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Tip of the Week: Find the Root of the Problem

Do you find a whole bunch of food eaten and you don't even know how it happened? Do you surprise yourself with a binge and barely notice that it happened until it's over? Sometimes, an episode of emotional eating seems to hit us out of the blue.

All emotional eating has a root. If you can find the root, pull it out, and look at it you'll have a better chance of preventing future bouts of overeating or binging. But how? To find the root, freeze frame the moments before you indulged yourself. What happened? Did you get too tired, too angry, too hungry? Did you have an upsetting interaction with someone or are you dreading something that might happen the next day at work or somewhere in the future? Once you figure out what triggered the urge to eat, you'll be able to look for choices of how to address that thing directly. At first, you might only be able to do this after you've eaten but as time goes by you'll be able to see an episode of emotional eating coming before it even happens and nip it in the bud.


	Shrink Yourself has helped thousands of people with the 12-week online program. With its tested method, it helps you end cravings, food addiction, overeating, emotional eating and even yo-yo diets. Learn about the program!

18 Comments In the order they were posted.

al golub said...

i went through the program. do you have extended programs?

Funky said...

This is excellent advice......true it can take a while to find out the cues that set us off on an emotional eating binge, but staying with yourself being kind patient with you........will help to get through begin noticing when the triggers strike. Patience is the biggest thing you need, stick with yourself you will get there in the end.

Roshanak said...

I understand what you say and it is so true. I know the root of the problem, but come night time I can only think of the contents of the fridge. It is like I am a completely different person and out of control.

Adelaide said...

I know the triggers. But like Roshanak cannot control the urge. While I am doing it I do know that I do not want to binge, because I do not want to gain weight. But I keep on eating. The more I want to stop the less I do.

Jane said...

Adelaide, I'm right there with you. This is exactly me! Why do we do this? I don't want to be fat, but I keep on eating and while I'm eating I'm absolutely aware of what I'm doing, but I just keep on eating anyway fully aware of what it's doing to my weight. Why do I do this? Would the answer to this be the answer to losing weight?

utopia said...

It goes back to the issues of control, being powerless, and identifying what we are doing I am with you on this the harder I work on this process both on-line and with a live therapist the more difficult it seems I am still hunting for the leverage that will stop the urges, the triggers and allow true growth so I can truly live this life I been given rather than just being here taking up space in the world as a person who is struggling to survive

Lynda said...

I'm getting better with the over eating but only because I keep taking in information in regards to emotional eating and emotional self help however at times I do have my moments I am starting to think that it's something in the food the way food is being produce at such a high rate and almost daily something is on the news about contamination in food, we are eating the same things that these animals are eating pesticide leads to suicide in overeating.

Donna said...

I am the same way as adelaide and Roshanak, it's like I know, but I just don't care.....the urge overcomes me and I go for it......most times I don't even feel guilty about it. I keep thinking someday I will stop this nonsense, but I've been doing this cycle now for 15 years....I have really just given up.....I have joined gyms, bought exercise equipment, video's, spent hundreds of dollars on weight loss programs on TV, bought this book and did get more insight into possibly WHY I set myself up for weightloss failure...but I am still not able to put it all into practice.....I just feel so hopeless/helpless.....

Sue said...

There are times when the pain physical or emotional seems so great that food is the only palliative I know. Sometimes sitting with the pain seems impossible. Although eating/food provides only a temporary solution, it IS a solution, so I find myself caving in. I am just beginning to read the book and am still in section 1, but already I have seen so many of my problems mentioned. If SHRINK YOURSELF knows my problems so well, I'm hoping it also knows a solution!

Lori said...

Last night was my first night in about 2 years of not binging...I thought about "HALT" and realized I was lonely...and for once, I committed myself not to binging...I woke up this morning without guilt! I think the key is to find out how I am feeling but sometimes it is unclear to me...I am so used to not feeling and pushing away the feelings...it is hard to identify how i am feeling...but at least I identified loneliness last night! Thank you!!!

martha said...

I agree with Lori....it is hard to identify how i am feeling. We do things so out of habit instead of thinking through them that is makes it harder to stop _HALT and identify the feeling and then have the self control to just say No to the food.

Isabel said...

After reading a book years ago about addressing negative feelings, I still didn't stop overeating sweets until I read Michelle's blog "Food Addiction 3 Ways to Recover Your Power" April 29, 2009 concerning the food industry's deliberate use of fat, sugar, and salt in processed foods such as sweets. On May 16, 2009, I stopped eating cakes, pies, candy, cookies, and ice cream. I wanted to physically feel for myself the difference and I have thanks to Shrink Yourself and God. Now I can feel anger, loneliness, etc. without craving sweets. I've been eating sweets for 50 years - starting when I was 6 years old to cope with my violent, alcoholic dad. I have no desire to eat sweets like before. The only treat that I eat that is a hypoglycemic nutrition bar called "Luna Bar" Nutz Over Chocolate. I eat it like a dessert and I never have cravings for seconds. This I really enjoy - not having obsessive cravings. My anger at the food industry for keeping me addicted for decades has been my salvation to go cold turkey and not give them any more of my money to keep me enslaved. For all those who feel hopeless right now, there is hope. I can't say enough about Michelle's blog. Thank you Michelle!

Gail said...

For me, I think a real step towards freedom is One Day at a Time. This really is a beautiful intention if only I can embrace it each day. It helps me stay present to my overeating. For example, this morning, I woke up and really embraced-- I only have this day... this Wednesday. Can I eat in a loving way just today? I don't need to worry about tomorrow or next week or my upcoming birthday or the upcoming holidays or that next binge.... just today. This philosophy really keeps my overeating at bay. Staying present to each day only also helps me be more aware of the emotions that I am experiencing. It is not easy every day... but one day at a time slowly becomes a week, then a month and slowly I find my power and sanity has returned. Oh, yes, a big dose of self love and compassion each day is also necessary. :-

saosan bidros said...

i want to loss weight i want the recipe

helen gingco said...

i have been doing workouts but my weight remains the same for almost 8 months. some said that this maybe has something to do with my age, 48 years old, and i'm now into perimenopausal period. help me pls

Christina said...

Wow! I can totally relate to the binging. I do this when I get home from work. It is like I zone out and head straight for the kitchen eating this and that. I know I'm doing it and want to stop but can't. Afterwards, I feel so guilty. I know this is why I remain overweight even though I hit the gym 5 days a week. It is so nice to see others share the same struggle.

Isabel said...

I've lost 13 pounds since May, and I haven't started a regular exercise program yet because I do a lot of walking every day. So this shows me I was eating too many calories in desserts. Since I started changing my desserts to low glycemic Luna Bar and banana shake with Soymilk and O.J., I feel satisfied with my new habits. Hang in there. Success will come slowly, but it will come.

Michelle said...

You're welcome. I'm so glad I could help.

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Shrink Yourself

End Emotional Eating

Tip of the Week: Find the Root of the Problem

End
Emotional
Eating