Lifestyle Choices: How to Overcome Emotional Overeating

Webmaster | June 3, 2012 | no comments

Overcoming emotional overeating can sound overwhelming, and drawbacks can be expected.

Nevertheless the good news is, you can find lifestyle choices you could make to help get over this matter.

The key word is choice – it is possible to decide to follow a healthy lifestyle.

Sometimes it helps you to break things down into small, specific things you can do (just looking to lead a “healthier lifestyle” is a bit vague!).

Following are some of these specifics. And remember, setbacks and relapses are not unusual. Never beat yourself up; just start fresh tomorrow.

Exercise

Experts are in general agreement that regular exercise three to five days a week is most beneficial. This exercise should consist of at least 20 minutes of cardiovascular exercise (such as vigorous walking, jogging, biking, etc.) followed by some light toning or weight training.

Committing to this regimen full-force is not necessarily the best way to go; if you can only exercise once or twice a week, that’s still better than nothing and will hopefully pave the way for more in the future.

Exercise is said to relieve emotional overeating in several ways. For one, exercise produces endorphins which are the body’s natural “feel good” hormones. For another, exercise prevents boredom and mindless eating, which is what you might be doing if you weren’t exercising!

And finally, exercise will likely boost your self-image, helping to break the cycle of low self-esteem and poor self-image that “feeds” emotional overeating disorder.

Nature

Never underestimate the healing power of nature! For anyone with emotional overeating disorder, opting to spend more time outside in nature can be particularly beneficial. After all, in the natural realm there are no media messages to mess with your self-image, and being in nature connects you to your origins and also the origins of food.

Many specialists theorize that detachment from food and its natural source plays a part in emotional overeating disorder. Getting involved in nature and exploring and appreciating it can go a long way toward reconnecting with our biologically normal view of food. Maybe you can kill 2 birds with one stone and do your regular exercise outdoors!

Emotional overeating disorders can be difficult and devastating for those who suffer from them. What makes this happen? Why is it that some people, knowingly or unknowingly, turn to food for comfort? Here are some thoughts and ideas on those questions.

Emotional overeating disorder is a general term that refers to any of various eating habits where genuine hunger is not the motivational factor. It is more common among women than men, but men are not immune – especially young men in their teens and twenties.

Those who suffer from this disorder associate food with emotional comfort, and will turn to eating to escape negative feelings.

Article by Johnnie Finley

About the Author : Other Related Sites On: Emotional Eating Disorder Stress Eating Urges

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