The document describes the "pasta problem" faced by several individuals struggling with weight issues related to their love of pasta. Peter and his wife quit therapy when suggested to change their diets after being overweight. Rosa, a police officer, was unwilling to change her pasta-heavy diet despite health risks. Maria took a more diplomatic approach by slowly making small changes to family pasta traditions to help encourage healthier eating. The document provides suggestions for using self-suggestion to manage eating pasta in moderation.

1. The Pasta Problem
• Peter's doctor sent him to a psychiatrist for therapy.
• Peter was eighty pounds overweight.
• He said he could not give up pasta.
• Every night he ate two heaping plates of pasta with sauce.

2. The Pasta Problem
• His wife said he would not accept a substitute dinner.
• She also liked pasta.
• She ate less than her husband
• But she cooked pasta every night.
• They were both seriously overweight.

3. The Pasta Problem
• They wanted self-suggestion to make them love pasta less and like other foods
more.
• They needed a magician not a therapist.
• Self-suggestion is work, not magic. It requires action.
• Peter told his wife that therapy would not work.
• They quit.

4. The Pasta Problem
• Rosa was a policewomen who had a heart attack.
• She returned to work but her cardiologist insisted she lose thirty pounds.
• She described herself as addicted to pasta and pizza.
• They were "family" foods.
• She also hoped self-suggestion would work magic.

5. The Pasta Problem
• Rosa admitted she really did not want to change.
• She was willing to risk another heart attack just to keep eating the pasta she
loved.
• She knew she could be fired for being overweight and not fit.
• She did not care if she lost her job.
• Self-suggestion was not for Rosa.

6. The Pasta Problem
• Maria had a better attitude.
• She had gained fifteen pounds.
• She wasn't seriously overweight, but she did not want to gain more.
• She had to face reality.
• When metabolism slows, you either forego pasta or put on weight.

7. The Pasta Problem
• Her parents ate a lot of pasta.
• Her father was overweight and had a heart condition.
• Sunday dinner was a family tradition featuring pasta.
• Maria decided a change was needed.
• She also knew diplomacy and skill would be required.

8. The Pasta Problem
• She decided on a very indirect approach.
• First, she told everyone her doctor told her to lose weight..
• Like smokers who are told to quit, she announced she was under orders to diet.
• She had to eat more veggies and fewer carbohydrates.

9. The Pasta Problem
• At her parent's house she either took small portions of pasta or refused it.
• If she ate the pasta, she ate salads for the next three days.
• The family always came to her house for Thanksgiving.
• She wasn't serving pasta and turkey.

10. The Pasta Problem
• She made pasta less often and made less of it for the family.
• She served the pasta with a large salad.
• Eating out, she ate half her pasta and took the rest home.
• Her family got used to these changes and began to talk about how they
needed to diet.

11. The Pasta Problem
• She told the whole family, including all her in-laws, that she was learning new
ways to cook.
• She invited them for her new healthy dinners.
• They came.
• After all, she was a great cook. What's more, she did all the work.

12. The Pasta Problem
• Like Maria, you can use self-suggestion to solve the problem of pasta.
• Give up pasta altogether?
• Have it less often?
• Combine pasta with other foods, and have less?
• Take home part of a restaurant portion?

13. The Pasta Problem
• Eat something before Sunday dinner with the family, so you won't stuff yourself
with pasta?
• Plan a strict make-up program, for as many days as you need, to get back to
where you were?
• Suggest your own creative solutions?
• Lots of people work out solutions to the pasta problem.

14. The Pasta Problem
• Go to the next slide for an audio guide on self-suggestions for managing the
pasta problem.
• Listen, and figure out self-suggestions that respect family traditions, recognize
your own love of pasta, and also take account of reality -- of needing to eat for
your health and well being.
• Good luck.

15. The Pasta Problem