We revisited the topic of emotional eating in our Weight Watchers meeting. The group agreed that emotional eating and learning how to combat it is one of the MOST dangerous/ important issues on any weight loss journey. I sat there thinking that sometimes we think it might be emotional eating when it could very well be boredom. Like watching TV and eating a bag of chips. It wasn't the intention to eat the entire bag, but before too long, the ENTIRE bag is gone. Emptied.
Emotional/Stress eating is a big issue for me. As well as eating out of boredom. The only thing(s) that saved me during storm Harvey was there was no "comfort," "storm," or "binge" type food in my kitchen. Boredom surely set in as I was stuck inside for a few days.
Emotional/Stress eating is a big issue for me. As well as eating out of boredom. The only thing(s) that saved me during storm Harvey was there was no "comfort," "storm," or "binge" type food in my kitchen. Boredom surely set in as I was stuck inside for a few days.
I find that my emotional eating is at its worst when I feel I'm not good enough. Rejection. Guilt. Negativity. The feeling that food is a shield and won't reject me enter my thoughts. I mean, the bag of Chex Mix, chips, or box of cookies isn't going to reject me. It's a way to suppress all those negative feelings. And it certainly isn't going to suggest healthier options. That's up to me. The part of the brain that knows better. Emotions can sometimes be tied (linked) to eating habits that without knowing, reaching for that donut or slice of pizza when feelings of anger, stress or negativity arise is out of habit. Plainly, the connection between negative emotions and unhealthy foods is a strong one.
When I felt let down, rejected, or otherwise unattractive, it was nothing for me to reach for a pint of ice cream or bag of chips. Now I must learn to turn those negative feelings into something positive. Instead of eating unhealthy foods, turn to activity or positive thoughts. But you don't hear what foods we are drawn to with a positive mood. If we're drawn to any certain foods at all. If I'm feeling good about myself I usually don't think of food....healthy or otherwise. However, I read an article that stated some research shows people in positive moods are more likely to choose fruit over chocolate.
It's important for me to learn that not every celebration needs to involve food. But that's what we've been conditioned to do. Birthday, where to go to celebrate? What to eat? Holiday, who'll cook what? Or go out? But some say that emotional eaters turn everyday occurrences into celebratory situations...allowing them to justify eating "comfort" food. Emotions and eating are two regular components of our lives that they usually get tangled up with one another.
I will admit, I still use food sometimes as a "healer." Not all the time, but it is there. After a break-up, I think what's the point? So I jump at the chance when someone wants Mexican. After all, I wasn't attractive to the man that just turned me down, so I must not be good enough. Getting news that I was passed over for a job I interviewed for, the food is there to console me. Then stress enters the picture. How do I tame it? I try not to let it consume me. Yoga helps. And all that walking I do takes my mind off of those negative emotions.
Food will always be a struggle for me. That's why it's important for me to work on balance, flexibility, and keeping my emotions in check. The fat girl is still here and it is so easy for her to rear her ugly head when emotions get the best of me. It's all about control. We all know that life doesn't revolve around control. As long as I can control something........the something being what I put in my mouth (or how I stop it), I'll be okay. I'm hesitant to let life enter a little. I know what happened the last time I let life in....I gained 30 pounds and spent this past last year losing it. Talk about emotions getting the best of me!
I will win the battle with the emotions monster. Learning to let things go. Realizing that emotions (and eating) are a big part of life. Unhealthy food (more like unhealthy choices) doesn't have to be tied to them. Maybe then this balance, and flexibility thing will work out.
My journey is Glitter all the Weigh! How about yours? Have an awesome week!
"Leave a little sparkle wherever you go!" Christina
It's important for me to learn that not every celebration needs to involve food. But that's what we've been conditioned to do. Birthday, where to go to celebrate? What to eat? Holiday, who'll cook what? Or go out? But some say that emotional eaters turn everyday occurrences into celebratory situations...allowing them to justify eating "comfort" food. Emotions and eating are two regular components of our lives that they usually get tangled up with one another.
I will admit, I still use food sometimes as a "healer." Not all the time, but it is there. After a break-up, I think what's the point? So I jump at the chance when someone wants Mexican. After all, I wasn't attractive to the man that just turned me down, so I must not be good enough. Getting news that I was passed over for a job I interviewed for, the food is there to console me. Then stress enters the picture. How do I tame it? I try not to let it consume me. Yoga helps. And all that walking I do takes my mind off of those negative emotions.
Food will always be a struggle for me. That's why it's important for me to work on balance, flexibility, and keeping my emotions in check. The fat girl is still here and it is so easy for her to rear her ugly head when emotions get the best of me. It's all about control. We all know that life doesn't revolve around control. As long as I can control something........the something being what I put in my mouth (or how I stop it), I'll be okay. I'm hesitant to let life enter a little. I know what happened the last time I let life in....I gained 30 pounds and spent this past last year losing it. Talk about emotions getting the best of me!
I will win the battle with the emotions monster. Learning to let things go. Realizing that emotions (and eating) are a big part of life. Unhealthy food (more like unhealthy choices) doesn't have to be tied to them. Maybe then this balance, and flexibility thing will work out.
My journey is Glitter all the Weigh! How about yours? Have an awesome week!
"Leave a little sparkle wherever you go!" Christina
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