A new year has started but many are still carrying some of the excess baggage from last year.
Lockdowns, uncertainty, the threat of the new strain, and a lot more…
For most people, the previous holiday is not the only culprit for their weight gain…
A lot of people have gained weight due to the pandemic stress and negativity the current situation has brought. Unfortunately, it is noted that there is a steady increase in stress-related depression and anxiety. Both may lead to binge or emotional eating.
Fortunately, there are ways to overcome emotional eating:
- Drink water – this is at the top of the list because this is the cheapest and easiest way to overcome cravings. Often the body is simply dehydrated but we interpret it as hunger. Drinking a full glass of water right when you wake up gets your metabolism started and can help you from overeating at breakfast. When craving food, start by drinking a glass of water, wait a few minutes and see if you are really hungry.
- Create a schedule – conditioning your mind and body to eat on scheduled meals or snacks may decrease binge eating. Usually a “mini snack time” is 3 hours after your last meal. If you are not hungry during those set times, reduce your portions of the previous meal.
- Find your balance – a balanced life means you’re basically content with all or most aspects of your life. Any imbalance in your life may lead to emotional eating and throws off your physical balance so that you become sick, or lethargic, or overweight. Start examining the different areas with a wheel of life and work on those that need TLC.
- Keep yourself busy – working on a project or learning something new, may keep you from binge eating. Go on and take on the project. Find a new hobby or learn a new skill. It’s a win-win tactic to overcome emotional eating.
Dealing with weight gain and emotional eating is not an easy task.
Do you often feel alone in dealing with emotional eating?
Does dealing with your weight gain feel like a roller coaster ride, going around in circles?
Why don’t you try a different approach this time?
Have you been wondering how many are stuck in the same situation as you are?
Did you know that there are a lot of perks in losing weight within a group?
Let me share some tips with you on how you can deal with pandemic stress effects:
- Feel safe. Having a support group who’s in the same situation you are in may alleviate the feeling of shame and loneliness. Thus, reduce that indescribable feeling of doubt.
- You’ll grow. Through a group, you’ll most likely pick up some tips and tricks to overcome binge eating or healthy recipes. You may also share your thoughts without the feeling of being judged.
- Better understanding. You’ll eventually understand your purpose and the underlying factors of your weight gain and emotional eating.
Ultimately, we can overcome the challenges of weight gain and finally be free. Let’s make this year a bounce-back year by taking care of our health and wellness together.
Don’t let pandemic stress rule your life. You can learn to get over it and leave it in the past.
If you need help, you may check out my End Emotional Eating Group Coaching Program or simply download some FREE tools that you can use to get overcome stress.
