Obesity Spells
How thoughts impact your health
Mr. Skeptical looks over my shoulder and says, “Obesity Spells? Did a Cuban uncle or aunt get you into Santeria?”
“Nope. I haven’t gotten into Santeria. Obesity Spells is a term I came up with.”
LOCAL LOVE: HACHI 
Hachi is my girlfriend’s dog, yet he feels like my dog, for I was there when my girlfriend picked him up at a foster home. His age is a mystery. He has a spinal problem, and his legs don’t always work. When walking him, he’ll often need to hop his back legs because he can’t move them separately fast enough to walk quickly. When he hops like this, it looks adorable. He sleeps a lot all day and rarely barks, but his bark is booming because he’s a dachshund. Subconscious Fat at 30,000 feet
In our journey to better health, there’s an invisible force often working against us—our thoughts. These thoughts can act like spells, influencing our behavior and decisions in powerful ways. I call these “Obesity Spells.” They are the ingrained beliefs and mental habits that trap us in unhealthy eating.
Mr. Skeptical raises an eyebrow. “Spells? Really? Isn’t that a bit dramatic?”
“Maybe but hear me out. These thoughts can have a magical hold on us, often leading us to make choices we know aren’t good for us.”
Subconscious Fat at 10,000 feet
Let’s examine some common Obesity Spells and how they shape our behavior:
Spell 1: “The delicious stuff is always bad for you.”
This is a classic Obesity Spell. Many people believe that delicious food must be unhealthy. This belief can lead to overindulgence in unhealthy foods and avoidance of nutritious options, even when they are tasty.
Mr. Skeptical chimes in, “Well, most junk food does taste better than a bowl of broccoli.”
“Well, a bowl of broccoli isn’t as healthy as most people think. Now compare junk food to a ribeye steak, and that’s different. Junk food is tasty because it’s engineered to be addictive. However, healthy food can be delicious too.”
Spell 2: “My mom shows her love by giving lots of fattening, sugary foods.”
Food is often intertwined with emotions and family traditions. For many, food symbolizes love and care, especially when family members cook it. In fact for me, I had a lot of Subconscious Fat going on in my relationship with my grandmother, which led me to being my most overweight ever. See that post here.
“So, you’re saying we should reject our mom’s and grandma’s cooking?” Mr. Skeptical asks.
“Not necessarily. It’s about finding balance and redefining how love is shown through food. Encouraging healthier versions of beloved recipes can be a start.”
Spell 3: “I’ve had a bad day; I deserve a treat.”
Emotional eating is a powerful Obesity Spell. Using food as a reward or comfort can create a cycle of unhealthy eating habits.
“I can’t argue with that. Everyone likes a treat after a tough day,” Mr. Skeptical nods.
“True, but there are other ways to treat yourself that don’t involve food. Finding non-food rewards like bathing, reading a book, or walking in the park can also help one feel rewarded.”
Spell 4: “Healthy food is too expensive.”
This belief can deter people from buying nutritious foods, leading them to opt for cheaper, processed options.
Mr. Skeptical raises a point. “Healthy food can be pricey. What’s the alternative?”
“Planning and preparation are key,” I say. “Buying in bulk and cooking at home can make healthy eating more affordable.”
Spell 5: “Eating healthy takes too much time.”
Many believe that preparing healthy meals is time-consuming, which can lead to reliance on fast food or ready-made meals.
Mr. Skeptical comments, “I barely have time to eat, let alone cook a healthy meal.”
I nod. “Time management and meal prep can make a big difference. Preparing meals in advance can save time during busy weeks. Healthy snacks like grass-fed and finished beef sticks or pork rinds fried in pork fat also help.
Subconscious Fat at Eye-Level
Likely, the most common obesity spell is ‘I could never give up bread’ or ‘I can’t imagine not putting sugar in my coffee.’
Mr. Skeptical stands up. “Exactly. How can you really believe you’ll be able to enjoy your coffee without sugar?”
“You must believe your taste buds change and continue to educate yourself in realizing the harm that sugar and wheat do. Taste does change. I recommend my clients go from a high-carb and sugar diet to a low or no-carb and sugar diet. But it’s a process, and it takes time.”
“Yeah, it seems like quitting smoking cigarettes would be easier.”
“One needs to view and see sugar and carbs as not healthy. They need to know that, with time, their cravings for sugar and carbs decrease. I’ve experienced this myself. But if you consider that impossible, you’ve already lost the battle. Thinking your taste buds can’t change is another Obesity Spell.”
Practical Suggestions and Conclusions
Mr. Skeptical looks thoughtful. “So, it’s all about changing the way we think?”
“Yes, our thoughts have a powerful influence on our behaviors. By identifying and challenging the Obesity Spells that keep us trapped in unhealthy eating, we can break free and make healthier choices. It’s all about changing the story in your mind.”
Be aware.
PS Links in Facebook and Instagram. Instagram LIVE workout every Tuesday, at noon Eastern time. Full disclosure: Chat GPT was used to research and enhance this post.
PSS Meat Up meet-up event on Wednesday, August 14, at 6:30 PM see event details here.
Excellent article! You are so right!—-l loved photo of Hachi👏👏
Great information.