Out Of Control Emotional Eating
Thursday, 26 July 2007
The majority of American women are not satisfied with their appearance. A high percentage of men share the same sentiment, but guys don’t typically acknowledge it the same way we women do.
Historically, it is a female thing to share feelings somewhat freely around those people with whom the person feels safe. When a group of women get together, somewhere within the first 15 minutes the subject of food, weight or body image surfaces.
It is almost considered the “norm” to be dissatisfied with your body. Diet programs and products are a $40 billion-a-year business, health clubs are popping up on every corner. and now reimbursement for treatment of obesity is the hottest topic in health care. Surgery is one of the options that many repeated dieters consider after years of failed attempts to attain effective weight loss.
It’s no wonder that so many are on some type of plan or program. It’s not that the American public is ignorant on health matters, in fact those who fight weight could write the book on proper nutrition and exercise.
The deal is that many have shared that the compulsive behavior with the food is emotionally based. Food is the drug of choice that numbs the feelings. Food doesn’t judge or talk back and is always available. When you are sad and lonely, food is comfort. When you are bored, it gives you something to do. When you are angry, it becomes the path to stuff the feelings.
Food symbolizes everything that people need from other people - security, dependability and predictability. Food protects and nurtures people.
Behaving or acting out with food does not mean that you are not strong, determined, considerate or caring. It means you have a tough time with the way you react to certain people (it is never a “thing”) in your life.
It could be current, or if you allow yourself to drift to the past, dwelling on uncomfortable memories. Most of you have identified the reasons you compulsively eat. Some are still somewhat in denial. Whatever the case, you know how you feel about the behavior today. Today you suffer the consequences of eating compulsively. Emotionally you feel guilty, ashamed and fearful. Physically you may experience everything from headaches to chest pains. If you experience this, then you are an out of control emotional eater, and you need to make the day in which you won’t be any longer.
