EMOTIONAL EATING

EMOTIONAL EATING

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Emotional eating is responsible for derailing even the
best-laid diet plans. Sure you start your weight loss program with the best
intentions. But then life gets in the way and triggers an emotion that sends you
running for the fridge or to the nearest fast food joint for
comfort.

Stop the insanity

1. Write it away
Next time
you get a craving for a specific food, such as cheesecake, write it down in a
notebook. Recording a food thought takes it out of your head.

2.
Take two bites
Don't deprive yourself of your favorite dessert.
Instead, take two bites and savor them slowly. The first two bites of any food
always have the most flavor. After that, you're just
"feeding."

3. Food becomes wasted
Stop feeling
guilty about throwing away your kid's uneaten snacks or the leftover food on
your plate. In reality, any time you eat food your body doesn't need, it's
wasted!

4. Set tiny goals
Stick to an exercise plan
by creating repeated success. Set small, achievable goals. If you can walk for
five minutes a day, then start there.

5. What do I really want to
chew on?
When you crave crunchy or chewy food, think about what's
bothering you in life. Is it finances? Kids? Deadlines? Since eating won't
change it, try to cope some other way.

6. Instant way to stop
eating
When you've had a bad day and start eating nonstop, go brush
your teeth. If you're not where you can brush, eat a distinctly opposite flavor.
To block a sweet taste, suck on a lemon wedge or eat a sour pickle. For salty or
spicy triggers, reach for a stick of gum or strong mint candy.

7.
You can't CHEAT with food!
Never say "I cheated on my diet."
Cheating refers to something illegal or immoral, and food is neither of these.
Instead, refer to your choices. "I made a choice to eat a cookie
today!"

8. Eat in the presence of others
Do you
sneak treats or snacks when no one's around? To overcome your patterns of sneak
eating, make a policy that you'll always eat sweets or favorite foods in the
presence of at least one other person.

9. Small wins
Write down at least five things you did today that were small
accomplishments. Before you go to bed, read your list out loud and tell yourself
you're a great success.

10. No more
deprivation
Instead of feeling deprived or feeling left out, ask
yourself, "What does my weight deprive me of?" Make a list of the things you're
missing out on by being overweight.......