What are you ‘really’ hungry for?

Many clients who come to me for help have already spent considerable time, effort and money learning about things that were not necessary to achieve their goals.

Concepts such as macros, calories and various ways of eating that claim to aid weight loss.

Some even tell me they could write a book on what to do.

The thing is, they can’t seem to do it.

They are smart, busy women. They are still struggling with overeating and their weight despite trying everything out 'there.'

But when you focus on what, when and how much to eat,

This misses the point; misses what’s actually going on.

It’s not about what - it’s about why.

It’s about WHY you’re eating.

It’s about WHY you are overeating.

Diets don't address this. Advice from out 'there' won't help you discover what's driving the desire to eat and continue eating when you know you’re already full.

Weight loss 'experts' often focus solely on the food, making it seem like it's the only thing that matters. However, when you struggle to follow their plan, you blame yourself for not having enough willpower, discipline, or control. This self-blame can make you think negatively about yourself, making matters worse.

This focus on food is misplaced and it wastes your valuable resources. You might think you just need to try harder, but this can lead to a vicious cycle of spinning your wheels and feeling stuck.

Yet there’s a reason you do what you do.

There’s always a reason why.

Usually, it's because you’re not addressing what you’re really hungry for—your non-food hunger.

Hunger that, when unfed, triggers emotional eating and overeating. Because food is convenient and often the things you’re really hungry for aren’t.

Perhaps you’re hungry for a hug, peace and quiet, rest, warmth, love, sleep, excitement, affection or meaning in your life.

Perhaps you want permission to do something new and different with your life. But you feel it’s unavailable, so you stop yourself from pursuing it.

So many of my clients feel frustrated, bored or stuck. Unable to achieve what they truly want; that thing that will light them up. So they eat instead.

Eating is the best way we know to take care of ourselves.

We use food to meet a need we otherwise don’t know how to meet. Eating doesn’t actually meet these needs, of course. But food does provide us with something, nonetheless.

It sort of fills us up and we no longer feel so ‘empty.’ But ultimately, we’re left feeling unsatisfied.

Soon after it’s gone, you realise you ate a bunch of food you didn’t really want. And whatever was driving the desire to eat is still there.

You haven’t addressed your true hunger.

The next time you find yourself heading to the fridge or pantry to grab something to eat, stop. Then ask, ‘What’s making me reach for food?’

There are only two answers:

You’re truly hungry for food and need to eat OR you’re trying to fill a void and food is the only way you know how.

If it’s the second reason, ask yourself what you are truly hungry for.

Is it comfort, entertainment or pleasure? Are you feeling lonely, angry, stressed or bored?

Are you trying to ‘escape’ from a life that feels monotonous? Or complex and overwhelming?

What’s lurking in the background that needs your attention?

It’s time to find out …

And give that to yourself, instead of food you don’t really want or need.

If you need help discovering what it is you’re truly hungry for

Get in touch. I’d love to help