How to Stop Eating

I had an email from a lady, let's call her Penny for the sake of anonymity, who wanted to know

"I read a book to motivate myself to quit smoking...how do I get motivated, really motivated to stop eating"

The thing is, eating is even more addictive than smoking. We are biologically programmed to eat. It's definitely NOT the same as smoking. If we don't eat we die. If you don't smoke, you live longer! We can't just not buy food or stay away from other eaters. Or chew a food substitute.

And unfortunately for the state of our waistlines, it seems we are also programmed to eat as much food as we can when food is plenty so that we are able to cope with lean times ahead.

Now the trouble is that these days there are no leaner times to use up our fat stores so some of us (well a whole lot of us actually) just eat and eat to the point of obesity

Those of us who want to be slim, simply have to learn to regulate ourselves, like it or not. We have to learn to read our body's signals. To know when we are physically hungry and when we have had enough. We have to eat slowly and pay attention to our bodies.

And once you are aware that you have eaten enough you have to stop eating before you feel stuffed. And not start again until you are physically hungry.

There are a few strategies you can use to let your body (and mind) know it's time to stop eating :-

• Like smoking, eating too much (or eating when you're not physically hungry) can be a kind of habit so if you stop yourself snacking or eating too much at each meal (using sheer willpower in the beginning) eventually you will be quite used to that and stop naturally.
• If you like chocolate (like me) you may allow yourself a square with coffee at the end of your meal to signify that you have finished eating. You won't mind stopping so much, because chocolate is coming :)
• Some people find it useful to brush their teeth when eating is over. This may be a helpful strategy for Penny who used to use a cigarette to signal the end of a meal.
• You could also use clearing the kitchen of all dishes and leftovers, rinsing out the sink and putting out the kitchen lights.

Penny is also asking how she can be motivated to WANT to stop eating.

For that you need to understand what you want to achieve by losing weight and keep reminding yourself how much you want to achieve it - every time you reach for food you don't need.

If you don't want to lose weight enough then the compulsion to eat will be too great. So reinforce your reasons by going through them (in your head or on paper) whenever you can.

Plus, if you want more help with motivation and strategies to follow you can get my FREE 7 part weight loss motivation course here

Comments

[Mel T]

Great tips, thank you for the article.

Another way of avoiding overeating is to make sure you're eating a balanced diet, because when we don't eat enough to meet our energy requirements, we are much more likely to give in to over eating.

[Weight Loss Tips]

Your motivational tips are terrific. It is all in a person's mind.

[Nannie Jolin]

I could suggest looking for alternatives first before you totally quit. Some people experience withdrawal whenever something that they're addicted to is taken away from them. Just take it one small step at a time. Don't shock yourself by suddenly cutting the amount of food you eat in half. Same goes with smoking.

[Ashley]

i have an eating disorder. It all started about 16 years ago when my mother married another man.all this man did was eat and would force me to eat all the time well years passed and it started to become a habit,like all the time. i am starting to have physical problems from eating so much.i want to stop i want to be free of this habit but i always end up eating anyway is there anyway i can get help.Noone will help me in fact they urge themselves to eat more around me and then get mad at me like its my fault i have tried many times to be the adult who knows right from wrong but i always get yelled at or ignored,being alone doe not help food is like everywhere you just cant get away from it.Right away everyone starts eating,its really disgusting and i know its wrong sometimes i wish i had more willpower you know? i guess i have to do on my own *smile* well thanks for listening guys your really helping me.

[Lavinia Cephus]

Ashley,

There are wonderful programs and counselors who can help with overeating. Many people have been in your situation and have found help. Do not give up on the beautiful and fit person you were meant to be. Look into some support groups and remember you do not have to do this alone.

Lavinia