Health Coaching, Intuitive Eating Cindy Parker Health Coaching, Intuitive Eating Cindy Parker

Dining Out: A Time to Savor, Not Stress

I was recently at a restaurant, craving something cold and refreshing, so I ordered a seafood salad. When the plate arrived, it was huge! At first, I felt that familiar pressure to eat everything, but I paused and reminded myself that I didn’t have to. Instead, I enjoyed what I wanted, shared some with my husband, and left the rest on the plate. I left feeling satisfied, having had an amazing dining experience, without overeating or feeling uncomfortable.

Moments like these remind me that dining out doesn’t have to be about guilt or rules—it’s about enjoying the experience and the food in a way that feels good for you.

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Intuitive Eating, Health Coaching Cindy Parker Intuitive Eating, Health Coaching Cindy Parker

Finding Your Glimmers

In our fast-paced, diet-focused world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when it comes to eating. We second-guess food choices, wonder if we’re eating too much or not enough, and carry the weight of decades of diet culture whispering in the background. It’s exhausting. But what if we could flip the script? What if we could notice the small, quiet moments that feel good—those little sparks that make us pause, breathe, and smile?

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Intuitive Eating, Health Coaching Cindy Parker Intuitive Eating, Health Coaching Cindy Parker

How to Handle Food Pushers During the Holidays

Ah, the holidays—the time for festive gatherings, good cheer, and, let’s be honest, a whole lot of food. Everywhere you turn, there’s a plate of cookies, a bowl of something delicious, and maybe a friend or family member eagerly saying, “Come on, just have one more!” Yep, we all know a food pusher or two, and as much as we love them, they can make sticking to what we really want to eat a bit of a challenge.

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Health Coaching, Intuitive Eating Cindy Parker Health Coaching, Intuitive Eating Cindy Parker

Facing Old Fears

There are times when everything feels just a little off. Clothes might fit a bit tighter, energy levels dip, and the body that once felt so reliable seems to be operating on a different rhythm altogether. For me, dealing with a running injury has brought all these feelings to the forefront, shifting not just my routine but also how I feel about food, my body, and what “progress” even looks like right now. It’s a reminder of how closely everything is connected and how quickly a single change can ripple through the rest of your life.

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Intuitive Eating, Health Coaching Cindy Parker Intuitive Eating, Health Coaching Cindy Parker

Savoring Every Bite of Your Favorite Holiday Treats

Let’s be real: I know I’m not the only one who sometimes hesitates when reaching for that second helping or an extra cookie. There's that little voice that pops up, reminding me to "be good" or that "I shouldn’t have too much." Ugh! So, this season, I’m trying something new: I’m going to embrace my holiday favorites with intention and joy—without the guilt trip. Here’s how I’m planning to savor every bite, and maybe these tips will bring you a bit of holiday joy, too!

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Health Coaching Cindy Parker Health Coaching Cindy Parker

Mindful vs Mindless Exercise

It is a well-established fact, and understood in the general population, that healthy exercise carries a strong role in the prevention of physical and psychological conditions including Type II diabetes, cancer, depression, anxiety, psychological stress. However, when an unhealthy exercise relationship emerges, both physical and mental health can suffer rather than thrive.

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Intuitive Eating, Health Coaching Cindy Parker Intuitive Eating, Health Coaching Cindy Parker

The Power of Listening to Your Body: Why Saying No Can Be Just as Strong as Saying Yes

It’s funny how we sometimes feel the need to say yes, even when our bodies are quietly telling us no. We’ve all been there—sitting at a dinner table with friends, surrounded by laughter and the irresistible sight of a delicious dessert making its way around. And yet, even though you’re not hungry, the pressure to fit in can make it hard to say no.

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Intuitive Eating, Health Coaching Cindy Parker Intuitive Eating, Health Coaching Cindy Parker

How to Break Free from Perfectionism in Health Goals

Striving for perfect health habits can feel like walking a tightrope—you’re constantly trying to balance it all without slipping. I know this feeling all too well. As a former Type A perfectionist, I spent years setting impossibly high standards for myself, believing that anything less than perfect was a failure. But here’s the truth I’ve come to embrace: perfectionism isn’t helping your health, it’s holding you back.

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Health Coaching, Intuitive Eating Cindy Parker Health Coaching, Intuitive Eating Cindy Parker

Rebuilding a Positive Relationship with Exercise

The pressure was always there: more miles, more effort, more results. Slowing down wasn’t an option. Over time, as my metabolism naturally slowed down with age, the relationship between exercise and food became even more complicated. I started viewing exercise as a way to earn my food—justifying hunger, allowing myself to eat carbs, and making sure I didn’t feel guilty about what was on my plate. I told myself that if I didn’t train hard, I was being irresponsible and risking weight gain. It was never about punishment, but rather a system of rules: train more, eat less.

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Intuitive Eating, Health Coaching Cindy Parker Intuitive Eating, Health Coaching Cindy Parker

How the Diet Industry Profits from Your Insecurities

It’s time we talk about something that might make a few people uncomfortable. But honestly, it’s a conversation that’s long overdue. Here it is: the diet industry profits off your insecurity. Yep, I said it. And deep down, I think most of us already know it, but it’s a tough pill to swallow, especially when we’ve spent years—maybe even decades (that’s me!) —chasing after the promises they sell.

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Intuitive Eating, Health Coaching Cindy Parker Intuitive Eating, Health Coaching Cindy Parker

What We Can Learn from Female Olympians About Body Diversity and Strength

This past weekend I was watching the US women's gymnastics team flip and soar with grace, and then witnessing the raw power and elegance of the US women's swim team at the Paris Olympics, I was struck by a profound realization: strength and beauty come in so many different forms. These awe-inspiring athletes, each with their unique body types, inspired me to delve into the lessons we can learn about body diversity and strength. Let's explore how these amazing athletes can help us heal our relationship with food and embrace our unique bodies.

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Intuitive Eating, Health Coaching Cindy Parker Intuitive Eating, Health Coaching Cindy Parker

Embracing the Hormonal Roller Coaster: Navigating Cravings and Self-Care During Your Menstrual Cycle

Hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are the conductors of your menstrual cycle. They rise and fall throughout the month, affecting everything from your mood to your metabolism. While these changes are natural, they can sometimes feel overwhelming—especially when cravings hit hard.

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