Yes I can: Is Emotional Eating Impacting Your Weight Loss Program?

Oddly enough, most people have some level of awareness on what foods are good for them and what are not. If losing weight was simply a matter of awareness and knowledge about the right foods to eat, then we would not have an obesity epidemic. Unfortunately, no matter how much we know about proper eating, nutrition and exercise, it is not enough to keep us on track in achieving our target weight and other health goals. One of the major contributes that impact our ability to achieve a healthy weight is emotional eating. In order to understand whether this is a factor, you should ask yourself the following questions:

Do you eat more when you are at work and have stresses or deadlines placed on you?
Do you eat when you are bored?
Do you eat when you just want something that "tastes good"?
Do you eat while working, watching TV, or doing other tasks?
Do you eat when you are sad or depressed?

If the answer to any of these questions are yes, then you are likely an "emotional eater" and should consider tactics to offset these behaviors. Below are a few tips that could help:

Try relaxation methods to reduce stress While we cannot always change our life situation, there are several techniques for reducing stress. Yoga or simple breathing control techniques are probably the easiest and less expensive option. You may also consider taking food supplements that target stress reduction. Supplements like 5-HTP, GABA, and some propriety blends can usually be helpful. As always, be sure to do your homework and/or consult a physician when considering the best food supplements for your situation.

Eat food only when at the dinner table. Often we eat unconsciously while doing other tasks. By eating only at the dinner table (with TV off), you are more aware of what you are eating and in tune with body knowing when you should stop eating. Try also to slow down when eating as it often can take up to 20 minutes for your body to get the signal that your are no longer hungry.

If bored, seek out physical activity. Physical activity not only burns calories but if it is something you enjoy, will reduce your boredom or depression. It doesn't have to be strenuous. Just get up and move. Even a few short walks each day can both improve your emotional disposition including boredom.

Enjoy Life! It is OK to "occasionally" eat something just because it "tastes good". The trick here is to manage portion control. Make sure you take a reasonable serving size then move away from the food source before eating. Going back for seconds is OK for foods with low caloric density high bulk, however should not be a tactic for foods such as ice cream or other high calorie density low bulk foods (usually highly processed)

Finally, understand that you will likely periodically have lapses in judgement. The best thing here is to realize what happened, determine what you can do to recover and then move on. No reason to beat yourself up about the occasional mistake as the net result would probably increase your stress level which is the opposite effect that you want.

For more information on health related articles like this one, please feel free to visit us at Enhanced Life Options and have a healthy and happy life.

Steve Caldwell is a student of health and an advocate of people interested in improving a healthy lifestyle through proper nutrition and exercise.

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