Overweight? Obese?

You May Be Suffering from FMS!

By Diana Chaloux

If your holiday season was anything like mine, you were inundated with food temptations at every turn! I have to confess that I did make the choice to enjoy some treats which are not part of my normal eating routine. After partaking in some divine “sticky buns” that a close friend made, I stated “These are evil!” then I laughed and continued to devour my indulgence.

After finishing, I thought about that statement and I realized that it just simply wasn’t true. Food is not evil! Food is not your enemy, and food is not at fault for the health and weight issues you may be struggling with. Now that I have your attention, let me explain. Our bodies need food for many different reasons, to sustain us and give us energy, provide us with essential nourishment, and also for our enjoyment or pleasure. We live in a society that provides us with an overwhelming choice of foods that cater to any taste and preference.

So here’s the real issue when it comes to food…. FMS, Food Misuse Syndrome. O.k. so I just made that up, but it seems that every problem in our society is eventually summed up to a syndrome which can be cured by the latest miracle pill. In all seriousness though, it is our misuse of food which can lead to problems with weight including obesity as well as a myriad of negative health issues, including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease and some cancers. Food is so enjoyable that millions of people struggle with the control it has taken over their lives.

Misuse of food can come in many shapes and forms including overindulgence, lack of self control whenever a tempting food is present, using food as a crutch or turning to food for comfort during emotional or stressful situations. Allowing the pleasure and comfort aspects of eating take top priority over the nourishment and energy factors has caused a severe obesity epidemic in the United States which is effecting not only the adult population but the children too! It’s time to get our priorities straight.

Does the thought of making good choices when it comes to what type and what amount of food to eat seem impossible? Are you one of millions of Americans who struggle with FMS, if food controls you rather than the other way around, you may be panicking right now and saying, “But what can I do?”

First of all, let me reassure you by saying, “There is hope!” You do have the power and the responsibility to take control over your food choices! The first thing you can do is recognize that you do have a food misuse issue. The next thing is to identify why you want to take control over misusing food, you need to know what your ultimate motivation is in order to keep you focused in the face of temptation! Identify the situations or emotions that cause you to misuse food, and to the best of your ability avoid them. You have to be ready to make lifestyle changes which can be maintained for life. Changing your behavior and taking control of FMS will take some time, but don’t let that hold you back. The best day to start overcoming Food Misuse Syndrome, and start using food in the way it was intended for our bodies, is today.