As a psychiatrist I know that there is more to overeating and obesity that meets the eye. One big reason that many diets fail is that traditional weight loss programs don't factor in how we process subtle energy, what Chinese medicine terms "life force" or "chi." Subtle energy penetrates and surround the body. Sensitive people who I call intuitive empaths unknowingly overeat in response to being overwhelmed by negative vibes. Empaths not only can sense emotions around them, but they also absorb it into their bodies. If this is you, Emotional Freedom will teach you to center and protect yourself when the impulse to overeat hits.

Here's the energetic premise of obesity: When empaths are thin, they have less padding and are more vulnerable to soaking up negative vibes. For instance, early 20th-century faith healers were renowned for being grossly obese to avoid absorbing their patient's symptoms -- a common trap I've seen modern-day healers also unconsciously fall into; food is a convenient grounding device. Similarly, many of my patients pack on pounds to protect against overwhelming vibes, massive or minute.

Energy is at the root of an empath's hunger. Whether your sensitivity to negativity is minimal or intense, for a diet to succeed, it's important to develop alternative coping strategies other than overeating. In my book I will show you how to cope with negative emotions without abusing food. Whether accosted by an angry colleague or global threat, apply them immediately. Stick to those that work best for you.

5 Emergency Interventions to Halt Energetic Eating
When the impulse to overeat hits:
Identify an Addictive Craving from a True Need: Addictive craving, a symptom of nutritional abuse, is a frequent response to energetic overload. Bottom line, you eat certain foods like a drug addict; this leads to obesity. Cravings feel intense: whenever you keep lusting after sweets and carbs especially, be suspicious. (I've yet to see someone binge on Brussels sprouts!)