Stop eating to feel comfortable recognizing your triggers and habits

The longer I work with clients, the more I realize that most of us with eating problems are simply hurting in some way and looking for love/comfort. We can have a very loving relationship with another person, but if we don’t love ourselves, something is missing and we use food to fill the void. For others it could be alcohol, drugs, gambling or smoking.

However, food seems to be the most common, as it’s quick and easy, doesn’t harm anyone, and can be easily hidden. Unfortunately, though, we only feel good for a split second with the initial taste, then guilt kicks in, we feel uncomfortable and start beating ourselves up, which simply leads to more eating or binging. Unfortunately, eating just keeps the excitement inside of us. Instead of facing our problems, we overeat, which only creates more problems.

The only time our body really wants food is when it is physically hungry. So when we eat for emotional reasons, it doesn’t work, because our body doesn’t want food, it wants comfort in some other way. So we keep eating waiting for that magic solution that never comes.

By learning to eat “naturally,” we are reconnecting with our body’s natural instincts of hunger and satisfaction. This will then fill the physical need and allow us to find positive and empowering things that will fulfill the emotional need. The wonderful thing about natural eating is that it is based on awareness. Once you are aware of your habits/triggers around food, you can make a different choice.

The key is to honor your emotions, to notice that you are sad or lonely or stressed. Sometimes a good cry is the answer, as it allows you to get the emotion out of your body. Other ways to do this are to laugh, sing, yell, or do something physical like running, biking, or practicing martial arts. Then you will be able to think clearly and find that one positive thing that will comfort you and you will move on.

I encourage you to start thinking about the times you overeat or binge and see if you can see a pattern. You will find that it is based on certain activities and events that have led to negative habits. Because once you’re aware of what you’re doing, you can find a way to avoid those triggers and make different positive choices.