I’ve been off traveling again, but while away I received lots of emails–a surprising number–about where to begin when it comes to ending this whole crazy eating-weight-food-craving concern?
Today, I’m sharing three things that you can do to start your journey to end this weird eating thing that I know is very frustrating and agonizing:
1) Questioning your thoughts is a relief, and can change your behaviors with food, entirely. If you want the simple, lazer-sharp, quickest version of self-inquiry I’ve ever encountered (and I’ve seen a lot of ways to inquire and dissolve your thoughts) then I highly, deeply, sincerely recommend The Work of Byron Katie. Read “Loving What Is” to understand this method and get the full and complete instructions on how to do The Work.
2) Question these two thoughts:
a) I MUST stop this eating thing, I MUST lose weight, I MUST change NOW!! Immediately! This is WRONG! I must control myself! I must WIN this BATTLE!! (notice there are lots of exclamation points with this energy, and these thoughts).
Why should you question this thought?
Because when you do, you have the opportunity to open up to understanding what’s going on in the first place. You can quit pushing, or controlling this situation with such vengeance. Diets are not necessary any longer.
b) I must suffer in order to end this problem. I must not EVER accept myself and relax with what is or I will remain fat or addicted, and never change.
Why should you question this thought?
Because when you do, you get to feel supported by the world, by life, by food, by eating….even when you are not perfectly “thin”. You have a body, but you are NOT your body. You don’t need to get somewhere else that is not here. What a relief. This never means you won’t lose weight, because as you shift your thoughts, you likely will (if you find you’re overweight). Many people balance to their natural normal weight.
How do you question your thinking?
As I mentioned…use the four questions and turnarounds and question just one thought at a time. The Work is the best and most simple way I’ve ever found to follow this process.
FINALLY, do this third exercise:
It will seem too easy, but you might be surprised: practice the 60 second wait-period. This means, instead of starting to eat when you want to eat, wait 60 seconds and take three very deep breaths, slowly.
As you wait sixty seconds, ask yourself “Do I really need food right now?” If you’re hungry, then be kind and give yourself some food.
If you notice you aren’t hungry, literally see if you can imagine eating peace instead of food. Like a pale pinkish purple cloud of lightly glowing peace that you fill up your body with through your mouth.
Let it go into your stomach, then spread it through your legs to your feet and all the way up your body, filling your arms, torso, neck, head. Relax your skin and let peace sink in–see what colors it changes to and see the peace filling your entire being.
Much love,
Grace
P.S. I’m creating an Eating Peace Experience 101 Introductory class. It begins July 26 and runs for 2 months, with 6 class sessions on Thursdays at 8 am pacific time. Stay tuned for more coming soon.
P.S. If you’d like to join Summer Camp for The Mind, a 7 week program of practicing The Work for anyone and everyone (not specifically for eating issues–although they can be brought to these sessions)– read more about it HERE.
I love receiving your newsletters Grace, and today, the third point about visualization reminds me of a change I made just recently. P Allen Smith, gardener from Arkansas made this small aside, in his soft and gentle tones, “now that we think of food as a past-time” – bingo. I’ve been thinking of food as a survival necessity with all the heat and urgency that attaches to that notion.
Now, I pause and feel the pleasure of participating in my past-time, there’s no urgency here, it’s just fun; fun for fun’s sake; with no agenda, no expectation – and no pressure. Oh, and peace turned up.
Thanks for your beautiful comment here–such a delight to read the words of lack of urgency and fun and non-pressure. So freeing! Thanks for sharing. Much love, Grace