"Emotional eating is eating for reasons other than hunger. Instead of the physical symptom of hunger initiating the eating, an emotion triggers the eating." says Jane Jacubczak a registered dietician of the University of Maryland.
The fact that it's taking me this long to really come to this conclusion is almost unbelievable to me, but it makes so much sense. When I stop right now and think back, what I eat and how much I eat is directly related to my mood or what I'm going through in life. Take today as an example. It has been a particularly difficult day, and what have I been doing?? Eating. The other day I got really overwhelmed by something and what did I do?? I ate. What's bad is that I don't even realize it at the time I do it. It's only later, and then I feel like crap for eating what/how I did, and then I feel like I need to eat again because I feel like crap! Quite the catch 22 isn't it??
I first started struggling with my weight around the age of 10. My mom was first diagnosed with cancer when I was 10. When I look back at pictures...the times she was the most sick, were the times I gained the most weight. In fact, just within the last 6 months since my mom has passed away, I've gained about 30 lbs. or so. Some people take up drugs or alcohol to cope, obviously I took up food. Which....sucks. People can avoid drugs and alcohol, food is necessary for life. Food is everywhere I go. Unavoidable. It's almost as if the more weight I put on, the more I can run away from all the bad feelings.
So, I guess the biggest question is...what do I do? How do I stop associating food and emotions? How do I find the courage to start facing painful or negative emotions head on instead of masking them with food?
One thing is for sure...I definitely need to figure it out, otherwise I'm fearful that I won't be able to stick with this new lifestyle. I'm fearful I'll fail.
Thoughts anyone?
<3
Ah emotional eating... I hate that bitch. Lol. (i had to look up a lot of stuff cause I eat out of boredom, not emotions, so hold onto your jimmies)
ReplyDeleteWhen people feel sad or angry, the body tries to find ways to release endorphins. That's why when people are stressed out they drink or take a bubble bath. Food, Obviously, does the same thing. The taste and familiarity helps to calm the nerves and tricks the brain into thinking that everything is okay.
When you're hurting, it kinda feels like your heart is empty right? So people eat, makes their stomachs feel full, and it helps a little bit. It's kind of like a litle boy without a dad latching onto any man in his life. It's just a filler.
According to the great and powerful internetz, you can paused when you know you're having an emotional binge and rationalize it. What upset you? When did you last eat? How much did you eat and Do you need to eat that? If you're just eating to fill a void, then you should put the food away and instead learn to fill the void with another thing. Find a new TV series that you just LOVE and latch on. Pick up a hobby or, like you're doing now, just vent about it. Eventually you'll stop turning to food because you're unhappy...er. that's the theory anyway. I really hope that helps you. <3<3 Stay strong, you're amazing.
That helps a lot sweetie, thank you! Thanks for actually having some advice! No one else seems to :P I'm definitely gonna try and pick up a new hobby, maybe try and read some more. Nothing like reading to completely get your mind off things eh? Anyways, thanks again! You're amazing!! And thanks for following my blog! Means alot!! <3<3<3
ReplyDeleteThat's what I do anyway. Reading helps reality go away for a while. Lol.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. I didn't think it would help or anything, but I had to try you know?
And ah... duh! Of course I would follow your blog. You're way to interesting to ignore.