If so…you’re not alone. Many of us habitually eat unhealthy foods in order to offer our taste buds immediate gratification and pleasure—while attempting to “push down” uncomfortable emotions (such as anger, sadness, or fear). Although our unhealthy eating behaviors may take the “edge off” momentarily—continually eating in this way often adds an additional source of emotional pain in our lives…as well as physical pain in our bodies.
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
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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.
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