Weight is About More than Just Eating

I often hear, “I need to get in control of my eating,” from new clients who have struggled with their weight for years. Usually, after a couple of weeks of working together, the client discovers that overeating is actually just a symptom of, “I need to get in control of my life.” Food and health seem to follow the pattern of all other areas of our lives, or better said, food and health seem to follow how we respond to all other areas of our lives.
With the complexity of life what can we do to respond better? What can we do to encourage a healthy lifestyle?

1. Eliminate Negative Mind Chatter: Often referred to as “Mindful Living.” Notice what you are saying to yourself day in and day out. If your thoughts are negative you will look for something to soothe and comfort. Food can be a quick pick me up with a really quick plummet.

2. Maintain Relationships: Keep your relationships healthy and strong. We need real connections that stimulate us emotionally and intellectually.

3. Success: We all need to feel successful. Make goals to ensure you are always progressing. Having a bad day? Make those goals real small and then build on each success.

4. Journal: I hate to even say this because we often envision the boring journal assignment from school. You can journal on a napkin while at lunch. The point is the connection between the tangible process of writing and verbalizing your words engages you emotionally in a new way and problems and feelings become clear.

5. Manage Stress: “Manage” is the key word. If you don’t have a process for managing stress eating can easily become your default. Choose how you will manage stress, find the one thing that helps you consistently and make it your stress manager.

Make your healthy lifestyle about life not food. The shift will give you great results!