Ouch ouch ouch… is all my husband Paul heard when I got out of bed this past week. I love to move my body and usually do some kind of exercise but decided to up my game and hire a personal trainer. My body certainly got my attention by feeling tender and heavy all over! This drastic change in my normal routine had an unexpected effect on my body and emotions.
I specifically became aware of this last Saturday morning when I enthusiastically woke up with the good intention to work on a new course I’m busy with. When I got to my desk I really felt tired and got frustrated because I was genuinely looking forward to getting in to it. I decided to rest and spend the day not really doing anything. Sunday after church I tried again and when I sat in front of my desk I got a craving for chocolate which isn’t really my thing. I was eating well and already had my joy-eat and didn’t want to over indulge. So I decided to explore this craving for chocolate further … by using an extremely powerful technique.
Tool
1. What specifically do you enjoy about this food?
Is it the sweetness, the texture of the food? The smoothness, the crunchiness, the saltiness? What specifically is it about this certain food that you like?
For me, it was the sweetness.
2. What does the “sweetness” do for you, in that moment?
3. Tune into the uncomfortable feeling just before you eat it.
4. What do you experience while eating the chocolate? What is changing in your body?
• E.g. Tension change to Relaxation –good feeling.
• Have the chocolate and describe how you feel, before and after you have eaten it.
• What does the ………. do for you? What are you really craving for?
For me it was a shortage of energy, a pick me up if you will. My body was still adjusting and tired. Furthermore I beat myself up by feeling guilty for still being tired after resting the previous day. (You see the deferent emotional layers)
5. What can you do to honour yourself or your body in that moment?
• Acknowledge how you really feel and what you really need, it can be, physically or mentally?
• E.g. Excitement, you cannot wait to eat that pudding. You need some excitement in your life.
• E.g. Exhausted, you are irritated with everything. You need a holiday or time to yourself.
• E.g. Lonely, you overeat every evening when you step into an empty house. You need some activities and company with friends.
• Just feel it and see it for what it is.
For me: I was physically tired and feeling frustrated, Challenge it, by accepting what is and I gave myself regular breaks and still got my work done.
Result: When I realised what was going on didn’t want chocolate anymore. I connected with myself and my body. I saw what’s going on, and met my “real” needs. There you have it, No more chocolate cravings!!!
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