EMOTIONAL EATING
WHAT IS EMOTIONAL EATING:
Emotional eating is a relatively common problem for both men and women. If you eat in response to your feelings, especially when you are not hungry, you are an emotional eater. Emotional eating means your emotions -- not your body -- dictate when and/or how much you eat.
WHEN AND HOW DO EMOTIONAL EATERS OVER EAT?
Some emotional eaters overdo when they are sad or confused; for others, eating can be a way of avoiding thinking about problems or taking the action required to solve them.
If we would eat for comfort we are okay. But how many people turn to carrot sticks when they are feeling stressed? It is the high-fat, high-calories foods we love that make us feel better; the more fattening, sweeter or the saltier the food, the better we seem to feel.
ARE YOU AN EMOTIONAL EATER?
You are an emotional eaters if you answer yes to any of the following questions:
- Do you ever eat without realizing you are even doing it?
- Do you often feel guilty or ashamed after eating?
- Do you often eat alone or at odd locations, such as parked in your car outside your own house?
- After an unpleasant experience, such as an argument, do you eat even if you are not feeling hungry?
- Do you crave specific foods when you are upset, such as always desiring chocolate when you feel depressed?
- Do you feel the urge to eat in response to outside cues like seeing food advertised on television?
- Do you eat because you feel there's nothing else to do?
- Does eating make you feel better when you're down or less focused on problems when you're worried about something?
If you eat unusually large quantities of food or you regularly eat until you feel uncomfortable to the point of nausea, you have a problem with over doing eating.
HOW TO DEAL WITH EMOTIONAL EATING:
WHY IT MATTERS?
Emotional eating can sabotage your weight management efforts. Getting a handle on your tendency to eat in response to emotions can be one of the most important factors in achieving long-term weight loss success.
WHAT IT IS?
Sometimes, the desire to eat has nothing to do with a pesky rumbling in your stomach telling you that you need to eat. We get a strong longing for foods -- particularly fattening, comforting foods -- when emotions spike or plummet. We want to eat and (we think) nothing else will do.
HOW IT HAPPENS?
For some, it takes a major event to trigger emotional eating -- getting fired or going through a divorce; for others, it's a constant struggle: the traffic on the way to work; the jammed photo copier; a tough day at the office, bad relationship with husband or wife ... the daily grind can lead to a seemingly unbreakable habit of turning to food to make it all better.
A VICIOUS CYCLE:
The worst part about emotional eating is it actually causes your problems to multiply. Eventually, instead of avoiding the issues you're stuffing down with food, you've created another one altogether -- weight gain, guilt about eating, worsening health ... and then it starts all over again.
FIVE STEPS TO END EMOTIONAL EATING:
If you tend to give in to emotional eating, there are a few tactics you can use to regain control of your eating habits and get back on track.
- Step One: Identify Your Triggers
- Step Two: Recognize Hunger Signals
- Step Three: Limit Trigger Foods
Simply stop stocking your fridge and pantry with the foods you binge on.
- Step Four: Don't Skip Meals
Skipping meals almost always leads to over-eating.
- Step Five: Create Alternatives to Eating
Whether it's a bubble bath or curling up with a good book, planning other activities will help you relax and avoid binges.
DON'T GIVE UP:
When you trip up -- because you will (We all do!), don't give up. Forgive yourself and start over the next day. Learning from your mistakes and focusing on the positive will go along way in ensuring your continued weight loss success.
EMOTIONAL HEALING THROUGH REIKI
Reiki is a Japanese-originated method for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes physical and emotional healing. When Reiki is given by a light hands-on touch, or through distance an unseen “life force energy” flows through us and is what enables us to be alive. When stress and other emotional factors drain our life force energy, we are more likely to get sick or tempt to Emotional Eating which results in Weight Gain. With thriving life force energy, we are more capable of being emotionally balanced and healthy. As Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit, it brings relaxation and feelings of peace, security and comfort.
WHAT DOES REIKI TREATMENT DO?
A Reiki treatment helps the body’s natural ability to heal itself. All disease including Emotional Eating is caused by lessening or blockage of life energy. Reiki removes blocks and restores energy balance. This allows the body to heal and following changes happen in a person taking Reiki sessions:
- Serenity happens – things that used to cause undue stress, fear, anger or anxiety no longer affect one as strongly as before. It’s easier to be centered, and take things calmly.
- Increase resistance to stress and illness – one may start to feel generally healthier, getting sick less frequently than before, healing more quickly from colds or injury.
- More empathy – a person may feel more in touch with other’s feelings, resulting in an easier time getting along with or understanding people in his or her life. This positive feeling from others that results from feeling understood comes back to attract new opportunities and relationships to one’s life.
- Happiness – one may realize that he feels more positive in general and more often than before as negative feelings and blockages are naturally released through the effects of Reiki hence brings about Emotional Harmony in the person.
WHY DIETS FAIL?
So many diet programs, diet pills and special exercises programs to lose weight are doomed to failure because:
- The person doing dieting wants to continue the same life style, eating the same foods in the same quantities, going to the same foods in the same quantities, going to the same parties with the same people – but somehow wants the results of this life-style to suddenly change because of a pill or a temporary diet. Not realizing that our mind needs a CHANGE at the sub-conscious level in order to give different result.
- Our sub-conscious mind perceives the meaning of the word “Diet” as “To give up foods”. Whereas, “to give up foods” is a negative thinking because we are thinking about the “problem” and not the solution. As it is nature of our sub-conscious mind that “the thing we focus upon expands”. Therefore, when we give up foods keeping in view our over-weight, we are focusing on the problem and not the solution that is getting slim. The result is the “problem” expands and we gain more weight.
- Weight loss pills, dieting and exercises all have their temporary effect on our physical body only. Whereas, fattening is very often a result the childhood experiences which are stored at very deep levels in our sub-conscious mind and these childhood experiences influence our behaviour today. For instance, a child might be encouraged to “eat everything on your plate and grow up to be a big boy or girl. This is fine for a child who is doubling in size rapidly and running around and expending a lot of energy. Now, if an adult has that same program deep within and is not getting any taller but now has a larger plate of food and is not running around expending energy, there could be a problem. In fact, the adult gets in the car, turns the key to start the engine, puts the automatic transmission gear, uses the power steering to guide the car, stops with the power brakes, then goes into the store to buy some convenience food that doesn’t take any effort to prepare... the old program is still running; “eat everything and get big…
- very often, we do over-eating to satisfy our psychological and emotional cravings. We do not pay attention to our appetite when it says “I am done, I am satisfied, stop eating…” In fact, dieting does not pay attention to our emotional problems which result in emotional eating. On the contrary, dieting tries to “kill” off the appetite…which results in over-eating whenever we eat after fasting time is over.
- The word diet and dieting make our sub-conscious mind think of growing hungry and giving up food, which in turn starts the anxiety about starvation, which brings forth the instinct of self-preservation. It is our nature that however strong desire we have to lose weight, it can not over come the basic instinct for survival. Hence, dieting fails because it suggests starvation, which leads to over eating and obesity.
WEIGHT LOSS THROUGH
SELF-HYPNOSIS
The easiest way to “deceive” our mind is continuous repetition of certain words or sentences called “Affirmations”. This process is called Self-Hypnosis.
Following are some very useful and effective affirmations for losing weight quickly. These affirmations have been designed very carefully and have performed wonders and brought mind-boggling results on all those who wanted to lose weight.
It is advised that you record these affirmations in YOUR OWN VOICE preferably in your mobile and listen to them twice daily; once before sleeping and the other in the morning when you wake up. These two times are suggested because at these two times your mind is half asleep and your mind is naturally in a light trance state:
- I desire to become strong and slender.
- I am dissatisfied with my weight as it now stands.
- I want to become more slender. Because I want to become more slender, my appetite is now easily satisfied with a much smaller quantity of food that I have become accustomed to eating.
- I know that my body needs protein for strength, so I enjoy eating a small quantity of lean meat.
- I enjoy a single slice of dark, coarse bread.
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- I enjoy eating green, leafy vegetables.
- I enjoy eating all the body building foods which give me strength and a proper balance of minerals and vitamins.
- My body already has in storage an abundance of fat.
- My body is now ready to use this fat that I have stored up.
- As this fat is used, I feel the way I want to feel; strong, energetic and vigorous.
- Because my body has no need for fat now, I have no appetite for fats, sweets and starches.
- I dislike the fat in meat, I have no desire for butter or cream.
- I dislike ice cream, I dislike candy and pie, I have no desire for cake.
- I do not like potatoes or white bread.
- My dislike for these foods is becoming so great that soon it is impossible for me to eat them.
- My body has no need for these foods right now.
- My tastes correspond to the real needs of my body.
- Food substances that are not needed are actually unpleasant to me.
- I am now finding a new pleasure in eating the foods that my body needs.
- I eat slowly.
- I take small bites.
- I relish each bite as I chew it.
- I am now taking time to actually taste the flavour of the foods that I eat.
- I am rediscovering the subtle and enjoyable differences between foods.
- I enjoy the taste of the lean meat and a very small quantity makes me feel full and satisfied.
- I enjoy the taste of cheese.
- I enjoy the taste of fresh fruits.
- I enjoy the taste of green vegetables.
- I enjoy all of these so much, that a very small quantity of them makes me feel as though I have eaten a thanks-giving dinner.
- I am completely satisfied with the quantity of food that contains about (specific count) calories.
- I now weight (specific current weight) kilograms.
- I wish to weight (desired ending weight) because at that weight I will feel very much better and be much more attractive.
- I am going to consume the excess fat from my body at a rate of (specific kg 1 – 2) kilograms per week.
- In ten weeks I am going to weight (10 weeks times kg per week) kilograms less.
- In ten weeks I am going to weight (starting weight – 10 week loss) kilograms.
- Each week I consume (specific kg value 1 – 2) pounds of fatty tissue; I do this because I want to be more attractive.
- I do this because I want to feel stronger and more vigorous.
- I do this because I want to be healthy.
- I do this because I want to be well.
- I desire to be strong, vigorous and healthy. That desire is so great that it easily and unconsciously controls my appetite; and I automatically eat only the foods that my body needs in the quantities that my body requires.
ONCE THE WEIGHT LOSS HAS STARTED, ADD THE FOLLOWING SUGGESTIONS TO THE SCRIPT.
- I am now eating the foods that my body needs.
- I am eating only the food that my body needs.
- I am eating only 1000 calories a day, and I am enjoying every single byte that I take.
- In my daily activities I am consuming the reserves of fat that have been store in my body.
- This fat is being consumed from my entire body, but it is coming especially from my abdomen and my hips.
- My hips are becoming smaller s the fat is consumed.
- My stomach is becoming flatter.
- Soon my figure will be more suited to my height and my bone structure.
REPROGRAMMING MIND THROUGH HYPNO-THERAPY
Hypnosis is by the best way of changing habits including eating habits and weight control. Through Hypnosis your normal reflexes are restored that keep you satisfied and bring into play wonderful feeling of well-being. As, word “diet” is a negative word; it threatens with denial of food and death.
Hypnosis is a positive word; it makes us relax, comfortable and alive. Diets fail; hypnosis succeeds because it brings about satisfaction which leads to relaxation and brings about a slim, healthy, attractive body, a relaxed mind and a satiated spirit. The old urge to diet is thus completely removed from the mind and you come to know that the real answer is in restoring normal reflexes, for hypnosis is a positive approach.
Hypnotic suggestions rapidly bring about a change in our sub-conscious mind which is necessary to insure a permanently slim, healthy and attractive body which you so desire. As a result, each time you are tempted to eat or drink anything that you know is wrong for you, your sub-conscious mind will say “no” and stick by it and very soon you will get the rewards by becoming slender and more desirable.
MIRROR OF THE MIND TECHNIQUE
This is a very powerful Technique for Weight Loss. When you desire to reduce weight, enter into the Alpha Level (Technique for entering into the Alpha Level will be taught during the workshop only) and analyze the weight problem. At the Alpha Level mentally mark a big red “X” over every item of food considered to be causing the weight problem.
Program yourself that hunger between meals vanishes by eating a piece of carrot, celery or apple, or some such helpful foods or by taking three deep breaths. Also program yourself to leave something on your plate, realizing that you do not need all the food you have taken. Program yourself not to eat dessert.
Visualize yourself in the “Red” Framed Mirror on the left side of your Mental Screen (You will be taught about the mental screen during the workshop only) the way you are now. Then in the “Green” Framed Mirror on the right side of your mental screen, stamp what you want to weigh on one corner and the size of suit or dress you want to wear on the other corner and imagine yourself at your ideal weight and size.
Thereafter, when you think of your weight, always visualize the image you have created of yourself the way you want to be in the Green Framed Mirror of the Mind. You will be amazed to see the results that, in a matter of days you will lose weight without any extra effort.
Do inform us of your success on info@profsikandar.com or “PROF. DR. SIKANDAR ALI (PH.D)” on the facebook, to encourage others.
EIGHT EASY WAYS TO LOSE WEIGHT
1. COUNTING CALORIES:
To lose weight it is essential to pay attention to food labels. Counting calories is impossible without this skill. You should know how to find a food's caloric content and its serving size. Comparing labels among different foods and beverages is crucial for making the healthier choices required to Weight Loss. Take help from websites like “Calorie Count Plus”
SNACK SMART:
You can help prevent overeating and maintain blood sugar levels by eating something about every three hours. Getting too hungry will backfire on your efforts to eat healthy and practice portion control. Aim for a healthful, satisfying snack, such as an apple and some reduced-fat cheddar cheese. Eating more may seem counterintuitive, but smart snacking will help you lose weight.
3. EAT MORE GRAINS AND PRODUCE:
Whole grains and fruits and veggies do more than provide nutrients that improve your health and reduce disease-risk; they can also help you lose weight. They're naturally low in calories, so you can eat more of them and have less room in your diet for less-than-healthful foods. Plus, the fiber in whole-grain foods and produce will help you feel fuller longer (which helps you control portions and avoid overeating) and as a result, lose weight.
4. EAT ENOUGH, OFTEN ENOUGH:
One of the worst ways to lose weight is “Meal skipping”. Many people think skipping meals is a great way to cut calories, but in the end, they fail to lose weight. You'll be more likely to overeat or even binge (when you finally do eat) if you do not eat regular meals. Plus your body may go into "starvation mode" if don't eat enough, causing you to maintain (or even gain) rather than lose weight!
5. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER:
Water helps you lose weight in several ways: If you tend to have a problem with "water weight," drinking more water can help alleviate bloating. Replacing high-cal drinks such as soda with water cuts hundreds of calories. You shouldn't wait until you're feeling thirsty to drink water; thirst can be mistaken for hunger, causing you to overeat. Proper hydration improves your sense of well-being, which will keep up your motivation to lose weight.
6. GET MOVING:
It is virtually impossible to lose weight and keep it off without exercising regularly. Start out today by taking a walk. Work your way up from 10 minutes to 30-40 minutes a day, most days a week, and you could reap health benefits and weight loss results in a matter of weeks. Plus, exercise boosts your metabolism, making it even easier to lose weight.
7. PRACTICE PORTION CONTROL:
Measuring food may seem like a drudgery, but it will prove invaluable in your efforts to lose weight. Start out by comparing a measured standard serving of foods to your typical helping. You may find you usually consume two or even three times the recommended serving. In time you will reprogram your brain to eyeball portion sizes, a key skill for losing weight.
8. WRITE IT DOWN:
What's the first thing I think anyone who wants to lose weight should do? Keep a food diary. All you have to do is jot down what, when, and how much you eat in a notebook, or you can do it online at a Web site like Calorie Count Plus. A food diary will give you a clear picture of your current eating habits so you can identify the changes you need to make to lose weight.
GROUP ACTIVITY
GROUP OF 7 PEOPLE:
This exercise has to be done in a group of minimum seven people. Six people are programmers while one is subject. In turn everyone will be the subject. The subject is in the centre while six programmers are around him / her.
Before beginning the programming, all seven people will write on a piece of paper a desire that is believable, realistic. Select a time period also that is possible.
EXAMPLE:
I (YOUR NAME) weighing 85 kgs now, will weight 65 kgs in 10 weeks, and will donate 200 dirhams to charity.
PROGRAMMING:
Subject stands in the centre, facing north. Others around him and except one programmer all others place their hands one on top of another on his / her crown chakra. Subject holds the piece of paper in his / her hands and programmer who is in front of him / her puts fingertips of both his / her hands on the fingers of the subject and reads out very loudly what the subject has written. When the programmer finishes reading the statement once, all programmers including the subject say YES, YES, YES (or INSHA ALLAH, INSHA ALLAH, INSHA ALLAH) three times in a very loud voice.
The programmer repeats it three times and so do all the programmers and the subject. After that the subject moves anti-clockwise, face the other programmer who does the same. This way all the six read the desire of the subject 3 times, forcefully.
CRITERIA FOR CREATING THE SCRIPT OF DESIRE:
PART 1 State your present situation.
PART 2 Write your future desire, situation.
PART 3 Write your contribution to the humanity.
POINTS TO REMEMBER:
- The goal has to be specific, (exact number of kilograms or pounds that you want to have.
- Put a time frame that you believe is possible.
Please understand that this script will be prepared using both halves of the brain. Right – imagination, wishful thinking and Left – logical, sensible, knowing your limits. SO it has to be a sensible desire.
THE CHECK LIST
- Are you doing weekly and daily exercises on a regular basis?
- Are your internal beliefs and desires aligned?
- Are you sure what you want?
- Have you been attending the ETS sessions?
- Are you giving prescribed charity regularly?
- Do you discuss with your counsellor?
- Are you in touch with your buddy on a regular basis?
- Most important of all, are you continually enrolling people or not? Do you remember you were told categorically “NO ENROLMENT – NO SUCCESS”?
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