The emotional world of eating has created a new sense of awareness in weight management. It used to be that people would go on a diet because they needed to lose a few extra pounds for a special event. Now the challenges are chronic. According to Food Research & Action Center, 2/3 of Americans are overweight or dangerously overweight.

A poll of 1300 psychologists cited emotions as the top obstacle to weight loss. If we don't deal with our emotions, they build up over time. The best way to keep our emotions from interfering is to listen to them. Learn to understand the differences between physical hunger and emotional hunger. Physical hunger comes on gradually and can be postponed. It can be satisfied with any type of food. Once you are full you can stop eating. You feel satisfied, not guilty. Emotional hunger comes on suddenly and feels urgent. It is related to specific cravings like pizza or ice cream. You eat more than you normally would and are uncomfortably full. It leaves you feeling guilty and angry with yourself.

Three important ingredients for success against emotional eating are 1) Set yourself up to succeed by practicing patience and self-love, 2) Accept the fact that this is a lifestyle change not a diet, and 3) Establish your why and remind yourself regularly the real reason for choosing to lose weight. To help you succeed, try these tips. Start a journal; record any moments when you want to eat emotionally. Each week write down three things you have achieved and three things you love about yourself.

Joyce D. Barton is a Certified Holistic Health Coach who works with individuals and in class format both face-to-face and virtually. For more information, she can be reached at 321-914-4311.