Have you heard of the Emotional Freedom Technique? The woman from Crazy Sexy Cancer and Diet talks about how it helped her to kick sugar, a known cancer enhancer. If you read my post about sugar addiction then you know I’m fully open to new tactics that will help change my habits!! In fact EFT is one of the options also listed inBeyond Sugar Shock: The 6-Week Plan to Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction & Get Slimmer, Sexier & Sweeter, which is the book I’m reading now to give you a full review (and possibly another sugar free challenge). EFT or NLP (neuro linguistic programming) is a little like doing at home acupuncture as it gives you a way to realign the body and to interrupt habitual patterns.
“In NLP the unconscious mind represents those physiological and cognitive processes that occur outside of conscious awareness.”
The details I’m going to share are specifically from a program by Slimminds.com which helps to conquer food cravings. However tapping can really be used for anything from food cravings to fear of speaking in front of crowds to improving athletic performance.
Behavior is driven by two things:
1. Get or maintain a pleasant sensation
2. Avoid unpleasant sensations
Eating actually does both! This is what makes cravings so powerful and changing eating habits often so difficult. A few of the main things which can increase cravings:
- Poor nutrition - Insulin Resistance
- Allergies - Low protein
- Low Fat - Hormones
- Stress
I have researched a lot on EFT over the last few years because it kept popping up in things I was reading. This program is the first comprehensive at home tool that I have come across. You can certainly watch a few YouTube videos to get the initial gist of things, but this puts all the thought patterns in place, gives you a lot of examples and shows you how this process of tapping can help to release the negative emotions that are driving some of your unconscious habits.
For example have you ever noticed that after an angry call from a customer, you simply must have a cookie. Your stomach growls, you feel light headed, man you NEED this cookie. It’s an unconsciously triggered response due to past behaviors. What EFT does is give you a tool to stop for a few moments, break the connection and uh oh deal with the REAL emotion.
EFT is a process where you tap on specified points on the body, while repeating phrases to help you release emotions. It sounds more difficult than it is, you can check out some videos here. I like the idea that I can do this anywhere! I’ve tried it a few times and will be testing it out more this week while in New Jersey where I’m sure sweets will be abundantly available…feeling a craving hit, but knowing it’s not hunger or not leading to an ultimate goal then take a moment, probably a trip to the bathroom, and run through the tapping sequence to help decrease the desire…again while this has am immediate effect it’s actually helping to create new long term habits.
ATHLETES AND EFT
I’ve always said that running is a MENTAL sport…how cool to have a tool that would help you break through anxieties, perfectionism, negative thoughts, past injuries, poor race performances or self-confidence issues. This short quick process can be done before a race or any key workout to help improve performance and lessen anxiety…especially for those coming back from an injury that “UH Oh will it happen again” feeling can be combatted to get you back sooner.
WORKOUTS
July 2
AM: All day flying home (seriously 14 hours!)
PM: Strong Like Susan Abs day 2
July 3
AM: bicep and chest, jump rope, Strong Like Susan Abs day 3
PM: Easy 2 mile run, 30 min walk
July 4
AM: 15 min bike to beach, 3.6 mile run (33 min), 20 min walk, 15 min bike, Shoulders and legs, 10 min stretch
PM: 30 min walk to see fireworks
July 5
AM: Back and triceps, Strong Like Susan Abs Day 5, 3 mile run with 4x1 min hill sprints, 15 min walk
PM: 50 min walk, 10 min stretch
Anyone else starting to realize your running gear is getting out of control?
July 6
AM: HIIT – 6x 3min run (9:30 avg), 1 min sprint (6:20 avg), 1 min walk (14:30 avg) + 25 min walk, Strong Like Susan Abs Day 6, stretch
PM: 55 min walk
July 7
AM: 40 min walk, Strong Like Susan Abs, 30 min yoga…walk to and from friends for POOL TIME!! 20 min
See Oakley performs…then relaxes!
July 8
AM: 15 min bike, 5 mile run (avg 9:20 pace), short swim, 15 min bike, chest and bicep weights, 10 min stretch
PM: Fly to New Jersey for Oakley Pro Am
Do you notice when cravings hit due to life and not well hunger? Have you ever tried EFT or NLP? And the biggie..who wants a Sugar Free Challenge?
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Gratitude Journal
July 9
I am grateful for Coola Organic sunscreen! I feel safer lathering up my biggest organ with natural ingredients.
