Wednesday, March 26, 2008

emotional eating and getting off the roller coaster

The following is taken from 'Intuitive Eating' that people have recommended. I just read a little of the book and some of it resonated with me. Yes, I do emotionally eat. No, I usually don't stuff myself. Yes, I think it has something to do with avoiding things in my life and not dealing with it and eating for comfort or from stress. Here's some of what I read:

Some of the reasons for emotional eating:
sensory gratifications
comfort
distraction
sedation
punishment

Emotional trigger:
boredom and procrastination
bribery and reward
excitement
soothing
being connected...losing the reins
love
trust, anger and rage
stress anxiety
mild depression

How using food serves me vs. how if does a disservice to me
it tastes good vs. it makes me overweight
it's reliable - it's always there vs. my clothes don't fit
it soothes me vs. my cholesterol is high
it numbs my feelings vs. I'm numbed to the joys of life
it keeps me from feeling bored vs. I'm uncomfortable walking and exercising

Overeating is a red flag that something isn't right in your life.

Overeating can occur when your lifestyle become unbalanced with too many responsibilities and obligations, with too little time for pleasure and relaxation. Consequently, food is used to indulge, escape and relax (albeit briefly.)
When you find this happening, it may be a signal for you to reevaluate your life and find ways to put more balance into it. If you don't make these necessary changes, food remains important by filling an unmet need.

I think I will try to find this book at the libary or buy it as it's pretty cheap and I'm so tired of the dieting roller coaster and this is an alternative way to make peace with food while getting more active.

I have been working out this week and feeling better. I hope I can keep this up when school/work starts up next week! And as for the weight....ahhh, I am up, up, up. I was maintaining for a while at 219 but alas I'm at 227. Yikes! But, the good news is I'm back to eating well and exercising. I'm working out two times today, though it's at an easy level. I can't believe how far I've fallen again. My fitness if low again after being high last August and doing that race. I can't believe how much fitness level I've lost. The body does atrophy with not much use, that's for sure! Here's hoping I can keep exercise in my life forever instead of just for a season every year. So far I've exercised 5 times in the last week so that feels good.

I saw a mom today from my son's preschool last year. I haven't seen her since May and wow, she looked different. I asked her if she lost weight and she said 'yes, 30 pounds' and I said, 'I think I found it'. ha ha. Seriously, she looked awesome and I so want to feel that way again. I want to lose the weight and look good and be healthy and feel good about my body again. It will happen if I want it bad enough. I know it's about changing for good and that is the plan.

I have a few new pics on the side bar if you haven't seen them...just of my boy and hubby. Have a great week!

6 comments:

Sizzle said...

I've been thinking a lot about emotional eating, especially since watching the last episode of I Can Make You Thin. It's probably my biggest issue.

Moby Dick said...

Great post! I am going to put a link to it. I really need to focus on these issues. Thanks!

Wanna_B_slimmer said...

Oh dear Spider63... what a terrible pic..hahaha...
Come here to leave some encouragment for Patti and I see that!! Now I lost my train of thought.... where was I... Pfffftttt Nope..lost it totally...

Kim said...

I think it is wonderful that you are back to working out. I know how difficult it can be to find the time, let alone the energy, but I really do believe that it makes all of the difference in the world. :)

Living to Feel Good said...

I can't comment on the emotional eating, but I know that Christie is finding the intuitive eating helpful.

I don't know if you are gonna eat that chicken chili again, but it is key to put the 2 tablespoons of each seasoning. I got the recipe out of a eating clean cook book, and they put that in there. I modified it with adding mushrooms and brown rice. Sometimes I do 3 tablespoons of the chili lime seasoning. I taste it before I add it. I don't think it taste diety though...does that mean it was blan? Ahh I feel bad cus I love this recipe. Hope your husband and son thought it was okay, and weren't like "ewww what is this" hahaha. ;)

And yes Spider63 pic is distracting. I stared at it for a minute. Hahaha.

TitanThirteen said...

How about we overeat just coz we like food?
That's my problem - the taste sensations.