ManifestingWellBeing.com

A friend of mine, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) specialist Bruce Stewart of www.psychologyofplace.com recently posed the idea to me of weight change, versus weight loss. As Bruce highlighted, the idea of “loss” has a negative connotation. When we think about losing something, it usually does not feel good. However, thinking about changing, transforming or even releasing, has a more positive ring to it.

 I thought about how the end result losing weight, or changing one’s body size to a smaller size, is very exciting and uplifting. The end result is one of physical, and often emotional transformation.

 Bob Proctor has a book entitled The Science of Perfect Weight. Certainly attaining one’s “perfect weight” is an uplifting comment. A wonderful summary of Bob’s book is posted at  

http://www.ehow.com/how_4783866_release-weight-not-just-lose.html

One of the key concepts of Bob’s book is training your mind to focus on being at your Perfect Weight. This creates an image in your mind and your body then responds to that image. By using this method you are working on changing your habits, attitude and mind.

Using the online video that I have created, you will be able to change your mind and body to increase your health. By addresssing and neutralizing the limiting beliefs that keep you from releasing your excess weight, you will successfully find your perfect weight. Go to http://www.manifestingwellbeing.com/manifest/ and start moving toward your perfect weight.

Here’s to your success!

Deborah Barnett, Ph.D.

www.ManifestingWellBeing.com

www.DeborahBarnett.com

Hoodia gordoniiis an African cactus from Namibia and South Africa.In Africa’s Kalahari Desert, hoodia has traditionally been eaten by the San Bushmen, to ward off hunger and thirst on long journeys.

Many people are interested in hoodia for its possible weight loss benefits. Supposedly hoodia works because it tricks a part of your brain, your hypothalamus into thinking that you are full. A role of the hypothalamus is to determines if appetite needs to be increased or suppressed by reading the blood glucose level. The active component in hoodia is p57. The molecule P57 “talks” to the hypothalamus in your brain. Reportedly, p57 can signal to the hypothalamus to suppress the appetite even more strongly than one’s blood glucose level. 

A few possible side effects from hoodia are reported. It could impair liver function or cause blood sugar level to drop too low. Unfortunately, scientifically strong, published research on hoodia is sketchy. Most of the “research” on hoodia is from websites selling a hoodia product. If you are going to buy hoodia, be careful. Some products out on the market claiming that they contain hoodia, when tested do not contain any hoodia!

Other points to consider are:

1. Every human is different and just because it works for some people, it is not likely to work for everyone.
2. There is no clinical evidence yet on its interactions with other drugs that a person may be taking, such as cholesterol or diabetes medicine.
3. Remember that excess weight is a symptom of an imbalance within the body on the physical or emotional level. Taking hooida, or any other weight loss supplement will not address the underlying factors of what caused the weight gain in the first place. As a result, if hoodia is discontinued and the factors causing the weight loss have not been address, the excess weight is likely to return.

For an online video addressing the beliefs and emotions that lead to weight gain, visit www.weightlossforwellbeing.com

Here’s to your success in releasing excess weight!

Deborah Barnett, Ph.D.

www.ManifestingWellBeing.com

www.DeborahBarnett.com

When I think back into the past, I realize that weight loss was a very tough task for me to accomplish. I was always concerned about my deadlines at work and I was always very, very tired. When I arrived home, I didn’t want to have to make any additional decisions. All I ever wanted to do was to go home, kick back, watch the TV and eat Doritos, Cheetos or some other snack that started with the letters “chocolate bar.” I was exhausted from the mental anguish of having to make important decisions at work and just wanted to be entertained by the television at night. I was overweight and felt awful about myself. I thought of myself as being FAT.
I didn’t believe in the weight loss options that I typically saw advertised, such as surgery or having to go on the strictest of diets.  My mental dedication just wasn’t up to “par” when it came to dieting.  I had dieted before and had always gained the weight right back as soon as I took any liberties in the selection of the foods I was eating.
After meeting Dr. Deb, I realized that the most important part for me to learn concerning weight loss was truly the mental process, not the eating process. Until this time I hadn’t realized the impact that my thoughts and beliefs had on my weight. Once I was able to reduce my negative thinking, I was able to easily decide how much and what I chose to eat.  I was also able to easily begin a new dietary program that has kept the weight off for close to two years now. I realized this never would have happened without the procedures and advice that I received from Dr. Deb.
There were dramatic changes in my mental and emotional states, especially in the arena of over-coming mental obstacles. One of Dr. Deb’s techniques that changed my life forever, including weight loss, is something I continue to use often as a regular part of my life. You can find this technique at http://www.weightlossforwellbeing.com  Truly, the mental part of starting a weight loss program is just as important as the food we put in our mouth.
One of the nice parts about getting into the right “mental state” of mind is that it creates lasting effects instead of temporary results. Remember, I was the person who was the chronic yo-yo dieter. Up 20 pounds down 20 pounds, up 10 pounds down 10 pounds. This was a typical “month in” and “month out” pattern for me. This created mental anguish for me, as I failed to keep my weight off. I often see others who are in the same pattern that I was in. I would highly recommend Dr. Deb’s techniques for anyone who has tried traditional dieting or used the yo-yo techniques and been disappointed.
Here is my update on how things have been for me since using Dr Deb’s secret techniques.
• I have more energy than at any time in the last 20 years
• I have been able to maintain my goal weight
• I eat a variety of foods.
• I don’t feel like I’m punishing myself
• I feel congruent and happy knowing that I’m in control of my weight
• I am much more proud of my body
• I have much less fear about how I appear in public concerning my weight
If you want to lose weight and you feel your story is similar to mine, give Dr. Deb a try.  Go to http://www.weightlossforwellbeing.com and start creating your new life TODAY!
Tom Troughton
www.BeClearToday.com

These days everyone is talking about the acai berry and its reportedly powerful health benefits. Oprah and Dr. Oz have highlighted this dark-colored, little berry from South America.  The acai berry is very valuable for its anti-aging properties and anti-oxidant properties. It reportedly has twice the antioxidants of blueberries. It is also a good source for vitamin B, vitamin C, iron, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, Omega 6 and Omega 9.  Some people have applauded its ability to help them lose weight. But is the acai berry the weight loss cure?

Nutritional supplements for most people are likely beneficial. However, no matter how many supplements are taken, they will not get at the root causes of excessive weight gain. To lose weight and keep it off, several questions to be addressed including: 

• Why did I engage in the lifestyle activities that brought on the weight?
• What habits do I have that are keeping the weight on?
• Why do I sabotage my weight loss efforts?

When questions such as these are addressed and the emotional factors around the weight are revealed, lasting weight loss can occur.

For an affordable online video to help you address the limiting beliefs that can hinder your weight loss visit

http://manifestingwellbeing.com/manifest/

Here’s to your success!

Deborah Barnett, Ph.D.

www.ManifestingWellBeing.com

www.DeborahBarnett.com

Susan B Roberts, Ph.D. is professor of nutrition and psychiatry at Tufts and director of the Tufts’ Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) Energy and Metabolism Laboratory. Robers and Betty Kelly Sargent have come out with a book called The Instinct Diet. From her research, Roberts has found that people eat based on biological instincts.

These 5 instincts are:

Hunger – we eat to satisfy ourselves and we like the feeling of being full.

Availability – the more easily food is available to us, the more we want to eat it.

Calorie density – we love to eat food that is full of calories.

Familiarity – we like to eat food that we recognize and associate with experiences that make us feel safe.

Variety – we like variety and the more variety of food that we have, the more we eat.

Roberts focuses on the Familiarity Instinct, and why it so strongly influences our eating habits. Roberts points out that we eat foods we like and are familiar with and when we eat these types of foods our familiarity instinct is activated. A perfect example of this is the effectiveness of food commercial that show people eating pizza or drinking a particular soft drink. When we see others eating and drinking certain food they become familiar to us.

Roberts gives several tips to work with our instincts to improve eating habits and control weight gain:

• Introduce new foods into your diet by initially eating small amounts of new foods.
• Gradually substitute healthy foods for unhealthy foods
• Eat healthy food when hungry to have your brain start to look forward to eating healthy foods to satisfying your hunger.
• Have a “time to stop eating” signal that you use at end of your meal. This could be a cup of tea or piece of sugarless gum.
• Give yourself structure – eat only at planed meal and snack times. Your body will stop having random hunger and cravings between eating times.

To curb cravings:

• When you have a craving, instead of giving in, tap your forehead until your mind is distracted from the craving.
• Wait 15 to 20 minutes or call a friend to do something besides eating.

If you are interested in a supportive way to work with beliefs and associations that can sabotage your weight loss visit

http://manifestingwellbeing.com/manifest/

Here’s to your success!

Deborah Barnett, Ph.D.

www.ManifestingWellBeing.com

www.DeborahBarnett.com

In the last Blog post I talked about New Year’s resolutions. Is losing weight one of your New Year’s resolutions? Have you have gotten off track with your commitment to your New Year’s resolution? Do you feel like you have no motivation to lose weight?

Most of us know what steps we could take to lose weight. We know that we should exercise more; eating healthier food would be a good idea; smaller food portions would help; as would drinking more water. If you lack motivation to lose weight think about why you decided that you wanted to lose weight in the first place. Did you just mutter that your doctor told you that it would be a good idea? Whoa! Let’s find a reason that is a little more exciting for you. Think of the benefits of that you will experience with a more slender body. What activities will you do when you are more slender? What clothes will you wear? How will you feel when you look at yourself in the mirror? This feels more inspiring doesn’t it?

Now, come up with a plan that you are going to use to lose weight. These are your guidelines. The purpose of guidelines is to help you progress toward your weight loss goal in a conscious and deliberate manner. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the amount of weight that you have to lose or all of the lifestyle changes that you have to make to lose the weight, break down your steps into smaller tasks. Focus on what you can do today.

Make sure that you have sufficient support for yourself as you lose weight. If you live with anyone, let others know how they can help you. Have someone that you can check in with regularly so that you are accountable to them. Finally, clear the mental and emotional limiting beliefs that keep you from being successful in your weight loss journey. Many people have successfully lost weight using the techniques that I offer in my online weight loss video

http://manifestingwellbeing.com/manifest/

You can be successful!

Deborah Barnett, Ph.D.

www.ManifestingWellBeing.com

www.DeborahBarnett.com

Happy New Year! Did you make any New Year’s resolutions? If you didn’t, why not? Some people are pessimistic about New Year’s resolutions. For these individuals one of their thoughts might be, “I never keep my resolutions anyway, so what is the point?” Others don’t make New Year’s resolutions because they are afraid of failing by not fulfilling their New Year’s resolutions. Maybe you did make New Year’s resolutions. If so, are you actively pursuing them?

I’d like to offer you some inspiration for setting and keeping at least one New Year’s resolution. For a moment, imagine that you have set a New Year’s resolution. Now fast forward to the end of 2009 and imagine that you have accomplished your intention. Congratulations! That is fantastic! Don’t you feel great? What an accomplishment! What positive changes have occurred in your life as a result? Are you thinner? Have you learned a new skill? Have you improved your relationships? . . . .How does it feel to imagine this success?

Here are 5 tips for keeping your New Year’s Resolutions:

1. Tell a friend or trusted family member your resolution(s).

2. Set a time to check in regularly such as weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly to report to and be accountable to this individual. Let them know of your progress.

3. Create an affirmation about the success you experience by keeping your resolution.

            For example, “I am becoming slender as I enjoy my healthy body.”

4. If the intrinsic reward of keeping your resolution is not enough, give yourself little healthy rewards, on a regular basis, for keeping your resolution.

5. Visualize yourself at the end of 2009 and how good you feel at having kept your resolution.

You can keep your New Year’s resolution(s) this year! You are welcome to post your resolutions as a comment and receive the support of myself and the readers of this blog.

If your resolution is to easily lose weight, check out the weight loss video that I have created.

www.manifestingwellbeing.com/manifest/

Deborah Barnett, Ph.D.

www.ManifestingWellBeing.com

www.DeborahBarnett.com

"the blessing of beauty"

With the rocky economy it can be difficult at times to feel grateful instead of grumbling about what isn’t right with the world. However, by taking time to be grateful even during difficult times and at challenging moments, exceptional personal growth can take place. I read an excellent article by Jack Canfield, author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul, on Gratitude and Appreciation. You can read the full article here:

http://jackcanfield.com/files/newsletter_archive/112008.htm

I began to reflect on moments that I have made a conscious effort to focus on gratitude and appreciation. A few weeks ago I experienced a very challenging moment when I discovered that one of my car tires was very flat. This was particularly inconvenient as I was 40 miles from home. As I was given the news by a very sweet woman in a restaurant where I was having lunch, I realized that I had a choice about how I was going to react to my flat tire. I could have certainly become “justifiably” upset, or I could calmly face the situation and focus on the blessings around me at that moment. The blessings I chose to focus on included the fact that I was not alone as I decided what to do. My aunt and cousin were with me and offered tremendous support. It was a brilliantly sunny day and neither pouring rain or snowing. I did have a spare tire in my trunk if I needed it, and calling AAA was always an option.

As I focused on these blessings I remained very calm and at ease. The flat tire no longer seemed to be such a big deal. With a few stops along the way at gasoline station air pumps, I made it safely home, and found a tire service station that could work on my car right way. (It was even a Sunday!). While I waited for my car I read a wonderful book and actually enjoyed the extra time to relax. Once my tire situation was evaluated I was informed that I actually needed two new tires. Fortunately, I was later told by a family member that I had received a great deal on the tires!

So as you go throughout your holiday season look for people, circumstances and events to appreciate. The more you appreciate the more grateful you will feel and the more beautiful life will become. You can have a lovely holiday season despite what they may be saying on the news!

Deborah Barnett, Ph.D.

ManifestingWellBeing.com

“Manifesting Well-Being for Health and Success”

The holiday season can often bring up Norman Rockwell images in our minds of what the “perfect holiday” season should look like. This can often leave us feeling frustrated, disappointed, or sad if our holiday doesn’t match the images in our minds.

What could you do to make your holiday experience this year more fun, easy and relaxing? Really think outside of the box and let your imagination run. What could you do to make your holiday celebration more enjoyable? You might hear a little voice in your head say, “Well I couldn’t do THAT!” Really? Why not? What would be the worse thing that could happen if you did? Would someone criticize you? Are you worried that someone would be disappointed?

I had client recently who came into my office very upset. She was trying to decide whether to go home to Montana to see her parents (which felt uncomfortable) or to stay home and celebrate the holidays with her daughter in their own way. At first neither option sounded good. She worried about feeling guilty if she didn’t go to see her parents. At the same time, she believed that she might be uncomfortable and/or resentful about being dragged around to parties she didn’t feel like attending if she did go. She finally decided that she would stay home for Christmas and then go to see her parents for a few days after Christmas. She left my office feeling relieved at finding a solution that felt good.

For Thanksgiving this year I made a decision that was very “out of the box” from what I normally do. I was invited to go to New England to spend Thanksgiving with my cousins from my mother’s side of the family. This didn’t feel like a good idea because I already had plans to fly to New England for Christmas. Another option was that I could go to see my cousins who live about 1 ½ hours from me, but this didn’t feel quite like what I wanted to do either. I decided that what I really wanted to do was to have a Thanksgiving potluck at my house and invite friends over to join me. This is what I did and it was a lot of fun and a huge success.

What would make the holidays a little more relaxing and fun for you this year? Would it be to NOT work for 2 days straight cooking in the kitchen so that you are so tired you can’t even enjoy the food when it is time for the big meal? Would asking for help with the holiday shopping make things easier? How about scheduling more quite time for yourself? Dare to think outside of the box. A few new choices can increase your sense of well-being and make your holiday season more pleasant and enjoyable.

Deborah Barnett, Ph.D.

www.ManifestingWellBeing.com

Manifesting Well-Being for Health and Success  

Here in America we are celebrating Thanksgiving. Or iginally, back in 1789, President George Washington proclaimed this to be a public day of thanksgiving and prayer. Today, many people think of the holiday as a day to gather with friends and family, eat turkey, and give thanks for the blessings in their lives.

Giving thanks may seem like a “good” and “nice” thing to do. However, the benefits of giving thanks and expressing gratitude have profound ripple effects. Marci Shimoff, author of Happy for No Reason: 7 Steps to Being Happy from the Inside Out www.happyfornoreason.com, interviewed 100 unconditionally happy people as a part of her research for this book. She found that unconditionally happy people have happiness habits that they practice. One of these happiness habits is to Focus on Gratitude. Marci explains that if you want to learn a new skill or habit, a great way to do this is to model someone who already practices this skill or habit. So, if happiness is something that you would like to attract more of into your life, cultivating gratitude is a good step toward doing this.

A fun exercise which utilizes giving thanks and may increase your happiness is the exercise of giving thanks in advance. To do this exercise, simply think about what you would like to attract into your life. Imagine and feel for a few moments what it would feel like if these events/circumstances were already in your life. After contemplating this for a few minutes, start to give thanks for these events/circumstances as if had manifested. Some example statements might be, “Thank you for my healthy body. . . I am so grateful for the fun job and clients that I have. . . I am so thankful for the safe and comfortable home that I live in.” It is a fun exercise and really can get the “gratitude juices” flowing through your body.

I am a big fan of expressing gratitude and I make it one of my daily practices. This year I am more appreciative of the Thanksgiving holiday than I have ever been before. For the coming year I’m going to focus on having the feeling of Thanksgiving present in my life all year long. . . . but I think I’ll skip eating turkey everyday.

Deborah Barnett, Ph.D.

www.ManifestingWellBeing.com

Manifesting Well-Being for Health and Success