Emotional Eating:The Vicious Circle

Rebeccamur

I think it's a really important part of weightloss since its not just losing a few pounds it's a lifestyle change and it's about being and feeling your best. Being a self confessed emotional eater it's certainly been easier lately since I've been really focusing on trying to vent it instead of trying to feed an emptiness which never feels full...i.e writing down how you feel about it...before during and after...thinking about the triggers....why you feel like this and why you use food to cope....don't know if anyone feels the same sometimes? Anyway I copy and pasted this, hopefully it can help someone or at least help them address it....Best Of Luck

Emotional Eating
Anyone embarking on a weight loss program needs to first learn to identify the difference between emotional and biological hunger. Genuine biological hunger cannot be reduced by distraction or postponing eating. Emotional hunger, on the other hand, is socially or psychologically triggered and, with a few strategies in place, can be managed without having to resort to eating.

Monitoring your hunger is a great way to start tackling emotional eating. Keep notes on what sort of feelings and circumstances bring about this “need to nibble”. Seek help with depression or anxiety, as these can both result in poor dietary habits. Certain types of distractions, especially where you need to be physically active or use your hands in some way, will make you less inclined to snack. When you feel the urge to eat for all the wrong reasons, catch yourself quickly and busy yourself with one of these distractions until the feeling goes away. Sign up your friends and family to help you limit the temptations – they’ll most likely benefit as well. A final tip - you’re less likely to fall off the wagon if your self-confidence is high and you’re fully committed to making the change. So psych up and trim down!