Head Hunger? Hang on - it will pass!

Sep 21, 2010

Even though I am 9 years post-op, I still struggle with head hunger.  My stomach was surgically altered, not my head.  I know that head hunger is really an uncomfortable emotion or trigger that is disguised as hunger.  Head hunger is just a way to avoid feeling emotions and a way to change the way I'm feeling.

In fact, I just ate my lunch and I want something else....something sweet....more accurately, my sons have something in the kitchen for themselves that I WANT TO EAT.  So, even though I'm full, I want to still eat and eat their little treats.  Instead, I'm cruising the boards, interacting with my fellow members and blogging here.  It has taken me a long time to take the disguise off my head hunger to see it for what it is.  Any addiction, whether it is alcohol, food, shopping or whatever is an attempt to change the way we feel at the time.  I asked myself what emotion I was trying to change instead of going in and eating more.

I am very aware that head hunger is not true physical hunger so it is important not to feed it.  One of the many reasons for head hunger is from an emotion or uncomfortable situation.  Common emotions that can flip the switch to turn on head hunger are:  boredom, anxiety, anger, sadness and others.  Uncomfortable situations can range from feeling powerless in a situation to being physically or mentally tired.  When head hunger is talking or screaming at me, I've learned to  hang on as it will pass.                    

When I outlast my head hunger, I have found that I get stronger and better able to curb cravings and impulsive eating.  The propensity to give in to head hunger then lessens each time I don’t give in and eat, and allow it to pass.  With each time, I strengthen myself and commitment to my healthy lifestyle rather than indulge that voice of head hunger.  Just remember, I am - you are - stronger than head hunger.

I keep telling myself that "this too shall pass" and it does!!  Just by blogging this - it has!!!!! 

THANKS!!
Cathy
www.mydailyminutes.com

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