Why do some compulsively overeat and others drastically avoid weight gain by under-eating or purging?

Well, first lets take a look at the three different types of Food Addictions:

Compulsive Overeating:

Compulsive over-eaters generally use food as a coping mechanism to deal with underlying emotional trauma and depression. The binge eating temporarily relieves the stress of these feelings, but unfortunately, it is always followed by more shame, guilt, disgust and depression.

Anorexia Nervosa:

People suffering from anorexia generally restrict food in an attempt to maintain a minimal body weight. Most have a true fear of gaining weight. Weight loss is viewed as an impressive achievement, and extraordinary example of self discipline, but is a false bolster of self-esteem. If left untreated this addiction can be fatal. Bulimia Nervosa:

People suffering from Bulimia eat compulsively and then purge through self-induced vomiting, using laxatives, diuretics, diet pills, chew spitting, vigorous exercise, or other behavior to prevent weight gain. Ironically, many people suffering from Bulimia initially gain weight because the patterns of eating send the body into starvation mode, and it begins to store fat. Like Anorexia weight loss is viewed as an impressive achievement, and extraordinary example of self discipline, but is a false bolster of self-esteem. If left untreated this addiction can be fatal. Are you beginning to see a pattern with all three food addictions? They are all connected to underlying emotional trauma and issues of Self-esteem!

As with every addiction the key to abstinence is a high level of self-esteem and coping skills.

Self-esteem is the key component to abstinence, but it is not a learned behavior, a commodity that can be purchased, or a fruit that can be plucked from a tree. You see, possessing confidence and merit as a person is a product of self-love, and that comes from within. Therefore, to restore your self-esteem you must first learn to forgive yourself, and second you must tap into your own true personal power.

The following is a brief outline of the 5 steps to addiction freedom. Prior to following these steps or any addiction recovery program, take the necessary time to ascertain whether you require the additional support of an addiction counselor or medical attention regarding withdrawal. this advice is in know way intended to substitute the current advice you are receiving from a health professional.

1. Step One: Unearth the Square Root

Family dysfunction is the common denominator, or square root of all addictive behavior, and until it is brought to the forefront and confronted nothing will change! This is by far the most important and critical step of the entire process. There are two parts to step one, and they are as follows:

A. Uncovering your family dysfunction

Physical abuse Sexual abuse Verbal abuse Alcoholic parent Controlling parent Inadequate parenting

B. Confront the parent or parents responsible for the dysfunction

The thought of confronting the person that is responsible for your emotional trauma is one the most frightening situations you will face. However, it is also the most liberating and empowering thing you’ll ever do! Why do you need to confront your parent or parents? Well, first let me clarify the meaning of the word confront and in what context we are using this term. Confronting the person does not at all mean that you should verbally attack them for your misfortunes. On the contrary, you are not doing this for them. You are doing it for you! The confrontation is not meant to be an attack, but it is rather a chance for you to set the record straight and drop the emotional baggage that you’ve been toting around.

2. Step Two: Remove your Emotional Baggage

You have completed step one and have confronted your parent or parents. This in and of itself will have removed much of the pain and emotional trauma. However, to fully free yourself from their emotional stronghold, it will be necessary to find forgiveness in your heart for a family member that has committed an atrocity against you. Forgive! How can I forgive someone that committed these atrocities against me? Many people have a misconception about forgiveness. Forgiveness is not reconciliation! There is a drastic difference between the two. Reconciliation would mean that you have accepted and submit to their behavior and have agreed to try and continue the relationship under those circumstances. Forgiveness means that you merely give up or cease the resentment of the offender.

3. Step Three: Cure Wounditis

Without question, partaking in habitual behavior not only causes you pain but, it inflicts pain on the people around you as well. However, do not allow what you have done in the past or what others have done to you, to cause you to live in fear of what the future holds. The past is the past, it is over, and living in it does not serve anyone well. Live in the present moment, be kind to yourself, and learn to love yourself. How can you love someone else if you don’t love yourself? The answer is you can’t!!! It isn’t a big secret that you’re feeling shame and guilt for what you’ve done. In fact, you’re probably questioning right now as to whether you should be punished for your past actions. Well guess what, its ok! God doesn’t punish people, we punish ourselves. God is a loving and forgiving being. So if you thought that you would continue to punish yourself with shame and guilt before God gets a hold of you, you can stop right now! We do not have defects of character, are not full of shortcomings, and we certainly are not powerless! On the Contrary, we are all the same, we are all connected, and we all have the same power to change!

4. Step Four: Awaken the Power within

Whether you want to admit it or not, all of the pain you have been through concerning your habitual behavior is a spiritual lesson. And until you view it as such, it will continue to cause you suffering and unhappiness. Every dark cloud does have a silver lining, and if you look hard enough you’ll find one in this habitual situation too. However, to find that silver lining you must ask the right questions;

1. What can I learn from my addiction?

2. How can I grow from it?

The answers to these questions can be found in a place that is uncharted by most, and it is just waiting to be explored! It’s called your true self! To embark on a journey of Self -reflection requires the practice of Mediation.

For more information on mediation you can visit my website below.

5. Step five: Practice Acts of Random Kindness

Happiness is a state of mind. Individuals that are suffering from addictive behavior are not happy! Ironically, in an attempt to find happiness, they chose a vehicle to mask their emotional pain through the use of alcohol, illicit drugs, and various other compulsions. However, happiness is never found on the outside in material possessions or in the abuse of substances and compulsions! True life happiness can only be found in one place, and that place is within! Happiness is not found in the practice of outward ideals or in other people. To the contrary, it is actually the small acts of random kindness that opens the heart and fuels the principle of unconditional love!

To practice spirituality is to be of service to your fellow man and make no mistake about it that is why we are all here. Begin with small acts of kindness such as opening a door for someone, letting someone go before you in the checkout line or just taking the time to offer a kind word to an older person or a child. You get the picture! The first thing I do upon waking in the morning is think of how I can be of service and throughout the day I am always mindful of opportunities that present themselves for me to do just that. You know, the paradox of the whole thing is that the more kind and generous you are the more love, kindness and abundance you’ll receive back. Don’t believe me! Just try it and watch what begins to happen to you.

Close your eyes for a moment. After you read this next paragraph of course! Fast forward 60 days from now, and imagine that you are eating food because you enjoy it and you take great pride in nourishing your bodies needs. Food no longer dominates or controls your life because you have tapped into your own personal power. You have elavated your self-esteem, and you have a high regard for yourself. in fact you love yourself completely and cherish every day as new beginning for self growth and enjoyment.

What would that feel like, and what would it do for you?

Experience your vision in real time!

Best wishes,

David Roppo Addiction Coach

About smoking

1 in every 10 people across the globe die because of a smoking related disease. Cancers, emphysema, respiratory disorders, amputation of arms or legs, cataracts, ulcers are just some of the long-term problems a smoker is likely to face. Smoking not only affects your life but those too who are with you or dependant on you, especially children and pregnant women. You should stop smoking for them, if not for you.

Why should I stop smoking?

By quitting smoking you will see a vast improvement in your in fitness, a positive mental state, a better sex life and improved career prospects. These benefits can be seen in just weeks once you stop smoking. You can even stop smoking for the sake of your loved ones or children, as by smoking you are jeopardizing not only your health and life but their lives too.

Why smoking cessation treatments?

Nicotine, the addictive substance in cigarettes, is responsible for smoking addiction. Some smokers are not addicted to nicotine only; they are hooked on to the act of smoking because of the habit. Need for treatment arises when a smoker is physically as well as psychologically addicted to smoking. Immediate treatment is directly related to the number of cigarettes smoked during a day. The more the number of cigarettes smoked; the more the number of years of addiction; the more important and necessary it becomes to get smoking cessation treatment.

Smoking cessation treatments

There are various types of smoking cessation treatments on the market. From nicotine replacement therapies and stop smoking programs to prescription medications and alternative therapies. Out of all these treatments, only prescription medications, Chantix and Zyban are clinically tested and proven.

Pros and cons of the most popular treatments of smoking cessation

Heres a list of the 3 most popular forms of smoking cessation treatments and their pros and cons:

1) Nicotine replacement therapies

- Provide nicotine minus other dangerous substances in cigarettes thereby taking care of nicotine withdrawals

- A slight risk of re-addiction is involved when using these products as they contain nicotine and a person is not completely weaned off nicotine

2) Zyban

- Primarily an anti-depressant drug, Zyban works for smoking cessation by taking targeting withdrawals

- Carries a risk of side effects such as skin rashes, jitters and seizures

3) Chantix

- The latest aid for smoking cessation, which helps by reducing nicotine cravings and withdrawals

- Linked to a very small number of psychiatric problems and suicidal behavior

Granted, at first, this may be a difficult concept to grasp. So, let me explain in greater detail by offering a little parable, which I use to teach my clients the power of faith. OK! So, your standing on the dysfunctional roadside and youre looking across to the other side. And you say, “It looks pretty nice, but I really dont know whats over there. So, I think Ill just stay on the dysfunctional side!” “Even though, its pretty screwed up over here, its a little more comfortable than traipsing around in the unknown!” Now, some people stay on the dysfunctional side for the duration while others wander out into the middle of the road dazed and confused (and I dont have to tell you what happens when you stand in the middle of the road too long!) And, some back up, get a burst of speed and leap over to the miraculous. You see, faith requires action.

Thats why its called a leap of faith and not a leap of hope! If you stand there year after year and hope or pray for someone to come along and switch the roadsides for you, youre going to be waiting for a long, long time! God provides seeds to every bird, but he doesnt drop them in the nest! And, hes not going to hand you a life of happiness, addiction freedom and abundance on a platter either! Youre going to have to go get it. So, if you want to harness the power of faith heres what you should do….

1. Remove the fear blockade by working through your insecurities. Set boundaries, adopt principles, learn to say no, and begin to live your life in truth.

2. Plant a vision in your mind of the belief that encompasses your faith. Do not focus on what you dont have or youll get much of the same! That is why hope is not an effective part of faith. If you focus on hope, all you will get is a reason to have more hope! Take ownership of what you desire and feel it with your heart, soul and every fiber of your being. Paint a picture in your mind. See yourself living it before it arrives!

3. TAKE ACTION! I can not stress this enough. You must set the wheels in motion. If you hope that youll have more abundance, happiness or better health, its not going to show up by sitting on the couch. However, once you start the ball rolling pay attention to the signs and guidance that will come your way because its always subtle in nature!

Best wishes,

David Roppo

The Addiction Freedom Coach