Why do you eat? Seems like a silly question, doesn’t it? Most people would answer, “I eat because I am hungry!” Yet for many people, truth be told, this is often not the reason why they eat. Many people eat out of habit, for reasons other than to nourish their bodies, and over time this can result in weight gain. When we consistently eat for reasons other than to fuel our bodies, it is hard to lose weight. Here are some of the common situations in which people eat out of habit:

Some people eat because they have nothing else to do at the moment. Often, eating at a moment like this is a way to avoid feeling boredom, sadness or depression.

Sometimes people eat out of an association with a particular activity. For example, if you have a favorite show on television that you like to watch at 8:00 p.m., eating a snack at that time might be a fun thing to do. It provides entertainment for you tongue and it gives your hands something to do, while your mind is entertained by the television.

Eating between activities or projects during the day is an easy habit to get into. For example, maybe at work you have a coffee break around 10:00 a.m. before the staff meeting at 10:30a.m., and having a donut with your coffee may seem like a nice treat.

Often eating is a reward for people. If you have had a long day at work, reaching for food from the refrigerator or pantry maybe feel like a soothing treat.

It is very easy to fall into the habit of eating because others are eating around you. For example, if you feed your children early in the evening, it would seem natural to eat with them. However, if when your spouse comes home later in the evening, eating again with your spouse could result in you eating more food than your body actually needs.

A final common reason that people eat is because eating can temporarily reduce stress that we are feeling. In an effort to feel better the quick fix of a snack or treat may temporarily relieve stress.

I am not saying that it is not okay to eat at times other than meal times. Nor am I saying that food can’t be a source of enjoyment and pleasure. It can be and it is! However, remembering that the primary reason to eat is to fuel your body with high quality nutrients is essential. Let food do its job and don’t over use it for purposes such as a reward or to avoid boredom.

To help you become more conscious of eating, identify the reason why you are eating. If you are eating to cover up a belief that is not serving you, such as “I’m not worthy,” “I can’t handle this,” or “If I don’t eat now I will feel deprived,” look for a way to affirm the more empowering truth such as, “I am worthy and I can find ways to acknowledge myself, other than with food.”

Honor yourself by feeding yourself healthy food. It will make you feel better about yourself and it will nourish your body physically.

Find ways to reward yourself in a positive way such as by taking a walk, reading a good book, playing fun music and dancing around the room. You will feel better about yourself and your body will be able to lose weight more easily.

Deborah Barnett, Ph.D.

www.manifestingwellbeing.com

Manifesting Well-Being for Health and Success