Is my relationship with food healthy?

My relationship with food has been one where I was not allowed to eat anything outside unless it was a special occasion. My older brother got to eat more when we had steak, or chicken and I had to limit my intake so he could eat as much as he wanted. I was always forced to eat whatever my grandma would make me for lunch and limited the amount of food I would eat. I actually wasn't hungry but grew up extremely skinny to the point the doctor told me to put on weight.

I started lifting weights in high school because I wasn't hungry to eat. I took weight gainer which was horrible but had 1500 calories in a serving. I started eating McDonald every chance I had once I had a car. I used to eat McDonald every time to try to bring back memories of happiness when my parents would take me out to eat and after they broke up, we had only had to eat whatever my grandma would cook.

The good news was lifting weights increased my confidence, I started eating more protein and gained weight. Under the surface, I was missing something.

It's been 21 years since I've been eating good food but wonder if my relationship with food is healthy. I diet hard and then go on a junk food rampage after a few weeks. I feel that I have no limit to the amount of food I can eat. Whole pizzas, trays of chicken, cookies and tons of coke. All the things I was denyed as a child, I crave the most. I just wish to get back those happy moments I had when my mom and day used to take out to eat and my mom would make us food after school or feed us. There was so much different fun things to eat.

Replies

  • shakenbake57
    shakenbake57 Posts: 303 Member
    @brarautorepairs I struggle with emotional eating and find food comforting as so many of my happiest childhood memories are associated with family get togethers that included lots of food.
    It's very hard to mentally pull back when reaching for that icecream drumstick and search inside at what I'm feeling at the moment. Once identified, I need to change my thoughts/beliefs.
    Am I hungry? What's a better food option?
    Am I bored? What could I do?
    Am I worried? What about? What can I do to decrease the worry or anxiety?
    Am I sad? Why? Are my beliefs, memories accurate? Is the belief skewed or are there other memories I can call up?
    Am I....?

    As they say everyone has something they're going through. Many of us use food to ease the pain. Give yourself grace to take the time to figure out what works for you.
  • brarautorepairs
    brarautorepairs Posts: 2 Member
    Thanks 🙏