Each week we test out different ways to get in shape in 2010. This week, dieter Dianne Bourne tries to conquer her chocolate addiction – by using a bit of mind over matter.

THERE’S one big problem in my continuing weight loss campaign that I reckon many fellow dieters will share – and that’s chocolate. Or rather, my unhealthy obsession with all things of a sweet, velvety cocoa-like nature.

While I’m quite capable of following a healthy eating regime and dedicating hours in the gym, I still haven’t quite conquered my love of choccy treats.

I’ve never understood why I can’t have a more normal attitude when presented with any form of chocolatey goodness. That is, being able to just stop at the one chocolate cookie rather than the whole barrel, or just sample one tasty truffle rather than an entire box.

So, in a bid to try and get to the root of the problem once and for all, I enlisted the help of holistic therapist Tania Harasimiuk.

Tania specialises in energy healing, and reckoned that by using a technique called “Emotional Freedom Technique” (EFT) she could help get to the bottom of my chocolate obsession.

She’s used the technique to help people resolve all sorts of issues in the past – including phobias, low self-esteem or improve sports performance, as well as cracking smoking and alcohol addictions.

EFT is based on the ancient principles of acupunture – but without the need for needles, I’m pleased to hear. Instead, you use a simply finger-tip tapping process to gently realign the body’s energy system, while “tuning into the problem”.

In practical terms, this means tapping your hand, head, chin, chest and armpit while repeating postive statements, like for me: “I don’t need to eat all those Maltesers to feel happy”.

Tania tells me the answer to most emotional issues lies in our childhood, and so we discuss my relationship with food from an early age.

A-ha, I thought, I had a very happy childhood so it can’t be that. But as Tania took me through a series of questions, it became clear that because I had such a happy childhood, my chocolate obsession could stem from the fact it reminds me of my feelings of comfort and relaxation when I would be treated to sweet treats as a child.

I’d never really thought of it like that before, but it did make sense.

Apparently, if you have any feelings of bitterness in your life, you can also crave a lot of sweet things to, literally, balance out the bitter taste in your mouth.

As I tapped away on my head and repeated Tania’s statements about trying to get a healthy balance it all started to make sense.

Since the session I’ve used the technique when I’ve felt the need to munch away, and if nothing else all that tapping at least keeps your hands away from the biscuit tin!

» Tania holds EFT sessions at a host of locations in Manchester, at £45 to £69 per hour. For more information see prismhealing.co.uk or email tania@prismhealing.co.uk