Secondary Benefits to Overeating (Part I)

How many of us want to lose weight and then wonder why it doesn't happen? Another equal or greater part of us seems to sabotage our desire. In hypnotherapy, we identify the part that opposes you losing the weight as having a secondary motive of it's own which can often be greater than the desire to be slim! We identify these motives to remain overweight and continue overeating as good intended secondary benefits or payoffs!

I always try to help clients see the good intention of the part that wants to overeat. It really is trying to do something good for you! For many, it is a needed stress relief and even a comfort. Think about how most of us were programmed as children to be comforted by our parents during times of stress. How often were you given a bottle or a cookie to stop crying even though you weren't hungry?

No wonder overeating is the most difficult addiction to break! Our subconscious mind thinks that is soothing us, comforting us, calming us down with the food. One of the most important aspects of long-term weight loss can be making a shift in your thinking about "comfort" foods and how you comfort yourself during times of stress.

Becoming aware of times when you go to the food and you aren't really hungry is the first step! The second step would be to develop a set of alternative coping skills that you can use instead of overeating when you feel hungry. I will discuss more of the common reasons we continue to overeat and some solutions in part II of this article.

Overthinking Can Be Overkill

How many times have you made a decision and then later wished you'd followed the intuitive voice in your head or that strong feeling in your gut that told you to do something else? We typically are programmed to ignore what we sense is right in favor of the more logical or justifiable alternative. Intuition, especially in women, has a tendency to be brushed off as being illogical or subjective. Yet, most great thinkers, scientists and writers from the past will give credit to dreams, daydreams and intuition for their success.

One of my majors in college was Economics. We learned about a principle called the Law of Diminishing Returns. In business, you can get to a point of investing money in your business where more dollars spent do not equate to higher monetary returns. For many years I have applied this principle to human thinking. By that I mean, we live in a society where we conclude that the more you think about a problem, the more you plan, the more you ANALYZE, the greater success you will have.

Over the years, I have met many clients immobilized by their thoughts because they have analyzed a problem too much or agonized, incessantly, over a decision. We can take an issue and think about it to the point where our mind becomes crowded and more unclear as to the solution or the right decision to make.

At times, I believe there is great value to be found in letting go and "sitting" in the UNKNOWN. Making a pros and cons list doesn't always give us the answers. Instead, using meditation, guided imagery, and hypnosis to relax the analytical mind and tap into our intuition can bring stress relief and answers to the quesions we seek. Edgar Alan Poe referred to the value of right brain wisdom, "They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.—"

Hello Friends!

A little background to begin....I left a comfortable and successful career in environmental engineering to become a Wellness Consultant and Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist. Why? Because my own work with a hypnotherapist radically changed my life! I had felt as many do that I was STUCK with certain situations in my life.

Well, I no longer believe that to be true and have made it one of my life's missions to help others to overcome their own difficulties and embrace a life of empowerment and inner peace. People have always asked me how I went from a career in environmental engineering to clinical hypnotherapy. To me the transition is very LOGICAL! I see the workings of the mind to be much like a computer. We are only beginning to understand all that the mind does and can do! To me, the right brain is more than the area called upon by artists and musicians to act as their source of creativity. To me it is a wellspring of knowledge and power! I hope that the following articles are inspiring and beneficial to you in accessing more of your own "Right Brain Wisdom" for greater health, happiness and well-being.

Namaste,
Rebecca