Food and The Need to Feel Different

Hi,

I was going over some of the posts that I printed out in order to use them for support and motivation and got to thinking again.

I had asked myself the question, "What are you looking for when you eat?" and had come up with a really revealing post (link to post) but as I began to re-read it I cut the question down to, "What are you looking for?" and realized I am looking for a feeling.

That feeling of peace which I have only experienced through the Spirit of God.

Psalm 16:11
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

I really do find the most joy in speaking with God, worshiping Him, reading His Word and writing Bible study/commentaries. When I am doing that, I feel complete and full. God is amazing.

So why would I look for that in food?

John 6:27

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

Of course, it is "D." Biochemical triggers and the need to feel different.

The above is a quote from "The Anatomy of A Food Addiction" which I had been reading for a while. Link: (to the book).

I think I know how to handle the biochemical triggers which I consider to be carb cravings. I know she is talking about something more scientific but I happen to know, very well, that when I start eating too many carbs, too often, the eating machine starts to be in full swing. The biochemical triggers are real. My personal solution is the 3-day carb fast which really does set me right again.

The one thing that is really hard for me to control is that "need to feel different" which is why I go to carbs in the first place. I have not really investigated that before. I've become a little more aware of it, but have not really looked at what is going on there.

I'm thinking that that may be the place where I need to use the process of writing down my thoughts and then analyzing them, then providing a positive replacement for them which I was reminded of at Victory Steps. Link: (to the web site)

I'm feeling a little fearful of this one. Its like I want to "not" investigate this, so prayer is needed. I will go to God with this one. 

As I was about to end this post, I got interrupted by the dryer finishing so I went and hung up the clothes and left the folding of the socks for a little later this evening. That was just enough distance for me to come back and resume my sharing.

This seems like a really core issue so I really do want to wait and go to God first on this one. I know that He will show me what I need. I don't have to do this alone.

I also know that just being aware of this is a good thing.

I am fasting today and have about an hour or so before I will have my meal. 

I also believe in "holding the question" -- which means I don't want the slick fast answers -- I want to look at the question, "What feeling are you looking for?"

One statement that I got from the Victory Steps, "Emotional Eating" program that I listened to is this:

"There are foods that we are consuming for entertainment – and not just for entertainment but as a substitute for prayer, for communication with other Christians, and as a substitute for God’s love and His Holy Spirit. Any time we use something physical like food or drugs or alcohol or shopping or sex – something physical to fulfill an emotional or spiritual need we will always fall short and frustrate ourselves. Because it is like drinking water from a glass with a giant hole in the bottom. " 
From: (Overcoming Emotional Eating and Negative Thinking, By: Bonnie MeChelle)

I wonder where all this will take me. I'm feeling positive about this, now. Thank you Lord!

Be back soon, Lord willing,

Marcia

The Learning Curve

Hi,

This new space is just that "new." I am just learning how to live in it.

Last night I was avoiding going to bed. So, remembering the pleasure I am having in my new discovery I picked up my notebook and began to read, thinking it would be fun. As I read I started to be anxious and nervous. Oh no. The more I tried to read the more anxious I got. I knew there was something that I needed to see but was not going to see it in continuing what I was doing.

I played some mindless games to calm down and then went to bed. As I thought and prayed it dawned on me that I had been trying to learn how to do this on my own. In my unconscious mind I had turned it into a "project" that I had to accomplish.

As I prayed I was remind that I don't have to do this. That is not what it means to have faith. Yes, there are some works that need to be done as a result of faith, but faith is not created by works. My faith is not created by my works. I don't have a new project, I have a restored life. I'm learning a new way to LIVE!

I remembered a scripture:

John 6:27-29
²⁷ Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
²⁸ Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
²⁹ Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

New life is a gift from God which we receive by faith in the Son of God. As I realized that I had taken this on as a burden, I remembered that I can give my burdens to Jesus. As I did, I felt the relief He gives. I felt the rest He gives.

Matthew 11:28-30
²⁸ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Yes, learning how to live life differently requires a little patience and kindness to yourself and your feelings. It is not going to happen over night and it won't happen by using old methods. It requires a new method. It requires faith in the One who fights my battles for me.

Thank God.

Today as I stood doling out my supplements, again, I recalled that what I need is faith in the new life that Jesus has given me.  Faith in His restoration. 

When I realized I was hungry it was a pleasure to have a big salad already made in my fridge. I filled a bowl with salad as I decided what else to have with it. At first I thought about the sausage that I plan on having with veggies. Or I could choose more flax crackers with cream cheese. I ended up with flax crackers and peanut butter.

When I started to eat, I began with my salad and it was so good I just continued to pursue it. When the bowl was empty I thought, "Wow, that really was enough!"... but that was hard for me to believe so I did a few crackers as I watched myself go beyond the "enough" stage that my body was signaling to me.  So odd.

Then I realized that I had not believed the message so I did not stop immediately. I ate a few crackers with peanut butter and soon folded up the bag and put the jar away because I was full.

This is a new one. I have to realize that the message from my body is more important than the plan I had for the meal. The message from my body is more important than the food in the bowl or on the plate. The message is more important than the menu!!  This is so new, and so cool to be learning. I pray the Lord will give me the strength to believe the message and respond appropriately.

I want to respond to the message as the truth that it is.

I am also kind of flabbergasted at how little my stomach actually requires. It is actually like the skinny people on the BBC program "Supersize vs. Superskinny" which is the only reference I have.

I'm not saying I want to be superskinny. What I am saying is the habits I used to live by are no longer the ones I want to nurture. I want to nurture the new life I have been restored to so I need a new picture or reality about me in this area.

I recall that some of the superskinny would eat one candy bar and call that a meal. This is all they might eat for hours on end. That was not healthy but, wow, one candy bar. Not a bag of candy bars... just one.

I want to take my body seriously so I want to practice simply getting the message and then putting the fork down. When my body says enough, then I will be finished, too. Not sure I can do this on my own, so I'm asking the Lord for guidance and help.

Don't want to go on and on.... so will stop here for now.

Be back soon,

Marcia

Holding on to My Salvation

Hi,

Bonnie Mechelle, founder of "Victory Steps," said this: 

The devil really is using food to conquer God’s people!!

There are foods that we are consuming for entertainment – and not just for entertainment but as a substitute for prayer, for communication with other Christians, and as a substitute for God’s love and His Holy Spirit.

  
I was standing near the kitchen sink about to begin taking my supplements, gazing at the window blinds, and I began re-experiencing the reconnection to myself. It felt so good and safe and real and I was thrilled by it all over again. I was kind of peering into my stomach area with the renewed freedom while observing and enjoying the connection that I now have. I then noticed I was also standing taller and feeling, I think the word may be, "confident," or "free." Surely it was "unburdened."  Bless God oh my soul!! And forget not all His benefits!! Such a joy.

It is important to me to keep my faith in this new... I'm searching for the word.... perhaps..... oneness. It is important to me that I continue to be reconnected by faith.

It is not so much that I need to change the habits that have been formed over the last 60 years, but that I need to keep tuned into the reconnection. Nurture it. Water it. Let it grow and get firmly established. It would be easy to let the old habits take over, but they have never been productive and need to be allowed to fade.

Overcoming by faith. Yes, that is it. The renewing of the mind nurtured by faith in God and what He has given me.

It is like the story of the sower in the Bible and the seed that fell on good ground.

Luke 8:4-15 KJV
⁴ And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:
⁵ A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
⁶ And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
⁷ And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
⁸ And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
⁹ And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?
¹⁰ And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
¹¹ Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
¹² Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
¹³ They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
¹⁴ And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
¹⁵ But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

The renewing that I have felt is very much like the renewal we receive in Christ. In fact, I feel, that this renewal is part of my growing in Christ. I've been praying for the Lord to give me a new heart and to be restored based on this verse:

Psalm 51: 9-12
⁹ Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
¹¹ Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
¹² Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

God is so precious and loving. He always gives so much more than I thought I was asking for. Thank you Lord.

Verse 12 is exactly the idea I've been searching for here.  If I let the devil take away the word, the renewal, out of my heart, it will keep me from believing and I won't actually be rescued. Don't let it get trodden down as in verse 5.

Or like those is verse 13 I could receive the word with joy, but if I have no root and do not let it get rooted in me, I might believe for a while, and then in the time of temptation I would fall back into my old ways and the renewal would be left behind. If I don't water it as in verse 6, it will simply wither away.

Or like verse 14 I could hear it and let other things choke the renewal with cravings and the pleasures of this life bringing no fruit to wholeness or perfection. As in verse 7, don't let the thorns spring up.

I would rather be like verse 15: "But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience."

An honest and good heart believes in the goodness and the renewal. Once it has been experienced it is kept close to the heart and real in the mind. Oh yes, "keep" it. Hold on to it. Trust it. Believe it. 

"Bring forth fruit with patience." It requires patience to bring forth the good result. 

When the old habits show up, I want to become more aware, sooner, so I can nip them in the bud, because I believe in what the Lord has given me. But nipping them in the bud does not come immediately and all at once. It requires patience to allow yourself to learn to turn to the Lord sooner -- before, rather than after.

It may begin by recognizing it when it resurfaces and going to the Lord with faith that He forgives and that He helps to hold you up. It's like baby steps but with practice and remembering, and holding on to the truth and the renewal it will come sooner and sooner. It will move from "after the fact" to "before it begins" by holding on to Him. By turning to Him in faith.

1. 1 John 5:4
   For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
    
2. Revelation 17:14
   These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

We can overcome the habits of a lifetime. We can have victory and overcome -- by FAITH in what God has given us! They that are with Jesus, walk with Him. They are not only called, and chosen, they are FAITHFUL.

Faith produces certain things in our lives. It produces works! We do what we do by faith. Every person has a portion of faith. It is what we put our faith in, that causes us to do what we do.

My renewal took place when I re-experienced what it was like when my "eating" was truly as God had given it to me. Back when my eating was governed by the natural responses that God puts in all of us. Back before anything had gotten in the way or changed my course. Back before I made the decision that changed my life when I was a BABY! When God restored my heart He removed that wrong decision and all its consequences. He prompted me to see and feel and re-experience that time of freedom and gave it back to me. Thank you Lord.

I need to, want to, keep what He gave me. I need to nurture that newness in my heart. I need to keep my faith in Him.

So that was what "reliving" it did. Made it real for me again. It is so important to continue in Him and what He has given us. We do that by trusting. We do it by actively re-creating it for ourselves. We let ourselves be reminded by reading His word. We nurture our prayer life with Him. We seek Him.

James 4:8
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 

 I am so grateful for the instruction book -- the Bible -- which teaches us not only Whom to seek, but how to seek Him for every need in our lives. There may be some who think that comparing my experience to salvation is somehow "shallow." But I know that God saved me and restored me and I am holding on to Him and to what He has given me.

Psalm 103:2

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

 

Keep the newness alive by faith.

 

Be back soon,

 

Marcia

 

 

 

Still Completely Thrilled!!

Hi!!

I just have to share about continuing to live in this new revelation (see yesterday's post).

I just keep praising the Lord for His Goodness to me. It is really a joy to really feel whole and complete in Him!! It is so good to be restored -- to be renewed -- and I owe it all to the Lord!!

To an "outsider" it may look like I did this myself, but I happen to know that God brought me here. He restored me because there is no restoration outside of Him! It is what He does! Amen!

It is so glorious to actually feel myself again. I've been paying attention to this renewal and having new experiences. This may sound crazy but I really do feel like I have been restored to the place I would have been if none of that old stuff had ever happened!! It is a new revelation and a new life in Christ.

I feel inside like the thin woman I was meant to be. I am renewed. It is a very real picture for me. I don't have to "make it up" it is real inside me. Thank the Lord!! Praise God!

Yesterday I went to lunch with a friend and we went to my favorite Mexican restaurant, Los Hermanos, on the corner of Hwy 29 and Indian Trail in Lilburn. I always get the chicken fajitas when we go. When they put the chips and salsa on the table I made a conscious effort to forgo them and wait for my one plate of food. I also did not order the guacamole dip that I usually order. I'm so glad I did. That cut out a lot of carbs.

Then when the food came it was on a humongous plate. I had fasted the day before and had eaten very small after that, so I was hungry. The plate was steaming hot and so lovely to look at. I thought about the beans and rice but did not fasten on to the idea that I "should" leave the rice behind. I remembered that part of the Victory Steps program includes a few carbs with a meal so I simply accepted them and went on. I had not eaten chips, so I ate the rice and beans along with the chicken, green pepper, onions, shredded lettuce, guacamole, and sour cream that it all comes with.

I simply enjoyed the meal. I ate. I listened to my friend talk. I shared. I drank water. When I was done, I was finished. Praise the Lord!! No need for anything else!! It was such a pleasure.

I laughed when I noticed that I had not eaten the pico di'gallo which means I left something on my plate. I did not eat it because of the tomato, which I am slightly allergic to, but still, I had left something on my plate. My friend is a slow eater and I am a fast eater so then I simply sat and talked with him as he went on slowly eating and talking. It was fun. When the waiter wanted to take my plate, I asked him not to remove mine until my friend's plate was removed. I don't like to sit there without my empty plate while he still has his and is eating.

At one point I saw myself pick up my fork and start scraping the plate, but I remembered that I don't have to scrape the plate clean, so I simply set the fork down on the plate and was not bothered by it again. So fun!!

The waiter tried to take my plate about three times, but each time, I politely and with a smile, explained that I wanted to keep it until my friend was done. Looking back I see that I felt that this was a journey we were both taking and I did not want to go to the next step without him. I think it is a lonely place to be when everyone else's plate is removed and you are still there eating. I think it is a lonely place to be to have my plate removed while my friend is still eating so, this time, I just made sure I stayed in the pleasant companionable place with my friend -- and our plates.

Through yesterday and today I've been really enjoying eating small and only when it seems right to me. Small is enough for me. In the Victory Steps program they talk about serving sizes being the same size as your hand. Today when I woke up I knew I was thirsty so I drank a bottle of water. Later I drank some more. Then after I had some more, I realized I was hungry and wanted some breakfast.

As I looked in the fridge I noticed the eggs and pulled them out, but did not want to eat only eggs. I needed some veggies, too, so I recalled that I have some green beans in the fridge and got them out along with a package of frozen bell peppers and onions. I threw one handful of peppers and onions in the pan, then I threw in one handful of Italian green beans and sauted them in coconut oil with a little salt, curry powder, granulated garlic and pepper. I savored the fact that I was cooking the right size, or quantity, of food.

When it came time to break the eggs I had been thinking about three eggs but remembered that the serving size is "one handful" so I put two eggs in my hand and that was a handful so I had two eggs.

I like this new "handful" serving size. That means I can cook for one, now, and not an army. It means I can cook for one, and not from the lust for food. I can cook enough. I love that word enough. It means just the right amount -- it is neither too small to satisfy, nor too much to eat on one plate. It is perfect. It is enough.

As I put the egg carton away with only one egg in it, I remembered that I don't have to make decisions about that one egg right now. I can just put it away and let it become part of some future decision. That felt really good. Before I would probably have eaten it -- out of that same "clean plate" syndrome. I don't need to finish off anything in the fridge as a way to manage it. I can leave some things to a future time or other situation.... it does not matter now. It was so fun to realize that I am no longer stuck with cleaning things up, or finishing them off, by eating them. My eating now has nothing to do with that! Hallelujah!!

Praise the Lord! Thank you Father! My eating has nothing to do with plates, or food, or what's left, or whats on the shelf. My eating has to do with me and myself. It is as simple and plain and freeing as that!! My eating has to do with me and what I want or need. What is perfect for me. I really like "enough." Amen.

I pictured leaving some food behind on my plate, or in the fridge, or on the table, or anywhere, and realized that it was of no interest to me. It was of no consequence and meant nothing to me personally. It has nothing to do with me. I no longer have to monitor it, and make sure of anything about it. It is separate from me. I am a new creation in Christ! Thank you my Lord! My eating is a personal thing. It is my own personal adventure and starts and stops with me. What I say goes. This is such a new thing for me. I really like it.

I actually enjoy "not eating" and that surprises me, too, today.  Since I tried out the intermittent fasting I learned that not eating is a very nice place to be. I like it better because it feels lighter in my body. Drinking water is a good thing, too. I actually need water and air much more than I need food. And for all those worriers out there, no, I am not planning on never eating again. I like to eat, too, I just don't HAVE to eat like I did. I don't have to always eat. I can drink water. I can breathe and feel satisfaction. I can eat and enjoy and then move on. I think this is what normal eating is supposed to be. Praise the Lord!!

I am still very excited and pray that the Lord helps me to continue to walk in this new way and to continue to trust in Him.

I've had "revelations" or "highs" before that I believed were going to be life changing -- but I can see that this one really is and I am excited by that.

I am playing with the "one handful" portion size. I am experiencing eating one plate full of good food from time to time and letting it be finished when it is finished. Letting it be enough. I am enjoying having small one handful meals, too. Like one handful of walnuts, plain or with mustard and spices, is a tasty small meal. An ounce of feta cheese is a tasty and filling small meal. For some reason I don't want to call them "snacks" I want to call them small meals. That seems right to me in this new place.

I am no longer a big eater, I am a small eater, like I've always been but did not realize. This is what I was meant to be.

I do realize that I have to cooperate with this new place but I am not worried about that. I trust that the Lord will help me walk this new road. He will take me to my new destination with no thought or worry from me. He is able and He is always good!! Every day is a new day to experience "enough for me."  And I am glad.

This is so great!

Love the Lord!!

Amen!

Be back soon,

Marcia


This is a new and wonderful place to be in.


Women's Christian Weight Loss and Wellness Coaching Progam: Victory Steps

Look for audio program: Overcoming Emotional Eating and Negative Thinking

What is Your Actual Goal When You are Eating?

I was going over my notes from listening to an audio program by Bonnie MeChelle (founder of  the women's "Victory Steps Christian Weight Loss Group" -- victorysteps.net) called "Overcoming Emotional Eating and Negative Thinking" when I realized I needed to do a "process."

This is the section I was reading:

"Ideally you want to eat when you are hungry and stop when you are satisfied. What we do as emotional eaters is we wait until we are “starving” to eat. Then we overeat, past the point of fullness, past “satisfaction” and go way over to “stuffed.” 

"If you eat to the point of “stuffed” on a consistent basis, you are going to gain weight."

This statement really hit me and I realized I needed to "journal" about it. What I want to share is what I wrote in my journal about this. Here it is:

My goal when I am eating -- what I am seeking is that feeling of "full"

What does "full" feel like and what does it mean, to you?

"Full" means happy. Full means completely satisfied. Full means I could not actually eat even one more bite. Full means there is no more room for "anything else." (Nothing else has a place in me. Everything else is blocked out.) "Full" feels like a good place to be. Full feels like Christmas. Aaaaaaaah.

BUT eating until you are full on a consistent basis makes you gain weight -- it makes you fat. It slows down your body and makes you tired and sleepy. It makes you not want to move -- let alone do anything.

FULL IS NOT YOUR FRIEND

Full actually keeps you from feeling happy !!!

Full is way past the point your body actually says "I've had enough, you can stop now."

So there is "Enough" and "Full" -- there is also "Stuffed"

Stuffed is very uncomfortable -- painful even --

Stuffed comes from a gnawing desire to fulfill a need -- the need to feel loved.

How to fulfill that gnawing feeling: 

1. Notice it
2. Stop and breathe (20 slow deep breaths)
3. Repeat to self: "I am loved and I am worthwhile" over and over until you "receive" it deep within you
4. Ask: What am I reacting to?
5. Be patient and kind to your feelings
6. Write it down
7. Ask: Is there a solution to this?
     a. Make a plan to do what is necessary or possible regarding this
     b. Pray and turn it all over to God
     c. Trust in the Lord with all your heart 

New experiment:

1. When eating try one medium-sized satisfying moderate plateful and then no seconds. (Don't worry about storing what is left over. It is OK to put it in a container with a cover or a plastic bag, even, before you have your plateful -- in fact that is probably the best time to put it away: before you eat. Don't worry about what you will do with it, or when you will eat it, or what condition it may get into. Just store it away for now and "address" it later. You are free to choose at many points in time. You don't have to figure that out right now. That is a future choice.)
2. Examine and experience what it is like to eat just one portion
3. When you are done: Let it go. It is enough. You are OK.
IF YOU NEED IT GO ON TO STEP 4:
4. Pray for help
5. Breathe for 20
6. Say: I am loved and I am worthwhile. I can now do something else.
7. Say: I can now move on to complete a different project or activity or talk with a friend.
8. Say: I can walk away and let it go.
9. Then walk away and let it go. That meal is finished.

My next concern is a "What if" -- What if I really want to have "seconds?" (I know that "what if" statements are only meant to make me afraid, so I am not going to consider it. It will only confuse things. So the answer to this question is, "No what ifs.")

My new goal is to have one plateful and call it quits -- for real. When I originally wrote number 1 it said: "When eating try a small portion first." I had in mind that I could then, if I wanted it, have another small portion -- or "seconds" but I think I would rather that it be one medium-sized satisfying moderate plateful and then no seconds. I want to get over doing "seconds" which is where the journey to "full" always begins.

There is one other section of my notes from the tape that I want to go over. This is really from the same discussion as the above -- it is simply a little lower down the page. Here it is:

"I recommend that you leave food on the plate, on purpose, just to teach yourself that it is OK to leave food behind. You don’t have to scrape the plate and lick it clean in order to FINISH YOUR MEAL."

Then I wrote: Interesting thought: "A meal can be finished at any point you choose."

This was really a new revelation to me. It was a wonderful new idea when I first saw it and it continues to make me feel really good every time I read it. I can choose when MY meal is "finished" at any point I want to. That is MY decision! I no longer have to consider anyone or anything else. The point at which my meal is finished is completely up to me. I am free to eat as I please. It is my decision and no one else's. This makes me feel ecstatic!! Really!

And I also really enjoy the "20 breaths" breathing exercise she recommends. What Connie says to do is to use this method to interrupt a binge or where ever it is needed to help you satisfy the binge desire without actually doing a binge. The technique is to simply start to breathe very slowly and count each breath in and out.

When I tried it I was actually over joyed!! It actually touches that place in me from which the binge comes!! I did not know it was possible to touch that spot with something other than sweets or candy or binge items! This breathing method really does assuage my soul. What a revelation to me!

Here is what she says about the breathing exercise and how she describes this technique:

"Take a short relaxation break. Do a breathing exercise such as: 

SLOWING BREATH: you can do this in the car, at work, anywhere. You just take time to focus on your breath (and relaxation) as it goes in and out. 

Deep breath in: count 1, breath out: count 2 – in:3, out:4, etc. … do it very slowly all the way up to the number 20. When you get really good at it you can go to 50 and when you become a pro you can go up to 100. 

So when you are stressed and, “Oh gosh, I want some candy,” STOP, slowly count your breathing and relax."

Then she shares another extremely important step: 

"Take time to stop and think about what is really bothering you, then you can see what is bothering you. Instead of worrying about that problem, you just submit that problem up to God"

I feel confident these things will help me get beyond my addiction.

Hope you have been inspired to think you, too, can be victorious. May you be blessed to find the way out that you need.

(As I was editing and correcting and re-reading I looked at the "New experiment" again and suddenly I remembered the "High Chair Incident" which I have blogged about before. I realized that, as a baby, I had been really happy when I got to the point where I had had enough and simply stopped eating. I really got into it and re-experienced what it felt like when I had finished my food and stopped eating on my own. When I had had enough for me, I felt so very good. I felt loved. I felt accepted. I felt like everything was right. It feels very good right now just thinking about it and reliving it.

It is so thrilling to me that what I have been seeking all my life as I went for "full" was the feeling I had last had when I was full at "enough." I can stop there, now.  Don't know if anyone else gets it -- but I just feel so in touch and liberated that I want to Thank God for He has lead me here. Thank you Lord. You have answered my prayers and I am grateful!! Praise the Lord!!

I no longer have to relive the part where I was forced to eat. Mom is forgiven. I'm no longer under that "spell." I can now relive the part where I felt so very good to stop eating when I was full. I can have a new experience of joy at stopping when MY body says I'm full. I can have enough. Who needs more than enough? I don't. Enough really is enough. Enough is an excellent finishing point. It is not just about stopping, it is about finishing.)

"A meal is finished when I say so." 

No more second guessing!

I don't have to ignore that spot in me any more. That spot is mine and I love it. That spot is me. It is real. I am real. It is valid. I am valid. It is reconnected. I am reconnected. I can feel it as I breathe. I am loved and I am worthwhile. God is so good!! Praise the Lord.

It is so good to feel "whole" again.

Amazing Grace. Amazing process. Thank you, Lord. Oh Lord, please continue to make this real in me. I trust in You, my Lord!! I know you are Good. I know you are Good to me!! Thank you, Dear Lord!

Grateful.
 
Be back soon,

Marcia


There is a whole bunch more in her "tape" that I found really on point and helpful. If you'd like to listen to it here is a link: TalkShoe - Victory Steps  Look for this title: Overcoming Emotional Eating and Negative Thinking

 If you would liked to visit her web site here is a link: Victory Steps.net