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Emotional Eating: 5 Tips for a Lifelong Challenge
Here’s a note from my inbox:
Hi Carol,
Thank you so much for this week's newsletter.
I have often said that food (simple carbs and sugar) are as
addictive as drugs and alcohol. Although, I try not to limit
myself to a low-carb lifestyle (I now know that restricting
any food only backfires), I do know that eating just one cookie
is extremely difficult for me.
I know that eating a bagel, even a low-carb
bagel, is going to leave me feeling like I want more to eat
even though I may not be hungry. I often feel like the alcoholic
who cannot have just one drink. I am still trying to balance
not restricting any foods with the reality of the reaction
that I know my body will have if I have simple carbs.
This emotional eating is truly a life long challenge
for me and I am not sure that I will ever get to the point
where I feel completely at ease about eating. I have gained
weight over the summer. I feel like I won the battle but I
have lost the war.
Luckily, there is always a new day and although
today wasn't perfect (I did manage to have just one cookie--although
it was the size of my hand--it wasn't the worst either.
Hopefully, tomorrow will be better. Thank you
for everything. DR
Dear DR,
Thanks for your note. It can certainly feel
like a war when you are trying to find peace with yourself
and your urges. It is always harder to unlearn habits, especially
when they result in temporary comfort.
I think the hardest part of this is giving yourself
permission to eat, without feeling terrified of what will
happen when you do. It takes time to develop trust in yourself.
It also takes support over time.
IDEALLY, you will become able to give yourself
permission to eat anything AND choose foods that feel good
in your body. You have already developed an awareness of how
different foods impact your body and your cravings.
So you are making progress.
Feeling like you have a CHOICE, and honoring
what feels good in your body is empowering.
While I don’t know if you will ever feel completely
at ease, you can get to the point where you are:
1. not beating yourself up
2. know that you can get back on track quickly,
and . . .
3. not feeling so discouraged when you have
a lapse
Here’s some tips to help you along the way:
1. Be sure to acknowledge your successes (no
matter how small).
2. Cheer yourself on for the smallest win.
3. Share your successes with a friend, someone
who understands your struggle.
4. Keep a journal of what went well, and why
– it is important to keep a positive focus, and NOTICE and
ACKNOWLEDGE yourself for what you did that worked.
5. Practice relaxing around food as much as
you can – it’s just food . . . really. Try to be calm, purposeful
and present in your body. Don’t forget to breathe and be grateful
for what you have.
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About the Author:
Carol Solomon, Ph.D. is a psychologist and personal coach
who specializes in helping people who want to lose weight
and eliminate food and weight issues. By going from food obsessive
to charge neutral (i.e. Did I eat today?), she became dedicated
to making it easy for others to step off the vicious cycle
and live free of anxiety about food and weight. She is the
author of "Lose Weight Now Stay Slim Forever," a practical
"how-to" manual for learning to lose weight without dieting.
Sign up for her free email newsletter, Slim Forever at: http://www.lose-weight-now-stay-slim-forever.com
http://www.LoseWeightWithEFT.com
http://www.MoreMoneyWithEFT.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carol_Solomon
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