I PROMISE you’re not hearing this from anyone else!
Can I tell you a (not so) Intuitive Eating secret?
I’m STILL an emotional eater.
Especially now, around the holidays.
I use food to make myself feel better.
Sure, I mean in the way that gathering with my family to eat a traditional meal together makes me happy and emotionally connected and all that jazz, blah, blah, blah…
BUT THAT’S NOT WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT!
I mean, like, I eat A LOT of cookies. And pie. And chocolate treats. Past the point of fullness. Knowing they will make me feel physically uncomfortable soon.
I drink all the egg nog and wassail I can get my hands on. To the point where I’m positive that I’m full of nothing but liquid up to my chin.
I eat seconds and thirds of dinner, even though I’m not “hungry” anymore. I’m pretty sure if my nephew jumped on me, mashed potatoes would come out of my ears.
I emotionally eat because it’s delicious, and it makes me feel good. Yes, even if only for the moment that the food is on my taste buds. Yes, even if I know full well that very shortly after I won’t feel good, because of this exact action.
AND I STILL DO IT, ON PURPOSE!
Why?
Because I’ve done all the pausing, investigating, riding the wave of emotion, gotten past the urge. I know the source of the emotion, what I’m trying to “fix,” that this won’t be a cure-all, and am fully in control when I say:
This is my best option right now.
Given all of the context, and with a long list of possible options, there are still some (plenty) of times where I decide that the BEST WAY to deal with a situation is to emotionally eat.
And I do mean: “Boy, I am uncomfortable, bored, and not especially happy right now. I sure hope this chocolate covered marshmallow will make me feel something.”
And then it does. For a second. And that’s a win.
Emotional eating is NOT a problem.
It’s a solution.
And sometimes, it’s a very workable, easy, effective solution.
Intuitive Eating means NON-JUDGMENTAL eating.
There is no “good” or “bad” way to eat.
There are no justifiably “right” or “wrong” ways to use emotional eating as a tool.
The difference between me eating like this NOW and doing this 4 years ago?
Intention.
I DIDN’T know the root emotional cause, or that I was reaching for food to feel better, or how to pause, investigate, let the urge pass, and then decide.
Yet the ACTION is the same.
But the OUTCOME is 180° different.
I don’t feel out of control, I don’t beat myself up, I don’t feel like a failure.
It’s the opposite, actually!
I know I am fully in control, I am so compassionate to myself, and I know I’m a badass problem solver!
So if you find (or already found) yourself hoping that just one more slice might give you the feel-good chemicals you desperately want this holiday season, can you:
- See how it makes total sense that you would use food to feel good?
- Recognize that it’s actually a super effective way to do that, so you’re NOT sabotaging yourself, but rather solving a problem?
- Give yourself compassion if you wish you had used a different way to cope?
- Extend that compassion to future-you, because changing habits like these take time and practice?
Not only is Intuitive Eating one of the principles of Intuitive Fitness, but did you know I am also an Intuitive Eating coach?
schedule a free 30 minute consultation, if you’re interested in becoming an Intuitive Eater yourself.
| TTYL, ☮💜Deanna |
