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The Slimming Pool Weight Loss Blog: Hey, I was Eating That!

Thursday, February 26, 2004

Inner Beauty: It's What's Inside that Matters

With so much attention being put on change - changing our shapes, our minds, our political views, have you ever stopped to think, "Who am I, without my weight issue?" If you didn't have this "thing," this constant complaint, or excuse to complain, who would you be? What would you do instead? What would you focus on, instead?

A safe place to start is with EFT on the idea of not wanting to lose a part of ourselves that we've become so attached to that we'd feel lost without it. You may feel as if you wouldn't be you anymore. This is common in folks who say, "I just can't see myself at a smaller weight," or, "I can't imagine losing the weight and keeping it off."

All that's happening is your brain (ever helpful) is trying to comfort you - those constant mental reminders that you can't or shouldn't or won't are your way of comforting yourself that you'll be all right. Saying, "I can't picture myself at a small size," is comforting to your psyche, the part of you that wants you to simply stay where you are is then very happy. The part that wants you to lose some size for health reasons isn't happy at all - that's where you get the conflicting voice that says, "But I have to lose some weight or ..."

A treasure can be found in a beautifully wrapped package with ribbons and bows, or in a burlap sack thrown by the road. You never know what's inside until you look. That's how it is with people. We're all different sizes and shapes, but it's what's inside that matters. That's where you'll find you. Nurture that you, and your outer package will reflect what's inside. I've always been drawn to the "ugly" kittens, the homely dolls. This may have started when my mother campaigned to convince me that I wanted a Chatty Cathy doll when I was about 10-years old. Maybe she wanted it for me because her name was Cathy and my name was Kathy. She had big painted on freckles, and a little ski slope nose, big horsey teeth, and flaming red hair. Just like me. I didn't really look like the doll, but I related to her - she was beautiful in my eyes.

I loved that doll, and I've loved the offbeat ever since because to me, that's where the real gems are found. When you next look in a mirror, don't focus on what's wrong, or what you don't like, look for something you do like. Look into your eyes - they are the window to your soul - find a favorite freckle.

Remember the setup is simply saying the full "Even though" statement while tapping the karate chop point (sometimes called the PR point), and then start the round of EFT on the inner eyebrow point using the shorten reminder statement. It's okay if you want to continue saying the longer phrasing - do whatever feels right to you.

EFT Ideas for the "Who Am I Going to Be" aspects of change:

"Even though I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have this weight to complain about, I deeply and completely accept myself anyway."

"Even though I can't see myself at my goal weight, I deeply and completely accept myself."

"Even though I don't know who I would be if I changed, I deeply and completely accept myself."

"Even though the idea of really changing terrifies me, I deeply and completely accept myself."

"Even though I gain back the weight every time I lose it, I deeply and completely accept that part of myself now."

Gaining what you have lost can be a way of trying to get back to the familiar. Addressing the idea of who you would be, who you could become can help change that pattern for good. This can go many directions - try it on for size. Let me know if you have questions, ideas, suggestions. All feedback is appreciated. ;-)

Posted by OneMoreBite-Weightloss on Thursday, February 26, 2004

Sunday, February 22, 2004

Why South Beach Diet More Popular than Atkins Diet

The ranking at Google.com for top searches in January 2004 shows the South Beach Diet is now the No. 1 top searched weight loss program with Weight Watchers coming in second and the Atkins Diet third. Since the South Beach diet is simply a modified Atkins Diet but less restrictive, this isn't surprising. Both diets are based on the principal that reducing carbohydrates and increasing protein will help you lose weight, and it is true. Reducing carbs is the easiest and quickest way to reduce water weight. In fact, if you need to lose a quick five pounds to get into a party dress, I can't think of anything short of fasting that would do the trick better than a week of very low carbs.

With either plan, for the greatest weight loss success, the key is the quality of carbs you eat. The following are some ideas for better success with the South Beach or Atkins Diets:

1. Reduce or eliminate fast food - that's right, all fast food. It is simply not a healthy choice to order a McDonalds or Burger King without the bun. If you want a burger, make one at home - far more healthy, and you'll save an enormous amount of money to buy the new clothes you're going to need because you're losing so much weight!

2. Reduce or eliminate soft drinks. Whether using sugar or artificial sweeteners, by drinking sweetened drinks you are keeping your desire for sugary foods alive. This includes fruit juice. Eat a fresh whole orange instead of orange juice, or a fresh, crisp apple instead of apple juice. Consider who long it takes to down a small glass of juice compared to how long and how enjoyable it is eating a juicy apple? Wean yourself off if necessary, cut back to one less a day than you now have.

3. Question the wisdom of adding so called "low carb" foods back into your eating plan. If you are following a low carb diet and now you think you can add back some carbs by getting the low carb brands, think again. You'll gain weight as soon as you add carbs (water), any carbs, and you will be getting an unhealthy food in the bargain. Eat whole foods - whole baked potatoes, fresh carrots, salads, vegetable soups, bean dishes. Eat the real thing! Stay away from the modified versions whether low fat, low carb, or low anything.

Think about it. If you want to lose weight and stay reduced, there are a few things that will need to happen. 1) your diet must include healthier foods in greater quantity than unhealthy foods. I'm not talking "good" or "bad" foods. Any food is fine, in moderation. The trick is moderation - I love cake but I don't eat it every day. I love all kinds of sweets but I don't eat them every day. If I did I'd gain weight - it's that simple. My choice is to stay a smaller size by eating them when I want, but that is infrequently because I want more to maintain my size.

So, by eating pancakes, what's that do for me? It makes me want syrup, and maybe something sweet later that day too. It sets me up for craving sugary sweet foods. Not what I really want right now, is it? Later, when you've reached your goal, staying at goal is the most important thing, and it becomes important enough that a breakfast of pancakes is not going to derail you.

What about bread? Wouldn't I be better off eating the low carb bread? No. Choose a healthy, whole grain bread. The low carb brands are not whole grain, they are white flour, with added corn starch then artificial sweeteners added. Then they reduce the size of the loaf, and slice the pieces teeny tiny, and claim, "Only 4 Net Carbs per Slice" or something equally ridiculous. Check the loaf. Is a sandwich made with two 4-year old sized pieces of bread going to satisfy you or is it going to make you want another sandwich? Eat the real thing, and you'll feel satisfied from having eaten an adult sized sandwich, and you won't feel deprived or crave for more.

4. Think high food quality for the money spent. Is your food dollar being spent wisely when you buy a tiny loaf of bread with Barbie Doll sized slices? No. Is your food dollar being wisely spent by Jello that brags of their low net carbs yet they've taken a package that used to serve four according to them (who can't eat all four servings?) and now it suddenly serves six! Yes, they did add a little Cool Whip to stretch the recipe. I don't know about you but I'm not satisfied eating two ounces of Jello. I want real food!

Just because the package says a low number of "net carbs" read the label. See the serving size and then calculate how much you will really eat. Then, stand back and count to ten while asking yourself, "Is this a good value for my food dollar?" Most likely the answer will be no, then start slowly moving away from the low carb aisle and get yourself down to the fresh produce. You'll be safer down there.

If you want to follow a low carb lifestyle, you'll want to learn to eat less of the white bread, crackers, chips, and packaged cookies, not simply switch to the low carb brands. Incorporate any of these suggestions, even just a little and you'll get a better result from your efforts at slimming down or reducing your body weight. Small changes add up to big results.

Posted by OneMoreBite-Weightloss on Sunday, February 22, 2004

Thursday, February 19, 2004

FDA Can't Guarantee Beef is Safe

The Oregonian ran a piece February 16th, 2004 about beef and why it would be impossible for them to ever guarantee the nation's beef safe from Mad Cow. Why'd they do this? I imagine they first figured hardly anyone would read it - it was technical and boring, and secondly, by simply stating this up front they've managed to remove themselves from liability. Once a company goes on record as stating their products could be potentially harmful, you cannot go back later and sue them (at least that is the theory - it didn't work out so well for Big Tobacco).

The AP is reporting this morning that a House committee is challenging the Agricultural Department's view that the first cow found with Mad Cow in the US was a downer. This is hugely significant because at present only downer cows are tested.

Three witnesses at the Washington state plant where the cow was slaughtered have gone on record stating the cow was not a downer - it was acting crazy and was shot so as not to injure the other cows. Consider that for a moment: This cow would not have been tested had it not suddenly gone a little "crazy" and this was on it's way to slaughter.

Mad Cow is named for the symptoms of cows acting a little loony--but this was before the cow was a downers (cows too sick to walk or stand are called downers). The policy of only testing downers is obviously flawed, yet will the Agricultural Department risk discovering that our meat supply is a contaminated mess? I seriously doubt it. Stay tuned...

Posted by OneMoreBite-Weightloss on Thursday, February 19, 2004

Wednesday, February 18, 2004

Why Exercise Takes so Long to Show Results

The greatest reason for starting, then stopping a new exercise program is the lack of tangible, immediate results. If we can't see something happening, we aren't happy. That's why people are so enchanted with watching their weight drop on the scale. That they can say, "Look, Martha, I dropped five pounds!"

Even when they start to feel better, notice their pants getting looser, they still run to the scale for validation that what they are doing is working, and sometimes, despite the obvious fact that their body shape is changing for the better, a lack of reduction on the scale will cause them to quit in despair. This usually within a week or two. LOL

That's funny because people who get in shape and stay in shape are in it for the long haul. They find activities they like, running, biking, swimming, hiking, whatever, and if they choose they do weight lifting. I personally love weight lifting. Nothing but weights has ever made a significant change to my appearance. I can do aerobics until I'm blue in the face but my body doesn't change, but give me a set of dumbbells, and look out!

If you are getting started or thinking about getting started on a weight lifting program for weight loss, remember, it takes at least six weeks of steady, consistent work before you can expect to see a result - some people will see a difference much sooner, some will not, but give it six weeks before you start crying that you aren't seeing any difference. Most likely you'll notice your clothes fitting better, your watch or rings getting looser, you may even see a loss in your face or hands. Weight comes off from all over, not just the places we might prefer.

I just started using our new DDR (Dance, Dance, Revolution) game (I wrote about this a couple of weeks ago, scroll down to find the post) and I love it. I'm a bit of a klutz though and I discovered I have lousy timing. It's fun though, and what I noticed right away was I kept saying, "Okay, I'm going to quit, just one more time," and then I'd do one more time, and I'd say, "Okay, just one more," and over and over I did this. I didn't really want to stop I just had other things I needed to do. It's addictive in that you'll want to get better. Plus, it's hard work. I can feel it in my muscles today.

If you have kids, tell them about DDR - There is no better game for teaching a motor skill and getting movement at the same time.

I've only used the game twice but I was already checking to see whether I can notice a difference in the mirror. Not yet, but soon...

So no matter what you are doing for fun or exercise, give it time to do the trick. Consistency is the key - do it regularly and you'll soon see a difference.

Posted by OneMoreBite-Weightloss on Wednesday, February 18, 2004

Monday, February 16, 2004

How Do You See Yourself - Part 3

Making a Change when Others Don't Want you To

In NLP there is a process called "Creating a Compelling Outcome." Your outcome is what you really want, but knowing what you want is only a small part. Finding a way to achieve it, and whether it is even possible to ache comes first. When you decide to make a change consider everything that will be affected by your decision to change as well. This is how you can uncover hidden aspects that may have derailed your plans in the past, and make adjustments to take care of them before they become problems in the future. Your family members for instance. Who hasn't tried to diet only to have their spouse surprise them an invitation to dinner at their favorite restaurant? Who hasn't decided to stop eating snacks only to find their kids got bags of chips and dig for Friday night?

When you decide to make a change it's as if the whole world suddenly conspires against you. If you really WANT to make a change, whether it be in your eating habits, exercise, work, play, or any habit at all, first stop and check whether this change will work for you and those around you.

1. Put yourself first. If you stopped to consider others before you took any action, you'd likely never do anything. No one wants anything to change in their lives. If you asked how they'd feel about your plans to make a change, they'd likely say, "No. I can't go without pizza, I'll starve." Your husband may make a face when you mention eating less fatty foods and more vegetables. Your parents express surprise and alarm that you might do something unhealthy. "We're only looking out for what's best for you, honey" they'll say while handing you a plate full of cookies. Sure they are.

By family dynamic I mean the world around you. Who you live with, who you work with, everyone you interact with is affected when you change. That's why friends and family who at first are so helpful and supportive may start to snarl and growl when you ask, "What kind of food will be at the party?" Your change is forcing change in them as well.

Even when a bad marriage ends, it's still difficult to say goodbye. Change interrupts our easy existence - it requires thought and effort. But look at the end result. A healthier body, a shapelier body. Less effort to walk the steps, more energy, enthusiasm and exuberance for everything you do. There are so many reasons to get started making a change, it's just a small matter to deal with those around you.

2. Your Family Means You No Harm, Really. Understand, even though your family may fight your efforts to change, they do mean you well. They are just doing what comes naturally when the boats is rocked, i.e. they try to stabilize it. They try to get you to go "back to normal." They want things to stay the same - after all, it's working just fine, right? Even if there is trouble, it's easier to stay the same.

3. Consider the Obstacles. Think through your plans to change and face obstacles head-on before they occur. For instance, you've decided you want to get up an hour earlier and exercise. This seems like a great idea, so now you imagine your usual morning routine and how it will change.

Example: You usually get up at 7:00 AM but not you've decided to get up at 6:00 AM. That means your alarm will go off earlier, interrupting the blissful sleep of your adoring partner. Are they happy about this? Probably not. No one likes their sleep interrupted, so what do you do? Do you just say, "Oh, okay, I won't get up earlier after all. I don't want to disturb you in your perfect life. I'll just crawl back into my hole and wait until you die and then ..." No, it's not necessary to go quite that far. Instead think about what you want and why you want it.

You see them complaining, you see them making faces and acting disturbed, but you also see yourself quietly getting up and closing the door behind you. Then you see them slowly getting used to the new routine, complaining less and less. You may even see yourself being loving and supportive. (It could happen). Many couples have separate alarms - it's not that big a deal. Don't let your desire to keep your family happy take precedence over making changes that could greatly impact your happiness overall.

Now you've thought it through. You want to do this. You've pictured yourself scheduling it during the day, but you know it won't happen. There is never enough time after work, or in the evenings with all the demands on your time and your responsibilities. You've determined that getting up an hour earlier is your best choice.

You are going to do this, and it will disturb others in your family. They will need to adjust, yes, but this is important to you, and letting others wants and desires come first isn't going to solve the problem. It could be your partner will decide to get up with you - after all, who couldn't use some daily exercise? Or, they will learn to sleep through your alarm, and set theirs for a bit later. It will work. If necessary go get yourself a separate alarm clock, and start using it. They'll adjust. This is important to you, follow-through.

Make it work by working around others, but don't let them dictate whether you have the right to make a change. You do have a right. We all have to make sacrifices whether we're saving for a vacation or trying to get into shape to run a marathon. Show your family by example how to set a goal, then take the daily steps, and achieve it. Your kids will learn and grow from your example. You can also explain how an unhappy parent makes for an unhappy family - in other words, if mommy isn't happy, the whole family suffers. Say it with a smile and they'll get the idea.

Scenario #2: You've decided you're going to go to the gym and work out right after work. Your spousal unit complains about this too (they're the same one who complained about the getting up earlier idea, so you're trying something else.) Notice how no matter what you want to do, they're going to complain? Why is that? It's because they've come to know and love their current routine and they don't want it changed. Even if it means a happier spouse, even if it means a healthier life, they just plain do not want change. No one wants change thrust on them.

This is why it can be difficult, but it's certainly not impossible to overcome the influence your family and friends will try to assert when you want to make a change. Change affects everyone - keep that in mind, and then make your change anyway.

Plan, Implement Your Plan, Adjust as Necessary, and Plan Again

It's a process - a road map. It's not etched in stone. You may make a plan (getting up earlier for instance), try it for a couple of weeks and decide it isn't working for you. Fine. Change the plan. Maybe you could work out early on Saturday and Sunday, plus one more day during the week. A lot of people are able to go the gym or go for a walk on their lunch hour.

Use EFT For Challenges Outside Influences Throw At You.

"Even though my husband doesn't want me to get up earlier, I deeply and completely accept myself and him anyway."

"Even though I don't want to upset my family, I deeply and completely accept myself."

"Even though no one is supporting me in my efforts to eat better, I deeply and completely accept myself."

"Even though it seems that no matter what I try, someone complains, I deeply and completely accept myself."

Working through the emotional issues that crop up when you try to make a change and come up against challenges, is easy with EFT.

Posted by OneMoreBite-Weightloss on Monday, February 16, 2004

Wednesday, February 11, 2004

One Minute at a Time to Weight Loss Success

I know you've heard of one-day at a time, but one-minute at a time? Come on, who needs that? Hum, maybe you do.

If you've struggled repeatedly, yet continue to fail in your efforts, what's going wrong? Was it the way you tried to stop, quit, or cut down, was too restrictive? Did you say, "I'll never eat ice cream again," or "From now on I'm not eating that." When you set such absolute restrictions on yourself and then the cravings and urges keep hitting you, washing over you like waves on the shore, relentlessly, repeatedly, it's not unlikely that eventually you'll relent. "I can't do it. I don't have the will power. I'll never lose this weight." The waves won't stop coming unless you learn to ride them.

Learn to Ride the Waves

Get out your boogie board, and you'll be glad for those waves. Think differently about the situation. So you're riding a wave of desire - ah, there's the crest, now you're free falling down the other side - most likely you've forgotten about the wave entirely by now. Next thing you know, here comes another wave. What do you do? You ride it. Just ride it, and you'll go over another and another. Habits hit hard, but each successive wave is a little less intense, a little shorter. By riding the waves you'll find you can learn to surf them, then even enjoy them as they lose their power over you.

Sit on your hands if you have to, but ride the craving out. It won't last. The toughest times are those first few days because that's when your desire to continue old habits is highest and your will to ride out the craving is at its lowest. Even though your desire to change may be very high, the will to withstand those waves is low simply because your "usual" pattern of behavior is to dive right in.

Stay out of the Water

Post a "No Swimming" sign for the next wave. You can go swimming anytime but not this wave. Just this one wave. One minute at a time. If you have a habit of overeating, no matter what time of day, realize it's just a habit. No different than a habit of biting your nails, twirling your hair, or picking lint off your sweater. Habits are acquired, repetitive tasks. They usually help us feel better simply because their repetitive nature is soothing. Habits can be broken if you are willing to ride the waves. If you've tried the "I'll never eat ..." again approach and it didn't work, try the one-day at a time or one-minute at a time approach.

When the urge strikes, decide right then to ride this one out. Tell yourself, "I'm riding this wave," and then as Nike says, Just Do It. That means you decide in advance that you will wait, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, or 5 minutes; whatever time works for you. Decide how many minutes you will wait before you'll go ahead and do whatever you are wanting to do. A few minutes gives you a chance for the wave to crest and you'll be amazed how often it does.

Every single time you ride that wave and get to the other side it gets easier and easier. Now, for you, it could be that it takes a thousand waves before it gets easier but I can guarantee it will. The day will come when you'll realize you used to have a problem with this food or that, or you used to eat an entire bag of chips every night, but you no longer do. Now if you want a cookie, you eat a cookie but that crazy desire to eat them all has gone. The tide has turned.

Try the W.H.A.C.K approach. Read Changing Beliefs, Your First Step to Permanent Weight Loss. Free Ebook.

Posted by OneMoreBite-Weightloss on Wednesday, February 11, 2004

Monday, February 09, 2004

New Diet Drug - Not Ready - But There's Hope - So It's News, Right?

In the time honored tradition of CNN's reporting news that isn't news, tonight I saw a report on the "promising" protein leptin being used to develop a new diet drug. As Dave Barry likes to say, I'm not making this up. The report said, "Unger says his group has "a lot of ideas" about how to make leptin do its job in overweight people and "we are working on them now." He says he can't give further details until the work is ready for publication. Well duh!

A lot of ideas ... hum, that sounds like, they don't know Jack! A lot of ideas my eye. They are sitting around cooking up these ideas then calling the media who come running.

Yes, we all wish there were a magic pill we could take so we could eat nothing but bonbons all day and stay svelte as a (fill in the blank with your favorite body type here). That day is not coming any time soon, and when it does, I'd still be wary. Most likely they'll find out a few years later that the drug causes all your hair to fall out and you develop awful body odor or something - irreversible too no doubt. There is no free lunch will win out, mark my words.

Meanwhile, try eating for appetite control. It works marvelously well. Especially if you eat food with nutritional value! That's a magic diet pill if you ask me.

Posted by OneMoreBite-Weightloss on Monday, February 09, 2004

The Dry Cleaners Shrunk my Pants Again!

Shortly after Christmas I went to wear my favorite jeans - the green pair (I'm a redhead so I can wear green jeans if I want), and to my dismay I found they were suddenly too small! Now, how'd that happen? I'd owned them for a long time and washed them numerous times but my thoughts quickly flew to, "That stupid laundry. I must have used hot water or something. Dang."

Isn't it curious how we place the blame for things like clothes that won't fit on someone or something else? It's never our fault. Not that our body has expanded. Oh, no. That couldn't be. The denial regarding our own habits is astonishing.

The Clean Clothes Diet

Slowly, without thinking about it, I melted off those extra pounds and inches, and now the pants fit again. Wonder of wonders, isn't the magic of laundry fantastic? I call it the clean clothes diet. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

Now that we're into February those excuses blaming holiday eating are done. If you gained a little weight (or failed to lose any) over the holidays, get over it. It's done. Today is a new day. Don't waste one moment thinking about why or what you should have done - the "blame game" gets you nowhere fast.

Instead, use what you've learned (that is, what didn't work) to go forward with your new plan and find what does work. Plan to start today, and work on today only. It's great to have long-term goals but they are always accomplished by taking little pieces and working on them one at a time. By creating a strategic plan, and working it, step-by-step things get done. That's how the U.S. built the Mars Rover. We reached the stars by taking it one day at a time, and that's how you'll reach your weight loss goals.

One Day at a Time: One Bite at a Time

I wore those green jeans yesterday and they still fit so I wasn't dreaming. (This isn't Mr. Green Jean's jeans, but plain old green jeans). It's the magic of healthier habits. Some years I don't gain weight during the holidays and others I do. You are not like the Mars Rover being guided through life with someone else at the controls. You are holding the controller. It's your choice what you eat every day.

How I Quit Smoking, The One-Day-at-a-Time Way

I quit smoking many years ago and the only way I could do it was by thinking ahead, not forever, not for a year or a month, or even a week, but one day at a time. Every day when I'd wake my first thoughts would be a decision for that day and that day only; "Today, I choose not to smoke. All day. No matter how badly I want to, I can make it through one little day. Just today. If I want to, I can smoke tomorrow, but not today. Just today. I can do this, I am doing this."

I spoke to myself that way when the urge came on strong, and believe me it did. Time after time. The urge to follow-through with old habits is strong. It's the same with eating less or eating differently. The urge to get the bag of chips is strong, and you won't be able to resist if you think in terms of "never eating chips again." It's too large - chunk it down to a manageable size. Just today.

"Today I choose to eat a healthy diet. Today I will forgo my usual 6-pack of beer and drink only pure water. Today. It's only for today. One day at a time. If I want to eat chips I'll have them tomorrow." Then, tomorrow, you decide again, for that day only.

Some days you'll decide not to eat a healthy diet. Big deal. It's okay. If you have a day where you'd like to skip it for that day, fine. Go ahead. The next day you decide again. Then the more often you decide to eat well, exercise, have fun, do things you enjoy, find other activities besides eating, then the weight will melt away, and you'll develop healthier habits at the same time. Doing it in this manner allows your old urges to slowly melt away until the intense desire to go get that bag of chips when you sit down to watch TV simply disappears. You no longer think about them. The habit is gone.

You won't have to do this every day for the rest of your life. Just long enough to break some old habits. Generally speaking I've heard it said that 21 days is what it takes to break a habit. I'd give it 30 days straight of deciding each and every day what you want for that day. Get a calendar and write it down, every day you make a choice, first thing in the morning. Choose to eat well or not, but make yourself aware that it is a choice and you'll feel less like you are not in control and as you progress, you'll be slowly getting back into those favorite pants you so long ago put away.

Comments? I don't have this blog set up for comments, but you can send me some anyway. Use my Contact Form. If you give me a valid e-mail I'll send a reply, if I'm able (no promises, what if I got a million questions? It could happen. Oprah could call - you never know ;-)

Posted by OneMoreBite-Weightloss on Monday, February 09, 2004

Friday, February 06, 2004

Have you ever lost your grip on your toothbrush ...

True Story:
Have you ever been brushing your teeth when suddenly you lose your grip and stab yourself violently in the mouth which causes the brush to go flying off, skidding to a stop on the floor and leaving a trail of toothpaste in its wake? Me neither.

Posted by OneMoreBite-Weightloss on Friday, February 06, 2004

Thursday, February 05, 2004

EFT for Days When Nothing's Going Right

Some days you have everything working in your favor, you can do no wrong, and other days on your way to a job interview you step in a puddle, your nylons run and you lose the heel of your shoe. It can't get any worse and then the IRS calls leaving an "urgent" message on your voice mail. Some days just don't go as well as others, but it doesn't mean the whole day is bad - it's just a bad moment. Stop characterizing your entire day by your morning. Stop telling yourself before 8:00 AM, "This is going to be a lousy day," because that's a lousy message to feed yourself. Whatever messages you give yourself is what you'll then carry out, right? Give yourself better messages.

If this morning has been pure crap, then it's going to be better from now on, and what if it isn't? What if it keeps getting worse? When you finally leave work exhausted, your tire is flat, you don't have a spare, when you finally get on the road there's a huge traffic jam, you notice you're almost out of gas, and you suddenly realize you need a bathroom? What then? Isn't that a crap day? Can I now tell myself, this day is horrible? No, sorry.

Instead, wonder aloud, what good is going to come of this? What is going to happen, that wouldn't have happened otherwise, had it not been for these delays? Will you meet a good Samaritan at the service station who will gift you with a new car because he just won $20 million in the lottery? You never know. Maybe you'll glance into that puddle to find a floating lottery ticket that turns out to be a $1000 winner. You never know where you'll find your good fortune, so keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities. Dwelling on the negative only gives you more negative. Dwell on the potential. Expect to receive good things and good things will start to come your way. It's true. Try it for a week, and let me know if I'm wrong.

I've lived my life expecting good things and if nothing else it's kept me a happier person. I'm no saint. I just don't envision that everyone is out to annoy me. Most people are focused on their own happiness, you just got in their way. There are only a few folks who really enjoy tormenting others (Simon on American Idol comes to mind). The rest of us just do it by accident. ;-)

EFT ideas for when things just aren't going well (see links opposite for learning EFT):

"Even though I hate this day, I deeply and completely accept myself."
"Hate today"

"Even though nothing is going right today, I deeply and completely accept myself."
"Nothing going right"

Why does EFT help? It reduces the stress and anxiety associated with the energy flow of negativity that sets up when a series of bad events (or sometimes even a single event) happen. It helps. Once the anxiety is reduced, you can take a deep breath and see more clearly to find your good fortune. After the stress dissipates you won't feel so much like stuffing yourself to get away from this uneasy feeling. You won't need to anymore because the feeling will already be gone.

Get free EFT instructions: EFT Instructions. EFT is used for weight loss by tackling the emotional issues that cause you to overeat for instance. There are so many different reasons why we do as we do. EFT helps you achieve the results you want without years of expensive psychotherapy to "figure it all out." With EFT you don't have to know why, you just know it works.

Posted by OneMoreBite-Weightloss on Thursday, February 05, 2004

Sunday, February 01, 2004

Low Carb Pork Rinds?

I'm looking for info on net carbs and how exactly they turn a usually high carb food like a tortilla for instance into a low carb version, and what do I find? A website about low carb foods with an ad banner across the top proclaiming, "Pork Rinds, fresh, kettle fried." Does that make any sense?

Does it make sense to eat low carb cakes, puddings, pies, crackers? Low carb cookies, breads, everything high carb suddenly turned low carb by the magic of chemistry and funny math?

If you want to succeed on the Atkins Diet or the South Beach Diet for that matter steer clear of these modified food products. They won't help you lose the desire to eat cookies, cakes and pies, but rather will keep you in the habit of eating them. Break that habit now and use EFT to lose the cravings for carbs.

Steer clear of low carb versions and if you want a piece of bread, eat good quality whole grain bread. A real piece of bread will satisfy your cravings. Just like with the low fat versions, you'll be more likely to overeat the modified foods than if you just ate the regular version. Plus, it's ridiculously expensive!

If you're dying for a piece of fruit, for God's sake, eat a piece of fruit. It's idiotic to think an apple or an orange is fattening. I eat two or three pieces of fruit nearly every day, and I still get teenagers ogling me until I turn around and they recoil in horror since I'm nearly 50-years old! Now that's funny, and I love it, so eat real food and you'll be better off.

Experts have blamed the "low fat" diet for the current rates of obesity but that's not true. It was the "low fat" version of high fat foods, low fat cookies, cakes and donuts, that hurt. People bought these and thought, "Hey, it's low fat, I can eat a whole package!" without paying any attention to the overall calories, and the same thing is happening with the low carb products. "Hey, it's low carb, I can eat the whole thing!" Don't fool yourself, and don't waste your money.

Something has gone horribly wrong when people will eat deep fried pig's skin (pork rinds) but shun a fresh, crisp juicy apple.

Posted by OneMoreBite-Weightloss on Sunday, February 01, 2004

The Super Bowl of Eating

Second only to Thanksgiving Day, Super Bowl Sunday is the biggest eat fest of the entire year. It's not about turkey and dressing but snacks, snacks, and more snacks. "Get your hot-n-spicy wings while you can for tomorrow we diet," they cry.

I'll admit, I'm not a sports fan -- don't throw things -- it's just that I've got too many other things going on and don't have time for watching games. I know, it's un-American, in fact the political police may just pay me a call now that I've admitted I don't watch the Super Bowl. If I hear everyone cheering I might peek in for a minute or two though, I'm not stupid.

Doesn't mean I don't think about having a Super Bowl party though. My husband joked he'd have a big bowl of rice and invite everyone over (he eats primarily a Macrobiotic diet). I bought an enormous sandwich that I don't know who will eat. I'll have some but frankly, this thing is huge, and the bread? It's about 6 inches thick. I'll have to use a knife and fork. But it's Super Bowl Sunday and ever I am in the party mood.

Speaking of a knife and fork, did you know you can drive a teenager insane by eating pizza with utensils? It's true, try it.

The eating today is "party eating" to the extreme. Finger foods, greasy, dippy stuff. Fun food. On my "Calendar of Excuses" this is a red-letter day. I'll bet the Sweet Potato Queens go all out today.

How you handle a food fest says a lot about your potential to kick your weight issues out of your life forever. Go ahead and eat, enjoy, and do not for one tiny second feel guilty or mad at yourself. A party day is for enjoying yourself. Don't gorge - that's not necessary. There's always the next meal. This won't be your last chance to eat chicken wings, even if you've resolved to start a diet tomorrow.

What's the difference between stuffing yourself and gorging? To me gorging means stuffing it in as fast as you can because you're afraid there won't be enough. Gorging is out-of-control, frantic wanting and no matter what, it's never enough.

Stuffing on the other hand simply means you're full, and you're still reaching for more. Stuffing is a choice, gorging feels as if you're choice has been taken away.

Today, while you're eating, or tomorrow if you're reading this after the Super Bowl of Eating, just know you're okay even if you're overeating. Some occasions call for it, some days you just feel like it. It's okay. You're okay.

Feeling okay with your choices goes a long way toward getting you past the sticking points - sometimes can even lead to a decision to make better choices. It's what you do the majority of the time that matters, not the occasional overindulgence.

I gained weight over the holidays because I ate chocolate much more often, and I ate desserts more often, and I over ate much more often, so naturally, I gained some weight. Now it's a month later, and nothing changed except I went back to my usual eating habits and now that weight is gone. Easy and painless.

BTW, I still have a few chocolates left over, my favorite Joseph Schmidt truffles. Why haven't I eaten them? I ate so many over December and the first week of January that I grew satisfied. I know they're there, and I think about having one occasionally but I'm usually already full or don't feel any hunger, and I'd rather wait for hunger. Then what happens when I do get hungry, I think of real food, not chocolate, so there they sit. That can happen to you too when you start to listen to what you're body wants and stop being afraid to eat an apple or an orange. Fruit is good, fresh is good, clean food is good. Try eating for appetite control. It works, and you just might like it.

Posted by OneMoreBite-Weightloss on Sunday, February 01, 2004


		Kathryn Martyn Smith, M.NLP Body Mind Therapy, Weight Loss Coach 210 NW 78th Street Vancouver, Washington 98665 360-695-3184

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