What sort of emotional eating habits do you struggle with? When was the last time you found yourself “fuckit” eating?
Meaning, when was the last time you thought, “Well since I already blew it with the cookies and chips at 3 pm, I might as well order in pizza and polish off the ice cream for dinner?”
The food choices don’t matter.
Fuckit eating (so-called by my clients) aka emotional eating, is any time you eat beyond your food rules/guidelines and think, “I’ll get back on track tomorrow – might as well enjoy it while it lasts.”
When that happens, and you feel like you’ve fallen off some wagon, consider this…
First, fuckit eating isn’t your fault, and it’s got nothing to do with willpower (that’s diet culture BS).
Second, think back. What was going on for you before eating the food?
What thoughts were running through your mind? What was your eating environment like?
If there were ANY thoughts related to restriction or judgment of the food – i.e., it’s not healthy, I shouldn’t eat so much, etc. (aka diet mentality), emotional eating will happen, hands down.
Also, if you start feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or any other difficult feeling and need a distraction, fuckit eating can be triggered.
If you love the taste of what you’re eating and don’t want to say you’ve had enough (there’s real grief in saying enough, BTW) emotional eating can happen.
The point is NONE of these scenarios is your fault and all of them are part of being human.
Be kind to yourself. When it feels like you’re emotionally eating, pause and get curious. Stay compassionate towards yourself. Each of these situations is a learning experience and an opportunity to practice SAVOR Food and Body.
In Instagram @alpinenutrition – Resources Highlight = I added a mini-lesson on how to walk yourself through the SAVOR technique in your journal or a scrap piece of paper using bullet points and short phrases – (no need to go novelist, unless you want to!)
Five Simple Steps to Help You with Your Emotional Eating Habits
The next time you feel the urge to fuckit eat, walk yourself through the acronym:
S top = what’s going on with you in the moment or moments leading up to eating
A wareness = what emotions are you experiencing? Are you acting in alignment with your values?
V alidate = whatever you’re feeling or experiencing, it’s all valid.
O ptions = how can you take care of yourself at the moment? What coping options do you have in addition to the food?
R eflect & release = pick an option. Do it. And reflect back. Did it help? What could be different or the same next time? Then release the experience. Move on with your day.
Give it a shot. Fuckit eating doesn’t stop overnight, but it won’t take as much space in your head or your life the more you stay curious and compassionate with yourself.
