Dear Marjory,
I have a problem with overeating. I don’t really talk about it because I’m embarrassed. I’ve been here for a while and I’ve worked on so many other things, but not this. The thing is, it really bothers me. How can I make it go away?
- Full
Dear Full,
There’s no doubt that overeating is a problem. Sometimes we overeat because we are trying to fill some kind of hole, not necessarily our stomach hole either. Isn’t that why many people drink and drug? To fill something that has previously been empty? That’s what happened to me, at least.
Once I started doing things that made me feel good about myself, I no longer felt those urges to fill the hole. If there’s anything you enjoy doing, maybe you should do some more of that activity. It may help you feel better about yourself, which could reduce the urge to overeat.
I suggest you find someone you trust. Your sponsor, a friend, your parents, someone, who you can talk to about this issue. You may consider attending a meeting of Overeaters Anonymous. It may seem embarrassing, but trust me, you are not alone. Many are dealing with similar food problems. All you need to do is reach out; help is available.
As you know, these problems do not just go away. They often morph from one addiction to another. For example, when I stopped smoking cigarettes I started biting my nails. This is a very, very small example of how we can jump from one addiction to another.
Stay strong,
Marjory
