I recently wrote a blog about how alcohol, pot and other recreational drugs can effect weight loss and weight maintenance.  Here’s the article – click here.

That received many comments, one I find very interesting was posted by an anonymous reader.

“While many novice smokers experience the ‘munchies’ I actually GAINED weight when I tried to quit smoking pot. Yes, I am using it as a crutch. Numbing myself out by smoking pot instead of numbing myself out by eating. But I put on 50 pounds in 4 months when I quit! I started smoking again and have dropped 25 pounds so far. I know I need to release this reliance on numbing myself out, but I’d rather smoke pot than get fatter…”

May I comment that this sounds like an addiction talking.  It seems that this person needs ways of feeling better that are not self-destructive.

Let’s rally together and offer some support.  I’ll write some suggestions, and would YOU please POST COMMENTS BELOW about what you do to feel better, other than through overeating, alcohol or recreational drugs?

Here are some ways to “numb” or rather, release tension, and feel better:

–    Do some exercise, or recreation.  Dance.  Walk in a park or outside in nature.
–    Meditation.  Take 5-10 minutes, closing your eyes, and see that little reflection of God inside you.
–    Talk about your problems and feelings with someone you trust, or a counselor.
–    Take a hot soak bath.
–    Take action on a problem instead of putting it off.
–    Play a game with someone:  toss a ball, play a board game or cards.
–    Listen to beautiful music.

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