Emotional Eating

Emotional eating starts early in life, i.e. with moms nursing babies. Food as love.  It continues with all the food as reward messages we get about "being good" and getting dessert or getting hurt and having a cookie to "make it feel better."  The problem is that no amount of eating will ever be adequate enough when it comes to coping with emotions. 

From the saddest and most tragic feelings to the most blissful and everything in between, as human beings we are capable of feeling anything at any time, for no apparent reason.  In fact, we can feel the way we do, just because we do.  Another truth is that emotions don't stay in the same position at the same intensity forever.  Things shift.  They shift with perspective, with time, with talking it out, with maturity, with more understanding, with better weather. 

Pretending isn't the solution when it comes to dealing with life's ups and downs and all that comes with them.  Pretending is denial, and that can be fattening just as much as getting carried away at a party and overeating or drinking too many beverages.

As adults, it is part of our healthy development to deal with what comes our way, at work, at home, in our communities.  It is also part of our healthy development to rewrite our story about how we handle our personal feelings.  For starters, because we have feelings, we are entitled to them--and they don't have to make sense to the logical brain.  That's it.  We can feel sad if we do even if everyone else is feeling happy.  We can also feel "meh" for no apparent reason and not want to go to happy hour.  We can feel elated when our children go away, and we have an empty nest.  We don't have to share our feelings with untrustworthy people.  Naysayers and deniers who say things like "you shouldn't feel that way" or "that's not the worst thing" or "you have nothing to be upset about" are not safe to talk to about something so touchy.

Since we are on the weight loss and weight maintenance healthy path, one thing is certain--eating our feelings will never solve our problems or help with weight.  Feelings don't taste good anyway.   

This week, find ways to get busy with people, places and activities that make you feel good about yourself.  Boost your self esteem and self awareness.  Discover ways to manage uncomfortable feelings like taking a walk, listening to a podcast or taking deep breaths.  At the very least, get away from the temptation of snacking.

Food is fuel for the body.  Emotions are barometers on the heart.  Be kind to yourself and take a moment to notice the difference.