plateaus and emotional eating

September 27, 2008

I have been IEing since Jan. 08. For the first six months, I was

losing weight steadily. I bought new pants and skirts because the

others were falling off. Since July, I haven't noticed any

difference at all. Do you think there is anything to the dieting

plateau theories that I used to hear? The ones that said our bodies

needed extra help to lose weight at certain weights. Right now, I am

the size (18) that I was from about ages 18-34. I'm now 38. Does my

body just want to stay at this size because it's safe there and will

eventually let it go or is this just another diet theory? I haven't

noticed any differences in my intuitive eating or food consumption

since July.

As for emotional eating, I have realized that I use food to cope with

boredom and insecurity too. I was at a work training meeting last

week where we were all put at round tables and asked to contribute

ideas. I'm no shrinking violet but I did find myself reaching for

another bagel when I wasn't hungry at all. I quickly asked myself if

it was just mindless eating because the food was sitting there in

front of me (I found the book Mindless Eating fascinating and eye-

opening.) or if I wanted a security blanket in a situation where I

was expected to be intelligent. That thought had never occurred to

me. I will have to pay attention to those situations to see if there

is a pattern. Either way, I was paying attention and not beating

myself up for being weak-willed. Definite steps forward.

Recommended Posts