Developing New Coping Skills

For many people that have battled weight gain and/or a food obsession disorder, there are deep emotional wounds and negative self-images that must be addressed and healed. 

• Negative thoughts and feelings may be the result of deep emotional pain that you encountered during childhood, or during other points in your life. 
  
• You may have dealt with physical, emotional or verbal abuse, neglect, or painful memories that are keeping you from letting go of your weight. 
  
• You may also be suffering from feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. 
  
• Perhaps you have used food to make yourself feel better. 
  

Food is often a coping mechanism for people who are overweight.  They are hard-wired to go to food in times of need.  It is now time to develop new coping skills.

If you have used food to cope with life's stress and pain, and you remove that coping mechanism, how will you replace it?  You must give this serious thought in advance and plan accordingly. 

You may want to consider walking.  When you feel stress building, or you are upset, even a 5 minute walk can help make you feel better.  If you have been used to coping with stress using food then you may find yourself taking a lot of 5 minute walks, especially in the beginning of your transformation.  When you are walking, you can repeat your favorite affirmation(s).  You might choose, "I love my healthy body", or "I appreciate my strong body that supports me as I exercise and build physical and mental strength".  Any affirmation is OK as long as it is positive and meaningful to you.

Do not be surprised if you find that you experience overwhelming feelings as you use food less for comfort and more for nourishing your body.  If you have been using food to numb yourself or "stuff" your feelings, and you no longer do that, your feelings will begin to surface. This surfacing may be gradual at first or they may feel as if they are erupting from you.  Either way, it is normal.  The important thing is that you recognize what is happening and that you acknowledge that it is ok to feel. 

You may find that this is when you rely on your support system the most.  If you do not have a readily available support system, as many people do not, you may want to seek the services of a professional counselor.  A counselor can help you sort through your feelings and identify what is happening.  Sometimes having an objective, outside person to listen and understand is very helpful when you are experiencing life-changing events.