There is a story you may have heard that goes:
A frog placed in water where the temperature is increased slowly over time will eventually be boiled to death. This is because, the story goes, the frog can't sense incremental changes in temperature and thus isn't aware that soon he will be the featured, "cuisses de grenouilles" menu item at the local French restaurant.
The best part of this story is that it isn't true. Frogs indeed do recognize when the water is too hot for comfort and will leap to freedom looking for a more hospitable habitat.
The Longterm Perspective
Perhaps our friendly frog is more inclined to take action under changing conditions over time than we are. The Gallup Company recently released a survey about self-reported weight gain changes of men and women. According to their findings, 67% of those participating in the survey labeled themselves as overweight; 18% said they were at their ideal weight. The 2011 overweight self-reported rating is up from 62% in 2010.
According to Gallup, the 2011 survey found men self-reported on average that they weigh 196 pounds and women say they weigh 160 pounds. Both reported average weight numbers are nearly 20 pounds higher than those reported in 1991.
Interestingly, as the reported average weight increased, so did the reported "ideal" weight according to those surveyed. In 1991, the reported "ideal" weight for men was 171 pounds. By 2011, the ideal weight grew to 181 pounds. For women, the 1991 "ideal" weight was 129 pounds. By 2011, the "ideal" weight in the minds of women surveyed grew to 138 pounds.
Lessons For Us
So what are the lessons here for those of us choosing to achieve a more healthy weight and relationship with food? First, like our friend the frog, paying attention to changes in our bodies over time can alert us that changes in eating and exercise patterns are in order.
Even more important than being aware of slowly accumulating weight is to look back over time and identify when pronounced weight changes occurred. What emotional circumstances were you dealing with a few months before or during periods of unusual weight gain? These periods of noticeable weight changes are fertil grounds to uncover emotional experiences and disempowering beliefs that may be holding you back from achieving a healthier weight and relationship with food.
If you know or suspect that emotionally charged experiences or core disempowering beliefs (I don't deserve to be thin, it's not safe for me to look attractive, etc.) are contributing to your weight situation, there is help available to release those blocks to success.
For information about how Energy Psychology methods can help, visit my website at: http://www.EFT-MD.com. For those readers participating in the Weight for Wellness(TM) program, liberal use of the CenterPoint Release (CPR) method to release blocking emotions, beliefs, and immediate cravings can bring huge benefits when applied consistently every day.
Finally, think small changes. The weight didn't accumulate in two weeks. Expecting to loose 40 pounds by next Tuesday sets you up for failure. Commit to small behavioral, diet, and activity changes over time and stick with them.
Finding What Works for You
Go inside using meditation and ask your subconscious knowing and heart-wisdom to offer guidance about what will work for you. Ask while in a relaxed, meditative state and then be still. Be aware of images, thoughts, and feelings that emerge shortly after asking.
Equally important with asking is doing. When you're given guidance, acting on that guidance helps assure your subconscious remains in alignment with your conscious goals.
Also, be aware of "coincidences" and circumstances that show up in your life. A chance article, an introduction to someone who lost the amount of weight you would like to lose, the invitation from a friend to join her in attending Weight Watchers may be answers to your request.
Look to the medium and longterm. Making good choices in food and behavior is a journey not a race. You will succeed with persistence.
The Most Important Action
What is the most important action to take that allows everything else to fall in place? Give yourself approval just as you are! You're not broken, you're not short on willpower, you're not a failure. Making peace with today's reality allows you to bring new realities into form with greater ease.
Give yourself love and approval multiple times every day. You'll be amazed at the results.
For more information about our Weight for Wellness(TM) program, email me at: CarterMethod@gmail.com or give us a call at: 804-677-6772.
Steve Carter
Stress Solutions, LLC
Home of the Weight for Wellness Program
http://www.EFT-MD.com | http://EasyStressCures.com
1-888-849-5040 | International: 1-804-677-6772
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Meals, Wheels, and Trances: a Holiday Story
The holidays are nearly behind us. The office parties, family events, and lunch time gatherings with old friends are history.
Many of us fall off the Good Food Choice Wagon a few times during the end of year holidays. Old programming kicks in and we find ourselves eating larger helpings and more deserts. If we experience the holidays as stressful, we may find ourselves eating an abundance of Christmas cookies or other sugary comfort food to ease the emotional discomfort. It's as if we're in a trance as our subconscious programs from years ago take control.
Food and Self-Critical Trances
After we wake up from the food trance and think back on our behavior, the old self-critical scripts begin to play. We fell off the wagon and landed with a thud. Our internal critic is working overtime telling us why we're failures and why we'll never succeed. We move from one trance to another.
Interestingly, the self-critic is well meaning. It wants to protect us from failure. If we don't try, we can't fail. If the critic can convince us to stay laying on the ground, we can't fall off the wagon again.
As well meaning as our self-critic may be, it's wrong. The programming that animates the critic comes from limiting beliefs formed years ago, often in childhood. The programming that animates our stress eating also comes from limiting beliefs, again often formed in childhood. It's as if there's an emotional war underway and our conscious mind-body is the field of battle.
Take Control and Choose Peace
So what are we to do? Are we powerless to stop the conflict or can we rise above the field of battle, see the absurdity of the dueling trances, and regain control?
First, simply notice the conflict. Acknowledge it without judgement. It just is. It's just feedback. Know that the self-critic may be talking, but we don't have to listen. It's a habitual program that we can close down.
Try a simple response: As the self-critic begins to chatter, say out loud,
"Thank you for caring. Now, it's time to go. When I need your opinion, I'll ask. It's time to go. Quiet, quiet, quit...shhhhh....."
It may seem to simple to work, but try it anyway. You may find yourself VERY surprised.
If the critic persists, become more forceful and say, "Shut-up, shut-up, shut-up". Then take a deep breath, focus into whatever physical feelings you have in your body, and use CenterPoint Release (CPR), Emotional Freedom Techniques, or other Energy Psychology method you prefer to release the feelings. For those in the Weight for Wellness(TM) program, you can always apply CPR and, "Let it go....Release and let it go....Let it go....Peace."
There Is No Failure, Only Feedback
So climb back up into the wagon, take the reins in hand, and start the wheels rolling once again toward your chosen health and happiness destination. Remember, there is no failure, only feedback. Make note of whatever lessons were to be found in your holiday eating experiences and then let any guilt, self-criticism, or other negative emotions go. They only serve to keep you stuck in old ruts. This is a new wagon on a new road.
Picture the destination clearly and feel your wagon rolling. It's a great time to travel!
Your Feedback is Welcome
So what works for you? When you take command and invite your self-critic to be silent how does it feel? Please add you comments below and share your experiences. It's wonderful to meet and talk with other travelers on the road to health and happiness.
Steve Carter
Stress Solutions, LLC
Home of the Weight for Wellness(TM) Program
http://www.EFT-MD.com | http://EasyStressCures.com
1-888-849-5040 | 1-804-677-6772
Many of us fall off the Good Food Choice Wagon a few times during the end of year holidays. Old programming kicks in and we find ourselves eating larger helpings and more deserts. If we experience the holidays as stressful, we may find ourselves eating an abundance of Christmas cookies or other sugary comfort food to ease the emotional discomfort. It's as if we're in a trance as our subconscious programs from years ago take control.
Food and Self-Critical Trances
After we wake up from the food trance and think back on our behavior, the old self-critical scripts begin to play. We fell off the wagon and landed with a thud. Our internal critic is working overtime telling us why we're failures and why we'll never succeed. We move from one trance to another.
Interestingly, the self-critic is well meaning. It wants to protect us from failure. If we don't try, we can't fail. If the critic can convince us to stay laying on the ground, we can't fall off the wagon again.
As well meaning as our self-critic may be, it's wrong. The programming that animates the critic comes from limiting beliefs formed years ago, often in childhood. The programming that animates our stress eating also comes from limiting beliefs, again often formed in childhood. It's as if there's an emotional war underway and our conscious mind-body is the field of battle.
Take Control and Choose Peace
So what are we to do? Are we powerless to stop the conflict or can we rise above the field of battle, see the absurdity of the dueling trances, and regain control?
First, simply notice the conflict. Acknowledge it without judgement. It just is. It's just feedback. Know that the self-critic may be talking, but we don't have to listen. It's a habitual program that we can close down.
Try a simple response: As the self-critic begins to chatter, say out loud,
"Thank you for caring. Now, it's time to go. When I need your opinion, I'll ask. It's time to go. Quiet, quiet, quit...shhhhh....."
It may seem to simple to work, but try it anyway. You may find yourself VERY surprised.
If the critic persists, become more forceful and say, "Shut-up, shut-up, shut-up". Then take a deep breath, focus into whatever physical feelings you have in your body, and use CenterPoint Release (CPR), Emotional Freedom Techniques, or other Energy Psychology method you prefer to release the feelings. For those in the Weight for Wellness(TM) program, you can always apply CPR and, "Let it go....Release and let it go....Let it go....Peace."
There Is No Failure, Only Feedback
So climb back up into the wagon, take the reins in hand, and start the wheels rolling once again toward your chosen health and happiness destination. Remember, there is no failure, only feedback. Make note of whatever lessons were to be found in your holiday eating experiences and then let any guilt, self-criticism, or other negative emotions go. They only serve to keep you stuck in old ruts. This is a new wagon on a new road.
Picture the destination clearly and feel your wagon rolling. It's a great time to travel!
Your Feedback is Welcome
So what works for you? When you take command and invite your self-critic to be silent how does it feel? Please add you comments below and share your experiences. It's wonderful to meet and talk with other travelers on the road to health and happiness.
Steve Carter
Stress Solutions, LLC
Home of the Weight for Wellness(TM) Program
http://www.EFT-MD.com | http://EasyStressCures.com
1-888-849-5040 | 1-804-677-6772
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Diabetes and Other Weighty Matters
In 1994, 7.74 million Americans had diabetes. That represented about 3% of the population. Today, 25.8 million Americans have diabetes. That's about 8% of our population. Why the change? It's simple: We are eating more and eating more of the wrong foods.
The Economic Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture took a look at food consumption trends from 1970 to 2000 in a research report published in 2002. While there were a few positive trends such as a slight reduction in red meat per capita consumption, the big problem trend was consumption of added sugars. Overall, consumption of added sugars increased by 22%.
The USDA Food Guide Pyramid Bulletin in effect when the report was published, recommended that people limit their consumption of added sugars to no more than 12 teaspoons daily for a 2,200 calorie diet. The per capita consumption was nearly three times their recommendation in 2,000.
While the 22% increase was bad enough, the really big problem was one particular type of added sugar consumption increase: Corn sweeteners of all types increased by 277%. High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) per capita consumption increased by a whooping 4,080%.
There is, however, a positive turn in HFCS consumption according to a U.S. Census Bureau report that says total annual per capita pounds dropped from a high in 2,000 of 62.6 to 50.1 in 2009. Other positive food consumption trends include continued reduction in per capita red meat consumption,
Making Choices for Health
According to USDA data, the average American consumed 2,234 calories in 1970. By 2003, we consumed on average 2,757 calories daily. This is a 23.4% increase. Of the 528 additional calories, 292 were from fats and oils.
So what does all this mean for you? If you are currently dealing with diabetes or are pre-diabetic, you already know how important food choices are. One source for guidance is the American Diabetes Association. Of course you'll also want to follow your health care provider's guidance.
What advice would someone dealing with Type 2 diabetes have for those making poor food choices? Change your choices now. Why go through life overweight and stuck in unhealthy eating patterns? If you think it's too much bother to eat better or too difficult to lose weight, ask someone who lives with diabetes every day what it's like.
Health is a choice. Why not choose wisely?
Steve Carter
Stress Solutions, LLC,
Home of the Weight for Wellness(TM) Program
http://www.EFT-MD.com | http://www.EasyStressCures.com
888-848-5040 | 1-804-677-6772
The Economic Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture took a look at food consumption trends from 1970 to 2000 in a research report published in 2002. While there were a few positive trends such as a slight reduction in red meat per capita consumption, the big problem trend was consumption of added sugars. Overall, consumption of added sugars increased by 22%.
The USDA Food Guide Pyramid Bulletin in effect when the report was published, recommended that people limit their consumption of added sugars to no more than 12 teaspoons daily for a 2,200 calorie diet. The per capita consumption was nearly three times their recommendation in 2,000.
While the 22% increase was bad enough, the really big problem was one particular type of added sugar consumption increase: Corn sweeteners of all types increased by 277%. High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) per capita consumption increased by a whooping 4,080%.
There is, however, a positive turn in HFCS consumption according to a U.S. Census Bureau report that says total annual per capita pounds dropped from a high in 2,000 of 62.6 to 50.1 in 2009. Other positive food consumption trends include continued reduction in per capita red meat consumption,
Making Choices for Health
According to USDA data, the average American consumed 2,234 calories in 1970. By 2003, we consumed on average 2,757 calories daily. This is a 23.4% increase. Of the 528 additional calories, 292 were from fats and oils.
So what does all this mean for you? If you are currently dealing with diabetes or are pre-diabetic, you already know how important food choices are. One source for guidance is the American Diabetes Association. Of course you'll also want to follow your health care provider's guidance.
What advice would someone dealing with Type 2 diabetes have for those making poor food choices? Change your choices now. Why go through life overweight and stuck in unhealthy eating patterns? If you think it's too much bother to eat better or too difficult to lose weight, ask someone who lives with diabetes every day what it's like.
Health is a choice. Why not choose wisely?
Steve Carter
Stress Solutions, LLC,
Home of the Weight for Wellness(TM) Program
http://www.EFT-MD.com | http://www.EasyStressCures.com
888-848-5040 | 1-804-677-6772
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