Emotional eating and food cravings taunt men and women of all ages. Like many people, you may struggle to resist the temptation of overeating or eating when you are not hungry. Neuro-linguistic programmer and behavior specialist Paul McKenna's "I Can Make You Thin" program offers a logical, yet controversial, approach to kicking the snacking habit for good.
Paul McKenna
You may have seen McKenna on TLC's television program "I Can Make You Thin" named after McKenna's popular stage show in the United Kingdom. In his live shows, McKenna demonstrates the art of hypnosis and visualization to help people overcome such difficulties as cigarette smoking, weight loss and insomnia. Perhaps his greatest influence began when he demonstrated the infinite power of the human mind, incorporating his scientific and entertaining techniques in self-help seminars to encourage people to look deep for the underlying problem of unhealthy overeating.
Neuro-linguistic Programming
Neuro-linguistic programming involves a combination of neurology, language and human programming, incorporating bodily functions, environment and perceptions to create your own reality. Your body behaviors are based on the programming you have made over time through your human experience. According to the principles of neuro-linguistic programming, thought patterns, habits and behaviors can be changed through a process of retraining or reprogramming your mind. McKenna claims that learning what environmental triggers cause your food cravings and binges can help you to understand and fix the underlying problem, ultimately changing this behavior to a more beneficial one. For instance, McKenna suggests linking negative thoughts to overeating, encouraging followers of his program to associate disgusting images with problem foods in an effort to learn, or reprogram, new subconscious habits.
Golden Rules
McKenna's weight-loss program is based on the utilization of four rules: eat when you are hungry; eat whatever you are craving; enjoy what you are eating; and stop eating when you are full. These rules may seem counterproductive if you are attempting to lose weight, but McKenna claims that listening to your body and incorporating retraining techniques through neuro-linguistic programming are essential in reversing overeating habits.
Considerations
While addressing the underlying behavioral patterns that drive you to excessive eating as reiterated through McKenna's program, emphasis should also be put on the nutritional value, saturated-fat content and calories of foods you consume. The amount of food you consume can contribute to obesity, but the quality of food is vital to achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight.
Member Comments