Whenever you eat when you aren’t hungry, you are emotionally eating. Have you ever wondered who it is you’re feeding? What is it inside you that is wanting to be fed? Many of us feed ourselves from an emotional need. The emotions can be uncomfortable or even positive. We emotionally eat when we are sad, bored, hurt, angry, or even happy.
When we are emotionally eating, it is usually something quick, easy, and pre-made, pre-packed or requires very little preparation other than opening a box or wrapper. Any food choice that is especially sugary, salty, or crunchy are the favorite fixes. We are feeding ourselves with quick fixes that usually have little or no nutrition, and we’re eating when we are in a mode of emotional unbalance and hunger isn’t the issue. We’re caught in old patterns of mindless, compulsive emotional overeating. Have you ever stopped to ask yourself, “Who are you feeding?” or “What are you feeding?” This pause and awareness is important in overcoming mindless and compulsive emotional overeating. You’ve eaten your evening meal and are satisfied from dinner. Yet, before you know it, not hungry, you are walking into the kitchen to eat a piece of cake, ask yourself “Who am I feeding?” Maybe ask yourself how your body will feel after you’ve eaten the cake. You know that you’ll be uncomfortable, overfull, and remorseful that you’ve eaten the cake. Not only will be you feel physically uncomfortable, but it sets off a cycle of remorse, frustration, disappointment and another jab toward lower self-esteem. Are the few moments of temporary satisfaction worth the physical discomfort to your body and the emotional downward spiral? Is it worth it?
It really isn’t about the cake. It is never about the food. It is about awareness. The key is to be aware of your actions and acknowledge how a particular food choice will “feed” you. Stop and check in with yourself. Get in touch with who you need to feed, it is easier. Are you feeding an emotion or the scared part of yourself? You become more in touch with your emotions and what you really need and what emotion you’re feeding. With practice, it becomes a habit to check in with yourself on a regular basis. If you make this a habit, you’ll go a long way to feeding yourself in a nurturing, healthy way. You’ll be headed toward losing weight and maintaining your weight loss healthfully. The next time you find yourself on your way to emotional eating, stop and ask yourself “Who am I feeding?” Wait for the honest answer that is inside you. If you ask yourself and then listen, the answer will come.
