Yep, I predict that these words could easily roll off your tongue along with a smirky smile when I begin to describe a popular personal growth tool. So, go ahead and giggle. I won’t be offended. In fact, when I first heard about this tool — the “Emotional Freedom Technique” (EFT) — I thought it sounded completely and utterly … “airy fairy.”

Despite being heavily armed with a healthy level of skepticism, I received training to facilitate EFT (ten years ago) during my certification program to become a clinical hypnotherapist.

Then, after witnessing many positive results — first hand — during the EFT training sessions, my perspective began to shift, and my respect for this tool started to grow.

And, not only was I struck by the results I was seeing (and experiencing) during the interactive training sessions, but I was also struck by how simple EFT was to use. For example, the technique consisted of gentle fingertip tapping at specific places on the body that aligned with a person’s acupuncture meridian points. So, the acupuncture meridian points were stimulated without the use of needles.

To give you a bit of historical background, Stanford Engineer Gary Craig developed EFT after he studied Thought Field Therapy (TFT) with Dr. Roger Callahan. EFT was first developed to assist people in reducing or clearing emotional pain and negativity that may have fueled their fears and self-destructive behaviors.

Now, after teaching clients how to use EFT on themselves for the past nine years in my private practice — I must admit — I am a big fan of this tool. For this reason, I often teach EFT to people who want to release an unhealthy habit such as cigarette smoking or nail biting.

In addition, a few years ago, I taught EFT to Carrie (a forty year-old woman) whose medical doctor referred her to me after Carrie’s weight escalated to an unhealthy level.

During our first session, Carrie confessed that she had been drinking four cans of soda a day … for over twenty years. I pointed out to Carrie that since one can of sugary soda is about 145 calories, she was consuming approximately 580 calories a day from soft drinks alone. Then, with calculator in hand, I continued to add up the empty calories, which came to 4,060 calories a week, or a whopping 211,000 calories per year (the equivalent of 57 pounds) … just from soft drinks!

Carrie and I addressed her soda-drinking behavior during two EFT sessions. Between our two sessions, with her doctor’s encouragement, Carrie began weaning herself from her long-held “four sodas a day” habit. Then, when she felt ready, Carrie used EFT on her own. She was surprised and delighted when EFT’s tapping methods helped her move past her cravings — without reaching for any sodas. As a result, Carrie was thrilled to see her weight begin to go down … while her healthy “water-drinking” habit was going up!

In addition to weight loss, when doctors or psychologists send referrals to me, I often teach the clients how to use EFT for the following personal challenges:

• Stress
• Cigarette smoking
• Insomnia
• Creative blocks
• Grief and loss
• Perfectionism
• Procrastination
• Low self-esteem
• Fear of failure
• Fear of success
• Life transitions: career change, empty nest, or retirement

Finally, if the idea of adding EFT to your stress-reducing “repertoire” sounds appealing, then call or email me today.

After all, you might be surprised to find that EFT’s tapping to release pent-up emotions and unhealthy habits is much more productive that simply wringing your hands (or frustratingly drumming your fingers on your desk). In fact, after experiencing the gifts of EFT, you just may hear yourself say … “hey, she wasn’t kidding!”
(Name and client details changed to protect confidentiality.)

Name and client details changed to protect confidentiality.
To receive Trina’s FREE newsletter “Transformational Tips for Mindful Living,” sign-up on her website: www.TrinaSwerdlow.com

Certified Clinical Hypnotherapy services in California can be alternative or complementary to licensed healing arts, such as psychotherapy.

Now, with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I want to check in with you. How are you feeling? Are you excited to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a “special someone”? Or, are you feeling pressured to find the perfect gift and plan a romantic outing with your sweetheart (without burdening your credit card)? On the other hand, maybe you’re currently single and feeling a bit left out from all the hearts and flowers hoopla.

Either way, I suggest we all consider a broader view of Valentine’s Day—so that we express appreciation and love toward others throughout the month and the year. What a concept, eh? Now, don’t get me wrong, if you have a significant other, I vote for gobs of heartfelt nurturing and affection as well as a specific romantic celebration for Valentine’s Day as a couple. However, to explore a broader view, let’s start by … defining LOVE.

First, as mentioned above, love can describe romantic feelings we have toward another person, such as a “sweetheart” or a spouse. Next, love can describe feelings of affection, appreciation, and compassion toward various family members (including a spouse), a dear friend, or an animal (such as a pet). Meanwhile, a spiritual form of love can describe how we feel toward God or a Higher Power. And finally, love can describe a deep interest that brings us joy when we experience it. For example, you may love to hike in nature, to paint, to dance, to play a musical instrument, or to play softball.

So, how about letting this Valentine’s Day serve as an opportunity to let your loved ones know how important they are to you? Now, whether you’re married, cohabiting, widowed, divorced, or single…consider honoring various forms of love in your life. Maybe you let your loved ones know by expressing appreciation when you see them in person, or by offering sincere and affirming words written in an email or in a greeting card.

Speaking of greeting cards, I would like to tell you about a wonderful Valentine’s Day that I experienced as a kid. Ahh … this fond memory took place when I was in first grade — that’s when my classmates and I were given an assignment of each creating … a paper mailbag.

Now, let me explain. Initially, about a week before Valentine’s Day, my teacher, dear Mrs. Tundle, handed out pre-cut paper pieces that included punched holes around all of the edges. Next, she distributed long strands of red yarn to each of us. Then, Mrs. Tundle instructed us to connect the pieces of paper by “sewing” them together with our strands of red yarn. She demonstrated a threading technique that required no needle or sewing machine—just yarn, paper, and two tiny, semi-coordinated hands.

Just so you know, I’ve been a creative soul, as far back as I can remember—so transforming paper into a cool new object was exciting! Meanwhile, after all the sewing was completed and my classmates and I were each holding our handmade paper mailbags, we were given an additional assignment. Mrs. Tundle invited us to take our mailbags home, decorate them with crayons, and then fill them with little Valentine’s Day cards — one for each of our fellow classmates … and not just the kids we liked.

As you can imagine, when February 14th rolled around a week later—there was a delightful flurry of Valentine’s Day cards being exchanged by us kids. No one was left out. Then, at the end of the day I remember proudly and happily schlepping my bulging paper mailbag home. My mailbag, which was barely being held together by the red yarn, was literally brimming with adorable Valentine’s Day cards! On that special day, my classmates and I could be seen smiling from ear to ear (even those of us who were painfully shy). Most likely, each of us was brimming with feelings of acceptance … appreciation and LOVE.

Now, if you decide to take my Valentine’s suggestion to heart, then consider creative ways to let your loved ones know how important they are to you and how much you appreciate them. Finally, to further expand this model, let’s actively seek to lessen scarcity consciousness. In this way, as individuals, partners, family members, community members, and as “world members,” we will continue to create abundance by experiencing many, many profound forms… of appreciation and LOVE throughout 2012.

Trina’s Upcoming Workshop: If you have a goal of losing excess weight, then plan to attend Trina’s empowering Walnut Creek workshop (for women and men): Managing Emotional and Compulsive Eating—John Muir Women’s Health Center. Many forms of emotional hungers, including a hunger for LOVE, will be addressed during this inspiring workshop Wednesday, February 29, 6:30-8:30 pm. Cost: $40 (Includes Weight Loss: 2-CD set). Seats are limited—register today: (925) 941-7900 option 3. For more info, go to www.TrinaSwerdlow.com; click on “Private Sessions & Workshops.”

Trina Swerdlow, BFA, CCHT, is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, an artist, and the author and illustrator of Stress Reduction Journal: Meditate and Journal Your Way to Better Health. Trina has a private practice in downtown Danville. She soulfully shares her creative approach to personal growth and passionately supports her clients in reaching their goals. You can reach her at: (925) 285.5759, or info@TrinaSwerdlow.com.

Certified Clinical Hypnotherapy services in California can be alternative or complementary to licensed healing arts, such as psychotherapy.

Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow.
I don’t know about you, but in my world tomorrow is never today. Unfortunately, procrastinating and wishing we were thinner won’t lead us to lose any excess weight. If it did, we’d all be walking around at our healthiest weights. Wishing without creating a solid strategy is often referred to as magical thinking.

Like my earlier examples, when magical thinking is combined with cravings for the wrong foods, unhealthy overeating habits, and a lack of exercise—it’s a surefire recipe to stay stuck and continue adding inches and pounds each year. Yikes!

The good news is, facing reality and getting on track TODAY is a great way to leave magical thinking and procrastination in the dust. And, having effective “tools in hand,” with a willingness to use them, is what propels us toward reaching our weight loss goals.

In my private practice, I offer solid strategies for people who are ready to trade in magical thinking for research-based weight loss tools. So, before we declare that we are simply unmotivated, “weak-willed dreamers,” let’s consider the fact that there may be some complex issues unconsciously driving our overeating impulses. Often, clients are surprised by what they learn about themselves in our sessions. During the personal growth process, in addition to focusing on releasing excess weight, we often explore how to:

•  Stop using food in an attempt to manage emotions
•  Track and celebrate progress toward small goals
•  Uncover negative core beliefs

Early in my work with weight loss clients, I often ask, “Do you have any limiting core beliefs?” A core belief is a positive or negative perception you have about yourself. For example, a positive core belief would be that you feel attractive or competent. A negative core belief would be that you feel unattractive or incompetent.

Often, people struggling with negative core beliefs don’t believe that they deserve their successes—and at a core level they feel like a failure. For this reason, deflecting compliments is a common response from people who carry a lot of negative core beliefs about themselves. Sadly, there’s simply no “intake port” to receive the positive information.

Unfortunately, negative core beliefs can keep us stuck in overeating cycles. These self-destructive cycles can perpetuate retaining our extra weight and create a sense of helplessness and hopelessness. Eventually, unless interrupted, our limiting core beliefs can become self-fulfilling prophecies. Uncovering negative core beliefs can be a way to address our “unconscious self-sabotage.”

What I love about offering hypnotherapy is that, through deep relaxation, my clients have an opportunity to explore underlying issues that often sabotage their goal reaching. Exploring under the surface of a challenging issue and addressing the roots can be extremely productive. As illustrated by many of my clients’ successes, unhealthy habits often lose their power when unconscious issues are brought into the light where conscious understanding and integration can take place.
Finally, why not step onto a path of action TODAY—rather than tomorrow? Call me if you’d like leading-edge tools and a “power partner” for your exciting journey toward reaching your weight loss goals. After all, isn’t it time to move beyond “magical thinking” and negative core beliefs…and claim the healthiest mind-body possible in 2012?

Join Trina and attend her upcoming Walnut Creek workshop for women and men: Managing Emotional and Compulsive Eating—John Muir Women’s Health Center: Wednesday, February 29, 6:30-8:30 pm. Cost: $40 (Includes Weight Loss: 2-CD set). Seats are limited—register today for this inspiring workshop: (925) 941-7900 option 3. For more info, go to www.TrinaSwerdlow.com & click on “Private Sessions & Workshops.”

Trina Swerdlow, BFA, CCHT, is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, an artist, and the author and illustrator of Stress Reduction Journal: Meditate and Journal Your Way to Better Health. Trina has a private practice in downtown Danville. She soulfully shares her creative approach to personal growth and passionately supports her clients in reaching their goals. You can reach her at: (925) 285.5759, or info@TrinaSwerdlow.com.

Certified Clinical Hypnotherapy services in California can be alternative or complementary to licensed healing arts, such as psychotherapy.

Can you relate? I sure can. Unfortunately, the holidays can escalate our stress levels—especially if we allow our own competitive (or perfectionist behaviors) to take over. Meanwhile, when we succumb to these stress-generating modes, we act out our insecurities and our vulnerabilities.

Furthermore, when we relentlessly push ourselves to check off tasks from our mile-long “to-do” lists—we often end up with intense holiday exhaustion that prevent us from enjoying (or appreciating) the moment. In this way, we transform a holiday—an uplifting celebratory event—into an exhausting drama!

So, now that we’ve illuminated the shadow side of the season (and hopefully clarified how we don’t want to spend our holidays), let’s focus on how we can create what we do want. Here are my 4 Vital Secrets to Stress-Less Holidays.

~ Mindfully G.I.V.E. ~

The acronym G.I.V.E. is an invitation to trade in holiday exhaustion for holiday exhilaration. This concept came to me during a recent morning meditation and it can serve as a reminder that… Generous Intentions = Vital Energy.

G: Generous

I: Intentions

V: Vital

E: Energy

Okay, let’s explore the individual aspects of G.I.V.E. now:

G: Practice opening your heart to an attitude of GENEROUS abundance.

When you open to a sense of generous abundance you shift away from scarcity thinking, such as: there aren’t enough positive resources—like attention, love, or joy—to go around. If you practice embracing sincere generosity, then you align yourself…with free-flowing abundance.

I: Ask yourself, what is my  INTENTION for:

•    Buying (or making) a gift for someone?

•  Creating (or attending) a celebratory event?

First, notice if your intentions include perfectionist tendencies or being overly concerned with, “What will people think?” If you identify these stress-generating intentions, then remember that you can’t control what anyone else thinks. So, consider focusing your energies on what you can control.

Next, clarify and connect with positive intentions. For example, when it comes to gift giving: “I’m buying a gift for my brother to express love and care. I don’t need to compete with other family members by spending more than I can afford.”

 And, when it comes to attending a celebratory event: “I’m going to my friend’s holiday party to connect with people I care about and to have fun. I don’t need to impress anyone to feel okay about myself.”

After clarifying your intentions toward various holiday activities (especially the ones that feel stressful), spend a few minutes jotting down your thoughts on paper. While writing, invite your own supportive wisdom to flow.

V: Nurture your VITAL needs. Maintaining your needs is essential year round—and crucial to create “stress-less” holidays. For example, remember these basic daily needs and:

•  Breathe deeply and slowly…to calm yourself (especially while sitting in holiday traffic)

•  Keep yourself well-hydrated (even at the mall)

• Exercise regularly (according to your doctor’s recommendations)

•  Eat balanced, healthy meals (avoid skipping meals and increasing “overly zealous” holiday snacking)
•  Make time to receive lots of nourishing sleep (savor those z-zzz’s)

E: Honor the natural ebb and flow of your ENERGY during the holiday season. So, if you need a break while shopping, decorating your home, or cooking, then listen to your body and momentarily hit the “pause button.” Then, head for a café (or your kitchen table), sit down, and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. On the other hand, if you’re home, consider taking a short nap. The good news is—resting, regrouping, and recharging leads to increased positive mind/body energy.

Finally, you might want to keep these 4 Vital Secrets to Stress-Less Holidays in mind as you G.I.V.E. to yourself and others. Then, invite in the exhilarating gift of Generous Intentions = Vital Energy. My best to you as you consciously create…a stress-less and play-more holiday!

 Join Trina and attend her upcoming Walnut Creek workshop for women and men: Managing Emotional and Compulsive Eating—John Muir Women’s Health Center: Monday, December 19, 6:30-8:30 pm. Cost: $40 (Includes Weight Loss: 2-CD set). Seats are limited—register today for this inspiring workshop: (925) 941-7900 option 3. For more info, go to www.TrinaSwerdlow.com & click on “Private Sessions & Workshops.”

Trina Swerdlow, BFA, CCHT, is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, an artist, and the author and illustrator of Stress Reduction Journal: Meditate and Journal Your Way to Better Health. Trina has a private practice in downtown Danville. She soulfully shares her creative approach to personal growth and passionately supports her clients in reaching their goals. You can reach her at: (925) 285.5759, or info@TrinaSwerdlow.com.

Certified Clinical Hypnotherapy services in California can be alternative or complementary to licensed healing arts, such as psychotherapy.

First, with my head tilted down (practically to my shoulder), while straining to see through my progressive lenses…I scanned the various book titles on one shelf. Then, squinting, I hesitantly chose “a candidate” to release. Next, while cradling the book in my hands, I quickly scanned its pages. That’s when a few of the book’s “priceless gems” caught my eye—and left me with a strong desire to re-read the book, again.

Now, multiply this procedure by ten. Yep, after not “releasing” a single book in the first forty minutes of my book cleanse, I sat myself down in an attempt to better understand my deep attachment to books. In the midst of this introspective moment, I realized that my love of books went way back…all the way back to childhood.

Unfortunately, like some of you perhaps, I didn’t feel as though I fit into my family of origin. And this lack of connectedness was painful since it’s natural to yearn for a sense of “belonging” within our families. So, in order to experience a deep connectedness to something, I discovered books at an early age.

Oh, the “GLORIOUS WORLD” of picture books, comic books, short stories, fiction, nonfiction, inspirational…whew…the list goes on and on. In short, I acquired a ravenous appetite for books. Clearly, books were an emotional and intellectual bridge to others…and a blessing! For this reason, I still savor reading the innermost thoughts and feelings of authors or the musings of their fictional characters.

Meanwhile, after clarifying why I love books so much (and after identifying my new “Bridge Theory”), I began to reframe my motivation for desiring to release a substantial number of books. Then, it came to me in a flash. I could share some of my fabulous books with others—lots of others—by donating them to our local library. That way, lots of people could enjoy them! And with that realization, numerous books flew from my shelves, filling the cardboard boxes to the brim…with glorious books to share.

In addition, during my book “releasing quest,” I reconnected to a beautifully written book by a Berkeley graduate, Parker J. Palmer. His bestselling book, Let Your Life Speak, touched me deeply and is currently designated as “a keeper.” Palmer’s writing style is fearlessly vulnerable as well as powerfully insightful. For instance, he shares some of his pivotal life experiences—including a deeply depressed period…a dark night of the soul.

What I love about this book is reading how he gleans “meaning” from each of his life challenges, thus gaining a better understanding of himself and of his world. Now, I’d like to share a quote, from his chapter entitled, “There Is a Season.” Palmer writes: 

We are here not only to transform the world but also to be transformed. Transformation is difficult, so it is good to know that there is comfort as well as challenge in the metaphor of life as a cycle of seasons. Illumined by that image, we see that we are not alone in the universe. We are participants in a vast communion of being, and if we open ourselves to its guidance, we can learn anew how to live in this great and gracious community of truth. We can, and we must—if we want our sciences to be humane, our institutions to be sustaining, our healings to be deep, our lives to be true.

Finally, as we experience the seasons of our own lives, let’s remember to savor the joys (like reading a great book) and glean “meaning” from our sorrows. After all, when we humbly embrace the wisdom from difficult times…we transform challenges into important life lessons.

 To receive Trina’s FREE newsletter “Transformational Tips for Mindful Living,” sign-up on her website: www.trinaswerdlow.com

Join Trina and attend her upcoming Walnut Creek workshop for women and men: Managing Emotional and Compulsive Eating – John Muir Women’s Health Center: Monday, Dec 19, 6:30-8:30 pm. Cost: $40 (Includes Weight Loss: 2-CD set). Seats are limited—register today for this inspiring workshop: (925) 941-7900 option 3. For more info, go to www.TrinaSwerdlow.com & click on “Private Sessions & Workshops.”
—————

Trina Swerdlow, BFA, CCHT, is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, an artist, and the author of the 2-CD Set, Weight Loss: Powerful & Easy-to-Use Tools for Releasing Excess Weight. Her artwork and personal profile are included in Outstanding American Illustrators Today 2. She is the author and illustrator of Stress Reduction Journal: Meditate and Journal Your Way to Better Health. Trina has a private practice in downtown Danville. She soulfully shares her creative approach to personal growth and passionately supports her clients in reaching their goals. You can reach her at: (925) 285.5759, or info@TrinaSwerdlow.com.

Certified Clinical Hypnotherapy services in California can be alternative or complementary to licensed healing arts, such as psychotherapy.

Having an “attitude-of-gratitude” is a positive state of mind and a great stress-busting tool. In my private practice I often share this “mood-altering” tool from my book, Stress Reduction Journal. Feeling grateful for having shelter, food, clothes, money, and people that care about us is a healthy gift to our minds, bodies, and spirits.

On the other hand, it is common to over-focus on what’s not right in our lives. Can you relate? After all, we humans are equipped with complex brains…that are wired to solve problems. However, when we feel nothing is ever good enough, we may habitually yearn for what we don’t have and become stuck in a negative cycle. Meanwhile, if an active “inner critic” lives in our heads, then we may add to the stressful pattern by having recurring thoughts like, “I’m not young enough, smart enough, or attractive enough.” Occasional comparisons are one thing, but chronically feeling “less than” can be a sign of low self-esteem. When we’ve lost sight of our inner value and become overly focused on our outer value, we may find ourselves sleeping poorly and waking up in the middle of the night worrying.    

Believe me, I understand worry. Worry and I…go way back. Thankfully, when I catch myself on an unproductive “worry track” these days, I reach for some stress-reducing methods ASAP. Here are two popular tools from my book:

“What’s Buggin’ Me?”

Even though “positive thinking” is good for the mind, body, and spirit—denial—is not. That’s why I start my mood-shifting process by first exploring what is bothering me. Otherwise, if I go straight for the “Attitude-of-Gratitude” tool, I’ll be slapping white paint on the wall and ignoring the “mildew” growing underneath. So here’s a way to see if there’s wisdom…or an important message that the “mildew” is offering.

1. I begin by asking myself, “What’s buggin’ me?” I often journal a few paragraphs to vent about what’s up with me. I pay attention to angry or resentful feelings and explore below the surface to uncover any vulnerable feelings like fear, sadness, or guilt. In this venting stage I write freely without concern for spelling, punctuation, or “being nice.” In other words—I let it flow (with a fully-functioning shredder nearby).
2. After venting through journaling, I then think about whether there is some constructive action I can take.

If something comes to mind, I go for it. Or, if it’s 3 am, I make a list of some “action steps” I can begin taking the next morning. I also consider doing research, getting advice, support, or whatever will help me get over and beyond the challenge that is worrying me. Taking action usually gets me out of the helpless mode and onto…an empowered and productive track. After the “mildew” has been explored and any wisdom retrieved, I then reach for the following tool.

“Attitude-of-Gratitude”

The good news is: fear, anger, and sadness have difficulty coexisting with positive feelings like gratitude. And, focusing on positive feelings moves us out of the victim role. So, to continue shifting out of my worry cycle, I often practice this simple three-step process by doing the following:

1. Pulling out a pen and a piece of paper or writing directly in my journal.
2. Taking a few abdominal breaths to get “out of my head” and deepen my connection with my body.
3. Making a list of people, places, animals, and things for which I feel grateful.

Yep, this may sound too simple, but it can affect our mood and outlook. If my brain resists shifting gears and nothing comes to mind, then I start exactly where I’m sitting. I mindfully look down to see if I have clothes on my back and shoes on my feet. If so, then these are the first things I write down. Is there a roof over my head? Great, then that means…I’m both clothed and sheltered.

In addition, acknowledging the special personality traits—in our loved ones and ourselves—is a wonderful way to clarify what we’re grateful for. When doing this exercise, I look for qualities like compassion, tenacity, honesty, creativity, and playfulness.

The good news is, once we move out of the worry cycle, the positive juices usually start flowing. Embracing these two tools, “What’s Buggin’ Me?” and “Attitude-of-Gratitude,” are great stress-busters when we want to shift away from worry. And, using them can serve as an invitation for improved sleep. Finally, the goal is to move from our heads into our hearts, and these exercises offer a simple road map for going from north to south…without ever having to get into our cars.

To receive Trina’s FREE newsletter “Transformational Tips for Mindful Living,” sign-up on her website: www.TrinaSwerdlow.com 

Experts in health care repeatedly warn us that obesity is reaching epidemic proportions—and is a known cause of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. A recent CNN Health article states that more than 100,000 cases of cancer each year are caused by excess body fat. Do you ever wonder why a nation such as ours—filled with so many intelligent people—is continually giving in to extremely unhealthy food choices?

Maybe our confusing “love/hate” relationship with food has a physical component in addition to an emotional component. For example, according to the former U.S. Food and Drug Administrator, David Kessler, M.D., foods high in sugar, fat, and salt alter the brain’s chemistry by creating a release of powerful chemicals, such as dopamine and natural pain-killing substances called opioids. Surprisingly, these are the very same chemicals that are released when people are addicted to alcohol, cigarette smoking, drugs, and gambling.

Addictive cycles can result due to “cue-urge-reward” patterns. And let’s face it; in our lives today there are no shortages of extremely seductive food “cues” that result in “urges” (aka: cravings). Most of us are bombarded with unhealthy food cues and temptations every day and evening—via the media or a well-intentioned family member or our work environments.

If we continue on the “cue-urge-reward” path and we succumb to the “urge,” then the so-called “reward” phase follows when the dopamine and opioids are released…offering us a mood alter. For this reason, when our behavioral patterns become conditioned responses to cues (or stimuli)—such as foods high in sugar, fat, and salt—then the biological circuits of our brains are altered. This pattern of eating unhealthy foods can lead to a frustrating and confusing…love/hate relationship with food.

Unfortunately, countless prepared foods sold today are loaded with this “tantalizing trio” of sugar, fat, and salt. Sadly, many of us are ingesting these foods at the expense of our health…and our children’s health.
While small amounts of sugar, fat, and salt in our diets are necessary, high doses can trigger chronic compulsive and emotional eating. Since we now know that our brain circuitry is physically affected and altered by eating foods high in sugar, fat, and salt—it’s no wonder that many of us feel powerless when a food craving hits…and hopeless when it comes to losing weight.

Can you relate? If so, just know that your relationship with food is NOT a lost cause. When I work with weight loss clients, I offer various mind-body tools that include educational, cognitive-behavioral exercises, and self-hypnosis. Cognitive behavioral exercises teach my clients how to observe, measure, and modify their unhealthy behaviors, whereas, self-hypnosis offers a relaxed, focused state where unhealthy conditioned responses can be addressed at a deep, unconscious level—below the surface.

And, here’s some GREAT NEWS: According to clinical studies1, when self-hypnosis was added to a weight loss program that utilized cognitive behavioral exercises—the resulting weight loss more than doubled. These clinical studies also showed that the positive effects of self-hypnosis increased over time—which indicates that long-term maintenance of weight loss is strengthened by the use of self-hypnosis.

So, if you’re ready to interrupt your own “cue-urge-reward” patterns—that relate to foods high in sugar, fat, and salt—then take the first step onto a solid weight loss path…and contact me. I will teach you cutting-edge tools that will help to propel you away from a love/hate relationship with food. Then you can begin moving toward your goals and transform hope-LESSness…into hope-FULLness.
1 Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, Vol. 64, No. 3

To receive Trina’s FREE newsletter “Transformational Tips for Mindful Living,” sign-up on her website: www.TrinaSwerdlow.com