Maybe try to reacquaint yourself with food. Are you hungry when you do that ? If not, trust your body, take a deep breath, focus on your heart rate, and stop eating. Something else makes you want to eat. It could be emotions. Or you are tired, stressed out, sad, etc. Take care of it without food. The acknowledgement of your inner state is the first step toward self care.

Dear Trixie:

Food has been an issue for me for so long and I am still dealing with it these very days. My cravings are only a bit weaker these days but still strong. Only that my cravings used to be even stronger. My behavior around food fit in the past the pattern of a strong addiction. I am really in the process of recovering from it. It is most difficult because food is around and necessary every single day. Part of anyone’s life.

It is going to take time for you as well, I am sure. What has been working for me is paying attention (mindfulness) to what I am feeling and what i am thinking. It takes time to develop and improve mindfulness. You learn that way what triggers you, what motivates you… things become less mysterious, less unknown and therefore less threatening, over time. Patience and gentleness with yourself is key.

There is fear in the core of it, and it is a powerful force. And there is a scared you that doesn’t want to feel it. This is what I learned about myself. Can you relate to what I wrote so far?

anita