Roadblock to Weight Loss Success....

Each week I am going to address one roadblock to our weight loss success.

This week, the topic is emotional eating.

My own emotional eating was at its worst in college and when I hit rock bottom, I finally went to see a Christian counselor who helped me deal with the root of the issue. It was a tough road, but I would love to talk to anyone who feels trapped by emotional eating!

Are you an emotional eater? Ask yourself these questions: (prevention.com)
1. Do you eat when you're feeling sad, lonely, or bored?
2. Do you celebrate or reward yourself with food?
3. Is there a food you crave when you're stressed or worried?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be an emotional eater.

This isn't always a bad thing. God has given us food to enjoy and we do find some comfort in sitting down and enjoying a meal with family or eating an ice cream cone with a friend. Do we always eat ONLY when we are hungry? No! And, that is okay.

Emotional eating becomes a roadblock when it begins to consume us and we begin to eat only when we are emotionally distressed. We don't always recognize it, but food can become a crutch for us, even an idol....something we turn to for comfort instead of God and others.

My challenge for you this week is this:

• Journal daily about your eating and ask yourself each time you eat- Am I eating because I am hungry? Am I eating because I am happy, stressed, angry, tired, etc. Start to become aware of why you are eating and it may help you get back to your original size.
• In your journal, write down some ideas of things you can do instead of eating the next time you feel those same emotions.
• Become aware of your feelings. Carry a small notebook with you; every time you reach for food, jot down how you feel.
• Instead of turning to food, e-mail a buddy and tell her how you're feeling. Wait for a response before you head to the kitchen.
• Sip green or black tea before you reach for a snack; the drink contains theanine, an amino acid that increases levels of relaxing chemicals in the brain.

How to Tell the Difference between emotional hunger and physical hunger (WebMD.com):
1. Emotional hunger comes on suddenly; physical hunger occurs gradually.
2. When you are eating to fill a void that isn't related to an empty stomach, you crave a specific food, such as pizza or ice cream, and only that food will meet your need. When you eat because you are actually hungry, you're open to options.
3. Emotional hunger feels like it needs to be satisfied instantly with the food you crave; physical hunger can wait.
4. Even when you are full, if you're eating to satisfy an emotional need, you're more likely to keep eating. When you're eating because you're hungry, you're more likely to stop when you're full.
5. Emotional eating can leave behind feelings of guilt; eating when you are physically hungry does not.