Weight Loss Tip # 4: Take up a new hobby or comforting activity that doesn’t involve food.
When we have difficulty sticking to our eating goals, usually we are being emotionally triggered by something. Compulsive overeaters and compulsive dieters will act out emotionally with food by overeating, restricting or purging for a wide variety of emotional reasons. The fact is, many people who have eating and dieting issues have trouble feeling their feelings. If they get too angry, sad, happy or worried, the natural response is to turn to food or dieting. Overeating and restricting are ways of taking back control when we feel out of control of our emotions. If we are to break free from compulsive eating and compulsive dieting we will need to recognize the emotions and emotional triggers that make us feel like sabotaging our healthy eating goals. When uncomfortable emotions surface, it is extremely helpful to have new activities and self-care practices that allow for emotional release.
As you transform your health with your new eating habits, it is the perfect time to start nurturing yourself in other ways. Have you always wanted to learn to sew, paint, fly a kite, dance, sail or do karate? Have you always wanted to get more full body massages or take more candlelight bubble baths? This is the perfect time for you to start planning these relaxing and enjoyable activities in your week. Don’t put yourself last. As you make new and enjoyable activities a regular part of your weekly routine you will increasingly turn to them — instead of food — when your emotions spike and you feel out of control.
Daily Inspiration: “Enjoy life! This is not a dress rehearsal.”
