It is estimated that 75% of overeating is caused by emotions. That’s definitely not good news especially since I am an emotional eater. Whether the emotion is negative or positive I find myself reaching for food to anesthetize, tranquilize, celebrate, distract or occupy my time. If these things were what food was design to do, then I probably wouldn’t be 100lbs. overweight. So what does that tell me? It tells me that I need to find other ways to deal with my emotions rather than stuffing food down my throat in an effort to “feel” better.
The crazy part about being an emotional eater is that I almost always feel worse from a binging episode than from the initial emotion that triggered my out of control response. So what’s the solution? How do I stop reaching for food to make me feel better, knowing that if it does manage to calm me, it’s only for a fleeting moment and then feelings of guilt, regret and failure will be added on top of whatever I was trying to stuff down with a muffin. Here’s what I think could help me to bring this thing under control.
Think It Over
One of the things I need to do is to think long-term. That muffin or pizza or whatever, is only going to last a moment. In fact what real enjoyment am I getting out of it? When I binge, I’m not tasting anything. I’m eating so fast and furiously in an attempt to quiet whatever’s going on within me, that it really doesn’t seem to make sense to eat. Not only that, but after my ballistic moment, I’m left with having to work even harder because I’ve blown all of my weight loss efforts by giving into the emotion. It’s such a vicious cycle. I need to learn how to stop long enough to think about the consequences. Is it really worth it? That moment on my lips could take you weeks to get it off my hips. It’s something to think about.
Pray
Have a little talk with Jesus. Tell him about your troubles. I need to put this into practice more. I know there is not one single thing that food can do for me that Jesus cannot. Nothing! The point is that whatever it is that is eating me, the Lord is the one who gives me hope, answers and healing. Although I reach for food in an attempt to receive this things, I know that food is not the answer!
Exercise
It makes far more sense to me to lace up my sneakers to hit the ground running or walking or dancing or whatever it is that I choose to do, than it does to reach for a burger. Never ever ever have I found myself regretting a workout. I always feel better afterwards, mentally, emotionally and physically. And honestly when I’m really really angry or upset I go for a walk. It always calms me and helps me to sort things out.
Relaxation
When I’m tired, stressed and overwhelmed the best thing for me to do is what my mama used to tell me when I was a child, get somewhere and sit down. These days I do just that. I turn on some soft music and just sit and relax in the beauty of the moment. There is healing in stillness. I do exactly what Psalm 46:10 says…Be still and know that I am God.
Journal
My journal is my confidant. When I need to sort things out. When I need to vent. When I need to figure stuff out before I hear the opinions of others, I reach for my journal and simply write it all out. Sometimes I write my prayers. Sometimes I put things in order by writing them in list form. Other times I might write one single word, “help” and close the book. But every time I journal I come away feeling calm.
So the next time I’m sad, worried, anxious, angry, happy, confused, hurt and so on, I’m going to remember these solutions and put one or all into action. The results of doing so I’m sure won’t leave me feeling worse, which by the way could lead to more emotional eating, nor will they add to the problem by making me feel guilty afterwards. Now that’s something I can sink my teeth into.