Emotional Eating and Weight Loss

How Your Emotions Affect Your Weight Loss

Scripture to reflect on: In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Eph. 4: 26-27.

Experts estimate that 75% of overeating is caused by emotions. Emotional eating refers to the eating we do in response to our feelings whether we're hungry or not, signifying food used as a tool or coping mechanism to either numb pain or to make ourselves feel better. Common feelings that cause emotional eating are boredom, stress (financial, relational), loneliness, and tiredness.

In Ephesians 4, Paul teaches how to deal effectively with the stresses of life. He is talking more specifically about strife between people, but his instruction also applies to dealing with our inner turmoil. He points out that it’s okay to be angry (or experience other emotions) but we must find Godly ways of dealing with it. Unresolved issues give way to the devil operating in our lives. The psalmist also tells us when we are angry to search our hearts and be silent (Psalm 4:4).

Action steps to help you feel your feelings rather than feed them

* develop the habit of responding rather than reacting to emotions without food or with a healthy food choice
* ask yourself what the underlying feeling is before you eat something
* ask yourself if you are really hungry
* submit that feeling/situation to God – ask Him to handle it instead of eating food to handle it

Remember that over-eating is a multi-faceted issue. Overeating is a symptom of an underlying issue and God wants us to partner with Him to be healed of all of our issues and problems. It is then and only then that we can be effective ambassadors for Him. Get in action today to solve your over-eating so that God can fully use you to fulfill His work here on earth.

Article Source: http://christian-topics.info

Cathy Morenzie is committed Christian, certified personal fitness trainer, fitness instructor, and Pilates instructor. She specializes in providing creative fitness solutions for people on the go. She has trained thousands of clients and trainers over the last 20 years. For more articles on faith and fitness please visit www.hbdprogram.com

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