Really.  I don't.

I'm not saying I'm perfect by any means, of course.

I don't like sweets much.  I don't have any food cravings.  I probably average 1000 calories per day intake, and I exercise an hour to an hour and a half every day.  Not super-exhausting, but a nice steady light workout -- walking mostly.  Most of my food I grow myself or buy from other local producers.  I just have very little appetite and often forget to eat at all, and often it'll be 7 PM and I realize I haven't eaten anything (or very little) all day.

My big downfall is that I work nights.  Sometimes I do end up eating sweets when working nights, because I feel like I need them to stay awake and keep my energy up.  Although never a huge amount -- a binge for me might be three to five pieces of candy in an evening, say.  I simply can't overeat even a teensy bit or I balloon up like a whale!  When I was on days I lost weight, which I promptly regained on nights.  Now I work three 3-11 shifts and one 7P-7A, which is better (although I really wish I could eliminate that one night shift).  I think it's a cortisol thing or something -- my metabolism is all whacked.  Don't tell me to just go back to days, please, as this really would not work for me for a variety of reasons.

I'm seriously overweight.  I've always struggled with my weight, but right now I'm heavier than I've ever been and I hate it.  I've had my thyroid checked, but supposedly it's okay.

Okay, so I have been tapping on this for a couple of weeks, and nothing.  I really don't know what else to do.  Any thoughts?

 I definitely see where you are coming from. One thing you can look at is what the weight means to you. For some people, being heavier means being protected or safer. If you try to visualise yourself at your perfect weight, what conflicting beliefs or unpleasant feelings come up for you? 

For example, I remember reading a case study on the emofree site, where one lady subconsciously saw her weight as a means to prevent male attention. She had been abused by a man/men in her younger life, and to her, the weight was the best way not to get hurt again. 

Our weight is not about food - it's about emotions!  There is a great protocol by Carol Look for weight loss - just ignore the bit it says about addictions and try working through it and see what comes up. Don't be put off by the title, it's well beyond addictions to food. Where she works through the "addiction" bit instead substitute things like:

ET I don't have a food addiction...

Even though I don't like sweets very much and don't have any cravings and I probably average 1000 calories per day...

ET my big downfall is that I work nights and sometimes I do  end up eating sweets because I feel like I need them to stay awake and keep my energy up...

ET I simply can't overeast even a teensy bit or I valloon up like a whale...

ET When I was on days I lost weight which I promptly regained on nights...

ET I think it's a cortisol thing or smoething, my metabolism is all whacked...

ET i'm seriously overweight, I've always struggled with my weight but right now I'm heavier than I've ever been and I hate it...

Carol looks at lots of different issues, it is worth working through her protocol in detail.  Even better if you can work through it with an experienced practitioner they may be able to help you to be aware of things that are hard to see on your own.

Here is the link to her protocol:  http://www.emofree.com/Addictions/compulsiveovereating.htm

Very best wishes,

Jo

 Yes, I believe that my weight problem is emotional, at least in part.  There may be some reason my body holds on to excess weight.  I developed early and got a lot of unwanted and inappropriate male attention.  Although I wouldn't say that my weight problem was initially caused by that situation, I have noticed that the one benefit of being overweight now is that I get a lot less of that kind of attention.

So the irony is that although when I was young I looked a lot older -- or so I was told -- now I apparently look a lot younger than I am.   Now, when I tell people that I have a 22-year-old son and a granddaughter, people almost invariably look incredulous and say something to the effect of, "How old were you when you had him?  Ten?"  Which makes me feel very uncomfortable.  This conversation usually progresses to people attempting to force me to reveal my true age, which I consider to be none of their business.  This interchange makes me feel awkward, but I have not as yet found a way to respond to it that politely lets people know to drop the subject.  Another benefit of being heavier is that (at least I think) it makes me look a little bit more my real age.

But the other part of this is definitely physiological.  I'm under stress, and definitely causes the body to hold onto weight.  The stress is situational, but I'm finding it very hard to change the situation right now, and it's a bit too complicated to go into detail here.

The thing is, people think that you're not telling the truth when you say that you eat a very small number of calories.  But of you followed me around for a week, you'd see that I'm really not eating very much at all.  And I know I need to eat more, probably; but circumstances make that very difficult right now.

 Hi again,

You've brought up some good tapping points here. You can tap on both emotional and physiological aspects of this issue. 

• Even though having this extra weight makes me look younger and more like my real age, I completely accept myself.
  
• Even though I'm under constant stress, which is making my body hold onto all this weight, I completely love and accept myself anyway.
  
• (Tap on aspects of your life which you are finding very stressful at the moment)
• Even though people don't believe me when I say I don't eat much at all, I love and accept myself completely.
  

If there are any contradicting beliefs you hold in regards to being slim, or towards slim people in general, you can tap on those too. 

Good luck :-)

you could have your hormones checked (or tap for this, or both) Sandra Radomski says that sometimes out of whack hormones are responsible for unexplained weight gain. Other people need to eat at certain times of day, other times are bad for them.

Other people have a "famine mentality" body, in which the body is always storing food, in case there might be an emergency.

Perhaps another tapping approach is to call yourself all the rude names you imagine other people thinking of you, whilst tapping and loving yourself, of course. Only do this if you are currently feeling safe and secure and able to take responsibility for the unpleasant emotions that might arise in you. Stuff you might have been repressing. Except that it may be too much for you to deal with alone, and so it's probably worth doing with the support of a friend who is skilled at EFT, or a good practitioner. The downside is that in front of others you may feel inhibited to open up. Some people find that tapping in the shower is helpful.

I know someone who had to lose weight for diabetic reasons, but on the strict diet, she actually put on weight. The dietician said to try maybe being not so strict on the diet.

You see very aware of how much you're eating and how much exercize you do, when you eat and how much calories... these are not the habits of naturally slim people, who can get a little more chilled about all this, and more focused on their interests rather than on their weight and eating habits. So perhaps tap on this aspect.

I hope this helps and that I haven't offended you! I'm really impressed that you're brave enough to work on this. EFT can be fun and easy, and if you can, I'd advise you to get love and support on this breakthrough journey!

Rachel G.:

you could have your hormones checked (or tap for this, or both) Sandra Radomski says that sometimes out of whack hormones are responsible for unexplained weight gain. Other people need to eat at certain times of day, other times are bad for them.

Other people have a "famine mentality" body, in which the body is always storing food, in case there might be an emergency.

Yes, I do believe this is a part of it.  One or both of the above, I mean.  My opinion is that my particular problem is a combination of whacked physiology, possibly some emotional attachment to the weight (for reasons enumerated previously), and a work situation that tends to lead to an unhealthy lifestyle.  Not quite sure how to begin on this part.  The emotional aspects I can easily state, so are quite simple to work into my EFT regime.  The work situation, well, the only solution I see is to get out of it completely.  I'm working on attracting a different life including work more in line with my needs and beliefs.

Perhaps another tapping approach is to call yourself all the rude names you imagine other people thinking of you, whilst tapping and loving yourself, of course. Only do this if you are currently feeling safe and secure and able to take responsibility for the unpleasant emotions that might arise in you. Stuff you might have been repressing. Except that it may be too much for you to deal with alone, and so it's probably worth doing with the support of a friend who is skilled at EFT, or a good practitioner. The downside is that in front of others you may feel inhibited to open up. Some people find that tapping in the shower is helpful.

I dunno.  Honestly, I don't care what other people think.  Maybe I'm repressing, but I really don't think this is me.  I only care what others think inasmuch as it directly affects me -- such as the people asking me how old I was when I had my son.  I don't care if they think I must have been ten when I had him.  I only care when they start insisting that I tell them how old I am now, or how old I was when I had him.  Rude, and none of their business.  I don't really imagine other people thinking anything about me.  I'm probably the most unaware person you'll ever meet on that topic.  I only care about my weight issue for ME -- my health, wanting to wear nice clothes, etc.  But, thanks for the idea.  Sometimes it helps to define what is not the problem as well as what is.

I usually tap after getting out of the shower myself.

I know someone who had to lose weight for diabetic reasons, but on the strict diet, she actually put on weight. The dietician said to try maybe being not so strict on the diet.

Well, probably because the diet they put your friend on was exactly the wrong thing for a diabetic.  They tend to tell these people to eat a low protein, lowfat diet, which means high-carb.  Hmmm.  And they encourage lots of stupid stuff like hydrogenated oils and artificial sweeteners, which actually cause insulin resistance and weight gain.  But that's another rant altogether...

You see very aware of how much you're eating and how much exercize you do, when you eat and how much calories... these are not the habits of naturally slim people, who can get a little more chilled about all this, and more focused on their interests rather than on their weight and eating habits. So perhaps tap on this aspect.

That's probably a symptom of my mindset, which stems from my work.  Since I'm in healthcare, I tend to notice these things.  I know how much exercise I do because I know how long it takes me every day.  And know I average about 1000 calories because I usually eat one "normal-sized" meal a day (300-400 calories on average) and maybe a couple glasses of milk.  A glass of whole milk has about 250-300 calories.  (Mine has a little more probably, because I drink milk that I get from my own Jersey cow named Peach.)  That's just the kind of useless trivia I tend to carry around in my brain.  I also know the year of and principle players in the Norman Conquest.

I hope this helps and that I haven't offended you! I'm really impressed that you're brave enough to work on this. EFT can be fun and easy, and if you can, I'd advise you to get love and support on this breakthrough journey!

No, no offense taken.  I appreciate the reply.  If I was going to get offended I wouldn't have posted this in the first place.

 I know exactly how you feel as I have the same problem.  I have tapped and tapped on every and any emotional triggers that could be the PR of my weight problem, and there is nothing left to tap on, even though I tap on whatever thought pops into my head.  Then I read Dr. Mercola's July 4th newsletter "Truths that shatter prevailing myths about weigth loss." ( www.mercola.com ) In the following discussion there was a link to Gary Taubes video on his book, Good Calories, Bad Calories which is all about how we have been lied to about calories and weight loss.  www.dhslides.org/mgr/mgr060509f/f.htm  He wrote the Times article, "What if it has all been a big fat lie?" that shook the diet dictocrats up a little  This got me doing some serious research and I learned about Wilson's Temperature Syndrome.  Google it.  I bought a thermometer and discovered my body temperature was now so low (35 C) that no wonder I could not lose weight.  Years of dieting and over exercising had caused my thermostat to be set so low that I could not lose weight ever again.  It can be reset.  There are articles on this site on resetting metabolism through EFT and there are some excellent suggestions to reset it without resorting to hormones by just using supplements.  By the way, a normal thyroid function test does not work on this.  Follow up on these.  It is not you, it is the physical self as your body is doing its best to save your life through starvation tactics including the sugar binges.  I have managed to get my temperature up to 36 but it is not a one minute wonder or an overnight success.  Go also to the Weston A Price foundation site and do the doctor's column and read up on hypothyroidism.  He also has some excellent suggestions for this condition.  Hey, I have hope again.  Good luck!

Hello Poodlelover,

As a co-moderator of this forum I just approved your post but had a question. Are you sure you meant to write "Wilson's TEMPERATURE Syndrome" and not "Wilson's THYROID Syndrome"?

Warmly,

I had Wilson's Thyroid Syndrome in the past and lost 40 pounds on T3 medication.

When I started using EFT, without particularly tapping on food or weight issues, I was soon eating half as much as I used to.  The Wilson's symptoms came back, since my body went into famine mode.  I was able to use EFT to get my low temp back to normal, and now I am working on the other symptoms, mainly metabolism.

Anyone who is gaining weight and has a below-normal temperature should look into Wilson's.  Most doctors haven't heard of it.  The meds are hard to take (they must be timed to the minute) so I am trying EFT this time.

Blessings!

The whole point is, although I really love Gary and all the EFT folks, their focus when it comes to weight issues is very one-dimensional.  They assume that anyone who struggles with weight has a food addiction and binges on junk food and/or sweets.  If they say they're not they're lying or deceiving themselves.  This is not true in my case.  I'm not lying.  I'm not deceiving myself.  I have to admit that I resent the assumption a little bit.

I don't "like" sugar.  Actually I hate most American candies because they are WAY too sweet for my taste.  Gag.  Generally I almost never eat sugar at all, except the occasional very dark chocolate and some honey in my morning coffee or tea.  I rarely order dessert when at a restaurant, and generally don't keep candy in the house.  I said I tend to crave it when I'm working 12-hour night shifts and my body gets all screwed up.  Try being awake for 24+ hours in a row and see if you don't crave sweets.  Especially if your mealtimes get all messed around.  Even then I wouldn't say I eat more of it than my peers.  I've switched to evenings but I still have to work one night shift per week (sometimes two) due to staffing issues.  I'm feeling a little better, but of course the weight isn't going anywhere.

I am sure my problem is partly endocrine.  Type 2 diabetes runs in my mother's family very strongly.  My mother also worked night shifts for a long time, and she believes it -- plus her family history -- contributed to her diabetes.  I'm not a diabetic yet in case you're wondering.  My blood sugar is always on the low side of normal -- which probably means that I'm headed there, because my pancreas is a bit overactive.  One day it might peter out, or I might develop insulin resistance.

I tapped on every angle I could think of; psychological and physiological both.  Nothing.

I decided to try the HCG protocol.  I'm having absolutely no difficulty sticking to the very restrictive 500-cal diet.  Actually, compared to what I usually eat, I feel like I'm on an eating spree, although I miss having milk in my coffee.  I was doing great until I worked a night shift last Saturday night.  Then I hit the skids.  Even though I was sticking to the diet, I was experiencing hunger and my weight stopped dropping.  I had to increase my dosage after that, and my weight is starting to go down again.

By the way, I'm not afraid of fat at all.  I have a Jersey cow and two 5-gallon cans of lard from two pigs I butchered last year.

 Hi,

Losing weight & keeping it off can be a tricky and complex thing. When you find the core emotional issues and you clear them--it will feel like magic when they are released.

What is the payoff for keeping weight on? Do you ever eat when your body doesn't need it? Do you ever eat too much? These are things I would look at. I would also take all of your statements that you have given in what you wrote and make them into set-up phrases.

Also, have you looked at your feelings about your body? Have you look at issues like anger about not being able to lose weight or it not being fair.

My understanding is that it isn't good to go below 1200 calories/day~that your body goes into starvation mode and hangs on to the weight.

My recommendation is to be in touch with whatever that comes up. It is all tappable. Don't give up. Notice your thoughts...Remember the traumatic events around eating, food and your body.

 JoAnn

Hi again, I agree with you, it is not an addiction, even when people are overeating it has more to do with malnutrition than addiction. Their bodies are screaming for nutrients but are only getting empty carbs because that is what the person understands to be food, but others, like you, just do not have an appetite at all because your body has given up sending those signals. Your body is not getting the nutrients it needs for many possible reasons, one of them being that you do not eat very much. Another one is a malfunctioning digestive system which may be blocking your absorbtion of nutrients.

Please do not do a calory restricted diet, this does not help and only sends your body the wrong signals. Eat plenty of fresh veg,  fruit, good fats and meat (unrestricted) and eleminate complex carbs and your body will sort itself out. Do a google search on SCD diet and follow their recommendations. When your body is well nourished it will cease to hang on to every bit of energy it can and the weight will fall off. Also you will regain a healthy appetite (like the one you had when you were a child). Try to focus on getting healthy, not on the weight so much. The weight in itself is not important, your health is.

Thanks,

I am not doing a calorie restricted diet.  I am doing the HCG protocol.  If you do a google search on this you will see that it is a safe, effective way to lose weight and reset your metabolism.  You may be taking in small amounts of food but since your body is releasing stored fat you are effectively releasing thousands of calories per day.  If I'm losing an average of a pound per day that means I'm burning 3500 calories, if I remember correctly.  And you only stay on this at the most for six weeks at a time, so it's not a permanent thing.  It is not recommended to eat like that forever.  After the six weeks you can have anything in any amounts you want except sugar and starches for three weeks.  This continues the process of fixing your metabolism and tastes so you are able to maintain.  It also can reverse NIDDM because it works on the endocrine system.

I already eat fresh fruits, veg, and meat.  I raise most of these myself -- except the fruit, which I purchase from local orchards.  I also eat a lot of naturally fermented foods and raw dairy.  I make my own long-fermented bread with whole grains or purchase sprouted Essene bread, which contains no processed grains.  I looked up the SCD diet as you suggested.  I agree with some of the things they say, such as avoiding highly processed carbs.  I have a friend with celiac and Chrohn's and she has to avoid gluten altogether.  I don't think the SCD diet is appropriate for me, however, because I don't have Crohn's, celiac, etc.  I also don't agree with their idea  that people should stay away from all dairy.  Raw dairy and raw fermented dairy products are tolerated by nearly everyone.  Even a lot of people with chronic, severe digestive problems can do soured raw dairy from grassfed cows or goats; and a lot of them find relief when they include these foods in their diets.  I completely see where you are coming from about digestion but I don't believe this is my problem.  One thing I've always had going for me is a good digestion.  I feel that my problem is endocrine.  This fits my overall genetic profile more closely.  I want sweets because my blood sugar is low.  And sometimes the difficulty of preparing healthy foods and bringing them to work with me is a bit overwhelming.  If I have the right foods available I eat those and am quite happy.

There were Native Americans on my mother's side of the family.  I know they tend to be more prone to diabetes on a modern diet than Europeans.  I wonder sometimes if that is where that family's sensitivity to refined carbs comes from. 

You are probably right that I don't feel hunger anymore because my body has given up sending me those signals.  Unfortunately, in my searches for optimum health I've tried a lot of things that were not really so healthy.  I've disciplined my body and ignored hunger so much that I do it automatically.  Interestingly, the HCG protocol has brought that to light to me pretty profoundly.  You are not supposed to be hungry.  If you are, there's something wrong and you won't lose.  That's why I had to increase my dosage of the HCG on the protocol.  Now that I have, I'm doing better.  I have very little hunger and am enjoying my simple little meals.  No desire for sweets at all.  I don't have a desire to cheat either, as long as I keep on schedule with the drops and drink enough water.