Food Addiction is Real and it's No Joke
By Annie Berryhill
<<<<Warning…this is a heavy topic today. But, I feel like it needs to be tackled, hang with me if you can.>>>
Unfortunately and fortunately I work with people who are addicted to food. It's a slippery slope. Food is legal, accepted, encouraged and required.
But.. FOOD is also used in an unhealthy, addictive way.
Recently, on an episode of Intervention on A&E, I heard a definition of addiction as this:
The maladaptive attempt to self-soothe in response to a deep wound.
Think about it..I bet you have used SOMETHING (food, alcohol, drugs, etc) to override a feeling you didn't want to feel.
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Symptoms of addiction from Web MD
Food addicts develop a physical, mental, emotional craving and chemical addiction to food. The characteristics of food addicts can include:
- Being obsessed and/or preoccupied with food.
- Having a lack of self-control when it comes to food.
- Having a compulsion about food in which eating results in a cycle of binging despite negative consequences.
- Remembering a sense of pleasure and/or comfort with food and being unable to stop using food to create a sense of pleasure and comfort.
- Having a need to eat which results in a physical craving.
What Are the Signs of Food Addiction?
Only the food addict can determine whether there is food addiction. The following are questions that potential food addicts may ask themselves:
- Have I tried but failed to control my eating?
- Do I find myself hiding food or secretly binging?
- Do I have feelings of guilt or remorse after eating?
- Do I eat because of emotions?
- Is my weight affecting my way of life?
Food addicts also may have symptoms including headaches, insomnia, irritability, mood changes, and depression.
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As an adult child of an alcoholic dad, any addiction makes me feel sad.
It's as if there is a huge wall between where you are and where you want to be, but the old habits and patterns keep tripping you up. Besides, its always easier to GIVE IN TO the things that make you feel good, or provide and escape from pain, right?
One thing I have learned in my life is that the RIGHT thing to do, is usually the HARD thing to do. Overcoming addiction can be hard, but it is a really good thing to address and overcome.
If you are struggling with food addiction, or wonder if you are, it is valuable to use a professional to help you overcome it.
Truthfully, food addiction is outside of my scope and abilities. But know, it is near and dear to my heart it's important for you to:
- See it for what it is,
- Get the help that you need and
- Move on into that full, free, happy life that you desperately want to live.
Here are some resources
Dr. Ron Gellis, Addiction Specialist
Loren Fogelman, MFT who specializes in breaking through addictions and blocks.
Even if I cannot help you myself, I want you to succeed and be living a happy and full life.
Be blessed today, and press on! You were meant to live with lightness and love in your heart. I pray that you find that place!
If you are simply in need of someone to teach you what to do, and to hold you accountable to doing it, then you have come to the right place. Please share your comments in the box below!
Let me be your partner in the pursuit of your goals!
You are DESIGNED to live
LEAN – STRONG – HEALTHY!
Today is a good day to get started
Anne (Annie) Berryhill is a Crossfit Level 1 Trainer, USA Weightlifting Sports Perfomance Coach, Crossfit Athlete and competitor who owns and operates OC Fitness Revival in Orange County, CA. Services include personal and group training, nutrition classes and counseling, as well as providing incredible health-improving supplements to help people to make the most out of what they've got.
Contact her today for a Free class, Nutrition consultation or to try Chava Chocolate for Athletes!
(949) 280-3407 Anne@anneberryhill.com
8 Comments
I really like the definition of an addiction. It resonates truth to me.
as always, i find the greatest barrier is breaking thru the denial, especially with food addictions.
Thanks for taking on a tough topic, Annie. I know people whose lives have been destroyed by food addiction, including round after round of 12-step programs. We think of food as being so innocent. Not.
You're right, Annie. This is such an important topic. When life seems more than challenging, food is an easy crutch to lean on, a choice that creates even greater problems.
Thanks for the great article.
This is a real eye-opener Annie! I am sure it will impact everyone who reads it…it sure has me! Thanks for sharing this~
Whoa! Anne this article is so good and I saw myself in it a few times. I'm so grateful to my friend who shared a simple weight loss plan that is working for me. Simple "grab and go" meals eaten every two hours stoke my metabolism to burn off my stored fat. Now, I am an anti-aging, fiery grandma of four who is exposing the secret to turning back the clock. Thank you for stepping up to the plate and sharing these hard hitting facts with everyone. We all need to face our demons at some point or succumb to the strangling fingers of obesity.
Carla
http://CarlaJGardiner.com
Oh Carla….
You have been so diligent in your pursuit of health and how well you have shared it with your audience! Good for you that you found a program that has positively impacted you, and one that allows you the lifestyle change that makes a difference! Thanks for popping by!
Our society has a food obsession!
This is great information; I know that people are addicted to sugar, one very mean ingredient. I was addicted to coffee, but did a 10 days juice fast with some pounding headaches…but I survived and I am on the road to no addictives in my body any more. I am juicing one day a week from now on just to stay on top!