over-eating
Hi all,
I know this isn't a grand problem in the scheme of things, but I was wondering if anyone had any advice for over-eating..
I've had this problem for most of my life on some level, basically I know I eat too quickly and think about food a lot - especially sweet stuff.. the last few days have been particularly bad where it starting to feel a bit obsessive! I just want to eat all the time!!! help!!!!
I've just started doing a lot more exercise which I thought would help to calm it down, but it's worse if anything.. mmmn think i'm due on!
I've been searching for a remedy (homeopathic or otherwise) and haven't found anything as yet..
Any advice please?[:o]
Answers:
Hi Maya,
I don't know if this will help at all. I've always struggled with wanting to eat all the time and have recently decided to try and do something about it.
One of my friends has recently qualified as a hypnotherapist (about which I was extremely sceptical!!) and last night we tried regression therapy. I found one reason going back to my childhood which made me want to eat 'treats' a lot of the time. It's too early to say whether this will solve the problem, I'll let you know in a few days. I also read a book which had really useful self-help information - when I get home from work I'll add the title!
Answers:
Hi,
I love my food and often eat past the point of being full. My best advice which works really well - when I remember to do it - is to drink loads. If you have a large glass of water before a meal then it helps make you feel full quicker. Also I have sparkling water with my meals which fills you up. Most people I have recommended this to have at first complained they don't like the taste but once they try it once they're hooked. It's great for those meals where you need to do the 'I only want a salad' thing - y'know, dates and stuff ;)
Answers:
Hi Maya,
Not sure if this will help or not, but if you can find the root of why you over eat or even think about food all the time, I think you are half way there, I have had a problem with my weight for many year, and am slowly getting to listen to my body and what works for me, I have tried "Bach Flower Remedies" and they do help, Walnut and Centaury being two very good ones. You can buy them in any good Health Shop. Hope this helps a little. :)
Lotslauv Misha xxx
Answers:
Hi
I wonder if you might be sensitive to some foods, they say you are often allergic to things you crave.
Highly refined food, especially high carbs and sugar are bad for this, its linked to insulin resistance. Perhaps you could try having more protein as it takes longer to digest,(thats what the Atkins diet is based on) half a tin of tuna might be more satisfying or some baked beans.
Jan x
Answers:
Hi Maya,
Have had the same prob. for the past 25 years and still working on it !
I have found that by educating myself about nutrition I have been able to improve my diet a lot, which has helped, although I still get caught out by the sugary stuff quite often.
Keeping a sense of perspective is important too, as when I have 'sinned' it is easy to beat yourself up and feel terrrible - a friend pointed out to me that compared to many people I eat really well overall, so that has helped my attitude as well.
My keyword at the moment is MODERATION, as I think trying to cut everything bad out is too hard, as is exercising too much, so little and often there, and being kind to myself but not letting myself get sloppy !
Balance is all isn't it, listening to your body too - often that sort of compulsive eating is automatic and we ignore what our body is telling us - so remeMber to LISTEN and then FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS !
Good luck ! Love Ru xx
Answers:
Hi Maya
Yes I've suffered (if you can call it that) myself. Eating more slowly certainly makes a difference. Take small mouthfuls and really masticate your food. This by the way goes against what I am inclined to want to do, eat fast, but when you concentrate on what you are doing and eat slowly you find a small plate of food satisfies as well as a large plate and not only that you actually feel more full than if you had just gobbled it down. Something I do now because I do love chocolate. Each evening as a treat I have 4 squares off of a big bar of chocolate. This may sound a small amount, but if you put each square individually in your mouth and gently suck but don't chew it will last a little while and you will be surprised that those 4 pieces have seemed like a feast. Make sure that you don't transport the whole bar with you otherwise you might be tempted to eat more than 4 squares.
Answers:
Hi Maya,
I've written about this to an extent on the Scientific Forum. We humans are pre-programmed by Nature to 'snack' between meals, because that's what Nature originally intended for us. Our ancient human ancestors had to take food whenever they could because of their environment, and we have not lost that instinct. Evolution has to catch up with our modern lifestyle!
I recognised this a while back, and I realised that giving in to instinct was the best thing to do. However, it is what we eat now that's important - we don't need so much food to convert into energy so that we can outrun sabre-toothed tigers, or hunt bison for days on end for food. So when I snack, I try to eat lots of fruit and vegetables, or at certain times of the month when I crave chocolate, I generally have a little chocolate to satisfy what my body is asking for. Ru is right - listen to your body, Maya. Orangeblossom is also right - chew slowly and let your body enjoy what you eat, no matter what it is.
Don't feel guilty about being human and obeying your human instincts. Only recognise it as that, and eat accordingly - little and often is really the 'golden rule' when dealing with instinctive eating, and getting lots of exercise to burn off the extra calories that we don't use up now that we don't have to deal with wild beasts and famines! Ha ha!
Love,
Patsy.
xxxxx
Answers:
You're getting loads of great advice Maya so hopefully you will find your answer here. I have recently been introduced to EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques - see www.emofree.com for more info or the mind therapies forum here) and have just used it with a client who overeats. The results have been good and I would recommend you try it for yourself. You can teach it yourself from the site I gave or find a practitioner from there. Good luck!
Sarah x
Answers:
Hi everyone,
Thanks so much for all your wonderful advice! and I will check out the emofree website..
Whilst browsing the web on the subject, I came across an incredible article on the subject, on the role the ego/inner child plays in weight loss..
http://www.nibiruancouncil.com/html/...eightloss.html
There is lots of fascinating articles on this website on multi-dimensional realities etc.
So at least i'm starting to see the subconscious benefits of having weight, so hopefully that will give me the key on how to solve it..
Thanks again!
Answers:
Hi Maya
From reading your description you seem to have already pin-pointed where the 'problem' is, i.e. you eat too quickly and you think about food a lot. You've also said that you've had this problem for most of your life and are aware of it.
Are there times when you eat/crave/think about food and sweet things more than others?
As with any problem, there are a number of possibilities for the cause and you would need to investigate this. If it is that you are allergic to some foods, or lacking something in your diet etc. this is best treated by a doctor or nutritionist. If it is purely a behavioural habit and there is a subconscious comfort that you get from these foods, then hypnotherapy can help you.
I am Cognitive Hypnotherapist and have been trained in Emotional Freedom Technique. This is a lovely technique to have and use, however, if there is a subconscious comfort you're getting from food, then EFT won't be a permanent 'fix'.
I've listed two Hypnotherapy websites below where you can find a Hypnotherapist in your local area.
www.questinstitute.co.uk
www.hypnotherapists.org.uk
Best of luck :)
Answers:
Dear Lynn
The following grabbed my attention in your post:
" however, if there is a subconscious comfort you're getting from food, then EFT won't be a permanent 'fix'. "
I wondered why you think this. Why wouldn't something like "Even though I get (specific)comfort from eating..." work permanently?
Genuinely curious!
All the best
Jonathan
Answers:
Hi Jonathan,
From feedback I've received from both clients and fellow practitioners, I have found EFT to be more effective when used in conjunction with therapy rather than a stand alone technique. As each client is unique, it would also depend on the progress made during the therapy sessions whether I would introduce them to the EFT technique as a tool which they can take away with them and use when the need arises.
I believe it's more effective to initially go to the root of a person's problem and assist them in 'remapping' their memory of the first significant emotional event connected to their problem.
I'd be keen to hear your thoughts on this.
Answers:
Hi Lynn,
I think I see where you're coming from on this.
My experience, which is NLP/hypnotherapy based, means that I (usually;)) can help people get to the underlying / unconscious beliefs & Drivers behind the behaviour fairly readily. And I then use EFT as a fast way to change these & reduce their impact.
I'll agree that for people working on their own, if they don't discover the underlying stuff, they will find it harder to make EFT work effectively. (Even so, they could always tap for "even though I don't know the reason why I keep sabotaging my attempts to (e.g.) lose weight...." and often get the insights for themselves!)
IMO, EFT does work, provided you get the initial statement "right", which as you say may need some other therapeutic help to identify.
All the best
Jonathan
PS these two articles provide a good protocol for using EFT for weightloss:
http://www.emofree.com/addictions/co...overeating.htm
http://www.emofree.com/addictions/weightlossseries.htm
Answers:
Hi Jonathan,
Thanks for the website links. They were very interesting reading :)
Warm regards,
Lynn [sm=wave.gif]
Answers:
Hi Maya
The way I've come to terms with my own over-eating issues is to recognise that the deeply subconscious 'call' to overeat is actually a call to suppress an emotion that needs to be expressed. When I overrule the call to eat and create a space for the emotion to be let go of I usually experience a healing, cleansing release and the desire to overeat quickly subsides.
Next time you feel the need to overeat, ask the question, 'what part of me needs to be expressed' and then give some space for a response.
Good luck!
Audrey
Answers:
Hi everyone!
Problem sorted I think... I did the EFT about 10 days ago, and haven't overeaten since!! hows that for results!!!!!!
Thanks for all your wonderful sound advice!
Morven x:)
Answers:
Wow Maya, that's excellent!! Did you already know EFT or did you learn it just for this? Keep up the good work!
Sarah x
I know this isn't a grand problem in the scheme of things, but I was wondering if anyone had any advice for over-eating..
I've had this problem for most of my life on some level, basically I know I eat too quickly and think about food a lot - especially sweet stuff.. the last few days have been particularly bad where it starting to feel a bit obsessive! I just want to eat all the time!!! help!!!!
I've just started doing a lot more exercise which I thought would help to calm it down, but it's worse if anything.. mmmn think i'm due on!
I've been searching for a remedy (homeopathic or otherwise) and haven't found anything as yet..
Any advice please?[:o]
Answers:
Hi Maya,
I don't know if this will help at all. I've always struggled with wanting to eat all the time and have recently decided to try and do something about it.
One of my friends has recently qualified as a hypnotherapist (about which I was extremely sceptical!!) and last night we tried regression therapy. I found one reason going back to my childhood which made me want to eat 'treats' a lot of the time. It's too early to say whether this will solve the problem, I'll let you know in a few days. I also read a book which had really useful self-help information - when I get home from work I'll add the title!
Answers:
Hi,
I love my food and often eat past the point of being full. My best advice which works really well - when I remember to do it - is to drink loads. If you have a large glass of water before a meal then it helps make you feel full quicker. Also I have sparkling water with my meals which fills you up. Most people I have recommended this to have at first complained they don't like the taste but once they try it once they're hooked. It's great for those meals where you need to do the 'I only want a salad' thing - y'know, dates and stuff ;)
Answers:
Hi Maya,
Not sure if this will help or not, but if you can find the root of why you over eat or even think about food all the time, I think you are half way there, I have had a problem with my weight for many year, and am slowly getting to listen to my body and what works for me, I have tried "Bach Flower Remedies" and they do help, Walnut and Centaury being two very good ones. You can buy them in any good Health Shop. Hope this helps a little. :)
Lotslauv Misha xxx
Answers:
Hi
I wonder if you might be sensitive to some foods, they say you are often allergic to things you crave.
Highly refined food, especially high carbs and sugar are bad for this, its linked to insulin resistance. Perhaps you could try having more protein as it takes longer to digest,(thats what the Atkins diet is based on) half a tin of tuna might be more satisfying or some baked beans.
Jan x
Answers:
Hi Maya,
Have had the same prob. for the past 25 years and still working on it !
I have found that by educating myself about nutrition I have been able to improve my diet a lot, which has helped, although I still get caught out by the sugary stuff quite often.
Keeping a sense of perspective is important too, as when I have 'sinned' it is easy to beat yourself up and feel terrrible - a friend pointed out to me that compared to many people I eat really well overall, so that has helped my attitude as well.
My keyword at the moment is MODERATION, as I think trying to cut everything bad out is too hard, as is exercising too much, so little and often there, and being kind to myself but not letting myself get sloppy !
Balance is all isn't it, listening to your body too - often that sort of compulsive eating is automatic and we ignore what our body is telling us - so remeMber to LISTEN and then FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS !
Good luck ! Love Ru xx
Answers:
Hi Maya
Yes I've suffered (if you can call it that) myself. Eating more slowly certainly makes a difference. Take small mouthfuls and really masticate your food. This by the way goes against what I am inclined to want to do, eat fast, but when you concentrate on what you are doing and eat slowly you find a small plate of food satisfies as well as a large plate and not only that you actually feel more full than if you had just gobbled it down. Something I do now because I do love chocolate. Each evening as a treat I have 4 squares off of a big bar of chocolate. This may sound a small amount, but if you put each square individually in your mouth and gently suck but don't chew it will last a little while and you will be surprised that those 4 pieces have seemed like a feast. Make sure that you don't transport the whole bar with you otherwise you might be tempted to eat more than 4 squares.
Answers:
Hi Maya,
I've written about this to an extent on the Scientific Forum. We humans are pre-programmed by Nature to 'snack' between meals, because that's what Nature originally intended for us. Our ancient human ancestors had to take food whenever they could because of their environment, and we have not lost that instinct. Evolution has to catch up with our modern lifestyle!
I recognised this a while back, and I realised that giving in to instinct was the best thing to do. However, it is what we eat now that's important - we don't need so much food to convert into energy so that we can outrun sabre-toothed tigers, or hunt bison for days on end for food. So when I snack, I try to eat lots of fruit and vegetables, or at certain times of the month when I crave chocolate, I generally have a little chocolate to satisfy what my body is asking for. Ru is right - listen to your body, Maya. Orangeblossom is also right - chew slowly and let your body enjoy what you eat, no matter what it is.
Don't feel guilty about being human and obeying your human instincts. Only recognise it as that, and eat accordingly - little and often is really the 'golden rule' when dealing with instinctive eating, and getting lots of exercise to burn off the extra calories that we don't use up now that we don't have to deal with wild beasts and famines! Ha ha!
Love,
Patsy.
xxxxx
Answers:
You're getting loads of great advice Maya so hopefully you will find your answer here. I have recently been introduced to EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques - see www.emofree.com for more info or the mind therapies forum here) and have just used it with a client who overeats. The results have been good and I would recommend you try it for yourself. You can teach it yourself from the site I gave or find a practitioner from there. Good luck!
Sarah x
Answers:
Hi everyone,
Thanks so much for all your wonderful advice! and I will check out the emofree website..
Whilst browsing the web on the subject, I came across an incredible article on the subject, on the role the ego/inner child plays in weight loss..
http://www.nibiruancouncil.com/html/...eightloss.html
There is lots of fascinating articles on this website on multi-dimensional realities etc.
So at least i'm starting to see the subconscious benefits of having weight, so hopefully that will give me the key on how to solve it..
Thanks again!
Answers:
Hi Maya
From reading your description you seem to have already pin-pointed where the 'problem' is, i.e. you eat too quickly and you think about food a lot. You've also said that you've had this problem for most of your life and are aware of it.
Are there times when you eat/crave/think about food and sweet things more than others?
As with any problem, there are a number of possibilities for the cause and you would need to investigate this. If it is that you are allergic to some foods, or lacking something in your diet etc. this is best treated by a doctor or nutritionist. If it is purely a behavioural habit and there is a subconscious comfort that you get from these foods, then hypnotherapy can help you.
I am Cognitive Hypnotherapist and have been trained in Emotional Freedom Technique. This is a lovely technique to have and use, however, if there is a subconscious comfort you're getting from food, then EFT won't be a permanent 'fix'.
I've listed two Hypnotherapy websites below where you can find a Hypnotherapist in your local area.
www.questinstitute.co.uk
www.hypnotherapists.org.uk
Best of luck :)
Answers:
Dear Lynn
The following grabbed my attention in your post:
" however, if there is a subconscious comfort you're getting from food, then EFT won't be a permanent 'fix'. "
I wondered why you think this. Why wouldn't something like "Even though I get (specific)comfort from eating..." work permanently?
Genuinely curious!
All the best
Jonathan
Answers:
Hi Jonathan,
From feedback I've received from both clients and fellow practitioners, I have found EFT to be more effective when used in conjunction with therapy rather than a stand alone technique. As each client is unique, it would also depend on the progress made during the therapy sessions whether I would introduce them to the EFT technique as a tool which they can take away with them and use when the need arises.
I believe it's more effective to initially go to the root of a person's problem and assist them in 'remapping' their memory of the first significant emotional event connected to their problem.
I'd be keen to hear your thoughts on this.
Answers:
Hi Lynn,
I think I see where you're coming from on this.
My experience, which is NLP/hypnotherapy based, means that I (usually;)) can help people get to the underlying / unconscious beliefs & Drivers behind the behaviour fairly readily. And I then use EFT as a fast way to change these & reduce their impact.
I'll agree that for people working on their own, if they don't discover the underlying stuff, they will find it harder to make EFT work effectively. (Even so, they could always tap for "even though I don't know the reason why I keep sabotaging my attempts to (e.g.) lose weight...." and often get the insights for themselves!)
IMO, EFT does work, provided you get the initial statement "right", which as you say may need some other therapeutic help to identify.
All the best
Jonathan
PS these two articles provide a good protocol for using EFT for weightloss:
http://www.emofree.com/addictions/co...overeating.htm
http://www.emofree.com/addictions/weightlossseries.htm
Answers:
Hi Jonathan,
Thanks for the website links. They were very interesting reading :)
Warm regards,
Lynn [sm=wave.gif]
Answers:
Hi Maya
The way I've come to terms with my own over-eating issues is to recognise that the deeply subconscious 'call' to overeat is actually a call to suppress an emotion that needs to be expressed. When I overrule the call to eat and create a space for the emotion to be let go of I usually experience a healing, cleansing release and the desire to overeat quickly subsides.
Next time you feel the need to overeat, ask the question, 'what part of me needs to be expressed' and then give some space for a response.
Good luck!
Audrey
Answers:
Hi everyone!
Problem sorted I think... I did the EFT about 10 days ago, and haven't overeaten since!! hows that for results!!!!!!
Thanks for all your wonderful sound advice!
Morven x:)
Answers:
Wow Maya, that's excellent!! Did you already know EFT or did you learn it just for this? Keep up the good work!
Sarah x