I saw this on facebook last week:

For breakfast… one of the items on the menu read: “2 eggs, potato pancakes with applause.”  While applesauce is traditional with potato pancakes, some clapping might be tasty too!

I think I posted something like this in reply:  Maybe every menu item should come with applause.  Who knows, the food might not be necessary if applause is included!

What I’m talking about is appreciation, acknowledgement, and approval.

In permanent weight loss, we change the deeper reasons for overeating, so the behaviors (and weight) don’t simply return at the end of a diet.

When we consume too much food, we are eating for reasons other than hunger.  We are usually substituting food for something else we need and are not getting in life.

I’ll give you an example.  For the past 18+ years, I’ve made a secure, safe, warm, lovely home for my son as he grew up.  This was accomplished with many hours of invested time, money, resources, emotion and effort on my part.  I have shouldered the responsibility for every meal, piece of clothing, school and extracurricular activity, social events and celebrations, as well as life lessons for my son.  I only recently realized this often felt like a completely ignored accomplishment.  After discussing it, I realized it was not valued by my husband – no acknowledgement or appreciation at all!  (He puts it in the category of “expected” or “duty.”)

Something like that leaves a hollow place inside me.

So I ask you:

What do you need appreciation for?

What do you need acknowledgement for?

What have you achieved, which has met with disapproval from others, or hasn’t been noticed?

Post your real needs, we’ll applaud you!