In today's podcast lesson, Renee asks us to think about our objections to releasing weight and stopping overeating.

Well, for me, overeating has been my drug of choice, my method of checking out, of getting a break, of soothing myself when I feel stressed, afraid, angry, frustrated, overwhelmed, tired, confused, vulnerable, self-conscious, and any other uncomfortable emotion. So ending the cycle of overeating means a lot - it means facing these feelings head on, and it means breaking a very old habit (30 years now).

But when I stop and think about it, overeating never helped me release any of the uncomfortable feelings. In fact, it only made me feel sick to my stomach, self-loathing, disgust, and whatever other uncomfortable feeling I was having.

The next question Renee asks is what is the gift being overweight and overeating has been trying to give me.

I think it's been trying to give me comfort, a pause, quiet, security, energy, love, compassion, tenderness, a sense of peace. I say trying because it's never been able to do that. But it's wanted to. The part of me who wants to overeat is searching for some very valid and necessary emotions/states of being. It's not malicious, it just doesn't know any better.

So I say thank you to that part of myself, but also, now please leave. You've tried but it just isn't working. There are better ways to find rest, comfort, security, peace, compassion, and calm.

I can take a walk.
I can call a friend.
I can breathe.
I can watch junky silly TV.
I can get a hug from my daughter or husband.
I can read a good book.
I can knit.
I can play my flute.
I can do a hard workout.

I can sit with the discomfort and notice it and let it pass...