What Is Emotional Eating? My Story

What is Emotional Eating?

Emotional eating is eating in response to emotions, rather than hunger. It's a common problem that can lead to weight gain, obesity, and other health problems.

When you're stressed, anxious, bored, or lonely, you may be more likely to turn to food for comfort. This is because eating can release dopamine, a neurotransmitter that makes you feel good.

However, the pleasure of eating is often short-lived. After you've eaten, you may feel guilty, ashamed, or even more stressed. This can lead to a cycle of emotional eating that's hard to break.

My Story

I've always been an emotional eater. When I was a child, I would often eat when I was bored, stressed, or upset. My parents didn't always have time to cook, so I would often snack on whatever was available. I rarely felt full, and I was always gaining weight.

As I got older, my emotional eating continued. I would often binge on junk food when I was feeling stressed or upset. I didn't know how to deal with my emotions in a healthy way, so I turned to food for comfort.

My emotional eating led to a number of health problems. I was overweight, had high blood pressure, and cholesterol. I was also at risk for diabetes.

Breaking the Cycle of Emotional Eating

I knew that I needed to change my ways, so I went on a journey to learn how to break the cycle of emotional eating. I started by recognizing and acknowledging my feelings. When I felt stressed, anxious, or bored, I would take a few minutes to identify what I was feeling.

Next, I started practicing healthier coping mechanisms. Instead of turning to food for comfort, I would exercise, listen to music, or spend time with friends and family. I also started eating healthy foods and staying hydrated.

After years of struggle, I finally gained control over my emotional eating. I lost weight, improved my health, and learned how to cope with my emotions in a healthy way. I'm sharing my story with you in the hope that it will help you to overcome emotional eating. If you're struggling with emotional eating, know that you're not alone. There is help available, and you can learn to control your emotional eating.