“The Bottle Story” Part 2: Follow-Up Six Weeks Later

This is a follow-up to the EFT story posted on September 17, 2011. Go to Part 1  

"Katrina" used EFT to heal an early childhood memory. The result was noticeable relief from her food cravings. I saw her again today, and the results six weeks later were even more exciting. Here is her report:

I have not craved a chocolate bar since I walked through this door and you worked with me that first day. There's been Halloween candy on the shelves of the grocery stores, and I'm not drawn to it at all. It doesn't mean anything to me. It's like, huh! there it is...okay.

There's a vending machine at work. I just look at it now and know it's there. But I have no feelings about needing to have the candy or chocolate from the machine. It's just okay. I think back to before I started with EFT and I would never have envisioned myself having reached this place. Before, oh my God, I would be in the store and the chocolate was like a siren call -- Reese's, Snickers, Milky Way -- why not all three? I would sit in my car and open them all and make sure they were near me so that, when I was driving, I could reach all the chocolate without having to take my eyes off the road. This wasn't every day, but when it hit, there was nothing holding me back. And with Halloween candy, I would have a whole bag and wait till people were in bed... that's how it always was.

What is amazing is how long this has lasted. I've had chocolate on occasion, for instance I had some chocolate milk... but that's all I wanted. I haven't even wanted a chocolate bar. It's great.

We talked about the driven quality of the cravings in the past. Although she thought it was about the chocolate, actually it was about emotion, some feeling that she was looking for in the indulgence. Once that emotion was resolved, the chocolate had lost its power over her.

Katrina had started following a whole foods approach to eating, which would eliminate processed foods from her diet. She found it immensely easier to follow the plan and make the good food choices since she didn't miss chocolate, candy, and other junk foods. Her concern was continued motivation -- what would help her sustain this?

I find that a good approach to motivation is to discuss a person's values. Why is this change important? What deeper core values would inspire you to make the effort needed and stick with it? I took notes on Katrina's answers to these questions, and we used that language to address her fears of not following through.

Even though I'll have to spend more time and energy to follow a whole foods diet, I love and accept myself... and I have a genuine desire to be more healthy.

Even though I'll have to plan ahead and bring lunches and snacks... I can do it. I'm worth taking care of. It's important to take care of me.

Even though it's an effort to exercise daily, I'm highly aware of the quality of life that I desire... I want to be strong and maintain my quality of life through good health.

Even though I might get too busy or stressed, I can slow down and breathe... and make my health a priority. It's important.

(You could tap the points in an alternating way, for instance, [eyebrow] "have to spend more time and energy..." [side of eye] "but I have a genuine desire to be more healthy," etc.)

Katrina is a teacher and we talked about the many skillful ways she motivates and encourages her students. She also makes them accountable. If they get too far off track, she calls the parents. We laughed when we decided that if she gets too far off track, she'll have to be accountable by calling ME to schedule another session!

The one-session breakthroughs are great, but for any lasting change, motivation and maintenance are essential.

Betty Moore-Hafter, www.CreativeEFT.com, is an EFT International Accredited Certified EFT Master Trainer of Trainers and Advanced Practitioner offering EFT Level 1-2 and Level 3 Trainings several times a year. She also offers a special EFT mentoring and support program for EFT International EFT certification at www.EmotionalFreedomMastery.com. Betty offers EFT sessions by phone and by Skype, as well as in person at her Burlington, Vermont office. You can find out more on both websites and pick up free gifts on each site.

From the EFTfree Archives, which are now a part of EFT International .
Originally published on September 24, 2011.