Broccoli Test (Quick Blog Post) - Over Eating

For all of my clients looking to control their weight, there is a lot more planning than in any other type of Hypnosis (with drug and alcohol addictions a close second). This is obvious when you think about it; when you don’t eat, you have to do something! Also there is a lot of cognitive reframing, e.g., what is food for?

However, a lot of what we do is pre-planning for times when food could be an issue.

Unlike alcohol or drugs, over-eating is doubly difficult as everyone needs to eat. Imagine if an alcoholic had to go to a bar three times a day and only take a sip of Scotch. There is a lot of temptation there! And every time they walk into their break room, people are popping champagne (work birthday cakes, the bane of over-eaters everywhere!)

Food is impossible to avoid! Humans need to eat.

So there is an additional level of difficulty for these clients.

So first, we work with the Unconscious to view food as fuel, not as a balm for boredom or as a celebratory bonus hit of Dopamine to heighten a good time.

Next, we have to calibrate the client’s nessessity for eating — in other words, the client should only eat when they are actually hungry.

One of the best ways to do this is for the client to ask themselves, “Would I eat broccoli?” (Or substitute a food you find merely meh.) And, no, no dressing or dip! If the answer is “yes” then, and only then should they consider eating.

This is an easy way to gauge hunger that can really clear up the confusion for a new “healthy eater”.

As always, be kind to yourself, and remember, I am rooting for you! You deserve peace, joy and happiness!