Body and Mind In Balance Charente

08/07/2025

The one constant in life is change. If you think about a stream, as it moves slowly along it changes all the time. Picking up things as it flows. Some have no effect on the flow of water and others create barriers or obstacles which slow it down for a while until it is free of them. We are like the stream. We are always changing. We are not the same from one moment to the next, neither are our thoughts, words or deeds. Our environment is not constant. Not many of us actually like change and for some they even fear it. The thought of changing to a healthier eating plan, going vegetarian or Vegan, starting a new exercise routine can be daunting to say the least and although we make the initial decision to do something, as I have said before, taking the first step is always the hardest.

The idea of changing something, even for the better, is huge. It can be likened to a bereavement of sorts as people think that they are leaving something behind, something they have loved and cherished. They view the change as letting that part of their life go, never to be experienced again!

I recently consulted a friend of mine who had given up alcohol a couple of years ago. I wanted her advice as I felt that I was consuming too much. I was worried that people may think I was boring, not so much fun if I had not had a drink. She told me that this had not been a problem for her, but it had been for another friend. Her friend had made the change and it resulted in her having to find a whole new group of friends to socialise with. I think that this says a lot about the ‘friends’ rather than the person giving up the alcohol.

I made a decision last October to change my eating regime to pescatarian. The first step towards vegetarianism. I was worried that if I became fully vegetarian and my husband continued with our current eating pattern that dinnertime in our household would change. They have always been a time when my husband and I sit and talk. We discuss issued relating to our house. Tell each other about our days as we both have different hobbies and can go our separate ways in the morning and not meet up until dinner time. My husband understood my concerns, but was very supportive and although I do eat some fish, I have tried to stick to mostly vegetarian food when possible and so far, dinner time has not changed.

I have also cut down my alcohol consumption significantly and so far, I have had no comments about being boring and in fact I seem to enjoy myself more as I can always remember what I have done and I get more out of my days as I do not wake in the morning feeling sluggish. I don’t feel that I have lost anything from my life, in fact, I think I have gained more. My health is generally good and I feel confident whilst out and about with friends and in social situations.

Embracing the idea that change is inevitable and that it is a fluid like the stream, then change does not feel quite so scary.

13/05/2025

Weight loss is not just about counting calories, fat or carbs, it is about attitude of mind. That is a simple statement of fact!! As in my previous posts if someone tells you that you have to lose weight and you don't want to then you are not going to be in the right frame of mind to do so. You might lose a bit and then it all goes to pot!!! Sitting and journaling is a great way to start your weight lose programme. Writing down all the reasons why you do or don't want to lose weight. What frightens you and what challenges you think you are going to face. What support you have or not!. Are you worried about what people around you will think or how they will react if you tell them your plans. This exercise is so very important. It will take some time and commitment and you may have tears along the way, but if you can commit to a journal you will realise that you can commit to weight lost. It is going to be painful for some, but trust me it will be worth it.

04/05/2025

When accepting that it is time to do something about our weight, I believe this is the first and hardest step of all, we tend to look around for somebody to blame. There are several places we look. An active social life which leads to drinking and eating with friends. Somehow, they always manage to suck us into eating and drinking way too much as they provide a comfortable environment and make that special dish or dessert that they know we just love.

Or we look to our partners. Depending on who does the cooking, want/provide too much food or the ‘wrong’ type of food. Visits from family, don’t go there! We always go out of way to ensure that they have a great time and buy food they we think they will enjoy or we adapt our eating habits to theirs, regardless of whether we want to or not and regardless of whether it is healthy or not.

The final blame lays with the food itself!! We are so lucky to have so much choice these days. Seasonal vegetables are no longer a thing. We can get food pretty much 24 hours a day in cities and towns, not so much in the Charente, in France!

Food becomes our enemy.

I think you are getting the point.

Actually, at the end of the day there is no one else to blame, but ourselves. It does not matter what excuses we come up with, the only person who puts food and/or drink in your mouth is you!! Yes, I am sorry, but this is the truth. I don’t think I have every invited anyone for dinner, tied them to a chair and forced food and drink down their throats!

If you are overweight, obese, fat, chunky, large, round or whatever label you want to put on it, that is your doing. By now you are really beginning to hate me.

Yes, there are extenuating circumstances. Certain medical issues, constant medication, movement issues and yes believe it or not there is something called the ‘fat gene’, but these are reasons and not excuses and, in some cases, they are exacerbated by weight issues.

Even if we do not feel that we can lose weight, we can reverse the trend of adding more weight and try and find a path to a healthier lifestyle. Joint aches and pains can go away, movement can become easier, but where to start.

I believe this comes from stopping food being your enemy. Food should be something to be enjoyed and celebrated. This is something I am count myself lucky to do and I appreciate that this is not available to a lot of people in this world.

Food should be your friend. It should provide goodness, pleasure, contentment and more than anything a healthier way of life.

Take the first steps forward and try and make healthier choices.

I am based in the Charente in France and I provide group and private sessions to help people understand food and how to loss weight. Contact me for more information at
Louise-bmib@outlook.com

15/04/2025

Tough Love

In the time that I have been helping people to lose weight I have never told anyone that they are fat. I always think that this is hurtful and unnecessary, but I have to say there have been times when I have come close. The other term often used which many find difficult is when the word obesity is used. I remember may first weigh in and being told I was in the obese category. It was done with tact and sympathy, but when I got home and I looked it up and read the notes I had been given I was devastated, but it motivated me to do something about it as I hated the thought of the word obese being applied to me.

The first steps to losing weight are normally the hardest, but the very first step of deciding it is time to do something about your weight is probably the hardest of all. Recent surveys have reported that 83% of people who want to lose weight do because they are triggered to do so. What are the triggers?

• Medical – 23% of people lose weight because they have either been told they need to by a doctor or because their own health or a family member has experienced a life-threatening medical issue.
• All time high in their weight – 21.3% of people have reach a weight they have never been before and make the decision to combat this.
• Reflection in a mirror or a photograph – 12.7% of people see themselves and do not like what they see and take the decision it is time for a change.

For me, it was a mixture of the last of these and some tough love from my husband. He came out with the wonderful comment of ‘I love you just as you are’ and then came the BUT! This was in the form of ‘if you could just push your stomach out a little further, I can put my beer glass on it when I am not drinking!! Yes, this is absolutely true and yes, we are still married!!

Whatever the trigger is, deciding to lose weight comes in stages.

Stage 1 is The Precontemplation Stage. Most people, at this stage, do not want to change. However, they know they should.

Stage 2 is The Contemplation Stage. This the stage when people really start to listen to others who have lost weight or their doctor or are more susceptible to tough love.

Stage 3 is The Preparation Stage. Research is being done into diets, slimming clubs and exercises classes.

Stage 4 is The Action Stage. Aka – taking the plunge. Attending their first club meeting or a one to one with a weight loss coach or taking their first exercise class.

Weight loss does not only affect the person who has decided to do so, but also other members of the family. This could be a partner or children and can also affect relationships with friends. It is hoped that all would be supportive, but some may have concerns. The best approach is to discuss the decision with those who will be affected. Explaining why you have taken the decision to take the step you have.

It can be unsettling for some as it can change the dynamics of a relationship. An example of this could be a friend who is also overweight and takes comfort from the fact that you are ‘fat’ together.

Do not under estimate the strength it takes to actually make the decision. Admitting that you are overweight and need help takes great strength of character. Telling somebody you love that they need to lose weight is even tougher, but sometimes we all need to be told the truth for our good and I am pleased that husband did what he did as I am much happier and more confident now than I have ever been.

31/03/2025

Why not take the first step to a healthier you by joining me for my sessions on Wednesday. 10.30 am or 14.00 - please message me for more information or email me louise-bmib@outlook.com. First session will be free. I look forward to seeing you. Louise

25/03/2025

Good morning. Weight Loss is not easy. If it was, there would be no need in this world for coaches and support systems to help you. Carrying extra weight comes from many areas of our lives, from our genes to our lifestyle choices. Some we can do something about and others we have to understand, accept and find a way to work with them. Society places pressure on people to match up to the media's idea of the ideal figure, look or trend of the time, but this is not achievable or realistic for many and to be honest the media's idea of the 'perfect figure' is false. What we need is to strive towards is the best of version of ourselves that we can be. That does not mean to compromise and just accept, but to work with what we have and make ourselves healthy in both body and mind.

21/03/2025

Hello. Group sessions will start on Wednesday 2nd April at 10.30am and 14.00 (2pm). For more information concerning format, content and prices, please contact me at louise-bmib@outlook.com or message me. Thank you

15/03/2025

Good Afternoon. My name is Louise and I am the person behind Body & Mind in Balance. I am a Clinical Weight Loss Coach and a Hypnotherapy Practitioner based near Villefagnan, 16240 in the Charente in France. My aim is to help people have a positive and healthy relationship with food. To understand what they are eating and most importantly why they make the decision to eat what they eat. In doing so, helping them to a healthier lifestyle, weight loss where necessary and a balanced mind and body. I will be posting more information shortly, but if you want to know more, please contact me at louise.bmib@outlook.com Thank you.

27/06/2022

14/06/2022

21/03/2022

Check in for Friday Yoga at LM - Places limited, 11am,