Comments for Normal Eating Blog

Comment on How to Lose Weight for Good and for Real by Stephanie

Stephanie — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 02:37:04 +0000

I have been suffering from anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder and depression since I was 7 years of age, I’m now 22, and have been realizing that I just eat my feelings. Im upset,I’ll eat, Im bored I’ll eat. But then sometimes I will go a day without eating at all, sometimes 2 or 3, and then the 3rd day I eat like huge amounts and then go like that for weeks at a time , Just eat and eat and eat.. I never eat the way I do when im alone like I do when im with others…. Can this every be fixed? Can I ever get help…….Im 5 foot 3 and weighing 135-140 pounds, its gross and Im so ashamed and I just hide myself all the time, its also ruining my relationship because I dont want him to touch or see me.

Comment on A Lightbulb Moment to Stop Emotional Eating? by Sheryl Canter

Sheryl Canter — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 14:25:52 +0000

forreal – it just goes to show that “light bulb moments” aren’t real, or it would have stuck. There is no way around the hard work. Recovery doesn’t happen like throwing a switch. It’s lots of little moments that gather together slowly over time.

- Sheryl

Comment on A Lightbulb Moment to Stop Emotional Eating? by forreal

forreal — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 01:34:03 +0000

Hi
Years ago I actually did have that light bulb moment, it happened much the same as many success stories tell you whilst I was trying on a new pair of jeans. Thats it I cried Im going on a diet, and I did and i was successful and I kept the weight off for years. However that was years ago and everytime I have tried to lose weight since I have wished for that moment that certainty that i woulld succeed. i have moaned and groaned to my fella, family if I could just get it right in my head if it would just snap into place. It hasnt and it wont.
I know without a doubt that this is working already for me. I actually feel better without losing weight and I feel lighter and happier than I have in years. and Ive only just started!!! funny though usually when Im not on a diet my weight just goes up and up, its not changing at the moment either way,
thanks for sharing,
forreal

Comment on Are you a fast eater? Slow down naturally. by Shannon

Shannon — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 19:30:07 +0000

I eat at breakneck speed because I work in a nursing home and have no time to ’savor’ anything. Usually, once my first med-pass is done I’m starving and I shovel in my salad while I’m charting at the nurses station. While I’m there, several residents demand ‘as needed’ meds and I really have no time to eat even though I’d like to eat my hands off. I’ve decided to just fast through my eight hours at work because I cannot enjoy anything.

Comment on Eating Out of Loneliness and Low Self-Esteem by Jane

Jane — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:11:42 +0000

Thanks for this article. I have been involved in a 12 step program and came to realize that I need to forgive myself. I too, do not like being alone and I’m afraid of the dark.

Comment on Self-Deprivation Mindset: No Pleasure in Eating by Kirsty

Kirsty — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 04:16:09 +0000

I have come to your website after reading Geneen Roth’s book “Women, Food and God”. I am now reading “Normal Eating for Normal Weight.”

I have never been overweight in the medically accepted definiton, or underweight yet I have probably been at the extremes of the normal ranges at varying times of my life. I’ve never had problems with binging or anorexia in the accepted sense but I know that I have an eating disorder, and that it is emotionally based. All my life food has been like a bartering tool- although I’ve always sat down for regular meals, it was never about being hungry and more about being “nice”- we ate instead of talking, and hiding in food avoided confrontation; you were “nice” if you didn’t complain about the food and ate everything on your plate even if you hated it, and received praise for it. It’s no wonder that food became for me the universal sedative. Even now if I go out to a party or function I find myself taking refuge in the food- most of which I can’t stand- to avoid being seen as rude, to avoid talking and to comfort myself because I feel so very much alone. Even when I make the effort to chat, be involved and not eat I can see myself following the platters around the room.

Is it any surprise that I became renowned amongst my friends, flatmates, family for being a gourmet chef- after all food was a currency I was comfortable with.

It’s taken having a family and the sheer drudgery of cooking an evening meal every night to make me realise that I would sometimes be happy to never eat again. “Get the kids to help you with dinner” says my husband but I’d rather get the whole thing over and done with without having to pretend I even enjoy it.

Having read Geneen Roth’s book I have been working on the eating when I am hungry and what I want- and actually I realise I don’t have any great wish to eat chocolate bars, but that usually if I pause and think about it and then have what I want (which might well be fruit)and whoa- I haven’t put on weight, have actually enjoyed food.

I am looking forward to reading the rest of Normal Eating to help me on that journey- I can see it will take time but if I can be less reliant on food for emotional support and as a bartering tool I may just get on with my life in a happier way.

Comment on Eating Out of Loneliness and Low Self-Esteem by susan

susan — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 22:14:02 +0000

what a relief! what a wonderful message this site contains. i have been in recovery from drugs and alcohol for 7 years but lonely. just started slaa. since a young child had problem with low self worth. just ordered your book and read the messages tonight. thank you all for your vulnerability and your honesty, with love susan london england xxxxx

Comment on Eating Out of Loneliness and Low Self-Esteem by Sheryl Canter

Sheryl Canter — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 17:06:49 +0000

Jen – it can change. It probably will require counseling. I work with clients one-on-one on these issues.

- Sheryl

Comment on Eating Out of Loneliness and Low Self-Esteem by jenkanata

jenkanata — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 00:29:58 +0000

Chronically lonely…yes; not liking myself…absolutely. Believing that this can change…extremely sceptical. How do you change over 40 years of the same types of thoughts? Loneliness comes from a desire to stay as far away from my belittling thoughts as I can. Eating suspends loneliness. I cannot bear to be alone with my thoughts. They destroy me.

Comment on Eating Candy and Feeling Guilty by Shawn

Shawn — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 13:04:16 +0000

I’m just new to this site but have done some reading on here and have read through your book.

As I read through the definitions I feel that “emotional eater” fits me the best. It’s only recently that I’ve been able to admit that I may let my emotions get the best of me. I’m a guy and guys just don’t do that. We are supposed to ’suck it up’ and move on.

I’m struggling with the notion of eating whatver I want because I have the right to. The first thing that pops into my head is that I don’t want to gain anymore weight which in turn affects the choices I make. It’s all those years of the diet industry telling us what is ‘good’ and what is ‘bad’. I’m still thinking that there are good foods and bad foods. Is this correct?