Learn Your Eating Triggers

Overeating is triggered by stressful situations in your life, situations that involve external events, other people, issues, memories and inner turmoil.

For instance, you might find that you suddenly want to eat when you're talking to your mother on the phone, or when you're feeling lonely, or when you're thinking about your boss or your finances. By becoming more aware of your triggers, you can control them rather than having them control you.

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"Just witness your feelings, like you are watching a movie"

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When you find yourself getting upset, anxious or in a conflict, and you hear a voice inside saying, "I have to eat something," try this exercise, and see if it helps:

When you're feeling stressed or upset with yourself, another person or a particular issue,

set aside one hour, to let yourself feel bad, sad, mad, worried or even worse. Do this every day at the same time, without any judgment or self-criticism. Just witness your feelings, like you are watching a movie.

After three days, pick a different hour of the day to do the next stage of this exercise. This time, be aware of accept- ing your feelings and believing in yourself. Focus on trusting yourself, loving yourself, and allowing the stress. Be aware that all problems enter and exit, like clouds floating across the sky.

Remember, you can stress out as much as you like in the hour during the first three days, but after that, you're learning to go with what is, just like following a river. No need to push it, as this won't help. No need to fight it, as that won't help either. Just enjoy your awareness and the acceptance that flows with it.

© 2004 Dr. Brian Alman