Tag Archive for Outsmarting Overeating

You’re Eating Too Much- What Do You Do?

 
 
Eating is a fundamental pillar of life. Most of us enjoy it, especially when we’re having some great tasting food! 
 
But, smart eating is part of a conscious lifestyle. This GenuLines post will help you stay on track with your dietary habits. 
 
 
 
 
ARTICLE
 
We don’t always have the best sense of when to stop eating. We have access to not only good-tasting food but food in immense quantities.
 
It’s easy to poke fun at humorous situations such as Homer Simpson eating until he can’t move a muscle. But in reality, we’re blind to the consequences of eating too much.
 
These can range from a simple mild stomach ache in the short term to more serious health risks. Think chronic obesity and its connection to cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
 
Overeating doesn’t have to be as dramatic as eating until our pants are about to burst. It can be eating more than we need in one sitting.
 
Or eating until we’re full rather than until we get enough nutrients.
 
 
girl eating sandwich
 
 
We don’t have the natural constraints our ancestors did to prevent us from over-eating. In evolutionary terms, most humans couldn’t over-eat.
 
Large-scale agriculture and food processing generally weren’t available until more recent times. Today most humans (Americans for sure) have access to more convenience food than ever.
 
So, what drives us to eat more than we need?
 
We have lots of information. We can learn to eat only as much as we need.
 
Why don’t we?
 
One key insight is the emotional connection to food many people have. Research has shown that overeating follows bouts of sadness, depression.
 
It can also come during struggles with our issues.
 
The Journal of Adolescent Health studied the eating habits of young people. The participants developed disorders like binge eating.
 
The study’s main result: “it’s important to consider depressive symptoms in overeating.”
 
We can keep track of our reasons for eating. Are we eating because we’re hungry, or because we’re wrestling with emotional issues?
 
Another consideration is symptoms of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar.
 
A Medical University of Warsaw article looked at hypoglycemic symptoms. It found that people might eat more as a way of satisfying urges to increase insulin.
 
 
man eating cookie
 
 
So it’s important to eat sweets in moderation as a way of limiting consumption in general.
 
Finally, there is no better warning system than our own bodies. Excessive constipation, blockage, bloating, vomiting or stomach aches tell us we’ve had enough.
 
Add to that list our constant need for laxatives or antacids. Our level of energy and mental alertness are signs, too.
 
We all enjoy a nicely cooked meal or tasty snacks. But in biological terms, food is simply fuel. It’s the fuel our bodies consume and turn into energy.
 
Just know that we can bog down our systems with excess fuel or fuel of poor quality- aka junk food.
 
Our energy level drops. We feel sluggish and less alert. These are signs of an overloaded digestion system.
 
Final Thoughts
 
It’s a no-brainer to say that we love food, but how much is enough? Our bodies brains and emotions hold up the stop signs.
 
Being mindful of our current state can help us avoid the pitfalls. The signs are there and our brains and bodies are telling us.
 
We just have to listen!
 
JohnK 10-4-2018
 
 
 
 
 
man talks eatingOverheard: “I lurched away from the table after a few hours feeling like Elvis in Vegas – fat, drugged, and completely out of it.”
         
                         ~Anthony Bourdain
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for food
 
 

Be YOUR Valentine: Self-Love Before Hearts and Flowers!

Allow me some thoughts on Valentine’s Day..

Valentine's Day HeartValentine’s Day is a day meant for Love. But, it’s not a day limited to romantic love as many would tell you. It is also about self-love. It is about knowing who you are. It is about knowing that, who you are is someone worthy of love, kindness and compassion.

If you are experiencing low self-worth and low self-esteem, know that there are many others like you out there. You are not alone. Realize that you feel this way because you do not yet love yourself truly and deeply for who you are in this moment. Sure, you can always become better, but you must be kind and compassionate to who you are today, so that you may journey toward a more fulfilling life with your own support. Certainly, spread your love and care to others but don’t forget that you too need that kindness that you wish to share with others and for that you must share it with yourself as well. If others share it with you, accept it. If they don’t, not to worry. Share it with yourself and by doing that you’ll radiate it toward others. You’ll find strength if you believe in yourself no matter how hard your day, week or month has been because you can be. You always have the capacity to be loved because it starts with loving yourself and you can love yourself just as you are, because you are worth loving.

dividing line

I send you all the best energies for a very Happy Valentine’s Day! As I mentioned on the call with Karen Koenig I’m working on an upcoming show that would take a look at relationships that are not working so well, and why that’s so. I’ll keep you posted as to when a booking date is finalized.

Speaking of Karen Koenig, she gave us a great interview and look at her book : OUTSMARTING OVEREATING: Boost Your Life Skills, End Your Food Problems.

picture of Karen Koenig

Karen Koenig

If you didn’t hear the show you can catch it and other episodes you may have missed by clicking on this player.


..be well!

 

listener animationOverheard..

“Well-ordered self-love is right and natural”

˜ Thomas Aquinas

 

JohnK 2-13-2015

chiforyourself.com home

 

 

Stop Overeating! Do It With Life Skills and Not Willpower

Make sure you’re with us on the call today as we hear from Karen Koenig, author of OUTSMARTING OVEREATING: Boost Your Life Skills, End Your Food Problems. Karen says we can transform our eating habits- and our lives- by developing effective life skills. We get started today at 4pm Eastern, 1pm Pacific time at chiforyourself.com

picture of Karen Koenig

Karen Koenig

 

 

JohnK 2-5-2015

chiforyourself.com home