September, 2005

Excess weight is one way that our body communicates to us that something is out of balance. Instead of looking for the message behind the issue, most people take a superficial approach; i.e., going on a diet. Reducing food intake, taking drugs, starving oneself, or going on a "fad" diet will never bring long-term results. You may temporarily lose some weight, but you can have so much more with my "Whole Health" approach -- radiant health, passionate living, abundance, loving relationships, and joy and fulfillment from life. Balanced health includes all of these factors. Often it is the lack of these things that contributes to weight problems.

The Right Way For You

One way out of the struggle with weight is through the use of WILL and INTENT.  You can ease the difficulties you are experiencing by AFFIRMING that you INTEND to go higher.  Fighting the fat and doing battle with your body  (or any issue) is a lower approach and gets you bogged down.  Have you noticed that at times your mind enjoys getting involved in the struggle?  This keeps you where you are.  Whenever you find yourself stuck or unable to resolve your weight issue, tell yourself that you have the WILL and INTENT to move beyond this issue and come from a higher place. 

We all have an intellect and a "Higher" mind that is free of worry, fear, doubt (all negative qualities).  Going higher means letting go of any fearful, doubting aspects of the mind and accessing the all-knowing "Higher" mind that will always lead you to the good things you desire.  "Higher" mind is creative and  intuitive.  It's akin to "gut" instinct.  This mind speaks to us clearly when we're relaxed, happy, playing, being quiet, meditating, or engaging in any activity that keeps us focused in the present moment.

Vision

Your mind can take you where you want to go.  Start by exercising your imagination to create a VISION of what you want to be.  Everyone has beliefs that they've accepted as truth.  We allow these beliefs to guide our lives, whether we're consciously aware of it or not.  If some area of your health and life are not working, beliefs in that area need to be changed.  We can re-create our bodies and our lives in easier and healthier ways by writing a new VISION reflecting what you do want--how you want to feel, look and experience your life, and keeping your focus on that VISION. Read it several times a day.  Doing so will cause many new insights to come to you that will not only show you the way, but also let you know what's stopping you from achieving your goals.  Our bodies always obey the instructions of our mind.  Consistently focusing on your VISION will cause your body to fulfill that vision.

Whose Voice are you Listening to?

There is no right way for everyone.  Many people wrestle with their appearance and struggle with diet and exercise.  There are far too many opinions and trends in our culture about what's right for you.  we're flooded with advice on what to eat, what not to eat, and how to eat, all of which is very confusing.  Most people feel if they could force themselves to eat all the right foods and follow someone else's rules they would have healthier bodies.  Often our childhood and cultural programming, and a fear of not fitting in, cause us to believe that what everyone else is doing is the right way.  Each one of us is constitutionally different and our nutritional needs, type of exercise and activity, lifestyle and desires are different.

Your Inner Wisdom Knows the Truth

Each of us has the inner knowledge to know what's best for us and what will bring us a healthy body and mind, as well as emotional harmony and joyful, effortless living.  We all have an inner wisdom (higher mind) that is communicating with us at all times.  This inner voice cannot be heard when we're wrapped up in struggle and negativity.  One of our greatest challenges is to recognize that wisdom and to know what information to use and what not to use.  You can use your will power to make yourself follow other people's programs, but your own inner wisdom will cause you to undo what you've done.  Then you'll feel like a failure, tell yourself you have no will power, and feel worse about yourself.

What is Your Gut Instinct Telling You?

Before embarking on any approach to weight loss, ask yourself if this feels right for me.  Am I eager to try this?  Do I feel good mentally and emotionally about this approach or does it feel like more struggle and deprivation? It's very difficult to change your condition by forcing yourself.  You can, however, change any condition by calmly and firmly telling yourself that you intend to do so in higher, more loving and self-respecting ways. Making this simple statement will begin to move you out of the struggle.  Answers and the right actions for you will come to you.

A Simple, Effective Practice

Here's a simple exercise that, when used consistently, will help you listen to your own inner wisdom about food.  Get relaxed, sit quietly, and ask yourself what you're craving and what sounds good to you.  If you crave something that your belief system says is bad for you, it may be that your body needs something from that food in order to maintain its equilibrium, and the only way your body knows how to get it is through this particular food.   You might find that eating a little of it is enough.  Once you take away the judgments  about that food, you'll find that your body naturally craves foods that are better for it. 

One Person's Enlightenment

One participant in my Be Your Own Weight Loss Guru workshop shared her experience with this concept.  She had planned to go to a family picnic at an amusement park.  Even though she currently was making new food choices, she decided that she was going to let herself eat whatever she wanted in the spirit that food is not the enemy.  She had french fries and was going to enjoy a corn dog.  After eating half the fries she was full and never got to the corn dog.  She bought two pieces of chocolate, took one bite, and threw them away since she realized she was not interested in them anymore.  She totally lost interest in the very foods that, in the past, she would not allow herself to have even though she wanted them.  She had let go of the judgments and the power that she gave to food.  Her inner wisdom guided her away from things that opposed her VISION, and toward foods that would help her realize her goals for her weight.  SIMPLE!  It takes awareness.

We can all get to the place where everything we eat transmutes to usable fuel for the body,  and we'll assimilate  what's necessary to create a healthy body, eliminating the rest.  That will happen when we let go of distorted attitudes and beliefs that work against us.  When we stop making food a moral issue and drop the fear, guilt, and judgments we commonly associate with food, our bodies will be at peace and respond by giving us the kind of bodies we desire.  Joyful eating will cause our bodies to respond in healthy ways.  Read  The Joy of Eating in the June 03 issue, -- click here.

I am of the opinion that the foods that will nourish us in healthy ways and keep us at a normal weight easily are those that come from the earth in their whole form as opposed to highly processed, highly refined foods and those that are made of chemicals in laboratories, including flavor factories.  Our culture has become so divorced from real food, and clever marketing, and mass food production solely for profit are the contributors.

As our health becomes more balanced (physically, mentally and emotionally) we'll be in a better position to choose whatever we want and experience no detrimental effect to our health or weight.  When we evolve in that way, we'll truly only want what the cells of our bodies want.

Since food alters the way we think and perceive,  as well as our emotional state, I'm featuring a whole grain and vegetable recipe in this issue.  Whole, unprocessed foods contribute to clarity, focus, emotional harmony, radiant health, balanced weight, and steady, consistent energy.  This month I'm featuring a recipe for Quiona, a whole grain with a  subtle sweet and nutty flavor. It  has the highest nutrition profile of all grains.  Contains up to 20% protein, is high in B vitamins, iron, zinc, potassium, calcium and vitamin E.  Quiona was first cultivated in South American 8000 years ago. It is relatively soft and the lightest of grains. RECIPES: Click here for recipe for Quiona Pilaf.  Serve with hearty Lentil Loaf.  Click here for recipe.

<><><><><><><><><><><>

WEIGHT LOSS AIDS

I am not an advocate of using stimulants or products that are laxative or diuretic in a weight loss approach.  I have discovered some excellent products that are effective for weight loss.  They all  should be combined with exercise, stress reduction and healthy eating.

Making yourself right rather than wrong will help you get to where you want to be much faster.  Cultivate the mindset that everything you do and wherever you are is the perfect place for you to be for your growth.  Train yourself to stop obsessing and worrying about food.  Soften harsh judgments and self-criticism.  Avoid getting stuck in the issue.  Minimize its importance.  Cultivate new habits of thought that are kind, loving and self-accepting.  Tell yourself that you're doing the best you can.  Your body responds to criticism by giving you more of what you're criticizing.  Your body responds to kindness, self-love and self-acceptance by giving you more reasons to love it.

Transformation of your body begins with the commitment and intention to become aware of the messages your body, mind and emotions are giving to you.

If you've been caught in the cycle of losing and gaining weight, it's because there's something that hasn't been worked through or learned.  This has nothing to do with your weight or food.  Often the message is to treat yourself better mentally; to work on self love; to stop doing things you don't want to be doing; to set some priorities and honor them; to let go of the past.....the list is endless.  Ultimately, your body is trying to tell you that you have tremendous power within you to create anything you want in your life--without struggle.  That power comes from connecting with,  listening to, and acting on the messages of your "Higher" mind.  Join me for my next Workshop or Teleclass to learn more about accessing your Higher mind.

Weight loss is a long, slow, tedious journey without working on the mental, emotional, and spiritual causes of the issue.

**********************

Attitudinal Healing is an excellent therapy for transforming negative situations into joyful ones.  This modality helps you find positive uses, opportunities, and gifts in all of your life challenges.  When this occurs, you no longer repeat the same patterns and problems.  Call 412.421.7760 for a complimentary 30-minute Attitudinal Healing Consultation.  Next Inner Fitness Workshop, which incorporates Attitudinal Healing,  begins Saturday, October 1.  Click here for details. 

Happiness, peace of mind, radiant health and joyful living are our birthright.  There are many ways to work through the obstacles.  Attitudinal Healing and Inner Fitness are two that can benefit your health and life in ways you haven’t imagined.

"I couldn't put a price tag on the value of your Natural Weight Loss Workshop.  In the process of doing the things you gave us to think about, I felt like I was becoming more myself. 

Your Workshop made me aware that I keep busy and work all the time to avoid living my life.  I'm now aware of the gift of food and the abundance of flavors.  A tremendous insight that I've gained is that I have to make happen what I want.  My life has changed so much for the better and I'm so happy--I don't even care if I lose weight anymore.  And yet, the weight has come off easily.

By being on your true path, you helped put me on mine and I have a whole new life.  J.T., July, 2005

If you haven't done it on your own by now, perhaps you need some expert guidance. For over 23 years I have been helping clients achieve radiant health, weight loss, vital energy, a nourishing lifestyle and passionate living with my unique "whole person" approach.

www.ventureoutdoors.org  Their mission is to make it easier to get everybody outdoors.  A fun, affordable, and very worthwhile organization.   They truly have something for everyone.

The Money Adventure - Pittsburgh, Sept. 16, 17, 18.  I attended last year and the value I received was priceless.  Not your typical "how-to" money seminar; it is an experience.  Highly recommended.   Call Tom Volkar for details at 412.655.0872 or send an email to tom@coreu.com.  If you're experiencing "lack" of the kind body that you want, chances are that lack is affecting many areas of your life.