To be successful in trying to stop overeating, you need to be aware of why you are overeating. What triggers your eating habits when you have no reason to crave food? Are you an emotional eater or do you just always give in to cravings? Are you saying to yourself, “I need to get help for my overeating problems”? The first step is to understand the cravings and your reactions to them.
live with cravings
First of all, when you try to stop overeating, you will experience cravings. These cravings may or may not improve over time. You will have to learn to live with them. No matter what area of our lives, we all experience urges or cravings. That doesn’t mean we have to give in to those impulses. Developing self-control and resistance mechanisms is essential when fighting cravings.
emotional cravings
In our society, food has become a source of comfort and celebration. Since the beginning of our lives, food has been used to ease the discomfort of hunger. Early on we make the connection that food eliminates feelings of pain. Overeaters tend to incorporate this as well to soothe emotional pain. Many people with obesity report using food to cheer themselves up or as a reward for good behavior. With the obesity epidemic out of control in our country, we must begin to view food as a source of nutrition and not emotional comfort.
physical cravings
Foods high in calories and sugar wreak havoc on our blood sugar levels. Binging on foods high in sugar or carbohydrates raises blood sugar levels, which triggers the release of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is the chemical responsible for the feeling of well-being in the brain. The more foods high in sugar are consumed, the more our body craves for them.
Other forms of comfort
To stop overeating, you need to identify the things that trigger your overeating. Once identified, these triggers need to be treated without overeating. Find other methods to comfort yourself. Going for a walk or engaging in other forms of exercise is an example of what you might do. Since low self-esteem is often a factor that leads to overeating, find a way to pamper yourself without eating. Treat yourself to a massage at the spa, paint your nails or buy yourself flowers to feel better about yourself.
Looking for assistance
As with all addictions, there is a lot of help available to help you stop overeating. Admitting your overeating problem is the first step. Consult other available aids, such as counseling, medical intervention such as antidepressants or self-hypnosis.