Who's with me struggling with emotional eating?
If you're anything like me, you've probably tried every diet under the sun in search of that elusive weight loss magic. You know the drill—the ones that promise quick fixes and instant, long-lasting results. Pah! Sure, I've had my fair share of successes, shedding those pounds, and feeling on top of the world. But somehow, it always comes back, and I find myself back at square one or even several steps backwards. It's like a never-ending cycle of weight loss and gain, and let's be real, it's a tough battle to fight.
Here's the thing: Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs our way, and I've had more than my fair share. From an emotionally abusive husband (ex now), to the loss of my dear mum, and being my dad's long-distance support; alongside the everyday stresses we all face, emotional binge eating became my go-to coping mechanism. But it always led me down a guilt-ridden, shame-filled path of weight gain and regret.
I’ve come to realize that I have a tendency for emotional eating. (Duh?!) And my weight can swing like a wild rollercoaster. I'm talking a staggering 25kg difference - quite the ride, right? It's not just about satisfying hunger or enjoying a tasty treat; it's about seeking comfort and solace in food when life throws its curveballs. We've all been there, haven't we?
Growing up, my well-meaning mom would often reward me with a chocolate for a job well done. Little did she know that her hiding spots for those chocolates would fuel my emotional eating reward system. It became a search and rescue effort (yes, chocolates call out for me!). Let's just say that a box of 40 marshmallow chocolates would always be found, and I couldn't settle for just one, oh no! I had to make sure I ate the whole layer, because, you know, eating only one would leave an obvious gap and get me caught-out.
And don't even get me started on society's warped reward system. It's like every small victory calls for a grand feast! "Let's go out and celebrate!" becomes the anthem, with drinks, tempting dishes and desserts as the main attraction. Birthdays and holidays like Christmas? Well, brace yourself for a never-ending parade of delectable food, chocolates and cakes, as if they hold the secret to eternal happiness!
Now, here's the thing - and I know, you know this - diets alone are rarely the answer, especially for those prone to emotional eating like us. Emotional eating is deeply rooted and requires a different approach. There is no quick fix or overnight success - it's about changing the way we think, feel, and act around food. It's all about that mind-body connection. It's a journey unique to each of us, but one thing is certain - we deserve to be kind to ourselves along the way, everyday.
I've found a way to turn the tide for myself. There is no restrictive regimes or punishing myself for indulging in a guilty pleasure. Nope, I’m embracing a lifestyle change and loving my body as it is, blubber and all. More to love, right?! After all, this body of mine is pretty amazing - it carries me through life, quite literally! No more neglect, no more harm from unhealthy food choices. It's time to treat my body with the respect it deserves by nourishing it with wholesome goodness.
So, my friend, I've decided to break free from this emotional eating cycle. I've found my way to navigate the pitfalls of emotional eating and society's indulgence trap. My time is here to rewrite the script and focus on the healthier alternatives. Trust me, there's a whole world of tasty and nutritious options out there waiting to be discovered. I can confidently say that I'm winning the battle.
Together, let's challenge the status quo and redefine how we reward ourselves and celebrate life's victories - without sacrificing our well-being and sanity along the way! Let's nourish our bodies with the healthy choices they deserve and show ourselves some love along the way. We're in this together. Join me on this journey, and let's empower ourselves to become the best versions of ourselves - inside and out!