Last week, I started a “How to Get the Victory Over Your Cravings” series that shares the details of how I used reflective questioning to get to the root of my emotional eating habits. The focus of the first post was to help you start the process just simply by asking yourself what were you doing or what was going on just before the craving hit. That’s a good place to start to help you become more aware of how you’re feeling and what’s causing those feelings.
Today, we’ll look at the next question that will help you dig even deeper into what’s driving your emotional eating. Sometimes, it’s not what you were doing or what’s going on around you that causes the problem, it’s “who” was or wasn’t around when you started feeling some type of way.
When you ask, Who was around when the craving started? you open yourself up to learn more about whether or not you’ve got issues with:
- Relationships – Do you have enough positive relationships in your life? Are your connections with others life giving or toxic? Do you invest enough time nurturing relationships and spending quality time with loved ones? Are your expectations for others unrealistic? Are your relationships one-sided?
- Support/Help – Do you feel supported by the people closest to you? Do you have someone you can confide and seek wise counsel? Do you communicate your needs effectively, yet nonjudgementally to others?
- Loneliness – Do you isolate yourself from others intentionally or unintentionally? Do you feel left out of your circle of family or friends? Are you trying to fit into a community that is not well aligned with your values?
- Responsibility – Have you taken full responsibility for the current state of your health? Do you find yourself depending on someone else to help you eat right or exercise? Do you place the blame on others for sabbotaging your efforts?
The answers to these questions may stir some unpleasant feelings, but don’t let them drag you into an emotional downward spiral. Instead, approach it from a neutral perspective with a solution-oriented mindset. There may not be a simple and easy answer to your issue, but focus on what you can do. Focus on what you can change. Pray for serenity and courage to help you move forward. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a therapist for support.
This reflective process is not simply to further illuminate your short-comings and leave you feeling helpless. Instead, see this process as an opportunity for positive change in your life.
I’ll be sharing more about how to reflect and deal with emotional eating habits during the next 6 Week Boot Camp that starts Jan 8. Click the button below to learn more.