Chocolate and liver
Sometimes I like to keep my weirdness to myself, but this thing is too huge not to share.
I am a big fan of Paul McKenna. He’s a British author and hypnotist. Two years ago I read his book Change Your Life in 7 Days, and it really did.
When I was in England last week I stopped into a bookstore and found two more of Paul’s books: Instant Confidence and I Can Make You Thin (no problem with self-confidence himself, obviously). Both books came with CDs.
I’ve been listening to the CDs for a week now. Love that soothing British voice in my ear–very Mr. Darcy. And already I can feel a difference in my thinking and behavior. Some of it is none of your business, but I thought you should at least know this:
One of the exercises in I Can Make You Thin is a method for ridding yourself of cravings forever. I won’t be able to do the exercise justice, but in simplest terms, you imagine the food you crave mixed with a food that absolutely revolts you. In my case, a big slab of elk liver I once had to watch my husband cut up. I will spare you the details.
So I imagined pouring melted chocolate all over a big slab of raw liver, then having to eat the whole thing. I imagined the taste, the texture of it in my mouth, the smell–everything.
That was last Saturday. I have not had a single craving, large or small, for chocolate since then. And trust me, chocolate has been as much a part of my diet as oatmeal and bananas–I always figured one serving a day was the minimum requirement. Now, I’m completely over it. In fact, I’m going to have to ask BJ, my (brilliant, creative, etc.) web designer to change the banner on my web page to read “former chocolate addict” (no intention of changing the coffee addict part of it–coffee is too good for me).
My friend Carolyn did this exercise, imagining her most nauseating food item–guacamole–oozing over the sides of a Hershey bar. Since that visualization session, she, too, is cured.
You can believe in this stuff or not. I happen to think the human brain is far more powerful than we can know, and that visualization has a huge impact on our behavior and our prospects. I’ve seen the effects too often not to believe. So I offer it for your consideration.
Having gorged myself on tortilla chips this afternoon, I know what’s next. I won’t tell you what I’ll imagine dipping chips in, because I’m afraid you’ll never return to the blog. Suffice to say, by fifteen minutes from now I know I’ll be done with those, too.
If you’re brave enough, try this and report back. But first be really, really sure you want to give something up, because once you do this exercise, there’s no going back.
Technorati Tags: Paul McKenna, Chocolate, Cravings, Health, Diet, Weight Loss, Visualization, Hypnotism, Goal-Setting, Motivation
…and why would anyone want to fight their chocolate craving? I’m a bit perplexed. It would be like removing color from my life.
Picture the color of liver . . .
I think it is more fun to come up with images that change others eating habits.
Imagine, if you will, me sneaking into Starbucks and replacing popular coffee beans with small cuts of raw liver. Hence forth we will now refer to coffee as Raw Liver Grande please.
(What Patrick actually said -
Did you know an average adult killer whale eats approximately 4% of its body weight in food per day. Although a killer whale’s diet is comprised mostly of water, it contains approximately 0-0.5% carbohydrates, 12-19% proteins, and 2-16% fats.)
Patrick, you have no power here. I’m going out for Starbucks right now.
(Be strong, be strong . . .)
You want to change the banner AGAIN? (weighs time spent changing banner numerous times over time teaching Robin how to do it herself . . . )
Robin, I somehow think a raw liver contest won’t fly . . .
And Patrick, let’s be accurate here. Let’s replace (have no clue why they’re) popular BURNED coffee beans with small pieces of BURNED liver. What’s that smell???
BJ, I would never impose my chocolatelessness (how’s that for a word?) on other people. Of course the contest will continue. People need their chocolate, and they need it now. Who am I to stand in their way?
And yes, you should teach me how to change the banner myself. It will save you having to roll your eyes so much.
Robin, I’ve been debating this for a while now. Are you comparing me to Jareth?
“*Everything*! Everything that you wanted I have done. You asked that the chocolate be taken. I took it. You cowered before me and I was frightening. I have reordered time. I have turned the world upside down.
And I have done it all for you! I am exhausted from living up to your expectations. Isn’t that generous?”
Patrick, I’m sorry, but I have absolutely NO idea what you’re talking about. Who is Jareth? What on earth is that quote?
Oh, wait a minute, it’s coming back to me. Is Jareth Superman’s father or something?
Still no clue.
Refuse to google it.
Google is your friend. I did substitute the word ‘chocolate’ for you.
The big finale – Jennifer Connelly says to David Bowie,
“Give me the child. Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered, I have fought my way here to the castle beyond the Goblin City to take back the child that you have stolen, for my will is as strong as yours, and my kingdom is as great. You have no power over me. ”
Jim Henson is a god.
You are missing some serious cult classics. Next you’ll say you have no idea who Buttercup and Westley are. *shakes head*
Incidently, Superman’s dad – Jor-El II
Me, not know that Buttercup and Westley are from the glorious “The Princess Bride”? Incontheivable!
my head is reeling with confusion–david bowie is superman’s dad? jim henson is in the princess bride, or is he the creator of taz? isn’t jareth the guy who lost all that weight eating subway sandwiches???? obviously being the last person on the face of the earth to see “the princess diaries” is not enough, not even a good start. i believe i’m developing a taste for elk liver.