Dear Body...

One of the most powerful exercises we invite participants to do on our workshops and e-course is called ‘Letter to your Body’. We ask them to write a letter to their body and then let their body reply using their non dominant hand (i.e. if they are right handed they write the reply holding the pen in their left hand and vice-versa). It’s a wonderful way of connecting with your body and it is one of the exercises that many Beyond Chocolaters come back to over and over again. There is always something to learn...

I haven’t done this exercise for a long time and having celebrated my 40th birthday last week I decided to revisit this Beyond Chocolate classic.

Why not have a go yourself. Whether it’s the first or hundredth time you do this exercise, it’s always interesting to see what comes up...let us know how it went!

Dear Body,

Well, what a journey...forty years! It strikes me that congratulations are in order. I’m surprised because, as I sit here writing this, what first comes to mind when I think of you is a sense of pride. I’m just so proud of you. Let’s be honest, I haven’t exactly treated you brilliantly over these last 4 decades and yet you are still here, still going strong...and looking pretty fabulous - even if I say so myself. It’s funny because when I look at you I feel  confident and sexy and beautiful and I can’t for the life of me remember why I spent so many years trying to change you and hating you so much. I feel so sad that it’s taken us so long to get to know each other and be friends. I know I’ve said this before but, really, I’ll never apologise enough for the what I put you through all those years ago with the diets, the pills, the deprivation and the bingeing. I just didn’t know any better. I hope the last 10 years have made up for it a little. I know, I know...there’s still a lot more I could be doing for you. I can see you are getting tired more quickly and I promise to get you to bed earlier when I can. And I know it probably doesn’t seem like it but I HAVE been listening to you and I can hear that you’d like to be stretched and strengthened more. I hear you and I have a surprise for you - we’re going back to pilates next week - yay! I’ve booked us in for next Monday and am so looking forward to it.

Much love,
Audrey

Dear Audrey,

Thanks for taking the time to write this letter. It feels lovely to be acknowledged and appreciated like this. I am super excited about the pilates class next week. I’ve missed having some one on one time with you, lately - what a treat! I also want to tell you how much I’ve enjoyed the last few years. It’s been a good decade all in all and I do feel the changes you've made. You are right, I am a bit more fragile nowadays so thanks for being aware of that and slowing things down - I know how challenging you find that. Just one thing, please could you pamper me a bit more? I know you don’t have a lot of time for stuff like that but all I need is a little moisture and some colour on my toenails...nothing major! I am proud of you too. I am beautiful because you are so much kinder to me and it feels like you believe in me, that we are a team. Here’s to another 40 years together!

Much love,
Your body

Meet a Beyond Chocolate Fairy: Sarah

Sarah Layton took part in our very first Chocolate Fairy Training and has been running Beyond Chocolate workshops in London for 3 years. In true Beyond Chocolate style, Sarah runs the workshops from her own home in North London and cooks all the food herself. 


I met Sarah the other day for a walk on the heath and a chat about her workshops. Here are some snippets of our conversation...


Me: Do you enjoy running workshops from home and making the food yourself?
Sarah: I love running workshops at home.  I have a really lovely kitchen/sitting space that opens into the garden and that creates a warm, friendly and relaxing atmosphere for participants.  I can have a maximum of 8 women which means we get to know each other and helps everyone feel comfortable enough to talk about stuff they wouldn't usually talk about with other people. I make a simple, delicious home-made meal and cakes which always get top marks in participant feedback forms.  I have great fun the day before getting it all ready so it's all part of the joy for me!  


Me: What's it like running Beyond Chocolate workshops and what have you leaned over the years?  
Sarah: I love it!  I get such a buzz from being with a group of women and talking to them about this life-changing way of approaching weight-loss and body confidence.  One of the things I've learned over the years is that there are so many women in pain over this and the size of their body is absolutely no indication of what's going on for them.  I also love that, for many women, this is the first time they speak about what they experience and struggle with to others who are not going to judge them or talk diets with them.  It is a very moving experience - for both the participants and me!  I get loads from it for myself too - there is always a moment when I realise I am talking about something that I have not been practicing myself lately - it's an ongoing journey!


Me: What's your top tip for someone thinking of taking the plunge with Beyond Chocolate ?  Sarah: Go for it!   You really have got nothing to lose and loads to gain!   It can seem quite challenging as it's such a different approach and, seemingly, counter-intutitive and certainly counter-cultural.  One small step at a time is the way to go and remember to appreciate yourself for each tiny step you take -  It's so easy to notice what we 'don't do' rather than what we do!  Rather a lot of top tips!!


If you have any questions you want to ask Sarah about her workshops (or indeed want to rave about one you've been on!) or training as a Fairy, go ahead and post a comment below. 


Sarah's next workshops
The 10 Principles - 1 day workshop - Sat 14th May (limited to 8 participants))
Getting Started - 1/2 day workshop - Sat 11th June (limited to 16 participants)