A Huge Party at the Betty Ford Center #addiction
#weightloss #AA
No one—trust me no one—would know that I have an addiction
to food. I’m thinner than most, I work out constantly, and hide my addiction
when no one’s looking. If you can think of a habit or a place you go in your
mind when no one is looking, do it in excess, and don’t want to admit you have
a problem, you probably are in a an addictive situation—substance or mental.
I work with people all day who have some sort of habit
they want to be rid of. The habit could be fear or anxiety. A habitual thought
or fear is just as much a demon as alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs sometimes. I
know, you may say that one has the power to kill you with chemicals and the other
doesn’t. But, you forget about suicide and the ability to keep ourselves in
harmful and stressful relationships and work situations, because of lack of
self-esteem.
So,
addiction comes down to one thing:
The
belief that you must have or must do something
that
becomes unhealthy for you!
Notice, I didn’t say the substance itself is the problem.
The issue starts in your mind. Some of us have habits that are connected to
physical addictions, such as nicotine or a specific drug. But, still, in almost
every case, the abuse begins in the brain. If it didn’t, there would be no
reason for AA, NA, OA, or counseling. We would simply give up and die. But
organizations such as AA and counseling helps make behavior changes, which
begin in the mind: 1) Admitting to yourselves and others that you have a problem;
2) talking about problem with people who care. Treatment can’t begin unless you
come to Step #1 first. The first words that come out of person’s mouth after
their name in a 12-step program is admitting that he or she is an addict.
The 12 steps inherently begin with the acknowledgement
that you have no power over your addiction and that you offer this problem up
to a Higher Power. This Higher Power is purposely undefined in 12-step programs
to invite different kinds of belief systems into the process. The Big Book, the
manual for 12 steps was written by Bill W. His full last name has never even
been printed. That’s how anonymous this club is. Over 30 million books have
been distributed or sold. This is how many people who have admitted they have a
problem. We know, however, many more addicts exist who never will discover
their own problem.
I mention all this because I had a long-time Alcoholic
friend and therapist tell me that he recently read a study about addiction and
spirituality. In the study, scientists studied the efficacy of addicts getting
off of substance by different modalities. The most effective method was having
a spiritual belief. I’m not surprised to hear that. Understanding that you are
not alone in the universe and that there is a purpose for your life is one of
the next steps to stepping forward from an addiction.
How did I discover my own addiction to food? I tried to
lose weight for 2 years unsuccessfully. Every time I would lose a few pounds,
I’d put them right back on because of binging and an addiction to carbs or
sweets.
Honestly, what really brought me back to reality was
getting on a gluten-free diet. When I decided to quit gluten, my choice had
nothing to do with addiction. I realized quickly, however, that gluten was most
of the problem. It is said by scientist lately that Genetically Modified Wheat
now has the power of an opiate in the brain. So, when I got off of the opiate
causing the cravings, I was able to see clearly my addiction. I realized my
desire to eat sugar was wrapped in the obscure package of bread and cookies.
When I replaced the bread and cookies with gluten-free bread and cookies, I
immediately ate less of them. After about a month, I didn’t even desire to eat
bread or cookies. My hunger started to manifest around fresh vegetables and
healthy protein.
I have helped a few people get off of gluten. Each of us
had the same reaction. The weight came off without even trying. I lost 16
pounds in one month. 14 pounds came off in the first 2 weeks. You see, heavy
food with gluten makes your body feel heavy and, often, you don’t exercise
because of feeling of being too full. I don’t get that bloated feeling much any
more.
So, two things needed to happen for me. I had to come to a
self-realization of the problem. Then, I had to understand a good way to
release the problem. For me, I didn’t need to go to meetings. For some people,
meetings or life coaching are a necessity. You must do what your mind and
spirit are telling you to do, to take the first step forward out of this
problem!
Mostly, and I can’t stress this enough, the first step is
admitting you have a problem!
*
Bo Sebastian is a Hypnotherapist and Life & Health Coach, available
for private sessions to QUIT SMOKING, Lose Weight, New Lap-Band Hypnosis for
Weight Loss, CHANGE YOUR MIND, CHANGE YOUR LIFE! at 615-400-2334 or http://bosebastian.com/Home_Page.php
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