On the Thin Within forums, we have had a discussion about why we overeat.
See how many of these you can relate to.
- I am happy.
- I am sad.
- I am late.
- I am early.
- I am agitated.
- The kids are fighting.
- The weather is bad.
- The extended family (Mother-in-Law!) is visiting.
- My Mother is living with us.
- I exercised a lot and need the energy.
- I will exercise a lot and need the energy.
- I am sick and I need the energy.
- I am tired and I need the energy.
- I won’t be near food for another 3 hours so I better eat now.
- I may never get this kind of food again.
- There is a movie on.
- The movie ended.
- The movie is sad.
- The movie is intense.
Well, you get the drift, I bet! 🙂
Some of the women at the forums have mentioned that there are some bad habits–like, perhaps:
- Eating while at the computer.
- Eating while driving.
- Eating when reading.
- Eating in the bathtub.
Again…you get the drift.
Finally, as we are honest with one another and ourselves, we might sometimes simply feel like this:
I like food. I want it. I will eat it just because I want it and I like it.
I would like to suggest something, though.
What is really behind this? I mean, if we eat for all these reasons and more, even though we know that it might be killing us (when it is), what is really behind it all?
Is it possible that, if we were to dig a bit deeper we might come up with some answers that might lead to our healing?
What do you think?
I would love to hear from you about this.
If you have health issues that are due, indirectly or otherwise, to overeating, what is at the heart of continuing to overeat?
Why do we do this?
Hi Heidi! I never put into words, "why do I eat". Likely because I eat to stop thinking. I don't want to think anything, just eat, so there's no feeling.So, here's my confession:Confession of a dieter that knows better! I released 50 lbs using similar (but not totally Christ centered) hunger and fullness teachings to Thin Within. Then, after looking and feeling the best I have ever felt in my life, I got chronically sick with asthma; and that meant 5 years of hospitalizations, strong hormone drugs and simply gaining back every last pound as my life went out of control. After my recovery (and many lessons learned) I began to release the weight again, but never got the hang of it all, even though I knew Thin Within had the correct approach..very centered around the Grace of God and Jesus the Lord.So, in 2007 I found myself & my husband over weight, tired and again in Chronic pain from another disease I have (surprise!) and unable to cook and use my arms very well. It was tiring. So, we decided to try a plan that mails you your food. well, I lost all that weight in a few months, as did the DH. Of course (duh!!) no spiritual matters were ever allowed to enter this way of eating, and as soon as we went off this diet I again found myself in the hospital..very scared and very sick. Weeks of looking in the wrong place my poor doctors kept trying all kinds of treatment. I was getting NO sleep. Finally I realized, as in the past, that depending and waiting on Jesus was my only real hope. I needed patients. So, I would do nothing, not even get up to go to the bathroom, with out asking and waiting on Him. It was a strange time and I wondered if I would survive! Ahh. but when we finally had given the Lord all the time He wanted to reveal to us what was wrong :peace came, and so did answers. Hmmm. not the ones I liked, but answers and treatments and a life I now have to live so dependent upon Him. So, why do I eat? This last year I gained back 20 of the 30 lbs I lost, He knows it: I know it. He knows that I know. And Yes: I didn't want to face Him. So, I ordered a different "send food to my house" diet program. My lovely and supportive DH lost the weight he needed, which is fine, this isn't his struggle. Me?? I gained 5 lbs! :oP So, I confess. Diets don't work.. for someone who knows better. either I will lose the weight and then gain it back, or I will not lose at all.. it's His choice, and mine.. and He knows that I know: I am ignoring the reasons: "why do I eat?"My Lord isn't a wife beater, He loves me and wants me back under His protective and guiding hands. He's not set on slapping me down, why do I do it to myself? He would never call me names, so why do I do it to myself? He would never ridicule me for my failure, why do I? I enjoy reading your blog, it reminds me of His Love for me, and how much more I need Him every day. I feel more and more released to forget about food until my body is empty, and focus on Him and the life He's given me to live. I can't be afraid anymore. I can't keep hiding out behind this silly god that is mute, harmful and false. And start hanging out more with the Mighty God of the Universe, who flung the Galaxies into existence and yet loves me so much. Who is tender towards me. If a God , that powerful love me in that way..my life is in His hands..and I will put my trust in Him.Thanks Heidi for allowing me to voice something on my heart!Barbara
Hi Heidi! I never put into words, "why do I eat". Likely because I eat to stop thinking. I don't want to think anything, just eat, so there's no feeling.So, here's my confession:Confession of a dieter that knows better! I released 50 lbs using similar (but not totally Christ centered) hunger and fullness teachings to Thin Within. Then, after looking and feeling the best I have ever felt in my life, I got chronically sick with asthma; and that meant 5 years of hospitalizations, strong hormone drugs and simply gaining back every last pound as my life went out of control. After my recovery (and many lessons learned) I began to release the weight again, but never got the hang of it all, even though I knew Thin Within had the correct approach..very centered around the Grace of God and Jesus the Lord.So, in 2007 I found myself & my husband over weight, tired and again in Chronic pain from another disease I have (surprise!) and unable to cook and use my arms very well. It was tiring. So, we decided to try a plan that mails you your food. well, I lost all that weight in a few months, as did the DH. Of course (duh!!) no spiritual matters were ever allowed to enter this way of eating, and as soon as we went off this diet I again found myself in the hospital..very scared and very sick. Weeks of looking in the wrong place my poor doctors kept trying all kinds of treatment. I was getting NO sleep. Finally I realized, as in the past, that depending and waiting on Jesus was my only real hope. I needed patients. So, I would do nothing, not even get up to go to the bathroom, with out asking and waiting on Him. It was a strange time and I wondered if I would survive! Ahh. but when we finally had given the Lord all the time He wanted to reveal to us what was wrong :peace came, and so did answers. Hmmm. not the ones I liked, but answers and treatments and a life I now have to live so dependent upon Him. So, why do I eat? This last year I gained back 20 of the 30 lbs I lost, He knows it: I know it. He knows that I know. And Yes: I didn't want to face Him. So, I ordered a different "send food to my house" diet program. My lovely and supportive DH lost the weight he needed, which is fine, this isn't his struggle. Me?? I gained 5 lbs! :oP So, I confess. Diets don't work.. for someone who knows better. either I will lose the weight and then gain it back, or I will not lose at all.. it's His choice, and mine.. and He knows that I know: I am ignoring the reasons: "why do I eat?"My Lord isn't a wife beater, He loves me and wants me back under His protective and guiding hands. He's not set on slapping me down, why do I do it to myself? He would never call me names, so why do I do it to myself? He would never ridicule me for my failure, why do I? I enjoy reading your blog, it reminds me of His Love for me, and how much more I need Him every day. I feel more and more released to forget about food until my body is empty, and focus on Him and the life He's given me to live. I can't be afraid anymore. I can't keep hiding out behind this silly god that is mute, harmful and false. And start hanging out more with the Mighty God of the Universe, who flung the Galaxies into existence and yet loves me so much. Who is tender towards me. If a God , that powerful love me in that way..my life is in His hands..and I will put my trust in Him.Thanks Heidi for allowing me to voice something on my heart!Barbara
It' s a heart issue…1. We feel inadqueate… so we turn to food2. It's a form of control.Instead of believing that we are complete,accepted, and loved by Christ we turn to the food.
It' s a heart issue…1. We feel inadqueate… so we turn to food2. It's a form of control.Instead of believing that we are complete,accepted, and loved by Christ we turn to the food.
Hi, Barbara. You said this:My Lord isn't a wife beater, He loves me and wants me back under His protective and guiding hands. He's not set on slapping me down, why do I do it to myself? He would never call me names, so why do I do it to myself? He would never ridicule me for my failure, why do I? Wow…so well said. Thank you so much. And thank you, too, for the kind words. Our GOD is so patient with us, isn't he? Thank you so much for being willing to share your heart! Hugs, Heidi
Hi, Barbara. You said this:My Lord isn't a wife beater, He loves me and wants me back under His protective and guiding hands. He's not set on slapping me down, why do I do it to myself? He would never call me names, so why do I do it to myself? He would never ridicule me for my failure, why do I? Wow…so well said. Thank you so much. And thank you, too, for the kind words. Our GOD is so patient with us, isn't he? Thank you so much for being willing to share your heart! Hugs, Heidi
Kelli…You sure hit the nail on the head when you said: 1. We feel inadqueate… so we turn to food2. It's a form of control.Do you think we may be believing lies? How controlled is it really? How does eating remove inadequacy? This is what I mean…I wonder what is going on that I (you, all of us) keep believing these sorts of lies.You said it when you said it is a heart issue.
Kelli…You sure hit the nail on the head when you said: 1. We feel inadqueate… so we turn to food2. It's a form of control.Do you think we may be believing lies? How controlled is it really? How does eating remove inadequacy? This is what I mean…I wonder what is going on that I (you, all of us) keep believing these sorts of lies.You said it when you said it is a heart issue.
If you have health issues that are due, indirectly or otherwise, to overeating, what is at the heart of continuing to overeat? …That's a good question and I keep asking myself that over and over and can't seem to get to the bottom of it. I want to though. I appreciated LakeLady's comment. I beat myself up regularly and it has to stop. I do know that I am a stress eater and living in a foreign country has a lot of stress!!! I also know that I eat out of loneliness and boredom. I'm working on turning to the Lord during these times. Like right now, I just want to eat and eat and I'm not hungry! So, I think I'll go to bed and take my Bible with me and read some before turning out the light. Thank you for pointing us to the One Who can heal!
If you have health issues that are due, indirectly or otherwise, to overeating, what is at the heart of continuing to overeat? …That's a good question and I keep asking myself that over and over and can't seem to get to the bottom of it. I want to though. I appreciated LakeLady's comment. I beat myself up regularly and it has to stop. I do know that I am a stress eater and living in a foreign country has a lot of stress!!! I also know that I eat out of loneliness and boredom. I'm working on turning to the Lord during these times. Like right now, I just want to eat and eat and I'm not hungry! So, I think I'll go to bed and take my Bible with me and read some before turning out the light. Thank you for pointing us to the One Who can heal!
So great to hear from you, Kim. When do you return to the states? Is it a furlough? Or permanent return? Thank you for serving the people. "How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him (her) who brings good news…" Thank you for going to all the world, enduring the trials and challenges that you do in Japan for the sake of the lost. I appreciate it. I hope that you found God's comfort as you read his word and that you sensed him delighting over you with singing! I entered you in our contest, by the way! 🙂
So great to hear from you, Kim. When do you return to the states? Is it a furlough? Or permanent return? Thank you for serving the people. "How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him (her) who brings good news…" Thank you for going to all the world, enduring the trials and challenges that you do in Japan for the sake of the lost. I appreciate it. I hope that you found God's comfort as you read his word and that you sensed him delighting over you with singing! I entered you in our contest, by the way! 🙂