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

Why do you eat? Seems like a silly question, doesn’t it? Most people would answer, “I eat because I am hungry!” Yet for many people, truth be told, this is often not the reason why they eat. Many people eat out of habit, for reasons other than to nourish their bodies, and over time this can result in weight gain. When we consistently eat for reasons other than to fuel our bodies, it is hard to lose weight. Here are some of the common situations in which people eat out of habit:

Some people eat because they have nothing else to do at the moment. Often, eating at a moment like this is a way to avoid feeling boredom, sadness or depression.

Sometimes people eat out of an association with a particular activity. For example, if you have a favorite show on television that you like to watch at 8:00 p.m., eating a snack at that time might be a fun thing to do. It provides entertainment for you tongue and it gives your hands something to do, while your mind is entertained by the television.

Eating between activities or projects during the day is an easy habit to get into. For example, maybe at work you have a coffee break around 10:00 a.m. before the staff meeting at 10:30a.m., and having a donut with your coffee may seem like a nice treat.

Often eating is a reward for people. If you have had a long day at work, reaching for food from the refrigerator or pantry maybe feel like a soothing treat.

It is very easy to fall into the habit of eating because others are eating around you. For example, if you feed your children early in the evening, it would seem natural to eat with them. However, if when your spouse comes home later in the evening, eating again with your spouse could result in you eating more food than your body actually needs.

A final common reason that people eat is because eating can temporarily reduce stress that we are feeling. In an effort to feel better the quick fix of a snack or treat may temporarily relieve stress.

I am not saying that it is not okay to eat at times other than meal times. Nor am I saying that food can’t be a source of enjoyment and pleasure. It can be and it is! However, remembering that the primary reason to eat is to fuel your body with high quality nutrients is essential. Let food do its job and don’t over use it for purposes such as a reward or to avoid boredom.

To help you become more conscious of eating, identify the reason why you are eating. If you are eating to cover up a belief that is not serving you, such as “I’m not worthy,” “I can’t handle this,” or “If I don’t eat now I will feel deprived,” look for a way to affirm the more empowering truth such as, “I am worthy and I can find ways to acknowledge myself, other than with food.”

Honor yourself by feeding yourself healthy food. It will make you feel better about yourself and it will nourish your body physically.

Find ways to reward yourself in a positive way such as by taking a walk, reading a good book, playing fun music and dancing around the room. You will feel better about yourself and your body will be able to lose weight more easily.

Deborah Barnett, Ph.D.

www.manifestingwellbeing.com

Manifesting Well-Being for Health and Success

Burn Your Baby Fat

Becoming a new mom is a time of great joy, but often a time of challenges, as well. One of the frustrations new moms experience is the difficulty of losing the weight the gained during pregnancy. Holly Rigsby has created “Fit Yummy Mummy” the perfect answer for those moms who want their pre-baby body back.

This weight loss system is for busy moms. It is user-friendly, practical and realistic.

This value-packed program gives you:

1. Tips for how often to eat (eating more frequently is better – stop the dieting!)
2. Guidance for what to eat, so you know longer have to feel confused
3. A workout system with a variety of workouts to fit your schedule PLUS – you don’t have to exercise more than 90 minutes PER WEEK!
4. The Busy Mom’s Fat Loss Companion, loaded with a goal setting sheet, journal, and pre-made grocery list
5. Plus you will receive follow up support e-mail coaching suggestion with fitness and recipes to keep you on track

All in all, two thumbs up from me: when the information on hand is as detailed, easy to absorb, and – above all – reliable as Fit Yummy Mummy, you really can’t go wrong.

Deborah Barnett, Ph.D.

www.DeborahBarnett.com

www.WeightLossForWellBeing.com

The World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research have a report outlining suggestions for the prevention of cancer. This is exciting to see research going into prevention, instead of purely cures for illness once it has already occurred. As I read the main points of the report I noticed that many of the suggestions are very good for those interested in releasing excess weight or maintaining weight.

I suggest that you visit the site for the full report. http://www.dietandcancerreport.org/

Here are the main points for the prevention of cancer:

1. Have a lean, but not underweight body.
2. Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day.
3. Avoid excessive high fat/high sugar/low fiber foods, including sugar-filled drinks.
4. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fiber-rich foods are beneficial for your diet.
5. Avoid eatting a lot of red meat and processed meat.
6. If you choose to drink alcohol, it is best for men to stop after 2 drinks and women after 1.
7. Work to get your nutrition from foods instead of supplements.

I would be eager to see them include suggestions for decreasing stress and increasing positive emotions in the next report. Authors such as David Simon, MD in his book Return To Wholeness have highlighted the benefits of mediation, visualization, journaling and laughter in the face of cancer. What other suggestions would you think might be beneficial?
Deborah Barnett, Ph.D.
http://www.weightlossforwellbeing.com/
www.DeborahBarnett.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

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