Is Emotional Eating Causing You to Blow Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan?

You've done everything right this time. You're eating lots of salad, fruit, and protein; using only low fat dressings and even staying away from white flour and refined sugar.

But then?you have an argument with your spouse. You are bored, stressed, depressed and giving up. You walk by the pantry and see nothing that will satisfy the sudden urge for sugar, salt, potato chips, candy, or whatever your particular poison of choice. So you go down to the grocery store and find what you need, go home and pig out! Maybe you don't need to go to the store... maybe you've thought ahead because you knew this moment would come and you have a secret cabinet with all kinds of binge eating goodies!

Ok, well that might be a little dramatic. But most people have found themselves following a good, healthy diet and all of a sudden, because of some emotional upheaval, they've found themselves in the middle of an overeating binge. It can really blow your whole healthy eating plan. So what's happening when you find yourself in this situation?And how can you stop emotional eating?

First of all, when you go on an emotional eating binge, strong emotions are causing you to experience stress. This is when your body goes into "fight or flight" response. You either "fight"or you "fly". All your energy is directed towards one of these responses. Cortisol is released and normally, this causes the energy exerted in fighting or flying to be replaced with an increase in appetite. You are supposed to eat to replace the energy burned.

However, in modern-day times, we are unable to follow through with the "fight or flight" response. Everything happens as it is designed to happen, except that instead of energy being burned, it is "stuffed" and we are left with an urge to eat.

So what can you do to stop emotional eating? I have found a very helpful book, "Lose It For Life" written by Stephen Arterburn and Dr. Linda Mintle, who suggest making a list of alternate activities when you find yourself in such a situation, such as taking a walk, take three deep breaths or call a friend. One other very effective way to battle these urges is to pray. As a Christian, when I find myself having a problem with unpleasant emtions, I seek release and find strength when I turn to God. A moment of prayer can really help you find the balance you need to continue with your healthy weight loss plan.

Sometimes we turn to food out of loneliness or boredom. The same technique could apply. Talking to your friend or playing with your dog could be infinitely more interesting than stuffing your face with a cookie.

Copyright 2005 by Eunice Coughlin. Healthy Living for Moms encourages healthy living habits for moms of all ages and stages. For more information about emotional eating and other healthy living topics, check out http://www.healthy-living-for-mo ms.com/emotional_eating.html

---

Cause and Solution to Obesity

ObesityToday, 64.5 percent of adult Americans (about 127 million) are... Read More

Lose Weight and Keep it Off Permanently Without Fancy Diets

For years the experts have been telling us that diets... Read More

Saint Valentine Never Had it So Good

There are several theories on the origins of Valentine's Day.... Read More

How To Get Past a Weight Loss Plateau

Everyone who has ever been on a diet has hit... Read More

Best Diet Plan Available

Diet Fads-Forget about 'EmAnother fad "best diet" bites the dust.... Read More

Fighting Obesity - My Pyramid Dietary Guidelines

If you are fighting the battle of the bulge (overweight... Read More

Is the Dr Atkins Diet Safe?

The Dr Atkins Diet has been around for ages, but... Read More

Proven Strategies to Effectively Burn Fat Out Of Your Body! Part 1

It is much safer to your long term health to... Read More

Six Super Easy Weight Loss Tips

If you have been trying to lose weight permanently, then... Read More

The Importance and Confusion of Fat in Your Diet

Fats are always looked at as a negative in a... Read More

How To Get Over A Weight Loss Plateau

Everyone who has ever tried to lose weight has hit... Read More

How Body Mass Index Works ? Set Your Weight Loss Goals

Many people want to lose a few of those annoying... Read More

Diet Plans for a Low Carb Diet

One of the most popular diets is the low carb... Read More

Weight Loss NOW or Else!

If you knew when you were going to die, would... Read More

Does A Quick Weight Loss Diet Really Work?

Only if you're trying to fool the scale on a... Read More

The Benefits of Omega3 Fatty Acids - Losing Weight with Fat!

Essential Fats for Weight LossOver the past few decades, the... Read More

Gene?s Diet Plan

Hot dang! If a few hundred other folks can peddle... Read More

Easy Weight Loss

A really easy, fast way to weight loss is walking... Read More

What is Real Hunger?

In order to identify hunger, you must first understand what... Read More

Eating Out

I know how difficult it can be do stick to... Read More

Lose A Pound

Lose a pound of fat? what does it take? Not... Read More

Say No To Obesity

Obesity still remains one of the commonest avoidable causes of... Read More

What is the Glycemic Index?

Over the last 30 years, research into food and blood... Read More

Diet Sodas & Losing Weight: Is Diet Coke Good Or Dangerous For Healthy Weight Loss?

Zero Calorie Diet Sodas: Good Or Bad For Weight Loss?Calorie-free... Read More

Weight Loss Information -- Setting Effective Goals

Weight loss information is often confusing and misleading. The more... Read More

Vinegar and Weight Loss

The Sour Truth -------------------------- Question: I had a baby 6... Read More

Fast Weight Loss Takes Time

I recently received the following email:Q. Five weeks ago, I... Read More

Weight Loss - A Complex Issue - Learn More

Please feel free to comment, to provide good information and... Read More

4 Tips for Fast Fat Loss Part III

Fat Loss Tip #3) Proper Meal FrequencyMeal Frequency (i.e., the... Read More

Hypnosis, Weight Control, and The Thought That Wont Go Away

You've decided it's time to lose some weight. A lot... Read More

Weight Loss Through the Right Natural Food

At its most basic, dieting is about burning more calories... Read More

Dieting Strategy -- Stop Diet Drop Out

Diet drop out, a significant problem for all types of... Read More

Confessions From A Fat Doctor

I never intended to get fat! I am not exactly... Read More