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On a daily basis the newspaper is full of reports as to how more and more Americans are becoming obese. Many people live on diets that consist of sugars, starch, over-processed foods, and white flour. This nutrient-depleted diet, combined with sedentary lifestyles, has caused one of the largest obesity epidemics this country has ever known. When living in an appearance-obsessed society, obesity can have more devastating effects on a person then merely their expanding waist line. Obesity leads to many serious illnesses, examples of which are: heart disease, high blood pressure, respiratory problems, circulatory problems, and diabetes. The larger one becomes, the more likely one is to be inactive. Daily exercise that results in the pumping of fresh, oxygenated blood throughout the system. Without which, the results are dire and the consequences may be deadly.

There are many reasons that cause people to overeat. The root of the problem is often emotional rather than physical. It is important for those who are struggling with obesity to take the time to not only exercise the body but also to conduct the inner work of self-realization and healing to begin to tackle the underlying issues of why they overeat. It is important to determine if one's overeating is a result of emotional triggers such as anger, sadness, depression, or low self esteem. Some people tend to overeat to combat boredom. When left feeling as if they have nothing else to do, they want to feed themselves. Others may have used overeating since childhood to comfort themselves after lonely or traumatic experiences. Ultimate health and success of every person depends upon determining what triggers his or her addiction to food. ALong with the necessary inner work, it is also important to take a examine one's diet and take the necessary steps to replace unhealthy foods and snacks with their healthy counterparts. This means substituting fruits and vegetables in place of refined white flour, sugar, and empty calories.

It is important to consume foods that are as close as possible to their natural or live state. Whenever possible, fruits and vegetables should be eaten in raw, organic form. Exercise is another important area where change must be made. It is crucial to remember that a person who has been living a sedentary lifestyle is not in appropriate physical shape to immediately manage a strenuous workout. The exercise changes that are necessary should focus more on establishing a routine than on performance. To implement these lifestyle changes, commitment and practice should be the goal. The actual exercise should consist of a series of gentle movements such as a daily walk, swimming, or incorporating yoga to the lifestyle. Once the daily exercise habit forms, then the one may shift focus to adding strength training, or additional cardiovascular workouts. Begin by simply including 20 minutes of daily movement and then increase from there.

Aromatherapy is beneficial for decreasing appetite. It is also a powerful way to reinforce one's new mindset and to overcome food addiction. It is highly effective for those who are eat food as comfort. For those who know that they do not need to eat for your survival, but instead want to eat out of boredom, depression, or for another emotional reason, when faced with a craving, they can satisfy it with aromatherapy. Another thing to try is to increase water consumption. It is vital that one consumes enough water daily to maintain one's body in perfect form. Often the brain will signal that it is thirsty, and we mistakenly feed it instead. One recipe for an appetite controlling scent is to combine 1 drop of Clary Sage, 1 drop of Sandalwood, and 1 drop of Ylang Ylang essential oils and blend. In order to make a massage oil out of this, add it to a carrier oil, such as sweet almond, apricot kernel, or grapeseed oil and apply to pressure points. For immediate relief of cravings it may also be used in an inhalant, in an aromatic bath, or in the form of aromatherapy candles.