Introduction
I was inspired to write my book by a desire to inform my patients about the root causes of their health problems but did not find enough time during the consults to explain to the nuances of all they needed to know.
Whether they were physical, emotional, spiritual or psychological, these imbalances and their interactions, led my clients to unsurmountable levels of frustration for not being able to overcome the barriers to good health and weight loss on their own.
Have you ever felt frustrated by persistent health issues? In this journey of discovery, I realised that the barriers to good health and weight loss are multifaceted, requiring a more in-depth understanding. Let’s explore how this insight could reshape your perspective on your wellness journey.
I saw certain patterns of imbalance repeating over and over and often wished I could have more time to explain the background reasons for them to exist and how we go about making corrections. When we have context and are well-informed, we can make better decisions.
In my practice, recurring imbalances indicated a need for in-depth discussion, more frequent consultations and the subsequent application of the corrective measures.
Some of those barriers I regularly encounter include hormonal problems, stagnation, inflammation but also the lack of coherence among inner identities or personas and lack of Self connection.
The desire to inform and empower
Many patients come to see me with an external goal in mind, for example, “I want to look well and be slim”, sometimes not realising that the inner work is equally important.
Some examples include creating an internal coherence between one’s personas, processing negative memories and beliefs and looking at legacy burdens (cultural burdens). It is useful to look at the possibility of inter-generational trauma influences, childhood trauma and the curious about healing any other areas that could potentially be in the way of one’s progress.
The spiritual, psycho-emotional and physical are intertwined and interconnected. When looking at physical patterns of imbalance, imagine these other dimensions directly influencing the them.
In my book, I illustrate what the main patterns of imbalance are and how to start making certain basic changes to correct them and move in the direction of healing. I make some suggestions about food and lifestyle and give ideas for the cultivation of inner harmony for outer success.
By reading my book, the idea is that you start to sense what it is like to choose new models to work with, integrative therapy and integrative health. These are new and unique approaches, where you work on many levels simultaneously. It will start to make sense as you start to feel better, not just physically or not just mentally, but as a whole.
As a consequence of doing this type of work, your life starts to change, as you begin to remove the visible and invisible chains that were holding you back. This is one key aspect I have the privilege to witness when working with my clients and this is a type of feedback I get.
The importance of addressing problems whilst they’re small
Just as a garden requires a balanced ecosystem of good soil, sunlight, and water to flourish, our bodies need a harmonious balance of spiritual and emotional well-being, mental clarity and physical care. Neglecting any aspect may result in the wilting of our overall health. Tending to the roots – who we really are – ensures the blossoming of a vibrant, healthy life.
The persistent struggle with weight loss, that so many face, isn’t merely a battle of determination, focus or self-control. It’s far more complex, rooted in profound underlying factors that often are complex and can go unnoticed.
I’ve always been inspired by an ancient Chinese proverb that emphasizes the importance of addressing challenges when they’re still manageable: ‘Attend to your problems while they’re small.’ This wisdom has deeply resonated with me over the years.”
This is so true when it comes to health, wellness and weight problems. Often, small discomforts that appear and do not go away can be the beginning of a much larger problem that can potentially be avoided if a preventative approach is implemented.
I have witnessed battles waged by countless individuals, unable to shed weight due to deeper, unaddressed issues. Thus, I felt compelled to delve into the complex intertwining of spiritual, psycho-emotional wellness and physical health and write about some answers I have found.
This was the genesis of “Break Through Your Weight Loss Barriers”, born out of a desire to empower individuals to demolish the invisible walls blocking their weight loss success.
Real case example: Ms A’s journey
One of the main patterns seen in my clinic is stagnation and inflammation. This pattern mostly affects women between 20-50. It is a very large portion of women that can be potentially affected by this.
This is the story of Ms A, who came to see me for weight loss, hormonal and digestive issues. Ms A is frustrated with her situation as no matter how much she tries, she can’t lose one cm.
She was stressed with work duties, felt undervalued, had low self-esteem and worried a lot about her future. When she felt overwhelmed by stress or anxiety, she had strong urges to eat heavy carbs or chocolate for comfort.
She told me she was in a vicious circle and did not feel capable of escaping this loop. As well as the emotional and psychological challenges, she had physical discomfort: her clothes were tight, she had acne and headaches pre-menstrually and had intense mood swings all the time. Her periods had been painful and clotty and she had a short menstrual cycle.
She also felt fatigued, with very little motivation to exercise. She was often bloated, had fluid retention, was often constipated and had abdominal pain.
I explained to Ms A that the emotions, mental stress and physical symptoms she was experiencing were all interconnected and contributing to her weight stagnation.
She understood and acknowledged that some parts of her personality were in conflict inside, preventing her from moving forward with her health goals. The harmonizing of the internal parts had to be an essential part of the treatment plan. She understood that the treatment had to be holistic and integrative, addressing all those levels simultaneously to restore balance and start losing weight.
Even if she was given a very restrictive diet, the energy blockage, lack of energy, inner conflict, lack of exercise and tendency to binge would deter her success. My strategy was to start with the regulation of the energy movement, and resolve “blockage” by removing the excess pattern first = inflammation!
Once the excess, blockage or inflammation was resolved, we started to nourish and support her whole system, including the identity level.
Once Ms A started on a clean diet, drinking more water, listening to guided audio every night and doing light regular exercise, she started right away to notice the changes. Energy stagnation and inflammation responded very well to routine, clean foods, relaxation and consistent movement.
On our second appointment, we started addressing the psycho-emotional state causing the blockages and leading to the revolving problems she was experiencing with compulsion, cravings, anger and stress.
We went through the assessment process and created a list with the areas of her life she would like to be working on, so we had a plan to follow.
EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) and IFS (internal family systems) were Included as integrative models that can support the removal of old patterns of behaviours (processing of old memories and any important negative meaning) and help restore a coherent inner state.
The creation of coherence and harmony within was key to neutralising the urges for unnecessary foods and getting her life moving forward. She was excited about trying this approach.
Ms A. was in awe about how different she felt after a few sessions of integrative and holistic health and therapy. The urges for sugary foods disappeared and she became calmer and more in charge of taking good care of herself. The physical symptoms started dropping one by one as she was able to make better choices.
She began to piece together her weight loss puzzle. No longer was she locked in a bitter fight with her sugar cravings. Instead, she was able to interpret these cravings as her body’s and part’s plea for attention, a sign that something needed addressing.
Ms A’s Transformation
Recognizing Connections: Emotions, Mental Stress, and Physical Symptoms
Not only was Ms A able to break free from her long-standing weight loss barriers, but she also gained an empowering understanding of her own body and its needs. It was as if she had cracked a code that had eluded her for years. The transformation in Ms A was truly inspiring.
It is interesting how easy it is to forget how unwell one used to feel when one starts to feel better. I often have to remind my patients of where they were and where they are currently so they understand and memorize the trajectory and how they’ve got to feel better.
Embarking on this writing journey was driven by my conviction that everyone deserves the right to feel comfortable in their skin, free from the internal battles that keep them from their weight loss goals.
So, I poured my findings, experiences and heart into creating a guide that could serve as a compass for others on their weight loss journey.
This isn’t just a book about losing weight. It’s about revealing the hidden barriers, understanding their causes, and learning how to overcome them, utilizing an integrative and holistic model. It’s about empowering yourself to take control of your health and wellness path.
With each challenge I faced, I was drawn further into the labyrinth of human physiology and nature, getting to the very heart of what makes weight loss such a difficult, often overwhelming process.
Along this journey, I discovered not only the profound influence of the patterns of imbalance in weight gain, which I talked about in my book but also the resilience of the human spirit.
This deepened my understanding of what it truly takes to break through the barriers that hinder weight loss. It mirrored the journey that every person seeking to lose weight undertakes – a path riddled with obstacles, but also rich with amazing opportunities for growth and self-discovery.
The Reader’s Journey
Choosing Integrative Therapy and Health
Compulsion and food cravings are very common and people often see their cravings as an adversary, a constant threat to their weight loss efforts. A frequent feedback I get from the readers is that they were able to shift their perspective dramatically.
Once they could see that these cravings or compulsions were not the enemy; they were pointers to unmet needs and lack of inner coherence among their parts, these parts could be recognized and given the attention and care they needed.
Readers who also worked with me on a one-on-one level, have reported transformational results. I am thrilled to hear that the information in the book has widened their perspective and awareness, not only of themselves but of the work we do together to restore their health balance and spiritual-psycho-emotional harmony.
As the author, witnessing this type of transformation is an affirmation of my mission – to equip readers with the knowledge and tools to navigate their weight loss and health & wellness path.
Conclusion
In navigating the intricate journey of weight loss, we’ve uncovered that shedding those extra kilos goes beyond mere determination. It’s an exploration of the intricate dance between our spiritual psycho-emotional well-being and physical health.
Recognizing the Real Problems with Weight Loss:
I discussed that the struggle isn’t just about willpower but rooted in profound underlying factors. The emphasis should be on the importance of dealing with health problems early and adopting a preventative approach.
Real Case Example:
I shared the transformative journey of Ms A, illustrating the profound impact of integrating holistic health strategies and highlighting the interconnectedness of emotions, mental stress, and physical symptoms contributing to weight stagnation.
Feedback from Readers:
I explored how readers shifted their perspectives on cravings, recognizing them as pointers to unmet needs. I acknowledged the transformative impact on readers who engaged with integrative health strategies.
Your Journey Starts Now: Embarking on the path to integrative and holistic wellness is an empowering decision. By understanding the hidden barriers and their root causes, you gain control over your health and wellness trajectory.
Parts of the personality can be involved in the repetition of the same old patterns of behaviour. It is important to acknowledge, appreciate and unburden those parts for the creation of harmony within and positive changes without.
Share Your Insights: I’d love to hear from you! Have you encountered challenges on your weight loss journey, or perhaps you’ve experienced shifts in perspective after reading this blog or my book? Share your experiences, ask questions, and let’s build a community where we learn and grow together. Drop your thoughts in the comments below! 🌿✨