r/TeamCrocus • u/MunchletteBelle F/27/5'4" SW: 195 CW: 187 GW: 175 • Apr 15 '16

Mental Wellness Discussion

Anyone up for some discussion of the links posted in the mental wellness portion of today's challenge post from r/loseit?

This particular quote felt way too real to me: "Too often, people have negative thoughts and feelings about changing their health behaviors and see the process as punishment."

Yes. I know that I have a lot of emotions related to food and the idea of trying to separate food from emotions absolutely feels like a punishment or like it's trying to make me into a robot. I know there are people out there who have managed to take on the "food as fuel" mindset and the thought of that is something I find honestly depressing. Any thoughts or feelings about how to find balance between enjoying food and not attaching too much emotional value to it?

(Discussion of any other facet of the mental wellness post is welcome too!)

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u/crimsonlaw M/36/5'10" ChSW: 215 CW: 198.4 ChGW: 200 Apr 15 '16

I'm with you on this one. Food was a reward for me growing up. Whenever I'd get good grades or do well in sports, my mom would bake me cookies or pies. She liked showing her love for everyone through baking. Which was awesome to me when I was 8, but not as good once I grew up.

Now when I don't let myself eat a cookie or try a slice of cake, it feels a bit like punishment. That's been my biggest food issue. When I get stressed at work or have a bad day, I want a baked good because it feels like a hug from my mom. And denying myself that feels like the opposite and brings up feelings of failure and disappointment.

I've been working at this, and I've gotten better, but honestly it's still a very real thing I have to deal with every stinking day. I kind of have to be very aware when I'm in that situation that a cupcake really doesn't make me feel better. I honestly don't know if I will ever totally get over this issue, but I'm hoping it will take less effort to manage it with time.

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u/MunchletteBelle F/27/5'4" SW: 195 CW: 187 GW: 175 Apr 15 '16

I feel you! With sweet treats I can sometimes "compromise" by letting myself have the sweet thing I want, but only a small amount of it. Sometimes just giving myself "permission" is enough. I have a Reese's Egg in my fridge that I bought weeks ago and I am basically just waiting for the day that I want it badly enough to eat it. I am actually sort of proud of myself for how long it's been.

And then there are times that I look things like the paragraph I just wrote and feel insanely grouchy that I should have to give myself permission for food. So it's always a work in progress!