Two very powerful emotions attached to emotional eating & weight gain are guilt and shame. EFT – Emotional Freedom Technique / Tapping, can help people to shift these strong emotions, setting them free to enjoy food, enjoy life, be happy & move forward!

Could powerful emotions such as guilt & shame be keeping people in stuck mode, causing them to put on weight rather than lose it? They may find that no matter how hard they try to adjust their diet, eat healthy, eat less, exercise more, the weight either stays as is or creeps up even further!

People will have heard of the commonly used phrase “oh – I only have to look at food and I put on weight”. Well, there’s more truth to it than one would expect! Guilt and shame surrounding weight issues is widespread but probably not discussed as freely as it should. How many of us wish we were a size or 2 or 3 thinner than we are and feel bad inside because we’re not?

Growing up, we are culturally conditioned to feel guilt or shame about being overweight or having extra weight or being unable to lose weight. We and others may automatically and subconsciously label ourselves or others as “being weak” or “having no self control” or “being obsessed with dieting”.

Some of the most common emotions lacking in us humans are self-love, compassion and forgiveness. Much of this can stem from an upbringing where it was the norm to bury your emotions – “don’t cry”, “chin up”, “get over yourself”, or hearing others say “oh you’re full of yourself” or “who does she/he think he is?” What do we do – suppress our emotions, bury them deep and forget they ever exist.

This can creep into our eating habits – suppressing our emotions through eating, snacking, binge eating, comfort eating, eating to get that high, and secretly eating. These all come under the heading of Emotional Eating.

Loving ourselves may not come naturally to everyone…I know people who dislike themselves so much that they can’t even look at themselves in the mirror, or be naked in front of their partner, or get changed in front of others or shop for clothes in actual clothes shops (so they buy online or via catalogues). I know others who cover themselves up completely so that others won’t laugh at them – some people don’t go swimming, or wear shorts or short sleeved tops or skirts in the summer.

To these people I say – it’s not your fault! Because it…is…not…your…fault. Throw away this blame game and start from within. Forgive yourself for thinking that it is your fault…it is no-one’s fault. Who are we to blame ourselves so much that we dislike our selves from the core? Who is really judging ourselves…only ourselves! Why should ‘what you think someone else will think or say about you’ affect you? Perhaps due to low self esteem, lack of confidence and a lack of respect for you being all beautiful from the inside out…no matter what you look like? You ARE beautiful from within…everyone is!

Think of a baby or a young child…a being filled with love…happy, pure of heart, seeing only love. We all started out that way…events or others unfortunately may have altered our perception of love and joy and happiness. But – it is still inside every single one of us. All we have to do is acknowledge ourselves, show compassion, and love ourselves.

How you ask? How do I do this after all these years? Simple my dear friend – one step at a time. As the amazing Martin Luther King Jr. once said “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, you just have to take the first step”.

What is a simple first step you ask?
1. Place both hands, one on top of the other on the centre of your chest. Take 3 long deep breaths in and out. Say the word “relax” on the exhale. This is called “Heart Centering”.
2. Eyeball yourself in a mirror – yes you can do it!!! Look deep into your eyes…yes, those beautiful eyes. Say to yourself “I see you, I acknowledge you…I accept you for who you are”.
3. If you’re ok with doing so – say “I love you, I really, really love you & I’m going to start looking after you now”.

I understand that this may be extremely difficult for you to do. I get that. That’s why I’m here to help you take that first step. You can do it – you just have to give yourself permission to do it .

I have had the pleasure of helping clients release strong emotions that are holding them back in life. Seeing them free and happy and sparkling is such a gift. I couldn’t ask for anymore in the work that I do. I love what I do. I would love to help you too.

Let me show you how to “Set Yourself Free with EFT”. I see clients 1:1 in my private clinic in north Cork and also via Skype. Get in touch to see how I can help you take your first step.

Until next time – keep smiling!

Elaine

Emotional Health Coach
089 959 6027 elaine@cammishwellness.com
www.cammishwellness.com