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Originally Posted by sugadiva
Ok so I've been on the forum looking for inspiration and encouraging other people because I've been having a tough day. Sorry for too much information, I just needed to vent somewhere and my family has heard it all ENOUGH.
What's up all you emotional eaters? Does it get easier when you go through crisis or sad times? Do you ever stop wanting to turn immediately to bad for you food for comfort??
I appreciate your sharing the info--and it was NOT TMI----that is a highly anxiety provoking experience----and a divorce, too? GOOD GRIEF!!! No wonder you want to dive into food!!
***NOTE--this next part is about MY experience---it may not even apply to you or be helpful to you, but this is how it was for me, and my experience is all i have to offer......***
In my history as an emotional eater, I had various experts tell me "go for a walk", "take a bubble bath"...blah blah blah. They DIDN"T GET IT. For emotional eaters, it is like people who abuse alcohol or drugs--- you want to GET HIGH---that excitement when you are buying your treats....the anticipation on the drive home.....sitting and eating them...blissfully pushing aside all of the worry...eating and eating til their is just utter fullness and numbness.... How the **** do you replace all of that with a *$&%(# bubble bath?????
Endorphins are at play, seritonin is involved--your body's chemistry works against you ---it is no wonder you want to stress eat. I commend you for not having done so already, but I have to be honest---willpower will only get you so far. When you want to eat because you are feeling anxious or sad or angry or out of control it is because you hear a voice in your head that says "This is too painful!! I can't take it anymore!!!" "I NEEEEED a mental vacation!!!" And you know food will do the trick. I am going to offer a suggestion---you may not like it or think it is hokey, but here it is.......talk to that part of yourself that is feeling broken. Let her know that things are really scary right now, but you are there for her. Let her know you hear her suffering. If you are a person of faith, pray/offer loving thoughts to that wounded, hurting part of yourself. That part of you wants LOVE. It wants perfect, peaceful, anxiety and fear-killing love. Food is a lousy substitute---it is not love. As you ask, envision pure, white light coming down through your head, enveloping your heart and "hugging" that part of you that needs it.
Some of ya'll are probably going to think I am a complete whacko---but this is something that has worked for me.
Also, continue to reach out to friends or family---maybe find a VERY supportive friend, make a verbal commitment that you do not want to eat for comfort and then call that person when you are feeling the urge to do so. Have a conversation with them about why you want to do it, and about how you are feeling.
You are going through so much. May peace and love be at the center of your heart---You will be in my prayers.