Breaking the cycle of emotional eating

     Yesterday was a hard day for me.  I received some very sad news which I won't go into detail about here except to discuss my reaction to it.  In the past I have been an emotional eater.  I eat in times of joy, sorrow, boredom, irritation, anger, celebration and disappointment.  In essence, whenever there are times of extreme emotion, I eat.  Some people can't eat when they feel nervous or stressed or upset.  For me it was the opposite, I jammed the food down my throat trying to cram the emotions down with it instead of trying to properly deal with the issue at hand.  I think many people are like this, it's just not something they openly admit.  I have many girlfriends who I have discussed this issue with.  In hindsight, I should have grabbed a phonebook and found a therapist instead of a bag of double stuff oreos.  Because the oreos won't solve my problems or make me feel better long term.  It's a short term fix that puts one into a sugar coma releasing temporary endorphins which quickly fade and leave one with a sense of emptiness thus wanting to eat again.  It's a vicious cycle and one that I hope I have broken through the course of the last few months.  Yesterday sucked.  I'm not going to lie.  I did ask to go out for Chinese food.  BUT I had a seaweed salad, 1 chicken lettuce wrap and steamed veggies and shrimp.  I really wanted an egg roll, but I didn't have it.  The egg roll is not going to make me feel better long term and I really needed to nourish my body.  I did want some comfort food, but I think I have struck the balance.  I enjoyed a delicious and healthy meal that I didn't finish.  I ate till comfortable and made healthy choices despite my horrid mindset.  It's so easy to make excuses for emotional eating, believe me I did it for most of my life.  I hope I am done with that and have broken the cycle by openly acknowledging it and dealing with the root problem at hand.  I continue on with this journey with a healthier body and spirit to deal with what life may throw my way, one meal and one day at a time.