Freedom From Emotional EatingSample

Let’s jump into the steps to overcoming emotional eating. The first step is to acknowledge the feelings that you are experiencing. It is important that we learn to face our emotions, no matter how painful, and not just brush them aside or think you need to do something to instantly change the way you are feeling. Once you acknowledge the emotion, take time to see what is causing you to feel this way.

Emotional eaters often feel powerless over their emotions so instead of acknowledging what they are feeling and dealing with it, they distract themselves with food in hopes that it will make the negative feeling go away. Dealing with emotions can be hard and scary at times, but you can truly begin to live in a way that your emotions and feelings no longer control how you eat and live. Lean on God’s Word and His strength to help you rein in stress and repair emotional wounds that often trigger emotional eating. You’ve probably heard this before, but I truly believe, falling into God’s open arms is such an important piece of your freedom.

On day one, I suggested that you journal the feeling associated with your eating habits. I want you to note every time you put something in your mouth…when you eat; are you feeling hungry; what are you eating; how much are you eating; how are you feeling emotionally; and how did you feel after? Over time, you will begin to see a pattern that will reveal a connection between your emotional state and the food you turn to most frequently.

Be careful to never call yourself an “emotional eater”. If you listen to negative self-talk, you will begin to believe what you hear, and it will become who you are. It will become your identity. Instead, say, “I used to be an emotional eater, but with God’s help I’m moving towards freedom from this.”

All actions and choices in life are driven by our thoughts.To make new choices and create new habits, we need to start at the beginning. We need to change the way we talk to ourselves and stay positive in our thoughts.

Noman Vincent Peale wrote a great book, The Power of Positive Thinking, where he said, “Think positively and you set in motion positive forces that bring positive results to pass." The Bible says it even better, “Everything is possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23)

To do:

1. Continue journaling your emotional state when eating and what foods you are turning to.
2. When you are feeling emotional, don’t try to ignore it or take your mind off it. Instead acknowledge it, try and see what is causing it, and then talk to God about it.
3. Move toward positive self-talk. Write down 2 things each morning that you love about yourself.