Most people start a new “plan” on a Monday. This is to give themselves the chance to get ready, as if they are starting a race. Think instead of starting a new eating plan as beginning a hike or climb – you are going to take one step. It can be today, it can be tomorrow, but it’s just one step.
Choose One Thing
That first step isn’t so difficult unless you’ve decided you are going to drastically change everything about yourself from now on. That kind of proclamation can be very difficult to carry out – and is why it can be so difficult to get started. Choose one habit you’d like to change, one food, one day of the week.
Are you sitting in the fence because the holidays are approaching? “I don’t want to be dieting at Thanksgiving.” I can’t diet now, I have cookies to bake.” Oh, the excuses. They run so fast this time of year, don’t they? Just chase them right out of the room – excuses are like our rears, we all have one, just some are bigger than others.
There’s no better time than right now to get started on the path to lifelong freedom from a weight problem. I enjoy the holidays, I love to bake, I eat all the goodies, and even if I gain a few pounds, it comes right off as soon as I get back to my usual routine. That’s the key: get back to your regular routine. Don’t let the overeating habit become the norm and your seasonal weight gain (or vacation weight gain) won’t be permanent.
The Thanksgiving Dinner that Changed my Life
If you’ve read my weight loss story, you’ve heard how I made a mind shift one year on Thanksgiving Day. I decided I was just going to eat until I was satisfied – not gorge, but eat all I wanted, eating slowly, enjoying every bite. The turkey wasn’t going to jump up and run away – I didn’t have to rush. I wanted to enjoy the meal and the company fully, instead of groaning in pain a half hour later. Have you ever been so full you thought you’d burst and just then you hear, “Who wants pie?” Well I sure do, but now, I haven’t stuffed myself silly first, so some pie feels just right, or I can wait a little while if necessary.
That one Thanksgiving dinner changed my life. I still remember how awe struck I was when I realized I felt wonderful, satisfied, full, and I’d eaten everything I wanted. I waited until I felt hungry again (hunger returns, yes it does), and then I ate again, and I’ve eaten tens of thousands of times since then including many more Thanksgiving dinners too.
The holidays are a great time of year – this year let’s enjoy them more fully.
EFT Suggestions for the Holidays
Holidays are also a time of year fraught with emotional ties. If family distresses you, start now to lessen the emotional intensity and you’ll breeze through the holidays this year.
“Even though I hate the holidays, I deeply and completely accept myself.”
“Even though my family makes me crazy, I deeply and completely accept myself.”
“Even though last year Aunt Edna said I looked fat and why didn’t I stop eating, I deeply and completely accept myself”
Don’t worry if you have tag-on thoughts while you are tapping. I often do. Things like, “Aunt Edna is a cow,” come to mind. Sometimes things you might think but would never say in polite company are quite appropriate while doing the tapping. These thoughts may make you smile, even laugh out loud, and that’s a good thing. It’s okay.
The main thing is keep your issue in mind while you tap (that’s why you keep repeating the reminder phrase). If the emotion is happening (even though its muted) while you are tapping, then you will release the intensity of the emotion and interrupt that well worn pathway. Don’t be afraid to bring up the issue you want to release. That’s how it works.
(These are general ideas – if you can plug in specific names, places, events, it works all the better.)
Now is the right time – start now and use EFT on your holiday issues. You might discover you enjoy the holidays more and don’t gain weight after all.
