VBC Chapters 4 & 5

Have you had your Epipha-ME??

Before Dr. Peeke gets into her "three stage pathway to overcome food addiction", she points out that we must first find our true hunger by having our own "epipha-Me"; that moment when you know your life is about to change. She gives some classic examples of clients she has worked with and what it was that gave them the motivation to change.  I especially liked the story of the woman whose doctor walked into the exam room to conduct her yearly exam and stated.."still fat?".  That was it! The woman started that very day...returned 14 months later and 100 pounds lighter to the MD's office just to make her point and fire the health care provider. 

Sometimes I need a good epipha-Me and  wonder how I am going to arrange for one to strike.  Dr. Peeke points out that the mind shift occurs "when the pain of where you are now is far greater than the pain it will take to get out."  She also states that "the stronger the resolve and reward, the less painful the process."  
[For me this is going to entail facing how I feel about the me right now and then being able to envision who I can become. And...I am thinking that those old jeans in my closet may not be near the reward necessary to provide the powerful resolve I am seeking...]

Chapter five begins the three stage pathway with Stage 1: False Fix Detox.  Dr. Peeke's blueprint for the detox are the three M's: mind, mouth, muscle. In reference to "the mind" she points out the benefits of regular meditation..a time to quiet the mind and contemplate life. She also points out the importance of creating a healthy fix environment for yourself and surrounding yourself with supportive people.

When introducing the "mouth" role of stage 1 detox, Dr. Peeke discusses "safe highs" with foods that will provide "dopamine-building" nutrients.

Specifically foods that are high in: 

phenylalanine: meat and eggs, fish and seafood, milk, skim, 1 or 2%, spinach, watermelon, nuts, seeds, tofu, soy bean protein, chocolate, drinks containing aspartame, baker's yeast , soy sauce.

tyrosine: meat and eggs, fish and seafood, diary including yogurt, cottage cheese, low fat cream or other cheeses, spinach, turnip greens, avocados, bananas, almonds sesame seeds, legumes and beans, whole wheat, steel-cut oats

vitamin B6: turkey, chicken, russet potatoes, spinach, red bell peppers, turnip greens, cauliflower, squash, bananas, watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, avocados pineapple, grapes, hazelnuts, flax seeds, soy protein, peanuts, beans, fortified cereals, brown rice, wheat germ, garlic, cayenne pepper, molasses, ginger

And of course steering away from trans fats and high fructose corn syrup as well as watching your sugar intake. 

Lastly, Dr. Peeke introduces the "muscle" piece of the detox blue print suggesting that exercise is the best healthy fix because it directly regenerates D2-like dopamine receptors similar to those linked with food addiction in the brain. She does warn the readers to not "over do" as extreme exercise can actually increase your appetite. [And anyone who has trained for an event, marathon, tri etc has felt this phenomenon;]

And because it is Valentine's week I feel compelled to include one of her final points tucked right between "stick with it" and "sleep tight"...."Sex it up!" That's what I'm talkin' about baby!!

Have a great week!! See you at bootcamp...I'll be the one working just enough to kick in the D2s but not so hard as to force myself to a false fix:)