body image · eating · intuitive eating · overeating

At the holiday party food table (why Tracy steers clear of the “I really shouldn’t” trap)

Eight years ago I posted about the mixed messages in magazines and online during the holidays, where we are at once surrounded by incredible recipes for special occasions (see the Canadian Living feature “Holiday Treats Packed with Love”) and by strategic guidelines for navigating the holidays without gaining weight (i.e. “if you’re at a party,… Continue reading At the holiday party food table (why Tracy steers clear of the “I really shouldn’t” trap)

covid19 · eating · food · holidays · overeating

What Serving Love Can Look Like

Growing up, no one needed to explain to me what I already seemed to understand: Grandma cooked big meals (especially over the holidays) to show that she loved us, and we ate as much as we could to show her we loved her. That dynamic worked for me a kid because the food was delicious… Continue reading What Serving Love Can Look Like

fitness

Food rudeness during the holidays

By MarthaFitAt55 I came across a hashtag on Instagram while seeking holiday baking inspiration. It annoyed me no end, and it also made me sad. Titled #MakeEveryoneElseFat, the photos feature treats of various kinds. I don’t understand the hashtag. I don’t make treats to undermine anyone’s diet. I bake treats at Christmas because I enjoy… Continue reading Food rudeness during the holidays

eating · eating disorders · fitness · food · habits · Happy New Year! · holidays · new year's resolutions · overeating

Still Recovering From Holiday Overeating? Here’s what I’m doing next.

CW: Discusses disordered eating habits and negative self-talk. Continuing with my normal life. No, seriously. The moment the celebrations are over and I feel like, “hmm, maybe it’s time to eat fewer cookies, get a little more sleep and find that gym membership card again,” then I’ll just take one thing and do what is… Continue reading Still Recovering From Holiday Overeating? Here’s what I’m doing next.

fitness

Grace and Gratitude in Mindful Eating

I often eat “mindlessly,” which to me means I shove food in my mouth without focus on my food or on my eating. This post shares my own reflections and experiences on practices before (and during) eating. I recognize giving prayers before meals will vary widely based on one’s creed and belief system. Folks will… Continue reading Grace and Gratitude in Mindful Eating

fitness · holidays · intuitive eating

Intuitive Eaters Unite! A Holiday Bill of Rights

I’m a big fan of intuitive eating and try to practice it in my daily life. I have blogged about it often, making commitments and recommitments to it over the life of the blog. It’s an approach to eating, championed by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch, originally in the book Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Anti-Diet… Continue reading Intuitive Eaters Unite! A Holiday Bill of Rights

fitness

Cheers to November?

Welcome to November! This month I’m thinking about alcohol – it seems like between shorter, colder days in Canada, and the approach of the ‘holiday’ season, I often get inundated with articles like the ones in this list. Celebrating “the holidays,” it seems, is synonymous with drinking booze. In truth, I have been thinking about… Continue reading Cheers to November?

diets · eating · fitness · food · holiday fitness · holidays · Martha's Musings · nutrition · season transitions

T’is the season to detox yourself from cleanses, diets and weird wellness claims

By MarthaFitat55 It’s not even December 1 and I have been seeing a non-stop stream of ads, posts and recommended links on all manner of cleanses. Some are short, some are long, some are liquid, and some are minimal. All are useless. Timothey Caulfield at the University of Alberta debunks the latest holiday cleanses in… Continue reading T’is the season to detox yourself from cleanses, diets and weird wellness claims

blog · fitness · holiday fitness · holidays

We’re here, trying to offer words of quiet, calm encouragement in the midst of diet frenzy fitness culture

I keep getting notifications that our readership on the Facebook page and blog are up. “Your stats are booming!” Ditto the membership in the feminist 221 workouts in 2021 group is up. It’s growing too. We’re coming up to our busiest time of the year. Why? You know why, right? It’s the holiday season and… Continue reading We’re here, trying to offer words of quiet, calm encouragement in the midst of diet frenzy fitness culture