EMOTIONAL LIFE – KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER

Emotions, specifically negative emotions, communicate to the brain that in some way you are not safe. As the FAT Program is designed to protect from threat, turning it on in response to negative emotions is practical and natural.

Connection to FAT Program

Negative emotions, whilst described and experienced differently by individuals, ultimately end as a fear, required to be responded and adapted to by the brain. Fear is stress, and stress turns on the FAT Program.
Coach focus is to connect clients emotions to their FAT Program, prescribe proactive techniques (visualisation, tapping, other) for changing dysfunctional beliefs, and use tools to create positive emotional states.

For Client

Negative emotions, like guilt, sadness, anger, jealousy, grief even boredom, are all in some way connected with you not feeling safe. The FAT Program is designed to keep you safe so when these emotions are allowed to become chronic, or experienced at intense levels, the most appropriate response to keep you safe is to turn on your FAT Program.

These feelings, emotions communicate to your brain, you are safe. Your FAT Program is turned off and weight loss becomes easy and natural.

For Coach

1. Negative Emotions – most people to some degree experience negative emotions. It is the intensity, consistency and duration of these emotions which determine their influence on the FAT Program.
   Negative emotions are ultimately interpreted by the brain as fear and thus trigger a stress response appropriate to keeping the body safe = FAT Program ON

   Negative emotions (listed in order of intensity, from low to high)

   • Boredom
   • Pessimism
   • Frustration/irritation/Impatience
   • Overwhelm
   • Disappointment
   • Doubt
   • Worry
   • Blame
   • Discouragement
   • Anger
   • Revenge
   • Hatred/Rage
   • Jealousy
   • Guilt/Insecurity/Unworthiness
   • Fear/Grief/Depression/Victim
2. Dysfunctional Belief – a powerful example of a mind/body connection. Clients may be strongly conditioned in belief they can’t lose weight based on their failed previous attempts. This belief is dysfunctional and incorrect. It is not the client’s fault but the approach that is flawed.
3. Stress – GM for many clients is seen as their last hope in successful weight loss. A long history of unsuccessful attempts creates emotions like discouragement, anger, blame, guilt and even jealousy. These emotions create mental stress, increasing cortisol and triggering the FAT Program.

Diagnosis

Application Form

1. Note medical diagnosis for mental health conditions (depression, anxiety)
2. Note medical diagnosis for conditions often associated with chronic negative emotional states (eg. IBS, autoimmune dx)
3. Note length of time from initial weight gain
4. Note number of attempts of weight loss
5. Note age of client
6. Note if client has read GM Book and action taken since

Signs and Symptoms

1. Note client use/intensity of negative emotion driven language when describing their past, present and future.
2. Note client use/intensity of negative emotion driven language in reference to weight loss
3. Note client understanding and appreciation of GM approach to weight loss

FAT Trigger Quiz

1. If indicated as a significant Trigger

Questions to ask

• How would you describe your normal emotional state
• Do you feel you can solve your weight problem
• Do you have support in your life
• Do understand GM’s approach to weight loss

Coaching Actions

Core Action Steps

• Morning Visualisation
• Evening Visualisation
• Daily GM Break(s)

Specific Emotion Action Steps