FOOD ADDICTION...OR ENERGY DEPLETION?

By John Maerz BA LMT

     After many years of working in the service field as a psychic, counselor, retail clerk and/or any other combination of the service professions I have begun to notice that more people in these fields are overweight. The common tie with these vocations is that they deal directly with people and their needs. Self love is a major player in weight control but there is another demon which is invisible, insidious and altogether ignored as a general rule...energy. The ordinary person can't taste it, smell it, see it or feel it. Yet, it is there. Or is it?

     I have found that after doing a number of psychic readings, being in bumper to bumper traffic for a hour or after being on the telephone with someone who complained about their life, I found myself craving sugar or needing to take a nap. After each encounter with a "draining" experience I had felt that I needed a "recharge" of energy.

     Everyone at some time has complained about not having enough energy to complete a task but have we ever considered where it comes from? The idea that energy could be taken from us may, at first, seem ludicrous but after close examination of "draining" experiences with people we have to ask ourselves where did it go? How did we get so depleted so fast?

     Eating, sleeping and "stealing" seem to be the most common ways of regaining energy. For a large number of people it is mostly impossible to sleep long or well enough to recharge because of our fast paced life. Time is required for sleep. Still, we never have enough. When we complain to others (in order to steal some energy) most people run away unless we are very adept at manipulating their attention. Finally, eating seems to be the most acceptable and readily available means of regaining energy. This would be fine except for the fact that in the time that it takes for our food to be processed, packed, delivered and finally prepared, all of its life energy is almost gone. It then requires energy to digest it. What are we to do? We are now in a vicious cycle. The more we eat, the more we need. As a result we may feel full but never satisfied. Why? We have regained little or no energy and in the process gained lots of weight.

     The western world is the fastest paced, offers mostly processed food and has the highest proportion of overweight people in the world. Is food addiction an emotional problem? Partially, perhaps, but in the long run I think not. I think it's an energy depletion and we can't catch up.

     What's the answer? Meditation combined with wholesome foods, exercise and proper rest. It sounds corny. Doesn't it? Try it. Take the time you need. The benefits far outweigh the immediate gratification of junk or fast food!