I found myself turning to food to comfort me in my time of anxiety and worry. But I knew that wasn’t the answer.
Have you ever been there? I’ve been finding myself there a few times lately, but I’m so glad I’m starting to become more aware of it so I can recognize it and divert to a different (non-food) method of dealing with it.
And I must admit. I’m not always 100% successful. But I’m getting there. And awareness and naming the emotions underlying those feelings is key.
Here’s a few tips next time you find yourself in the “comfort food” struggle, when you know you’re not actually hungry, it’s something deeper.
- Identify the triggering situation or circumstance at the root of the cause.
- Name the exact feelings underlying that desire to eat, when you know you’re not hungry, or you know food is not the solution.
- Journal your heart out. In times of great internal debate and unrest, one of the best things you can do is journal and pray. But journaling can be a form of prayer if you choose to write out what you’re feeling in a letter to God.
- List alternative non-food ways you can deal with the situation and why you’re having those feelings in the first place. (hint: exercise is a GREAT option.)
- Spend time in prayer giving those burdens, concerns, worries, uneasiness and anxieties (and anything else you need to) over to God. Share with him why you’re concerned and have been holding onto these feelings, and give them to God and ask for his help to solve the problem and/or to fill you wiht his peace that passes all understanding so you may liberate your mind from the things that are weighing you down.
- And lastly, write an action plan for how you will deal with the same scenario if/when it happens again and what non-food actions you will take to begin creating new default responses that don’t add to your waistline and guilt, disappointment or shame, and instead are healthier ways to deal with the stresses in life.
>>Final Thought: We know that food is not the answer when we’re eating to fill a different void that we don’t want to acknowledge. But the freedom from this detrimental pattern is in the acknowledgement. Next time you’re tempted to soothe your soul with sweets or salty treats when you KNOW you’re not hungry, work your way through these 6 steps and ultimately turn your situation over to God. He is waiting for you to lay it at his feet and give you relief.
Your sister in Christ,
~Dr. Melody
P.S. I’ve found it supremely therapeutic and helpful when I’m working on my own health and weight goals to surround myself with other girlfriends doing the same, who can relate and not place blame or shame when they hear of my not-so-perfect choices sometimes. Being able to be candid, supportive, honest and vulnerable is so healing and therapeutic to keep the momentum and drive toward your goals alive.
Starting Aug. 1st is the next 30 day interval of my #vip30 challenge in my private VIP ladies group. Together we’re changing our lives, habits and dress sizes one day at a time. If you know you need to be with a supportive and driven environment to spur you on to your own weight loss goals, this is just the place to be. Learn more here and join us before Aug. 1st!
You are going to love this story. Have you ever known in your gut that something awesome was about to happen? Or thought of something cool and very soon after it actually came to pass? That is what this is all about.
I wish I could remember the exact moment I knew I would be friends with Tim Tebow, but it probably became very evident to me about a year ago.
I had loved watching Tim’s pro-football career and transition into sports casting and had been inspired for years by his life, authenticity, and out-spoken nature of being Sold Out for God.
Now, on a slight yet still relevant tangent, I should preface that one of my most favorite charities of all time is called Free Wheelchair Mission (FWM) and I fell in love with them during physical therapy school, as one of my professors was helping to develop the low-cost wheelchairs they produce to distribute to the disabled around the world in 3rd world countries.
A PERFECT fit for a beautiful cause that fit my passion and educational training, all rolled into one!
Well fast forward 8 and a half years and it turns out that Tim will be the featured speaker at the annual fundraiser for FWM next week in Orange County, CA! Just an hour and a half up the road from where I live in San Diego! So clearly I’ve bought my tickets and will be there!
So wouldn’t you know it-–THIS is when and how it will take place: My becoming friends with Tim Tebow!
Now wait a second! You said in the title that you were ALREADY friends!?
Well, yes and no….I said how I became friends with Tim.
And how can I be so sure that we will actually become friends?
Aren’t I being a bit arrogant or conceited thinking I can predict the future?
Well what I’ve learned so far from my life experience is that I’ve tuned into my own intuition. The small voice and nudge in my head and my heart when something special is coming to pass. And what I’ve seen in more ways than not is that God brings to pass that which we believe in faith. And what I know even more so is the POWER we hold in our thoughts, feelings and words.
When God said he created us in his own image, and that when we become believers His power is INSIDE of us…well I truly believe that! And not only do I believe it, but I’ve experienced it and SEEN it time and time again–play out into reality.
So if you don’t think our thoughts, words, actions, intentions or faith really matter or that they actually hold the power the Bible says they do…well then you’re missing out on living an INCREDIBLE life!
>>Final Thought: I can’t wait to tell you how the real life events unfold of what I already know is happening next Thursday, July 28th.—As I begin the journey of becoming friends with Tim Tebow. 😉
Don’t be ashamed or timid to be bold in your faith, bold in your convictions and bold in knowing God is FOR you, not against you!
Your sister in Christ,
~Dr. Melody
P.S. Wanna hear more about how this story unfolds? Link up with me online as I’ll be posting more about it and of course ON the night of the event next week–all happening in my private FB group. Join me now!
Ok, hear me out on this one. I know the title was a little “cheeky”but it was meant to be! But it doesn’t make my experience at the Vet yesterday any less valid…
So yesterday I had to take my cat, M.C., to the vet for his yearly flea medication refill and check-up. Poor guy has been having a hard time battling them with this summer heat, plus we live on a plush canyon, so fleas are abundant!
Here’s my buddy after we got home. Needless to say, he was NOT pleased about the experience. He HATES being in the carrying crate and doesn’t like the car rides. 🙁
(Do you see his “baby” on the bed off to the right?) That’s a blue and white stuffed snowman called Mr. Snowy, that he’s had since he was the same size as it! He literally carries it around the house, specifically to whatever room we happen to be hanging out in. LOL! He’s so funny!!
Anyway, I had been deep in thought most of the day, and felt so terrible for my guy because I know he hates having to go to the Vet. But of course I was there the whole time trying to reassure him and pet him as best I could through the crate and calm him down….which kinda worked….sometimes. Lol
And it got me thinking, “This must be what it’s like when we’re resisting and not trusting God!”
God is lovingly caring for us and deeply desires us to TRUST Him and calm down! But we’re fighting, hissing, restless, anxious and distrusting since we feel like we’re on the inside only being able to look out the small peep holes to glimpse pieces of the “big picture.”
Oh, how God longs for us to trust Him and REST. The Bible says:
“In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.” Psalm 127:2
Basically that’s telling us that we’re running scared, not trusting, not resting in God’s all-knowing, all-powerful, unimaginably powerful hands! (And believe me when I tell you this message is 100% for myself as well!)
I’m completely guilty of being the frightened and anxious cat in the box, not realizing that God is, and has been, carrying me all along–to the destination and destiny that He has created me for. So why am I still not trusting??! Why am I ridden with fear, doubt, hesitation, distrust and anxiety?? I’m exhausted just recounting the experience!
It was such a powerful realization for me, I HAD to share it with you as well.
>>Final Thought: I hope you can take that silly visual to heart, to realize if you too have been the frightened cat on the inside looking out, feeling out of control, remember you’re already in the hands of an all-knowing and ever-loving God. Who created you, loved you before you were even born and has a beautiful destiny waiting for you–if you’d trust Him to bring you to it.
Your sister in Christ,
~Dr. Melody
P.S. if you’re tired of living stressed out, fearful and feeling out of control, you’ve got to come join me in my free private FB group, Worthy To Be Me. Daily we lift each other up, refocus on God, pray for one another and encourage each other on a path to better health–inside and out.
In these days of so much turmoil and uncertainty, surrounding yourself with an uplifting community of other Christian ladies can help you get re-centered and refocused on things that really matter in life –> God being at the center. Come join us.
