He called me for “help with weight loss.” He said he had tried a lot of different types of diets. He told me he has lost weight while dieting and then puts it back on when he stops the diet.
I explained to him that together we would create his personal “eating lifestyle”. It’s not a diet and it’s not about deprivation. It’s about an eating lifestyle that’s right for you. The eating lifestyle may include pizza, pasta, ice cream, desserts in proper portion sizes and appropriately.
Then: When “down” and stressed he would turn to food.
Now: No longer turning to food to deal with stress. He tells himself, “I’ll figure it out.”
Then: Stress would build up because he wasn’t talking about “it”. He would use food for comfort.
Now: He feels much less stressed and very supported, because he is talking with his wife and parents about what’s going on in his life and how he’s feeling. He’s opened up about his behavior with food and he’s taken full responsibility for his weight problem. Needless to say, this open communication is enriching those relationships and the relationship he has with himself.
Then: “Sweet tooth” needed candy and he would hide the wrappers. He felt ashamed and embarrassed especially when his wife would find the empty candy wrappers. He would then make excuses.
Now: He hasn’t been overeating sweets. “It’s ok to have one piece of candy.” He tells his wife very matter of factly, “I’m going to eat this.” No more hiding, no more shame, no more embarrassment.
Then: Was not eating much with others. (I almost cried in the session when he said this. I felt tremendous sadness hearing it.) He wasn’t even sitting with his wife and young children at dinnertime because he felt ashamed of eating.
Now: He purposefully stops whatever he is doing and sits with his wife and children at dinnertime. (I almost cried in the session when he said this. I felt tremendous joy hearing it.) Here’s what he said about enjoying eating out in restaurants with his family, “Everyone is there to eat!” No longer afraid of being judged by strangers for eating.
Then: He would suggest taking the family out for ice cream. The truth was he really wanted the ice cream.
Now: He suggests taking the family out for ice cream with the intention of having a good fun time. More often than not, him and his wife don’t even get the ice cream anymore and if he wants it he orders the smallest size and enjoys it shame free.
Then: Felt tension in his shoulders and back all the time.
Now: The tension is no longer there. He is no longer constricted with massive amounts of emotional stress and guilt.
That was all two weeks after his first session! I was beyond pleasantly surprised! He is a much happier healthier man, husband, father, and son. I’ll keep you posted when he comes back in two weeks.
Not everyone walks away from their first session with such a radical change in their thought process, but some do and who knows, you may be one of them!
You don’t have to go it alone…
Call me (Joann Dunsing) @ 203-907-7710 for your complimentary phone conversation. Or click the button below.
I usually respond within 24 hours.
