This is the time of year when the focus for many is getting in shape for the New Year. Despite the fact that more and more people are exercising and counting their fat grams, weight issues continue to be a major health issue in this country. We spend billions of dollars on weight loss products, health club memberships, diet pills and potions, books and tapes, with very little or no long-term success.

Have you ever considered the possibility that we’re looking in the wrong direction for the solutions to the growing weight problems of this country?

Weight issues are health issues and should be addressed as such. Excess weight is one way that our body communicates to us that something is out of balance. We eat devitalized, chemicalized, frozen, then microwaved, lifeless foods and wonder why our metabolism is sluggish and our energy is sinking. Our culture has lost touch with what “Real Food” means. Foods that come from the earth and are eaten in their whole form seem to be an idea that ended with our grandparents’ generation.

Many of us experience stressful and overly scheduled lifestyles and eating helps to calm the stress and slow us down. Negative attitudes and emotional states are quieted when we fill ourselves with certain foods. The problems resurface when we become empty again, and we continue the cycle of eating to dull emotions that are too uncomfortable to deal with.

Excess weight can reflect a lack of joy and healthy pleasures in our lives. We often eat to fill a void, to give ourselves something that is missing from our lives. We eat when we are sad, depressed, anxious, stressed, happy and celebrating, and have lost touch with true feelings of hunger in our body. When we make balanced health (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual) and a harmonious life our goal, weight loss becomes a side benefit and is easily achieved. Permanent results can be achieved when we address our weight (and all problems) holistically.

Weight problems can be a catalyst to help us create a happier, healthier and more balanced way of life. Let’s be open to new ideas and willing to take the steps. Enjoy the process of self-discovery and the transformation that occurs within you.

1. Become aware of the sweet/salty syndrome modern diet which is loaded with sweets, salt and animal protein. You will no longer experience cravings for extremes with balanced whole foods.

2. Is there something else you need to let go of besides weight? Holding on to anger, resentment and other negative emotions can keep weight on. Emotions have an energy to them that stagnates our bodies, keeping us stuck physically. When appropriately dealt with and released, one can experience improved body/mind health, and often physical letting go of weight. If you need help with this, please seek the guidance of a qualified Holistic or Allopathic Health Care Professional.

These are just a few of the methods employed in Natural Weight Loss. Weight problems can be a catalyst to help us create a happier, healthier and more balanced way of life for ourselves. CHANGE is the essence of healing any problem. Be open to new ideas and willing to take the steps. Enjoy the process of self-discovery and the transformation that occurs within you.

© Deborah Barr, 1989-2007.  All rights reserved.