I started Happy Food 10 years ago because it seems so sad to watch people torture themselves through so many roller coaster diets. It’s fine if that diet doesn’t work and we find something else that suits us better, but the problem with these diets is that we feel tortured, unhappy, and defeated. Plus if we can sustain our weight loss goal after sustaining these negative emotions, then maybe (?) it’s worth it, but we can’t sustain these diets.
Let’s talk about why these diets don’t work (mentally). Unfortunately as humans, we are hard-wired to focus on the negative for survival. For the brain, when we feel shame, we (1) go to our default network and (2) shame activates our pain system. Our default network turns on when we are not focused on performing a specific task. That default then focuses on “what’s wrong with me, what others think of me, and what’s wrong with others.”
Shame also activates our pain system. This prompts the body to shut down. Shame on the brain leads to pain. This is why diets focused on shaming us does not work. When we feel shame, it is difficult to escape negative thinking and use the brain to problem solve.
We need to do the opposite of shaming. We focus on success, our strengths, and our goals. We never shame at Happy Food. It doesn’t work. Therefore, we never count calories or shame anyone for not accomplishing their goals. We have to address the barriers, resistance, and root cause of what’s truly going on.
If you need help understanding nutrition and all the mixed messages out there, give us a call. We will address your stress level, eating habits, exercise, cravings, emotional eating, and overall health and happiness. Start with a free health consultation at www.HappyFoodHealth.com or (619) 876-2655. See if this is the right match for you. I do things very differently to make health a natural lifestyle and this is not for everyone. Check out Yelp for other people’s opinion of Happy Food.
~ Samantha Hua, Nutrition & Holistic Health Coach, San Diego, CA
