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
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