Have you noticed that every time you start a new diet, a new eating plan or intermittent fasting, you end up thinking about food so much more?
Or even emotionally eating? I know that in these moments, it can feel like you need even more discipline.
But what’s actually happening has nothing to do with willpower.
So, you start with good intentions. You think, “Oh my god, I just need to get my eating under control. This time I’ll be consistent. This time I’ll be good. This time I’ll finally be able to do it.” You feel confident.
And at first, it probably works because you have some willpower. You have momentum. You feel in control, you’re focussed, and you have a plan.
But then the cravings come on. The urges come on. You want more food. You can’t stop thinking about food. And eventually, you give in. You emotionally eat, you overeat, and you might even binge.
And you think, “Why does this keep happening to me? I’m trying to do something to control my eating, and instead I feel way out of control.”
So when you start a new plan/new diet/new fasting routine, even though you think you’re controlling food, what you’re really doing is removing the only thing you know to use to soothe your discomfort, your distress, your uncomfortable emotions.
You’re literally taking away the only thing you know how to comfort and soothe yourself. You’re not just changing food.
So you’re essentially away your coping mechanism. And obviously, this isn’t a healthy coping mechanism, but for emotional eaters, this means comfort, relief, and soothing.
It’s a way to take the edge off the day, to relieve stress. And so the stress, discomfort and uncomfortable emotions that you use food to manage doesn’t go away. They’re still there.
And now with a new way of eating, a new diet, all of these new rules, you have even more stress piled on top of it.
So these stressors build up in your system, and they call out for the only thing your brain knows will help you feel good, calm, and soothed – and that’s food. More food.
Let’s dive in
- 2:01 When you diet you have 2 things working against you, making your emotional eating worse.
- 3:24 To shift emotional eating at the root you need to do this.
- 5:20 Why you can crave processed foods and want more.
- 5:56 Next steps and free resources.
Next Steps
1. If you are ready to start your journey to resolving your Emotional Eating you can download my free guide “What Are You Truly Hungry For?” to start discerning true from emotional hunger and catching your triggers HERE.
2. If you are ready to transform your emotional eating so that you can get to ease, peace and confidence around food and in your body with a step by step process and guidance then find out more about The Emotional Eating Evolution Program HERE.
To resolution,
Michelle
Certified Holistic Nutritionist Specializing in Emotional Eating
