Overeating and Desire

 I used to be overweight, because I overate.  I overate, because I desired more food than my body needed.  I "overdesired" food.  Coaching taught me how to think about food differently, so that I was able to decrease my overdesire, and to finally lose my excess weight for good. 

It is common to want to eat too much of foods that taste delicious to us.  Sometimes we want to overeat because of scarcity thoughts – thoughts that we may not get these foods ever again or not for a long time.  For me, it’s been helpful to think about my long term weight and health goals before choosing whether to overeat.  Then I try to remind myself that achieving my goals is more important to me than is eating more of that delicious food.  

Usually, I am able to take some of the food that I overdesire home.  Sometimes, I plan to buy that food another time.  Very occasionally, If I'm eating something truly wonderful, that I may never have again (which sometimes happens when I’m traveling in another country), I may deliberately choose to overeat.  

I’ve noticed that I never feel well after I overeat.  My stomach hurts and I feel sluggish and heavy.  I really enjoy how I feel when I’m not stuffed - light and energetic. I’ve also noticed that after I eat a lot of sugar or processed carbs, my joints ache and I feel more tired for 2 to 3 days. 

The next time you overeat, pay attention to how you feel afterwards.  On days that you eat healthy foods and don’t overeat, also pay attention to how you feel.  If you like how you feel after you eat certain foods, then try to incorporate more of those foods into your diet.  If certain foods make you feel sluggish, or make you feel more tired or achy, consider eating less of those foods.

You are the scientist and observer of your own body.  Once you find the way of eating that helps you to feel vibrant and healthy, use what you learn to improve your health.  When you overdesire a food, practice pausing before eating that food and ask yourself some questions.  How will eating that food now make you feel later?  Are you able to eat that food at another time? Can you easily buy or make that food if you decide to plan to eat it another time?  What benefit will you get from overeating that food now?  If you like your reasons for continuing to eat after you have had "enough", then keep eating.  But if your reasons for overeating are harming your health, or making it harder to achieve your health or weight loss goals, practice thinking thoughts that will empower you to make better choices.

Overdesire is just an emotion caused by a thought.  And thoughts can be changed.  If you find yourself thinking – “This cake is delicious and I want more”, then you will overdesire that cake.  Perhaps you can change your thinking to -  "This cake is delicious. I can enjoy a small amount now and I’ll take some home to eat tomorrow". 

Have fun with the challenge of coming up with the helpful thoughts that will support your weight loss and health goals.  And remember, you can put any food you desire on your eating plan.  If you plan what to eat ahead of time (see blog post from April 13), and then stick to your plan, you will be caring for your body and improving your health. 

Subscribe to my blogs and newsletters to learn more about how managing your thoughts can help you to lose weight – and to keep it off – forever.  Subscribe at https://drbarbaralkatzcoaching.mykajabi.com.  If you receive an email to subscribe, make sure to click the link so you will actually be subscribed! 

If you are considering weekly 1:1 coaching to help you reach your goals faster, or if you want to explore how coaching can support you, email me to set up a free, no-obligation, no-pressure, mini-session at [email protected].

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