Green Mountain Retreats

07/02/2021

Don’t we all?

May your weekend bring feelings of joy, , self-love and happiness.

06/28/2021

All day every day, but especially Mondays 😚

Alessandra Olanow

06/27/2021

Wise words from the ritual space Leo By Liv in San Diego, CA ✨

What are you reflecting on today?

06/23/2021

We get it — you want to feel better!

Spend a weekend with us and we’ll show you how.

PM us for more info ✨

06/22/2021

The feeling that comes up when we read a piece that encapsulates everything we’ve been saying for years — is like a sigh of relief.

The sigh is a release. That what we’ve been instilling in women and fighting for is finally taking hold on a larger scale in society. Finally.

Some beautiful thoughts from writer,

“What happens when you grow up internalizing the idea that judging yourself is normal and quieted only with excessive effort? What becomes of an entire culture raised on the argument that our troublesome, too-big, too-weak, too-much bodies can be loved only when they’ve been conquered?

…And yet somehow one of the dominant messages of the current moment, as many Americans are reentering the world, isn’t that society needs to change, but that our bodies do.”

✨

The Apple TV+ series 'Physical' is a reminder that making people hate their body is a thriving pillar of American commerce.

06/09/2021

Are you starving for something different?

We know the feeling.

We’re committed to helping you take back control and learn sustainable strategies for true health and wellness.

If you’re a GMFR Alum, you automatically get access to our ongoing mindful eating workshop led by functional and integrative dietitian, Ruth Goldstein. This virtual workshop is just what you need to refresh your mindful eating practice and tailor it to your own daily routine.

If you’re not an alum, but want to join the conversation and community — start with our Virtual Weekend Intensive: Redefine You. We’ll get you up to speed with our philosophy and equip you with what you need to break free from diet culture — like our signature hunger and satisfaction guide.

After our virtual weekend intensive, you’ll be considered an alum and will gain full access to all our offerings.

Start investing in yourself ✨

06/08/2021

This feels SO GOOD to see 👀

Thank you CAMFT: California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists for doing your part to help society overcome the harms of diet culture — we see you and we celebrate you!

While these are absolute baby steps, what changes in the world have you seen that make showing up as a fat person a little bit easier?

06/07/2021

Better Together 🤛🏼👊🏼✊🏼🦾

This gratitude Monday, we’re grateful for our community of strong, fearless and resilient women. Those who have passed and those that are still with us — you have made us what we are today!

We are so grateful for each and every one of you ✨

Share your gratitude with us: what are you grateful for today?

06/06/2021

F R E S H P O V 🔍

🍊 When’s the last time you really looked at an orange? It’s texture, it’s ridges, the different shades of color...

🍊 The last time you really smelled an orange? It’s citrus aroma...

🍊 Better yet, when’s the last time you really tasted an orange? The sweetness combined with hints of sour and tangy, the freshness, the multiple textures on your tongue...

🍊We call this - being

06/05/2021

As my brother says, pappa dukes is living that life 🙌🏼✨

I mean, after 36 years at our helm, he truly deserves it.

This no social media Saturday is dedicated to him. He worked a lot~ over the years. And he sacrificed pieces of his wellness to contribute good to this world.

This no social media Saturday, I honor him and the life path he helped me carve.

While I’ll be honoring my own wellness today, he’s probably back up the hill with my mom creating a garden — for pleasure.

Happy Saturday, dad!

06/04/2021

Since 1973...

We’ve been on a mission to empower YOU to make choices that leave you feeling good — through moment-to-moment living.

Ask us about the freedom and flexibility in our true wellness philosophy.

06/03/2021

This Shout Out Thursday goes to Yseult ✨

French singer and songwriter who has been doing some work!

“In 2019, she released two EPs, Rouge and Noir, the former an upbeat exploration of sensuality punctured by trap beats; the latter an introspective confrontation of her self-doubt, mental health struggles, body image and the burden of other people’s gaze, in a traditional chanson française piano-voix format. Yseult compares her creative process to therapy. “It has led me to realise how deeply I love and hate myself simultaneously, and to finally embrace that duality within me.”

Follow the link below to read the full article! And support Yseult on Spotify!

The Parisian singer’s take on traditional variété française includes confrontations with mental health, body image and bo***ge – and her challenge has struck a nerve

06/02/2021

It is not a weight that is achieved through restricting what you eat or excessively exercising in order to lose weight.

Trust us.

Your healthy weight is your natural weight and this number is largely determined by your genetics.

If you come from a family of larger or smaller bodies, you are likely to be larger or smaller.

Achieving and maintaining your healthy weight is supported by healthful, enjoyable living that includes mindful, pleasurable eating and physical activity, effective stress management, adequate sleep and more.

✨

06/01/2021

Are you tired of the never-ending struggle around food, body and weight?

We are, too, which is why we are bringing our life-changing program into the digital age!

This weekend intensive is designed to help you your relationship with food and exercise while giving you sustainable to finally take control of your health and let go of weight concerns.

Join two eating behavior and experts:

- Anne Poirier CSCS, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor
- Lesley Wayler LCSW, Third Generation Director of Green Mountain Retreats

July 16-18
10 Hours
$799

Are you ready for a ?

For more info, PM, email [email protected] or call / text us at (619) 719-1882.

05/31/2021

Monday’s are for Gratitude 🙏🏼

And we invite you to spend some time today reflecting on what you’re grateful for.

Start creating neural pathways that boost those feel good hormones —Consistency is key!

We know because it’s a practice we have been doing every Monday as a community on our private Green Mountain Alum FB group.

And now, we’re bringing our practice to you. So, join us.

Tell us, what are you all grateful for today?

Image #1: The Anjali Mudra is the practice of meeting the hands together by the sternum in a “prayer position”. Anjali is Sanskrit term which means, “to offer” or “to salutate”, and the term Mudra means “seal”. So basically, it is the salutation seal and symbolizes that we are “honoring and celebrating this moment”. -

Image #2: via Instagram

Go Forth & Live Well!

05/30/2021

We get pretty fired up when we notice diet culture trying to make its way over the bridge and attempt to co-opt intuitive eating principles 🤬🔥

Halo Top Creamery there’s a better way to be you! Drop the focus on calories and sell people on how your ice cream really tastes — even better, add our three mindful eating principles right underneath your lid.

Green Mountain Retreats’ Mindful Eating How-To’s

1. Notice Hunger
2. Give Yourself Permission to Eat What You Want
3. Tune in, Slow Down & Savor Your Food

As they say, once you know better, do better.

Go Forth & Live Well

05/29/2021

Here’s to finding time to be fully present today ✨

Our Tips for Creating Space from Social Media

1. Ask yourself “will this practice improve my quality of life?” Because, well, we need to stop forcing ourselves to do things we don’t want to do when it comes to health and wellness. If your answer is yes, keep scrolling.

2. Start Small & Simple: start with 30 minutes here, one hour there where you intentionally set time aside to be away from your phone. Going a full day may set you up for feelings of deprivation and we know that doesn’t feel good.

3. Follow-up with yourself! How was the experience of creating space between you and your device or you and your social media apps? If you felt deprived or had strong urges to jump back on, try shortening the time spent away from your devices/apps next time!

& on Sunday, let us know how it went!

!

Go Forth & Live Well

05/28/2021

Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve accomplished this week!

The mountains you’ve climbed, the roads you navigated and the battles you fought.

Honor the strength it took for you to get to this very point and give thanks to your body for helping you get through it all.

y’all!

05/27/2021

It’s Shout Out Thursday! Because in a world that feels unsafe, knowing who you can trust matters.

Meet:
Pronouns: they/them
Images taken from their Instagram.

This human is a source of total inspiration ✨

They are a 40 yo fat artist and photographer and have a unique talent for forcing the eye to see fat bodies in beautiful and awe-inspiring way.

Support and their work by following them on Instagram and sharing their work with the world.

Visit their site to purchase their art: shooglet.square.site

It’s only when we begin to see larger bodies in the same light as smaller bodies will we know diet culture no longer has a hold over us!

Go Forth & Live Well

05/27/2021

It’s Wednesday and on Wednesdays we focus on work — inner work that is.

May we learn to be grateful for the pain that helps us grow.

Image from: KosmikLia

05/26/2021

It's quite unreal to see the mainstream media supporting a narrative shift when it comes to health and wellness.

For so many years, we were a quite voice among the roar of the diet industry -- teaching women how to take care of themselves in a way that supports true health and wellness.

But now, we're so excited to see that the narrative is changing!

Check out this piece written by Lindsay Crouse of the New York Times! Video produced and animated by Tala Schlossberg.

And tell us, how will you be protecting yourself and your wellbeing from the multi billion dollar diet industry this summer?

Don’t let the weight-loss industry shame you into thinking “back to normal” means a return to calorie counting and appetite suppressant lollipops.

05/25/2021

Did Green Mountain Retreats just enter into the 21st century? Wait, what?!

I am beyond excited to announce the debut of our FIRST EVER podcast, Conversations for Better Living hosted by me, third generation GMR director, Lesley Wayler LCSW.

Each episode will offer you insight into the Green Mountain Retreats philosophy and approach while also inviting you to consider a new way of looking at food, body and weight.

We get it, there's a lot of weight and wellness noise out there -- and who you choose to listen to can be tough. We believe in the freedom of choice when it comes to food, body and weight and we pride ourselves on our 46-year history of teaching women how to do just that -- how to tune into the body to make choices that support true health and wellness. We hope you'll join the thousands of women who have been healed by our philosophy and teachings.

Look, we're basically that best friend that helps you decide how you want to break up with your partner. This time, that partner is diet culture. And us, we're that best friend.

Can't wait to start listening?

Follow the link to access our very first episode on Spotify with Ruth Goldstein Msrd, integrative and functional nutritionist, and returning member to the Green Mountain family.

This is just the beginning, friends. Follow us to stay up-to-date on our virtual offerings and future in-person retreat dates!

Go Forth & Live Well

Listen to Conversations for Better Living on Spotify. There’s a lot of noise out there when it comes to food, body and weight. We know how important it is to make the conversations we’ve been having for the past 46 years more accessible. Join us if you want to learn how to tune into your body, l...

05/24/2021

is a gift from the universe — his entire profile on is a work of art 🙌🏼✨

Maybe we’re getting the Monday game all wrong. Maybe we’re meant to find a purpose in life that fuels our energy and makes us excited to get out of bed — even on a Monday.

Maybe the first step to finding that purpose is gratitude.

Join us as we spend every Monday giving some attention to what we’re grateful for. And if you’re feeling up to it, share it with us!

05/23/2021

We’re back at it bringing awareness to the struggles faced by those in larger bodies — as well as those struggling with disordered eating and body image.

This time, it’s the movie theater!

On Friday evening, I joined a friend at AMC Theatres to see the movie, Profile — 10/10 recommend btw.

You know it had been a minute since I was last at the theater, which made this trip even more special.

Can we talk about the popcorn?!

I don’t know about you, but the smell of popcorn gets my nose hunger going every time! The popcorn quality can be a hit or miss, but the smell never fails to make me salivate.

A couple years ago, I started putting jalapeño slices on my popcorn — a trick I learned from my graduate school friend (you know who you are 😉) — the jalapeños add just enough kick to a salty and buttery meal. It’s quite deluxe if you ask me.

And yes, I’ll often call it a meal because I leave the theater fully satiated from the popcorn and drink. And because, I don’t need to be hyper-focused about the nutrient content of everything I consume as long as my diet is overall balanced.

The same goes for you all, too.

Here’s the thing though — the seats! Movie theater seats are notorious for provoking anxiety for those in larger bodies. You can probably guess why. The armrests.

And while some armrests go up and make the seat less restrictive, it’s not always feasible or comfortable if the theater is packed, right?

There’s something about the armrest being a protective barrier when you’re next to a stranger.

AMC Theaters, we have to do better for people in larger bodies! Take a stand and be a leader in the industry to shift your theaters to a body inclusive environment.

Until we see some change, advocate for yourself! If your body needs two seats to be comfortable, ask for two seats for the price of one!

We must no longer accept the shame that comes from needing to take up space to be comfortable, to thrive and to live well.

May you find strength to respect and advocate for the body you’re in today.

Go forth & live well,
Lesley

05/22/2021

The all-caps font means it’s serious, but the 80% transparency reminds us that it’s an invitation 😂

We’re living in a time where, after a year of isolation, the phone-to-face neural pathways are dug deep. If we’re to get back to living our lives and work towards an improved quality of life — we must be intentional about the distance we create between ourselves and our devices.

Green Mountain Pro Tips for Creating Space

1. Ask yourself, is this even something I want to do? Because, well, we need to stop forcing ourselves to do things we don’t want to do when it comes to health and wellness (i.e. painful, restrictive diets that offer false hope).

2. If yes, then start small and start simple. If your phone feels like an extra limb, then maybe a full day without it is too intense.

Try figuring out how long you want to create space and then make it easy on yourself. Maybe you turn it off for a hour while you’re at the park (extra pro tip: inform those that rely on you ahead of time so they know you didn’t just drop off the face of the planet).

Still too intense? Maybe you start even smaller and just give yourself some space between one app. No shame in the starting small game!

3. Ask yourself, how was that experience? Was it anxiety provoking? Did you have intense urges to check your phone or an app? Then ask yourself, why?

Take notes, share your experience with a close friend or better yet, tell us on Sunday how it went!

We love a struggle that promotes self-growth.

This, friends, is how you learn to be present in the world ✨

Go forth & live well.

05/21/2021

May your inner voice be kind, compassionate & loving to you this weekend — may it care for your soul ✨

05/21/2021

We don’t call it a healing breath for nothing...

05/20/2021

Where do I even start with this one?

Ok, probably with the fact that Aaron Flores needs his own Netflix special ASAP!

I first met Aaron at a Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA) conference in San Francisco and completely gravitated to his energy and enthusiasm. Not only is he a genuine, warm-hearted person, but he's an amazing public speaker and has made some serious waves for the movement and HAES community.

Aaron is a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified Body Trust provider specializing in intuitive eating and health at every size. His practice is in Calabasas, CA.

He also leads Body Trust groups for men via zoom! This is another reason why I'm so inspired by him because, now more than ever, men are in need of some serious TLC around food, body and weight.

If you don't already, go follow him and support his work! Perhaps, you or someone in your life could really use what he has to offer this world.

Web: www.bvmrd.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/aaronfloresrdn
Instagram:

More to come,
Lesley

05/20/2021

It’s not always easy to do, but our bodies need some acknowledgement and appreciation, too. Even if you can’t stand it — the way it looks and the way it feels.

Try acknowledging that the body you’re in today got you through this day, beginning to end.

& perhaps, you start there.
with a little bit of acknowledgment.

05/19/2021

The agenda for our first ever virtual weekend intensive is LIVE!

Check out what we have planned for you all below. We'll be keeping you busy with lectures, activities, discussions, and energy blasts, plus more!

Below you'll get a taste of the topics we'll be covering over the duration of this 10-hour weekend intensive.

Anne Poirier and I could not be more excited!

What's even more exciting?! We're extending our 15% off offer until Monday 5/24. If money is a struggle (especially these days) and you want to attend, reach out to us and let us know.

We don't want you to miss out on the opportunity to invest in you!

We're open to your questions and request more information. Send us a DM, email or call/ text us!

[email protected]
(619) 719-1882

Redefining You: A Virtual Weekend Intensive for Breaking Free from Diet Culture
June 11 - 13, 2021
10-hours / $799
Zoom

Lesley