No one wants to talk about it. It's about that bag of kettle chips that disappeared without a crumb or a trace, or the box of Girl Scout cookies that's missing an entire sleeve. When I see a super-clean food log from a person who hasn't lost a pound in a month, I know what's going in. It's not rocket science.
It's emotional eating, emotionless drinking or even just mindless eating. Do you eat, or drink-- when you're bored, lonely, stressed or sad?
Stop, think and ask yourself: "Do I want this? Am I hungry?" What's the real reason you head for the chocolate drawer or the bottle of wine?
Workplaces everywhere are loaded with baked goods, candy jars and leftover party food that your co-workers want to get rid of--just bring it to work! And before we know it, because it's there, we'll consume an extra 1,000 calories a day to just be polite, social, or busy. It seems like every social gathering, meeting or coffee has an endless supply of food involved. Some day, keep track of the nibbles, bites, tastes and snacks you have outside your daily meals. You may be amazed at the calories you can down.
And if you're trying to lose excess pounds you need to think of food in a new way:
We eat to fuel. Food is fuel. It's not a way to stuff emotions. We don't have to "treat" ourselves or reward ourselves or our children with food. We're not dogs or circus animals.
If you're trying to clean up your diet, and cut out emotional eating, you have to find something to do with those emotions you're feeling. I get that. This is not easy work.
It might help to keep a little journal and write down your true feelings and frustrations. Don't turn to food or booze as a bandage. It may make you feel better initially, but then you just beat yourself up later for going down that path. If you have a significant amount of weight to lose, it can be extremely helpful to seek the help of a licensed counselor or therapist to get to the root of your food addiction.
Willpower is like a muscle. The more you exercise it, the stronger it gets.
Every time you pass up that plate of pastries on the secretary's desk at work, you get a little bit stronger. You know there's a healthier option waiting in your lunch bag. Keep practicing that will power, and it will soon become automatic.
Here are some ways to work through those cravings or times you want to "eat" through your emotions:
1. call a friend
2. clean a drawer
3. organize your beauty products
4. sweep your floor
5. write an e-mail or letter to someone
6. do 20 push ups
7. do 20 sit ups
8. walk your dog
9. read a book
10. find a new recipe
11. prep your food for tomorrow.
12. have a cup of herbal tea
13. help a neighbor
14. chew some sugarless gum
15. text a friend, a coach or a fitness buddy
Changing our habits takes time and work. Know that you have the ability to change. You're hardwired for it. You just have to tap into it and practice it.
Can you enjoy junk food and the calorie-laden foods you crave? Absolutely. There's room for a proper portion size of anything, once in a while. It's what keeps us balanced and happy. It's called your "free day"--to enjoy the foods you don't eat all the time. And then, it's back to the business of being a conscious eater.
