Check out this article from The Kitchn,
Weekend Meditation: Eating and Abstaining 
“A few years ago, a doctor told me that there are two kinds of people in the world: those that respond to life's difficulties by eating more and those who respond by eating less. I've always appreciated her advice because she didn't judge this one way or the other. She just pointed out that these were normal responses to things like stress, worry, depression, anxiety, life's major shifts and changes.”
Well, I know which one I am…*sigh*
I’m getting back on track after a few months of struggling with old issues that I thought were long gone. It’s taken me much longer than I’d like to admit to find my center again.
Where are you in your journey with life, eating and finding balance? Are you in a good, solid place? Or do you keep finding yourself in trigger situations? Are you using food, or exercise, as a replacement for something else? I’m in a relatively solid place, but wind force gales can and do still tip me over into both food obsession and exercise compulsion.
I’m somewhat relieved to read that resorting to comfort food - even when we (ahem, I) know better - is a natural response to prolonged stress. My jeans are tighter, but I’m back on track with finding peace with food, peace with exercise and even peace with loss. Not weight loss of course, weight loss demands a town parade and some sort of a badge to commemorate it, but the kinds of loss that weigh heavy on our hearts, and subsequently, on our hips.
Enough said?
great post. I agree. When I stress I tend to lose my appetite and therefore am not nourished at all. I get irritable and tired. Not good. Food is nourishment for heart and soul as long as we can enjoy it with balance, just as you said. :)
ReplyDeleteYup, agreed! Granted, I'm so bi-polar that I'll do both. I'll get into ice cream mode, then into "nibble at everything eat noting and not realize I'm taking in way too little."
ReplyDeleteBut what's important is you have your soundness. A few pounds can come off in a few weeks. Mental overload? Not so much.
I'm not at my ideal place. If I get stressed, I get way too concerned about what I'm eating. Of course, if something's on your mind, you want it more...or get twisted pleasure in denying yourself. Luckily I'm not stressed at the moment, but it's like having a rickety floodgate and dreading monsoon season.
A book that's REALLY helped me is Bethenny Frankel's "Naturally Thin." I MUCH prefer it to Geneen Roth's stuff.
Hang in there, A!
ReplyDeleteI would have said I'm always an eater but then I was thrown in to such a high level of stress that I actually became an abstainer. You know that's gotta be some stress. I was even surprised. But now I'm back on an even keel and realizing that exercise will help even it all out.
I'm with Tiff- I used to think I was an Eater. And I am- when I sweat (ha!) the small stuff. When it's a big-ticket item (death, big illness) I'm an abstainer (or rather a not-carer).
ReplyDeleteI also use exercise as a coping mechanism and sometimes I over exercise when I'm super stressed (did this with each of my parents deaths).
Right now, I'm trying very hard to get back after a calories are no object blowout vacay. First week was great, then things slipped a bit. Trying to make August the new January- really hoping for it- I can feel some blues coming on, and I really want to nip them in the bud by at least being happy with myself.
Great post. I agree with Deb. Big things - definitely don't eat. But small things and even boredom - EATER. I know you can do it. We all struggle because it's life. But I know you can do it.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I've had a lot of clients helped by Geneen Roth's book. It's definitely a vicious cycle! I wish you all the best! I find that acceptance of self is the place to start! The rest will follow!
ReplyDeleteBarbara
I'm fighting for balance right now. I'm in a bit of a work transition and it has me stressed out. I ultimately know that clean, healthy eating makes me feel better, but comfort eating seems to fill me up emotionally on the spot.
ReplyDelete