In the last 12 years that I have been working with clients to address issues with weight the bottom line is always the same-emotional eating. Emotional eating isn't always in the form of sitting down nightly with a pint of ice cream and a bag of Oreos. For some emotional eating is so subtle they don't even realize they are doing it. For example, you are having a very stressful day at work and you pass by your co-workers desk and scoop up a handful of
M & M's. A little later its a cookie or just a few jelly beans. Or perhaps you are a mom who had a stressful day at work or at home with the kids. When everyone is in bed you sit down on the couch to relax watching TV with a big bowl of chips, pretzels, goldfish etc. Most don't even notice they are eating these small extra bites throughout the day because it's " just what they do" to try to clam themselves down to relieve the stress. Food is used to self-soothe.
This is why when you go on a diet, if you follow the plan, you will lose the weight but eventually gain it back because you do not address the behavior and habits of emotional eating. For most, this is the hardest part because you have to address some things in your life that caused you to use food or comfort in the first place. For many it started way back in childhood.
So where do you begin? Start by keeping a food journal. When you write it down you notice all the extra bites you take during the day. Over the course of a week these extra bites turn into excess pounds. Next, become mindful. Pay attention to your hunger. Be sure to eat satisfying, healthy meals and don't let yourself get too hungry during the day. Notice if you often eat when you are NOT hungry. Stay hydrated. Thirst is often confused with hunger.
Be kind to yourself if you slip up. Speak to yourself as you would a friend. Negative self-talk is often a culprit in emotional eating. Start each day reminding yourself to stay mindful about your hunger and making the best choices that will make you feel good. Eating something that ultimately makes you feel guilty and bad about yourself is NOT a good food choice.
Check out my website to see what some of my clients had to say about the changes and transformations they were able to make around food and eating.
www.HealthCoach-Lisa.com
In good heath,
Lisa Goldberg MS,CNS,CDN
lisa@healthcoachll.com
212-920-0070
