You've done everything right this time. You're eating lots of salad, fruit, and protein; using only low fat dressings and even staying away from white flour and refined sugar.
But then?you have an argument with your spouse. You are bored, stressed, depressed and giving up. You walk by the pantry and see nothing that will satisfy the sudden urge for sugar, salt, potato chips, candy, or whatever your particular poison of choice. So you go down to the grocery store and find what you need, go home and pig out! Maybe you don't need to go to the store... maybe you've thought ahead because you knew this moment would come and you have a secret cabinet with all kinds of binge eating goodies!
Ok, well that might be a little dramatic. But most people have found themselves following a good, healthy diet and all of a sudden, because of some emotional upheaval, they've found themselves in the middle of an overeating binge. It can really blow your whole healthy eating plan. So what's happening when you find yourself in this situation?And how can you stop emotional eating?
First of all, when you go on an emotional eating binge, strong emotions are causing you to experience stress. This is when your body goes into "fight or flight" response. You either "fight"or you "fly". All your energy is directed towards one of these responses. Cortisol is released and normally, this causes the energy exerted in fighting or flying to be replaced with an increase in appetite. You are supposed to eat to replace the energy burned.
However, in modern-day times, we are unable to follow through with the "fight or flight" response. Everything happens as it is designed to happen, except that instead of energy being burned, it is "stuffed" and we are left with an urge to eat.
So what can you do to stop emotional eating? I have found a very helpful book, "Lose It For Life" written by Stephen Arterburn and Dr. Linda Mintle, who suggest making a list of alternate activities when you find yourself in such a situation, such as taking a walk, take three deep breaths or call a friend. One other very effective way to battle these urges is to pray. As a Christian, when I find myself having a problem with unpleasant emtions, I seek release and find strength when I turn to God. A moment of prayer can really help you find the balance you need to continue with your healthy weight loss plan.
Sometimes we turn to food out of loneliness or boredom. The same technique could apply. Talking to your friend or playing with your dog could be infinitely more interesting than stuffing your face with a cookie.
Copyright 2005 by Eunice Coughlin. Healthy Living for Moms encourages healthy living habits for moms of all ages and stages. For more information about emotional eating and other healthy living topics, check out http://www.healthy-living-for-moms.com/emotional_eating.html
Lincoln Stretch rentals Alsip ..Weight loss programs often have big claims. Understand the "science"... Read More
Reducing childhood obesity in the U.S. needs to be a... Read More
Frankie saddled up to the bar at the We-Stuff-Em-All Diner,... Read More
Like millions of men and women, I started resolving to... Read More
Recently, a Japanese study showed dramatic results of organ fat... Read More
An increasing trend over the last few years has been... Read More
I recently received the following email:Q. Five weeks ago, I... Read More
Do you know someone that is obsessed with the scale?... Read More
You've heard them before and may even have believed some... Read More
One of the biggest misconceptions about exercise is that there... Read More
Women on diets need more calcium than normal to avoid... Read More
When it comes to our weight and the appearance of... Read More
Humanity is always in search of a wonder drug that... Read More
Nice girls don't speak up. Nice girls take care of... Read More
We have all set them, and we will revisit them... Read More
Are you Telling Yourself It's Too Hard to Lose Weight?Telling... Read More
Several months ago I was in desperate need of weight... Read More
Let's face when it comes to overweight and obesity there... Read More
1. Increase your fiber intake. The body needs a lot... Read More
You may not like what I'm about to say, but... Read More
Low self-esteem produces a game of control. It causes a... Read More
Is this even possible?Well hold on to your seat because... Read More
Here are 5 solutions to slimming:1. Set Mini-Goals: Try setting... Read More
Let's not talk about diets. Diets are punishment ? like... Read More
I personal lost 60 pounds in 2003. Here are some... Read More
Western Springs shuttle limo ..Cellulite happens to us for many reasons. Some reasons-- like... Read More
Over two thirds of Americans are over weight, and half... Read More
There are all kinds of fad diets and quick fixes... Read More
The Liver The function of your kidneys is to filter... Read More
Actually, I was reading about fad diet and suddenly I... Read More
Cardio Exercise...A huge variety of fitness activities provide cardiovascular benefits.... Read More
Which is easier to do ? turn a car's steering... Read More
Recently, I won a family cruise on the Regis and... Read More
Is Zone Diet a Fad?How do you recognize a fad... Read More
Speculating on the scientifically proven memory unreliability, the memory specialist... Read More
All of us that have had a love-hate relationship with... Read More
Drink plenty of water. Our body needs a lot of... Read More
Cellulite ? a word most women are very familiar with.... Read More
Recently a woman went public in her online diet community... Read More
1. Carrying around excess body fat will decrease your energy... Read More
You've seen diet pill advertisements? You have read the testimonials... Read More
We have all set them, and we will revisit them... Read More
With millions of people aiming for successful weight loss, many... Read More
Food manufacturers can easily manipulate a whole population by the... Read More
You and I know that getting plenty of support from... Read More
Sometime, during the phase of rapid weight loss after gastric... Read More
"Your Eyes are Bigger Than Your Stomach""Your eyes are bigger... Read More
Why have I allowed myself to get into this shape?... Read More
Oh, no . . . You suddenly realize that you... Read More
Fifteen Secrets of Safe and Easy Permanent Weight Loss Revealed!*... Read More
Weight Loss |