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
No comments:
Post a Comment