Emotional Support for your Fit Life
Understanding Emotional Eating
Have you ever stood in front of your refrigerator, looking for something to eat; and realized that you weren’t even hungry? Think about it. Why do we do this?
Thinking about when I do this I can make a couple of observations. I’m usually bored, anxious, lonely, etc. I’m sure there are other things I might be feeling that bring me to my fridge; for food or drink that I don’t really need. And that’s the point, it is our feelings; our emotions that often cause us to indulge (and not just with food). We often, unknowingly try to meet emotional needs with well, other stuff.
The Rise of Emotional Medications
There’s been a proliferation of emotion altering pharmaceuticals over the last couple of decades; anxiety medications, antidepressants, and sleep aids have seen a virtual explosion in sales over the past twenty years. A statistic that might shock you is that our already burdened Social Security System has seen a 600 percent increase in Americans going on disability due to mental illness in this same period.
Sociologists, Psychologists, and Pastors, observe that it is during this period that Americans have become more, and more emotionally isolated from each other (and this is way before Covid). We work, often remotely now, with very little face to face interaction. And then we go home and plug ourselves in to our “devices”. We barely socialize any more. Even among people who come to the gym; many plug into their I-pods and work out right next to other people without even saying “hi”.
The Need for Emotional Connections
As humans our most basic needs are emotional; we need to feel accepted (loved), and we need to feel significant (that we mean something to someone). These basic needs cannot be found in a refrigerator, a pharmacy, or a bottle. Ultimately these needs are met through a relationship with a Higher Power (God) and with other people. Love and acceptance come by forming close, honest relationships with people we can walk through life with. And there are plenty of support systems out there where you can find this. There’s Alanon, AA, Celebrate Recovery, Overeaters Anonymous, Weight Watchers, Churches, Synagogues, Small in home Bible studies etc.
Finding Support and Accountability
Find a group you feel comfortable with and put yourself out there, make some close honest friendships that you can share the good and the bad in life with. And share your fitness goals with some friends. They might provide just the encouragement and accountability you’ve been missing.