Endorsements
Whether ministering to moms who are easily triggered with their kids, or encouraging husbands and wives who are triggered in their marriages, Amber Lia faithfully has reminded us that TRIGGERS = OPPORTUNITIES! And now (cue the confetti) Amber challenges us to consider our food triggers, because triggers = opportunities here too. Each time we are tempted to turn to food as our comfort or reward is an opportunity to remember Jesus invitation: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. What if your hunger pangs arent about physical hunger at all but an invitation to develop a spiritual appetite for God? If food is your trigger, this is your opportunity!
Wendy Speake , author of The 40-Day Sugar Fast and coauthor of Triggers: Exchanging Parents Angry Reactions for Gentle Biblical Responses
Rather than a quick fix or trendy fad, Food Triggers goes deeper, all the way down to our why . Are you looking for real change? This book will help you start on a lasting journey toward health, inside and out.
Kirsten Oliphant , author and writing coach
At my most desperate moment, Amber was there to gently guide me into a life-changing journey to better health. Having her as my health coach has truly been a gift.
Melissa M. , client
Amber Lia is the real deal, period. This book will free up a lot of peoplebelievers and nonbelievers. Millions of us are battling with the same thing: our health! Amber gives us all the tools, yes, but the most powerful thing she gives is hope.
Jamil Frazier , keynote speaker, transformational coach, and bestselling author
Food Triggers is a must read for anyone who is looking to uncover why they struggle with weight loss and food issues. This book is encouraging, motivating, and will help you discover ways to have a healthier relationship with food so you can live longer, have more energy, and look better.
Dr. Magdalena Battles , Doctor of Psychology
Ambers guidance and spiritual support has allowed me to get my life back!
Janie C. , client
Food Triggers covers many of the mindset and spiritual struggles that Kiersten and I battled when we both had over a hundred pounds to lose. If theres one thing we know, the truth, the practical help, and the spiritual encouragement in these pages is going to help set people free!
Nick and Kiersten Lavallee , certified health coaches
Amber is the friend and guide you want as you journey into a healthier life. And this is the book you want on your shelfwithin reach when the celebrations, failures, and stresses of life tempt us to turn toward food. There is a better way, and Amber gently leads us to it.
Rebecca Smith , author of A Better Life and founder of Better Life Bags
Half Title Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
2022 by Amber Lia
Published by Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55438
www.bethanyhouse.com
Bethany House Publishers is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
Ebook edition created 2022
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-3574-6
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com
Scripture quotations marked D ARBY are from the Darby Translation of the Bible.
Scripture quotations marked ERV are from the HOLY BIBLE: EASY-TO-READ VERSION 2014 by Bible League International. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2011
Scripture quotations marked GWT are from GODS WORD, a copyrighted work of Gods Word to the Nations. Quotations are used by permission. Copyright 1995 by Gods Word to the Nations. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked T HE M ESSAGE are from THE MESSAGE , copyright 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Scripture quotations marked NASB are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB), copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org
Scripture quotations marked NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked NLT are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Some names and details have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals involved.
This publication is intended to provide helpful and informative material on the subjects addressed. Readers should consult their personal health professionals before adopting any of the suggestions in this book or drawing inferences from it. The author and publisher expressly disclaim responsibility for any adverse effects arising from the use or application of the information contained in this book.
Cover design by Dan Pitts
Published in association with Books & Such Literary Management, www.booksandsuch.com.
Baker Publishing Group publications use paper produced from sustainable forestry practices and post-consumer waste whenever possible.
Dedication
To my amazing clients
who are on this journey with me toward optimal health,
and for everyone who longs to believe they
can change their habits once and for all.
Lets live life to the full, together!
Contents
Endorsements
Half Title Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Your Turning Point Starts Here
External Triggers
1. When Your Why Is Front and Center
2. When You Feel Defeated Before You Start
3. When You Are Bored
4. When Your Clothes Dont Fit and You Cant Hide It
5. When You Lack Portion Control
6. When Your Doctor Tells You to Lose Weight Before Its Too Late
7. When Others Sabotage You or You Sabotage Yourself
8. When Community Means Food
9. When Losing Weight Is Harder Than It Used to Be
10. When You Want to Be a Couch Potato
11. When You Travel
12. When Losing Weight Is Easy for Everyone but You
13. When You Need Support from Someone Else
14. When Its the Holidays
16. When You Eat Mindlessly
17. When Your Favorite Beverage Keeps Calling Your Name
Internal Triggers
18. When You Are Stressed
19. When Negative Self-Talk Overwhelms You
20. When You Are Lonely
21. When You Are Addicted to Sugar
22. When One Mistake Makes You Want to Quit
23. When You Are Downright Hungry, and Hangry Too
24. When You Feel Ashamed
25. When You Are Addicted to Food
26. When You Feed Your Emotions
27. When You Are Fixated on the Scale
28. When People Compliment You but Its Hard to Accept
29. When Self-Care Is Not a Priority
The Journey Continues