Are you overweight? Do you overeat? Does it make you happy?

Really, does it make you happy?

As this severe recession has progressed, many people have begun to reassess their lives. Since so many don’t have the money—or credit—to keep buying and buying, they’ve simply had to cut back. And some have realized the conspicuous consumption that had been running their lives wasn’t making them happy anyway. Some have experienced an emotional rebirth as a result of cutting down spending and giving up the acquiring of “stuff”— be it big cars, overly big houses, designer clothes, $400 pairs of shoes, home espresso machines, diamonds.

Is it possible that the over-the-top eating many women do as a way to “fill up” is also a failed attempt at happiness? Could giving it up in favor of much less eating give someone that emotional rebirth as well?

We think so. Many women who have successfully grappled with and resolved issues with food and weight have found that same kind of emotional lift, and much better lives.

Consumption is not the answer to feeling better. What makes us much happier—really happy and fulfilled—are good, strong relationships with other people and pride in ourselves.

So, once again, we ask: Does your brand of eating— and/or your current weight— make you really happy and content? Do you feel truly fulfilled?

If not, take a lesson from this recession we’ve all been living through. It just might prove to be the best thing that could have happened, causing us to re-evaluate our lives, and helping us feel so much better.

by Maria's Last Diet