We relate to food in many different ways. We find it exists to satisfy us on many different levels. So it is not a surprise that it is used as a tool and is manipulated as such. It can be a friend to turn to in moments of crises or depression. It is something that takes our mind off things so we can relax. We are feeding our hearts and minds, not our body. When food is accessed in this way, when it becomes a stabilizing factor for our behavior it has become more than just food. Yet that is all it is, food, substance and energy for our body. When food is used to calm us, distract us or make us feel better we will find ourselves overweight. Because if it has become a tool, we may be overusing it. By coming to depend on food to satisfy ourselves we are not helping the true problem. In fact we are merely covering it up, layer by layer until we can’t hear or see the real issue.
Now we all know what it is like to gain satisfaction by eating the foods we enjoy. But the real picture of using food to distract and to try to heal problems will not work. We have to see the difference, feel the difference between eating for hunger or even pleasure, to eating for peace and comfort. We cannot mask our problems by eating. This is why so many people become overweight. The drive to eat and keep on eating is not natural. To eat just to eat, to eat mindlessly, to eat in moments of distress, all of these lead to being overweight. These habits were founded by a need. That need, that desire to eat unnaturally comes from a place within you. It is learned and then accepted as your method to deal with what is happening. Food can not heal. In truth, eating too much only makes things worse and you are creating another battle to overcome.
We are rather simple beings when it comes to food. Eat to satisfy your hunger. That is all that is needed. So know when you go beyond this, to the point when it feels uncomfortable, that is when it is helpful to look at why. When and where does this need arise to reach for food? What are you doing? How do you feel? What were you thinking before you thought of food? These are just some of the clues to the real issue of why you want to eat. Remember food can not heal; only you can do this for yourself. When you look at your reasoning does it feel real to you? What do you really believe about your behavior? By trying to understand, by looking past the urge to the beginning, you may find reasons and a way to help yourself let go of food as a tool. Now I understand there are many levels of using food and this might seem a bit drastic, but if you honestly feel that you have any issues with food this can help. Wouldn’t you love to only think about food as you get hungry? Not all day, no obsessions, no excuses and no reasons. To only eat as your body needs. This is the true secret to weight loss. It is not about control or diets; it is about
healing yourself from within so you can let go of food as a tool. Remember there are many ways of using food and there is no reason to be overweight. Even if you only eat more than you need at meals, this can be helped.
You can find peace with food by addressing the need to keep eating. Where does it come from? Look at yourself deeply and honestly to find the desire. The need spurs from many different sources, all of us are unique. Just know it doesn’t have to be a continual occurrence. You can become your ideal weight by letting go of the desire, by choosing to seek out the true reason for your behavior around food. By doing so, whatever level you’re at, it will become easier and you will be able to look at food differently. You will be able to
release the hold food has on your life. Best of all you can heal yourself, feel better, and lose weight.