In food addiction recovery one needs to recognize that feelings change. Now that seems obvious to everyone of course and as a food addict it has special meaning. Recognize that, just as feelings change throughout life, most urges to eat will pass in five to ten minutes if you don’t feed them or give them a lot of attention. If the urge continues beyond that, ask yourself “what is the feeling I’m having and what do I really need or want right now?” Virtually 100% of the time the answer will not be food! At times I would find myself looking into the refrigerator for what I could eat and realized what I really want in life is not in the refrigerator! I think you will find the same is true for you in many instances. You may have to ask the question differently like asking yourself “what am I committed to?” Am I committed to being an active food addict who is a compulsive overeater or one in recovery? You may need to look at “short term pain for long term gain” or in this case long term loss he says with a smile.

In Food Addiction – Are You Hungry For Something Else?

If you’re hungry for excitement, or love, or affection, or something else, food will not satisfy you. You can eat until you’re sick (as a compulsive overeater I have been there and done that) and the void will still be there because it isn’t one that can be filled by food. Practice getting in touch with your feelings. It may be uncomfortable at first—it’s harder in the short term dealing with feelings rather than covering them over with food. Eventually, though, you will learn to distinguish true physical hunger from other emotional “hungers.” Besides so what if you feel hungry? Can you be with yourself while feeling hungry? Another important skill in food addiction I can assure you.