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Getting It Right With Kathy Bowes
By admin | April 20, 2008
Recently I had the privilege of interviewing Katy Bowes. Kathy is the founder of a program to help people stop overeating and to live better lives.
KM: There are so many dieting programs out there, what makes yours different?
KB: There are a gazillion “dieting” programs out there—aren’t there? It’s amazing.
And I’m saddened by those that are not really helping their clients. Many even set them up for failure.
Last week I was talking with one of the participants in my newest class—who has been really struggling to stay on a very popular diet program that supplies refined foods to their clients. This beautiful woman is binging, periodically, and feeling awful about her inability to stay on it.
As I spoke with her about how some of us, with a long history of overeating, are sensitive to refined foods, she gave me a packet of this program’s salad dressing and I was shocked. Sugar was at the second ingredient and in two other places, under various names.
I love my favorite dressing, Paul Newman’s Caesar. It is delicious and sugar does not show up on it’s ingredients until the 9th spot. For me, it’s best that sugar is at the fifth ingredient and beyond, because that works best for my body.
My point being, that it’s hard for me to believe that such a program does not know that many of their clients are sensitive to sugar. And if they know this, why would they put so much of it in their dressing? It’s not necessary. There are already tasty, non-addictive dressings available.
And I just found out that another popular program, that I’ve tried many times myself, apparently offers two options to their clients. They can choose to focus on portions or eating the right foods.
That struck me as so odd, when I heard that. For me, it’s not an either/or situation. I need to eat healthy, whole, non-addictive foods for my particular body—and in portion sizes that enable me to stay at a weight that I like being at.
Meanwhile, I am not able to eat my trigger foods moderately. So, if someone suggested that I just focus on portions—eating any kind of food—I’d be binging in no time.
Okay, back to “Living Happy, Joyous and Free on The Road Less Traveled with Food.”
First of all it’s actually not a diet. We do address what we eat, though in a way that is probably different than other approaches.
During the five weeks of Phase I, we learn about the biochemistry of food addiction and how certain foods may be affecting our body, mind and emotions—and triggering us into an addictive cycle that renders us unable to control our eating and thus—weight.
I encourage participants to keep an open mind and become more aware of how what they are ingesting is affecting them, but I don’t ask them to change anything, yet. They are usually pleasantly surprised that there is no scale to get on or a diet to start following at the introductory class.
By the beginning of Phase II, The Action Phase, participants are convinced that the way they have been eating has been affecting them negatively and keeping them stuck in their overeating cycle. They’re excited to try something different for at least 28 days and based on what we have been learning—they choose what they are going to eat and the portion sizes for this short period of time—trusting that what I’ve been telling them happened for me—will happen for them as well.
Essentially, they take a leap of faith and stop ingesting things that they thought they loved and could never live without—like sugar, flour, wheat and sweeteners and within a week or so, are usually bouncing into class bright eyed and bushy tailed—telling me that they wish they had done this long ago.
For me, personally, withdrawal from my particular trigger foods usually takes me 21 days and my habit is set again by day 28, but the brave women who have ventured forward with me have less sensitive systems and truly feel better within a week or so, with a few cravings or trigger thoughts here or there.
By the time we begin Phase III, though, they too are free and exploring other areas of their lives as they release weight. It’s a very exciting time and we celebrate our successes in our weekly classes—even dancing and singing, as inspired, to fun songs like Queen’s “We Are The Champions.”
Second of all, it was created by someone who really understands this issue and has a deep passion to help others break free of their overeating cycle.
From age 11 to 30 I tried so many different diets and methods and none of them worked long term for me. It was extremely disheartening and when people read my bio, Living Happy, Joyous and Free On The Road Less Traveled with Food How I Broke Free of the Bondage of Overeating and Created A Life I Love” they often say, “Man, if you can do it. I can do it!” And that was one of my main intentions when I wrote the book
So, I used all of my painful experiences for good, gathered together the parts that did work and finally created a way that allowed me to release my excess weight and maintain it for the past ten years. The way that works best for me is what I present through this program.
And the good news is—that it’s amazingly easy—from Phase III on and it’s a way of eating and living that we can continue on with for the rest of our lives—if it’s working well for us.
I like to feel good. That’s why I thought I was eating, often. But too many experiences showed me over and over that my food choices and excess weight did not make me feel good.
Thirdly, we look at everything in our classes and individual sessions—not just what we eat and our weight. Our eating is multifaceted. We’re multifaceted. And sometimes it helps to look at our belief systems, patterns of thoughts and behaviors, inner child and adolescent, and anything that comes up—that is somehow intertwined with our eating. We create a positive and safe place to do this with one another in our classes and individual sessions.
Also, at its core—this is a spiritual program—and I created this from a place of viewing all of us as beautiful souls, here on earth for a variety of reasons, that only we can decide. People of all faiths are welcome and even those who are not into spirituality can come if they don’t mind that I see them as an amazing soul having a human experience.
With this as its foundation, though, my concern is not really what participants weigh or what they eat—unless these are blocking them from what they know they can be, while here on planet earth.
Every morning, I affirm the following:
MY INTENTION, THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, IS TO:
_Bring the world love & joy! And uplift collective Consciousness in the process
_Remind people that they are beautiful souls—luminous light beings
_Help them break free of a self-destructive pattern with food—so they can live more happy, joyous & free, enjoy their blessed lives, be who they are, and do what they love and what they came to do while here on planet earth.
I’m a feeling person, so my focus is always on our happiness, not weight. If I had been able to be genuinely happy when I was overweight—this program would not exist. I sincerely wanted to be the kind of person that did not care about my weight or how I looked. But I was not—and when I was out of control with my eating and carrying excess weight—I felt depressed, hopeless, embarrassed and many other negative feelings.
So, now participants in my program and I have a way to break free of overeating if we ever get back into that cycle. And by week nine we are already feeling way better and releasing weight.
How good we feel, the clarity we attain, and the weight release hooks us into continuing to do what we did in Phase II during Phase III and beyond.
I’m just here to support all of us along the way
KM: What do you feel makes you qualified to offer this program?
KB: I guess more than anything, my personal experience and passion to help in this area.
I truly felt like I needed to do my part to help, before I left planet earth, because this issue is not going away. In fact, I began putting my year long program together almost four years ago and at that point 60 percent of us were overweight or obese and now the number is 66-67%.
I feel sadness over this, because I know that there are people out there, like me, on their knees—asking for a way out of their overeating cycle. I don’t want them to keep trying methods that cannot work for them—due to their biochemistry. I don’t want them to feel like this is a moral issue or a sign that they don’t have self-control or self-discipline. I don’t want them to feel ashamed about this or blocked by this anymore. I want them to experience the freedom that I have, today, so that they can do something more fulfilling with their lives while they’re here.
Maybe some of us are here on planet earth to eat as much food as possible—and that’s fantastic. I feel no judgment around this. But for those of us who really don’t want to do that and know that we are here for something different—now there’s a simple, easy, doable way out and limitless possibilities await us.
I also did receive my masters in social work from the University of Chicago with the intention of helping those who want to stop overeating do so, and I completed my second year internship at The Rader Institute.
KM: What is your success rate?
KB: That depends on what you mean by “success.” Each person decides that for themselves, I guess.
On my website www.kathybowesonline.com you can read some testimonials of participants.
For me, it means that participants are happier, feel more in tune with who they are—outside of their overeating cycle, and more on track with their life’s purpose. And with that in mind, I’d say that probably every one of my clients, thus far, felt that way—while they were meeting with me—through classes and individual sessions.
Participants who have moved onto Phase II and beyond—have experienced freedom from the bondage of their overeating cycle and released weight—which has inspired many of them to continue on meeting with me into Phase III, IV and for some—beyond.
Until a month ago, I was actually still meeting, almost every week, with two women from my original class, which took place in November of 2003.
We are still staying connected through emails and phone calls, though, and they have been clear to me, consistently, that this program has changed and uplifted their lives in all areas. They are my strongest supporters because they know how powerful this approach is.
Almost all of the people I have worked with, so far, keep in touch with me and periodically have an individual face-to-face or phone call session with me.
Some have maintained eating according to a non-addictive food plan, for their particular bodies, and are now focused on other areas of their lives and some ask for a bit of support around getting back onto their food plans when they’ve gotten off of them.
I was someone who relapsed a lot so I see it as all good and trust the process for them and I am here, whenever they need me.
The participants who have stayed committed to our weekly group or weekly contact definitely have done the best.
Most of the world looks at food in a very different way, so it helps to stay connected with those who are doing the same thing.
KM: Is your program difficult to follow?
KB: For those who feel inspired to follow it—it is so easy and made in such a way that it supports you every step of the way.
It is way easier than overeating, carrying excess weight, and struggling with that whole cycle.
I call it the easier softer way that I was always searching for.
Upon first glance, I think it appears challenging, but it is the kind of thing that builds upon itself.
When we are eating in a way that allows us to feel more happy, joyous and free and in balance, and our weight is at a place that we like, and we feel better about ourselves, and we are busy creating lives that we love, and our relationships are move loving, and we are doing work that inspires us—we look back and say, “I thought it was going to be hard to not eat sugar, but, I would not trade my life today, for some ice cream and mom’s. No way. No how!”
Until you experience it, it may be hard to fathom. But once you do, you enjoy the sweetness of life instead of the false sweetness of refined foods that back fire on you.
KM: What is a consultation session with you like?
KB: It’s very spontaneous and open.
Interested parties usually arrange, with me, a time to talk by phone or to meet with me face-to-face.
During this first session, we usually talk a bit about where they are at with their eating and weight. They share some of their experiences and what they are looking for and I answer their questions about the way the program works.
Then they decide if it sounds like something that would be helpful to them—and if so—we begin to meet individually or they join an upcoming class.
KM: What is a group session like?
KB: Groups are really fun and uplifting. We incorporate some educational pieces, prayers, music and lots of sharing.
It’s not uncommon for there to be moments of deep sharing, that brings up tears for those present—and also laughter.
What’s really neat to observe, though, is how much the laughter part increases in Phase II and beyond. It’s amazing! And inspires me further to try to encourage participants to just give this a shot and see for themselves how good they can feel.
KM: What is the total cost of a program, say for someone who had to lose fifty pounds?
KB: That depends how long they choose to attend the weekly classes and/or weekly individual sessions.
Fees are not based on the amount of weight lost and each of us releases weight at our own pace.
Individual sessions are $60 and two hour classes cost $25. Each guidebook is $27, including tax. It’s extremely reasonable—purposefully.
KM: What is the expected time frame for someone looking to lose fifty pounds?
KB: That is up to each person.
It sure is easier to eat smaller portions—and thus fewer calories—when we are not ingesting foods that are triggering us to want to eat more.
So, if a participant is like me, when they begin Phase II, they will choose to eat whole, non-addictive foods—for their particular body—and in small enough portions to take off the eight more quickly.
During my weight release cycles, I usually ate between 1200—1700 calories daily and made sure to walk or dance as well. Sometimes I was able to take off 45 pounds within a few months, and at other times it took me a little longer, but I knew I was heading in the right direction and the weight would eventually come off. And it did!
Some of my participants have lost their weight in a matter of months and others have chosen to take it off more slowly—after their initial weight loss—as they adjusted to the changes that weight loss brought to them on various levels.
KM: How did this program come to be?
KB: Nearly four years ago, when my son was two and a half and in preschool, I felt the desire to help those who wanted to stop overeating—do so—become strong, once again.
Originally, this desire had motivated me to attend the University of Chicago, so I could receive my masters in social work and be best prepared to offer counseling in this area.
When I began to look around, many of the inpatient hospital programs that understood food addiction in the 1980’s and 1990’s had closed down.
And where I live, though there were still many programs for alcoholics and drug addicts, the programs for those with eating disorders were designed for those suffering with anorexia nervosa and bulimia.
I could not find something that was designed to help overeaters.
I think our sensitivity and/or addiction to certain substances found in foods and drinks—and the consequences of active food addiction—is as serious and debilitating as any other addiction, but—at that time—it did not seem that many were viewing it this way.
So, I decided that I would create my own. I wanted a positive, nurturing, educational, and doable program out there that people all over the world could have access to—and participate in, if so inspired.
Since then, while facilitating classes and individual sessions along the way—I created this year long program and in January of this year, I completed my 16th guide book.
Just recently I began to spread the word about my program and my availability to help in this area and I am praying that those who have been praying to find something like this—find their way to me.
KM: What are the other benefits to your program? Besides helping people to quit overeating and lose weight.
KB: Because we are open to covering anything that comes up—there are so many benefits above and beyond the weight loss and the cessation of the overeating cycle.
_Just about every participant shares that they feel closer to the God of their understanding.
_They feel better about themselves and more beautiful.
_Many report that they are not the same person who walked into the introductory class.
_Some are much more comfortable with and exploring potential relationships and their sexuality—which they avoided when they were overweight. It’s a fun and scary thing—but we talk our way through it all—and they come back with fun stories of their growth in this area.
_Some are doing better financially because the changes they are making have freed them up to put themselves out there in more risk-taking ways and it is paying off for them.
_Some are creating their own businesses—because they have more faith in their ability to do something outside of the mainstream now.
_Most are loving exercise for the first time and enjoying the changes this brings to their bodies and the lifted endorphins afterwards.
_Those that complete Phase II report that they are more aware of how they feel about things and that they’re thinking is much clearer. (It’s as if a fog lifts when we complete withdrawal.)
_They are also more willing to express themselves with loved ones—even if they know they might not be supported. We provide support for one another.
Many of us, who used to overeat, stuffed down our feelings and avoided confrontations, and as we eat healthier and feel better about ourselves—we become less willing to do this—but there is usually a process of learning how to be more assertive—and we work on those kinds of things in class.
We cheer each other on and celebrate each time we do something we’d never have done while overweight and isolating with our trigger foods.
Those are just some examples that come to mind at the moment.
KM: Thank you Kathy for taking the time to answer my questions.
KB: Thank you so much, Karen.
Take Good Care,
Kathy
If you, or someone you love, wants to stop overeating, release weight, and live more happy, joyous and free–I’d love to help you, or them, with this. http://www.kathybowesonline.com
http://empoweringmessages.com/visitors/KathyBowes.shtml
http://www.myspace.com/kathybowes
Karen Magill is the author of two paranormal romance novels - The Bond and Let Us Play - both available at http://www.lulu.com/karenmagill.
Tags: counselling, overeating, self-esteem, spirituality, weight loss
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