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Why you eat is as
important as what you eat. If we
can be alert to the why of our problem
with emotional eating, then we will
be better equipped to deal with
the how of fixing it. Emotional
eating is the practice of consuming
large quantities of food -- usually
"comfort" or junk foods
-- in response to feelings instead
of hunger. Some of the common emotional
eating cues are:
1. Anger
Whether you're angry at yourself,
another person or a situation, you
stifle your feelings using food
rather than confronting them and
releasing them. It's easier to smother
a problem than to deal with it.
2. Hopelessness
You think: Nothing really matters
anyway. Nothing's ever going to
change or get better for me. So,
why should I care about my health
or weight? Besides, eating makes
me feel better. (Please note: extreme
feelings of hopelessness are typical
of chronic. Talk to a mental health
professional if you find yourself
feeling perpetually hopeless.)
3. Lack of
Control
You think: My life is out of control.
There is nothing in it that I am
in charge of. Everyone and everything
around me rules my life. Except
for eating... I can eat whatever
I want, whenever I want it.
4. Feeling
Unappreciated
Perhaps you've accomplished something
exceptional and no one has noticed.
You find yourself tempted to congratulate
yourself by "treating"
yourself to a binge.
5. Boredom
There's nothing to do. Nowhere to
go. Perhaps you feel lonely. There's
nothing at home to occupy your mind
or your hours. But there is a pantry
full of comfort food that will kill
some of that empty time.
If you fit into any
one of these five profiles, try
sitting down with a piece of paper
and brainstorming to find alternative
behaviors to eating. You may be
surprised at the solutions you come
up with... and at just how well
they work once
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