A lot of people have trouble resolving or coping with feelings like depression, stress, loneliness, relationship problems, anger, health issues and low self-esteem. Eating can be used as a relief to a situation or as a reward. The problem is it may cause “dis-ease” in your waistband and overall health. The longer this behavior goes on the more likely this behavior will become a habit that will be difficult to break.

Triggers That Lead to Overeating and OverSnacking

It is believed that almost 75 percent of all overeating is caused by your emotions. It is normal to eat due to your emotions once in awhile. When it happens constantly then there is a problem. This type of eating can lead to consuming junk foods, or large quantities of food, as a way to bring comfort to the individual.

Examples include having to deal with financial difficulties or unhappiness with work that may lead you to snack when you get home late, or keep you awake and wandering to the fridge during the early hours. Food can satisfy a craving and cause the body to feel better just from the action of eating, or from the chemical changes foods can produce within the body.

There may be certain triggers that compound this problem. In particular social environments you may be inclined to eat more, like at office parties or weddings where your stress levels are higher. If you are stuck at home due to an injury, illness, etc., you may start eating out of boredom. At a movie you may have to pass the popcorn and candy aisle and figure, heck, why not? Also when we dine with others we often see what other people are ordering, which can sway us from our normal style of eating.

If you can try to control these urges and find a solution to relieving any of these stressors that induce overeating, you can beat this.

Are You Your Own Worst Enemy?

Everybody loves the holidays. They are fun and cheerful, and overindulgence runs rampant from Thanksgiving to Easter. That’s five months or almost half the year, we celebrate with gorging ourselves and eating unhealthily. It’s so easy to put on weight in preparation for winter months … “even a caveman could do it.”

We kick off food fest with Halloween. It is a great way to make every dentist busier and richer. All that sugar and sticky, chewy candy is enough to fill the appointment book for months. Not to mention the stuff we buy for the neighborhood, just happens to be our favorite. So if no one shows up, who do you think will eat all those empty calories? Guilty as charged.

The Holidays: Season of Indulgence?

Thanksgiving is next, the big meal consisting of turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes and all the sides, followed by too many desserts. We eat appetizers waiting for the real feast and then sit down for the meal. Next are the six pies to be consumed soon after dinner. More sugar filled calories. In between all this are the naps, because we ate too much or the sugar content was too high. Eating too much and then napping are a great 1-2 punch to gain weight.

Christmas and New Year’s parties last the entire month or longer. We bounce from one office party to another family or friend gathering. These are basically alcohol, sweets and over indulgence for thirty days. Next we have the Super Bowl and a full day of gluttony at its best. Next we consume Valentine’s Day candy, St. Patrick’s Day and Easter candy accompanied by another huge meal. This coincides with winter when we are typically less active in general. I know some of us can throw in a few birthday cakes along the way too. That is a lot of food.

The economic drive for the public to buy sugary crap, and gifts, for these holidays is well beyond the original meaning of any of these holidays. Combine that with a decrease in activity and excessive calories, and terrible ones at that, and you have the recipe for big weight gain. It is no wonder we get unhealthier every year.

What Provides Safe, Long-Lasting Weight Loss?

There is no magic pill or quick dieting scheme that can provide you with safe, long-lasting weight loss. The one scientifically proven method I want you to consider and adopt is exercise. Maybe add a workout or increase the time and effort you expend in the gym when you are in there. This can also help to offset any additional special event or holiday calories that may be headed your way in the future.

Incorporate a little self-control with your eating habits during this vulnerable time period. Try a bite of this, nibble on that, skip on seconds and have some water on the rocks a couple of times during the party. This way you aren’t denied the satisfaction of trying the various foods or knocking a few cocktails back. You just aren’t adding as much to your bottom line, so to speak.

What About When You Eat Out?

In general, if you decide to have a nice dinner out, use the same principles. You don’t have to eat all of the bread at the table. Those are empty calories. It doesn’t mean you can’t have any. Just don’t eat the whole loaf. Besides, why fill up on bread when the good stuff is about to come?

I may even order dessert and split it with my wife. We enjoy a nice dinner out, with a dessert, and have reduced the total calories we could have eaten by using some self-control.

*subtitles by InnerSelf

Reprinted with permission of the author. 
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This article was adapted with permission from the book:

Back At Your Best: Balancing the Demands of Life with the Needs of Your Body
by Dr. Jay M. Lipoff.

“Do You Want To Feel Your Best?” Alleviate back pains, maintain a healthy weight, and feel better and stronger at any age, with simple changes to your normal routine. Here is your easy to follow guide for everything from quality sleep, ending headaches, smarter eating and nutrition, better posture, proper stretching and exercise, and much more. Isn’t it time you were Back At Your Best?!

For More Into or to Order This Book on Amazon.

About the Author

Dr. Jay M. Lipoff is a chiropractor, certified fitness trainer, educator, and nationally recognized expert in spinal injury prevention. He is author of Back at Your Best: Balancing the Demands of Life with the Needs of Your Body). He is an executive board member of the ICA Council on Fitness and Sports Health Science, and hosts a radio segment on Mix 96.1 WVLF-FM on Fridays at 8:20 AM called "Back at Your Best in 5 Minutes or Less." Visit his website at http://www.backatyourbest.com