If food addiction is a thing, and we need food to live... what are my chances of success if it turns out I'm an addict?
How does an addiction to food even happen? Every now and then I hear this concept of being addicted to food. Typically I hear it when I'm watching shows like 'The Biggest Loser' or 'Extreme Weight Loss'. When I watch those shows, however, I'm seeing people who are significantly larger then me, like by at least 100 pounds, and I am quick to justify that because I don't look like them... I don't have the addiction.
In the last couple of weeks, however, I've been having very focused SpiritWhispers telling me to really look into and understand what 'Food Addiction' really is, and who it affects. My fear, as with everything on this journey, is that if I look into it, I might find out a truth about myself that I'm not going to like. And if I don't like it, that means it's not going to be an easy fix.
So I did some digging around and found a very simplified food addiction test. As I read through it, my anxiety level shot to a +10. Denial was/is huge, and my initial read through the 8 Telling Signs and Symptoms of Food Addiction by Anna Fleet, had me justifying everything, allowing me to deny the possibility that I could possibly have a food addiction.
Fortunately, I'm working with the Knight of Earth. He's slow and methodical, giving me the time I need to really understand what a food addiction means. I love that he's never in a hurry, and this breaks down my anxiety level... a little. But at least I know I don't have to figure this out by like tomorrow, which unfortunately a lot of diets push you towards.
'Here's the tools, start on Monday, and live happily ever after'. Sound familiar?
Me too. Everyone is going to have that thing that works right away, and that thing that doesn't. Exercise hasn't been an issue for me. I caught on to that like wildfire. In the end, and this admission is literally giving me chest pains, the thought of eating healthy, consistently... like really truly consistently, not so much. I'm pretty good and jumping on and off that wagon.
This week, I've included the Three of Earth Angel Card to our journey, not surprising since I liken this card to SpiritWhispers. It's shown up several times in my readings over the last couple of weeks, so the message is clear. The Three of Earth (3 of Pentacles) is all about using the power of creativity and focusing on high quality work. My addiction to food is much greater then simply needing to portion out my meals, and goes much deeper then meal planning.
Learning about Food Addiction was the last thing I thought this journey was going to be about. I think it's because when I look in the mirror, I don't necessarily see someone who has an addiction. Truth be told, I'm still on the fence as to what I see when I look in the mirror, it depends on the day... and what I ate...that day ~ sigh.
In the end this makes me wonder if there is such a thing as "highly functioning food addiction"?
Guess we're about to add some new Duende in my life, and find out.
VO,
Amanda