The Hunger Switch and Emotional Hunger

Q1: What is the Hunger Switch?

A1: The Hunger Switch is the part of your mind that converts intense feelings into hunger. At some point you learned that eating could take away bad feelings. That's why you eat too much when you're stressed or depressed. It's the reason that 95 percent of all diets fail and are the cause of yo-yo dieting.

Q2: Does that mean I have two different kinds of hunger?

A2: Yes. You have the natural hunger your body generates when it needs energy. That's called physical hunger. You also have the hunger your mind generates when you're seeking comfort and nurturing. That's called emotional hunger. Emotional Hunger is what causes weight problems.

Q3: Why is emotional hunger a problem? Doesn't everybody have it at times?

A3: Yes, we all have emotional hunger. Since childhood we've all learned to equate food with love and comfort. It becomes a problem when you misuse this quick fix too often. Over time it can become so habitual that you're hardly aware you're using food to run away from feelings and problems. Food is bogus love and false comfort. Real satisfaction can only happen in real life.

Q4: How do I find my Hunger Switch?

A4: You find your Hunger Switch by careful observation. It takes three steps to find it. First, you start at the surface by disrupting the automatic, unconscious eating long enough to observe that it's your emotional hunger that is driving your cravings.

Q5: What are the next steps?

A5: The second step is when you're able to stand back and ask yourself, "What am I really hungry for? And is binging or overeating the best or worst way to get it?" The answer you find takes you to the third step where you find ways to feed your emotional hunger with empowered choices that don't include food. When eating feels like the only option, this means that your Hunger Switch is turned to the "on" position. You want to turn it off and get real satisfaction in real life.

Q6: Can I find the Hunger Switch myself?

A6: It's possible that you could take these brief answers as a guide and find the Hunger Switch. However, if you're like most people, your natural resistance and fears sabotage your best efforts. This is because you haven't realized that you're in conflict with yourself. You're not sure you want to change the habit of overeating because you're afraid you can't manage without using food for relief or reward. There is a very big part of you that doesn't want to give up this "best friend" in times of need even though you understand that food is also your worst enemy. That's the conflict you have to resolve, either alone or with our help.

Q7: How can you help me find and turn off the Hunger Switch?

A7: You will turn off your own Hunger Switch the moment you have convinced yourself that you're NOT powerless in the way that up until now, you've subconsciously believed. Our book and online program provide a step-by-step guide and all the personal insights and practices you need to turn off the Hunger Switch, and keep it off.

3 Comments In the order they were posted.

Serina said...

Karen said...

Dawn said...

Share With a Friend