|
 Q
I would like to
take the Special K Challenge with the four other women on The Tyra Banks
Show. I don't know what my weakness is, or why it seems so difficult
to lose weight (I want to lose 15-20 pounds). I need assistance in
identifying when I eat and why I eat even though I am not very hungry at
the time. Please help!
A
It is very common for people to use food to
make themselves feel better. Sometimes you might be bored, sad, angry,
disappointed or lonely when you reach out for food. It is important to
figure out when you eat and why so that you can identify the source of the
problem, break your old habits, and create new healthy habits. Below is an
exercise you can complete to help you determine when and why you eat, and
what to do about it. Once you complete this exercise, you should start
working creating your "lifestyle" change by starting a physical
exercise program and changing what you eat (since you are already working
on whey and why you eat). For more information
on the diet and exercise program the women are following on the show,
visit Tyra's website.
Good luck!
AM
I AN EMOTIONAL EATER? WHY DO I EAT EVEN WHEN I'M NOT HUNGRY?
Use a blank sheet of paper or write the answers to the following questions
in your journal. Don't try to skip over the questions or just do the
exercise in your head. Make a commitment to taking the time necessary to
write down the answers to all of the questions so that you can finally
begin to address the issue of eating when you aren't hungry
1.
What are you doing or what is happening around you RIGHT before you feel
the urge to eat when you aren't hungry?
2. What events or situations trigger your desire to eat?
3. Which of the following emotional feelings do you usually have right
before you start eating: anger, sadness, hurt, fear, joy, or anxiety?
Please list all of the feelings you have.
4. What negative thoughts go through your mind right before, during or
after you starting eating?
5. What beliefs about yourself and your life do you think trigger your
negative thoughts about yourself and your desire to eat when you aren't
hungry? Some examples include: No one loves me, My feelings don't count, I
am alone, or No one supports me.
6. What are some positive thoughts that you could use to replace each of
the negative thoughts you listed in number five? Some examples include:
Someone does care about me or I am a good person.
7. When you started eating, even though you weren't hungry, what did you
really need instead of food?
To be listened to
To be loved
To feel important
To be touched or intimate
To receive attention from someone important to you
Other____________
8. Now that you know the real reason why you may be eating, what is a
positive alternative you can choose when you feel the urge to eat (when
you aren't hungry), to address the feelings, and meet the needs that you
are having at the time?
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