Weight Loss Tips – How Many Emotional Associations With Food Do You Have?
We all have a relationship with food. When we were babies, most of us cried when our tummy was empty and mummy would have picked us up, cuddled us and put something nice in our mouth – and, lo and behold, the pain went away.
For most of us, food has on some level become associated with comfort and the cuddles and closeness of others. This relationship between food and emotions is reinforced throughout our life, with many social occasions being linked to food – the more intense the feelings, the more extravagant the meal; treats and comfort are associated with sweet treat such as chocolate; we celebrate by eating out or drinking alcohol; and then there are the times when ‘takeaway’ food saves us time and makes our lives easier and more fun.
Associations With Hunger
Hunger has the power to trigger the pain of associated emotions with the pangs of hunger. In my own case, I suffered feelings of panic, a life-and-death fear so bad that I couldn’t go to other people’s houses unless I knew I would be able to control what I ate. ‘What if there is no food, or I have to ask for it?’ I would wonder. ‘They’ll think I’m greedy.’
I would pre-emptively overeat – all the time – so as not to feel that feeling. Similarly, any feeling of panic, fear or stress would trigger the same associations and convince me I was hungry, so that was a link I needed to break.
The equation went like this:
Hunger = panic = fear = eat something
You too have many thoughts and feelings connected to food. There will be voices in your head that you’ll discover are not yours, but whose advice you follow blindly without realizing it.
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