The Secret of Never Feeling Full

We eat because we think eating will make us happier. Do you ever ask yourself, after stuffing yourself silly on a huge plate of nondescript food, “Why did I do that?” Do you ever find yourself, after another handful of some wonderful treat, feeling worse than before you started eating?

I’ve struggled with this for years. I grew up in a home where food was love. My mother cooked us delicious meals that we ate together, every night at six. We almost never went out to dinner, and I really appreciate the care she put into making my brother and me happy with stuffed bellies.

I could eat until it hurt – and I often did. I would eat until I couldn’t breathe – and I often did. I was always the chubby kid in the class, and I was bullied for it. My self-esteem was in the toilet, so I turned to food for comfort, which just made the problem worse.

As I got older, and moved out on my own, I knew I had to change. I mean, I could barely tie my shoes, I was so overweight. I tried every diet under the sun, every starvation potion and magic bean I could find – and I failed at them all.

Until that day I started listening. I stopped listening to the diet ads, I stopped listening to the people who made fun of me, I stopped listening to my own excuses. And I started listening to my body.

What I found was simple: I was hungry for more than food. I used food to fill an emptiness inside of me, to quiet the negative voices in my head. I was lonely, and I thought food could fill that hole. I was bored, and I thought food could cure that boredom. I was tired, and I thought food could energize me.

Food cannot fill these voids. Only love can do that. Only joy and passion and purpose can do that. When we are happy and fulfilled, we don’t need to eat to make ourselves feel better, because we already feel good.

It took me a long time, but I finally discovered that I am worthy of happiness and fulfillment. I realized that I do not need to eat to feel loved or to feel good about myself. I am worthy of love and respect whether or not I eat a donut for breakfast.

It is not easy to change our habits, but it is possible. If you are struggling with overeating, I urge you to seek help. There is no shame in asking for help, and there are many people who would love to help you.

You are not alone. You are worthy of love and happiness. And you do not need to eat to feel full.