I would love to hear your comments on this, my feelings are as follows. As someone who has been overweight most of her life and very familiar with using food as both comfort and punishment. I feel the two are very similar. It's hard for those with a normal relationship with food to understand why someone would clog up their arteries with fat and sugar. For the person frequently eating this way it is equally hard to understand. Sometimes that compulsion, the negative beliefs, the values you place on things all make it equally as difficult to quit whether its drugs or food.
In the early stages of a food addiction much like drugs and alcohol, your fun to be with, you love a good meal out, everything seems normal! As the addiction takes hold behaviours move underground, you start eating in secretyour self esteem lowers and the need for food to provide comfort increases. As with drugs and alcohol there is a whole range of degrees of addiction. Some people use recreationally. You binge whilst on holiday and return to normal upon your return, Christmas provides an opportunity to gorge in a way you wouldnt the rest of the year. On the opposite end of the scale however, you lose your job, your health suffers, you alienate yourself from friends and family. Society worries for you and sadly you die earlier than you needed to.
As I see it then this isn't a time for blame and recriminations but a time to evaluate what is actually important in your life. How can you help yourself and others break free from their unhelpful behaviours. The chances are that if you have been trying for years it's extremely difficult to believe anything will work for you. As with drugs and alcohol there is help available when it comes to your relationship with food. The first step is recognising you need help, then take the time to study what is available and ask for that help.
In October 2009 a little girl called Maisy Rose diet from a rare brain tumour and as most of you know I pledged this year to trek the Great Wall of China in an attept to raise funds to support children and families affected by brain tumours. On the 10th September this year I am holding an event called 'Journey to the end of a diet'. The day provides an opportunity to learn about what is available to help people with weight & food issues. A range of professionals will offer a range of solutions that will help us start to tackle the obesity epedemic. For more information visit. www.jennymaguire.com www.eventelephant.com/journeytotheendofadiet www.themaisyroseproject.co.uk or give me a call on 01695 627 255.
