Hang 10 on the wave of emotions

Many people try to bury their feelings under food. The only thing that we (as I’m one of those people!!) accomplish is gaining weight, compromise our health and, in the process, become more unhappy and miserable.  If we emotionally eat frequently, we need to get out of the prison of emotional eating because it doesn’t help us at all – in fact, it hurts us short and long-term.  

Our feelings play a very important role when it comes to what we choose to eat and in what quantity. If we are happy, we make healthy choices, however, when we are unhappy (sad, bored, etc., etc.) a box of cookies or bag of chips are craved, we are abusing food for purposes it is not intended.  If we want to lose or maintain our weight and be healthy, we must take control of our emotions and stop emotional eating.  

One of my triggers has always been when I get sick.  I had been on track for an extended period of time.  Recently, I got sick for 2-1/2 weeks.  I felt really awful.  I craved comfort food and indulged somewhat and now I’m finding it difficult to get back on track with my food choices and return to my exercise regime.  Nothing in particular is going on that I can pinpoint but it feels very different than it was before I got sick.  You couldn’t have swayed my momentum.  Now, I struggle with my food choices and I am not motivated to exercise.  Frustrating and a bit scary.  I’m riding it out hoping that the same “loving” feeling of being on track kicks back in.

For many of us, myself included, emotions play a big part in our healthy lifestyle.  I’ve always been that way but didn’t acknowledge it – much less become aware of it – until after I had surgery.  My surgical tool helps but essentially it is up to me to manage my emotions.  Sometimes it is much easier and other times it is a struggle.  If I can identify why my emotional eating switch has been turned on, I am mostly successful in dealing with it and turning it off.  However, when that switch is turned on, for no obviously specific reason, it is much more difficult for me.

So….what am I trying to avoid, to bury and suppress?  I’m not sure right now.  What I am sure of is that I am going to outlast and be stronger than the urges of head hunger.  Sometimes we can control our emotions and other times we have to ride them out similar to a surfer riding a wave.  The wave of emotion I am faced with right now is a huge one.  I’m not sure what it is or what is causing the wave but it is there.  For today, I’m a surfer hanging 10 riding a rocky wave with commitment and confidence that it won’t overtake me.  I’ll ride it out and be stronger for it.

Believe In Yourself,
Cathy, ACC-ICF, CLC
Certified Life Coach, Weight Loss Surgery Coach
Certified Back On Track Facilitator