Stress & Obesity

What You’ll Learn:

  • New research on the relation between obesity and stress
  • Inflammatory hormones and weight gain
  • How to fight stress and break the vicious cycle

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43 comments on “Stress & Obesity”
  1. Saee says:
    June 4, 2014 at 3:32 am

    Hi
    i have been trying to cut back on my calories before hearing about the Gabriel method. And as i heard in the seminar video if i stop dieting the volley ball will spring back…but the thing is I get craving continuously for pizza or a burger some fires and what not and i try my best to hold them at bay but what do i do when i get cravings??

    • Denaleigh -Gabriel Method Team says:
      June 4, 2014 at 5:58 am

      Hi Saee,
      There are several things you can do to help lessen the cravings in these early days. The visualisations are an excellent place to start – try listening to one in the morning and then the night time visualisation – here is link to where these can be found (I think you have found these already but just in case):
      https://members.thegabrielmethod.com/visualization/
      Please note there are 2 pages in the main library, and there are 3 pages in the Group Practices section.
      Another thing you can do is to try to ensure that you have ‘the big 3’ with each meal – a healthy source of protein, Omega 3’s, and live food (for example salad). Also try to have healthy snacks on hand for when those cravings normally hit – there are some great recipes available on here as well. Sometimes the cravings kick in mid afternoon or late evening when you are feeling tired and possibly haven’t had enough protein during the day.
      And if after all this you still have cravings, have want you want, but still also have the big 3 and still listen to the visualisations. Don’t punish yourself and continue as normal.
      The Support Group forum is a great place to read what other members are experiencing and if you want, to express your own feelings and concerns. Here is a link to a great conversation in the forum regarding cravings : https://members.thegabrielmethod.com/forum/ask-jon-call-in-days/annoying-habit/
      Here also is a link to a forum post I made that includes a link to Jon’s “beating cravings visualisation”:
      https://members.thegabrielmethod.com/forum/visualization-central/here-is-the-link-to-jons-beating-junk-food-cravings-visualisation/
      I hope this information helps.
      Keep us posted.
      Den – GM Team

    • Janine -Gabriel Method Team says:
      June 4, 2014 at 6:28 am

      Hi Saee,

      Cravings are an indicator that you are missing something nutritionally or emotionally. Try to find out what you really want when you are craving something and try to fulfill yourself with that first and see how you feel.

      Janine
      The Gabriel Method Team

  2. Sky says:
    February 7, 2014 at 4:15 pm

    Hi Jon
    Ty for developing this wonderful program.
    I’m overwhelmed by the amount of positive information.
    I’m very new , this is my first day on the site, I’m half way down to the book, and I dunno where to start.
    I naturally shifted my eating habit to a vegan diet, working out 3 times a week, meditating in silence daily twice a day 30mn in the morning and 30mn at night.
    I feel better and better, but Im not losing weight on the scale…
    I came across ur book very recently, I’m listening to the visualization before sleep daily, now that I am on this site my big question is where do i start, is there a program to follow?
    I could spend all day here with the amount of amazing information, but I feel a plan of action would help.
    I can”t join the 5 weeks intensive course yet as i don”t have the budget for it.
    What would u recommend?
    Sending u love and light.

    • gabrielmethod says:
      February 11, 2014 at 5:04 am

      Hi Sky,
      First of all – welcome!
      The most important thing that Jon recommends is to listen to a morning visualisation (just choose one from the Visualisation library at the top right of this page – one that you think will suit your needs at the moment) and the night time visualisation. The next thing that would be helpful would be to listen to some of the Ask Jon archives. These are recordings of the fortnightly live show we do – in which members can call in and ask Jon questions directly. Our members find these archives very helpful as often their own questions are asked and answered. Please join the next show that will be next week as well. The forum posts section is also a great resource, you can ask written questions for Jon there, and read other members questions. There is a forum thread called ‘daily cup of tea’ which our Support Group members started themselves and is an opportunity to ‘meet’ other members and seek advice and support from others who might be experiencing similar concerns.
      Go through the video library for recipe and exercise tips.
      Other than that, Jon recommends throwing away (or hiding) your scales, and adding the ‘big three’ to your meals – which are a good source of protein, live food (salads are a good option), and healthy fats (Omega 3’s – Flax seed and chia seeds for example). As you are a vegan, some good protein suggestions would be:
      -nuts and seeds
      -dark green leafy vegetables
      -sprouted grains
      -hummus
      -tahini (raw is best)
      -other nut and seed butters (raw is best)
      -pea protein powder
      -brown rice protein powder
      Hope this helps
      Den – GM Team

  3. Newby says:
    February 6, 2014 at 5:57 pm

    I have been following the method for about 4 months. As a background, I am 56 years old, have been through the menopause without any fuss and need to lose around 20kg. I am not on any medication and am healthy. I feel great and eat healthily (occasional chocolate, wine etc) however my weight has not moved except to gain 2kg in the past 10 days. I visualise day and night and have now started drinking kefir water to help with digestion, not that I have any signs of a problem in that area. I have a sedentary job so try to walk most days. What am I missing? Looking back over my life, I think I do suffer from mild anxiety at times and in the earlier years extreme shyness (not now though) and of course a chronic dieter. I feel as though I’m about to give up yet again and go down the same diet track which I don’t want to do. Could it be as simple as just eating too much???

    • Jon Gabriel says:
      February 10, 2014 at 8:38 pm

      Hi Newby,

      Please call in and talk with me on my next ask Jon show. There are so many variables at play that I would need to ask a few more questions before I can point you in the right direction. You mentioned anxiety. Please listen to a visualization every morning and in the afternoons too if possible.

      Jon

  4. Beatrice Rhodes says:
    February 6, 2014 at 7:06 am

    I am following the book – Gabriel’s method. I am also doing tapping which made me sad and tired- so there is more to get out. I am doing my best to exercise and eating well every day. I am listening to the different visualisations- many times in the bath with Epson salt! I also listen to the evening visualisation. So far I have put 2 kg on so the weight hasn’t shifted yet.

  5. Violet Price says:
    February 1, 2014 at 11:29 am

    I agree with you, that stress is our biggest problem.

  6. Sari Wattimena says:
    January 30, 2014 at 9:31 am

    Hi Jon,
    it’s Sari here from Indonesia, I’m following your method since 13 of January ’14, the progress I made now the sugar crave has almost gone, the crave sugar only come once or twice but the problem now is I still can not control my emotional since always get cranky and I believe that I should relax and let go of everything to lose weight. the carbo I ate now is red rice and toast in the morning but still didn’t see the weight loss like others. o ya I also consume your gabriel greens but somehow I got dizzy and I think my blood sugar is scaling down. the night visualization still doing it before i go to bed and i can feel the transformation. please advise how to control my emotional problem. thanks Jon

    • Denaleigh B says:
      February 3, 2014 at 7:29 pm

      Hi Sari,
      Welcome to our Support Group. To help with your blood sugar levels try to ensure that you are having a good source of protein with each meal, even try having protein with your afternoon snack if you can. Can you add a form of protein with your current breakfast, such as chia seeds and eggs? The protein will help to balance your sugar levels. Feeling dizzy and anxious is a sign of low blood sugar – so also try having carbohydrates that are not digested too quickly. Starchy foods such as white breads, potatoes and rice are broken down very quickly and cause blood sugar spikes. To help to feel more relaxed continue with the night visualisation and if you can try to add a morning one – just select one from our archives that you feel suits your needs most at the moment. Also try to take time out for yourself each day, just doing something simple that you love, it can be as little as 15 minutes. This can become something that is part of your daily routine and something to look forward to each day. Simple things like this make a world of difference to how you handle life’s stresses.
      Hope this helps – keep us posted!
      Den – GM Team

  7. Annie H says:
    January 28, 2014 at 7:53 pm

    This is one of my favorite soup recipes, I make it almost every week and it is very anti-inflammatory – it is Carrot-Ginger Soup.
    Ingredients are:
    1 onion chopped
    3 cloves of garlic
    2 tsp of fresh ginger minced (more if you like)
    1/2 tsp of turmeric
    1/2 tsp of smoked paprika
    1/2 tsp cinnamon
    1 1/2 lbs of carrots peeled and chopped (I like to use rainbow carrots or sweet potatoes for a change sometimes)
    1 organic zucchini (important to be organic because non-organic can be a GMO product)
    6 cups of water

    Saute onions in about 1 tbsp of coconut oil for about 2-3 minutes, add garlic, ginger and remaining spices and saute for about another minute. Add carrot and zucchini and saute another 3-5 minutes. Add water and bring to a boil then simmer until carrots are soft. either put in blender to puree or use immersion blender in pot to puree.

    If you like, you can add some chopped spinach or swiss chard when serving.

  8. SusanLB says:
    January 28, 2014 at 5:19 pm

    Hello! New to the group … a bit overwhelmed as to where to start … figure that adding some fermented food is as good a place as any. Where do I find more info on that? BTW, I like the reference to “low-level inflamation” in the above video … I can feel when it’s at a high level (body pain, stiffness and headaches) but “low-level” can be even more insidious as it’s easy to miss / dimiss / ignore.
    Thx 🙂

  9. Bette says:
    January 26, 2014 at 4:23 pm

    This video has been very helpful, although I’m writing here to say that your visualizations help me to feel so much better. I am presently sick with bronchitis, and am under the care of a doctor. Yet your healing visualization really does work to help me feel better. I feel like I’m getting well faster each time I listen to the healing one. Thanks for making these super cool visualizations that work so well. I would post this comment in the right place on your website for this, but don’t know where to find it.

  10. Dot Lenhart says:
    January 25, 2014 at 3:06 pm

    Here is a recipe I like: Tzatziki: 1 C yogurt, 2 seeded & shredded cucumbers, 1 juiced lemon, 1 Tbsp olive oil, 1 Tbsp chopped fresh dill, 3 minced cloves garlic, salt to taste. Salt cukes 1st, let sit 30 min. Mix all, refrigerate 2 hours. Enjoy. Nice as a dip with vegetables or as a condiment.

  11. Dot Lenhart says:
    January 25, 2014 at 3:03 pm

    I have just discovered a fermented food, kimchi. Do you think this is good in the diet?
    I have a number of inflammatory diseases, so am going to try probiotics. I will obtain the best quality my limited budget allows.
    I saw you say in a video that your preferred sweeteners are sucanat and unprocessed honey. What about maple syrup? I know it is boiled, but it is very abundant here in Vermont.
    Thank you in advance for your input, and for all your great information.

    • Joseph Antebi says:
      January 25, 2014 at 4:25 pm

      I’ve heard Jon recommend Xylitol, a a natural sweetener. It’s almost identical in taste to table sugar without all the harmful effects. Just make sure it’s derived from birch not corn.

    • Jon Gabriel says:
      January 25, 2014 at 10:21 pm

      Hi Dot,

      Kimchi is great. For sweeteners, I recommend coconut palm sugar and stevia. Maple syrup elevates the blood sugar a bit too quickly, which can undermine your weight loss efforts.

  12. Joseph Antebi says:
    January 23, 2014 at 12:57 pm

    I thought an increase in ghrelin not leptin increases appetite?

  13. Lana Van Veen says:
    January 23, 2014 at 12:12 pm

    Thanks Jon this leads me to look at other avenues for dealing with my weight lose challenges.

  14. Bonita LUND says:
    January 23, 2014 at 3:10 am

    Hi Jon

    I have a question about probiotics and digestive enzymes….can they be taken at the same time? Also I take Magnesium find it helps with my sleep patterns and Stress levels…. can I take it at the same time as well?

    With Love and Gratitude
    Bonita

  15. Bette says:
    January 22, 2014 at 6:42 pm

    This is my second posting — Jon, you asked us for suggestions about reducing stress. I read that magnesium can be helpful for some people who have anxiety, panic attacks, bipolar episodes, PTSD, etc., as well as leg cramps and irregular heartbeat and/or heart palpitations. I’ve had a terrible anxiety problem with some panic episodes all my life. I just thought it was in my genes to be “high strung.” However, recently I read some material by a Dr. Carolyn Dean regarding magnesium and many health issues that people face because of a deficiency in this mineral, but often they are put on drugs when this simple mineral could alleviate their symptoms. Ordinarily we used to get magnesium from our food before the soil was depleted and fertilizers used do not contain it. I began taking ionic magnesium and the next day I noticed a huge difference in how I felt. No longer am I uncontrollably driven to write a tome each time I email friends, and it feels fantastic to be free from continually having “butterflies in my stomach” My leg cramps have stopped, and so have the heart palpitations. Of course there isn’t a single “silver-bullet-cure-all,” but from my present experience while taking magnesium, I decided that it may be more important than we have realized in the past. I read also that a good way to get magnesium is to put a cup of Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) in the bath water and soak a couple times a week. Bette

  16. Bette says:
    January 22, 2014 at 5:38 pm

    I’m still pretty new to The Gabriel Method support membership, and all the information with videos, the forum, visualizations, and phone-in archives have been helping me tremendously. And this latest video describing how body fat produces stress and inflammation really hit home for me. Sort of reminds me of how a wildfire will develop its own weather once it get large enough. Each time I learn something new in the Gabriel Method the more excited I become about knowing how to become slender and healthy (once again) but this time staying there. Thank you Jon for keeping up with the latest information and passing it along to us. All my life I have used under eating and even fasting to starve excess fat off my body (literally) and then eat a ton for awhile and gain weight again. But this time when I tried it I crashed. No energy. Probably because I’m too old at 75 to treat my body like that anymore and get away with it. I knew that I needed extra help and the Gabriel Method delivers. Thank you very much Jon! Bette

  17. Audrey White says:
    January 22, 2014 at 4:41 pm

    This really resounded with me. However it brought up the following questions:
    1) when and how much fermented food should we try to add in a day. I assume to get the best benefit, timing of fermented foods in the gut with other things we eat or imbibe probably matters,
    2) I have been puzzling over how to add the powdered turmeric (Durkee brand) I bought and that is mentioned into my diet with any regularity,
    3) I find myself falling back into stressful “diet mentality” behaviors when trying to hit all the suggested GM adds. Suggestions on getting out of this cycle? And finally,
    4) One major stressor I am facing is poor pain management for my repaired but still weak quad muscles, as well as arthritis which is beginning to rear its head in my knees. What parts of the method can help deal with daily stress of pain besides the not very helpful advice from my doctor which is, “take some tylenol”. 🙂

    One thing that those close to me have noticed since I started using the GM is that I have more moments of calm and centeredness. I am certain that the visualizations (especially the night visualization!!) as well as a return to Silva method practice is the cause of this. Thank you for that Jon!!

    • Jon Gabriel says:
      January 25, 2014 at 10:30 pm

      Hi Audry,

      Nice to meet you! Just take a more is better approach to health. Meaning if you’re adding more fermented foods great, if not, whatever you do will help. Keep the same attitude about any of the suggestions and don’t try to ‘do it all’. But do make sure that you continue to practice visualization every morning if possible. This will help with pain management and continue to increase the feelings of calmness and centerdness you are experiencing.