self esteem

kiane50

Can anyone explain why when I feel bad about myself such as not measuring up at work that I want to console myself with food? Why do I want to make matters worse? Do I subconciously feel I don't deserve to be happy?

elisa123gal

i don't think it has to do with work..but you are using food to cope with stress. At least you recognize you're doing it. That would be the first step in stopping the behavior. Maybe you could get some counseling to get some strategies on how to control the urge to medicate with food.

dangerousdumpling

I think it's very simply the fact that we feel bad and we know that food makes us feel good. At some point hopefully you will have a change in your thought process that will help you break that habit. Whether it's realizing that it's only temporary, it makes you feel bad later, it's not healthy, or it doesn't help you reach your health related goals. Something will hopefully cause you to stop and think before you turn to food in that very moment when you want to do it. Maybe you could find something to replace it. Ideally, exercise, but it could be journaling. And sometimes you do just need to white knuckle it to get through it while you're working on breaking the habit. It's hard to feel those feelings without your crutch, whatever that may be.
At least you are aware of what you're doing. So many people aren't aware of what they're doing when they turn to food for comfort.

kiane50

Thanks so much for your comments. It is giving me much food for thought.

ldrosophila

Well it is a pretty vicious cycle when you binge or hurt yourself with food then it provides support to you how weak willed, worthless, fat, and ugly even though its not the truth. Why could anything good happen to me I'm trash I deserve nothing thank god this food can support my destuction and comfort me. Food also has the double edge sword of giving you comfort and great endorphins. Thats why I still think a destructive relationship with food is one of the most hardest things to break.

Timshel_

Hard to say what makes each person have those feelings of worthlessness or being less than others. You are most certainly not alone. One good thing to do is find others to talk to that share these feelings and see if you can find some common triggers and solutions.