This particular article is in response to several requests I have received regarding the topic of weight loss and specifically my own weight loss and what I did. Let me begin by clarifying that I didn’t lose anything. I made a change! So if you are ready to hear about that change, then let’s begin!
If I were to ask you how many weight loss programs, weight loss pills, diets, methods, techniques, surgeries, books, DVDs, or websites dedicated to weigh loss, do you have any idea of a number? Well to give you an idea, when I typed in “weight loss” in Google, I was told there are about 408,000,000 results!! Seems there is quite a bit on this topic. When I typed in “metaphysical weight loss” it said, about 1,620,000 results which is still quite a bit. And rather than try to reinvent the wheel, I simply want to tell you what I personally did to transform a 230 pound body to one that is 173 pounds.
Well for those who may not know, it is generally believed that the body mirrors the inner workings of the subconscious and that weight gain is typically interpreted as the need or desire to feel safe, protected, shielded, and/or hidden so that further pain, guilt, or harm cannot be done to the person. For example, it is not uncommon for someone who is abused to gain weight so as not to look attractive or sexually appealing. While this has nothing to do with why someone rapes or abuses another person, the subconscious of the person who is abused can be quite creative in its methods of self preservation and protection.
Looking at my own life and assuming this supposition to be true, I had to assess what I would be protecting myself from. For most of my life I have been active and my body in excellent shape. When did that change? First weight gain in 2000 when I left Pittsburgh to move to Richmond, VA and assuming a metaphysical mind body correlation, the guilt, anger, and resentment I felt could very well have been the beginning energetic cause.
No one simply wakes up one morning weighting 30 additional pounds; there is a gradual accumulation of this weight. I can look back and see how my thoughts affected my level of activity, self esteem, and eating habits. The more “weighted” and burdened I felt, the more weighted I became. Hmmm
So the next major shift in weight gain occurred when I was living in the DC metro area. I was working as a full time interpreter and part-time guest performing artist for an all deaf performance company. As I began to have several unsuccessful relationships, felt inadequate as both an interpreter and performer, and stressed about money, the next ten or so pounds accrued. By now I was approximately 190 pounds and still not active as I once was which in itself was interesting because I was very active into martial arts and once I left Pittsburgh in 2000 and stopped teaching it, I also slowly stopped practicing it.
The weight continued to “creep” ever so slowly adding inches, pounds, and stress to my life. Over the next few years, I returned to teaching at the college level, moved a series of times (5 total in a 1 year period of time), completed 4 doctoral degrees, wrote and published my first two books, engaged in several unhealthy and unsuccessful relationships, fell into despair, depression and suicidal ideations as I had while in high school! In 2009 I returned to teaching in a public school setting and after resigning two years later, the weight gain was the most dramatic and the health related issues skyrocketed. I developed high cholesterol, knee and joint pain, arthritis in my left shoulder, numbness in the fingers on my left hand, and migraine headaches which I had not had experienced in many years had redeveloped.
Now weighing approximately 230, unemployed, without medical benefits, single, and somewhat frustrated, I decided that enough was enough!
Step 1: Identify the baggage I had accumulated and now needed to release.
Step 2: Develop a fitness routine that I was ready to stick with. (I in fact joined a gym this time)
Step 3: Change the relationship I was having with food, especially “comfort foods” which for me were sweets like cake and cookies.
Step 4: Develop a spiritual practice that was in alignment with the “me” I was choosing to be.
Step 5: Just do it and Just be it!
Once these 5 steps were engaged and I moved in congruency with them, the weight transformed to what I desired it to be.
Let me go a little more into detail to make sure this is clear should you desire to do the same in your life (smile).
Step 1: I identified the hurts, pains, guilt, shame, resentment, that needed to be brought to the light and healed. Once the baggage was healed, forgiven, and transmuted, the remaining processes simply flowed.
Step 2: I joined a gym, began doing elliptical machine, some weight resistance exercises, ab work and returned to doing my personal martial arts practice and then eventually teaching private classes again.
Step 3: I reduced my overall calorie intake once I realized I was cramming 3 days worth of calories into one day! I also began to monitor the amount of saturated fat I was consuming. This resulted in bringing my cholesterol and blood pressure back into very healthy and acceptable ranges when I went to see my doctor for a checkup. I began eating much more fruit and vegetables in meals which I was now preparing rather than doing so much fast food. I cannot recall the last time I ate at a burger place (no names lol). Now I reserve certain days for “splurge” when I allow myself to indulge in NYC pizza or a slice of cheesecake.
Step 4: I developed a more active and effective spiritual practice that was in alignment with the me I wanted to be. I began doing various activities daily and others interspersed in the week as desired; such as meditating, affirmations, Spiritual Mind Treatments, Reiki, Chi Gong, Tantra, spiritual reading, Tibetan singing bowl sound therapy, mudras, kotodama and mantras, dream journaling, Oracle card readings, and more. This was a very important piece of the equation as it is the foundation for how life manifests and out- pictures. The more firm my foundation where I know who and what I am as a spiritual being, the more my life will demonstrate peace, joy, love, and prosperity. The more “miracles” and serendipity and synchronicity will appear to guide and direct me to being the highest and best me possible in each moment. This is where the self esteem, self worth, and confidence comes from!
Step 5: Simply do it… live life accordingly in order to be what I wanted to be. If I wanted to be in better shape, I had to live, think, and behave as a person in better shape. A person who is in better shape who feels confident and worthy will not binge on chocolate cake and chocolate chip cookies because he feels lonely, fat, and ugly. So as Gandhi said, I had to BE the change that I desired to see.
Again once I moved into the space where I was able to live in alignment with these steps I went from being approximately 235 pounds on March 25th (my birthday) to being what I am today, which is 173 pounds.
I have also assisted several others in beginning and maintaining the weight they have desired to be as well, also by way of these 5 steps.
If you would like more information, want to chat, ask me questions, feel free to contact me.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Blessings to you in all that you do!
xo
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