Comments on Escape from Obesity: Empathy

Thanks so much for posting this. I too suffer from...

2012-02-01T08:04:31.066-08:00

Thanks so much for posting this. I too suffer from BED. I am going to get the book you mentioned. Again thank you for the post!

I can relate to everything you have said. I had t...

2012-01-29T15:39:41.755-08:00

I can relate to everything you have said. I had to shut down my Facebook account because I just couldn't leave things...cousins with major marriage issues, another status grieving the loss of a loved on, another message about sexual abuse, etc. I would carry all those things in my heart all day and be sad all day. It was taking too much emotional energy out of me. I don't watch crime shows (especially Law & Order Special Victims or Criminal Minds) or parts of the news for the same reasons you mentioned. I remember my Grade 2 teacher telling my parents what a sweet kid I was because I really could show empathy and sympathy for other classmates who were struggling. That was considered a wonderful virtue, but in some ways it is real hard for the person like that. I pray and now rest and look to Christ and try not to overeat to deal with emotional pain.

You are so right that there is more than enough th...

2012-01-29T13:15:27.028-08:00

You are so right that there is more than enough that is disturbing and scary in the real world to spend time on fake versions as "entertainment." I stopped watching TV news years ago and am happier for it (and no less well-informed -- I get my news in print and online instead, where the sensationalism is less and/or I can filter it). Gavin de Becker's books, The Gift of Fear and Protecting the Gift, were great at helping me put things in perspective.

That sounds familiar to me too. The part about pi...

2012-01-29T12:16:54.986-08:00

That sounds familiar to me too. The part about picking up on the world around you. I had to stop watching CSI because it would cause me to worry about the "what ifs"! If I watch a movie that has a terrible scene in it, it bothers me for DAYS. I avoid movies like that but once in a while I don't know about it before hand and mistakenly watch it. There were a few I think I watched too young and they traumatized me. I am VERY rigid about what my daughter is allowed to watch.

As for the weight and binging. You probably have heard this and told yourself this...don't give up! Hang onto your goal. Don't beat yourself up, these set backs happen. The beauty of each new minute...its a chance to do better. I hate the words start again...but I guess we have to accept we can't be 100% perfect...its impossible to think we can be. We will have days and moments of set backs.

Living in this world of "on tap" food is tough. Its not how we are biologically made. Over the span of time...this "on tap" food source is EXTREMELY new. These struggles and this battle is NOT your own...not to take away from you...but more to let you know...the environment is setting us up for failure. Its not just our own demons, we are not defective. We need to step back and realize there are broader issues at work against us here.

Take a deep breath. You have done amazing, you will continue with amazing, don't let it get you down.

I know EXACTLY how you feel...it's what I feel...

2012-01-29T08:58:12.941-08:00

I know EXACTLY how you feel...it's what I feel on a daily basis. Mine centers on children and animals. I have to literally force myself to quit thinking about their plights, or I get overwhelmed with sadness. I limit what I watch on tv and read. I pray, I support and then I have to let it go - many times a day. God be with you, Lynn, in your journey.