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Wanting What You Need

Posted by Freeman Michaels on April 15th, 2010 at 09:57am

Releasing Weight by learning to Interrupt, Interpret and Understand Cravings

Many of us who have struggled with our weight experience intense craving for certain types of foods. I know, for me, I often craved sweets late at night. I wanted ice cream. My weight release journey began, however, when I started distinguishing between wants and needs. I may have wanted ice cream, but what I needed was comfort and encouragement. One of the first steps to releasing weight involves developing the ability to observe our wants and determine if our wants are in alignment with what we really need.

Many overweight people, like me, use food to cope with stress and emotion. We turn to comfort food when we are experiencing internal discomfort. A key skill in my Weight Release Program involves “sitting in the discomfort” and exploring or investigating the underlying need that is causing the discomfort. The process we teach helps people interrupt cravings. Using a breathing method, we teach clients to connect with their bodies and tap into the sensations that are “activated”. The client then uses a conscious compassionate observation process to explore the needs that are driving the craving. The client then CONSCIOUSLY makes a different choice, other than to indulge the craving, with the direct intention of meeting their needs. We call this a “self-honoring” choice.

When conscious, self-honoring, choices replace unconscious habits weight gets released. As clients practice interrupting unconscious eating patterns and direct their choices towards things that actually fulfill needs, their “wants” begin to change. Personally, I have replaced late night ice cream binges with a warm bath and soothing music. Now, my number one craving at night is to get in the tub and unwind. After releasing over 70 pounds a few years ago, I have been able to maintain a very natural and healthy weight.

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Freeman Michaels is America’s #1 weight release expert and coach. He is the author of Weight Release: A Liberating Journey. His groundbreaking program uses personal development principles to end the “diet cycle” and help people release weight forever.