Handbook for the Explore Your Hunger
8 Week Weight Loss Cleanse & Diet Program
Before You Begin
Congratulations, you have taken the first step towards a new relationship with your body.
Let me extend a wholehearted welcome to the 8 Week Weight Loss workshop.
Taking the first step shows courage, faith, hope, and a belief in yourself. We are each created with a knowledge of who we should be, and also a keen awareness of the difficulties in truly discovering and living out of our true identity. We are so glad you have decided to join us for this special time to explore your uniqueness together.
This handbook will help you understand better what to expect, how to prepare for the course, and answer some of the questions you may have. But first, take a moment to set your intentions for the program. What brought you here? A big part of the course will include journaling your feelings, emotions, and any physical sensations. You will be given specific journaling prompts each week.
Ayurveda’s primary gift is the development of body awareness, especially in relationship to food, digestion, and balance. Please send these intentions to natalie@joyfulbelly.com.
How does feeling overweight affect your life? What emotions does it bring up?
● __________________________________________________________
● __________________________________________________________
● __________________________________________________________
What does feeling thin mean to you? How do you believe your life would be different if you were thin?
● __________________________________________________________
● __________________________________________________________
● __________________________________________________________
What are some of the causes, physically and emotionally, of your weight gain?
● __________________________________________________________
● __________________________________________________________
● __________________________________________________________
What are some of the obstacles you have faced trying to lose weight?
● __________________________________________________________
● __________________________________________________________
● __________________________________________________________
What is your current weight?
How much weight to do you want to lose?
Please fill out the following online quizzes here. The online quizzes will jog your memory, gives you an idea of how an Ayurvedic practitioner would examine your body, and gives you a snapshot of your health and wellness from an Ayurvedic perspective.
● http://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/assessment?action=quiz_history
Description of the Course
Do you feel like you lost a friend in your battle to lose weight your friendship with yourself? Achieving weight loss can feel like a constant fight against your own body. You can't trust your instincts, and may even feel like your own body betrayed you, leading you to weight problems. But with so many conflicting diets and programs, whom can you trust? Ayurveda offers something better than a battle between your will and your weight. Ayurveda offers understanding and education. In this unique weight loss workshop, we'll illuminate the patterns that put on the pounds, and discuss a supportive paradigm for freedom from food addiction. At the end of this workshop, you won’t feel battered by the fight to lose weight, but enlightened on how your body works, and contented as you deepen trust and befriend yourself again.
Understanding your body
Over 90 percent of dieters end up gaining back more weight than they initially lost. Despite this statistic, the weightloss industry grosses over $1 billion per year. Ayurveda recognizes that crash diets fail. Ayurvedic tips for weight
reduction are simply, healthy, and stable. It is not a diet, but a new understanding that brings your food cravings into light and under control. Wouldn't you prefer the tools to know your body rather than fight it? You can resolve the source of your unhealthy tendencies, and find a lasting, loving solution.
For example, in Ayurveda weight gain is considered to be a circulatory problem.
Safe Ayurvedic weight loss tips will address the circulatory issues that
accompany weight gain. This will help you shed stomach fat and still feel good.
We'll also unravel the mysteries of emotional eating patterns, helping to soothe the emotions as you reduce without feeling deprived. Ayurvedic home remedies are powerful yet gentle, and can help you stay motivated to lose weight without the dramatic, harsh techniques of crash diets.
This 8 week workshop will show you how to get off the diet wagon and to stop trying to figure out what the next miracle food is! The key to weight loss is simple and can be accessed through listening to your body and developing good daily routines. You'll learn to support and value your unique body type and understand its cues and needs. This year commit to knowing yourself, not just your weight loss goals. Give yourself the gift of discovering your unique needs, paving the way for the lifelong journey toward health. This course will help you:
● Lose weight naturally
● Feel energetic, cleansed, and affirmed
● Build mental clarity
● Overcome food addiction & emotional eating
● Discover a new relationship with food and your body that has helped people for 5000 years.
Main Topics of Discovery
● A safe cleansing program for your body
● Satisfying meal options, recipes, & ingredients
● The nature of cravings and addictions
● Understanding your body's signs, signals, and cues
● Ayurvedic perspectives on weight loss
● Skills to address emotional eating habits.
● Mindful eating practices
● Gentle exercises, lifestyle and routine changes to support your body
● Herbs to support and heal your body
Weekly Routine & Expectations
Each week, you will also receive instructions for the step by step cleanse. Daily tips and journal exercises are designed to fit into a busy schedule and take less than 15 minutes a day.
You will receive 7 weight loss recipes each week for your inspiration. Joyful Belly recipes require minimal preparation, often taking less time in the kitchen than usual, and use common ingredients that will seem familiar to you. To get the most out of the course, expect to spend around 20 minutes a day cooking. There will also be weekly journaling exercises for personal exploration and growth.
Please send your responses to these exercises to natalie@joyfulbelly.com.
Many people want to print the recipes. Be sure to look for the printer friendly option to the right of the recipe name.
Instructions for Listening to the Lectures
Each week will include a 45 minute lecture by John Immel introducing you to new ways of understanding your body and emotions through the lens of Ayurveda, as well as Ayurvedic approaches to weight loss and food cravings.
There will be a weekly LIVE call with Ayurvedic Pracitioner Natalie Immel on Wednesday at 7pm EST / 4pm PST. These calls will be recorded and available for anyone who cannot attend. Remaining prerecorded lectures will be posted to your download box by Wednesday at noon.
Participation in the live lectures is optional, but highly encouraged. Participation is the number one predictor of success in this program, so come to the
lectures if you can! If you choose to listen to recordings only, we recommend you schedule a dedicated time of the week so that you are on a fixed schedule and don't get behind in the lectures.
Live lectures and Q & As are on Wednesdays 7 – 8:30pm EST / 4 – 5:30pm PST. Connect five minutes early so that we can start on time. Come with questions! You are welcome to stay on the line afterwards for a question and answer session. We recommend you use a headset with a microphone, so that your hands are free to take notes during the session.
To attend via phone for audio:
● Dial (712) 4320460
● Enter the Meeting ID 200136#
● Press *6 to mute your line
Listening to the Recordings
At the beginning of the program you will receive an email with the subject,
“Download Weight Loss Workshop Audio Recordings.” This is your private link to your download box. Save the link to your download box in a special place, because you will use it each week for the remainder of the program. If you've registered for the course but haven't received your download box, please post to the facebook page right away so we can set you up.
Your box will initially contain the handbook only. Each week, prerecorded lectures and exercises will appear in your box by noon on Wednesday. Live lectures will be posted by the following Wednesday.
Some users have reported problems listening to the recordings on handheld devices such as mobile phones. In that case, use your computer instead to listen to the lecture. Try downloading the file again. As a last resort, please post the problem you are having to the facebook group.
Daily Emails & Exercises
Starting the morning following the first lecture, you'll receive short daily emails with tips, ideas, and insights. If, on any day, you don't receive an email, please check your spam folder. Many people with AOL accounts have reported
problems receiving the emails. Please make sure the following email addresses are white listed so they do not end up in your SPAM folder:
● orders@joyfulbelly.com
● john@joyfulbelly.com
● joseph@joyfulbelly.com
If you can't find the email in your spam folder, or if there are any other problems with the email, please post to the facebook page immediately.
4 Weight Loss Herbs & Explore Your Hunger Care Package Included with Your Purchase
These proprietary herb formulas are included in your weight loss package and will be sent to you at the end of the second week of the program. Until then, your herbs will be listed as 'Back Ordered' in your account. Please go to the following link to check your shipping address for herb delivery.
http://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/account/payment.php?action=order_history
The herbs will assist you in weight loss, digestion, cleansing, and selfdiscovery.
You will receive a document with all of the seasonal herbs and instructions at the beginning of the course.
You will also receive a copy of our book Explore Your Hunger as part of your care package. This book will greatly compliment your study in this course and serves as the basis for the course.
Herbs you may want to order (optional)
● Weight Away http://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/product/x/75
● Triphala http://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/product/x/82
● Gymnema sylvestre http://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/product/x/120
● Neem http://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/product/x/81
Follow these guidelines for taking herbs:
● http://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/article/InstructionsforPowderedHer bsTeas/1781
These formulas are all medium strength. Generally, take each herb for two weeks (when they will be replaced by another herb at the same time). Be sure to stop taking any herb or supplement below if you get pregnant, ill or if you
experience any discomfort while taking them.
Without a consultation it is very difficult to make specific recommendations regarding herbs for weight loss. Instead, please check with your primary care provider, if under their care, before taking any of these herbs or supplements to be sure they will not interact with any medicines you are currently taking. Do not stop any medicines or regimens that you are currently on that were prescribed by your primary care provider without their knowledge and approval.
Facebook Discussion Group
The facebook group is a private group for members in the program to share their experiences, ask questions, and report problems. It is also the primary location where we will post announcements, address technical support issues, and post the password for attending the lecture. Please direct all questions to this group for the benefit of others.
Please accept the invitation you received if you haven't already. Here's the link to the group. Note: this link is inaccessible until you are a member.
● https://www.facebook.com/groups/ayurveda.weight.loss
You do need a facebook account to join, but once you have joined, you can simply participate via email. To write to the group, send a message to following email address or simply reply to a message from the group:
✦ ayurveda.weight.loss@groups.facebook.com
If you didn't receive an invitation, or are otherwise having trouble getting signed on, please friend me on facebook then send an email requesting access to john@joyfulbelly.com. I've found that's the easiest way. My personal facebook page is:
● https://www.facebook.com/ayurvedicdiet
Optional Items You'll Benefit From
Throughout the course you will benefit from:
● spices and access to healthy food choices
● additional optional recommended books to supplement your growth
● quiet, personal time for a half hour each day for journaling & meal preparation
● a close trusted friend to meet with you once a week or as needed
● identifying routines and practices that bring you comfort and joy
Food & Spices
● Turmeric http://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/product/x/80
● Cardamom http://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/product/x/164
● Ginger http://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/product/x/152
● Cinnamon http://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/product/x/163
● Cumin http://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/product/x/162
● Coriander http://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/product/x/194
● Fennel Seed http://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/product/x/195
● Ghee http://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/product/x/53
Access to Healthy Food
If you would like additional recipe ideas for your unique constitution, consider ordering Your Personal Ayurvedic Recipe Book
✦ http://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/products/x/187
Journal
Take time to nurture yourself! Identify a quiet time you can set aside each day to journal your experiences, thoughts, feelings and emotions. Identify a room or space in your home where you can use for writing / reflection. During this time especially notice any physical sensations in your mouth, stomach, abdomen, elimination, emotions, & energy levels.
✦ Quiet Time of Day ________________________
✦ Space in Home ________________________
A Close Trusted Friend
Due to the personal nature of the work and the limitations of our weekly sessions, you might enjoy sharing your experiences with a friend who knows you well. We recommend scheduling a weekly meeting with your friend at a regular time to discuss important concepts you are discovering and hear their feedback. You will also be giving them the gift of awareness as they will inevitably find ways to apply what you are learning to their own lives!
For additional personal support, and to discuss more complex health & wellness issues, you may schedule private consultations with John at halfprice. Use the following link to book your consultation:
✦ http://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/consultation?S=HALFPRICE
Finding Comfort and Joy
Throughout the course, different emotions may arise as you challenge your current ideas about food, security, and comfort. It will be important to identify resources you have that bring you joy and comfort. This primarily occurs in the home and we will together encourage each other to mindfully cultivate sources of love joy and hope.
Name some activities that bring you comfort and joy and commit to cultivating these.
● __________________________________________________________
● __________________________________________________________
● __________________________________________________________
Recommended Books
You might enjoy purchasing some of these recommended books. All of the books we recommend have had a significant impact on our own thinking and growth and would be of benefit for you to read. You may find yourself interested in learning more about a specific topic we cover and the books we will recommend can assist you in that.
WeightLoss
● Explore Your Hunger by John Immel & Natalie Hine
● Mindful Eating – by Jan Chozen Bays, MD
● Embody: Learning to Love Your Unique Body (and quiet that inner critical voice!) by Connie Sobczak
● Breaking Free from Emotional Eating – Geneen Roth
● The Sugar Addicts Total Recovery Program – Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D., Addictive Nutrition
Ayurveda
✦ Explore Your Hunger
http://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/product/ExploreYourHunger/1025
✦ Your Personal Ayurvedic eBook
http://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/products/x/285
✦ Your Personal Ayurvedic Recipe Book
http://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/products/x/187
✦ Your Personal Ayurvedic Chart
http://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/product/x/366
Self Discovery / Emotional Health
✦ The Wisdom of the Enneagram Don Richard Riso, Russ Hudson
✦ Waking the Tiger Peter Levine
✦ Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, Not Food
Claiming Your Bonuses
For your bonus recording, select any one audio file from the online library. This bonus recording helps you address a specific problem you are facing, such as postpartum recovery or hypothyroid.
You will receive $250 in discounts including
● $100 off a future 8 week workshop or the Master's in Digestion program.
Please contact orders@joyfulbelly.com to receive this discount.
● Up to four halfpriced consultations for the duration of the course. To receive your discount, please login, then purchase the consultation from the store (not from the consultations page).
● 20% off most products in the store for the duration of the course. To receive your discount, please login before making your purchase.
● A free download from our audio library. Please email orders@joyfulbelly.com to claim this discount.
This offer cannot be combined with other sales and promotions offered in the store. If you have any questions about receiving your discount, please contact orders@joyfulbelly.com.
