When people call me to hypnotize them to lose weight, I express that weight loss is more than a mind process.  The mind, body, emotions and soul all relate to how we nourish ourselves and how we relate to food.  To truly release unwanted habits, we need to understand ourselves and why we continue to do something that is not healthy for us.

Weight loss is a mind-body-soul release as well as a physical one.  As many of us realize, when we eat, it goes beyond the physical hunger engaging emotional needs and soul intentions.  Knowing this, there are some simple things you can do to begin the weight loss process and understand your own reasons for eating when you aren't hungry...and when you are hungry for things other than food.

Weight Loss Tip #1 - Mind Tip : Understand why you want to lose weight and be congruent.

How often have you struggled to make a change until you were 100% congruent that you wanted that change? When you are congruent (meaning when you are 100% on track with making the change and no part of you is against it), doesn't it make things easier? If a part of you doesn't want to lose weight and a part of you does, it's going to make it more challenging for you to lose weight without assistance. (Hypnotherapy, NLP, empowered forms of coaching and some forms of counseling such as cognitive behavioral and gestalt parts therapies can be effective in working with these inner struggles to help you come to alignment with your goals). The unconscious mind needs a positive, powerful, congruent reason to clear a habit.

ACTION POINT: Congruency List - Start by listing the reasons you want to lose weight, then list the reasons why you don't want to lose weight.  Then sit with the reasons you have been telling yourself not to lose weight and see what some new choices can be for yourself and your health.

Weight Loss Tip #2 - Body Tip: Ingredients are AS IMPORTANT as calories. Cut OUT non-nutritive sweeteners.

Did you know nutrasweet and splenda have been PROVEN to cause weight gain in numerous scientific studies. In fact, because of the way they change the taste buds, you often crave these non-nutritive sweeteners without even knowing it. Besides this fact, they are dangerous (click here for more info) and for those with spring allergies, may make these conditions much worse.

ACTION POINT:  Switch to Nutritive Sweeteners - For information on other sweeteners and to try various types of nutritive sweeteners from sucanat to stevia, join us for the next The Truth about 'Diet' Products class (click here for more info).

Weight Loss Tip #3 - Emotions Tip : Learn to Enjoy Food Again.

People who overeat often indulge in mindless eating. What happens overtime is you train your body not to notice food but to use it as a numbing agent instead of a nutritional one.

If this sounds like you, it's time to start enjoying your food again. 

ACTION POINT:  Mindful Eating Practice - Before your meal, set the stage for eating by setting a peaceful space on your table for your meal. If you are eating with someone, have them do the practice with you. Turn on some calm music without words - classical is fine if you enjoy it or new age. Place the food on the table and put your first food to be consumed in a small portion in the middle of your plate. No other food should come on the plate until that food is consumed. Before you consume this food name it in your mind and rate it on a scale from 1-10 for likeability. Make sure at least 1/2 of your intake during meals rate above a 6. Then as eat the food, sit with what it is you like about that particular food. Think if it reminds you of anything, if it smells good, etc. You can discuss this with others at the table too and see who likes certain foods better. Then do this individually with each item of food to be consumed. This practice will often cause individuals to eat much less AND allow you to redevelop a connection to your food beyond mindless eating to remind you that food can be fun too! Try this once or more a week for a while and see how it goes. You can also add a prayer or gratitude practice if it is right for you and/or you and those you enjoy meals with.

Weight Loss Tip #4 - Soul Tip :  Enjoy your life more.

It's no secret that when we are unhappy with our life we try to find ways to fill the inner void.  Imagine what your life would be like if rather than mask the soul symptoms you took that energy and did something wonderful for yourself or for someone else.  Think about the last time you overate, what if you had called someone instead, or taken a bath, or went to the movies and enjoyed yourself.  I understand that eating too much can seem the easier path but all it does it put off living. 

ACTION POINT:  Soul Passion List - You deserve more, take the time and make up a 'soul passion' list and keep it on your fridge to remind you of things you can do instead of eating.

I hope you enjoyed this article and look forward to seeing all of you living your life with passion and good health!

Blessings,

Jenifer Shapiro

Since 1990, Jenifer has been working with individuals and businesses, empowering them in manifesting their goals and connecting to their deeper, intuitive selves/souls.   As a coach, consultant, and holistic practitioner/healer, Jenifer provides her clients with an integrative approach to change and empower utilizing proven holistic methods, professional coaching practices, and solid business acumen to provide a powerful platform for transformation.  As a healer, Jenifer assists individuals in releasing physical maladies and regaining their optimum physical, mental and spiritual health.

See www.TheEmpowermentCentre.com.