Erin Wathen is a food addiction counselor and health, life, and weight loss coach. In today's podcast episode, she answers the age-old question that many of us have often asked: Why can't I stick to my diet? Listen as Erin explains how your emotions can impact your food and your choices, as well as why so many folks turn to sugar in times of stress. Erin also shares her top strategies for overcoming emotional eating and getting back on track after an obstacle, including practicing awareness, getting good sleep, and fueling your body with the right nutrition. Find out how to build healthy eating habits and achieve your weight loss goals for good!   Freebies From Today’s Episode Get Erin Wathen’s free Exercise Tips Cheat Sheet by going to JJVirgin.com/wathenwellness.   Main Points From Today’s Episode All too often, emotions and food are intertwined. Food is meant to fuel your body, not your soul. When it comes to making healthy eating choices, awareness is key. Erin asks her clients to do a check-in before they eat to reflect on whether they're physically hungry and what's emotionally going on. If you have to choose between working out and getting a good night’s sleep, opt for sleep! Sleep helps regulate your appetite and balance chemicals in your brain so you can make better decisions.   Episode Play-By-Play [1:43] Erin Wathen’s career briefing [2:32] Listener shout-out [4:05] How emotions can impact your weight and your choices [6:52] Awareness is key when it comes to making healthy eating choices. [8:55] How Erin became interested in health and wellness [11:30] Erin’s top strategies to overcome emotional eating [12:18] Food is meant to fuel your body, not your soul. [13:49] Why do people turn to sugar in times of stress?  [15:27] How to get back on track after an obstacle [16:45] Beating yourself up doesn’t help. [17:15] Areas of confusion around weight loss [19:10] The importance of sleep in maintaining and losing weight [21:29] Erin’s top tips on exercise [23:05] The true cause of weight gain is not calories, it’s food intolerance. Discover the sneaky 7 foods in The Virgin Diet! [23:45] Listener’s question: I have terrible sugar cravings. What should I do? [25:11] Stress can deplete serotonin and make you crave sugar.   Mentioned in this episode:  JJ Virgin Lifestyle Show podcast The Virgin Diet Free ebook on Tapping Warrior Mom: 7 Secrets to Bold, Brave Resilience, by JJ Virgin Xiser You Are What You Think: The Link Between Mindset and Weight Loss Adrenotone (Stress Supplement) from Designs for Health (Save 20% on your first purchase by entering the code 20DFH2018 at checkout) Become part of JJ’s community JJ Virgin Official Facebook page JJ Virgin on Instagram JJ Virgin on YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices