Weight Loss can be Less about Diet and More about Mood
Mood eating plays havoc with diets
For many people weight loss is less about their diet and more about how they feel. This is why going on the Atkins Diet or South Beach Diet, or even Weight Watchers is unsuccessful for many if that’s all they do to get and keep to their right size.
Understanding the reason why and when you eat what you eat is the key to weight loss. It’s true for the lucky few, getting educated about healthy eating habits and good nutrition is all they need to shed the pounds.
But what about the rest of us?
What about if our weight issue is locked-up in emotional eating and our relationship with food changes with our mood swings and even how we feel about ourselves? You’ve probably experienced how a particularly grueling day can leave you drained and susceptible to “binge eating” or a depressing mood can send us to comfort eating, and to heck with the diet!
Recognizing and accepting this is an issue for you is a first-step towards addressing mood eating.
In my weight loss hypnosis classes in our metro-west Boston location we spend time discussing how to cope with mood eating. We discuss triggers and approaches to provide your own support tools to keep you on your diet when the going gets tough.
We also cover the benefit of exercise and how this can aid with moods. When we exercise we release endorphins which can give us a feeling of well-being, and a perfect antidote to low spirits and mild depression. Even a 20-minute walk outdoors with your dog or on your own can bring about a noticeable mood change and feeling like a new person.
While many people like their exercise in the morning I prefer mine at midday or evening. If the morning was not good then performing my workout at midday let’s me start afresh in the afternoon. Likewise, if the whole day has been a challenge then coming home and doing a walk or jog before dinner gets all the “poison” out of my system so I look forward to my meal and then relaxing.
The approach to food I capture for weight loss clients is one of feeling fulfilled by your chosen diet and portions. It’s less about what the actual food in the diet consists of – although of course you’ll know what to expect with a low-carb diet – but more about the mood of the moment.
People who eat their dinner but then later on are searching for something sweet, are not hungry in the “need to eat to survive” way, but looking to satisfy an emotional hunger.
So if your diet is not getting you to the weight you’re targeting then don’t automatically assume you need to switch diet gurus. Instead keep a diary of not only everything you ate and when, but also how you were feeling at the time.
Be truthful when you keep the diary as it’s for your eyes only. Chances are you’ll discover your moods are corrupting all the good work of your diet. So now focus on doing things to get your moods under control.
Erika Slater
Free At Last Hypnosis
www.smoke-free-at-last.com
Erika@smoke-free-at-last.com
508 529 2490
Filed Under: Weight Loss
