From 100 MORE Days of Weight Loss, Day 54
Even if you’ve been an emotional eater for years, you aren’t stuck with these negative patterns.
As you discover new ways to cope with your emotional needs, you’ll move toward a sense of peace with food–a feeling you may have forgotten existed.
Here are my answers to the three questions at the end of the lesson.
1. Recall a recent time when food helped you feel comforted or secure. Describe it.
When I was dealing with my heart issues (atrial fib) this past year, I found myself reaching for cookies and other sweets a lot. It helped calm my anxiety and comforted me as I dealt with the challenges of my health problems.
2. Come up with at least two or three things you could have done instead of eating.
Years ago, I used some visualization tapes that had you picture things such as sitting beside a calm stream or looking at the sky on a starry night. These activities were very calming and helped me deal with a lot of things in life.
3. Write a plan about how you’ll use one of those items the next time you need comfort.
I will get out the resource with those exercises and use them to calm and comfort my spirit.
I also need to recognize how health concerns increase my need for comfort and solace. During those times, I need to pull our my visualization tape right away and listen to it while sipping my cup of herbal tea.