Emotional Eating

I figured this to be the place to talk about emotion and eating. In the realm of psychology and human development, it is a given that emotion and thought are totally linked. If you feel bad, like an infection or injury with chronic pain, you often turn to sour or downward thoughts: whereas if you feel vibrant and in the mirror you look healthy and magnetic, bad thoughts are nowhere in sight.

OK....in the world of eating...eating is the solution to the bad feelings of hunger our ancestors endured. Getting food in the body stopped the fear and pain and painful thoughts........doesn't that make eating into a most soothing and rewarding activity. And in the modern time with multiple stresses and 10 times the food available, we are naturally going to turn to food too often to help with a hurtful day. But the hurt wasn't from hunger and there's always a pizza soon after the fingers do the walking....Now folks, we've got to eat a lot of foods that taste great and make us feel good....but do not jeopardize our health, wellness or fitness. Do you see my point? Don't stop eating and feeling good from your eating....just learn to pick from very healthy and lower calorie foods and have them around you. This plan will work. You will, in time, not even crave the old good tasting, high calorie (high sugar/fat/salt) foods. Usually the body slows its desire for heavy foods in about 6 weeks. This is evidenced by my clients' lack of desire to participate much in the "free day" after a couple of months with me. Remember that carbs are the comfort foods that bring the serotonin that makes you feel good but get fat........then you don't feel good about your body and eat some more carbs.

To break that cycle, eat protein to feel arouse dopamine that makes you feel upbeat and powerful and eat veggies and fruits that will heal and cleanse you into health and wellness. Eat carbs at mealtime only and snack on fruit, veggies and protein. Check out shortcuts to weight loss for more tips. Stay strong and consistent for 3 weeks and you'll be on the road to a new habit pattern of eating. If you binge or stray, just get back on the program without beating yourself up. Take your time and change those emotional eating habits.

Brought to you by Jumpin' Jeff at www.fitnesslifeline.com