Fat is not a Feeling Word

Eating disorders are not all about food. It’s about using food as a coping mechanism to deal with painful emotions. I have found that people tend to use food to feel in control by binging. This does give you immediate comfort but purging seems to be a form of punishment. Yes, I said it! The core issues I feel that needs to be addressed when you decide to seek help for this is to identify what’s really “eating” you up inside. It needs to be instilled in you that fat is not a “feeling word” that determines your behavior. I will say it again, FAT is not an emotion!

In my experience with clients, there needs to be a mutually developed wellness plan that has two goals in mind- A) learning to love yourself and B) accepting yourself. It is that simple. These tasks include: 1) develop new coping skills by identifying your feelings and replacing with positive behaviors i.e. doing something nice for another person, 2) improve your self-image by rephrasing negative self-talk with positive affirmations or scriptures, 3) learn how to eat healthy with nutrition education, and 4) relapse prevention tools that include development of a support system, identifying triggers, and journaling.

In order for a person to gain the self-confidence that is needed for them to grow, they must rediscover who they are, their authentic self. This is more valuable and beyond their distorted body image, current weight, and sporadic dieting habits. Did I forget to mention exercise? I think not because healing begins from the inside out.