Most people who overeat nevertheless want to lose weight. A long pattern of poor habits will lead to consequences, such as gaining weight. It's natural and normal for people to want to fix this. But overeaters need to focus on one goal at a time. First, focus on eating to your balance point (where you are comfortably full) and getting yourself out of your food obsessions. Next, when you are already eating three full meals a day, on a routine basis, work on losing the excess weight. But are these steps enough? The following are some helpful hints in preventing and stopping overeating.
- Stop the denial and accept. Food addiction and overeating contribute to a negative personal body image. Overeating people must learn to embrace themselves. It is nature’s way of waking you up to your true self—your spirit. Don’t deny that you have eating issues. Yet if you learn to accept it, don’t be envious of other people in that they may have no eating problems. We may never know if someone may have one. In the end, overeating may be your greatest teacher.
- Know the real cause. It is important to know that overeating is rarely about food. Food is your cure, your attempt to care for yourself, but used in a harmful way. Many overeaters have serious problems, dark pasts, unanswered questions and unforgettable or traumatic experiences, which made them turn to food as the answer to their problems. This way, they abused food instead of facing their real issues. Find the cause of your food addiction. This will help you focus on which problems should be taken care of and which areas should be prioritized.
- Seek help. As human beings, it is normal for us to seek help when we are in need. Ask for help if you want to stop your overeating habit. Believe that you are worthy of support, love and guidance in this battle against food addiction and overeating. There are lots of professionals, both for fitness and psychology who can help you. Also, if you are still not ready for an external facilitator, there are lots of books and reference materials available in the library, in your local bookshops and on the Internet as well. Face this challenge and seek help.
- Armor your emotions. As mentioned before, overeating is not about food. It is your psychological and emotional battle where you find food a comfort zone. It is therefore wise to armor your emotions. First, reallize that you are not your thoughts. Don’t believe it if your mind tells you that you’re meant to be fat. Second, examine your fear. Fear brings anger, jealousy, resentment, frustration, criticism, hatred, judgment, and control. Fears will pop up over and over and over again until we finally face them.
Nobody can fight biology. We are all animals designed to consume food for energy replacement, cell rejuvenation and physical nourishment. We need to eat, but in moderation. Therefore we don’t have to skip meals (or under eat) just to lose weight or stop overeating. We just have to have enough of what our body needs.