It’s a complex situation for so many, often requiring deep, emotional work to change unhealthy patterns and habits of a lifetime.
With focus, determination and hard work, we can do anything we put our minds to. And that includes shedding those unwanted pounds. Being healthy and feeling great usually leads to looking great too (without the risky enhancements)!
But life has a habit of tripping us up, presenting us with excuses to press the pause button on our self-improvement plans. We may lack the energy or motivation to get started. In other cases, staying on track feels like a hopeless cause. If you fall off the wagon, getting back on could feel like trying to climb Everest.
Bach Flower Remedies can help us find mental strength and focus during such times.
Remedies to try
If you’re keen to lose a few pounds before the party season starts, here are 8 Bach Flower Remedies to help you start, last the distance and cross the finish line. And there’s more good news… Bach Flower Remedies are calorie free. On your marks!
Centaury
For the weak-willed and those who have a tendency to give in, Centaury helps those who can’t say no. If you lack willpower, Centaury is for inner strength and purpose.
Cherry Plum
If there is fear of losing control or doing something unwise, Cherry Plum’s positive potential is for strength and calm composure. When you fear you’ll eat anything and everything that isn’t nailed down, this remedy is for you. Take it now!
Chestnut Bud
When established practices aren’t working but you just keep repeating the same mistakes or replace them with similar patterns (a bit like swapping cake for biscuits instead of an apple). Great also for those who yo-yo diet. Chestnut Bud helps us to learn from the failures of the past making better, healthier choices for the future.
Crab Apple
When there is poor self image and feelings of disgust, Crab Apple’s positive potential is for happy self acceptance which helps to keep us motivated and on track.
Gentian
You’re sticking to your plan but the scales haven’t moved or worse, they’ve moved in the wrong direction. Don’t panic! There could be a very simple explanation: water retention, hormones, bowel irregularity, stress…
Don’t be discouraged or give up. Gentian helps us keep faith during temporary setbacks. Keep going!
Hornbeam
You know you should start a healthy eating plan. If only you could get going. Just the thought of it makes you feel exhausted. This remedy is your jump-start!
If you’re procrastinating, lacking motivation and energy, Hornbeam is the answer.
Pine
If you do indulge, forgive. You’re human. Pine is for overcoming guilt. Tomorrow is your fresh start.
Walnut
The remedy for protection from outside influence during transitional periods when we are trying to make important decisions, major life changes and new beginnings. Walnut helps us break links with the past (including bad habits), moving toward our goals with confidence.
How to take the remedies
The two most common ways to take the remedies are as follows:
Short term and passing moods
Take two drops of each remedy in a glass of water, juice, tea or any other beverage. Sip regularly throughout the day until symptoms fade. Remedies can also be taken neat on the tongue.
Long term and complex remedies
You may feel attracted to more than one of the remedy descriptions above. It's perfectly safe and efficient to take up to seven remedies in one mixture. Just choose the ones that feel most relevant now.
If your worries are longer-lasting, the most economical method is to mix your remedies in a treatment bottle.
To do this, you will need a 30ml bottle with a dropper.
Fill the bottle to the shoulder with still mineral water.
Add two drops of each chosen remedy.
Take 4 drops from your mixture, 4 times per day in a beverage or directly on the tongue.
The mixture bottle will last three weeks and is best kept refrigerated. If this is not possible, add a teaspoon of brandy to fortify the mixture. Cider vinegar or glycerin can also be used if you prefer an option without alcohol.
If your current mood feels more extreme than any of the remedy descriptions above, there may be a more appropriate prescription for you.
If you’d like personalised help with remedies for weight-related issues or any other emotional concerns, consultations are available at the Light Centre, Clapham Common at my introductory price of £49.
For further information about Bach remedies or to find a local practitioner, visit the Bach Centre website.
