In this video segment, I share my experience with weight obsession.
Even before alcohol was a problem in my life, I struggled with food issues. Social pressures about the ideal body type instilled a sense of shame in me about my eating habits at a very young age. I learned to hide my eating and then my drinking habits.
When I got sober more than two and a half years ago, I immersed myself in exercise and diet, but I found myself obsessing over every detail. I would weigh myself every day and keep track of my measurements religiously. It wasn’t until I switched therapists that I started obsessively questioning why I was tracking everything.
My obsession with alcohol had transferred to an obsession with my weight and measurements. I was judging myself against societal standards rather than embracing my individual beauty. The shame and guilt I associated with alcohol were now associated with food and weight.
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I hired a certified dietitian who focused on intuitive eating practices to deal with this. It was a way for me to rebuild trust in my intuition, which had been lost during my addiction. Working with this professional helped me dissect my mindset, challenge my beliefs about food and body image, and navigate the journey with more self-compassion and love.
Overcoming weight obsession is a journey of self-compassion and self-love. It involves challenging societal standards and focusing on what is healthy and right for you as an individual. And, as with overcoming any addiction, it requires patience, forgiveness, and support. Remember, in recovery, you’re not alone.
Main Takeaways:
- Many people in addiction recovery may find themselves shifting their addictive tendencies from substances like alcohol or drugs to issues with weight and body image.
- The societal pressure to fit into a certain body type often leads to unhealthy behaviors and attitudes towards food and eating, causing feelings of shame and guilt.
- Just like substance addiction, obsession with weight can be deeply rooted in an individual’s thoughts and beliefs, leading to self-judgment and damaging self-perceptions.
- Seeking professional help, such as a dietitian focusing on intuitive eating practices, can help individuals in recovery navigate their relationship with food and their bodies in a healthier way.
- Self-compassion, self-love, and challenging societal beauty norms are essential to fostering a healthier mindset towards body image and weight.
- It is crucial to recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to eating habits and body image issues. What works for one person might not work for another, emphasizing the need for individualized approaches.
- Many people in recovery find that issues with food, whether it’s an obsession with weight or food addiction, often become evident after a period of sobriety.
- A mindset shift from self-judgment to self-compassion and acceptance can greatly improve a person’s relationship with their body and food intake.
