Exactly Why It Feels So Hard to Stop Eating

Exactly Why It Feels So Hard to Stop Eating

Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This episode shifts the focus from "no willpower" shame to what’s actually going on in the body when stopping eating feels impossible. BACP Accredited Somatic Psychotherapist Shelley Treacher talks about binge eating and overeating through the lens of the nervous system. Rather than blaming lack of discipline, she explains how a craving is "not just a thought you're having that you could ignore" but a full-body shift in state.

In those quiet moments on the sofa when food seems to appear in your hand almost automatically, your body may be trying to soothe pain, numb discomfort, or find quick comfort. Shelley shares a fresh personal story of waking with migraine symptoms and a strong pull towards a particular comfort food. She walks through how the urge kept returning in waves, how convincing it felt each time, and how she gradually realised, "It's not really the substance that I need".

That tiny decision to stay with herself instead of reaching for the substance becomes a practical example of what self-regulation can look like in real life. For anyone who’s ever thought, "I know what I'm doing, so why can’t I stop?", this conversation offers a gentler explanation. Shelley suggests paying attention to the subtle shift *before* eating: restlessness, flatness, a sense of not quite feeling settled.

The aim isn’t to fix yourself instantly, but to simply notice patterns and understand that your body is trying to help you manage something underneath. If overeating, alcohol, or other habits feel automatic and confusing, could it be your nervous system asking for care rather than more criticism?