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Life as A Fat Child - Being a Slim Adult

Mary Regina

I was born into a family that had one top priority – FOOD! Both of my parents were overweight. How do you trim down in the midst of a family whose home is stocked with every kind of exotic food just waiting to be eaten? I can never remember a time during childhood when I didn’t feel fat. At the age of five, I watched a home movie of my brother and myself and saw myself as an “ugly fat girl” in the movie.

My most traumatic memory of being fat came at age six. Tom, a nine year old boy was teaching me and my new friend, Sue, to bat. “Step up to the plate, Fatso,” he said to me. I was so embarrassed in front of Sue that I said nothing and hoped it would go away. Then, to make things worse, Sue said, “Don’t call her Fatso; that’s not her name.” I wanted to disappear when Tom replied, “That’s what you’re supposed to call fat people.”

From that day on I knew I was fat. I cried myself to sleep the next few nights, and that memory stayed with me through adulthood. Of course, when I went to college I majored in food, seeking to find something familiar away from home. As an adult, I intentionally began to lose the fat. My new trim body brought on a whole new life and (because I could no longer hide behind the fat) new adjustments. Interestingly enough, Tom became my first true love. Years later when I mentioned the Fatso incident, he had no memory of it and apologized profusely.

Today more than 60% of adults and 20% of children are overweight. Overweight children are twice as likely to become overweight adults. Physical inactivity and poor eating habits cause 400,000 deaths each year in the U.S. Enough regular soda is produced to supply every American with 14 ounces every day. Today’s kid’s meal at fast food restaurants was the regular adult meal in the 1950’s. In today's “inactive,” “super-sized” world, how do we prevent obesity and maintain a healthy body weight?

A successful weight management program addresses emotional, mental, and spiritual health in addition to physical health. The American Medical Association recognizes the correlation of regular meditation with diet and exercise modification in preventing chronic conditions such as heart disease and obesity. It is well known that our weight is linked to our emotions. Many individuals with the intention of losing weight who seek the services of a holistic oriented nutritionist also begin to realize their true identity. When we make the decision to take responsibility for our health and bodies, we are also saying, “I’m ready to get to know myself.” In my case, when I lost the weight in early adulthood, I was forced to face myself and my emotions. At that time, I had very little outside support. It is my hope that when you decide to make the move to a slim lifestyle, you will have the support you need.

A variety of healing modalities are available to support you in achieving and maintaining desired body weight through physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual balance:

• Individualized Life Style Plans – The food intake, activity level, life style, and desires of each client are assessed; goals are agreed upon; and an obtainable life style plan (including nutrition and activity recommendations) is negotiated.

• Hypnotherapy – The life style plan is reinforced through hypnosis. Individual goals and methods of achieving the goals are introduced into the subconscious mind to facilitate plan adherence. For example, one suggestion might be: “You really enjoy planning and preparing your food in advance.”

• Flower Essence Therapy – Flower essences contain the healing vibration of plants. The flower essence remedy promotes mental, emotional, and spiritual healing. For example, a flower essence remedy may address the need for more energy, relaxation, fun, and self-confidence The individualized spring water flower essence remedy is taken orally from a dropper bottle.

• Energy Healing – Reiki, universal life force energy, is joyfully channeled to each client to assist with personal healing. During or after Reiki, many clients report: relaxation, pain management, increased self-esteem, enhanced ability to achieve goals, and/or a clear connection with their source of support. Reiki compliments hypnotherapy and flower essence therapy to promote mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

• Emotional Healing Sessions – Emotional healing assists in identifying the source of a weight imbalance through recognizing and harmonizing emotions. Sessions to promote emotional healing may include: identifying and addressing unresolved issues and emotional pain through shadow work, regression, and/or energy work.

• Manifestation Tools – To attain your desire you must become that desire. Manifestation tools assist in transforming personal desires (such as the desire to be slim and trim) into reality.

• Group Support – Clients have the opportunity to experience team support and enjoy group healing sessions. Body weight is confidentially charted, and progress made on goals is discussed. Participants share experiences and support each other in manifesting individual and team goals.

Knowing your ultimate, balanced self and aligning with universal support is a joyful experience that assists with successful weight management. I wish you the best.