Insight on comfort eating

[Just Do It]

This morning I saw comfort eating for what it really is. I had a moment of clarity and I just want to put it into words in case it helps anyone else.

Last week has been the most difficult for me on LL (week 7 of Route to Management). The difficulties did not come from the food plan but from personal circumstances. This sort of week in the past would have seen me spiralling out of control.

I recognised yesterday that I was starting with the old habits again. Alwasys thinking about food, whatever I ate it didn't satisfy me, I was always thinking about the next item I was going to throw down my throat. Because I certainly wasn't eating and enjoying anything.

I was sticking to my week 7 food lists, tinned peaches, sultanas, raw turnip ets, but I was eating constantly. I knew I was comfort eating and wrote in my food and mood journal, but it still didn't stop me. I knew I should analyse it but it was too uncomfortable to track down the emotions so I paid it lip service.

Then as I was driving back from the school run this morning I was having a mental argument, thinking about what I would have when I got in, and how disappointed I had been with myself yesterday for going to bed so uncomfortably full. I was wondering what I would have been scoffing if I hadn't been hampered by sticking to the LL week 7 rules.

Then I saw it. I saw me going and scoffing cheese on toast, I saw me as I had been in the past sitting in the house all day, working on the computer and having endless trips to the kitchen, looking for that perfect snack. I saw the connection between me thinking, what shall I have next and the fact that WHATEVER I chose to have next, it still wouldn't be the right thing.

I think it just became blindingly obvious that I was trying to eat comfort. I realised the futility of going back home and starting on the eating treadmill and I realised that I might as well just go back and have loads of coffee, tea and water because I wasn't even hungry.

And I have sat here all morning, with my drinks and managed. I feel I have broken the cycle of comfort eating, at least for today.

The food wasn't going to resolve anything. It is up to me to resolve it.

I know it says all this in one way or another in the LL books, but today it just became real.

 

[KerrieW]

That's very insightful Just do it - I think you are right - it may say this in the LL (or any diet book) books but untils it becomes real for you it doesn't mean anything. I am just starting to get my head round several issues and trying not to waste time feeling guilty when I struggle - there is a lesson in every lapse! Sounds like you have had an epiphany today, I hope this is the turning point for a difficult week, Kerrie x

 

[Hedgemag]

Excellent post, and so true of many of us......using food for comfort and an amotional crutch.

 

[KD]

We look to food to comfort us, but it's the habit (addictive desire) that makes us turn the desire into an action.

The word 'habit' makes us feel that it's just a case of not doing it and all will be well. It is up to a point.

It's not quite that easy though. You have to make a new connection in the brain. The addiction is a physical change in the brain (near the ear). Each time you give in, you reinforce that connection. The aim is to make it weaker and a new one stronger.

 

[Mrs Lard]

Dear Claire

This is a really important thread to start so well done. You might be interested to see these threads, with lots of insights from various minis, including Karion Dieting who talks about addictive desires. My take on comfort eating is that it's addictive eating but everything you said made sense - eating for comfort. Been there and done it. There was something about your description of sitting at the computer all day..

Anyway, I hope these help and, as always, good luck with the next stage in your journey.

Big kiss.

Mrs Lxxx

http://www.minimins.com/lighter-life-forum/20859-self-sabotage-help.html

http://www.minimins.com/lighter-life-forum/19691-eating-secret-why-do-we-do-what-really-about.html

 

[Mrs Lard]

Spooky!

Karion posted at the same time as me!!

Karion is a wise woman!

Mrs Lxxx

 

[KD]

Spooky!

Karion posted at the same time as me!!

Very spooky

Karion is a wise woman!

Why thank you Ma'am

 

[KD]

Just seen this bit

it may say this in the LL (or any diet book) books but untils it becomes real for you it doesn't mean anything.

How true is that. All my lightbulb moments have been things I already knew. Just felt different this time. It all became 'real'.