If I asked this question, how many people do you believe would answer “NO:”
Do YOU have any physical or emotional conditions that negatively impact you?
Some people may have very few issues that have little-no impact on their lives whereas others may have conditions that adversely affect their lives in many ways. However, I do not believe anyone has “NO” problems whatsoever.
Here are a few conditions that we all seek ways of managing in the effort to minimize their impacts on our lives:
- Pain
- Stress
- Poor sleep
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Chronic fatigue
Many people will reach for food and/or alcohol as “treatments” for these issues. On an immediate basis, a high caloric/high carb food source can provide an immediate “pleasure” sensation. When someone is stressed or feeling anxious, this “feel-good” provided by the “comfort” foods will help on an immediate basis, albeit for a very short term. Alcohol, when taken in enough quantities can help alleviate pain temporarily as well as induce sleep.
Food and alcohol do not require a visit to a doctor, are readily available at the local stores and can be taken without other people seeing this. However, we all know that this “treatment” strategy is a flawed one, as the positive impacts of these actions are very short-lived and the “aftermath”, i.e. the weight gain only further exacerbates the above conditions.
I recommend that everyone take a step back and honestly ask yourself whether YOU are using high caloric foods and/or alcohol to “treat” some other condition(s). If the answer is “Yes” than I suggest that you visit your primary care doctor to discuss the underlying conditions and what solutions may be offered that are less deleterious than the self-“treatments” that are thwarting your weight control efforts. Finding alternative therapies will result in a much healthier and happier future.
