The Sanford Herald Book Outlines cure for food cravings By Steve Paradis Herald Staff Sanford – For people battling weight problems, cravings for food can become overwhelming. “It is like being trapped in a cage, with your arm extended, seeking more of that which put you in the cage in the first place,” writes Rena Greenberg, author of a new book, “The Craving Cure: Break the Hold Carbs and Sweets Have on Your Life.” In Sanford, many people know Greenberg as a hypnotherapist and the founder and director of Wellness Seminars Inc. She has conducted the seminars regularly in more than 75 hospitals, including Central Florida Regional here. The seminars work on both weight loss and smoking, although her upcoming seminar will focus on losing weight since the book has just been published. The root of many addictions is emotional , Greenberg said in a recent interview with The Herald. People try to satisfy, or love, themselves with a sugary treat. Chemicals are released in our brain that make people feel good, but in the long run when the weight gain and the health problems occur, the effect is a negative one. Greenberg made the personal decision to eliminate sugar years ago, but she talks about the craving with an experience from a recent cruise. “I’ll let myself eat a roll,” she said about her vacation. She remained in control initially, but after a few days Greenberg said she began to think, “When am I going to get to eat my next hot roll.” The food creates the craving and her book explains how that words in our bodies. Of course, it also explains how to make changes and lose those cravings. First people have to understand that the cravings come from a need for comfort. Often people have associated pleasure with foods they know are bad for them since childhood. “Once we realize what we are truly searching for – such as love, safety, deep rest – it can be a relief because we are likely to get what we truly want only after we have the courage to break free from our old, destructive habits,” Greenberg writes. She defines sugar addiction in the book as “the compulsion to consume sugar, simple carbohydrates, stimulating food or beverages containing sugar, sweeteners, caffeine or alcohol.” People treat these like a drug to “stimulate, sedate or distract.” They know the items aren’t good overall, but people feel pulled to those types of food. Say at work a person feels like getting a candy bar or candy-coated chocolate perhaps in the afternoon. “The subconscious mind responds to our feelings, not necessarily our wishes,” Greenberg said. “So it’s important to associate the foods you do NOT want to eat with bad feelings rather than pleasurable feelings.” She said the subconscious part of the brain responds our images and feelings. “Our brain is always moving toward pleasure and away from pain—so associate pleasure with the activities that will lead you to what you actually want in your life – health and happiness,” Greenberg explained. In her book, she offers exercises that give readers concrete behaviors to organize against cravings. For example, one exercise has the reader list good qualities and evidence that you have them and also bad qualities, like no control or impatience. Once the reader knows their liabilities, he or she can think about times when they did show control or patience. The book draws on breathing techniques and listening to the right inner voice to steer away from cravings. There are specific listings of food for high nutrition and even a two-week plan to cleanse the body with vegetables. Rick Burns from Oviedo said the plan works. “I lost 38 pounds in four months and kept it off for years,” Burns reported. “The guys were laughing at me because I was eating salads without dressing and sandwiches without the bread.” The best part, he said, is that he doesn’t have to cut out great tasting foods that he likes. “I don’t do without,” Burns said. “I still eat chicken wings and drink margaritas, but just eat less. I didn’t give up anything.” It is not about being narcissistic, Greenberg said. People can’t give what they don’t have. Without love for oneself, it is difficult to love others. “It’s more about filling ourselves up with something other than food,” Greenberg said. “When you’re healthier you don’t crave.’ The next Wellness Seminar at Central Florida Regional is Saturday, May 19 from 10am to noon. “The Craving Cure” can be purchased through amazon.com or through Greenberg’s website, EasyWillpower.com.