The Surprising Way 'Tapping' Helps You Lose Weight (Without Dieting Or Heavy Exercise)
Learn a new technique that will help reduce your food cravings.
getty Americans spent over $3 billion on weight loss in 2017, according to Marketdata LLC, a market research firm that has been tracking the US weight market for over 38 years. Despite this hefty investment, obesity rates are climbing, and only 5 percent of dieters maintain their weight loss after one year.
What can you do to increase the likelihood of achieving and maintaining your ideal weight? And better yet, is there a way to lose weight without strict dieting or constant
One natural, simple, and surprisingly effective method for losing weight is by using the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) or "tapping."
What is tapping and how can it help you with your weight loss journey?
Tapping is a technique that actually rewires your brain through a process of tapping your fingers on specific points of your body, while you release emotional memories.
And according to researcher Dr. Peta Stapleton, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology at Bond University in Queensland Australia, practicing EFT can significantly reduce food cravings.
Researchers compared a group of obese patients working with Cognitive Behavioral Training (CBT) with a group practicing EFT. After 8 weeks both groups had reduced food cravings, but only the EFT group maintained those changes after a year. The group practicing EFT also scored lower for anxiety and depression, both important factors that can drive food cravings.
To reap the benefits of tapping and use this powerful technique to help you on your weight loss journey, follow this step-by-step guide:
Step 1:
State, "Even though I __________________, I deeply accept myself as I am", while gently tapping the "karate chop point" (just below the knuckle on the outside of the hands). Repeat 3 times.
Example: "Even though I can’t resist eating chocolate cake, I love and accept myself as I am."
Step 2:
Begin tapping on the area at the end of the eyebrow, near the bridge of the nose. Continue tapping on each of the listed points, tapping gently about 7-8 times on each point.
Make statements that are true (no judgment, just what’s true right now) and then move to the next point with each new statement.
EMOFree
For example, for someone who craves chocolate cake, they would do:
Eyebrow: “I REALLY love chocolate cake!”
- The side of the eye: "Chocolate cake tastes so good."
- Under the eye: "When everything else goes wrong in a day, chocolate cake is SO comforting."
- Under the nose: "I could eat four pieces, easily."
- Chin: "I could eat the whole cake!"
- Under the collarbone: "I want it NOW!"
- Underarms: "Oh, I feel so guilty when I eat chocolate cake."
- Top of the head: "I feel ashamed when I start eating chocolate cake, and I just can’t stop."
Continue tapping on what is true as you progress through the points in the above order. Repeat the cycle as many times as needed.
At some point, you will begin noticing a shift. Some people spontaneously start sighing or giggling. You may notice your shoulders relaxing. You may feel more at ease.
Allow the things you are saying to shift naturally.
For the second wave, focus on what is possible. For example:
- Eyebrow: "I can imagine chocolate cake tasting too sweet."
- The side of the eye: "What if I could discover other ways of finding comfort?"
- Under the eye: "Sometimes I feel better when I talk with a friend."
- Under the nose: "At times, I feel better without eating chocolate cake."
- Chin: "What if an apple was actually more satisfying than chocolate cake?"
- Under the collarbone: "Maybe I can start making other food choices."
- Underarms: "Maybe I could enjoy healthy foods just as much as the chocolate cake."
- Top of the head: "What if I was willing to experiment with other foods?"
Again, you may notice even more relaxation and another natural shift. Continue repeating the cycle of points and statements until you feel this change.
For the third wave, tap while making positive statements that are true for you. For example:
- Eyebrow: "Right now I feel comfortable and comforted."
- Outside of eye: "I choose to feel relaxed whether I eat chocolate cake or not."
- Under the eye: "I enjoy eating healthy foods."
- Under the nose: "I feel sluggish after eating chocolate cake."
- Chin: "I CAN move through stress and feel good afterward."
- Beside the upper breastbone: "I CAN make healthy food choices and enjoy myself."
- Under the armpits: "I am choosing to treat myself in healthy ways."
- Top of the head: "I actually enjoy rewarding myself with healthy things, like going for a walk."
Dr. Judith Boice is a Naturopathic Doctor, Licensed Acupuncturist, and Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology. For more support in achieving and maintaining your ideal weight, join her FREE for Skinny Jeans Forever 30-Day Challenge.