Are you currently on the COVID-19, Corona Diet?
Are you overeating or putting weight on during lockdown?
I've seen lots of posts and memes on social media about overeating during these uncertain times.
So, in this episode I want to share a few ideas for how you can change your mindset and break free of unwanted overeating habits.
Firstly, lets have a look at what's happening.
During stressful and difficult times, we often find ourselves eating our feelings. Which means we're not responding to real physical hunger, but emotional eating instead.
Emotional eating means we're responding to our feeling, it could be boredom, stress, frustration, anxiety, loneliness, whatever the emotion it has nothing to do with hunger!
Emotional eating is quite common, but I think it's been highlighted during these uncertain times, as lots of people around the world are experiencing the uncertain times and emotions at the same time.
Unconsciously we often turn to food to change how we feel, because when we eat, it changes are body chemistry and gives us short term relief and instant gratification, but it only ever gives us temporary relief.
Often, we feel worse afterwards, fuelling more negative emotions, guilt, frustration, disappointment and in the process of beating ourselves up, we turn to more food to feed those negative feelings, creating a vicious cycle!
The bottom line is, no amount a food will ever satisfying emotional hunger, because it's not real physical hunger!
So, here's a few tips to help you avoid overeating and weight gain during lockdown (or anytime).
1 - Be Aware - firstly you need to become aware of what you're doing, when you are doing it and what you are actually responding to.
So, ask yourself;
What am I doing?
When am I doing it?
What feeling/emotion am I feeling?
Once you become aware of your feelings and actions, then if they're not working for you, you can change them.
2 - Give yourself a break and stop beating yourself up!
These are strange times for all of us, so stop beating yourself for how your feeling and what you're doing.
Don't allow this to be an excuse, once you are aware of what you’re doing give yourself permission to adjust your thinking and habits.
One way to help change your mindset, habits and behaviours is to ask yourself some better questions.
Instead of saying things like, I can’t stop eating or why do I keep eating?
Next time you find yourself heading to the fridge or cupboard ask yourself;
Am I really hungry?
Am I responding to real genuine hunger?
Do I need this right now?
Or simply have a glass of water first and see how you feel in 20- 30 minutes, if it’s just emotional hunger it will probably have passed by then.
3 - Chillout - not only give yourself a break and de-stress, bit actively do more to help yourself manage your emotions by taking time to activities that help with your mind fitness. Do whatever you can to help yourself relax and de-stress, to prevent you from reaching the point where you find yourself emotional eating.
I hope you've found those ideas helpful, please get in touch or leave a comment and let me know what you have taken away from these tips and what you are going to change to help yourself.
And if you know anyone who would also benefit from these tips, please share it with them.
Please remember, what your mind believes you will achieve, so allow yourself to think differently, to believe in yourself more, to take action that will help you achieve the outcomes and the life that you want!
All the best
Christian
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