Emotions Get the Best of Me
I have one hurdle that I struggle with every day and it’s not what you are thinking. I LOVE working out. Well, I love to eat also. But neither of these are the problem. Here’s my deep, dark secret…I am an emotional eater.
Hello, My name is Bethany and I am an emotional eater.
There…I said it. Does that make me feel better? No not really since it doesn’t change the daily struggle.
I wanted to take a minute and share this with you since I KNOW that someone out there is struggling with the exact same issue. It’s hard. I know. I completely understand what you are going through. You want to eat when you are celebrating. Eat when you are mad. Depressed, etc…All the time, no matter the emotion.
Food will never make you or me feel better. It’s not a way to get through the emotions that are bothering us and it’s not a way to celebrate anything. Well, don’t go over board when celebrating (because we know there will be food at celebrations) and definitely don’t make food a reward.
Here’s a few ways that I have taken back some of the control that food has over me. Now, I haven’t figured out how to get rid of the hold completely and struggle DAILY with my emotions and food, BUT there are a few things that might help you out.
I like to read. So, when my emotions overcome me and I want to walk to the kitchen to get something to temporarily pacify myself, I will turn to a good book first. I’m not telling you that you have to read, but I am saying that filling your time with something that you love might take your mind off your emotions and thought of food.
I listen to music. Music has been proven to have an effect on moods so when I am feeling down and want that candy bar that is sitting right there for the “happy” feeling that I might get from the sugar, I will find some MUSIC that makes me happy.
I have gotten started with essential oils recently and through studying (A LOT) I have found that there are oils that can suppress your appetite and even make you feel happier. The best part is all you have to do it smell them.
I hope that these few, little tips might help you and please remember…you are not alone. There are others out there that are having the same issue.
