ManifestingWellBeing.com

What did you eat today? Chips? A hamburger? Cookies? An Apple? Most of us are aware of what food we eat on a given day. Some people also pay close attention to other ways of tracking what they ate, such as how many “points” the consumed or how many calories. The fact is that in addition to eating food, we also eat to suppress our emotions. As a result, because we are emotionally eating instead of to fuel our body, we may overeat, or eat foods that are less than healthy for us.

To see if you are “eating your emotions,” first, look at what events happen before you eat. Pay special attention to the times when you eat between meals. Look at the events that happen before you eat, or the events that you are thinking of, before you eat. What was happening? Were the kids acting out, did you have a fight with your spouse, or did you have a stressful day at work? Any emotion, such as anger, frustration, disappointment, anxiety, excitement, can cause us to over eat or eat foods that are not healthy for us.

The next step is to become aware of what you are doing when you over eat or choose less than healthy foods. Are you watching television, talking on the phone, on the computer? To help you eat more consciously, here are some suggestions that will help to improve your digestion and support you in avoiding the temptation to overeat:
Eat slowly
Try to not do other activities while you are eating
Pay attention to the texture and flavor of what you are eating
Think kindly of yourself
Appreciate the food that you are eating

Preliminary results indicate that being more mindful may help to reduce weight. So the next time you find yourself feeling stressed and reaching for something to eat, it may help to take a deep breath and notice what is happening . . . .

Deborah Barnett, Ph.D.
www.ManifestingWellBeing.com
Manifesting Well Being for Health and Success

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

Walking

Walking, especially with a focused mind, is wonderful for reducing stress. A good way to begin is by focusing while you walk, for a short length of time, such as 5 to 10 minutes. During this time you may focus on your breath, the sound of your footsteps, or the image of yourself achieving a goal that you want to accomplish.

Sitting Quietly and Breathing

If you are not able to get outside to walk, sitting quietly and focusing on your breathing is helpful. At first begin with a few minutes and then gradually increase the length of time up to 30 minutes. As you sit quietly you may simply focus on the inhalation and exhalation of your breath as it flows in and out of your body. You may want to try counting your breaths to help you stay focused. For example you might say to yourself as you breathe in, “in one, two, three” and then as you breathe out, “out one, two, three.”

Write Down Those Thoughts

Another exercise for times when you are worried, stressed, and overwhelmed by a list of things you need to do, is to write everything that is swirling in your head down on paper. Then pick one manageable thing to do, which once it is complete, will help you to feel better. Once this item is accomplished, focus on this good feeling of completion and acknowledge yourself for what you have done, instead of dwelling on what you have not done.

Deb Barnett, Ph.D. www.ManifestingWellBeing.com 

 “Manifesting Well Being for Health and Success”