Overeating Support:
Create a Diet Free Now Insight Circle

“Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That’s why it’s a comfort to go hand in hand.” ~ Emily Kimbrough

Since ancient times women have gathered in circles to listen to each other, speak their truth and act from a place of clear intention.

The Diet Free Now Insight Circle empowers participants to find their own answers to become free of overeating and the dieting mindset. It is a unique success group that honors participants' personal “insights” and inner wisdom with deep listening and thoughtful speaking.

The Insight Circle supports each participant in finding a path based on her own insights and self-discoveries. The premise of the Insight Circle is that everyone is doing the very best she can. Participants do not give advice or make judgments. There are no behavioral prescriptions that participants must follow, nor are there rules for eating or exercising.

Nuts and Bolts to Start your own Diet Free Now Insight Circle

Each Insight Circle will develop a distinctive personality and style, but will incorporate the following basic structure:

Structure

• Recommended group size: up to eight individuals - five may be optimal to ensure everyone gets "air time."
• Commitment to weekly meetings. Agree on the number of weeks.
• Duration of each meeting, for example: 90 minutes.

Suggested Format of an Insight Circle Session [five individuals]

• Centering 5 min – Begin with a meditation, prayer, soothing music or song.
• Sharing 75 min [15 min each member].
  • Start with what went well from the previous week – share any new insights.
  • Discuss any challenges to becoming diet free.
  • Ask for feedback, support or assistance [refer to Group Etiquette].
  • Clarify an insight-based intention for the forthcoming week.
• Closing 10 min. Participants may comment on insights they gained.

Facilitator Role

• The facilitator role rotates each week among Insight Circle members.
• Affirm confidentiality. Ask each Circle member to affirm confidentiality at each meeting. Trust building and safety are essential for honest and open sharing.
• Ensure equal time for each person. No one person dominates the Circle. Sound a bell or gong to give the circle member a minute to wrap up.
• Start and end the Circle meeting on time.

Group Etiquette

• Commit to confidentiality. Whatever is discussed within the Insight Circle remains absolutely confidential.
• Focus: The focus of the Insight Circle is to nurture personal insights, awareness and shifts that may arise from personal introspection rather than complaints about circumstances.
  
• Each member can let Circle Members know each week how much interaction they would like from the group. They can specifically ask for insight-based questions and decline comments. If they prefer more interaction they can ask for it.
• When an Insight Circle participant has the floor, allow her to speak uninterrupted for her allotted time.
• Give the person who is speaking “unconditional positive and loving regard." She may ask to be heard without feedback from other Circle Members.
• The emphasis is on overeating support. Members understand there is no room for judgment, criticism or “shoulds” within the group. Participants understand that no one knows what is best for another member. Participants who wish to make a comment first ask the speaker if she is open to hearing what they have to say.
• If a speaker is open to feedback, it may be appropriate to ask an insight-based question such as: How do you see yourself differently now? or What has changed? You may offer congratulations for insights gained.

We wish you every Success. Please let us know how this template for overeating support helps you!