Visualization for Weight Loss -The Gabriel Method

Part II: Nonphysical Stresses that Activate the FAT Programs

a kid). My father did not want my brother to suffer the pain that he experienced growing up, so he did everything in his power to try and help my brother lose weight. However well-meaning his intentions were, it only served to make my brother feel pow- erless over his own eating. I remember when we were kids, my brother told me that every time he had some spare change, he would buy junk food with the deliberate aim of getting the most calories for his money. Parents, children, husbands, and wives should be aware that nagging sends a couple of harmful messages: Nagging can lead to resentment and a desire to stay fat in order to make a point. One thing that I’m eternally grateful for is that, while I was gaining weight, my spouse never said a word about it, which I think is pretty incredible. I believe this made it much easier for me when I was finally ready to lose weight. And you can’t force people to lose weight anyway; they lose weight when they’re ready. This applies especially to children. Testing Love: Pushing Our Loved Ones Away If we think that someone loves us, not for ourselves but for what we have, it’s logical to get rid of what we have to see if they still stick around through the “for richer or poorer” phases of our lives. If we think that someone only loves us for our looks, we may wish to test that love by seeing if they still love us no matter how we look. We may also want to push our partners away because we feel unlovable, or because they are being too demanding emotionally or in the bedroom. If you’re a new mother, you may feel like you just “need a little space,” both from your children and your husband. I find this to be very common. You may love your family with all your heart, wanting only to give and give, but if you don’t • “You’re not okay the way you are.” • “I know better than you what’s good for you.”

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