Hello,
I’m getting more and more accustomed to depersonalizing my thoughts and feelings. I remember questioning my thoughts and remind myself that “I am not my emotions, I only feel my emotions.” But I don’t know how to apply this to cravings. When it comes to cravings, I become a slave of them because I don’t even remember to stop and think where they are coming from and make a conscious decision about acting on them (eating) or not. It’s as if my mind and body are hijacked when it comes to cravings – unlike other thoughts I have.
How to approach this? Is it possible to put cravings somewhere on the self-coaching model and work through them?
Thank you!
ANSWER
This is a great question that is easily answered.
First, know that all the answers are or will be taught to you as your learn Intuitive eating.
The first place to start is the language you use. When I read your question, I see DIET MINDSET peaking its ugly head. The word “craving,” the word “slave” are strong clues. The word “highjacked” is another clue… Lots of diet culture language.
I will use the word urges instead of cravings moving forward as this is a neutral word.
Here’s where I’d suggest you start:
Do you trust your body?
Why is it that you doubt the validity of your body urges?
Why do you desire to control your cravings?
As with any desire to control lies a fear below: What are you afraid will happen if you don’t control your food urges?
Perhaps your lack of awareness of your food urges because you believe they shouldn’t be there in the first place. Why would you want to pay attention to something you believe to be wrong? Faulty?
To unpack food urges using the self-coaching model, you simply put food urges on the C line. Food urges are neutral; what makes them something to avoid, control or “bad” is your thoughts.
C: Food urges
Investigate your thoughts about food urges. See how they create feelings and actions in your life. You will likely find that the thought you have about urges actually creates more urges.
Hope this helps you, sister!
I’m getting more and more accustomed to depersonalizing my thoughts and feelings. I remember questioning my thoughts and remind myself that “I am not my emotions, I only feel my emotions.” But I don’t know how to apply this to cravings. When it comes to cravings, I become a slave of them because I don’t even remember to stop and think where they are coming from and make a conscious decision about acting on them (eating) or not. It’s as if my mind and body are hijacked when it comes to cravings – unlike other thoughts I have.
How to approach this? Is it possible to put cravings somewhere on the self-coaching model and work through them?
Thank you!
ANSWER
This is a great question that is easily answered.
First, know that all the answers are or will be taught to you as your learn Intuitive eating.
The first place to start is the language you use. When I read your question, I see DIET MINDSET peaking its ugly head. The word “craving,” the word “slave” are strong clues. The word “highjacked” is another clue… Lots of diet culture language.
I will use the word urges instead of cravings moving forward as this is a neutral word.
Here’s where I’d suggest you start:
Do you trust your body?
Why is it that you doubt the validity of your body urges?
Why do you desire to control your cravings?
As with any desire to control lies a fear below: What are you afraid will happen if you don’t control your food urges?
Perhaps your lack of awareness of your food urges because you believe they shouldn’t be there in the first place. Why would you want to pay attention to something you believe to be wrong? Faulty?
To unpack food urges using the self-coaching model, you simply put food urges on the C line. Food urges are neutral; what makes them something to avoid, control or “bad” is your thoughts.
C: Food urges
Investigate your thoughts about food urges. See how they create feelings and actions in your life. You will likely find that the thought you have about urges actually creates more urges.
Hope this helps you, sister!