One woman’s emotional eating post. Can you relate and what will you do about it this year?
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January 1st, a day many people (including myself) set resolutions to lose 30 pounds, exercise for an hour every single day, learn to play the guitar, learn to speak French, and create world peace.
The challenge, of course, is that by about January 15th we have given up because our goals are perhaps a bit too large for day-to-day life and the curve-balls it throws at us.
I struggle with depression and self-esteem issues stemming from a rocky childhood. I don’t blame my parents, but the imprinting was done early and I will never be a woman who had a happy childhood.
My mother used to feed me mayonnaise sandwiches and chocolate candy bars as a bribe to do chores and get homework done. My father portioned out food based on who was his favorite. So for me, food is fraught with emotional landmines.
Food is my drug, my pleasure, my guilty secret. I struggle with food daily as it is a 100% legal drug, everyone is a ‘pusher’ (your mom saying “You’re too skinny” or your friend saying “I made this just for you”) and unlike cigarettes, which are banned on television, food is one of the most prevalent advertisements, and it is usually shown as something sexy and forbidden (think Carl’s Jr’s Mile High club commercials). I never understand why people say they don’t want to eat because they aren’t hungry. What in the world does being hungry have to do with the pleasure of eating?
Specific resolutions don’t work for me. What works best for me is to treat food just like any other addict. It’s a day-by-day process. Some days I’m better at it, other days I fall flat on my face. But, I get up and try again the next day.
My new ‘resolutions’ are to eat more fruit and vegetables. Make mashed cauliflower instead of potatoes. Walk around the office at lunchtime for 15 minutes. Have one piece of chocolate, not the entire candy bar. Be accountable to someone, whether it’s my husband, me, or a coach. Someone who will keep me on track, keep me honest (Okay, I really did eat the entire chocolate muffin, not half of it…) and focused.
It’s not easy, but it’s doable, and it’s worth it, to be healthy. A friend of mine says “If you don’t take care of your body, where else will you live?” ~by Susanne Romo(Guest writer). www.HealingJourneyBlog.com
Get a free health consultation. You owe it to yourself to do something completely different so that the weight comes off for good without dieting! www.HappyFoodHealth.com or (619) 876-2655. Do what truly works in the long run for you and your family.
Samantha Hua, Nutrition & Health Coach, San Diego, CA
